We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Category: College

MWSU grad Brice Garnett finishes 2-under at PGA Championship

Posted on

Click here to listen to Brice Garnett after his final round at the PGA Championship

Missouri Western graduate Brice Garnett made his first cut at a major championship this weekend and Sunday he finished 2-under par at the 100th PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis.

The Gallatin, Missouri native shot a 3-under par 32 on the front nine Sunday to get to 5-under for the championship, but he was +3 on the back nine to finish even par for the day. Garnett tied for 50th overall out of the 80 players that made the cut and he earned $24,833.

Garnett, who was a three-time All-American at MWSU and graduated in 2006, will play this coming weekend at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Brooks Koepka won the PGA Championship Sunday in St. Louis as he finished 16-under par.  It’s his third major championship in the last six majors he’s competed in.  Koepka also won the 2017 and 2018 U.S. Open titles.  Tiger Woods finished second as he was 14-under par.

Former Griffon Brice Garnett shoots 2-under on day two of PGA Championship

Posted on

Click here to listen to Brice Garnett after round two of the PGA

Former Missouri Western All-American golfer Brice Garnett is on the verge of making his first cut at a major championship on the PGA Tour.

Garnett shot a 2-under par 68 on Friday at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis and he’s 1-under par for the tournament. The Gallatin, Missouri native is currently tied for 49th as play was suspended on day two of the championship Friday and will be completed Saturday morning. The projected cut line is even par as the top 70, plus ties, will play in rounds three and four.

This is Garnett’s third major championship as he’s played in the U.S. Open twice, but he failed to make the cut in each of those tournaments.

Garnett, who graduated from Missouri Western in 2006 and was a three-time All-American, is having the best year of his professional career. He’s playing in his 26th event of the season and he has two top-five finishes, including his first PGA Tour win. Garnett shot 18-under par to win the inaugural Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship in wire-to-wire fashion earlier this year.

Gary Woodland has the clubhouse lead at Bellerive as he’s at 10-under par, while Kevin Kisner is second at 9-under.

Play will resume at 7:00 a.m. Saturday to finish the second round of the PGA Championship and then round three will get underway approximately 30 minutes after that is complete.

Northwest names Brandon Masters as cross country/track & field coach

Posted on

Northwest Missouri State Director of Athletics Andy Peterson has announced the hiring of Brandon Masters as the head coach for cross country and track and field for the Bearcats.

“I’m ecstatic that Brandon and his family have decided to join us at Northwest Missouri State and lead our Bearcat cross country and track and field programs,” Peterson said. “He has proven success as a head coach in developing student-athletes, not only as individuals, but as a team that performs both on the track and in the classroom. I’m excited for the holistic future of our track and field and cross country programs under Coach Masters’ leadership.”

“I’m truly honored to take on this challenge as the head coach at Northwest Missouri State,” Masters said. “This is a one of a kind opportunity to be part of opening the brand new 300-meter track in the state-of-the-art Hughes Fieldhouse. I know this track & field and cross country program has the potential to be great. I promise to bring leadership and a work ethic that will match the success already achieved by this school and athletic department. This team will be a family defined by hard work, a team-first culture, and a desire to be the best, together. I want to thank Andy Peterson and the administration for believing in me and giving me the support to make this program special. I am ready to get to work.”

Masters led an expansion of the track and field programs at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in the fall of 2015. He has served as co-head coach for the Mountain Lions in each of the previous two seasons. In 2017-18, UCCS won the women’s indoor RMAC title and the men’s indoor squad placed second at the RMAC championship.

Masters and co-head coach Ross Fellows captured Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference coach of the year honors in indoor women’s track and field in 2018. The Mountain Lions women’s indoor team placed 13th in the 2018 NCAA Div. II national championship meet.

One of Masters’ student-athletes, Skylyn Webb, became the first women’s outdoor track and field student-athlete at UCCS to win a national championship. As national champion, Webb set a new meet and championship record in the 800m with a time of 2:02.47 while also qualifying for the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Championships. Webb placed 15th overall at the U.S. Championships.

The Mountain Lions carried a 3.22 cumulative grade point average, while posting 24 NCAA Div. II national qualifying marks and notching 15 NCAA Div. II All-America awards in the 2017-18 season. Masters oversaw 11 all-RMAC indoor performances and 23 all-RMAC outdoor accolades. The Mountain Lions captured the RMAC freshman of the year, RMAC athlete of the meet and RMAC indoor track athlete of the year honors in 2017-18. The Mountain Lions set 25 school records under Masters’ direction.

