Bear Talk The newsletter for athletics at Southwest Missouri State University

Volume 17, Number 5 Aprill999 Head Coach Steve Alford leaves SMS teve Alford, men's basketball head N.J. The current ball club achieved another basketball career. His four years at SMS coach for the past four years, left his distinction never previously accomplished came after four years as head coach at Spost with the Bears less than 72 hours when the Bears played the state's four other Manchester (Ind.) College. He was a after taking SMS to its most successful Division I teams in the same season. SMS standout player during his career as a NCAA Division I tournament performance defeated UMKC and Southeast Missouri four-year starter and four-time basketball ever to become head men's basketball coach MVP at University (1983-87) and at the . then spent four seasons playing in the "I join our university family and fans in National Basketball Association with the expressing our appreciation for what Steve, "I will continue to follow SMS and Golden State his staff and the Bears basketball team have as a Bears fan." Warriors before moving to Manchester in done to elevate the program to the status of Coach Steve Alford 1991 . Alford led Indiana to the 1987 national recognition," says Greg Onstot, NCAA championship and was a member vice president for University Advancement. of the Gold Medal team at This year's club became the first SMS State at home and scored road wins at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. team to play the nation's top-ranked team Missouri and for a Coincidentally, Alford noted that he had and did so twice, losing to Stanford in the 4-0 record in the Show-Me series to led his team at Manchester to 78 wins second round of the Chase NIT before the become the unofficial Missouri state colle­ before leaving them to take the position at March 19loss to Duke in East Rutherford, giate champs. SMS. He reached his 78th win at SMS and At Iowa, announced his resignation. At the March Alford will suc­ 22 press conference, Alford joked, "When ceed Tom Davis I make my 79th win at Iowa, they 'll know as head coach. I'm serious about staying." "This is really At SMS, Alford had two postseason a dream come teams, guiding the Bears to a 24-9 record true," Alford says and a first-round NIT loss at North of his new posi­ Carolina State in 1997-98. In MVC regular tion at Iowa. "I season play, the Bears finished fourth in grew up watch­ 1996, second in 1997, third in 1998 and ing the Big 10 as second in 1999. SMS was eliminated in the a kid, competing MVC tournament semifmals in 1996 and in it as a player, 1999 and lost in the tourney fi nals in 1997 and now I am and 1998. going back on "We are grateful Steve has been a part of those same courts the SMS family. It has been a wonderful as a coach." ride, and we are confident the program will Alford thus continue to grow and prosper as a result of completes the the foundation that he, his coaching staff and Coach Steve Alford announced his resignation at a press conference March 22, stating, fourth four-year our athletics administration has put into "I have no regrets about coming to Springfield." Alford leaves SMS to become the head coach at the Uni versity of Iowa. segment of his place," says Onstot. BT The shoe fit the Basketball Bears in NCAA tournament

o say that the basketball Bears had senior forward Ken Stringer said, "I thought a "sweet" season is an understate­ we would win. But by 30? No way." T ment. Coach Steve Alford's team As the millions who watched on nation­ went where no SMS team had gone al TV know, Duke ended the Bears' run. before - all the way to the Sweet 16 of But they also know the Bears didn't flinch. the NCAA men 's Big Dance, the most They gave the Blue Devils all they wanted prestigious event, without a doubt, in col- before Duke pulled away down the stretch legiate athletics. · for their 30th straight win, 78-61. On The year's defming moment, perhaps, March 28, Duke fell to Purdue who took came when the Bears, who home the NCAA title. entered the 64-team field as an at-large Prior to the game with Duke, Alford No. 12 seed, took the floor March 19 put things into perspective when he was against vaunted Duke, the country's No. 1 featured in a 30-minute interview on team, in the tourney's third round. ESPN's Close- Up. Or did the defining moment occur the "Our team has come a long way in previous Sunday when the Bears stunned four years," he said. "To play the top the basketball world by beating Tennessee team in the nation is great. It's a great of the Southeast Conference, a two-time time for a very exceptional group of conqueror of Kentucky, 81-51 in the sec­ young men. From the time we found out ond round? we were in the tournament, I told them Or was it two days earlier when SMS to enjoy the moment, to get the feel of smothered Wisconsin of the Big 10, ranked what March Madness is all about." 18th in the nation, 43-32? Five senior Bears ended their careers "It's just an unbelievable feeling," with the Duke game: Danny Moore, Paul senior guard Ryan Bettenhausen said Murans, Butch Tshomba, Stringer and after the win over Wisconsin. "You Bettenhausen. dream about this." The Bears finished the year with a Junior guard/forward Allen Phillips, or "A.P." as he is After the Bears crushed Tennessee, 22-12 record, tying for second in the known by his fans and teammates, scored three 3-pointers Valley race. BT in the Sweet 16 game against No. I seeded Duke March 19. 1 Lady Bears make it to round two in NCAA tourney Stiles named first-team All-America

