Bear Talk The newsletter for athletics at Southwest Missouri State University

Volume 7, Number 4 December 1988 'Tis the season for tough competition The basketball Bears face some formidable foes in December o say that future outings loom big . East Tennessee for the basketball Bears is an State, which is picked to win its conference, T understatement. Nine contests are is the SMSU' s first opponent in the BMA scheduled for December. The Bears' tournament. home opener, against Texas Wesleyan, The Mazzio's Pizza Classic will feature is set for Saturday, Dec. 3, and a Mississippi Valley State University, perennially strong Northern Arizona University and squad comes to Hammons Student Center Southeastern Louisiana University. Tuesday, Dec. 6. Spoonhour's squad meets Mississippi Now an annual tradition, the Mazzio's Valley in the first round of the Mazzio Pizza Classic is set for Friday and tournament. Saturday, Dec. 9-10. The Bears then In early January the tough schedule Kelby Stuckey and the Bears found the going rough in the first round contest of the Big Apple NIT. The travel to Kansas Thursday, Dec. 15, to continues when Bears faced cross-state rivals the University of face a strong Wichita State University of the Big Eight Conference comes to . The Tigers, ranked 13th in the team of of the Missouri Valley Conference. HSC Tuesday, Jan. 3. That contest is nation in pre-season polls, defeated the Bears 73-54. The game will be televised nationwide followed by a visit from the University on ESPN. of Tulsa on Saturday, Jan. 7. Also set for December are back-to­ "It should really be a great month for says, marks the first time for the appearance back home games with two other Missouri the fans,'' says Coach Charlie Spoonhour. of the Bears on coast to coast broadcast Valley powers. Illinois State University "I don't think we could have drawn up on ESPN. And, Illinois State and SIU, will be in Hammons Student Center on a better month of basketball for our fans. he says, "are very good opponents for Sunday, Dec. 20, and Southern Illinois It's a month, though, where some things us." The Bears lost to both Illinois and University comes to town on Tuesday, are going to have to fall into place for us SIU the last time they met. Dec. 22. One of SMSU's favorites, The or we'll be in trouble." Virtually every national sports Famous Chicken, makes his annual In reviewing the December schedule publication picked the Bears to win the appearance at HSC during the SIU Spoonhour notes that Saint Louis AMCU title. They are also the pick of the contest. University, a member of the Midwestern AMCU conference coaches and Sills. Topping off the month will be the Collegiate Conference, is on everyone's All-American candidate Kelby Stuckey BMA Holiday Classic at Kansas City's Top 40. He also notes that the Mazzio's heads the league's pre-season all-AMCU Kemper Arena on Thursday and Friday, Classic will give the Bears a chance to team. However, Spoonhour notes that the Dec. 29-30. The tournament will feature play against teams from different parts conference race is still more than a month East Tennessee State University, Iona of the country. away. "We've got a lot facing us before College, and 1988 NCAA champion, the The contest at Wichita State, Spoonhour then," he adds. BT Elusive Championship Wichita State contest Volleyball Bears place second lf1 Gateway championship highlights television twas the closest Gateway Conference after replacing an in jured Stephanie Brown volleyball race ever, and Coach at the middle blocker position. At the broadcasts same time, Amy Ziegler helped fill in for I Linda Dollar and her Bear spikers he basketball Bears will be taking Stock at the outside hitter slot. Capri were smack in the middle of it all the way on some top-notch opponents in to the end. Hales shifted from setter to defensive specialist and Laura Padgett provided a T December and fans have the But after defeating the University of lift as a defensive specialist. opportunity to see the contests on for the first time Springfield television station KSPR-TV in six matches to reach the championship " Throughout the year, time after time, we had players come off the bench to help and ESPN. round, the crown of the Gateway slipped The month is highlighed by ESPN's away from the Bears again. They lost to us tum things around," adds Dollar. From beginning to end, it was a year coverage of