Volume VIII H Number 2 H Fall 2008
THE CHAMPIONSHIP TRADITION CONTINUES
The magazine of Sam Houston State University Member of The Texas State University System Share the Vision. Share the Fun.
We have so many positive things for which we can be justifiably proud and grateful to have at Sam Houston State University. In past issues of the Heritage, we have highlighted our five academic colleges and their many accomplishments. We have also reported on the myriad of construction projects that have literally changed the landscape of our beautiful campus, thus making it more attractive to prospective students while better serving the needs of our more than 16,400 enrolled students. No matter when we graduated or what kind of degree we earned, athletics is the one THE thing in which all Bearkats can share a common interest and enjoyment. As Frank Holmes, our vice president of university advancement, says, “Athletics is the fun part of alumni relations.” Accordingly, this issue focuses on intercollegiate athletics. Under the leadership of Bobby Williams, our outstanding athletic director, we have ision developed perhaps the finest athletic facilities in the nation for the level at which we compete. Previously, our university’s teams have won an unprecedented three consecutive Southland V Conference Commissioner’s Cups, which is awarded to the best overall athletic program. Doing well in two or three sports will not win a cup. You must excel across the board. During these times of exceptional achievement on the athletic fields and courts, our players led our conference in the classroom, setting university records for GPAs. Chris Thompson, our associate athletic director, deserves special thanks and recognition for her excellent dedication in ensuring the academic performance and progress of our athletes. I am also proud to say that our young men and women have represented our alma mater in an exemplary manner both on the campus and in their respective communities. Moreover, we have strived successfully to be competitive within the spirit and the letter of the law of NCAA rules and regulations. Over the past few years, our teams have had special opportunities to play against the elite athletic programs in the nation. While we have not always fared as well as we would have liked in those contests, we have always competed well, earning the respect of our opponents and their fans. More importantly, when we compete against the best, it raises the visibility and, yes, the perception of our university. People often assess who you are by the company you keep, so it does not hurt to be seen with the likes of The University of Texas, UCLA, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Kansas, and others of their reputation.
“our university’s teams have won an unprecedented three consecutive Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cups, which is awarded to the best overall athletic program. Doing well in two or three sports will not win a cup. You must excel across the board.”
Approximately 350 student-athletes compete in intercollegiate athletics at Sam Houston State. As we know, only a handful of them will continue their respective sports at the professional level. While providing us with thrills and victories, they are binding us to each other and to Sam. They are also working for something much more important: The opportunity to earn a high- quality education that will change their lives forever just as it has yours and mine. What could be more fun or better than that? Please, share the vision! Join us this coming year for entertaining and spirited intercollegiate athletics. You will appreciate our young athletes, and they will most assuredly appreciate your support.
James F. Gaertner, President Spotlight
2 Teamwork Brings Success To Director of Marketing Bearkat Athletics Ann O’Meara It’s been quite a run for Sam Houston sports. [email protected] Editor Julia May [email protected] 7 Student-Athletes Appreciate Lessons Feature Writers Inside, Outside Classroom Jennifer Gauntt Sometimes they learn about themselves. Frank Krystyniak Julia May Paul Ridings 9 Sports Brings People Together Like Heritage Committee Darlene Andrews Nothing Else Kristle Castillo Differences vanish when you’re pulling for your team. Rhonda Ellisor Thelma Mooney Cindy Truax Going Krazy Photography 12 Brian Blalock For The Kats Design & Layout Who are those guys?!? Clockwork Studios State of TX HUB-certified www.clockworkstudios.com
Masthead Design Ford Design 281.992.4042 Vice President for University Advancement Volume VIII • Number 2 • Fall 2008 Frank R. Holmes ontents [email protected] Director of Departments Alumni Relations Charles Vienne [email protected] University Focus The goal of Heritage is to keep you informed about 14 2008 Faculty Excellence Award Winners; Provost Wins Sam Houston State University. Heritage is published Pacesetter Award; Report Confirms Textbook Cost Concerns; twice a year by the Office of University Advancement Harman To Direct New Center; and other university stories. for alumni, donors and friends of SHSU. Board of Regents Eye On The Kats Bernie C. Francis John E. Dudley 22 Bomar Ready For Season To Start; Bearkats Win Conference Carrollton Comanche Chair, Tournament … Again!; SHSU Team Stays ‘On Track’ With Trisha S. Pollard Dionicio “Don” Flores Winning Record. Vice-Chair, Bellaire El Paso Dora G. Al˜cala Michael Truncale Del Rio Beaumont 26 Building The Vision Charlie Amato Greg Wilkinson Mafrige’s Latest Gift Honors Sculptor And Soldier; Lettermen San Antonio Dallas Support SHSU Long After Playing Days End; Samuel Houston Ron Blatchley Nicole Lozano Society Dinner Set; Game … Set … Match! Bryan Student Regent, Huntsville Charles R. Matthews Chancellor, Austin Alumni Look 30 2008 Alumni Association Service Awards; Wall Of Honor Sam Houston State University is a Member of Spaces Available; Save The Date; Tailgate Schedule 2008; The Texas State University System Homecoming Calendar.