or Coach Cheryl Burnett's Lady 45-28 at halftime, but rallied to pull Stiles also was a Kodak All-American Bears, it was another "Banner" within five points in the last five min- and was selected to the Women's F season with a capital "B." They utes of the game. Sophomore Jackie Basketball News Service All-America finished 25-7, won the strong Missouri Stiles had 28 points in the finale, includ- first team. That selection marks the first Valley Conference with a glittering 15-3 ing 16 of the last 19. time in Lady Bear history that a player record and made their 8th NCAA appear- "In the first half we allowed them a has been named a first-team All-America. ance in the last nine years. It was without lot of momentum," says Burnett. "To Earlier, Stiles was named to the a doubt the most imposing year ever for hold them to only five field goals in the MVC first team for the second straight the MVC, which was represented by SMS second half - that showed a lot of year and became the first sophomore in and Evansville in the 64-team NCAA heart and guts." league history to be named MVP. field, and by Drake, Creighton and The game ended the careers of seniors She finished with 823 points, shattering Indiana State in the Women's NIT. Roshonda Reed and Yen Quach. Reed the SMS single-season scoring mark of Nationally, the Lady Bears were ranked had 12 points, the only player besides 618 which she herself set as a freshman. in the Top 30 most of the year. They beat Stiles to score in double figures. She set the new Lady Bear single game University of California-Santa Barbara in Stiles led the nation in scoring, finish- record with 52 points against Baylor in the first round of the NCAA tourney and ing with a remarkable 25.7 per-game December and now ranks sixth on the all- fell to host Colorado State in round two. average. She was selected a third team time SMS scoring list with 1,441 points. "We're disappointed we didn't go far- All-American by both the Associated Melody Howard holds the all-time SMS ther in the tournament," Burnett says. Press and the Women's Basketball record, 1,944, set in 1994. "But I'm extremely proud of our team Journal. Her AP All-America selection is Stiles wasn't the only Lady Bear and their effort, not only in this game but a first for both SMS and the MVC. In the breaking single-season records in 1999. throughout the season." AP balloting, Stiles received the 12th Reed now holds the rebound mark with Aga1nst-eolorado-State1:lrcy-trai"led- --highest-number of- votesc- - - 20. S-he-finished-her career with 1-;54(')- points, fourth on the all-time list, and 887 rebounds, also fourth. She is just the third player in SMS his­ tory and sixth in MVC history to join the 1,500 point/800 rebound club. During the year, she had 13 double-doubles. The Lady Bears led the MVC in nine team categories and ranked among the nation's leaders in a number of areas. Both Stiles and Reed were MVC first team, sophomore Carly Deer was honorable mention; Reed made the league's all-defensive team; Stiles was on the MVC scholar-ath­ The Lady Bears celebrate on Selection Sunday March 7 as they hear the news that their team has received an at-large lete first team, junior Sarah Singer bid to the NCAA tournament. Making it to the tournament for the eighth time in nine years, the Lady Bears advanced to made the second team, and junior the second round when they beat the University of California-Santa Barbara March 12. The Lady Bears were eliminated Rachel Johnson, Deer and Quach March 14 by Colorado State. were honorable mention. BT Batting averages score wins for baseball Bears he baseball Bears carried some Senior centerfielder Micah Holst, Among the starting pitchers, newcomer impressive averages into this another returnee, was batting .306 with Matt Skyles, a junior transfer from T year's Missouri Valley nine RBis. Jefferson College, along with junior letter- Conference race. Collectively, they were Junior infielder Brian Fuess, a transfer men John Hardin and Dustin Tignor, had hitting .325 with 20 home runs and 222 from Belleville (Ill.) Community College, logged the most innings. Hardin had an RB I~hey had-an &-3-reccrd head-ing-----was-the-team.'s-leading-hitteF;-eatting-a ERA--ef--3.,.S~-geing-into league play. into league play, which