SMSU All-Sports Auction Set for Aug. 26 Fter Only a Year, It Has Become Known As the Biggest and Best a Party in Town

Bear Talk The newsletter for athletics at Southwest Missouri State University

Volume 6, Number ll July/ August 1988 SMSU All-Sports Auction set for Aug. 26 fter only a year, it has become known as the biggest and best A party in town . And it is a heckuva fund-raiser for the athletic department, too . It's coming again this August. It's the SMSU All-Sports Auction. The 1988 All-Sports Auction will be Friday, Aug. 26, at the Sheraton Inn and Conference Center. The doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 per couple and $15 per single, which includes food and beverages for the evening. You must be at least 21 years of age to attend. Those interested in attending should RSVP to the SMSU development office, 417/836- 4143, by Aug. 24. Last year, the auction attracted more than 700 people who bid on nearly 200 items. The event raised approximately $50,000 for the Bears Fund to support During last year's SMSU All·Sport Auction, Dr . Mark Tendai made the winning bid so his daughter, Jeanette, SMSU' s men's and women's could be the honora ry men's basketball coach with Charlie Spoonhour. (Below) Sugar Bear Jennifer Diller interco11egiate athletics. holds a AKC registered cocker spaniel puppy that Brent Dunn, coordinator of the Bears Fund, bought for $300. And the 1988 event promises to be even bigger. Honorary chairman Lynn puppies, Winston Garland's Golden State Thompson and SMSU coordinator Bill Warriors jersey, gift certificates, and O'Neill hope the 1988 All-Sports Auction advertising packages with local media. will raise between $60,000-$75,000. And Last year, many of the items brought with items like a 1988 Pontiac high dollar bids - some far exceeding Grand Am, it just may. their value. A highlight in this category The silent auction bidding, the balloon was a four figure bid by Dr. Mark Tendai stomp, and the blind auction bidding will so his daughter, Jeanette, could be the begin when the doors open at 6 p.m. honorary Bears Basketball coach. Items for the live auction also will be on Please don't forget to bring your display. Door prize chances will be sold. checkbook, your MasterCard, or your At 6:30p.m., the food carnival opens. Visa card. All purchases must be paid for The carnival will include a large selection the evening of the auction. of foods and beverages. This year's volunteer steering At 8 p.m., auctioneer Billy Long will committee, headed by Thompson, includes conduct the live auction. This year's Rob Fulp, Bill Estes, Nancy Onstot, selections range from $15 to several Barbara Lucks, Trudy Silkwood, Sue thousand dollars. The items include the Howell, and Fred Harle. Grand Am, a fur jacket, a night on the For more information about the 1988 bench as honorary coach with Charlie All-Sports Auction , contact O'Neill at Spoonhour and the Basketball Bears, 417/836-5242.BT sporting goods, fabulous trips, two Bear Booster Golf Tournament attracts 150 bout 150 golfers, including an director and tournament coordinator. "I certainly appreciate area businesses extraordinary number of hackers think everyone had a good time. We I donating prizes for the event.' ' BT A disguised as golfers, played in the lOth annual Bear Booster Golf Tournament June 3 at Hidden Valley Country Club. A steak dinner and presentation of prizes followed the two man scramble event. Winners were named in four flights. Championship Flight-Dave Trottier/ Brad Zimmerman, 64; Dr. T.A. Morrison/ Mitch Ware, 66; Rand Chappell/Randy Stange, 67 . "A" Flight- Ted Johnson/ Jim Elton, 71; Ron Roling/Randy Hubbell, 71 ; John Boeckman/Ross Ausburn, 71. "B" Flight-Don Simmons/Dave Menzies, 74; Jack Ball/Lester Williams, 74; Ken Kellogg/Mike Russell, 74. " C" Flight-Bill Thomas/Gene Edwards, 78 ; Jesse Branch/Steve Hirsh, 78; Tim Kilpatrick/Tom Colli ate, 79. Jerry Stiefvater and Mike Russell won prizes for being "closest to the hole" on two designated greens. And a number of door prizes were awarded. " It was another good tournament," According to Bill O'Neill, men's assistant athletic director and tournament coordinator, this year's tournament was another good one. Prior