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Category: College

MIAA announces 2012 football television schedule

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Eleven football games will be featured in year three of the MIAA Television Network, up one from the previous two years, the conference office announced Thursday.

The first nine games of the 2012 schedule have been established, but for the second consecutive year the final two weeks have been left open as “flex” games. The games that are of the most interest to MIAA fans, whether it be a game with championship implications, rivalry game, etc., will be chosen to fill the final two slots.

The games will once again be carried live on KSMO Channel 62 in the Kansas City area, as well as several cable systems throughout the MIAA geographical footprint. Complete information regarding where to watch the games will be made available as the season draws closer.

The MIAA is in its third year partnered with Kansas City-based Niles Media Group to provide production, distribution and media sales for the broadcast network. The MIAA Network, launched in the summer of 2010, showcased 10 football games as well as 10 basketball games in each of its first two years on television.

The 2012 MIAA football broadcast schedule kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 8, on the campus of defending national champion Pittsburg State. There, the Gorillas will host Central Oklahoma, which is in its first year in the MIAA. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT.

The following week, another new MIAA member will be showcased as Nebraska Kearney travels to St. Joseph, Mo., to face Missouri Western on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. CT.

On Saturday, Sept. 22, the MIAA Network will visit Edmond, Okla., for the first time as Central Oklahoma makes its second appearance of the season. There, the Bronchos will host Washburn at 2:30 p.m. CT.

A week later, the scene shifts to Maryville, Mo., where Northwest Missouri will host Northeastern State Saturday, Sept. 29 at 2:30 p.m. CT. It will be the Riverhawks’ first appearance on the network as they enter their initial year in the league.

On Saturday, Oct. 6, Nebraska Kearney makes its second appearance on the network as it hosts Truman at 2:30 p.m. CT.

Plaster Stadium in Bolivar, Mo., will be the site of the Saturday, Oct. 13 broadcast game as Southwest Baptist hosts Fort Hays State at 2:30 p.m. CT.

The following week, Lincoln will play at Fort Hays State on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 2:30 p.m. CT, in the first of three games in eight days on the MIAA Network.

Five days later, Missouri Western at Emporia State will be the featured game. Kickoff time on Thursday, Oct. 25, is 6 p.m.

On Saturday, Oct. 27, Lindenwood will host Missouri Southern at 2:30 p.m. CT in the final game before the flex scheduling. It will be the first MIAA Network game for Lindenwood, and the first one hosted in St. Charles.

Saturday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 10 will be the final two football broadcasts of the season, and both are tentatively scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT. Information regarding which games will be featured will be announced at a later date.

In addition to the 11 football games on the MIAA Network, the league will also be featured on national television Thursday, Sept. 20, as Central Missouri plays host to Truman at 7 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.

All MIAA football and basketball games will continue to be streamed live online on the America One Television Network.

2012 MIAA Television Network Football Schedule
September 8: Central Oklahoma at Pittsburg State, 6:00pm
September 15: Nebraska-Kearney at Missouri Western, 6:00pm
September 22: Washburn at Central Oklahoma, 2:30pm
September 29: Northeastern State at Northwest Missouri, 2:30pm
October 6: Truman at Nebraska-Kearney, 2:30pm
October 13: Fort Hays State at Southwest Baptist, 2:30pm
October 20: Lincoln at Fort Hays State, 2:30pm
October 25: Missouri Western at Emporia State, 6:00 pm
October 27: Missouri Southern at Lindenwood, 2:30pm
November 3: TBA, 2:30pm
November 10: TBA, 2:30pm

— MIAA Press Release —

Northwest Missouri State releases 2012 volleyball schedule

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Head Coach Jessica Rinehart and the Northwest Missouri State volleyball program released its 2012 schedule on Monday in a new look MIAA.

The Bearcats open the season in West Palm Beach, Fla., at the Hyatt Place Sunshine Classic hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic University. Northwest will open on Friday, Aug. 31 with Barry University and the host team before facing Saginaw Valley State and Lewis University on Saturday.

The following weekend Northwest will return to Missouri for the Missouri S&T Middle of Everywhere Classic in Rolla. The tournament slate for the Bearcats will consist of Upper Iowa, Southwest Minnesota, Southern Indiana, and Missouri S&T.

Northwest will open the MIAA schedule on Sept. 11 at rival Missouri Western before returning home for a five game home-stand. Opening the home series will be MIAA newcomer Lindenwood on Sept. 14 followed by Missouri Southern, Fort Hays State, Washburn and Southwest Baptist.

The Bearcats will conclude their non-conference tournament schedule at the Washburn Lady Blues Fall Classic. A quartet of regional foes will face the Bearcats including Southern Nazarene, Southwestern Oklahoma State, East Central and Harding.