began with a robust .464. He also had 11 RBis. Skyles's ERA was 3.86, and Tignor, who four-game series (which they split) at Two freshmen were hitting over .300 - redshirted a year ago because of injuries, Illinois State in late March. infielders Ryan Howard and Matt Gardner had a 6.75 ERA. Junior Matt Smith had a Although Coach Keith Guttin had to at .378 and .341 , respectively. pair of saves in three appearances. replace his entire starting infield from a Sophomore infielder Mike Collier The Bears opened the 1999 season year ago, his returnees took up where was among the team's top clutch hitters with eight straight wins, including an they left off. The new players fit imme- with 12 RBis. impressive victory over Arkansas diately into the team mix, and pitching The returning outfield starter, junior University. has been better than last year. Nick Kays, was "right there," batting .256 The Bears won the first two games, 8-2 "We've had some good games from a with eight RBis. and 13-4, but dropped the next two, 8-7 number of players," and 15-14. In the says Guttin. finale, the Bears Junior outfielder carried a 12-6 lead Matt Cepicky, named a into the bottom of preseason first team the eighth inning. All-America by In the two victo- Baseball America, ries, SMS had entered conference play _, strong perfor- batting .436, with five mances from two home runs and a team- ,...... _ _ ...... \, :, starters, Skyles and 1 1 leading 17 RBis. ., --'- ~ w Hardin, and good . h J ---...... :."""' t:: li ff J S em or c~tc_ er on · ~- ;;;_-'!: .. ~"t.;~~~..;:J-~ ~ ~ re e rom ason Hale was hlttmg . 316 · ~. - ~ ~ Frey and Brock with five homers and ~ Smith. BT 15 RBis. ;:,emor~ . carcner JOn. nat.. .e, wno nas srartea m au.. LU-- games so jar this season, led the Bears with two home runs, a double and three RBls Feb. 23.

2 Spring practice promises exciting Maroon &White MS football fans will soon get their game is slated for 6:30 p.m. April 23 at Complex, which, in his words, "puts SMS first glimpse of the "new look" grid Plaster Sports Complex. The intrasquad at or near the top of any program in SBears . The annual Maroon and White outing concludes spring practice for new Division 1-AA. Head Coach Randy Ball. "There is a chance for great success," he Ball was named to the says. "We're eager to start building." SMS grid helm in December He has a solid foundation to build on, after compiling a 64-41-1 inheriting a cupboard that's far from bare. record in nine seasons at Only four seniors were on last year's 5-6 Western Illinois. Under Ball, team. Twenty starters are eligible to return. WIU had a 31-8 record the Ball indicates the welcome mat is out last three seasons, advancing for all returnees. He said he has found to the Division 1-AA playoffs them, "dedicated and determined. each year. He also likes his newcomers, such as He's set a busy pace since the recruits who enrolled at corning to SMS. Completing SMS this semester. Coming on board in his coaching staff, recruit­ January were quarterback Jay Rodgers ing, meetings with returning and offensive lineman Jason Steely, players, greeting fans and transfers from ; run­ the media and coaching ning back Carlos Honore, a transfer from spring practice have all been Iowa University; and defensive end Zach part of his routine. Marino, from Tulsa. "I like what I've seen so Rodgers, starting Hoosier quarterback far," he says. two years ago, and Steely each have one Early on, Ball indicated year of eligibility; Honore and Marino his move from WIU to SMS have three each. (both members of the Ball expects Rodgers to contend for Gateway Conference) is in no the starting quarterback slot, and he says way a lateral move. He's Honore, who set the Iowa state high especially excited about the school 4A rushing record with 4,382 facilities, including a new yards, "could develop into an outstand­ The annual Maroon and White game shows off the talents weight room, team meeting ing runner for us." BT gained in spring practice. This year's game is at 6:30p.m. April 23 at Plaster Field. rooms and Plaster Sports

Bear Briefs

Bears banquet - The Bears' basketball awards banquet will be held at 6 p.m. April 22 at the University Plaza Convention Center. NCAA Tourney History Tickets are $20, and the public is invited to attend. For the first time since 1991·92 and only the second time overall, both the Bears and the Lady Bears made it to the NCAA tournament. Head track and field Boyce named Coach of the Year- LADY BEARS BEARS coach Ron Boyce has been named the Regional Indoor Coach of - This was the Lady Bears' - This was the Bears' sixth the Year by the United States Track Coaches Association. This is eighth appearance and third as an appearance and the first since the the second straight season Boyce has been named Regional Coach 1991·92 season. of the Year, and he has earned MVC Indoor Coach of the Year for at-large selection. the past two seasons, as