Bear Talk The newsletter for athletics at Southwest Missouri State University

Volume 17, Number 3 February 1999 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame enshrines two hen Dr. Mary Jo Wynn, former team to an eighth place ranking in the first senior associate athletics direc­ AIAW National Volleyball tournament in W tor, pioneered the women's ath­ 1969. She became the first women's direc­ letics program at SMS, she never dreamed tor of athletics in 1975. Under her direc­ she would be walking across the stage at the tion, the Lady Bears became the first Missouri Sports Hall of Fame to be honored NCAA Division I program in the state to as an enshrined member. reach the national semifinals as they com­ "When I was called and told about the peted in the Final Four in 1992. Wynn honor, I just couldn't believe it. It seemed credits her success to players like Melody like I had received so much recognition Howard, who shared the Hall of Fame already, " Wynn says. "Somebody told me stage with her Jan. 24. once that retirement would be taking a step down. Well, I don't think so. I'll be in the Hall of Fame forever now, and the view "The view from up here is from up here is great." great." Mary Jo Wynn, former senior During her tenure at SMS, Wynn associate director of athletics coached basketball, swimming, volleyball, tennis and track. She guided the volleyball Mary Jo Wynn, who retired in June 1998 as senior "The best decision I ever made associate director of athletics, was enshrined into the was to play basketball at SMS." Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Jan. 24. Melody Howard, former lAdy Bear Week (Feb. 21) and the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. Howard's basketball career was not Howard, former Lady Bear standout, confined to the college level as she joined the program in 1989 after an impres­ played on the USA World University sive prep career at Marshfield High School, Games Team in 1993, receiving a bronze where she led her team to three consecutive medal, and again in 1995, receiving a sil­ State Championships and a 96-0 record. She ver medal. Howard was one of 25 players was named the state Player of the Year as a invited to the 1995 Olympic Team Trials. senior with averages of 26.3 points, 5.6 She also played on the USA Pan rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.7 assists. Her American Basketball Team in 1995. prep career ended with 2,154 career points In 1996, Howard's career turned profes­ and 14 school records. sional as she joined the Colorado Xplosion Howard led the Lady Bears to national for the inaugural season of the American prominence as the All-Time Leading Scorer Basketball League before retiring in 1998. with 1,944 points and a 1992 Women's "But did you know, Mr. [John Q.] Final Four appearance. During Howard's Hammons, that your gym was my favorite four seasons at SMS, the Lady Bears posted gym to play in?" Howard asked Hammons, a combined record of 104-23, four league founder of the Missouri Sports Hall of championships and four NCAA Tournament Melody Howard, former Lady Bear stand­ Fame, during her acceptance speech Jan. out, chats with fans at the private reception appearances. In 1994, Howard was named 24. "The best decision I ever made was to before her enshrinement into the Missouri Academic All-America Second Team, play basketball at SMS," she said. BT Sports Hall of Fame Jan. 24. Sports Illustrated National Player of the State Champs take on the rest of season play

fter laying claim to No. 1 in career free throw attempts, No. 7 Missouri's first-ever state (and climbing) in career points, No. 10 in A championship, Coach Steve career 20-point games, No. 8 in career dou­ Alford's basketball Bears are mov­ ble-figure games, No. 10 in career field goal ing ever-closer to the decisive and attempts, No. 10 in career rebounds and No. pivotal Arch Madness. 2 in career blocked shots. And remember­ The Diet Pepsi Missouri Valley he's done it in three seasons. Conference Tourney is set for Feb. Bettenhausen, the only player to play in 26-March 1 at the Kiel Center in every game Alford has coached at SMS, is St. Louis . seventh on the career-games list and bidding The Bears play their regular sea­ to break the existing mark of 116. son home finale on Feb. 20, hosting As for being the State Champs - Bear Indiana State. They close the regu­ wins this year over Missouri, UMKC, lar season two days later at Southeast Missouri State University and Evansville. Saint Louis have concluded a Show-Me The Feb. 20 game marks the Series sweep. SMS is the first Missouri final home appearance for the Division I school to play the other four in­ Bears' seniors - Danny Moore, state Division I teams in a single season. Ryan Bettenhausen, Ken Stringer, Also of note, the Bears played their Butch Tshomba and Paul Murans. 2,000th game in school history when they As the season winds down, hosted Bradley Jan. 13. SMS ranks 27th Moore continues to move up the Freshman guard Brandon Miller, a native of New Castle, among all Division I schools in all-time Bears' ladder in a number of cate­ Ind., hit 2-of-5 field goal attempts, both of which were three­ victories. BT pointers, in the game against Indiana State Jan. 23. gories: No. 1 in career free throws, 1 From the AD