On Oct. 12 a second new face to the league, Central Oklahoma, will travel to Maryville followed by the Bearcats matchup with Pittsburg State on Oct. 14.

Also the MIAA will sponsor a postseason tournament with the champion earning the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The tournament will be comprised of the top eight teams in the final standings and hosted on campus locations with the championship match being played Saturday, Nov. 17.

With the addition of new NCAA Division II conferences the Bearcats and MIAA will play regional NCAA rounds in the Central Region along with the Great American Conference and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Click here for the entire Northwest Missouri State 2012 schedule.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Kansas basketball adds prep guard from Chicago

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Standout combo guard Milton Doyle has signed a grant-in-aid agreement to play men’s basketball at the University of Kansas, KU head coach Bill Self announced Monday.

“Milton graduated this past week. He is in Lawrence, enrolled and attending class and is officially a Kansas Jayhawk,” Self said. “I’m excited for him. He’s got length and reminds me so much of Tyshawn (Taylor), including recruiting in that he committed to FIU (Florida International), and they had a coaching change and we were fortunate enough to recruit him after that.”

Taylor had committed to Marquette before its coaching change and then came to Kansas where he was a four-year starter from 2009-12 and a member of four Big 12 Championship teams, including this past season guiding the Jayhawks to the Final Four and the NCAA title game.

Doyle, 6-4,185 pounds, comes to KU from Chicago’s Marshall High School where he averaged 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 5.0 steals per game his senior season. He was selected as a Chicago Public League All-Star and scored 20 points in the league’s all-star game in May.

“He’s got a lot of upside,” Self said. “He’s a combo guard that can certainly play on the ball. He’s also big enough and skilled enough to play off the ball and a very good athlete. I think he’ll give us great depth in our backcourt.”

Doyle becomes the fifth Jayhawk from Chicago who has played or will play under Self at Kansas. Those include 2010 All-American Sherron Collins, Julian Wright, Mario Little and current Jayhawk Jamari Traylor.

“I’m so appreciative of his family trusting us throughout the recruiting process because it was so quick after the situation at Florida International,” Self added. “I have known coach (Henry) Cotton (at Marshall HS) for a long, long time and he sings Milton’s praises on his talent. Milton would have been a very highly recruited kid had he played AAU last summer but he didn’t because he was injured and a lot of people didn’t have the opportunity to see him.”

— KU Sports Information —

MU’s Haith completes coaching staff with hiring of Dave Leitao

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University of Missouri Head Basketball Coach Frank Haith announced the hiring of former Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year Dave Leitao as an assistant coach on Friday. Leitao, who owns a pair of conference championships as a head coach at DePaul (2004) and Virginia (2007), has made 21 career postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA Tournaments highlighted by the 1999 National Championship as the Associate Head Coach at the University of Connecticut under Jim Calhoun.

The hiring of Leitao completes Haith’s coaching staff for the 2012-13 campaign.

Named the 2007 ACC Coach of the Year after leading the Cavaliers to an 11-5 league mark (21-11 overall) and a win in the NCAA Tournament, the 52-year-old comes to Mizzou after one season coaching the Maine Red Claws of the National Basketball Association’s Developmental League (NBDL). He led Maine to a three-game improvement last season, working with an organization that is the official minor league partner of the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and the Charlotte Bobcats.

The New Bedford, Mass., native has 26 seasons of coaching experience under his belt. In the collegiate ranks he most recently spent four seasons at Virginia (2005-09) and three seasons at DePaul (2002-05). He has won 143 career games as a head coach, with three 20-win seasons, two league titles and six trips to postseason play.

“What a great complement to the University of Missouri to bring in a coach the caliber of Dave Leitao to work with our student-athletes,” Head Coach Frank Haith said. “Dave was a guy I really enjoyed competing against in the Atlantic Coast Conference because you knew his teams would play tough, physical and would really attack you every possession.

“Dave brings a wealth of knowledge to our program,” Haith continued. “He was mentored by one of college basketball’s all-time greats in Coach (Jim) Calhoun and he helped recruit key pieces for their NCAA Championship team in 1998-99. We are excited to have Dave join our family here at Mizzou.”

As Haith mentioned, Leitao was mentored into college basketball under the Hall of Famer, Calhoun, who recruited the 6-foot-7 forward to Northeastern University (1978-82). As a student-athlete Leitao’s teams went 79-34 overall and he was named team captain each of his final two seasons, each of which culminated with a trip to the NCAA Tournament. His 1982 Northeastern Huskies won a first round contest against St. Joseph’s before falling to third-seeded Villanova in triple overtime. Over his four seasons Leitao averaged 6.0 points and 5.4 rebounds and was known for his defensive intensity, which has fueled his coaching focus.

