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Missouri State’s Johnson drafted by Indiana in second round

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Missouri State University forward Alize Johnson (Sr., Williamsport, Pa.) was selected by the Indiana Pacers as the 20th pick of the second round of Thursday’s National Basketball Association draft here at Barclays Center.

Johnson was the 50th overall pick in Thursday’s draft and is the 12th MSU player in program history to be drafted by an NBA team.

The last Bear to be selected in the NBA Draft was Winston Garland who was the 40th overall pick (17th pick of the second round) by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1987.

As a senior, Johnson finished second in the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year voting and led the MVC in rebounding for the second straight season with 11.6 per game. He also led the Bears in scoring (15.0), rebounds and assists (94) with 20 double-doubles and was second nationally in defensive rebounds per game (8.48).

Johnson also ranked fifth nationally in total rebounds per game, sixth in total rebounds (384), eighth in double-doubles and 31st in offensive rebounds per game (3.15). Johnson finished 29th on MSU’s career scoring list — with 982 points in two seasons – and sixth on the club’s career rebounding chart (735).

After transferring from Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas, Johnson ended his two-year tenure at Missouri State with 982 points and 735 rebounds in just 66 games, ranking 29th and sixth, respectively on the Bears’ all-time career lists in those two statistical categories with 37 double-doubles.

The 6-foot-9 forward was an All-MVC first-team selection in 2018 for the second straight season. He participated in the 2018 NBA Combine, May 16-20, in Chicago. Last summer, Johnson was an overnight sensation at the Adidas Nations event in Houston, ultimately earning most-valuable player honors there during the college showcase.

— MSU Athletics —

Aussie Spirit adds four games at Griffon Spring Sports Complex

ST. JOSEPH – Fastpitch softball fans will not have to wait as long to see the return of National Pro Fastpitch to St. Joseph and Missouri Western. Aussie Spirit has moved games on June 27 and 28 to the Spring Sports Complex on the Missouri Western campus as well as additional games July 11 and 12.

Spirit will face the Cleveland Comets on both nights with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. Fans will be able to purchase tickets online from the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau website. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate each night. Youth softball players under the age of 18 will be admitted free if wearing their team’s jersey.

Aussie Spirit, which is calling Missouri Western home for the summer, had played all its home games at various venues around the Midwest since opening the 15th season of NPF at Missouri Western in May. Spirit is also scheduled to play Cleveland in a doubleheader at Phil Welch Stadium in St. Joseph on June 29. The team will next play at Missouri Western on July 11, 12 and 13 before finishing out the remaining schedule away from St. Joseph.

For more information on Aussie Spirit and the NPF, visit the league’s official website profastpitch.com.

— MWSU Athletics —

Mosaic Life Care secures naming rights for MWSU practice fields

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western State University is pleased to announce Mosaic Life Care has secured naming rights for the football practice fields used by the Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Western athletic teams. The fields will be officially named, “Mosaic Training Fields.”

Missouri Western is the summer training camp home of the Kansas City Chiefs.

“Mosaic Life Care is dedicated to supporting the strength and vitality of the communities we serve through our ongoing partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs,” Michael Pulido, chief operating officer, Mosaic Life Care said. “Mosaic Training Fields is another way to support the University and strengthen our partnerships, as we promote health and wellness.”

“We are fortunate to have an outstanding medical community, led by Mosaic Life Care, right here in St. Joseph,” Missouri Western director of athletics Josh Looney said. “Whether it is their talented team of physicians providing the best possible healthcare for Missouri Western student-athletes, or their commitment to community health and wellness, we are proud to expand the visibility of Mosaic’s positive impact on our campus.”

Mosaic Life Care is a presenting partner and the official health-care provider of the 2018 Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp. In its ninth summer at Missouri Western, camp will feature open practices and events for the public to enjoy. More information about the team, tickets, scheduling and more can be found on the Kansas City Chiefs website.

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri Western announces women’s basketball recruiting class

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western women’s basketball head coach Rob Edmisson has finalized his 2018-19 signing class. The class features six newcomers total, three from the high school ranks and three transfers.