years. With the way they are constructed, much power as they did previously but aluminum bats can generate greater that the players hitting significant num­ speed through the strike zone than a bers of home runs in the past would still wooden bat of similar dimensions. With generate the long ball. The committee sharp increases in the number of home will use 1999 season data as a basis for Athletic runs and other offensive statistics in subsequent discussions to develop a recent seasons, concern has arisen for the long-term solution. Director safety of participants. Our rules commit­ In recent meetings of the I-AA tee wanted to find ways to reduce the Football Committee, our goal has been to velocity of a batted ball off the bat with­ find ways to enhance our championship. out measurably affecting the balance There are 119 schools competing at the s is always the case early in the between offense and defense. I-AA level, and the goal of the commit­ spring semester, it's a busy time The timing of very lengthy and tee is to give participants and support A in SMS athletics, with basketball complex discussions on the subject has groups from those schools the best cham­ and swimming seasons in high gear and been such that a full, final resolution is pionship possible. eight spring sports and spring football just not possible for the 1999 season. In A lot of the issue is financial in nature, around the comer. order to protect the interests of all par­ with the championship game played at a These days are made busier when I ties, the rules committee forwarded a preset site after the first three rounds of the put on two other hats and work in non­ proposal to the NCAA Executive 16-team playoff are at campus sites. The SMS assignments. I have been privileged Committee which has been approved for playoffs traditionally begin the Saturday to serve a second term as chairman of the the 1999 season, with the issue to be after Thanksgiving when it's difficult to NCAA Baseball Rules Committee and revisited at the conclusion of the season generate student support on campuses. The also a second year on the NCAA I-AA to formulate a long-term policy. next two rounds are in December when Football Committee, which has responsi­ In simple terms, the 1999 proposal weather becomes a factor, and the financial bility for administering all phases of the I- limits the difference between the weight success of the championship game has AA champienship. -- in-ounces-and the length in inches of a been larg~ly n:lated-to-the-geographic The biggest issue in college baseball bat and also makes a slight reduction in proximity of the finalists and the site of the in recent months has been the question the diameter of the barrel of the bat. It is contest, in addition to falling the weekend of the bats being used in the college hoped that the net effect will be to reduce before Christmas. Our committee has been game. Professional baseball teams use the speed of a batted ball enough to looking at any number of ways to take that wooden bats exclusively, but the break­ improve safety but not enough to change playoff structure and the revenue potential age and cost factor has led most amateur the essential nature of the game. It is felt it presents and maximize those for the programs to use aluminum bats in recent that some players may not display as 1999 championship and future years. BT Lady Bears focus on regular season scramble Stiles, Reed and Deer set records