ro the tournament, several golfers warmed up on the practice putting green. said Bill O'Neill , men's assistant athletic AMCU school ever to win the baseball Sports crown. The accomplishments of those teams and athletes represent over half our total Information men's program. Football and wrestling aren't AMCU sports and SMSU doesn't compete for the league soccer Office receives championship, but we hope to be able to in the near future. The two remaining AMCU sports, indoor and outdoor track, awards have been hampered by the lack of a facility in recent years. The new outdoor ersonnel from the Southwest track being installed in the stadium will Missouri State University Sports go a long way toward correcting that P Information Office received a From Bill Rowe, situation. Coach Clark has already been number of awards at this week's College seeing the anticipated installation of the Sports Information Directors of America new track in his recruiting efforts. convention and workshop in Kansas Athletic Director Individually, Joe Williams and Jon City. s we near the end of what has Frangoulis in wrestling and Hakan 1\vo SMSU media guides were honored been a very busy summer and Svensson in tennis advanced to NCAA at third best in the nation among Division A continue with preparations to Division I competition in their respective I schools in their respective categories. start another athletic and academic year, sports. Baseballers Jeff Kaiser and Tony The 1987 SMSU volleyball guide, prepared I want to pause and recognize another Floyd and footballers Matt Soraghan and by assistant sports information director tremendous job done by our teams and Ken Braden signed professional contracts. Jon Ripperger, and the 1988 SMSU athletes in the year just concluded. Baseball's Brian Mahaffey was among baseball guide, prepared by sports Our men's teams turned in another the national leaders in home runs and was information director Mark Stillwell, were superlative year in 1987-88, winning six named a third team GTE Academic picked for the third place national honors. sport titles in the Association of Mid All-American by the College Sports Ripperger's volleyball guide was also Continent Universities and capturing the Information Directors of America, while third in the nation in 1986. This is the all-sports championship for the second women's volleyballer Mindy Struckhoff fifth time the baseball guide has been year in a row and the fifth time in the also won CoSIDA Academic All honored, with the previous awards having past six years. American third team honors. come at the Division II level. Our six sport titles broke the league Matt Soraghan became our first Kodak The 1987 SMSU football guide, record of five set by SMSU in 1986-87 All-American selection in football and prepared by Stillwell, Ripperger and and we had two sports, baseball and was named the Gateway Conference former graduate assistant Ken McMahon, tennis, which became the first squads in Defensive Player of the Year. AMCU was judged best in the district and sixth AMCU history in any sport to win five individual honors grabbed by SMSU best in the nation among Division 1-AA consecutive league titles. players included Hakan Svensson as the schools. The Bears' 1987-88 champions included Player of the Year in tennis, Jeff Eiserman Stillwell was also given a writing Coach Richard Clark and the cross as the Player of the Year in golf, Matt award as his story on the SMSU men's country team, Coach Charlie Spoonhour Wegenka as Athlete of the Year in cross basketball trip to the 1988 NCAA and the basketball squad, Coach Jack country, and Tony Floyd as Pitcher of the tournament was judged best in the district Steck and the swimming and diving team, Year in baseball. Floyd was also the MVP in the category of individual event review. Coach Jim Klousia and the tennis team, in the league tournament. Kelby Stuckey Additionally, incoming SMSU graduate Coach Keith Guttin and the baseball and Stan Worthy were on the all assistant Mike Kern was given two squad and Coach Bruce Hollowell and the conference team in basketball and Doug writing awards from his service during golf squad------~-- Lewi ~ was the AMCU Newcomer of the the