The common thread in the incoming group: winning. Combined, the six incoming student-athletes played on basketball teams that went 137-37 in 2017-18.

“This recruiting class is comprised of players who have won state championships and national championships,” Edmisson said. “They all are from winning programs and have an expectation to win!”

JILL RUMPF | 5-7 | GUARD | AGENCY, MISSOURI | MID-BUCHANAN HIGH SCHOOL
Edmisson: “Jill will be an exciting player to watch as she starts her basketball career here at Missouri Western. She has accumulated numerous local and state level awards. Her quickness, athleticism and basketball IQ will allow her to make an impact on our program. She is from a very successful program”

SHANNON DANDA | 6-0 | FORWARD | COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO | RAMPART HIGH SCHOOL 
Edmisson: “Shannon will add a high-skill level in our wing-forward positions. Her skill set and talent will allow her to make an immediate impact in our program. Her ball handling and shooting abilities will make for a tough match-up with her size and length.”

KAMERON FREEMYER | 5-11 | FORWARD | CONCEPTION JUNCTION, MISSOURI | MOUND CITY HIGH SCHOOL
Edmisson: “Kameron is a player we believe will develop into a good player for us. She is athletic and long. She has the ability to play several positions. She is a hard-nose kid who will work hard and comes from a very successful program. She knows how to win.”

KYLEE WILLIAMS | 5-7 | GUARD | ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI | JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Edmisson: “Kylee is a multi-purpose type player. She has a high basketball IQ and knows how to be productive and successful. She is an impact three-point shooter who can really stretch the floor. She is a stat sheet filler who will do more than just hit threes. She knows how to win and knows what it takes to win!”

ANASTACIA JOHNSON | 5-8 | WING | AURORA, COLORADO | WESTERN NEBRASKA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Edmisson: “Anastacia is a big-time athlete with a tremendous defensive skill set. She will impact our team with her speed and toughness. She can get to the rim and score on the perimeter. She comes from a highly successful program and knows what it takes to play at a high level.”

OLIVIA USHER | 5-10 | FORWARD | FAIRFAX, IOWA | KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Edmisson: “Olivia is a tough, versatile player who can play several positions. She is from a highly successful program and knows what it takes to win championships. She’s also stat filler who can do a lot of things well. She will be an extremely tough match up with her abilities.”

The six new Griffons will join nine returners for the 2018-19 season.

— MWSU Athletics —

Dates released for 2018 Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs announced dates for 2018 Chiefs Training Camp presented by Mosaic Life Care at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. All times and dates are subject to change.

Walkthrough practices are closed to the public and media. All practice sessions will take place on the Mosaic Training Fields. Practices held at 8:15 a.m. will run approximately two hours and 40 minutes. Practices held at 9:15 a.m. will run approximately one hour and 40 minutes.

Team autograph sessions are scheduled to take place July 26July 28July 29Aug. 4 and Aug. 5. Family Fun Day presented by Family Center Farm and Home will take place on Aug. 4. New this season, the Chiefs will host two Season Ticket Member days on July 29 and Aug. 5 (more details to come as camp approaches). Chiefs Alumni day will be held on Aug. 11 and camp will wrap up with Military Appreciation day on Aug. 14. MWSU will host a back to football celebration at the Bill Snyder Pavilion on July 26 (details will be released at a later date). This year’s Gatorade Junior Training Camp will take place on July 28.

Unless otherwise noted, all training camp practices will be free of charge to the public. Missouri Western will charge a $5 parking fee per vehicle per day. On July 26July 28 and August 4, MWSU will charge a $5 admission fee into practice.

Weather and field conditions are evaluated daily. All dates and times provided are subject to change. If practice is moved indoors due to poor conditions it will be closed to the general public. The club will notify fans via social media channels as soon as a decision is made.

