Griffon Athletics in conjunction with the Missouri Army National Guard are proud to present Military Appreciation Night this Saturday at Spratt Stadium as #8 Griffon Football hosts Nebraska-Kearney at 6 PM.

The night begins with a free tailgate party in parking Lot I in front of Spratt Stadium.  Complimentary hamburgers and hot dogs will be served.  Also at the tailgate and at two other locations throughout the parking lots, fans can purchase the Official “Griffon Warfare” Gameday T-shirt.  The shirts are $10 apiece with proceeds benefitting The Wounded Warrior Project.

The Missouri Army National Guard will have several military vehicles on display outside of the stadium including humvees and a howitzer.

Fans will want to make sure they’re in their seats early for pregame festivities which will begin approximately 20 minutes prior to kickoff.  Events include a performance by the Falcon Skydiving Team, a military enlistment ceremony and the unveiling of a large American Flag in conjunction with the singing of the National Anthem by Master Sergeant of the Air National Guard Mert Hughes.

The pregame coin toss ceremony will feature Sergeant First Class Chad King who recently returned from duty in Afghanistan.  The commemorative coin is the official coin of the Adjutant General of the State of Missouri Major General Stephen L. Danner.  Following the toss, the coin will presented to MWSU President Dr. Bob Vartabedian as a memento of the day.

The halftime show will feature a patriotic performance by the Golden Griffon Marching Band concluding with an apache helicopter fly off that will be staged next to the Spratt Stadium scoreboard.

The Griffon Football team will be wearing a commemorative Black & Gold camouflage uniform during the game.

Saturday’s game is also Family Day on the MWSU campus as well as will be broadcast to over four million homes in the four state area as it has been chosen as the MIAA Television Game of the Week.

For game tickets, log on to gogriffons.com, call 816-271-4481 or pick them up at the stadium on game day beginning at 4 PM.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western men’s golf team finished in 11th place at the first MIAA sanctioned golf event of the season which was held at Crestwood Country Club in Pittsburg, Kan. The Griffons finished firing a 623 (309-314) which was four strokes out of 10th, five strokes out of ninth and seven strokes back of eighth. The winner of the event was Washburn University firing a 591 (295-296) which was six strokes better than Central Oklahoma’s 597 (299-298).

Sophomore, James O’Brien led the way for MWSU finishing 7-over with a 151 (74-77) which put him in a tied for 15th in the 71 player field. Junior College transfer Weston Apple finished in a tie for 38th with a 156 (76-80) while Scott Sheldonn fired 157 (78-79). Tyler Gast and Kenny Stone fired 159 and 165 respectively while Derek Hawkins played as an individual finishing with a 163 (81-82).

Sam Schulte of Washburn won the event on a playoff hole over Dillion Rust of Central Oklahoma. They both fired 144 which was one stroke better than Landon Morgan of UCO.

The Griffons will return to action on September 24-25 when they travel to Muskogee, Okla. to participate in the Northeastern State University Classic. The event will be played at Emerald Falls Golf Club.

The Missouri Western women’s golf team finished 11th out of 19 teams at the Drury University Fall Shootout which was held at Silo Ridge Country Club in Bolivar, Mo. The Griffons fired a two round total of 677 (342-335) which was two strokes better than the University of Sioux Falls. Southwestern Oklahoma State won the event by ten strokes firing a two round total of 602 (302-310).

Senior, Natalie Bird continues to play well finising in a tie for 12th in the 106 player field firing 157 (77-80). Shelby Stone was the next highest finisher with a 169 (86-83) while Callie Wilson, Darcy Smith and Casi Webb finished with 172, 179 and 187 respectively. Amber Chivinton played as an individual and fired 184 (93-91).

The winner of the event was Ana Gomez of Southwestern Oklahoma State firing a two round total of 150 (72-78) which was two strokes better than Margaret Alumno of Drury University, Emily Kvidera of Augustana College, Whitney McAteer of Northeastern State and Margaret Musser of Southwestern Oklahoma State.

The Griffons return to action on Sunday, September 16 and Monday, September 17 traveling north to participate in the Concordia-St. Paul Wildwood Lodge Invitational. The event is being play at Tartan Park Golf Club in Lake Elmo, Minn.

— MWSU Sports Information —