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aybe it’s a bit theatrical to call the past four seasons a “Golden Age” for Sam Houston State Teamwork M intercollegiate athletics. But few other periods in the Fox Sports as well as in NCAA Division I Brings 102-year history of sports at Sam championship competition. Houston can match the current program This success has come without major for growth, winning teams, national NCAA compliance violations and with Success To exposure, and success in the classroom. student-athletes who also have achieved Since 2004, Sam Houston unprecedented success in the classroom. State athletic teams have won nine The 350-plus student-athletes who Southland Conference regular season represent the university in 16 sports have Bearkat championships, three Southland compiled the highest grade point averages post-season tournament titles, posted in department history. 16 runner-up league finishes, and This historic success has come through Athletics won three Southland Conference the hard work and a true team effort of Commissioner’s Cups, emblematic quality athletic administrators, coaches, By Paul Ridings of the SLC’s all-sports championship. and student-athletes. The university’s athletic physical plant has seen more than $9 million of Success Starts At The Top facility improvements, including a new Bearkat director of athletics Bobby strength and fitness center, baseball/softball Williams, future NFL all-pro running complex, golf practice facility, scoreboards, back Eric Dickerson, and college sports TV and football stadium video board. analyst Craig James all made their college Sports fans across the country have football debuts when Rice and SMU met at seen Sam Houston State teams compete on Texas Stadium in 1979. national and regional telecasts on ESPN and “Eric and Craig both gained more than
2 SHSU Heritage Magazine Spotlight
TEAMWORK BRINGS SUCCESS
We’ve strived to bring this department to the great control system in place, you can handle forefront in computer technology, to improve the little problems before they become the our athletes’ academic standing and retention bigger ones you see at some universities. rates, and to increase our revenue through Bobby Williams and Sam Houston State fund raising and monies generated from have worked hard to develop a system that bigger crowds at games. makes sure things are done right.” “Another important goal is to win. Williams is in his final year as chair of Winning three Southland Conference the Southland Conference Athletic Director’s Commissioner’s Cup All-Sports Trophies, Committee and will become vice president of two men’s all-sports cups, and the 16 the SLC’s Athletic Council. league regular season and tournament titles “What speaks so well of Bobby’s efforts since 1998 show that we are taking that is his new appointment to the NCAA 125 yards rushing and scored touchdowns,” goal seriously.” Leadership Council, a very select group of Williams recalled. “I dropped two passes. Williams has been recognized My career and Eric and Craig’s headed in both regionally and nationally for the different directions after that.” department’s successes. In June, he Fortunately for the Bearkats, that received the NCAA Division I Football career path led to Huntsville. After Championship Subdivision West Region starting two years as a wide receiver for the “Athletic Director of the Year” award Owls, Williams’ first job after earning his presented by AstroTurf at the 2008 National bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rice Association of Collegiate Directors of was at Sam Houston State. Athletics convention in Dallas. He served nine years as an assistant “Certainly, Bobby Williams is not coach for Ron Randleman and seven years only one of the finest athletic directors in as assistant athletic director before being the Southland Conference, but also one of named interim director of athletics for the the best that I have worked with in more 1997 – 98 school year. than 20 years in intercollegiate athletics,” When he was named director of Southland Conference Commissioner Tom athletics on April 29, 1998, he set a goal Burnett said. “I would stack Bobby’s body of MS, for the program — to win the Southland work up against any of his contemporaries.” LLIA DIR I EC W T Conference Commissioner’s Cup. Burnett points in particular to the fact Y O B R
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Spring 2 0 0 8 3 Spotlight
senior administrators from every conference,” Burnett said. “With Bobby’s knowledge of NCAA affairs, he is going to give us great representation with this important body.”
Quality Coaches Sam Houston State’s staff of quality TO BEARKAT ATHLETICS coaches is another reason for the success the program has experienced. Two Bearkat head coaches rank among the top 20 in total victories among active coaches in their sports. 688 – 255 mark there from 1982 to 1996, streak in NCAA Division I basketball (44). Mark Johnson ranks No. 16 among leading the Aggies to NCAA World Series Only Duke has a longer streak with 57 active NCAA Division I head baseball five times including national championships straight home wins. coaches with his 23-year record of 953 in 1983 and 1987. Marlin’s 55 – 35 non-conference victories and 482 losses. When Brock became SHSU head coach record includes victories over Texas Tech, In his first season at Sam Houston State in 2002, the program had gone eight years Missouri, Nebraska, and Baylor (Big 12 in 2007, Johnson directed the Bearkats to a without a winning season and had not seen Conference), New Mexico State and Fresno 40-win season for the first time in 20 years. post-season action since 1993. State (Western Athletic Conference), and The Kats won the Southland Conference Quickly the coach turned things around. Houston, Central Florida, and Southern post-season tournament and reached the finals The Bearkats made Southland post-season Mississippi (Conference USA). of the NCAA Division I regionals at Oxford, playoff appearances in 2003, 2004 and The 2008 Bearkats produced a Miss., Sam Houston’s best NCAA Division I 2005. Last year, Sam Houston won the SLC 23 – 8 record, marking the first time for playoff finish ever. tournament to earn its first NCAA Division I SHSU men’s basketball to put together This spring, the Bearkats earned a playoff berth. three consecutive 20-plus win seasons. second consecutive NCAA playoff berth with “I’ll always remember that first practice Sam Houston went 22 – 9 in 2006 and another Southland tournament championship. in 2002,” Brock said. “All the players were 21 – 10 in 2007. During Johnson’s two seasons as Bearkat afraid I was going to clean house. The practice “The most rewarding aspect of coach, the team has set 17 school records was horrible. At the end of the day, I sat coaching here at Sam Houston State is the including a Southland Conference season best them down and told them there would be no quality student-athletes my staff and I have .335 team batting average