Thursday, July 26 Practice – 3:30 p.m. | First Practice Open to the Public – $5 Admission Fee | Team Autograph Session* | Back to Football Celebration at Bill Snyder Pavilion (Details to Follow)
Friday, July 27 Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Saturday, July 28 Practice – 8:15 a.m. | Team Autograph Session* – $5 Admission Fee | Gatorade Jr. Training Camp (Details to Follow)
Sunday, July 29 Practice – 8:15 a.m. | Season Ticket Member Day | Team Autograph Session*
Monday, July 30 Practice – 9:15 a.m.
Tuesday, July 31 No Practice
Wednesday, Aug. 1 Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 2 Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 3 No Practice
Saturday, Aug. 4 Practice – 8:15 a.m. | Family Fun Day presented by Family Center Farm & Home – $5 Admission Fee | Team Autograph Session*
Sunday, Aug. 5 Practice – 8:15 a.m. | Season Ticket Member Day | Team Autograph Session*
Monday, Aug. 6 Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 7 Practice – 9:15 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 8 No Practice
Thursday, Aug. 9 Preseason Game No. 1 – Chiefs vs. Texans – 7:30 p.m. CT
Friday, Aug. 10 No Practice
Saturday, Aug. 11 Practice – 8:15 a.m. | Chiefs Alumni Day
Sunday, Aug. 12 Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Monday, Aug. 13 Practice – 8:15 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 14 Practice – 9:15 a.m. | Military Appreciation Day | Final Camp Practice

*Practices July 23-25 are closed to the general public.

*Weather and field conditions are evaluated daily. All dates and times provided are subject to change. If practice is moved indoors due to poor conditions it will be closed to the general public. The club will notify fans via social media channels as soon as a decision is made.

For more information about training camp, please visit the Chiefs website at www.chiefs.com.

— MWSU Athletics —

Kansas State names Pete Hughes new baseball coach

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Pete Hughes, a proven program builder who has accumulated more than 650 victories in 21 seasons as a head coach, was named the 21st head baseball coach at Kansas State, Director of Athletics Gene Taylor announced Friday.

Hughes, who will be formally introduced at a press conference at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12 in the Vanier Complex’s Steel & Pipe Team Theater, agreed to a five-year contract approved by the K-State Athletics, Inc., Board of Directors and President Richard B. Myers. Hughes was selected after a national search headed by K-State’s Taylor, Executive Associate Athletics Director Casey Scott and Ventura Partners and will be paid $375,000 in the first year of the deal with $10,000 annual increases each year remaining on the contract.

“My wife Debby and I could not be more elated to be bringing our family to one of the nation’s finest college communities,” said Hughes. “I am honored that President Myers and Director of Athletics Gene Taylor have given us this opportunity to become a member of a university and department that are integrity-driven, deeply rooted in core values and that represent all that is good in college athletics.

“I am beyond excited to continue the winning tradition of Kansas State baseball that Coach Hill tirelessly created over the past 15 years. It will be a privilege to wear the Purple and White.”

“We are excited to welcome Pete, Debby and the Hughes family to K-State,” Taylor said. “When we set out to hire our next baseball coach, we concentrated on finding someone with a proven track record of building and developing a successful program at the Power Five level. That is our need at this time – rebuilding a competitive program. Everyone that we talked to throughout this process emphasized the gritty determination of Pete’s teams, his emphasis on preparation and fielding fundamentally sound teams, his relentless approach to recruiting, his focus on identifying and developing the hard-working, blue collar-type of player that will bleed purple, his commitment to community service and his devotion to his family. His record of success is impressive, and he operates his program the right way. Combine all these factors and we felt we had the right man to help lead our program back to the level of success we want to achieve at K-State. Pete and his family will fit right in at K-State, and we look forward to them joining the Wildcat family.”

Hughes, who has a proven track record of setting new standards of excellence, has compiled a career record of 652-492-3 (.570) in 21 seasons as a head coach, serving as head coach at Trinity University (1997-98), Boston College (1999-2006), Virginia Tech (2007-13) and Oklahoma (2014-17).

Twice named both the New England Coach of the Year and BIG EAST Coach of the Year, as well as the 2000 American Baseball Coaches Association Northeast Region Coach of the Year, Hughes owns a well-deserved reputation as a relentless worker, tireless recruiter and charismatic leader.