wo all-important segments of the her fourth straight double-double (25 points two seniors, Reed and Yen Quach, make 1998-99 basketball season are and 15 rebounds); and sophomore Jackie their final home appearance against SIU T upcoming for Coach Cheryl Stiles had 34 points to regain the nation's on Feb. 27. Burnett's Lady Bears. First is the windup individual scoring lead with an average of As for Reed, what a year and a career of Missouri Valley Conference play, with 26.1 points per game. Additionally, it boost­ she's put together. At the outset of the sea­ seven outings slated in February. Then it's ed the Lady Bears' season record to 13-5. son Burnett said, "Roshonda has to be a postseason play, beginning with the MVC Along the way there have been other tremendous leader for us. She gives us tourney at Des Moines, Iowa, March 4-6. major milestones: Stiles set the all-time intensity and confidence, and we need that The tourney champion automatically SMS single-game scoring record with 52 from her every game." qualifies for the NCAA 64-team field. points at Baylor in December; Reed's 18 To say that she has fulfilled the mission Beyond that, who knows how many, if rebounds at Indiana State in mid January is indisputable. BT any, additional MVC quints will receive were the most by an at-large berths. SMS player in a sin­ "At this point, no way are we thinking gle game under about postseason," says Burnett. "We have Burnett; and Stiles, aiOfOfTeague games shllTolJe played." 11o set tile sin-gle=-­ Currently, the Lady Bears are involved season scoring in the MVC regular season scramble that record with 618 last may not be unravelled until the fmal game. year as a freshman, Which, for the Lady Bears, is at home needs only 86 points against Southern Illinois Feb. 27. to break her own One thing is for sure: the Lady Bears record. She had 450 won what may have been one of the points at this year's biggest games of the year Jan. 23 when halfway mark. they hosted Drake University in a game The Lady Bears carried coast-to-coast on ESPN2. It was a have four remaining game seen by a lot of people, including games at home in 8,500 fans at Hammons Student Center. February, hosting Final score: SMS 105, Drake 74. Illinois State Feb. It was, in Burnett's words, "a beauti­ 12, Indiana State ful game." Feb. 14, Evansville It was a milestone in many ways: the Feb. 25, then closing game gave the Lady Bears a chance to erase with SIU on the the memory of a real downer, the 97-81loss 27th. Only two at Drake in early January; sophomore Carly February dates are Deer, a January addition to the starting line­ on the road: at SIU up, posted the first triple-double in Lady on the 18th and at Bear history with 11 points, 10 rebounds Bradley on the 20th. and 10 assists; senior Roshonda Reed posted The Lady Bears' Sophomore forward Kimberly McDowell had 11 total points in the SMS win over Bradley Jan. 25, shooting 5-of-6 from the free throw line.

2 1999 Baseball Bears feature entire new infield oach Keith Guttin's baseball Bears enter the 1999 sea­ The other returning position player, catcher Jon Hale, hit .273 son with a couple of major goals: a lofty finish in the with 26 RBis. C always-tough Missouri Some newcomers are vying for infield Valley Conference and a return to spots: freshman first baseman Ryan NCAA tourney play, which last year Howard, freshman second baseman Matt eluded SMS for the first time in Gardner, juco transfer shortstop Dan four seasons. Firlit, and juco product third baseman "We fell short of achieving some Brian Fuess. of the things we had hoped to As for pitching, three starters were lost accomplish," says Guttin about last to graduation and a fourth, Scott Geitz, year's 32-21 season. "We just didn't was drafted by and signed with make good pitches." Milwaukee. Guttin is banking on redshirt There are other question marks freshman Matt Hill, who missed the that await the season, which opens in entire season with an injury; redshirt late February and heats up in March. Dustin Tignor, who sparkled for the First off, Guttin must replace his Bears in 1996; senior Charlie Hovey, who entire starting infield of a year ago. saw limited action a year ago; Mike Gone are first baseman Jason Hart, Collier, back from an impressive rookie second baseman Chris Curry and season (4-2 with 31.1 innings of topflight shortstop Brandon Jackson (all of relief pitching); Branson West, who whom have signed professional con­ appeared in a team-high 16 games, struck tracts); while Richie Smith, at third, out 32 and posted a 4-3 record; and completed his eligibility. senior Shayne Ferrier, who was 3-2. The brightest spot is the outfield Newcomers include junior transfer Matt trio, which returns intact. Juniors Smith , a 6'5" righthander of whom big Matt Cepicky and Nick Kays and things are expected; transfers Brock senior Micah Holst put up glittering Smith and Matt Skyles; and freshmen numbers a year ago. Andrew Jefferson, Aaron Hoadley, Brad Cepicky, who hit .390 with 16 Senior outfielder Micah Holst, who led the team in Ziegler and Scott McMain. home runs and 50 RBis, was named stolen bases last season with 17, held the team 's best Guttin, entering his 17th season with the fielding average (.991). with only one error. a preseason first team All-America Bears, should have a good "read" on the by Baseball America. He also had an team by the end of March. Guttin logged MVP summer in the Cape Cod league. Holst hit .342 with nine his SOOth SMS career win a year ago and ranks among the top homers and 40 RBis, Kays .353 with 14 homers and 50 RBis. 30 active Division I coaches in career winning percentage. BT Four recruits sign for softball season 2000