past year at the Oruvers1ty of Missoun. Steck's swimmers won their league Year on the hardwoods. Kern gained best in the district awards in crown for the fourth time in six years, the A tremendous amount of hard work the categories of individual event preview cross country title was the fourth in a row went into the achievements of these teams and season review for golf stories he for SMSU and the basketball championship and athletes and we extend to them our wrote at MU. A native of St. Louis, Kern was the second straight in addition to the congratulations on another tremendous graduated from Missouri in May and will record fifth straight crowns in baseball year of SMSU athletic achievement.BT begin his duties at SMSU in August. BT and tennis. SMSU is, of course, the only

Hazen signs with Bears Trackconsuucffononschedum Middle distance runner Kyle Hazen of y fall, SMSU will have a Division Rogers, the Arkansas state cross country I track facility - a 400-meter champion in 1987 and the state champion B synthetic track inside Briggs in the 1,600-meter run in 1988, has Stadium. The $330,000 project is on signed a letter of intent to attend SMSU schedule to be finished by Sept. 2. and run track and cross country for the The project is being completed in Bears in the coming year. BT several phases. Phase I, removal of the north and south retaining walls, was completed in June. Journagan Construction donated the majority of that work. Phase II, relocation of the bleachers and light poles, was completed in July. Melton Bear Talk Electric moved the lights and Textor Writers Construction moved the bleachers . Textor Paul Kincaid , Don Payton , Mark Stillwell, Jon Ripperger is the general contractor for Phase III, Photography including installation of the granulated SMSU photographic services rubber and polyurethane track, which Bear Talk is produced for Bears Fund donors by the will be completed by Sept. 2. The Office of Publications in cooperation with the synthetic surface will be manufactured Department of Athletics and the Office of Alumni and installed by Southwest Track Builders. and Development of Southwest Missouri State University, 901 S. National, Springfield, Missouri, Of the $330,000, $272,107 is being 65804. Third class postage paid at Springfield, paid through Wyrick Commission funds. Missouri. Each year, SMSU students pay $5 per Bears Fund donors support the university's athletic semester and $2.50 during the summer Light poles and bleachers on the east side of Briggs program by contributing at any one of the following to this special fund. Then, each spring, Stadium are being moved to accommodate the new levels: All-American Club, $5,000 or more; track. Champions Club, $2,500 or more; Diamond Bears students propose and vote on projects to Club, $1,250 or more; Gold Bears Club, $600 or be paid for out of the Wyrick Commission. 'Red Dog' shale track. At the time, it more; Silver Bears Club, $300 or more; Bruin Club, SMSU will pay the balance, approximately was the cadillac of track surfaces. When $1 SO or more; Cub Club, $50 or more. For $58,000, from capital improvement the synthetic material came into existence information concerning the Bears Fund contact monies. in the early 1970s, we began to fall Brent Dunn, Coordinator of the Bears Fund, SMSU, 417/836-4143. " Back in 1963," says men's track behind other programs. coach Richard Clark, "we put in the SMSU is an EO/AA institution. (see Track, p. 4)

2 Experience is key to season for Branch, Bears

he long-awaited '88 grid campaign and plenty of summer heat ahead, Branch ''Our main goal in spring practice was is just around the comer. is optimistic that the large number of to throw enough to be able to move the T The Bears of coach Jesse Branch experienced, proven, quality players, ball effectively through the air. We're open the season Saturday, Sept. 3, at ably abetted by talented transfers and a looking to our passing game more than Northwestern (La.) State University before number of redshirt freshmen from '87, in the past. The last three national playing back-to-back outings in " new will roll a lot of gridiron sevens in '88. championship games on the 1-AA level look" Briggs Stadium. They host