in 2008. cuts. They were the players we were going had the opportunity to work with,” Marlin Johnson came to Sam Houston from to turn things around with. It really was a said. “Our senior class of Ryan Bright, Texas A&M where he was coach for 21 thrill watching that group work so hard to Shamir McDaniel, Jeremy Thomas and years. He directed the Aggies to two NCAA improve. Sure enough, several of those players John Gardiner compiled an 84 – 39 record College World Series appearances and five were seniors on the 2005 team that reached in their four years. They are leaders on the conference titles. the Southland tournament finals.” campus as well.” “Sam Houston State has been an ideal Bob Marlin and his Bearkat men’s Curtis Collier has directed Sam fit for my wife and me,” Johnson said. basketball team have brought national Houston State to six Southland Conference “We’re excited about what is happening recognition to Sam Houston State from coast track and field championships since being here at Sam Houston, not just in baseball to coast. named as head coach in June 2003. and athletics, but with the university as a Among the 20 NCAA Division I men’s The Bearkat women’s track team has whole. I have really been impressed by the basketball teams in Texas, only the Texas won three of the last four SLC outdoor quality of the people on campus and their Longhorns have won more games in the titles and back-to-back indoor desire to succeed.” 21st century than Sam Houston. Totaling championships. Sam Houston’s men won Bob Brock, a 1969 Sam Houston the nine seasons from 2000 to 2008, Texas consecutive outdoor titles in 2005 and graduate, ranks No. 13 among NCAA has won 225 games, Sam Houston 172, 2006. Division I active softball head coaches with a followed by Texas Tech 163, Texas-El Paso Collier gives credit to the hard work record of 910 victories, 499 losses, and one tie. 157, and Texas A&M 142. of his coaching staff and the solid Like Johnson, Brock made a name for Sam Houston State owns the second- foundation by previous coaches before himself at Texas A&M. Brock rolled up a longest non-conference home court winning Collier took over the program in 2003 – 04.
4 SHSU Heritage Magazine Spotlight
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“John Lumley and Greg Hinze did a Houston State has opened several new is the modern Athletic Learning great job building the program and putting facilities in the past few years. Enhancement Center (LEC). it in a position to win,” Collier said. “We Don Sanders Stadium is the new baseball The center features study and work have a great coaching staff here as well. It was facility located east of Bowers Stadium. The areas, 24 computers, printers, and hosts the exciting this spring at the indoor to see our complex includes spacious dressing areas, tutorial program strictly for student-athlete sprints, hurdlers, and horizontal jumps coach, indoor hitting cages, coaches’ offices, and the use. Also in the LEC is the Enterprise Career Dave Self, become the first assistant coach Bud and Joan Haney Diamond Room. Also Center which offers career advise on resume ever to earn Southland Conference coach of included in the $5.5 million complex is the writing, interviewing skills, and assistance the year honors.” Bearkat Softball Stadium. for the job market. The Enterprise Car Rental Located between Sanders and Bowers Corporation offers seminars each semester First-Class Facilities Stadiums is the new Ron Randleman with hands-on advice for the job market. Outstanding athletic facilities have Strength and Fitness Center. The 11,000 Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum also given the Bearkats a winning edge. square foot center is used by all 16 Sam has seen renovations including new Since 2003, Sam Houston has hosted Houston sports teams and consists of coaches’ offices, training facilities, dressing rooms, Southland Conference championship events offices, dressing rooms, and a 9,000 square scoreboards, and team meeting areas. in Huntsville eight times. The Bearkats foot area for weights. emerged the champion in six of those The Meredith and Miriam York Track Winning In The Classroom competitions — SLC men’s basketball final Complex at Bowers Stadium with its new Student-athletes at Sam Houston State in 2003, Southland men’s track and field in throwing center has been the site of the University are committed to excellence both 2005, the league’s women’s track and field Southland Conference outdoor track and on the playing field and in the classroom. in 2005 and 2008, SLC softball in 2007, field championships three times. In return, the university strives to do all it and SLC baseball in 2008. Bowers Stadium, home of Bearkat can to make sure each athlete makes steady “There’s no doubt that playing a football, has received major improvements progress towards earning a degree. post-season event in your own backyard is a as well including new luxury suites and Each student receives the help he or she competitive edge,” director of athletics Bobby other improvements to the press box and needs to be successful in Sam Houston State Williams said. “Hosting major events at our a video board for instant replays at games. University’s challenging environment. Chris facilities also brings an economic impact and Ron Mafrige Field House is the site Thompson, associate athletic director for media attention for the Huntsville community.” of the athletic administration offices, training student services, oversees this area. With the goal of centering all athletics room, team meeting rooms, and team Among the many resources offered facilities in one area of the campus, Sam lockers. Also housed in the facility student-athletes are tutoring sessions,
F all 2 0 0 8 5 TIS COLLIE R R, U C C O A C H
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supervised study halls, assistance in selecting Honor Roll recognition than any of the other pop tab drive for M. D. Anderson Cancer majors, degree plans and courses, and use of 11 universities in the league. To earn a spot Center/Ronald McDonald House; student- the Sam Houston State Athletics Learning on the honor roll, a student-athlete must athlete welfare, diversity; and Student Life Enhancement Center. maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA. Awareness Programs (alcohol, nutrition, time The NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Learning enhancement services offered and stress management). program provides a mandatory class for by the Sam Houston State University Each academic year ends with the annual all incoming freshman student-athletes athletic department academic advisors for All-Sports Awards Banquet sponsored, to further enhance their opportunities for student-athletes include mandatory academic planned and hosted by the committee. success at SHSU. The class covers topics advising, academic monitoring, study skills “The goal for SAAC is to provide our to ease transition into college athletics, groups, and tutorial assistance. athletes a quality academic and athletic academics and their path in life. “We are extremely proud of our experience that will culminate in graduation Included among the speakers for the athletes’ achievements in the classroom from Sam Houston,” associate athletic class are current junior and senior student- and commend our coaching staff for the director for student services Chris Thompson athletes who relate their own experiences tremendous job they do in recruiting quality said. “SAAC seeks to help our athletes in dealing with life as an intercollegiate student-athletes,” Williams said. “The No. develop professional skills and work habits, sports participant. 