the men's game against host Illinois State University to place Wichita State University on Dec. 15. The second for the third straight year. of outstanding performances in several areas. Senior Mindy Struckhoff led the contest will be carried live beginning at The talented Bears finished their regular 7:35p.m. CST, from WSU's Henry season in a three-way first-place tie with conference in hitting percentage and blocks per game. As a matter of fact, she Levitt Arena. lllinois State University and the University December men's games set for broadcast of Northern Iowa. All three teams finished was the only league player to hit over .300 during the season. Brown was fifth by KSPR-TV include Saint Louis with 8-1 conference records. The fourth University - Dec. 6; the Mazzio's Pizza entry in the conference playoffs was in blocking. Susan Ruch was one of the league's top Classic Final - Dec. 10; and Illinois Southern Illinois University, which State University - Dec. 20 . finished 6-3 . hitters, and Ruch and Laura Scafidi were among leaders in digs. As a team, the Also in December, KSPR-TV will "It was a very good season for us," televise the 2 p.m. Dec. 17 Lady Bears says Dollar. "We battled some critical Bears were fourth in the nation in digs per game. home game against the University of injuries along the way, injuries that hit Arkansas on a tape-delay basis. The us at crucial times in our schedule. But, Also, when the Bears went over the 20-victory mark in early November, it contest will be broadcast at 10:30 p.m. we had a number of squad members play The Lady Bears' Dec. 19 game against key roles for us. It was very much a team marked the 16th time in 17 years that Dollar has led her teams to 20 or more Kansas State University will be taped for effort all the way.'' replay on a Telecable Channel 19. BT At one juncture during the season Pat wins in a single season. BT Stock turned in a sterling performance of the championship game of the Mid­ "Coach" Bob Continent Conference tournament from Hammons Student Center March 8. Our radio opportunities have also Price finds the increased . The network fed by flagship station KTXR-FM in Springfield now reaches virtually every area of the state Bears a hit at with 10 stations joining KTXR for basketball. They include KLWT in Lebanon, KKCA in Fulton, KTMO in Briggs Stadium Kennett, KSPQ in West Plains, KJCF in Festus, KCFM in Lexington, KBTC in Houston, WGNU in St. Louis, KBTN in Neosho, and KAYQ in Warsaw. The From Bill Rowe, return we receive from having people all across Missouri able to listen to the Bears should enhance our program a great deal. Athletic Director And, finally, here at home, interest in n the past three seasons, the exposure attending Bears games in Hammons is the SMSU men's basketball team greater than ever. For the second year in I has received has exploded on the a row, all of the lower level chair-backed local, regional and national levels as more seats have been sold on a season basis. and more people get caught up in the We now have considerable numbers of success Coach Charlie Spoonhour's Bears season tickets in the bleacher areas and have been able to achieve. fewer other single game bleacher tickets From the instant recognition factor remain because of ticket commitments which came SMSU's way in a hurry in we make to our students and to other March of 1986 through the NCAA groups, including corporate sponsors and tournament appearances in 1987 and groups for special nights. 1988, we've experienced a level of We added 156 permanent seats in the attention that far exceeds anything we've lower level comers this year and immediately sold all of them to donors Bob Price and Head Football Coach Jesse Branch known in the past. We've seen it in terms of increased in the All-American club level. We have t the 1988 SMSU All-Sports attention from national sports publications explored possible avenues for adding Auction , Bob Price of Reliable through pre-season assessments of our even more seats to our facility, but architects have not given us much Chevrolet bought the "Honorary team . A number of them have devoted A encouragement regarding the feasibility Football Coach for a Day" package. And considerable space to discussing our he's glad he did. An ardent supporter of program, and, with the potential of those of further expansion of Hammons Student Center. the Bears football program, Price