In 2016-17, Masters coached two All-Americans, who earned the status two times each, with a total of four national qualifiers over the indoor and outdoor seasons.

Prior to coaching at UCCS, Masters was a successful coach at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. Masters spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Missouri S&T and was a part of back-to-back men’s outdoor Great Lakes Valley Conference team championships.

Masters coached the GLVC men’s indoor and outdoor pole vault champion at Missouri S&T. The vaulter went on to a No. 12 finish at the national outdoor championships. He coached 10 student-athletes at the national championships in pole vault at Missouri S&T.

Masters was an assistant coach at UCCS for four seasons before his position at Missouri S&T. He coached the Mountain Lion jumpers to four All-America performances, 106 All-RMAC performances, 10 conference champions, 14 All-USTFCCCA region selections and two USATF Junior National Qualifiers.

Masters was a three-time All-American in the pole vault and a national qualifier in the decathlon at Emporia State. He earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors for the Hornets all four seasons. Masters was a graduate assistant at Emporia State in 1999 and was a member of the coaching staff that won the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association men’s and women’s outdoor team championships. The Hornets went on to finish fourth at the women’s outdoor national championships.

— Northwest Athletics —

Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic coming to St. Joseph

Posted on

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – With much excitement, Small College Basketball (SCB) announces that the 2018 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Hall of Fame Classic will move to St. Joseph, MO.  After spending the inaugural two years in Evansville, IN, Small College Basketball has partnered with Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring these marquee events within college basketball to St. Joseph.

The SCB Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, November 2, while the SCB Hall of Fame Classic will take place on Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4.  The Induction Ceremony will take place at the Stoney Creek Inn and Conference Center, while the Hall of Fame Classic will take place at the St. Joseph Civic Arena.

Additionally, St. Joseph-based Hillyard, steeped in basketball history, will serve as the primary sponsor of the event.  As such, the Classic will be dubbed the “Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Presented by Hillyard.”

“This opens a new era for Missouri Western men’s basketball, and what a way to usher it in by bringing one of the premier small college basketball events to St. Joseph!”, said Missouri Western Athletics Director Josh Looney. “The Hall of Fame Classic is a perfect fit for our community’s rich basketball history, a history in which Hillyard has played a significant role. We look forward to hosting a tournament field packed with premier NCAA D-II programs alongside some of the all-time greats visiting St. Joseph for their Hall of Fame induction.”

The game schedule for the 2018 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Presented by Hillyard, is as follows:

Saturday, November 3
1:00 p.m.  William Jewell vs. Queens (NC)
3:15 p.m.  Fairmont State vs. Ferris State
5:30 p.m.  Missouri Western vs. Tarleton State
7:45 p.m.  Northwest Missouri State vs. Northern State

Sunday, November 4
1:00 p.m.  William Jewell vs. Tarleton State
3:15 p.m.  Missouri Western vs. Fairmont State
5:30 p.m.  Northwest Missouri State vs. Ferris State
7:45 p.m.  Northern State vs. Queens (NC)

“Small College Basketball is excited to move to St. Joseph, MO, for the Hall of Fame Induction and Hall of Fame Classic,” said SCB Founder John McCarthy. “We are proud to partner with Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau to bring the national spotlight to their community.  Additionally, we are very excited that Hillyard has agreed to serve as the lead sponsor for the events.  With their deep history in basketball, this is a logical fit, and we are truly grateful.”

“For a variety of reasons, St. Joseph is an excellent fit for the Hall of Fame Induction and Hall of Fame Classic. There is a wonderful sense of enthusiasm in the community, and we anticipate that they will fully embrace Small College Basketball in St. Joseph. I am grateful for all of the time, effort and enthusiasm from Missouri Western Athletic Director Josh Looney and Senior Associate Athletic Director Brett Esely, as they have been instrumental in this move to St. Joseph.”

“With our rich heritage in the game of basketball, Hillyard is honored to be the sponsor for the 2018 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic,” said Hillyard President Jim Carolus. “We’re excited to bring the Classic to St. Joseph. It’s a great opportunity for the community to get to see some great basketball and to honor the great players, coaches and contributors of the game.”

Tables and tickets will be available through the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau shortly.

“It is always exciting to bring new events to St. Joseph,” said Lindsay Bernard, from the St. Joseph Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “The Small College Basketball (SCB) Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Hall of Fame Classic will be very special and will leave a lasting impression on our community.  We appreciate the work of Missouri Western Athletics, as they truly understand the importance of showcasing our beautiful city and the impact of sports tourism.  The estimated economic impact for this weekend event is $278,550.”