Missouri The 45 lettermen represent the largest have been won by teams that scored in Southern on Sept. 10 and Western Illinois number of returnees for one season at excess of 40 points, primarily with their Sept. 17 . SMSU. Only at tight end must the Bears passing," he added. Circle the latter date in red on your replace a departed starter in the offensive "The last three league championships calendar: it's the Gateway Conference unit. On defense, an interior lineman and in our conference have been won by opener. three linebackers are the only losses from pass-oriented teams. Consequently, we What can we expect from this year's last year's 5-6 squad. feel we're going to have to throw the Bear 11? As for the tight end vacancy, four football to move it as we'd like to," Branch, in his third season at the lettermen and a transfer are in the thick Branch said. SMSU grid helm, states it succinctly. of the battle for the starting slot. So it Freshmen report Aug. 9 and start "In our first year we hoped we could isn't as if Branch is starting from scratch. practicing on the lOth. Varsity players win, and managed to win three games. " No longer will we have to rely on check in Aug. 10 and begin practice on Last year, we thought we could win and our kicking game and on defense to win the 12th. First day in pads will be Aug. we won five . This year, we expect to ballgames," Branch said. " We should 16 with the initial intrasquad scrimmage win." be able to score enough to stay in every set for the 20th.BT Although there's still pre-season practice game, even if our defense has an off day. The toughest schedule ever awaits Basketball Bears ake coach Charlie Spoonhour's Additionally, in the early-season Mazzio play their opener against the University word on it: the basketball Bears Classic, Bear fans will get to see Northern of Missouri, which appears certain to be T will be facing "our toughest Arizona, Mississippi Valley State and nationally ranked. The game will be schedule ever" during the coming season. Southeastern Louisiana. played in Reames Center, where the "Obviously it's our toughest," he Adding to the lustre of the home Bears dropped a 57-53 overtime decision said, "especially as far as teams that are schedule is the AMCU tourney, which to the Tigers two years ago. coming in here to play. I only hope our returns to HSC March 6-8. ''The whole Big Apple field is tough,'' own players understand the challenge." Spoonhour noted that, "it's a doggone Spoonhour noted. Even the word "challenge" may be good road schedule, too," pointing out Regarding the overall strength of this an understatement. that the Bears are slated to compete in the year's slate, he emphasized that, "every Among non-conference teams that will prestigious Big Apple NIT Classic year our schedule has gotten tougher and be invading Hammons Student Center are Tournament in November, travel to the tougher. " Kansas State of the Big Eight; Tulsa, University of Wyoming and Wichita "Essentially, we've done as much Illinois State and Southern Illinois of the State, and play in a four-team holiday with our schedule as our opponents will Missouri Valley Conference; Saint Louis tourney in Kansas City with defending let us do," Spoonhour said. As a matter of the Midwestern Conference; and Oral national champion Kansas. of fact, we've offered to play any Roberts. As for the Big Apple meet, the Bears Division I school in the country.'' BT Lady Bears face quality schedule for 1989 season uper. In a word, that aptly Missouri. New Orleans. Arkansas. pick it up again the following year." describes the 1988-89 Lady Bear Kansas State. These are teams Burnett's The Bears and Lady Bears make joint S basketball schedule. squad will take on during the opening appearances in two doubleheaders. The "In fact, it's difficult to single out any weeks of the campaign. first is at Hammons Jan. 7 when the Lady pre-conference highlight,' ' said second Additionally, they'll play in a tourney Bears play Western illinois prior to the year coach Cheryl Burnett. "You would at the University of Utah Dec. 2-3. The men's game against Tulsa. The two teams have to say that our whole pre-conference field includes the University of play at Eastern