well. Boyce, who Jed his women's team to their second straight MVC - This was the second time the - The first-round match-up with indoor championship, was honored at the annual NCAA Indoor Lady Bears have been a No. 7 Wisconsin was the fifth SMS game Coach of the Year Banquet March 4. seed. The highest seed ever against a reached was No.6 in 1994. School. Football coaching staff undergoes more changes - The coaching staff of first-year Head Coach Randy Ball continues - The Lady Bears made it to the - The Bears entered the tourney to undergo changes with two additions and a deletion for the Women's Final Four in 1992 and with their first 20-win season 1999 season. the Sweet 16 in 1993. since 1996·97. The loss is assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Bill Wilt who leaves SMS for a position at ---+-r.• ars hall {W.Va.) University. Joining the Bears' staff are assistant coaches Dana Chambers and Courtney Messingham who will coach the defensive )jne and wide receivers, respectively. Chambers has spent the The Bears Fund donors support the university's athletic program by past two campaigns in the high school ranks in contributing at any of these levels - Hall of Fame Club, $10,000 or Bear Talk Vol. 17, No. 5 more; All-American Club, $5,000 or more; Champions Club, $2,500 St. Louis after having been a college coach for or more; Diamond Bears Club, $1,250 or more; Gold Bears Club, more than a decade. Messingham comes to $600 or more; Silver Bears Club, $300 or more; Bruin Club, $150 or SMS from Truman State where he has been Selected for the more; Cub Club, $50 or more. For information concerning The John Templeton Foundation Bears Fund, contact Brent Dunn, director of athletics development, offensive coordinator since 1995. SMSU, (417) 836·4143. Ball elevated linebackers coach Deion Melvin Honor Roll for to defensive coordinator and has one remaining Character-Building Colleges Southwest Missouri State University is a community of people with position to fill on his defensive staff. respect for diversity. The university emphasizes the dignity and equality common to all persons and adheres to a strict nondiscrim· ination policy regarding the treatment of individual faculty, staff and Hemstad lead~ SMS to golf Editors students. In addition, in accord with federal law and applicable tournament Win - Junior David Hernstad Stacey Funderburk and Bethany Brown Missouri statutes, the university does not discriminate on the basis Writers of race , color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability finished with a 54-hole total of 5-over-par 218 to Paul Kincaid, Don Payton, Michael Sullivan, Rob Rodgers or veteran status in employment or in any program or activity offered win the individual title by two shots and give and Mark Stillwell or sponsored by the university. The university maintains a grievance SMS a five-stroke victory in its own tournament Photography procedure incorporating due process available to any person who March 23. SMSU Photographic Services believes he or she has been discriminated against. Southwest Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Seniors Jason Whitesell and Rohan All wood Bear Talk is produced for The Bears Fund donors by the Office of employer. Inquiries concerning the grievance procedure, Affirmative tied for ninth at 226. SMS shot 893, followed by Publications in cooperation with the Department of Athletics and the Action program. or compliance with federal and state laws and Central Missouri State. BT Development and Alumni Office of Southwest Missouri State guidelines should be addressed to Melissa Manning, Affirmative University, 901 S. National, Springfield, Mo., 65804. Third class Action Officer, Office of Human Resources, 128 Carrington Hall, 901 postage paid at Springfield, Mo. S. National, Springfield, MO 65804, (417) 836-4252. 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

Outdoor Track (Men & women) 1999 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE April 10 TOM BOTTS INVITATIONAL 9 a.m . Columbia, Mo. Date Opponent Time 10 SUN ANGEL CLASSIC noon Sept. 4 U. of Tulsa 6p.m. Tempe, Ariz. Tulsa, Okla. 16-17 U. OF ARK. TYSON INVITATIONAL 3 p.m. Sept. 11 Texas Southern 7p.m. Fayetteville, Ark. Sept. 18 Henderson State U. 21-24 DRAKE U. RELAYS 8 a.m. 7p.m. Des Moines, Iowa Sept. 25 *Ill. State U. 7p.m. Senior Juliett 24 U. OF MO. - KANSAS CITY Oct. 2 *Western Ill. U. 1:30 p.m. Pommells, who INVITATIONAL noon Macomb, Ill. was named 1998 Kansas City, Mo. Oct. 16 *Northern Iowa U. 1:30 p.m. indoor/outdoor (Homecoming) all-conference Oct. 23 and 1999 indoor Southeast Mo. State U. 1:30 p.m. all-conference, Cape Girardeau, Mo. helped set the Oct. 30 *Southern Ill. U. 1:30 p.m. MVC record in Carbondale, Ill. the 1600-meter Bold =home events Nov. 6 *Youngstown State U. noon relay with a time * = conference play Youngstown, Ohio of3:37.34. Nov. 13 Tenn.-Martin U. 1 p.m. Nov. 20 *Ind. State U. 1 p.m.