Hughes has made a name for himself within the community throughout his career, starting with his 19 Ways Foundation. During his time in Norman, his teams raised over $80,000 to fight childhood cancer through the Vs. Cancer Foundation and the OU Children’s hospital. The Sooners also put on an annual ALS Awareness Halloween Game to benefit the ALS Foundation at the conclusion of each fall season.

Hughes comes to Manhattan after spending the 2018 season at the volunteer assistant coach at Georgia, where he helped the Bulldogs earn a national seed in the NCAA Tournament. Primarily working with the team’s infielders, Hughes elevated UGA’s defense from the bottom of the SEC in 2017 to 10th-best in the nation in his one season in Athens.

In 2017, the Sooners registered a 35-24 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed in the Louisville Regional. Hughes collected a 128-107-1 (.544) record in four seasons at the helm of the Sooners.

In his final season as the OU skipper, Hughes tutored 10 players that were honored with Big 12 annual awards – the most in program history – including Brylie Ware who was named the Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team along with outfielder Steele Walker.

Inheriting a Virginia Tech club in 2007 that had not reached the NCAA Tournament since 2000, Hughes went on to lead the Hokies to five straight 30-win seasons, including a pair of 40-win seasons that culminated with berths in the NCAA Tournament in 2010 and 2013, the latter marking the school’s first-ever selection as a regional host site. Hughes compiled a 222-174 (.561) record in seven seasons at Virginia Tech.

Hughes produced an even more remarkable turnaround at Boston College, as he took over a program that had averaged just 13 wins a year over the previous 35 seasons. The Golden Eagles finished 17-23-1 the year prior to his arrival in 1998 and, two seasons later, the team registered an 18-game improvement as it finished 35-20 and qualified for the program’s second-ever appearance in the BIG EAST Tournament. In 2005, he guided BC to a school-record 37 victories.

Averaging 31 wins a season while at Boston College, Hughes owned a career mark of 250-181-2 (.580) as the Eagles’ skipper. He coached 37 all-conference selections while at Boston College, including Jared McGuire who was named 2005 BIG EAST Player of the Year.

In 21 seasons as a head coach, Hughes’ teams have finished .500 or better 19 times while he has overseen 74 former student-athletes selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, including 15 taken in the first 10 rounds.

Hughes is a 1990 graduate of Davidson College where he played third base on the baseball team and quarterback for the Wildcats’ football team. He was captain of the baseball team as a senior and graduated that year with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology/anthropology.

Hughes began his coaching career at Hamilton College in New York in 1990-91, serving as an assistant in football and was the top assistant and recruiting coordinator for baseball. He continued in that dual role at Northeastern University in Boston from the fall of 1991 until the spring of 1996 when he landed the head baseball coaching position at Trinity.

A native of Brockton, Massachusetts, Hughes and his wife Debby have five children: Thomas, Hal, Dominic, Grace and P.J. Thomas is a rising senior infielder at Oklahoma while Hal, also an infielder, just completed his freshman season at LSU.

THE PETE HUGHES FILE
Born: January 11, 1968 in Brockton, Mass.
High School: Boston College High School, Boston, Mass.
College: Davidson College, B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology, 1990
Family: Wife: Debby; Children: Thomas, Hal, Dominic, Grace, P.J.

Playing Career
Davidson College, 1986-90, Baseball and Football

Coaching Career
Asst. Baseball Coach/Asst. Football Coach, Hamilton College (Clinton, N.Y.) 1990-91
Asst. Baseball Coach/Asst. Football Coach, Northeastern Univ. (Boston, Mass.) 1991-96
Head Baseball Coach, Trinity University (San Antonio, Texas) 1997-98
Head Baseball Coach, Boston College, 1999-2006
Head Baseball Coach, Virginia Tech, 2007-13
Head Baseball Coach, Oklahoma, 2013-17
Volunteer Coach, Georgia, 2017-2018
Head Baseball Coach, K-State, 2018-pres.