“The 2018 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Presented by Hillyard, features some of the finest programs in all of NCAA Division II,” said McCarthy. “We are very grateful to the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association for awarding the exemption, and for showing their support for the Hall of Fame Classic. We feel that, with the combination of the Hall of Fame Induction, the support of the Conference Commissioner’s Association, the support of the St. Joseph’s community, the right-sized arena, and of course, the high-quality participating teams, the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic is the finest in-season men’s basketball event in the country.”

The third installment of the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame will include the following inductees:

John Barnhill (Tennessee A&I), ML Carr (Guilford), Pat Douglass (Cal State Bakersfield), Philip Hutcheson (Lipscomb), Earl Jones (District of Columbia), Charles Oakley (Virginia Union), John Pierce (Lipscomb), Terry Porter (Wisconsin-Stevens Point), Leonard “Truck” Robinson(Tennessee State), Clarence Walker (Indiana State), Marvin Webster (Morgan State), John Wooden (Coach).

“This is an incredibly impressive Hall of Fame Class,” said McCarthy. “Each inductee is highly accomplished and has truly earned this honor. Our Hall of Fame Committee did a tremendous job of identifying a Hall of Fame Class that is worthy of induction into this highly prestigious Hall of Fame. This is only the third class of Hall of Famers, so these inductees are among only 39 players, coaches and contributors in the history of our game at the small college levels to be elected to the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame. I sincerely congratulate each inductee, as this is a tremendous honor.”

John Barnhill, Tennessee A&I
John Barnhill of Tennessee A. & I. was the point guard of the NAIA National Championships teams in 1957, 1958 and 1959, and was named to the All-Tournament teams in 1958 & 1959.  The 1957 team was the first all African American team to win a major American basketball tournament. He was a three-time All-American (’57,’58,’59).  He scored 1,253 career points, second behind All-American Dick Barnett.  He’s a member of the NAIA’s 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams.

ML Carr, Guilford
NAIA Hall of Fame & member of the 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams; Won the 1973 NAIA National Championship; Member of the NAIA All-Tournament teams in 1970 & 1973. Scored 1,993 points at Guilford despite playing in only 13 games his junior season. He was a freshman when the Quakers placed fourth in the NAIA tournament and as a senior led Guilford to a 29-5 record that included a 99-96 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore for the title. He averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds a game his senior year and was named NAIA First Team All-American.
Member of the NAIA’s 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams.

Pat Douglass, Cal State Bakersfield
Three NCAA Div. II Championships (1993, 1994, 1997); NCAA Runner-up, 1990; NCAA Third Place (1987); NCAA Final Four (1991, 1992); Three-time NABC Division II Coach of the Year 1993, 1994, 1997; 10 seasons at Cal State Bakersfield, Douglass compiled a 257-61 record, won three Division II national championships, and reached the Elite Eight seven times; Only one of three coaches to win three or more NCAA Division II Championship; Led Cal State-Bakersfield to a perfect season in 1993 (33-0)

Philip Hutcheson, Lipscomb
Four-time NAIA All-American 1987 (3rd Team), 1988 (Second Team), 1989 (First Team), 1990 (First Team); finished career as college basketball’s all-time leading scorer with 4,106 points (later surpassed by former Lipscomb teammate John Pierce); 1990 NAIA Player of the Year; Named the CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year for 1988-89 and 1989-90 (finished with a perfect 4.0 GPA for his career);  Basketball Times College Division Player of the Year in 1988-89 and Co-Player of the Year in 1989-90; scored in double figures every single game of his career (155 games);  Selected to the All-Tournament team in every single tournament, for all four years; Won NAIA’s Emil S. Liston Award; Member of the NAIA’s 75th Anniversary Team; Inducted into Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the Lipscomb Hall of Fame.  First player to ever have his number retired at Lipscomb.