Home Games at Plaster Field Softball * indicates Gateway Football Conference games April 7 U. of Ark. (DH) 3 p.m. Fayetteville, Ark. 10 *U. of Evansville (DH) noon Springfield 11 *Southern Ill. U. (DH) noon Baseball Springfield 14 U. of Tulsa (DH) 5 p.m. April 7 U. of Kan . 7 p.m. Tulsa, Okla. Lawrence, Kan. Senior pitcher 17 *Ind. State U. (OH) noon 10 *Ind. State U. (DH) 1 p.m. Nora Cagwin, Terre Haute, Ind. Springfield who was named 18 *Ill. State U. (DH) noon 11 *Ind. State U. (DH) 1 p.m. the MVC Pitcher Normal, Ill. Springfield of the Week three 20 U. of Kan. (DH) 3 p.m. 13 Southwest Ba_ptist U. -~ 3:30p.m. times in a row so Springfield -- SpringfieiCI far this season, 24 *Creighton U. (DH) noon Senior pitcher 17 *Creighton U. (DH) noon has a record of Springfield Brandon Doctor, Omaha, Neb. 9-3 this season 25 *Drake U. (DH) noon who has a career 18 *Creighton U. (DH) noon with a 0.87 ERA, Springfield record of 4-2 in Omaha, Neb. 98 strikeouts and 29 Southeast Mo. State U. (DH) 3 p.m. 31 games and 57 21 Evangel U. 3 p.m. only one walk. St. Louis, Mo. innings, has 36 Springfield career strikeouts 24 *U. of Northern Iowa (DH) 1 p.m. and three career Springfield saves. 25 *U. of Northern Iowa (DH) noon Springfield 27 Saint Louis U. 3 p.m. Tennis (Men & Women) St. Louis, Mo. MEN 28 U. of Mo. April 9 U. of Denver 9 a.m. Columbia, Mo. 3 p.m . Terre Haute, Ind. 10 *Ill. State U. 10 a.m. Golf (Men & Women) Normal, Ill. *Bradley U. 3 p.m. MEN Peoria, Ill. April 8-9 SAINT LOUIS U. INVITATIONAL 8 a.m. 17 *Creighton U. 9:30a.m. St. Louis, Mo. Junior Marcelo Springfield 12-13 WICHITA STATE DIET PEPSI Lyra, who tied *U. of Northern Iowa 3p.m. SHOCKER CLASSIC 8 a.m. for third in the Springfield Wichita, Kan . 18 *Drake U. 10 a.m. 19-20 DRAKE RELAYS No. 2 singles in Springfield JACK D. WALLACE INVITATIONAL 8 a.m. the MVC 23-25 MVC CHAMPIONSHIP 9 a.m. Junior Katie Des Moines, Iowa Individual Terre Haute, Ind. Howard had the 26-27 MVC CHAMPIONSHIP 8 a.m . Championships Wichita, Kan. fourth best stroke Jan. 29-31, has A . WOMEN average in the a singles record PrJ 1 9 *Wichita State U. noon fall (82.33) with Springfield WOMEN this season of 10 *U. of Evansville 10 a.m. three rounds in April 9-10 TRUMAN STATE 8-4. Evansville, Ind. the 70s and a low LADY BULLDOG CLASSIC 8:30a.m. 11 *Southern Ill. U. 10 a.m. round of77. Kirksville, Mo. · Carbondale, Ill. 12-13 SMS INVITATIONAL 8:30a.m. 17 *U. of Northern Iowa 2 p.m. Springfield Springfield 19-20 MVC CHAMPIONSHIP 8:30a.m. 23-25 MVC CHAMPIONSHIP 9 a.m. Peoria, Ill. Cedar Falls, Iowa 4