ead coach Holly Hesse has championship and state tournament The Bears, one of just 13 teams which announced the commitments of appearance. Nemlowill also had a fine have made the NCAA field each of the H four players to attend the univer­ senior season at the plate for PCWHS, last three seasons and winners of three sity and play softball for the Bears. hitting .385. She plays for the Oklahoma straight Missouri Valley Conference All four players hail from Oklahoma Ultimate ASA summer team. championships, went 31-22 overall and and have impressive high school and Wattie was the first all-state softball 13-5 in the Valley in 1998 and open the club team accolades. New to the Bears player in Westmoore High history after 1999 campaign at the University of roster for the 2000 season are Amanda also garnering all-conference, all-district Oklahoma Softball Invitational on Feb. Bean and Larissa Shepherd of and all-city accolades as the Lady 19 at Norman, Okla. BT Bartlesville, Okla., and Sarah Nemlowill Jaguars' third baseman. Wattie helped and Staci Wattie of Oklahoma City, Okla. lead WHS to a tournament championship Bean played outfield and second base as a senior this past fall. She for Bartlesville High and led the team plays for the Oklahoma with a .430 batting average en route to Jammers ASA summer team. being named all-state as a senior this past "We're extremely excited to fall. She led the Bruins with a .310 aver­ have received commitments age as a junior and a .380 average as a from four all-staters from sophomore. Oklahoma," says Hesse. "All Shepherd, the younger sister of current four will serve as a foundation Bear shortstop Erica Shepherd, was an for the bright future of all-state shortstop for Bartlesville High SMS softball." and hit .376 in her final prep campaign Last season at the NCAA this fall. She led the Bruins in doubles Regional in Stillwater, Okla., and had a .448 slugging percentage. SMS pulled off the biggest upset Shepherd hit .306 as a junior and .3 17 as of the 32-team tournament as the a sophomore, earning all-conference Bears, seeded fourth in the awards both seasons. regional, stunned ninth-ranked Bean and Shepherd led Bartlesville Stanford, the regional's top seed, High to a runner-up finish in the Class 5-2 in the first round. It was a 6A state tournament in 1998 and the milestone win for SMS, which Chevy City Blazers to three ASA nation­ the previous two years had gone al tournament appearances. two-and-out in NCAA Regional Nemlowill won 49 games on the play. It marked the Bears' first mound her junior and senior seasons at NCAA win under Hesse and the Senior pitcher Nora Cagwin, who started in 32 games last sea­ Putnam City West High in Oklahoma first by the program since 1983. son, had a record of26-6 and struck out219 batters. City. She was named all-state, all-con­ SMS was the only No.4 seed to ference and all-district last fall while beat a No. 1 in the opening leading the Lady Patriots to a regional round of the tournament.