1 goal for each of our sports teams is to to facilitate peer involvement, to fulfill the The success of Sam Houston State’s have our athletes earn their Sam Houston responsibilities that are part of the privilege academic advising, counseling, and tutoring State degrees. We are proud that 90 percent of being a student-athlete, and to express program is readily apparent. For the past of student athletes who complete their pride in SHSU and team achievements.” seven semesters, SHSU’s 16 intercollegiate eligibility at Sam Houston earn their degree.” The leadership role played on campus sports teams have posted an overall grade by Sam Houston student-athletes has been point average (GPA) higher than 2.75. Six Contributions In The Community recognized nationally by the National times, the athletics GPA was a mark higher Bearkat student-athletes make an Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). than the GPA for the university’s general impact on the Huntsville community Bearkat athletes have served on major student population. through programs organized by the Sam NCAA committees including the NCAA During both fall and spring semesters Houston State Student-Athlete Advisory Foundation Leadership Conference held each of the 2006 – 07 academic year, Bearkat Committee (SAAC). So successful have June at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. athletes produced a 2.90 GPA, the highest been the committee’s activities that other “SAAC provides Sam Houston of any athletic department in the Southland universities in the Southland Conference student-athletes with a voice to express our Conference and a record mark for Sam Houston have used the group as a model for their suggestions and concerns regarding the State. For the past 23 semesters, Sam Houston’s own campuses. athletic program and options for improving athletic GPA has been 2.5 or higher. Activities on the committee’s annual the student-athlete experience,” said Jonathan While winning the Southland calendar include the NCAA CHAMPS / Harris, senior sprinter and an officer for the Conference Commissioner’s Cup (symbolic of Life Skills program; a mentor program committee. “As student-athletes we want the SLC’s All-Sports championship) in 2005, with the Huntsville Independent School to represent Sam Houston State in the best 2006 and 2007, Sam Houston athletes also District (HISD); Rita B. Huff Animal way possible. We want to give back to the have led the league in performance in the Shelter fundraiser; sports festivals at HISD university and Huntsville community for classroom. Each of those years, more Bearkats elementary campuses; canned food drive their support that is so important to our have earned SLC Commissioner’s Academic benefiting The Good Shepherd Mission; success on the field of competition.” O
6 SHSU Heritage Magazine TIS COLLIE R R, U C C O A C H Spotlight ,
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t the 2008 Sam Houston All-Sports Awards Banquet, director of athletics Bobby Williams took special pride in praising a group of the 65 student-athletes from the A university’s 16 sports teams. Shamir McDaniel “This year’s senior class has been part scholarship, McDaniel decided to attend Sam of the most successful four-year period in Houston State and major in marketing. Sam Houston’s NCAA Division I sports As luck would have it, Griffin ran into history,” Williams said. “With 11 Southland McDaniel on campus and again asked if he Conference regular season and tournament was going to go out for the team. McDaniel championships, three Commissioner’s decided to give it a try and made the Cup victories and record grade point Bearkats as a walk-on. He emerged as one of averages in the classroom, these 65 the best all-around players in the Southland seniors have led our program to Conference over the past three seasons. Student unparalleled success.” “There are two things about Shamir that What is most impressive I’m most proud about — he’s an outstanding about the 65 seniors is that 55 will person and a good student,” basketball head Athletes receive their Sam Houston degrees coach Bob Marlin said. “He has always been a in either May or August or have solid performer. He is a winner, and this year already graduated and are doing we finally got him to shoot more, and thank Appreciate post-graduate work. The other 10 goodness we did because we have struggled are expected to earn their diploma to score at times.” in December after completing their McDaniel’s top game of the season was Lessons student teaching. his 18-point performance against Texas Typical of the 2008 Bearkat Tech and the Red Raiders head coach Bob seniors is Shamir McDaniel, starting Knight at Johnson Coliseum. McDaniel guard for the men’s basketball team. earned Southland Conference “Player of the Inside, McDaniel has been a vital part Week” honors after leading the Kats to a of Kat men’s basketball teams that 56 – 54 victory. produced an 84 – 38 record the “Being a Bearkat taught me a lot,” Outside past four seasons. Only the 88 – 22 McDaniel said. “One of the most important record, compiled by the 1970 – 1973 things is that you have to do the little things teams in Sam Houston’s NAIA/Lone to make the big things happen. When I first Classroom Star Conference days, tops the mark got here, I played strictly defense and couldn’t compiled by this year’s seniors. shoot a lick. But the coaches challenged me to By Paul Ridings An All-Southland Conference become a scorer. I worked on it, did the little player as a senior, McDaniel wasn’t things like staying focused.” on anyone’s radar when he came out An outstanding student as well, of Converse Judson High School McDaniel earned ESPN The Magazine in 2003. But thanks to encouragement Academic All-District Six honors. District from a fellow Alamo City product, Ryan Six includes all NCAA Division I universities Griffin, whom the Bearkats had signed to a in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New