“I really appreciate this opportunity to join Coach Haith’s staff here at Missouri and can’t imagine a better place to continue my coaching career than here at Mizzou,” Dave Leitao said. “Missouri is a national program with tremendous success, incredible facilities, passionate fans and first class leadership of Mike Alden and Chancellor Brady Deaton. You see everything that has taken place on this campus over recent years and you can’t help but to be excited about the momentum we have going forward.”

Leitao began his coaching career as a full-time assistant under Calhoun at his alma mater in 1984 helping the program to two more NCAA berths and a combined 48-14 record. The pair then moved to the University of Connecticut where the team grew from a 9-19 mark in year one (1986-87) to make seven consecutive postseason trips, four NCAA Tournaments, two NCAA Sweet 16’s and an NCAA Elite Eight.

That run propelled Leitao to his first head coaching job at Northeastern (1994-96) where he won 18 games as a first year head coach. He then returned to UConn as Associate Head Coach and made six more postseason trips highlighted by the 1999 NCAA Championship.

At UConn Leitao assisted in the recruitment of several future NBA performers including the likes of Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Emeka Okafor, Donyell Marshall, Clifford Robinson, Jake Voskuhl, Travis Knight, Scott Burrell, Caron Butler, Khalid El-Amin, Tate George, Donny Marshall and Kevin Ollie.

“I’ve known Dave so long, he is practically a member of my family,” Connecticut Head Coach Jim Calhoun said. “As a player, he was a great leader and he came with me from Day One at UConn to help build a program, so he obviously shares in an awful lot of the success we’ve been fortunate enough to achieve.

“He went on to become a tremendous head coach, winning an ACC championship and being named ACC Coach of the Year,” Calhoun continued. “But besides being an outstanding coach, he’s an outstanding person — one of the best people I’ve ever been involved with as a player, a coach, and a close friend. What Dave adds to the Missouri staff is a coach who has seen everything from building a program, to recruiting at the highest level, to winning national championships, to developing young men into players who can succeed at the next level. He has first-hand experience in every phase of college basketball and there is no doubt in my mind that he will be a tremendous asset to Coach Haith’s staff. I wish him nothing but great success at Missouri.”

Connecticut made two more NCAA Elite Eight trips (1998 and 2002) during his second stint in Storrs, Conn., and following a 2001-02 campaign in which the Huskies went 27-6, a more seasoned Leitao returned to the sidelines as a head coach at DePaul. The Blue Demons won 58 games over three years in Chicago and advanced to three consecutive postseasons. His 2004 squad shared the Conference USA title and qualified for the NCAA Tournament, while his 2005 Blue Demons earned a postseason NIT victory over Missouri at Mizzou Arena in 2005. In Leitao’s first season the Blue Demons were one of college basketball’s most improved clubs going from a 9-19 mark (2-12 in C-USA) the year before his arrival to 16-13 (8-8 C-USA). In fact Leitao’s league crown and NCAA berth at DePaul remain the most recent in that program’s history.

Leitao then took over at Virginia in 2005-06 and led the program to three postseason trips, including the league title in 2007. That 2007 Cavaliers squad was pegged eighth in the ACC preseason poll, but shared the conference title with North Carolina and recorded the most league wins (11) since 1994-95. That team also topped Albany in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, marking Virginia’s first NCAA appearance since 2001 and first NCAA win since 1995.

Leitao has used an attention to detail and defensive mindset as a catalyst for success at each stop. Virginia led the ACC (in league games) in field goal percentage defense (.408) in 2007 and consistently ranked among the league’s better rebounding clubs.

“We are really excited to have another experienced coach such as Dave in our program and feel like he will really help the overall development of our team,” Haith said. “He gives us another veteran presence on the bench and his experience as a head coach, coupled with his experience competing and winning championships, will help mold our young men for the future.”

— MU Sports Information —

Western grad Garnett shoots 8-over 78 in opening round at U.S. Open

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Missouri Western graduate Brice Garnett made his PGA Tour debut Thursday in the opening round of the U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.

The Gallatin native struggled in his first round as he shot an 8-over par 78.

Garnett bogied five of his first eight holes and finished the front at 5-over par.  He played much better on the back nine as he finished 3-over, but he double-bogied the par five 16th hole.

Garnett is tied for 125th and he’ll tee of at 11:01 a.m. Friday for his second round.

American Michael Thompson leads the U.s. Open after an opening round 4-under 66.  He has a three shot lead on five golfer who are tied at 1-under par, including Tiger Woods.