3 Bear Briefs

Lady Bear breakfasts- Coach Cheryl Burnett's basketball 1998 Women's Soccer season review- The women's soc­ breakfast is held at 7 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the cer team came into the 1998 campaign, the team's third year of month during the season. The breakfast is at Mrs. O'Mealey's competition, with high expectations following an impressive 12-7- Cafeteria at 210 East Sunshine. The cost is $4.51, and the public is 2 record and a third place finish in the MVC in 1997. It was a tale invited to attend. Remaining breakfasts are Feb. 16 and March 2. of two seasons, however, as injuries at key positions stalled the Bears' forward progress. Basketball luncheons - Coach Steve Alford's basketball lun­ Despite finishing 3-13-1 in the regular season, the Bears cheon is held at noon on Wednesdays through Feb. 24, except advanced to the Valley tournament as the fifth seed and faced Feb. 16 when the luncheon will be on Tuesday. The luncheon is in fourth-seeded Eastern Illinois in the first round. SMS had suffered Kentwood Hall at 700 St. Louis. The cost is $7 .50, and the public a 4-1 loss to Eastern lllinois just four days earlier but found what is invited to attend. it took to upset the Panthers, 3-1 . SMS advanced to the semifi­ nals, a feat they have now achieved in three consecutive seasons, Lady Bears on the radio - All Lady Bear games are broad­ to play the second seed, illinois State, but were unable to dupli­ cast live by Springfield radio station KTXR (101.3 FM). In case cate their first round result and fell 3-0. of conflict with SMS men's games, KWTO (560 AM) will air the Two players were named to the Valley's all-conference first and Lady Bears' games. Tom Ladd will call the play-by-play, while second teams: junior midfielder Jamie Dobbs and sophomore former Lady Bear standout Lisa Davies will provide color com­ defender Jennifer Beal, respectively. mentary at home games. SMS Assistant Sports Information Director Michael Sullivan will be Ladd's broadcast partner for Six inducted into SMS Athletics Hall of Fame - sMs road contests. SMS games also can be heard live anywhere in the inducted six new members into the SMS Athletics Hall of Fame world via the internet at http://www.ktxrfm.com. Feb. 6, with the occasion to mark the first joint induction of men's and women's sports participants into the SMS shrine. Basketball Radio Network - All Bear games are broadcast The 1999 induction class includes football player Mike on the 13-station SMS Basketball Radio Network, originated by Armentrout (1981-84 ), tennis player Sofie Bjorling ( 1982-85), flagship station KTXR (101.3 FM) in Springfield, and including football coach Jesse Branch (1986-94), basketball player Jerry KKOZ (92.3 FM) in Ava, KKCA (100.5 FM) in Fulton, KUNQ Kirksey (1958-61), basketball player and assistant coach Karen (99.3 FM) in Houston, KQYX (1560 AM) in Joplin, KFEZ (1340 Rapier (1988-92 and 1994-present) and coach and administrator AM) in Kansas City, KTMO (99 FM) in Kennett, KKBL (95.9 Dr. Mary Jo Wynn (1957-98). FM) in Monett, KUPH (96.9 FM) in Mountain View, KLID (1340 AM) in Poplar Bluff, WRTH (1430 AM) in St. Louis, KSMO Four transfers to bolster 1999 Football Bears - The start (1340 AM) in Salem and KLPW (1220 AM) in Washington. Art of spring semester has brought the grid Bears the first four Hains and Ned Reynolds describe the home games, and Hains and recruits of new Head Coach Randy Ball's SMS tenure with the Mark Stillwell call the road contests. addition of four transfers from Division 1-A schools. Joining the Bears in time for the start of spring drills in March Lady Bear Talk- Lady Bear Talk with Coach Cheryl Burnett will be running back Carlos Honore of Iowa City, Iowa, defensive is held at 7 p.m. Tuesdays throughout the season at Tres Hombres end Zach Marino of Oklahoma City, Okla., quarterback Jay at 3371 East Montclair. The remaining shows are Feb. 16 and 23. Rodgers of Austin, Texas, and offensive lineman Jason Stealy of The public is invited to attend the hour-long show, which airs live Marshall, Mich. on KWTO (560 AM) with host Tom Ladd. The call-in numbers are 862-9977 local, 1-800-375-0056 toll-free or *56 cellular. Deer season continues - Sophomore Lady Bear forward Carly Deer has continued her impressive play since being inserted The Steve Alford Radio Show - The Steve Alford Radio into the starting lineup. In the Jan. 5 conflict against lllinois State, Show with Coach Steve Alford is held at 7 p.m. Thursdays Deer posted10 assists, the first time an SMS throughout the season at Tres Hombres at 3371 East Montclair. player has had a double-digit effort in assists The public is invited to attend the hour-long show, which airs live since Courtney Murdock dished out 10 in 1994. on KWTO (560 AM) with host Art Hains. The call-in numbers are Deer also registered the first triple-double in 862-9977 local, 1-800-375-0056 toll-free or *56 cellular. SMS history with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the Lady Bears' 105-74 nationally-tele- The Cheryl Burnett Show- The Cheryl Burnett Show airs Car/y Deer vised win over Drake Jan. 23. The closest any Saturdays throughout the season by KYTV, channel 3 with host Ned other Lady Bear has come to a triple-double was Reynolds. The remaining show times are 3:30p.m. Feb. 13 and 20 Marla Douglas, who had 18 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds and 1 p.m. Feb. 27. in 1987. Deer's performance was only the seventh triple-double in MVC history. . The Steve Alford Show - The Steve Alford Show airs As a starter, Deer is averaging 7.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.3 Saturdays throughout the season by KYTV, channel 3 with host assists in 27.3 minutes. Ned Reynolds. The remaining show times are 3 p.m. Feb. 13 and 20 and 12:30 p.m. Feb. 27. Stiles reaches 1-, 000- Jackie Stiles reached the 1,000-point plateau with 33 points against Drake Jan. 6. Only a sophomore, 1998 Men's Soccer season review- The 1998 men's soc­ Stiles is the first player in MVC history to reach 1,000 career cer team can be summed up in one word: defense. That defense led points before her junior season. BT SMS to an overall mark of 13-7-1 and a fifth­ place record of3-3-1 in the MVC. Sixteen of the Bears' 21 games were decided by one