Earl Jones, District of Columbia
First two-time NABC Division II National Player of the Year 1983, 1984; Three-time First Team NABC All-American 1982, 1983, 1984; Won 1982 NCAA Division II Championship; 1983 NCAA Division II Runner-up; Two-time NCAA Championship All-Tournament 1982, 1983; Scored 2,256 career points for a 20.7 average in 109 games; Grabbed 1,168 career rebounds for a 10.7 average; Career shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 77.6 from the free throw line

Charles Oakley, Virginia Union
Arrived at Virginia Union in 1981. 6’8 known as The Oak.
Played under former Virginia Union coach Dave Robbins (Robbins won 713 games in 30 years at VUU and coached 3 Division II NCAA championship teams). Oakley accumulated 2,273 points and grabbed 1,664 rebounds in four brilliant All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) seasons.
Oakley in his senior season averaged 24.3 PPG & 17.3 RPG. As a Virginia Union senior in 1984-1985, Oakley led the NCAA Division II in rebounding and was named National Player of the Year while helping VUU to a 30-1 record in which The Panthers were ranked #1 in Division II throughout the regular season.
He is also a member of the VUU and CIAA Hall of Fame and also was inducted in to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. His induction was the fifth VUU person to be inducted in to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
From Virginia Union Oakley became a National Basketball Association (NBA) first round draft choice (9th overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers who immediately traded him to the Chicago Bulls, he then became an impact player for the New York Knicks for 10 seasons.  He finished his NBA career after 19 seasons with the Houston Rockets in 2004.

John Pierce, Lipscomb
David Lipscomb University (1990-94); College basketball’s all-time leading scorer, tallied 4,230 during a 4-year career that included four NAIA All-America honors (three first-team selections) and 2 NAIA Player of the Year picks (’93 & ’94) … Averaged 31.9 points as a 1993 Junior … Appeared in 148 games with the Bison … Selected No. 28 among the all-time Top 50 college players as chosen by Chuck Klosterman of Grantland … Led the Bison to three-straight NAIA Tournaments …Member of the Lipscomb (2003), NAIA (2003) and Tennessee Sports (2015) Halls of Fame … Jersey is retired from Lipscomb; Played for Hall of Fame coach Don Meyer. Member of the NAIA’s 75th Anniversary Team.

Terry Porter, Wisconsin-Stevens Point
NAIA Hall of Fame; member of the NAIA’s 50th & 75th Anniversary Teams; two-time NAIA All American (1983 & 1984); NAIA Tournament MVP in 1984 (team was national Runner-Up); 1983 NAIA Player of the Year (junior season); Two-time NAIA All American; only NAIA player invited to the Olympic Trials; as a junior, averaged 18.8 ppg on 65% shooting; averaged 19.7 ppg & 4.3 apg as a senior.  Had a stellar NBA career with the Portland Trailblazers and was selected to two NBA All-Star games. Was also the former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.

Leonard “Truck” Robinson Tennessee State
Tennessee State (1971-74); Was a two-time United Press International All-American (’73 & ’74) Led Tennessee State to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances … As a 1973 junior, guided the Tigers to the NCAA national championship game (lost 78-76 to Kentucky Wesleyan in OT) by averaging 25.7 points and a school single-season record 17.6 rebounds … Averaged 25.2 points and 17.3 rebounds over his final 2 seasons (58 games) … Finished 3-year college career with 2,249 points and 1,501 rebounds while leading the Tigers to a 70-16 record … Drafted in the second round by the Washington Bullets in 1974… Inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 … Given the nickname “Truck” by teammate Dennis DuVal to annoy him during his 1975 NBA rookie season.

Clarence Walker, Indiana State
In March of 1948, Clarence Walker became the first African American player to play in a collegiate basketball National Championship when he played in the NAIB National Championship at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, playing for Coach John Wooden’s Indiana State Sycamores. During that tournament, Indiana State advanced to the National Championship game, falling to Louisville. During Clarence’s senior season (two years after Coach Wooden departed for UCLA), the Sycamores won the 1950 NAIB National Championship. During his time at Indiana State, Walker kept a diary, of which he titled “Jim Crow”, outlining the hardships of being the only African American player on his college basketball team – and one of the rare players in college basketball at a non-historically black college – in the 1940’s. Walker broke the color barrier in college basketball national championships, helping to further desegregate college basketball in America.