spent to go into millions of homes around the the day with Coach Jesse Branch and the country, we have an opportunity for Coach Spoonhour and his staff have Bears for the 41-21 Homecoming win exposure not previously available to us. molded our basketball team, while a great over Eastern Illinois University. KSPR-TV in Springfield is again many other individuals and groups have Price participated in everything from televising 10 of our ballgames in a contributed time, effort and financial the morning breakfast with Branch to package which includes a weekly coach's support to get us into this position . encouraging the players on the sideline show. And, both our coach's show and Obviously, we're pleased with how far we've come, but we're conscious that during the game. "I really got wrapped some of our game telecasts are being there is still--much-to be done. With-the-­ up in it," Price admits. "I especially pickedl:ipDySportsVision, a regiona continued effort of all, we can keep this enjoyed getting better acquainted with the sports cable network in the Chicago area. kids. They are a great bunch of guys and We're having additional opportunity program heading in a direction that they did a super job against Eastern. They for national television exposure with the continues to provide dividends for our entire university. BT never let up the entire game." Dec. 15 telecast by ESPN of our game Price has been around football most of from Wichita State and the ESPN telecast his life, but he still was amazed at the hitting. ''It reminded me of the one time I went to a heavyweight fight and sat ringside," he says. "From your seat in Field hockey season highlighted Briggs Stadium, sometimes you forget how hard they are hitting on the field . But just like being ringside, you can hear by mid-season win streak it and see it when you are 10 or 15 feet t was a season of ups and downs for away like I was at Homecoming. Believe the SMSU field hockey team. The me, they hit each other. Lordy, do they team finished the 1988 season by hit. " BT I placing fourth at the Midwest Independents Tournament in St. Louis and posting final a record of 11-10-2. The second-seeded Bears opened Midwest tournament action by beating Bear Talk Bellarmine College 6-0 to give 15th-year Editor/Designer Coach Rhonda Ridinger her 250th career Doug Murphy win. In the semifinals against Saint Louis Writers before losing to the eventual Midwest Paul Kincaid , Don Payton, Mark Stillwell, Jon University, SMSU dropped a 3-1 decision Tournament champions, Northern Illinois. Ripperger to the Billikens. Southern Illinois The Lady Bears scored 19 goals and Production University edged the Bears 1-0 in the forced five shutouts during the winning Doug Murphy, Beth Neas game for third place to end SMSU's Photography spree. season. In the only home matches for the SMSU photographic services Senior forwards Beth McBride and Bear Talk is produced for Bears Fund donors by the Bears, SMSU went 1-1 after losing the Office of Publications in cooperation with the Rose Ann Torres and junior forward season opener to Southern Illinois, then Department of Athletics and the Office of Alumni Kathy Cummings were named to the rebounded to beat Louisville in Briggs and Development of Southwest Missouri State Midwest Independents All-Tournament University, 901 S. National , Springfield, Missouri , Stadium. team. It was the third time that Torres and The Lady Bears were led during the 65804. Third class postage paid at Springfield, McBride have received the honor. Missouri . season by Torres' 13 goals and nine The Lady Bears got off to a slow start Bears Fund donors support the university 's athletic assists. She ended her SMSU career lOth program by contributing at any one of the following in 1988, going 3-7-1 after 11 contests. on the scoring list with 28 goals. levels: All-American Club, $5 ,000 or more; However, Ridinger's crew came back McBride was second in scoring with 11 Champions Club, $2 ,500 or more; Diamond Bears strong to win the next seven games before goals and seven assists and boosted Club, $1 ,250 or more; Gold Bears Club , $600 or losing in the regular season finale. more; Silver Bears Club, $300 or more; Bruin Club, herself to sixth place on the all-time During its string of victories, SMSU $150 or more; Cub Club, $50 or more. For scoring chart with 38 goals. Goalkeeper information concerning the Bears Fund contact defeated Michigan State, Saint Louis, Deda Wojcik recorded nine shutouts and Brent Dunn , Coordinator of the Bears Fund, SMSU, Ohio State, Louisville, Southern IUinois, had 108 goal saves and the Lady Bears 417/836-4 143. Eastern Illinois and Bellarmine College SMSU is an EO/AA institution . outshot their opponents 400-158.BT