F all 2 0 0 8 7 Sam Houston State, making lifetime friends Just being on the same court with him made and getting a great education.” us a better team and me a better player,” Senior pitcher Casey Springer from Mitchell said. Montgomery remembers the sheer elation After just two years as a member of that overcame him the second the Bearkats Sam Houston’s championship women’s track won the Southland Conference Baseball and field teams, Jessica Fisher of Houston is Tournament last spring. already the Bearkats’ most decorated athlete What is remarkable to Springer is the in Southland Conference competition. change in attitude in the Sam Houston Fisher has earned All-Southland honors baseball program. in 19 events in her four SLC meets including A team that a few seasons ago was 10 gold medals. Her performances have just trying to squeak into the Southland helped lead the women to the 2007 and 2008 tournament now expects to reach that level Indoor SLC titles, a runner-up finish outdoors every season. in 2007, and the 2008 outdoor crown. “Making the tournament, that’s our While she didn’t have the type of meet lowest expectation,” Springer said. “We’re she was hoping for at the 2008 outdoor, not playing and competing in games just Fisher battled through the spring with Shamir McDaniel to get into the tournament now. We’re an injury to earn three medals with a playing and competing in games to become runner-up finish in the 200 meters, a third Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. McDaniel champions — Southland Conference place in the 100 meter dash, and a victory received his Sam Houston degree a year ago champions, regional champions, whatever. in the 4 x 400 relay. and has been working on his master’s during “I knew when Mark Johnson took over “I’m proud of my team, and I’m proud his final year of competition. as head coach, this program would become of myself,” Fisher said. “I had a hip-flexor For Brandon Hale, All-America something special. With his knowledge, his strain, and it’s serious. Sometimes it hurts offensive lineman for the Bearkats, life know-how, the atmosphere he creates, things to just walk. So just for me to come out after Sam Houston State will include the were going to turn around here. But I’m here and finish was a great accomplishment. opportunity to make every football player’s surprised it happened this quickly. Surprised I’m just thankful that I have such great dream come true. would be an understatement, actually.” teammates that when I can’t do something, Hale, a 6'3", 311-pound criminal justice After going eight seasons without they have the heart to do it.” major from Grand Prairie, signed a free agent a winning record, the baseball team has Fisher was a raw, untapped talent when contact with the Dallas Cowboys in April. produced a 77 – 49 mark the past two years, she joined the Sam Houston State women’s A reserve player as a true freshman earning back-to-back NCAA playoff berths. track and field team as a freshman in 2007. in 2004 on Sam Houston’s Southland “The increased fan support we’ve While attending high school at Houston Conference championship team, Hale started received in the new stadium has been great Worthing, she wasn’t the one everybody 22 games in a row the past two years at as well,” Springer said. “Playing at home in was looking to beat. But with a little help tackle. He blocked for the first two Bearkat front of more than 1,000 fans for some of our from the Bearkat coaches, Fisher is quickly running backs to rush for more than 1,000 games has been really exciting.” running out of wall space for all the hardware yards in consecutive seasons, D. D. Terry and The 2008 senior class has left Bearkat she has picked up over the last year. Chris Poullard. His blocking also paved the athletics with a legacy and the under “I definitely wasn’t expecting the kind way for his former Grand Prairie teammate, classmen following in their footsteps are of success I had because coming in as a quarterback Rhett Bomar, to rank No. 8 excited to pick up the leadership roles. freshman, I figured there were going to be a nationally in total offense last season. “You learn so many things from seniors lot of upperclassmen that were going to beat Hale helped lead Sam Houston to like Shamir. Just his presence of the court is me,” Fisher said. “I knew I had a lot of work back-to-back winning seasons and Southland a learning experience,” said Ashton Mitchell, to do coming from high school because I was runner-up finishes the past two years. the Bearkats’ starting point guard as a an OK sprinter, but not an elite sprinter. But “Obviously, it’s exciting to sign with sophomore in 2008. it all worked out. I have excellent coaches an NFL team, especially the Cowboys,” “Whenever Shamir saw something that here, and I’m still kind of shocked. It’s been Hale said. “The success D. D. Terry had last I didn’t, he would come up to me and tell exciting to be part of our team’s success.” O season with the Jacksonville Jaguars shows me to look out for that. Defensive-wise, he me it can be done. I had a great experience at is one of the best I have ever played with.
8 SHSU Heritage Magazine Spotlight
hen the 2008 Bearkat football season kicks off on Aug. 28, there will be enthusiastic cheers, uplifting music from the band, and feelings of excitement and anticipation in Bowers Stadium — all of this coming W from people of different ages, colors and backgrounds, who will be supporting the Orange and White.
Whether it is in the arena as a “Whether you are in college or have student athlete participating in an event graduated, people fairly or unfairly get grouped Sports against a rival school or in the stands together for any number of reasons, be it job, as a fan yelling encouragement for the education, race, religion or the like. But when “good guys,” athletics is one area that you meet as a group because you are supporting Brings transcends a multitude of barriers. your school, those barriers take a back seat to While die-hard Bearkat fans supporting your team,” he explained. would love to see all sporting events “If your team is winning, you ‘high People with a standing room only crowd, five’ the persons near you in the stands and there is no doubt that Sam Houston maybe hug a few people for good measure no State University’s teams have a loyal matter who they are. If you lose, you mourn Together following across the board from students together, trying desperately to console one to administrators to alumni. another. In both instances, you are totally Alumnus Bill Hall, an attorney from comfortable in striking up a conversation Houston, says being a Bearkat is like with someone wearing your team colors Like being a member of a family, even years because they are family,” Hall said. after you have graduated from college. “While you see this phenomenon for “College athletics creates high school and professional athletics, the Nothing opportunities for young men and women from one school to compete against those from another school,” Else Hall said. “When the history major from Sam By Julia May lines up across from an accounting major from another school, they are doing it because one plays for Sam and the other the opponent. What’s important is that he has a big ‘SH’ on the side of his helmet, not whether he is African-American, Hispanic or Asian,” he said.