MWSU’s Bass & Allan earn preseason All-America honors

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Missouri Western’s record setting defensive end, David Bass and outstanding offensive tackle, Macon Allan have earned their first preseason All-American honors of 2012. The St. Louis, Mo. and King City, Mo. natives were first team selections by Lindy’s Sports.

Bass was named to numerous All-America teams in 2011 which included first team honors from D2Football.com, Don Hansen Football Gazette, AP “Little” All-American and Beyond Sports College Network. His 20 tackles for a loss set a school record for most in a season while his 14.5 sacks led the MIAA and left him one-half sack short of the single season school record. He has 28.5 sacks in his career which is 1.5 short of the school record. He tied a single game high with four sacks in a game twice and was fourth in the nation in sacks per game at 1.21. He earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors twice and was the D2Football.com Player of the Week once.

He finished the season with 55 tackles with 35 being solo. He had eight quarterback hurries, four pass break-ups and one forced fumble. He was named first team all-MIAA for the first time in his career last season.

Allan has been a rock on the offensive line since he got to Western. He has started all 36 games in his three years of playing. Last season he was first team All-MIAA for the first time in his career. He was also named to the Don Hansen Honorable Metion all-America team as well as the Don Hansen second team all-Region. He helped the Griffons rush for 240 yards per game and almost six yards per carry in 2011.

Bass and Allan are two of 12 players from the MIAA to be named either first or second-team All-American by Lindy’s, double the selections of any other conference in the country.

The Griffons finished 9-3 last season, which tied them for the most wins in a season. The Griffons are set to return a total of 17 starters on offense and defense next season, including 10 of 11 on offense and seven of 11 on defense.

Missouri Western will open the season on Thursday, August 30 against the University of Central Missouri in Spratt Stadium. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. and you can listen on 680 KFEQ.

Lindy’s First Team Preseason All-America
Offense
QB – Mitchell Gale, Abilene Christian
RB – Joe Glendening, Hillsdale
RB – Daronte McNeill, Elizabeth City State
WR – Chris Bowden, Wingate
WR – Charles Johnson, Grand Valley State
TE – Joe Don Duncan, Dixie State
OL – Macon Allan, Missouri Western State
OL – Garth Heikkinen, Minnesota-Duluth
OL – Tim Lelito, Grand Valley State
OL – Ken Van Huele, Midwestern State
AP – John Brown, Pittsburg State
PK – Derek Kroon, Truman State

Defense
DL – David Bass, Missouri Western State
DL – Jonas Celian, West Virginia Wesleyan
DL – Tim Green, Lincoln (PA)
DL – Tom Herd, New Haven
LB – Jordan Campbell, New Mexico Highlands
LB – Nate Dreiling, Pittsburg State
LB – Cody Fleming, Shippensburg
DB – Aaron Cornett, Wayne State (MI)
DB – Alex Dinolfi, Kutztown
DB – Rontez Miles, California (PA)
DB – Richie Schumacher, Truman State
P – Taylor Accardi, Colorado School of Mines

Lindy’s Second Team Preseason All-America
Offense
QB – Brandon Kelsey, Midwestern State
RB – James Franklin, Northwest Missouri State
RB – Keldrick Jackson, Midwestern State
WR – DeJuan Beard, Washburn
WR – Dsaiah Voegeli, Merrimack
TE – David Pawelek, Colorado School of Mines
OL – Logan Freeman, Central Missouri
OL – Mike Nelson, Central Washington
OL – Brett Frydendahl, Humboldt State
OL – Ryan Schraeder, Valdosta State
OL – Lamar Young, Delta State
AP – Jonathan Woodson, Texas A&M-Kingsville
PK – Rockne Belmonte, Northern Michigan

Defense
DL – Brad Davis, Elizabeth City State
DL – Vauchard Goodridge, Clark Atlanta
DL – Howard Jones, Shepherd
DL – Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern State
LB – Cody Bloom, Ashland
LB – Jesse Robertson, West Virginia Wesleyan
LB – Marquis Wadley, Tarleton State
DB – Derek Lohmann, Emporia State
DB – Sam Kuck, Nebraska-Kearney
DB – Marvin Matthews, St. Cloud State
DB – Bryce Pella, Western Oregon
P – Randy Weich, Wayne State (NE)

— MWSU Sports Information —

KU’s Self hires former Nebraska coach Doc Stadler as Director of Basketball Operations

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Doc Sadler has been named the director of basketball operations for Kansas men’s basketball, KU head coach Bill Self announced Wednesday.

Sadler replaces Barry Hinson who served in the position for two seasons, four total on the KU staff, before taking over as head coach at Southern Illinois following Kansas’ run to the NCAA Tournament title game in April 2012.