Marvin Webster, Morgan State
1975 NABC All-America first team; Won 1974 NCAA College Division Championship; 1974 NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player; Chosen to NCAA Elite Eight 50th Anniversary Team; NCAA’s second all-time leading rebounder with 2,267 for a 19.6 average in 116 games; Blocked 722 shots for a 6.2 average; Scored 1,990 career points for a 17.1 average; Grabbed a single game career-high 32 rebounds; Career shooting 45.50 percent from the field and 65.8 from the free throw line

John Wooden
1948 NAIB National Runner-up (27-7); Compiled a 44-15 record for a 74.6 winning percentage in two seasons; 2012 NAIA 75th Anniversary All-Star Team honoree; coached the first black player to play in a collegiate national championship (Clarence Walker); famous for sticking to his morals by refusing to play in the 1947 NAIB National Championship because Clarence Walker wasn’t permitted to play (because of the color of his skin); In March of 1948, Clarence Walker stepped onto the court at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, thus breaking the color barrier in collegiate basketball national championships; beyond the game, made a great contribution to the game and to the world with his Pyramid of Success; Leadership classes today use his material and words of wisdom and are modeled after his principals; went onto great fame at UCLA, winning 10 NCAA Division I National Championships, including seven in a row; won 88 straight games and 38 straight NCAA Tournament games.  Voted by the Sporting News as America’s Coach of the Century, in any sport.

Missouri finalizes men’s basketball non-conference schedule

Posted on

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball will begin head coach Cuonzo Martin’s highly anticipated second season at the helm with its home opener vs. Central Arkansas on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The matchup is one of seven games at Mizzou Arena during the Tigers’ 2018-19 non-conference slate.

Mizzou then hits the road Nov. 9 to finish a home-and-home series with Iowa State. It will be the 235th all-time meeting between the former Big 12 rivals, with Mizzou owning a 150-84 edge in the series after a convincing 74-59 homecourt victory over the Cyclones last November. The Tigers have won 10 consecutive games over Iowa State, including the last four matchups at Hilton Coliseum.

Martin’s squad will then compete at the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam tournament from Nov. 16-19, which features Kansas State, Oregon State, Northern Iowa, Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Penn and Eastern Kentucky. The Tigers face Kennesaw State in the opening round (Nov. 16), either Oregon State or Old Dominion in their second game (Nov. 17 or Nov. 18), and a to-be-determined opponent in their final game (Nov. 19).

Mizzou returns to Columbia for a five-game homestand, beginning with a matchup vs. Temple on Nov. 27. It will be the first meeting between the Tigers and Owls since 1983 and the fourth all-time. Mizzou faces UCF at Mizzou Arena on Dec. 2 before hosting UT Arlington and Oral Roberts on Dec. 4 and Dec. 7, respectively.

The Tigers wrap up the homestand on Dec. 18 by squaring off with Xavier for the fourth time since 2014 and the eighth time in program history. Mizzou then heads to St. Louis for the annual Braggin’ Rights Game vs. Illinois on Dec. 22 at the Enterprise Center before rounding out nonconference play vs. Morehead State in Columbia on Dec. 29.

Full Non-conference Schedule
Tuesday, Nov. 6 vs. Central Arkansas
Friday, Nov. 9 at Iowa State
Friday, Nov. 16 – Monday, Nov. 19 Paradise Jam
Tuesday, Nov. 27 vs. Temple
Sunday, Dec. 2 vs. UCF
Tuesday, Dec. 4 vs. UT-Arlington
Friday, Dec. 7 vs. Oral Roberts
Tuesday, Dec. 18 vs. Xavier
Saturday, Dec. 22 vs. Illinois
Saturday, Dec. 29 vs. Morehead State

— Mizzou Athletics —

Griffons picked eighth, ninth in preseason MIAA football polls

Posted on

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Missouri Western football team was picked eighth by the media and ninth by the coaches in the MIAA Preseason Polls released Tuesday during MIAA Football Media Day at Children’s Mercy Park.

The poll results came one year after Missouri Western tied for eighth in the MIAA standings with a 4-7 record.

Northwest Missouri topped both the coaches and media poll in the 2018 MIAA Football Preseason poll. The Bearcats received 14 first-place votes and 382 points in the media poll. NWMSU had four first-place votes and 103 points in the coaches poll.

Fort Hays State came in second in both polls after receiving five first-place votes but was edged out by a point in the coaches poll. In the media poll, the Tigers had 13 first-place votes and 375 points.

In third place, for both polls, was Central Missouri as it received eight first-place votes between the two polls. UCM had 349 points in the media poll and 96 points from the coaches. Pittsburg State came in fourth place for the two polls and earned one first-place vote from the media. PSU had 311 points from the media and 81 points from the coaches.

The coaches had a tie for the fifth spot between Emporia State and Central Oklahoma. The Hornets took the fifth slot in the media poll, followed by the Bronchos. Washburn claimed the seventh position in both polls. Lindenwood was tabbed ninth by the media and eighth from the coaches.

Nebraska Kearney was slotted 10th followed by Northeastern State at 11th in both polls. Missouri Southern rounded out each poll in the 12th spot.