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS:
2017 NCAA Regional (Oklahoma)
2013 NCAA Regional, Host (Virginia Tech)
2010 NCAA Regional (Virginia Tech)
2005 New England Coach of the Year
2002 BIG EAST Coach of the Year
2000 New England Coach of the Year
2000 BIG EAST Coach of the Year
2000 ABCA Northeast Coach of the Year

— K-State Athletics —

Kansas State’s opener with be an evening kick against South Dakota

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State’s 2018 season opener against South Dakota on Saturday, September 1, will kick off at 6:10 p.m., and be televised by ESPN3, K-State Athletics officials announced Wednesday.

The 10th-Annual K-State Family Reunion game will be the seventh time in the last eight years that the Wildcats’ home opener will be a night kickoff.

The Wildcats and Coyotes are meeting for the fifth time in series history with K-State holding a 4-0 advantage. Kansas State earned a 34-0 shutout in the 2015 season opener, while the Wildcats also won home meetings over USD in 1980, 1981 and 1982.

Following the matchup against South Dakota, K-State will host Mississippi State on September 8, in an 11 a.m., game that will be shown on ESPN. The Wildcats then host UTSA at 3 p.m., on September 15 in a game televised by FSN prior to a road contest at West Virginia on September 22, to open Big 12 play.

Season tickets are still available for the 2018 season starting at just $199 for the mobile Flex Season Ticket. Single-game tickets for the 2018 season go on sale online only for Ahearn Fund members on Monday, July 9, and for the entire public online on Thursday, July 12. Group and single-game tickets are available by phone at 1-800-221-CATS beginning Friday, July 13.

K-State’s Kick Times/TV Selections for First Three Games

Date              Opponent                   Time              TV

Sept. 1          South Dakota             6:10 p.m.     ESPN3

Sept. 8          Mississippi State       11 a.m.         ESPN

Sept. 15        UTSA                             3 p.m.           FSN

— K-State Athletics —

Missouri’s Cuonzo Martin appointed to NABC Board of Directors

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball head coach Cuonzo Martin has accepted an invitation to join the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Board of Directors. Martin’s appointment to the board is effective immediately.

“The NABC’s sole focus has been dedicated to developing leaders and positively impacting the lives of student-athletes, so I’m excited and honored to be on the Board of Directors,” Martin said. “I look forward to the opportunity to serve and help continually grow our game alongside well-respected colleagues from around the nation.”

Located in Kansas City, Mo., the NABC was founded in 1927 by Forrest “Phog” Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men’s basketball coaches.

All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today’s student-athletes. The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education. Additional information about the NABC, its programs and membership, can be found at www.nabc.org.

Martin was also recently appointed to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee, where he serves as one of two active coaches on the influential group.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Missouri Western’s Bierbaum resigns as cross country and track coach

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western director of athletics Josh Looney announced head cross country and track and field coach Marc Bierbaum has resigned, effective immediately.

“We want to thank Coach Bierbaum for his efforts over the past two years in launching our cross country and track and field programs,” Looney said. “The continued development and growth of these new programs is very important to the short term and long term goals of Missouri Western Athletics.”

Assistant coach Cody Ingold will serve as interim head coach for both the cross country and track and field teams while a national search for the next director of cross country and track and field is conducted.

Bierbaum was hired as the head coach of the new programs in September of 2016, serving as head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country teams along with the men’s and women’s track and field teams. The teams completed their first year of NCAA Division II competition during the 2017-18 academic year.

— MWSU Athletics —

Mustangs rally for walk-off win in MINK opener against Nevada

The St. Joseph Mustangs opened MINK League play Friday with a come-from-behind 5-4 victory over the Nevada Griffons inside Phil Welch Stadium.

St. Joe’s collegiate summer baseball team is now 2-1 this season and 1-0 in league play.

The Mustangs trailed the Griffons 4-2 entertaing the eighth inning, before rallying with one run in the eighth and two more in the ninth inning.

After Nevada walked three batters in the bottom of the ninth, Brody Santilli came threw with a one-out RBI single and St. Joseph scored twice to complete the complete the comeback.

The Mustangs had just four hits on the night as Santilli had two of them. Colton Pogue and Terrance Spurlin added one hit each.

St. Joseph and Nevada will play again tonight at Phil Welch Stadium. The first pitch is at 7:30 and we’ll have the game on ESPN 1550 AM.

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