“I am excited to announce that Doc Sadler has accepted the position of director of basketball operations in our program,” Self said. “I’ve known Doc for 25 years and have certainly followed his career. Watching his career at UTEP and seeing and competing against him when he was at Nebraska sold me on his ability for him to come in here and make us better.”

“Very few programs in the country have the experience that our staff will have with Joe (Dooley), Kurtis (Townsend), Norm (Roberts) and now adding Doc into the mix,” Self said. “We lost two great coaches this past year due to staff turnover – Danny (Manning) getting the job at Tulsa and Barry (Hinson) getting the job at Southern Illinois. We replace them with Norm Roberts who is a terrific coach and recruiter and was a head coach at St. John’s for six years and Doc Sadler who has done just about everything and has been a head Division I coach for eight years. I’m excited. My batteries are charged and I know he’s ready to get to work July 1.”

“This is an unbelievable opportunity to have a chance to get back into college basketball,” Sadler said. “When making decisions, I really thought I would sit out this year but when this came along I don’t think anyone would ever pass it up. I am thankful to Coach Self in giving me this opportunity. To be part of a program such as Kansas is unbelievable.”

Sadler comes to KU after serving six seasons as head coach at Nebraska where he posted a 101-89 record. His 101 wins are fourth all-time at NU. Sadler guided Nebraska to three postseason appearances, with the Huskers advancing to the NIT in 2008, 2009 and 2011. His 2009 team finished Big 12 play with an 8-8 league record, the Huskers’ best conference mark in a decade, and his 2008 team posted a 20-13 record, giving NU its first 20-win season since 1999. Overall, at Nebraska Sadler owned eight wins against ranked squads in six years.

Under Sadler at Nebraska, more than 80 percent of seniors who finished their eligibility received their degrees at NU. Additionally, as a head coach, Sadler has mentored 19 players who went on to play in the NBA.

Prior to Nebraska, Sadler spent two seasons as the head coach at UTEP, where he compiled a 48-18 record with the Miners: 27-8 in 2005 and 21-10 in 2006. His 27 wins in 2005 rank ninth on the NCAA list for first-year head coaches.

Guiding teams to nine postseason appearances as a head coach, Sadler’s first head stint was at Arkansas-Fort Smith from 1998-99 through 2002-03. He has a career coaching record of 269-146 in 13 seasons, including a Division I record of 149-107 in eight seasons.

A native of Greenwood, Ark., Sadler also served one season as a high school coach, guiding County Line High School to a 38-7 record.

As an assistant coach, Sadler worked at seven current Division I schools, including Arkansas (1982-85, under Eddie Sutton), Lamar (1985-86, under Pat Foster), Houston (1986), Chicago State (1987-88, under Tommy Suitts), Texas Tech (1991-94, under James Dickey), Arizona State (1994-97, under Bill Freider) and UTEP (2003-04, under Billy Gillispie).

Over 12 full seasons as a Division I assistant coach, nine of his teams reached the postseason.

— KU Sports Information —

Northwest Missouri State announces 2012 M-Club Hall of Fame class

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Six outstanding former student-athletes, a pair of sports medicine icons and two MIAA Championship teams have been chosen for induction into the M-Club Hall of Fame this fall.

Two of the most productive football players during Northwest Missouri State’s football championship era, Tony Miles and Aaron Becker, will be inducted, along with their 1997 NCAA playoff team for the ceremony. The 1995 men’s tennis team will also take their place among the best Bearcat squads of all time.

Women’s tennis great Rosa Tapia, All-America cross country star Vernon Darling, standout offensive lineman Randy Euken and All-MIAA hoops star Rick Jolley will be enshrined as former student-athletes. Former Bearcat trainer D.C. Colt and recently retired Bearcat team physician Dr. Patrick Harr round out the 2012 Hall of Fame Class.

The Class of 2012 will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame during the annual festivities on Friday Nov. 2 in the J.W. Jones Student Union Ballroom.

The 2012 class will bring the individual total to 111 and 42 teams. The M-Club Hall of Fame was established for individuals in 1980 and teams were first enshrined beginning in 1989.

Aaron Becker (Football, 1996-2000) – Becker finished his four-year career at Northwest as a two-time All-America selection and one of the most prolific defensive players in the championship era. He is third on the Northwest all-time list in tackles for a loss and eighth in sacks.  He was the Bearcats single season sack leader twice during his tenure.

He was a three-time First-Team All-MIAA pick on the defensive line helping Northwest to national championships in 1998 and 1999. The Bearcats were also MIAA Champions in each of Becker’s four-years at Northwest.