Illinois Jan. 21 in schedule is a highlight. Washington, a top 20 team of a year ago, conference outings, "the first time this " We'll be tested against quality teams along with the host quintet, San Jose State has happened," Burnett noted. right from the opening tip. Being young and the Lady Bears. The Lady Bears play their first Gateway and inexperienced, we'll have our hands Early dates at home are Dec. 12 against Conference game Jan. 2 at N orthem full. No doubt about it. This is a concern. New Orleans, Dec. 17 against Arkansas Iowa. There's no mistaking the fact that But on the other hand, it will give us an and Dec. 19 with Kansas State. Burnett is eagerly awaiting the upcoming opportunity to meet some teams that can Although there's no home tourney on campaign. BT make or break us . " this year's docket, Burnett said, " We'll Volleyball Bears eye top spot in Gateway Conference oach Linda Dollar and her several leagues ," she explained. " We nine of 10 players off last year's.21-9 talented VolleyBears are eagerly hope to establish a regional ranking in team that finished second in the conference. C awaiting their season opener on September, playing Oklahoma, Iowa State, In fact, the Bears have finished second Sept. 2. Illinois-Chicago and going to Penn State. five of the past six years. That's when they take on Montana "In the Penn State Invitational (on Senior Mindy Struckhoff, a first team State in the University of Oklahoma Sept. 16-17) we 'll also play Purdue and all-loop pick a year ago and the Gateway invitational. During the Sooner tourney the University of Michigan. Both Penn leader in blocks, heads the returnees. they will also meet Baylor and the host State and Purdue ranked in the Top 20 Also back: junior Susan Ruch, a second team, which portends to be one of the last year and are in our Mid-East region,'' team all-league choice, and sophomore nation's best after making it to the NCAA said Dollar. Later in September the Laura Graham, who shared loop Freshman tourney last year. VolleyBears take on Ohio State, Central of the Year honors. "It's a significant match for us, " Michigan and Cincinnati of the Mid-East, "With our experience we hope to get Dollar said about the Sooner outing. also on the road. "It's tough competition, the jump in non-conference play, ' ' Dollar Indeed it is significant, as are most of but we hope to establish ourselves went on. "This could certainly help us the matches slated for the Volley Bears in regionally before beginning conference on down the line. Although it's a tough the early going. play in October.'' early schedule, it should prepare us well " During the early weeks of the season The VolleyBears are eyeing the top for conference play.'' BT we'll be meeting some top teams from spot in the Gateway this year. They return

3 1988·89 Men's Basketball Schedule 1988 Volleyball Schedule Bear Briefs Nov .12 Australia New Castle 7:30p.m. University of Oklahoma Invitational Nov. 18 University of 7:35p.m. Sept. 2 Montana State 5:30p.m. The annual Bears Fund drive, which Missouri University kicked off in April, is well underway. Nov. 26 University of 8:35p.m. Sept. 3 Baylor University 10 a.m. Co-chairmen John Whittington and Dave Wyoming Sept. 3 University of 7:30p.m. Trottier are confident the drive will reach Dec. 3 Texas Wesleyan 7:05 p.m. Oklahoma the goal of $900,000. Last year, the Bears College SMSU September Classic Fund raised $775,000.8T Dec. 6 Saint Louis 7:05p.m. Sept. 8 University of Idaho 7 p.m. University Sept. 9 University of 6 p.m. Dec. 9-10 Mazzio's Pizza 6-8 p.m. Illinois at Chicago Two men's basketball intrasquad games Classic Sept. 10 Lamar University Noon have already been scheduled. The Dec. 17 Wichita State 7:35 p.m. Sept. 10 Iowa State University 8 p.m. basketball Bears will play in Mt. Vernon University Penn State University Nov . 