goal, including all of the team's seven losses. The Bears Fund donors support the university's athletic program by Logging every minute in goal, sophomore contributing at any of these levels- Hall of Fame Club, $10,000 or Mark Modersohn led a defense which topped Bear Talk Vol. 17, No. 3 more; All-American Club, $5,000 or more; Champions Club, $2,500 the conference and ranked ninth nationally in or more; Diamond Bears Club, $1,250 or more; Gold Bears Club, $600 or more; Silver Bears Club, $300 or more; Bruin Club, $150 or goals against average (0.65). Modersohn, a Selected for the more; Cub Club, $50 or more. For information conceming The two-time all-Midwest region selection, regis­ John Thmpleton Foundation Bears Fund, contact Brent Dunn, director of athletics development, SMSU, (417) 836-4143. tered 11 shutouts on the year, a mark which Honor RoD for broke the SMS single-season record and tied Character-Building CoUeges the Valley single-season mark. Offensively, SMS was led by sophomore forwards Mike Williams and Mike Cortinas. Editors The duo were the only two Bears to reach Stacey Funderbur1< and Bethany Brown double figures in points. Williams led the Writers team with 13 points on five goals and three Paul Kincaid, Don Payton, Michael Sullivan, Rob Rodgers and Marl< Stillwell assists. Cortinas picked up 11 points on the Photography year with five goals and one assist, including SMSU Photographic Services a team-high four game-winning goals. Bear Talk is produced for The Bears Fund donors by the Office of Publications in oooperation with the Department of Athletics and the Development and Alumni Office of Southwest Missouri State University, 901 S. National, Springfield, Mo., 65804. Third class postage paid at Springfield,--- Mo. 4 SMS Schedules