D.C. Colt (Athletic Trainer, 1981-2008) – Colt was the Bearcats’ head athletic trainer for 27 years, in addition to being a faculty member in Northwest’s Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.  During his tenure he provided care to thousands of student-athletes and mentored several graduate assistants that have gone on to careers in athletic training.  He became a certified athletic trainer in 1977 and has been inducted into four additional Halls of Fame (National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame, Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association Sports Medicine Hall of Fame, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the Mid-America Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame).  Colt had been previously selected for admission into the Hall of Fame but chose to defer his enshrinement until the selection of Dr. Patrick Harr.

Vernon Darling (Men’s Cross Country/Track, 1975-79) – Darling was a three-time All-America selection in cross country and track and field for the Bearcats from 1975-79. He still holds Northwest records in the cross country 10k with a time of 30:55 and was a member of the record holding indoor distance medley relay team.

Darling captured the MIAA title in the one mile run and was also a two-time MIAA Champion in the 3000-meter steeplechase. His time in the 3000-meter steeplechase is second on the Northwest all-time list only behind Jim Ryan, who earned his spot in the Hall of Fame last year.

Randy Euken (Football, 1971-74) – Euken was a four-year starter on the offensive line and helped lead the Bearcats to two MIAA Championships in 1972 and 1974. He was a three-time All-MIAA First-Team selection at offensive tackle as he helped pave the way for Hall of Famer, Jim Albin, who rushed for more than 3,000 yards in his career.

Dr. Patrick Harr (Northwest Physician, 1974-2012) – Harr has provided pre-season physicals, medical care and evening clinic hours in the training room as well as a sideline presence at home and away athletic events at Northwest for the last 38 years.

In 1995 he was inducted into the Missouri Athletic Trainers’ Association Sports Medicine Hall of Fame and in 2001 was enshrined in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. During the 2010 season Harr covered his 1,000th game as a volunteer physician for Northwest and Maryville High teams and was honored as the Northwest Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal in 2011.

Rick Jolley (Men’s Basketball, 1994-96) – Jolley transferred from Penn State prior to the 1994 season and completed two and a half seasons before being declared ineligible for his participation in an exhibition game while at Penn State. He had helped lead the Bearcats to a share of the MIAA Regular Season title during the 1995-96 season with Missouri-Rolla before the title was vacated.

He twice earned All-MIAA accolades and led Northwest in scoring in 1995 and ’96. He also led the team in rebounding all three seasons. He is one of only 10 Bearcats to record over 1,000 points and 500 rebounds for his career and ranks in the top 10 of six categories on the Northwest all-time lists.

Tony Miles (Football, 1997-2000) – Miles enjoyed an outstanding four-year career at Northwest and was a member of the 1998 and 1999 National Championship teams. He currently ranks 10th in NCAA history in career punt return average and is second in MIAA and Northwest history in receiving yards.

As a senior, Miles earned his second All-America honor and was a three-time First Team All-MIAA receiver. He holds the record for most receiving yards in a regular season at Northwest and is third in career receptions and touchdown receptions.

Rosa Tapia (Women’s Tennis, 2001-04) – Tapia was a four-year tennis star earning MIAA MVP honors as a senior when she finished her career as the all-time leader in doubles wins with 85. She is second at Northwest in career wins (singles and doubles combined) with 159 and her 74 wins in singles action is tied for fifth on the all-time list.

Tapia helped lead the Bearcat women’s tennis teams to a 77-42 record during her four-year career which included two South Central Region Championships as a junior and senior. The 2003 squad led by Tapia finished 24-10 before falling in the National Quarterfinals.

1995 Men’s Tennis Team – One of the most decorated men’s tennis teams under head coach Mark Rosewell, the 1995 men’s tennis team finished ranked No. 11 in the nation with a 21-3 record. The Bearcats compiled the best single-season winning percentage in school history and claimed the first regional title in program history.

On their way to an MIAA championship, the Bearcats reeled off an 11-match winning streak and knocked off Division I opponent Oral Roberts. The team is the second consecutive Rosewell coached team to enter the Hall of Fame with last year’s 1997 women’s team and fourth overall.

1997 Football Team – The 1997 Bearcat football team is the third Mel Tjeerdsma coached team to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.  They were the first team to go undefeated in the MIAA under Tjeerdsma. Along with going 12-1 on the season the Bearcats string of 41 straight MIAA wins started during the ’97 season spanning until the 2001 season.

The Bearcats knocked off rival Pittsburg State in Pittsburg for the first time since the 1976 season. They advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs where the team’s only loss came in the quarterfinals to eventual national champion Northern Colorado.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western announces 2012 Hall of Fame class

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The Missouri Western State University Athletics Hall of Fame Committee is excited to announce the 2012 inductees.  This year’s class includes; Bob Alcorn – Men’s Basketball, Jerris Evans – Football, Brice Garnett – Men’s Golf, Lisa Hughes – Women’s Basketball, Tony Williams – Football and the 1993-94 Women’s Basketball Team.