1 and in Lebanon on Nov. 7.BT Dec. 20 Illinois State 7:05p.m. Baden Invitational University Sept. 16 Purdue University 5 p.m. Dec. 22 Southern Illinois 7:05 p.m. Sept. 17 Penn State University Noon Oct. 28-29 is Homecoming Weekend University Sept. 17 University of 5:30p.m. at SMSU. Mark your calendars and plan Dec. 29-30 BMA Holiday TBA Michigan to join in all the festivities. The Bears Classic Sept. 21 University of 7p.m. will face Eastern Illinois University in the Jan.3 Kansas State 7:05p.m. Missouri Homecoming football game at 2 p.m. in University Sept. 23 Ohio State 7:30p.m. Briggs Stadium.BT Jan.7 University of Tulsa 7:05p.m. University Jan. 14 Western Illinois 7:05p.m. Sept. 24 Central Michigan 1 p.m. University University If it's football season, it must be tailgate Jan. 16 University of 7:05p.m. SMSU Autumn Classic season. The Bear Country Booster Club Northern Iowa Sept. 30 University of Utah 6p.m. invites you to join in the pre-game tailgate Jan. 21 Eastern Illinois 7:30p.m. Oct. 1 University of Kansas Noon in Parking Lot No. 24 just south of Grand University Oct. 1 Sam Houston 8p.m. Street prior to each home game throughout Jan.23 Oral Roberts 7:05p.m. State University the season. This year's Bear Country University Oct. 4 University of 7:30p.m. Booster Club officers are Jay Cummings, Jan. 28 Cleveland State 6:30p.m. Missouri president; Lee Gannaway, vice president. BT University Oct. 14 Eastern Illinois 7p.m. Jan. 30 Valparaiso University 7:30p.m. University Feb. 4 University of 7:05 p.m. ·Oct. 15 Southern Illinois 4:30p.m. Erika Storms, a 6-foot-1 center from Wisconsin-Green Bay University Raymore-Peculiar High near Kansas City, Feb. 6 University of 7:05 p.m. Oct. 21 Western Illinois 7p.~. Mo., will transfer to SMSU this fall after Illinois at Chicago University spending her freshman year at Auburn Feb. 11 Western Illinois 7:30p.m. Oct. 22 Bradley University 7p.m. University. Although she played volleyball University Oct. 28 University of Northern 7p.m. at Auburn, Storms intends to play Feb. 14 University of 7:30p.m. Illinois basketball for coach Cheryl Burnett's Northern Iowa Oct. 29 Drake University 7p.m. Lady Bears and will become eligible to Feb. 18 Eastern Illinois 7:05 p.m. Nov.4 Illinois State 7p.m. play in the 1989-90 season. Storms has University University three years of eligibility remaining. An Feb. 20 University of 7:30p.m. Nov. 5 Indiana State 7p.m. all-metro selection in volleyball and _Fisconsin-Green Bay :University oaskefbrul, Storms graouated Irom Ray Feb. 25 Cleveland State 7:05 p.m. Nov. 11 Wichita State 7p.m. Pee in 1987 .BT University University Feb. 27 Valparaiso 7:05 p.m. Nov. 12 Oral Roberts 4:30p.m. University University Mar. 4 University of 1 p.m. Illinois at Chicago Men's Cross Country Schedule Track, from p. 2 1988 Football Schedule Sept. 3 SMSU Alumni Run 8a.m. "There is no doubt the new track will Sept. 17 University of 11 a.m. have a positive impact on our program. Sept. 3 Northwestern (La.) 7p.m. Missouri Invitational This spring, we've had more interest in State University Oct. 1 Southern Illinois 11 a.m. the track program, numbers-wise, than Sept. 10 Missouri Southern 7p.m. Saluki Invitational in the past. In the next couple of years, State College Oct. 8 SMSU Distance 10:30 a.m. we look forward to re-establishing our Sept. 17 Western Illinois 7p.m. Classic reputation and hosting some high-quality University Oct. 17 Drake University 10:30 a.m. track and field meets. This will help us Sept. 24 University of 7 p.m. Myers Vincent Memorial attract the higher level athlete we want Northern Iowa to be a part of our program. Oct. 1 Northern Illinois 1:05 p.m. Women's Cross Country Schedule " Obviously, I am most interested in University what the new track will do for our track Oct. 8 Indiana State University 6 p.m. Sept. 10 SMSU Road 8:30 a.m. program. But there is no doubt the new Oct. 15 Western Kentucky 1:30 p.m. Race facility will better accommodate the University Sept. 17 SMSU Time Trial 10 a.m. needs of our entire community, from the Oct. 29 Eastern Illinois 2 p.m. Sept. 23 University of 5:30 p.m. elementary school athlete to the senior University Arkansas Dual Meet citizen. That's exciting for the community Nov. 5 Southern Illinois 1:30 p.m. Oct. 8 SMSU Ozark 10:30 a.m. and for the future of track in Springfield University Invitational and southwest Missouri.'' BT Nov. 12 Illinois State 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 University of 10 a.m. University Arkansas Invitational Bold entries denote home games

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