Baseball Softball Feb. 23 Missouri Baptist College 2:30p.m. Feb. 19 UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA/ Springfield ADIDAS INVITATIONAL 26 Northwestern State University noon Norman, Okla. B·eaumont, Texas Colorado State University (DH) noon 27 Lamar University 3 p.m. 20 Creighton University (DH) 11 a.m . Beaumont, Texas 21 University of Oklahoma (DH) 2 p.m. 28 Jackson State University noon 27 Iowa State University (DH) 12:30 p.m. Beaumont, Texas Springfield Senior shortstop Junior outfield­ Erica Shepherd, er Matt Cepicky, Last who started in year's second all 53 games Last season, hit team all-con­ .207 with three ference, hit homeruns and .390 with 16 17 RB/s. homeruns and 50 RB/s.

Basketball (Men & Women) Swimming & Diving (Men & Women) MEN MEN Feb. 13 *Bradley University (MVC-TV) 8:05p.m. Feb. 11 -13 MVC CHAMPIONSHIPS 11 a.m. Peoria, Ill. Carbondale, Ill. 17 *Creighton University 7:05p.m. Omaha, Neb. 20 *Indiana State University 7:05p.m. WOMEN Springfield Feb. 11-13 MVC CHAMPIONSHIPS 11 a.m . 22 *University of Evansville (KYTV) 7:35 p.m. Carbondale, Ill. Evansville, Ind. Freshmanfor­ Freshman but­ ward ScoU Feb. 26-March 1 MVC TOURNAMENT terflier Erica Brakebill, St. Louis, Mo. Adams set an recruited from SMS record this Bolivar (Mo.) season in the High School, has WOMEN a free throw 100-meter but­ Feb. 12 *Illinois State University 7:05p.m. terfly with a time average of.813 Springfield this season. 14 *Indiana State University (MVC-TV) 2:05p.m. of 1:01.31. Springfield 18 *Southern Illinois University (TCI) 7 p.m. Carbondale, Ill. 20 *Bradley University (KYTV) 4:05 p.m. Peoria, Ill. 25 *University of Evansville 7:05 p.m. Springfield Tennis (Men & Women) 27 *Southern Illinois University 2:05 p.m. Springfield MEN Feb. 20 Tyler Junior College 1 p.m. March 4-6 STATE FARM MVC TOURNAMENT Little Rock, Ark. Freshman center Des Moines, Iowa 21 University of Arkansas Ann Cavey, who -Little Rock 10 a.m. held the all-time Little Rock, Ark. Iowa state 27 University of Memphis 9a.m. record with St. Louis, Mo. 1,196 prep 27 Eastern Illinois University 3 p.m. school career Senior Zeljko St. Louis, Mo. rebounds Last Gakovic, origi­ 28 Saint Louis University 10 a.m . year, has 74 nally from St. Louis, Mo. total rebounds Yugoslavia, had this season, an an overall average of 3.7. WOMEN record of 24-10 Feb. 19 NORTHERN ARIZONA INVITATIONAL Last season, Flagstaff, Ariz. playing in the Weber State University 9a.m. Indoor Track (Men & women) No. 1 position 20 Colorado State University 9a.m. all-season, with 21 Northern Arizona University 9 a.m. 27 *Creighton University 9 a.m. MEN the exception of Omaha, Neb. MVC CHAMPIONSHIPS 10 a.m. two matches. Cedar Falls, Iowa 27 *Bradley University 1 p.m. 27 USATF CHAMPIONSHIPS 10 a.m. Omaha, Neb. Atlanta, Ga. 27 Last Chance Meet 10 a.m. Ames, Iowa