2 Football Bears end season on resounding note photo/Ric Wein. Aseasoned squad I =•- /' W!A2 •l'i - • ·&;a promises excitement for tans in 1989

hat a way to end the football season . The football Bears W capped their season with three straight Gateway Conference wins, winding up in second place with a 4-2 conference record. Overall, the squad compiled a 5-5 mark for the year. That's not bad for a team that met four nationally ranked foes during the course of the season. "Not bad indeed," says Head Coach Jesse Branch. As he bids farewell to the exciting '88 campaign, he begins to look at the 1989 season. Small wonder Branch and his coaching staff are already looking toward '89. The Bears lose only six seniors from a squad that numbers 90. Sophomore quarterback DeAndre Smith (No.2) helped guide the Bears in the final three victories of the season. "If we can keep them intact, we've got Coach Jesse Branch looks to Smith and junior quarterback Daryl Panon to lead the Bears in 1989. 19 starters and 22 juniors returning," he Branch said he will be looking for Ray Ratcliff. Seniors leaving the defensive says. "Among our returnees are two some key additions in the cornerback, unit are middle guard Joe Lisanti, tackle experienced quarterbacks (DeAndre Smith linebacker and wide receiver positions, James Bowens and rover Scott Hartwig. and Daryl Patton), both of whom played and on the offensive line. " We'll miss all of them, no doubt very well for us. If we can help ourselves The Bears lose six key seniors. Leaving about it, " says Branch. " They provided here and there, we have a great opportunity from the offense are center Doug great leadership." Hartwig and Gardner next year." Gardner, guard Jeff Dilbeck and split end were '88 co-captains. BT Lady Bears find HSC welcome site in December fter opening their basketball season against Grambling State University. "It's out for the year. A couple of other players in November with five road a good opener for us," Burnett notes. are recovering from surgery, but are A games, the Lady Bears come "They're not in the Top 20, but they are expected to contribute this season. back to Hammons Student Center in a very good team. " ''Sophomores Dyana Haynes and December for several home contests. The Lady Bears then take on the Kristen Denmon have been pressed in to "Finally, we're getting to come home," University of New Orleans Monday, early action and have a better understanding says Coach Cheryl Burnett. " It's been Dec. 12 . New Orleans is a potential Top of what we're trying to accomplish,'' awhile since we've played at home and 20 team. The University of Arkansas adds Burnett. we're looking forward to it. It's going to comes to HSC Saturday, Dec. 17, for a Burnett says that the Lady Bears and be good to play before our home fans for 2 p.m. contest. The December home Arkansas have an excellent rivalry. As a change." schedule is wrapped up with the Kansas for Kansas State, Burnett is delighted the The Lady Bears opened the season State University contest on Monday, Lady Bears are beginning a series with Nov. 25 and 26 with two games in the Dec. 19. the Lady Wildcats. "They're a developing Lady Sunshine Basketball Classic in Lake According to Burnett, all of the team, too, so this game should be an Mary, Fla. They returned to Missouri and December games are vital. " During this interesting test for both of us ," she says. journeyed to Columbia Nov . 29 to meet four-game span we'll be finding out The contest will provide the Lady the . Then, they where we are, who can do what, and who Bears with their final tune up for the traveled west to the University of Utah we can count on." conference play that begins in January . to take part in the Lady Ute Classic. Burnett, in her second year at the helm, In a pre-season poll, the Lady Bears Her young team, hit by a wave of is still in the process of fitting pieces were tabbed to finish sixth in the early-year injuries, kicks off the home together. Junior center Heidi Grossmann, Gateway .BT slate Monday, Dec. 5, with a clash who underwent surgery in November, is Tough schedule tested Stahle and his soccer Bears 'T'7'1"'111JI_....,...