Jerris Evans · Football · (1998-2001)

Jerris Evans was a stand-out athlete on the offensive side of the ball for the Missouri Western football team throughout his career (1998-2001) as a Griffon. Evans holds almost every Griffon receiving record which includes; most receptions in a game with 13 against Truman State on November 10, 2001, most receptions in a season with 73 in 2001 and most receptions in a career with 200. He also holds the record for most receiving yards in a career with 2,928.

His freshman campaign was cut short due to a thumb injury.  He returned strong as a sophomore tallying 50 receptions for 707 yards and seven touchdowns.  He had 71 catches for 1,077 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior and 73 catches for 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior. He also had 44 punt returns for 469 yards (10.66 yards per punt return) and one touchdown in his career and 12 kickoff returns for 266 yards (22.16 yards per kickoff return). Evans tallied five 150-yard receiving performances with his best coming on November 3, 2001 when he had 13 receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown against Truman State. He caught 10 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown on November 14, 1999 against Northwest Missouri State University.

In 2001, Evans was named the MIAA’s Offensive MVP and was named first team All-MIAA. He is still the only Griffon to earn MIAA Offensive MVP honors. He was also named to the Don Hansen Football Gazette All-America second team in 2001.

Tony Williams · Football · (1994-1997)

Tony Williams was one of the best running backs to wear the black and gold (1994-1997). He currently holds records for most rushing touchdowns in a career (34), most rushing yards in a game (283) against Missouri-Rolla in 1996 and most rushing yards in a career with (3,396).

In 1995, Williams had an outstanding season rushing for one yard shy of 1,000 finishing with 999. In 1996, he rushed for 1,597 yards and 17 touchdowns. In his freshman campaign in 1994 he rushed for 338 yards with a season high 86 yards and two touchdowns against the Washburn Ichabods on October 22 in Topeka, Kan. Before his senior season was cut short due to a knee injury, Williams rushed for 462 yards averaging 154 yards per game in the three games he played. He rushed for over 150-yards seven times in his career which included three being for over 200 yards. His high was 283 yards on 37 carries with three touchdowns against Missouri –Rolla on November 16, 1996.

Brice Garnett · Men’s Golf · (2003-2006)

Brice Garnett is the most decorated golfer to ever play at Western (2003-2006). Originally from Gallatin, Mo., Garnett was a three time NCAA Division II All-American (2004, 2005 and 2006). He was a four time NCAA Division II All-Region and All-MIAA player (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006). He was the MIAA Tournament Champion three times (2004, 2005 and 2006) and was the NCAA Division II Super Regional Champion twice (2004 and 2005). In 2006 he was named the first ever MIAA Player of the Year.

While playing for the Griffons he won 12 career tournaments which included six in a row. In 2005 he placed 4th at the NCAA Division II National Championships in Savannah, Ga. and in 2004 he placed 62nd at the National Championships in Deland, Fla.

Garnett also excelled in the classroom graduating Cum-Laude in 2006 with a degree in business finance. He was the MWSU Male Student –Athlete of the Year twice (2005 and 2006) as well as a finalist in 2006 for the Ken B. Jones MIAA Student-Athlete of the Year. He was a three time MIAA All-Academic performer (2004, 2005 and 2006) as well as earning the Financial Executive Institute award in 2006.

Garnett is playing professionally on the Nationwide Tour which is one step below the PGA Tour. He has also played on the Adams Golf Pro Tour and the EGolf Professional Tour. On the Nationwide Tour he has played in 31 events making 16 cuts. He has placed in the top 10 twice and top 25 six times. He won his first ever professional event playing on the EGolf Professional Tour. He won the River Hills Classic in June 2011 at the Palisades Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Garnett recently qualified for the 2012 US Open by winning the Springfield, Ohio sectional qualifier on Monday, June 4. Garnett shot a 36-hole total of 9-under par in the victory. The US Open will be played June 14-17 at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif.

Bob Alcorn · St. Joseph Junior College Men’s Basketball Head Coach · (1959-1966) · St. Joseph Junior College Men’s Basketball Player · (1951-1952 and 1954-1955)

Bob Alcorn a native of St. Joseph helped put the Griffons on the basketball map.  He began his career as a player at St. Joseph Junior College during the 1951-52 season. During his freshman campaign, the team went 14-7. He averaged 18.7 points per game including a 30 point outing against Fairbury-Nebraska. For his efforts he was named first team All-Junior College Conference.  After a stint in the military, he returned for his sophomore season in 1954 averaging an outstanding 23.6 points per game with a 43 point game against Trenton Junior College. He was named first team All-Junior College Conference as well as Honorable Mention All-America.