NCAA DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIPS Senior sprinter Indianapolis, Ind . 2 p.m. Vemeta Lesforis, who was named Most WOMEN Valuable Track Feb. 19-20 MVC CHAMPIONSHIPS 10 a.m. Athlete of the Cedar Falls, Iowa Week Jan. 26, 27 USATF CHAMPIONSHIPS 10 a.m. has set MVC Atlanta, Ga. records in three 27 Last Chance Meet 10 a.m. events this sea­ Ames, Iowa Bold indicates home events son: the 60- meterdash * indicates conference play (7.69), the 200- March 5-6 NCAA DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIPS meterdash Indianapolis, Ind. 2 p.m. KYTV indicates channel 3 in Springfield (24. 62) and the 400-meter dash TCI indicates cable channel 36 (55.12). She also helped set an MVC-TV indicates cable channel 51 MVC record Jan. 22 in the 4x400 relay (3:40.11).

5 Bear Talk Non-Profit Organization Southwest Missouri State University U.S . Postage PAID 901 S. National Avenue Springfield, MO .." Springfield, Missouri 65804-0089 Permit No. 1555

Six new football assistants join coaching staff

ew Head Football Coach ing quarterback, having been a regular years on the staff at Idaho State Randy Ball is on the job at at that position at Purdue for two of University. His tenure in Pocatello N SMS and has assembled most his four years as a Boilermaker. A included three years each as running of his coaching staff for the 1999 native of Lafayette, Ind., Downing backs coach and offensive line coach, season with the addition of six new graduated from Purdue in 1988 and and he served as the Bengals' assistant assistants. Ball anticipates hiring two moved to the WIU staff in 1990. After head coach his final season at ISU. additional assistant coaches. six seasons as the Leathernecks' run- From 1989-91, Caballero was offen- New appointees to the staff are sive coordinator, offensive line coach assistant coaches Bill Wilt, Dan and strength coach at Garden City Enos, Doug Downing, Mark (Kan.) Community College. He Caballero, Deion Melvin and worked with teams which finished Chris Klieman. first twice and second once in the Wilt will be the Bears' assistant Jayhawk Conference with a three-year head coach, defensive coordinator record of 26-8-1. and defensive line coach as he Melvin will work with the line­ takes over the same three assign­ backers, assuming the same position ments he has had for the past nine with the Bears that he held for the years under Ball at Western past five years at WIU. Melvin Illinois University. Wilt has played at WIU in 1985 and 86 after orchestrated the defensive excel­ earning j unior college third team all­ lence enjoyed by WIU in recent America honors during his two-year years. The Leathernecks had four career at the College of DuPage (Ill.) 1-AA playoff appearances in the He worked from 1990-92 on the nine years Wilt was in his most football staff at East Aurora (Ill.) recent assignments and finished High School, his prep alma mater. first or second in total defense in Melvin has his undergraduate degree the Gateway in six of the past and is working toward his master's nine years. degree at WIU. Enos comes to SMS from Klieman, who began his coaching Gateway Football Conference career as an assistant coach at member Southern Illinois Coach Randy Ball Northern Iowa working with the University, taking over as the defensive backs and special teams Bears offensive coordinator and from 1991-93, will take over the quarterbacks coach after having ning backs coach, special teams coach SMS defensive secondary. He has worked as quarterbacks and receivers and recruiting coordinator, Downing spent three seasons as defensive coach. for the past two years at SIU. In took over as WIU offensive coordina­ backfield coach for the Leathernecks, 1998, his SIU offense led the Gateway tor and quarterbacks coach in 1996, as well as the 1997 season as an Conference in rushing. directing the Leathernecks to numer­ assistant coach at the University of Downing will come to SMS as run­ ous team and individual marks in his Kansas. He worked in 1998 as an ning backs coach after having worked tenure in that post. analyst for the CBS NFL Today Show at Western Illinois for the past three Caballero will coach the Bears' with George Seifert. Klieman devel­ years as offensive coordinator and offensive line after spending the 1997 oped plays and scouting reports for quarterbacks and receivers coach. He and 1998 seasons as offensive line NCAA and NFL telecasts on CBS also has experience as a Big Ten start- coach at WIU and the previous six and for Internet use_. BT

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