The 49th season of Griffon football kicks off Thursday, Aug. 30 when Missouri Western travels to Northwest Missouri.

MIAA Coaches Poll (1st Place Votes) – Total Points
Northwest Missouri (4) – 103
Fort Hays State (5) – 102
Central Missouri (2) – 96
Pittsburg State – 81
Central Oklahoma – 67
Emporia State – 67
Washburn – 63
Lindenwood – 46
Missouri Western – 40
Nebraska Kearney – 30
Northeastern State – 19
Missouri Southern – 12

MIAA Media Poll
Northwest Missouri (14) – 382
Fort Hays State (13) – 375
Central Missouri (6) – 349
Pittsburg State (1) – 311
Emporia State – 243
Central Oklahoma – 229
Washburn – 223
Missouri Western – 171
Lindenwood – 160
Nebraska Kearney – 98
Northeastern State – 66
Missouri Southern – 45

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State hires Andy Peterson as Director of Athletics

Posted on

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University announced today that Andy Peterson, a former-student-athlete and coach who has served in the University’s athletics administration since 2013, is Northwest’s next director of athletics.

Peterson had served as Northwest’s interim director of athletics since Mel Tjeerdsma’s April 30 retirement. His new appointment is effective immediately.

“Andy is a Bearcat and a winner,” Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski said. “From being a leader in the classroom, on the hardwood and in athletics, his core focus has been on learning and uplifting the student-athlete experience. His roots in the northwest Missouri region run deep and his bedrock academic center – complemented by his playing, coaching and administrative experiences – yield an exciting future focus for Northwest athletics.”

As Northwest’s director of athletics, Peterson is responsible for overseeing administrative functions, operations and all athletic programs at the University, according to the policies of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He reports to the Northwest president, and he serves as a member of the Northwest Leadership Team and Strategic Planning Council.

“I am beyond humbled and honored by the opportunity to be the director of athletics at Northwest Missouri State,” Peterson said. “I am excited to work with our student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans, alumni and donors everywhere to build a framework that provides the best possible experiences for all our student-athletes. It’s an exciting time in Bearcat athletics, and I can’t wait to get going to build and uplift our student-athletes, their families, our coaches and support base.”

Peterson spent the last five years as assistant athletics director for facilities at Northwest. In that role, he oversaw the day-to-day operations and scheduling for all Bearcat athletics venues. Peterson served on the University’s steering committee to develop its campus master plan as well as the steering team guiding the design, construction and implementation of the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse.

He also spent four years as Northwest’s head women’s golf coach and was an assistant men’s basketball coach from 2011 to 2017, helping lead that program to five MIAA regular season championships, two conference tournament titles and the NCAA Division II national championship in 2017.

He played basketball for Northwest from 2003 to 2008, finishing his career with the third highest three-point percentage in program history, and he sits sixth all-time in steals. He helped the Bearcats claim the MIAA tournament title in 2008 while earning All-MIAA Honorable Mention and Academic All-MIAA recognition. During the 2006-07 season, Peterson led the team in minutes played as the Bearcats won the MIAA regular season championship. After his playing career, Peterson spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Northwest, under former head coach Steve Tappmeyer in 2008-09 and present head coach Ben McCollum in 2009-10.

Peterson spent the 2010-11 season as the head men’s golf coach and assistant men’s basketball coach at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, before returning to Northwest.

A native of Trenton, Missouri, Peterson is pursuing his Doctor of Education in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He has master’s degrees in agriculture and physical education as well as bachelor’s degrees in agriculture economics and horticulture, all from Northwest.

His wife, Emily, is an assistant coach with the Bearcat cross country and track and field teams and a former Bearcat track and field student-athlete. The couple has two children, Ellie and Asher, and reside in Maryville.

— Northwest Athletics —

Four more Tigers named to preseason award watch lists

Posted on

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The preseason awards keep coming in for Mizzou Football as the program placed a pair of players on both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Outland Trophy Watch Lists, announced Tuesday (July 24) by the Football Writers Association of America. Senior DL Terry Beckner Jr. (East St. Louis, Ill.) and senior LB Terez Hall (Lithonia, Ga.) were each named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List, which honors the nation’s top defender. Beckner and senior OLPaul Adams (Franklin, Tenn.) each earned a spot on the Outland Trophy Watch List, which honors the nation’s top interior lineman.

Mizzou now has a presence on 11 preseason award watch lists with more expected as the last of the awards are announced this week. The complete breakdown is below.