After completing his playing career at Northwest Missouri State, Alcorn returned to SJJC to begin his coaching career in 1957 as an assistant. He held that roll until 1959 when he took over the head coaching position. He was the head coach until 1966 when he resigned to remain employed by the St. Joseph School District. His best season came in the 1961- 62 season when his team went 19-5 including sweeping the season series with Hannibal and Southwest for the first time in a single season.

Lisa Hughes · Women’s Basketball · (1986-1990)

Lisa Hughes was one of the most talented offensive players to ever play for the Missouri Western Women’s Basketball team (1986-1990). Hughes holds or has held numerous Griffon records. She holds career records for rebounds (1,002), field goals made (691), field goals attempted (1,498) and free throw attempted (570). She previously held records for most points scored (1,750) and free throws made (367). She is second on the list in those two categories.

During her senior campaign she was named First Team All-MIAA averaging 17.0 points per game and snaring 8.9 rebounds. She had 31 assists, 27 blocked shots and 46 steals. She guided her team to a 19-10 overall record and 10-6 MIAA record in Missouri Western’s first season as a member of the MIAA.

As a junior Hughes was an All-CSIC First Team selection averaging 15.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. As a sophomore she was an All-CSIC and All-District 16 First Team selection. She averaged 17.0 points and averaged 9.8 rebounds per game. As a freshman she played in 33 games with 13 starts. She averaged 10.2 points per game and 7.5 rebounds. She also led the team with 46 blocked shots.

She had a career-high 29 points against Northwest Missouri State on December 9, 1987 and a career best 19 rebounds at Avila University on December 11, 1987.

1993-1994 Women’s Basketball Team

The 1993- 94 Griffon Women’s Basketball team finished with a 29-3 record which was the most wins in a season at the time and eighth season with 20 or more wins up to that point.  Jeff Mittie guided the team in his second season to the school’s first ever NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance they defeated Missouri Southern 75-73 in the South Central Regional Championship Game.

The Griffons were led by the MIAA’s Most Valuable Player Tonya Foster to go along with Freshman of the Year, Amy Towne. The Griffons went 16-0 in MIAA play earning the outright MIAA Regular Season Title.

Jeff Mittie earned MIAA Coach of the Year honors while Foster was named First Team All-MIAA. Lashon Egans and Kelly Williams were Second Team All-MIAA selections while Jennifer Schaal earned Honorable Mention honors. Academically, Schaal and Williams were named to the MIAA All-Academic Team.

2012 Wendy’s Hall of Fame Weekend Schedule of Events:

Reception: Friday, September 28 – 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Fulkerson Center on the campus of Missouri Western University

Induction Ceremony Brunch: Saturday, September 29 – 11:00 AM-1:00 PM – Fulkerson Center.

If you would like to attend the Induction Ceremony Brunch please RSVP to 271-4481 by September 21. Cost of the brunch is $20.00.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western Athletics earns MIAA Community Engagement Award

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For the second time in three years, Missouri Western Athletics was recognized for excellence in community engagement as the department was awarded the MIAA Community Engagement Activity of the Year Award as selected by the NCAA.

Each MIAA institution is eligible to submit their best community engagement endeavor, in which the event had to take place during calendar year 2011.

The “Kid Fan Program,” which was centered around the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship held at Civic Arena in March 2011, involved over 800 area middle school students from eight schools each of which adopted a region of the championship.  The program which had been used at three previous women’s basketball championships in St. Joseph, was created not only to engage area youth in the championship, but to also help create atmosphere and guarantee at least 100 fans for each team during all games at Civic Arena, knowing that some teams have to travel long distances to get to the championship and their fans may not be able to follow.

Students studied all aspects of their region including; historical features within the geography of that region, institutions within that region and also the progress of the teams that potentially would come to St. Joseph for the championship.  Once the regional champions were crowned and schools knew who their adopted team would be, students created welcoming signs, posters and banners and met their teams upon arrival in St. Joseph to make them feel at home.  Then on Monday of championship week, each of the eight teams made a visit to their school and took part in a 90 minute assembly in which team members talked to the students about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and what it takes to be a championship student-athlete.  Once the games began at Civic Arena, the middle schools got to root their team on all the way through the championship.

Griffon Director of Athletics Kurt McGuffin accepted the award last night (Thursday, June 7th) at the MIAA Awards Banquet at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Kansas City.

— MWSU Sports Information —

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