F all 2 0 0 8 9 bond you have for your college team is like both here and on the road. It’s a pretty cool commentator on KSAM radio for Bearkat that which you have for family. Among connection that we have,” he added. games in a variety of sports. family members, you can cuss and discuss Trevor Thorn, director of undergraduate “More than anything, sports draws not only just about anything relating to your team, admissions, describes himself as a “huge sports a diverse university together, but also brings a but no outsider should dare talk bad about fan,” and said attending Sam Houston sporting diverse community together,” said Wilkinson. your team to your face!” he said. events gives families a chance to be together. “During a game, we forget about “Even today, when I know that someone “The events are a great opportunity for who we are or what our differences are. went to Sam Houston, my immediate me to spend time with my family and for my We forget about gender, color or financial reaction is not to think of them as a Sam children to experience college athletics,” he said. circumstances. At that time, we are all Houston graduate but as a fellow Bearkat “Also, athletic events are a great place orange and white, and we are all pulling immersed in orange and white, ready to go to see and visit colleagues, who we may not together,” he said. “Nothing else creates tangle with SFA in anything at the drop of ordinarily have the opportunity to meet, and excitement and camaraderie the way that a hat. Most of the time, they are ready to their families,” he said. sports does. jump in with me. The fact that they are a “Sporting events also allow Sam “The success of a university’s sports fellow Bearkat takes priority over what Houston faculty and staff to spend time with teams is something that stimulates a lot of they studied in school,” Hall added. the students outside of the normal classroom interest, even outside of that university’s Terry Thibodeaux, professor in the or work setting and allow us to support the home state,” Wilkinson said. “When you communication studies department, feels student athletes that we have met, taught, or have a successful athletics program, everyone academics and athletics can compliment just know their names,” he said. wants to be a part of it. It’s great that each other. Another faculty member who is also we have a program at Sam Houston State “College athletics is an important part an SHSU alumnus, professor of agricultural University that unites so many individuals.” of the collegiate experience on any college sciences Bobby Lane, can be seen at many Jack Parker, SHSU’s vice president or university campus. Students benefit Bearkat games in all sports. for finance and operations, said, “I enjoy greatly from their experiences in athletics, “I attend Sam Houston State athletic competition and the anticipation of victory just as they do any other co-curricular events for several reasons. One is that I am for our young men and women. SHSU strives activity while in college,” he said. proud of my university (class of ‘77) and for excellence on and off the field.” Not only does Thibodeaux support want to be a part of as many of its excellent Parker, who is also a Sam Houston the SHSU teams when they play at home, programs as possible,” he said. “Showing State graduate, explained, “As ABC sports he has traveled to watch them in action my support through my attendance and my states ‘the ecstasy of winning and the at other universities. encouragement is just one way I can do that. agony of defeat’ are all part of athletics “While watching our sports teams “I often have athletes in my classes, and a replication of the ups and downs perform in Huntsville is fun, it and I like to be able to tell them, ‘Good everyone faces. Enjoying a ballgame sometimes is even more so traveling to job’ following a tough battle on the field with fellow Bearkats makes for the best see them represent the university in or on the court. Their performance and my of experiences.” Beaumont or San Antonio or Lake Charles,” observation of that performance give us some Senior health major Jeremy Thomas, he said. common ground with which to begin a who played guard for the SHSU basketball “I know the students appreciate all the conversation,” he explained. team, has first-hand knowledge of the power fans who support them, but on the road, “During games, I love to visit with my of sports in bringing students together. that support is even more important,” students, former students and friends from “As an athlete, I know that sports unites he explained. the community. Athletic events give me the individuals because “Riding a charter bus for 24 hours opportunity to enjoy the company of many, we come together to together to see the Bearkats play Florida supporting a common cause, in a relatively fight for our school,” in the NCAA basketball tournament in brief time period,” he said. he said. 2003 made life-long friends of about 50 Leroy Wilkinson of Huntsville has “We may come Bearkat supporters,” he said. been an observer of Bearkat sports for many, from different cities, “I still see many of those ‘Bus Buddies’ many years. He was a Bearkat baseball player backgrounds and rooting for the Bearkats at sports events in the early 1960s and now serves as color circumstances, but
10 SHSU Heritage Magazine Spotlight
the one thing we have together in common “Sports gives all of us the opportunity said John McManners, past president of the is this university. We feel pride for Sam to live the struggle for victory through the SHSU Alumni Association. “You could name Houston State University, and we are proud athlete,” Parker said. “There is no greater ‘rush’ any student in the athletics program, and he to represent it when we compete,” he said. than winning, and sports brings us all together could tell you what year he came through, Charles McDowell, assistant director of to help strike a blow against the arch rival. We how well he did, whether he was married or the Sam Houston Press, looks at sports as an all have a competitive side, and nothing unites not, and how many kids he has now.” educational experience. people like a victory or a struggle.” Even now, although Gates isn’t able to “I starting playing Pee Wee League Parker also likes the effect sports has on make as many games as he would like, you Baseball at 6 years old,” he said. “From that uniting Sam Houston students. might see him in the Coliseum watching his day forward, sports became a tremendous “Athletic events involve so many beloved Bearkats after all these years. O part of my life. Through my participation in different areas of campus at one time,” he sports, I learned sportsmanship and the value said. “from the music to cheerleaders and of teamwork. I have developed many lifelong the dance team. The fraternities participate friendships while on the field and through their attendance and placing letters in the bleachers. in the stadium, student organizations are “My Mom loves sports and never represented, as well as alumni, residence hall missed any of my ball games or my