A game-changer against both the run and the pass, Beckner had his best season in a Mizzou uniform a year ago, starting all 13 games while posting career-high marks in tackles (38), tackles for loss (11.0), sacks (7.0) and QB hurries (five). He was the team’s Interior Lineman of the Year award winner a year ago. He is a fourth team Preseason All-American and All-SEC First Team pick in the Preseason by Athlon Sports as well. A spot on the Outland and Nagurski Trophy Watch Lists moves Beckner’s total to three this offseason after earning a place on the Bednarik Award Watch List last Monday.

Heading into his senior season, Hall is coming off of his best year in a Tiger uniform as a junior. He was a second team All-SEC performer according Pro Football Focus and earned the team’s Outstanding Underclassman Leadership Award for his inspirational contributions to the program. Hall took over a starting role at weakside linebacker last year, and was a big part of the defense leading the charge for Mizzou’s comeback season. He finished the season with 85 tackles, ranking second on the team, while his 12.5 tackles for loss were also second-best on the defense. He posted big back-to-back road games at Kentucky (10/7) and Georgia (10/14), where he had 12 tackles and 10 tackles, respectively, including a career-best 10 solo stops in Lexington. He also added 2.5 tackles for loss at UK and a pass break-up in Mizzou’s near comeback win. Hall finished the season with three double-digit tackle games in all, with the final one coming in a win over Florida, when he made 11 stops, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup. Hall was named to the Butkus Award Watch List Monday.

Adams is a proven performer who is one of the SEC’s most experienced linemen. He will be looking to anchor the right side of the offensive line, where he has started all 25 games at right tackle the previous two seasons for the SEC’s most productive offense. He turned in another outstanding season, as a team captain who made all 13 starts at right tackle last season. He was part of Mizzou’s record-setting offense which led the SEC (ranking eighth nationally) in total offense for the second-straight season. The offensive line led the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed for the second-straight season (2.85), and also led the SEC in fewest sacks allowed (1.0 per game – fifth nationally), while the Tiger offense also led the SEC in passing efficiency (fourth nationally), and scoring offense (14th in NCAA).

Mizzou on Preseason Award Watch Lists

  • Maxwell Award (top offensive player) – Senior QB Drew Lock
  • Bednarik Award (top defensive player) – Senior DL Terry Beckner, Jr.
  • Davey O’Brien Award (top QB) – Senior QB Drew Lock
  • Doak Walker Award (top RB) – Junior RB Damarea Crockett
  • Biletnikoff Award (top WR) – Senior WR Emanuel Hall
  • Mackey Award (top TE) – Sophomore TE Albert Okwuegbunam
  • Butkus Award (top LB) – Senior LB Terez Hall
  • Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player) – Senior DL Terry Beckner, Jr.
  • Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player) – Senior LB Terez Hall
  • Outland Trophy (top interior lineman) – Senior OL Paul Adams
  • Outland Trophy (top interior lineman) – Terry Beckner, Jr.

Mizzou Football will open the 2018 season on Sept. 1, 2018, against UT Martin at Memorial Stadium.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Pairings, TV information announced for CBE Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City

Posted on

KANSAS CITY, MO – The National Association of Basketball Coaches announced today the matchups for the championship round of the 2018 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Classic Powered by ShotTracker. All four games of the Hall of Fame Classic Powered by ShotTracker at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO., will be aired live on ESPN networks.

On Monday, November 19, Nebraska will take on Missouri State at 6 pm CT on ESPNU, followed by USC and Texas Tech at 8:30 pm ET on ESPN2. On Tuesday, November 20, the consolation game will tip off at 6 pm CT on ESPN3, followed by the 2018 Hall of Fame Classic Powered by ShotTracker championship game at 8:30pm ET on ESPN2.

Tickets for the championship round games at Sprint Center will be available beginning at 10:00am CT on August 4th by visiting www.halloffameweekend.com, www.axs.com, by phone at 888-929-7849, or in person at Sprint Center Box Office.

The Hall of Fame Classic Powered by ShotTracker will be the culminating event of college basketball’s Hall of Fame Weekend, which also includes the 13th annual induction ceremony for the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. That event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland in Kansas City.

— Press Release —

Griffons name Yuriy Litvinski new cross country and track & field coach

Posted on

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western State University director of athletics Josh Looney has announced Yuriy (Your-E) Litvinski as the new head coach of the Griffon men’s and women’s cross country and track & field teams. The two-time United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA DII Regional Assistant Coach of the Year will come to Missouri Western after two years as an assistant at NCAA Division I member Idaho State. Litvinski will direct all aspects of the men’s and women’s cross country and track & field teams at Missouri Western.