• ..., his year the SMSU soccer Bears by the two freshmen goalies. Mark faced their toughest schedule Pappert started 15 games and had a 1.83 T since becoming a varsity sport goals against average with five shutouts. in 1981. The five shutouts were the most ever in The season was one in which the a season by an SMSU goalkeeper. Kevin Bears had their best start ever at 5-0-1, MacBryde started seven games for the only to lose eight straight later in the year. Bears and gained confidence as the year They finished the season on a high note, progressed, recording back-to-back winning three of their last four games to shutouts toward the end of the season. post a 9-12-1 record under second-year He finished with a 2.40 goals against Coach Jan Stahle. average. The nine wins equaled the team record Even though the season had its high of wins in a season, set by last year's points , the team fell short of its goal of team. The Bears faced three Division I achieving its first winning season. Even loss of five seniors, the team will remain schools ranked in the top 20 and they though the team missed that goal by two competitive with its host of returning played five NAIA teams in the top 20. wins, this year's edition was one of the talent, including three of the top five Despite the tough schedule and the most competitive teams in SMSU soccer, scorers - Bill Muller and Kip Thompson long losing streak, the year had its bright history. Only one of the defeats came and junior Charles Horsey. Freshman spots. One included a 2-0 win against the against a team with a losing record, a 5-3 Kort Cole, junior Evan Palmer, sophomore Midwest's eighth-ranked team from the defeat at the hands of Oral Roberts Matt Meyer, sophomore Tom Giovanni University of Tulsa. It was only the third University. Eight of the losses were and freshman Mike Kellerman also time the Bears had beaten Tulsa in 13 decided by two goals or less. provided quality playing time for the outings. In 1989, the Bears will begin Bears, as each appeared in 14 or more Another bright spot was the goal tending competition in the AMCU. Despite the contests. BT

3 Bear Briefs Tennis, cross country teams Sports Vision, theChicago-arearegional all-sports cable network, will carry the Charlie Spoonhour Show each week. The conclude fall schedules 30-minute Charlie Spoonhour Show, was ranked 88th in the world. After produced by KSPR, will air locally at s the football season progressed and the basketball teams prepared advancing to a consolation round, Svensson 10:30 p.m. Sundays beginning Nov. 27. faced Woody Hunt of the University of Sports Vision also will carry selected A for the upcoming season, the cross country and tennis teams continued California-Berkeley and lost in straight AMCU games, including a number of sets 6-3, 6-2. Svensson, who last spring SMSU contests.BT to make their marks on their respective conferences. became the first SMSU netter to advance The men's cross country team was to a Division I spring championship, Hemingway's, the popular restaurant looking for its fifth straight AMCU became the first SMSU tennis player to at Bass Pro Shops on South Campbell in conference title, more than any other compete in Division I fall championship Springfield, plays host to Charlie conference team since the AMCU's competition. Spoonhour's Weekly Basketball inception in 1982. However, it was not The men's tennis squad finished with Luncheons, which began Nov. 30 and run to be in 1988. a 39-24 singles record and a 19-9 doubles through March I. The luncheons are held The Bears took third place in the record. in Uncle Buck's Auditorium. They take conference meet behind the University The play of the women's tennis squad place at noon each Wednesday and of Northern Iowa and Western Illinois was highlighted by junior Cathy Baldari feature Coach Spoonhour discussing past University. Northern Iowa, who won the and sophomore Isabel Minguez. Baldari and upcoming opponents, the showing title in 1982, 1983 and tied with SMSU and Minguez were runners-up in No. 1 of videotape highlights of the most recent in 1984, is the only other AMCU school doubles competition at the Gateway games, and the announcement of the to win a cross country championship in Conference Fall Championship. Baldari SMSU Coors Player of the Week. The theAMCU. was also