brother’s groups, etc. They all have a part in making a games. Now I have the honor of taking her game successful. to the SHSU games, which means a lot to “As an administrator in the Division of me,” he said. Student Affairs, I can tell you that witnessing Karen Hlozek, an accounting clerk in student excitement, school spirit, and student the SHSU business office, who is also the involvement all working together personifies mother of a Sam Houston student, explains what we try to accomplish each day,” he said. why she is a loyal Bearkat fan. There is probably no better example of “I attend sporting events because I love how the Bearkat spirit brings and keeps people the competition!” she said. “Nothing gets together over the years than Toby Gates. your heart pumping and your body on the The former Bearkat basketball player, edge of your seat like a close-scoring game. who has been a tremendous supporter of the “Any team can win or lose on any given Sam Houston State athletic program for almost day,” she said. “It is wonderful when your three-quarters of a century, recently celebrated team wins and heartbreaking when they lose, his 90th birthday with a surprise party but that’s part of the reason I attend. I don’t attended by numerous former student-athletes. leave a game until it’s over, regardless of how Gates and his wife, Melba, a teacher in lopsided the score is,” she said. the university’s English department, made “I think we owe it to our athletes to friends with countless students who came support them, win or lose,” she said. “I through the university’s athletics program. admire the student athletes. They are “He was an institutional memory of playing for the love of the game and to every athlete who ever came through Sam,” represent their school, not because they are making millions of dollars. Between practice, watching film, travel and the actual games, they miss out on a lot of a ‘typical’ college life experience.” SHSU Vice President for Student Services Frank Parker says that having one goal — winning — keeps us focused on our similarities and not our differences.
F all 2 0 0 8 11 Christopher Whitaker, Daniel Walters and Nick Lineback
ou may not know them, and if you don’t, you have to look no further than the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum Y on game night to meet them. They will be the ones painted Formed during the fall 2007 semester, orange (with the obligatory wig), they met on Katfans.com and debuted with Going leading the chants in the stands behind the now infamous (for basketball fans) “sign” the 4-by-14-foot, 16-gage steel sign. during the Stephen F. Austin home game. They have been “shut down” by the The six “essentially destroyed” the sign, Krazy For refs, caught “stealing” trophies, attacked their “centerpiece,” that night by hitting it by Lumberjacks and embraced by the with drumsticks, and a second sign was later Bearkat sports community. donated to them by an alumnus. The Kats They are the “Kat Krazies,” a group “It was probably once we got the sign of students devoted to showing their out that Kat Krazies really became a lot school spirit and keeping the crowd more noticeable,” Whitaker said. “The By Jennifer Gauntt amped up during sporting events. aluminum sign was loud, but once we “We had always noticed that unlike started using the (rubber) hammers for other universities, Sam Houston’s the UTA game, we were hard to ignore, crowd wasn’t really where it should especially when we are all painted out and be, especially considering where our in our orange wigs. basketball program is,” said Kat Krazies “It gets pretty loud,” he said. “We co-founder Christopher Whitaker. hope it makes it a more difficult place “There is really a stark difference. to play.” “We should really have a huge, Their noise certainly has caught the ginormous, rowdy, spirited crowd because our attention of at least one referee, who actually basketball team kicks so much butt during the stopped play and told them to quit within year, and to sort of have the crowd go (half- the first minute of one women’s game. A heartedly) ‘yay’ at the end didn’t really jive.” second time, during a men’s game, the same
12 SHSU Heritage Magazine Spotlight
Daniel Walters, Ryan Bridges, Christopher Whitaker and Ron Kiser stand behind broadcaster Kooter Roberson at a Bearkat basketball game. ref allowed them to beat on the sign until halftime and then shut them down. “School spirit — that gets us in “If you’re not hoarse by the end of the trouble,” said Ryan Bridges, Kat Krazies other co-founder. game, you’re doing something wrong.” Despite a few mishaps with the refs and — Ryan Bridges, Kat Krazies co-founder a few questionable looks from bystanders, the Krazies have otherwise been well embraced by the SHSU community. They haven’t received quite the warm Krazies must wear an inordinate amount The athletics department has allowed welcome when they travel to away games, of orange (“the wig helps”) and be willing to them to store the heavy sign at the coliseum being put on warning at the Southland stand and “scream your lungs out” throughout and will allow them to move it to Bowers Conference tournament before the game even the entire game. Stadium for football season. began and being attacked by Lumberjacks at “If you’re not hoarse by the end of the During senior night, instead of painting the game in Nacogdoches. game, you’re doing something wrong,” the usual “K-A-T-S-!” on their chests, they “They weren’t impressed with it (their Bridges said. “We had to take cough drops created “jerseys” with the paint, complete display at the SFA game),” Bridges said. to most of the basketball games because our with senior numbers and the stripe down “They stole my wig and two other guys’ throats were killing us by the end.” their sides, a feat that took more than an wigs. They were throwing stuff at us the Additionally, as representatives of the hour and a half, according to Whitaker. entire game. We really didn’t care; we just university who sometimes appear on TV, you “It worked out really well,” he said. tried to stay alive.” must remain “family-friendly” in your cheers “After the game, we have a picture where we Now that they are growing in notoriety, and jeers. stood beside our players, and the players wore name recognition and size, they will take “We do stress to keep it clean,” Whitaker our wigs. It was a really neat picture.” their antics to the football games this fall. said. “If you have to curse, your taunt fails for They have even worked with Sammy Pre-game, they will tailgate under a lack of creativity.” on several skits, including one in which pavilion they have bought and spread the “We want people to have fun at games, they “steal” the Piney Woods trophy. While “kraziness” by “painting up” any Bearkat fan win or lose,” Bridges said. “We want you filming, they were caught with the trophy who wants to join them. to have fun there, and hopefully we’re by a Lowman Student Center staff member Being a Krazy doesn’t come without contributing to the game-day environment.” O before Sammy “saved the day.” rules, though.