“Identifying the right leadership to grow and develop our new track & field and cross country programs is critical to the overall progression of our athletic department,” Looney said. “As we were conducting this search, we quickly identified Yuriy Litvinski as a top up-and-coming head coaching prospect. In addition to bringing Division I coaching experience with him to MWSU, he has also played a key role in three nationally respected NCAA Division II programs. His proven success as a coach and athlete is impressive, and our athletes, staff and fans will be drawn to his ability to lead.”

As an assistant at Idaho State since 2016, Litvinski directed meet management in addition to coaching sprints and horizontal jumps as well as assisting pole vaulters. In 2017, nine of the athletes Litvinski coached turned in 12 total Big Sky all-conference performances. He helped Maisie Larrabee to a third-place finish in the 400m race at the 2017 Big Sky Indoor Track and Field Championships. Litvinski also mentored Deante Gaines as he advanced to the 2017 NCAA Division I West Preliminary Championships in the long jump and triple jump, setting marks that rank second in the Idaho State records book.

“Words cannot describe how excited I am about this opportunity at Missouri Western,” Litvinski said. “It is an amalgamation of enthusiasm and a great deal of responsibility to serve the student-athletes, work within the community, athletics and administration and build upon the tradition of MWSU athletics. Missouri Western drew my attention because of the people, the unified environment and its great location. I am also happy to return to the MIAA and work alongside fellow coaches, see familiar faces and be around dear friends within the conference and NCAA.”

“I’d like to thank Josh Looney and Dr. Robert Vartabedian for the opportunity and tremendous amount of trust they have put in me as the new head cross country and track & field coach! I look forward to beginning work!”

Litvinski was named USTFCCCA NCAA DII South Central Region Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year at Angelo State in 2014 and again in 2016. At Angelo State, Litvinski helped Kearah Danville to a national championship in the indoor women’s triple jump in 2014. He also coached Kami Norton to a runner-up finish in the women’s high jump; third place in the pentathlon and eighth place in the long jump at the 2016 indoor national championships.

Prior to Angelo State, Litvinski was an assistant at Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado, from 2010-2013. There he coached horizontal jumps and multi-events along with assisting sprinters. He was also the team’s strength and conditioning coach. Litvinski was introduced to the MIAA as a graduate assistant at Central Missouri from 2008-10 where he coached three national champions in the multi-events as well as three All-Americans in the long and triple jumps. Litvinski also was UCM’s international recruiting coordinator. His coaching career began as a volunteer assistant coach and physical education instructor at Northern Iowa from 2006-08 where he coached two All-Americans in the decathlon.

A three-time NCAA DI national qualifier in the triple jump at Northern Iowa, Litvinski took fourth at the national event in 2006. He was a six-time national champion in his native Bulgaria and placed second in the 2002 European Cup and sixth in the 2003 European Championships. He received his Bachelor of Art from Northern Iowa in 2007 and his Master of Science from Central Missouri in 2010.

Litvinski will be introduced to the public at an event to be scheduled later this month.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH LITVINSKI
“During Yuriy’s tenure as my assistant at Angelo State University, he did a wonderful job in all aspects of the coaching world. Obviously, he was a successful coach on the track, as several of the athletes in the event areas he coached excelled not only in the Lone Star Conference, but at the NCAA Championships as well. He also did a wonderful job in the athletic department always being a “team” player, helping out with game day duties and with fundraising events. The biggest asset I believe he brought to our department was that he was great with the student-athletes from the recruiting process, in academic areas, in practice and at meets. He was always supportive and worked with them to help them achieve their goals.” –James R. Reid, Athletic Director, Angelo State University

“I am very happy and excited to have Yuriy back in the MIAA at Missouri Western! I learned from his time at Central Missouri that no one will out work him and that he has a great passion for the sport. The student athletes at Missouri Western will love the energy that Yuriy will bring to the program. You will definitely see energy and enthusiasm within the Missouri Western track & field and cross country programs in the near future.” – Kip Janvrin, Head Coach, University of Central Missouri

“We are excited for this new opportunity that Yuriy will have at Missouri Western. He brings many talents and skills to the sport of track & field and will work tirelessly to do a good job for your program and athletes. We wish him the best of luck there.” – Hillary Merkely, Head Coach, Idaho State

— MWSU Atheltics —

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File