runner-up in No. I singles at the cost of the luncheons is $6.50 per person Last year, the Lady Bears cross­ Gateway competition. and the public is invited to attend.BT country team finished fifth at the conference The women's tennis team finished with meet, led by Diane Barlow's lOth place a 28-21 singles record and a 12-11 Don't forget the Football Recognition finish. This year's team, led by senior doubles record.BT Banquet. The banquet will be Monday, Joyce Swofford, who has been the top Dec. 5, at the Sheraton Inn and Conference Lady Bear finisher in each meet, did not Statewide radio network Center, with a social hour at 6 p.m. and fair as well. The Bears placed eighth at dinner at 6:45p.m. Tickets are $15 each. the conference championship. Swofford reaches basketball audience The banquet will include comments by was the second highest SMSU finisher at he Basketball Bears radio network, the Gateway Championship last year, ·· T Coach Jesse Branch, recognition of seniors, headed by flagship station KTXR­ the naming of the Coors Player of the finishing 21st with a time of 18:57.0. FM, Springfield, will broadcast Year, and the premiere of the 1988 However, this year she placed 26th. all of the Bears contests. The network football highlight videotape. To make Highlighting the fall competition of the includes KCFM -FM, Lexington/Kansas reservations, call The Bears Fund Office men's tennis team was sophomore Hakan City; KTMO-FM, Kennett; KKCA-FM, at 836-4143.8T Svensson's play in the Volvo Tennis Fulton; KLWT-FM, Lebanon; KBTC­ Collegiate Championship held in Athens, FM, Houston; KAYQ-FM, Warsaw; . h . d N . Ga. The championship included 32 of the D enna H arv1 11 e as s1gne a at10na 1 . . . KDMO-AM, Carthage; KJCF-AM, Festus; . h h top collegiate tenms players m the country. L etter of I ntent to p 1ay b as k et b a11 w1t t e KSPQ-FM, West Plains; KBTN-AM, L d B d · h Svensson met No. 2 seed Jeff Tarango Neosho; and WGNU-AM, St. Louis. a Y ears unng t e 1989 : 90 season. of Stanford University in the first round, The-5-9 guard fmm-Mountain..Gmve. - ~ - . - - - n-;At th - t- - ""- _ KTXR-FM will carry_ all 13 of the Lady 1osmg 6 --2 1 6 6-v. ' e 1me 1 arango (Mo.) High was named first team all- ' ' · ' Bears' road games this season. BT conference as a junior and won second team honors her sophomore season. Harville averaged 16.7 points, 8.5 December rebounds and 5.5 assists per game as a 2- Basketball (W) at Utah Classic thru 3 junior.BT 3- Basketball (M) vs. Texas Wesleyan College, 7:05p.m. Wrestling at Fort Hays Open, 10 a.m. Bill Rowe, SMSU athletic director, and Wrestling at University of Missouri Dual Meet Tournament, 6 p.m. James Glauser, Baird, Kurtz and Dobson Swimming vs. University of Missouri-Rolla and Northeast Missouri managing partner, received Outstanding State University at Rolla, Mo. , I p.m. Alumni Awards during Homecoming 5- Basketball (W) vs. Grambling State University, 7:35p.m. festivities. 6- Basketball (M) vs. St. Louis University, 7:05p.m. Rowe, '61 graduate, was the first coach 7- Wrestling at Central Missouri State University, 7:30p.m. of the baseball Bears when they were 9- Basketball (M) in Mazzio's Pizza Classic, 6 p.m. established during the 1963-64 school Wrestling vs. Northeast Missouri State University, 7:30p.m. year. During his 19 seasons with the 10- Basketball (M) in Mazzio's Pizza Classic baseball program, Rowe compiled 16 Basketball (W) at University of Arkansas-Little Rock, 2 p.m. winning seasons with a record of 12- Basketball (W) vs. University of New Orleans, 7:35 p.m. 394-230-1. 15- Basketball (M) at Wichita State University, 7:35 p.m. Glauser came to SMSU in 1956 on the 17- Basketball (W) vs. University of Arkansas, 2 p.m. G.l. Bill. In the Air Force he developed 19- Basketball (W) vs. Kansas State University, 7:35p.m. an interest in accounting. Glauser graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science 20 - Basketball (M) vs. lllinois State University, 7:05 p.m. degree in accounting in August 1958. 22- Basketball (M) vs. Southern lllinois University, 7:05p.m. Glauser was one of the founders of the 29- Basketball (M) in BMA Holiday Classic (Kansas City, Mo.) Papa Bears basketball booster club.BT 30- Basketball (M) in BMA Holiday Classic (Kansas City, Mo.) Wrestling at Midwest Open (), 10 a.m. 31- Wrestling at Midwest Open (Drake University)

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