F all 2 0 0 8 13 UNIVERSITY Focus
Sam Houston State University received exciting news in May when administrators learned that the university’s board of regents had approved construction of a new multi-purpose Performing Arts Center. For the latest news about Sam Houston State University, log on to www.shsu.edu/today@sam.
Balasundram Maniam, Barry Friedman, Vic Sower and Jim F. Gaertner, President
Maniam, Friedman, Sower Are 2008 Faculty Excellence Award Winners
Two business professors and a physicist the National Science Foundation and the have been honored for their teaching, service Texas High Education Coordinating Board’s and research skills as the 2008 Faculty Advanced Research Program. Excellence Award winners. Management professor Vic Sower has General business and finance professor become the second SHSU professor to win Balasundram Maniam is the recipient of the all three “excellence” awards after earning Excellence in Teaching Award. He received this year’s Excellence in Service award. He the Excellence in Research award in 2003. previously won the Excellence in Teaching Physics professor Barry Friedman is the award in 1996 and the Excellence in Excellence in Research award winner. In the Research award in 2001. past 10 years, he has received almost a half Each of the recipients was awarded a million dollars in grants, including five from $5,000 prize. O
14 SHSU Heritage Magazine Provost Wins Report Confirms Pacesetter Award Textbook Cost David E. Payne, provost and vice Concerns president for academic affairs, has been selected as the recipient of the 2008 A report by the SHSU Office of the Pacesetter Award from the National Vice President for Student Services and Academic Advising Association (NACADA). the Student Government Association The award is presented to one confirms what students have been saying administrator annually who exemplifies a for years — textbook price increases across commitment to academic advising and who the nation have far outpaced standard has proven to be a true advocate for students inflationary increases, resulting in a rising and advisers. O and unrelenting financial burden on college students and their families. The report was compiled at the request of The Texas State University System to address students concerns. The findings are Harman To Direct based on a survey of students and faculty from component universities in the system, New Center including Angelo State (now part of the Texas Tech System), Lamar University, Marsha J. Harman, professor of Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State psychology, has been named the director of College-Port Arthur, Lamar State College- the new Professional and Academic Center Orange, Texas State University-San Marcos, for Excellence at SHSU. and SHSU. The center, open to faculty, staff and “From our research, we determined students, is designed to help improve that there is no one decisive solution for the teaching at the university, offer problem,” said Frank Parker, vice president for opportunities to improve skills and job student services. “However, we are encouraged satisfaction, and offer seminars to that several solutions are available to help encourage professional development. reduce the cost of textbooks, and through The center is scheduled to open at the the report we’ve offered recommendations beginning of the fall 2008 semester. O for action.” O
F all 2 0 0 8 15 Astros Teammates Include SHSU Researchers
The Houston Astros are “playing green” this year, and SHSU’s biodiesel research program is in the starting lineup. The ‘Stro’s launched their Play Green ™ campaign on April 22, which includes several environmental initiatives for the team and Minute Maid Park. At that game, SHSU students participated in displays relating to their research. SHSU is providing biodiesel fuel to the Astros ground crew this season to use in two TORO mowers and a John Deere tractor. The Astros will also be working with SHSU to gather scientific data related to engine performance as they make the switch from diesel to biodiesel fuel. Doug Kingman, assistant professor of agricultural sciences, is director of the biodiesel research project. O
Study Links Obesity With Poor Grades
Two new statistical studies by SHSU teacher-assigned grading and conduct, but educational leadership and counseling state-administered testing as well. researchers have found a new risk that could While studies in this area have been potentially be correlated with childhood conducted nationally that produced similar obesity: poor grades. findings related to academic achievement, The studies, conducted by professor Slate said he didn’t “know of any study that’s John R. Slate, doctoral student David Clark looked at teacher-assigned grades or state- and Slate’s wife, Gina Viglietti, found that mandated assessments like we did and to find across racial lines, students whose body mass that consistent gap between the obese kids indexes place them into the obese category and non-obese kids.” O are more likely to do poorly in not only
16 SHSU Heritage Magazine UNIVERSITY Focus
Brady Announces Crime Lab Project
U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) has announced that more than $1.5 million has been approved for a Sam Houston State University Regional Crime Lab which will serve communities in a 75-mile wide area. This grant allows SHSU to build a Rural Crime Laboratory that will provide local law enforcement such services as identification of controlled substances, toxicology screening and fingerprint matching. The funding allows SHSU — one of the nation’s foremost criminal justice universities — to build a regional crime lab and utilize its expertise in forensic science while partnering with Walker County to build a Rural Crime Laboratory that will provide vital services to local law enforcement. O
Book Could Improve Hospital Quality
Sam Houston State University doesn’t operations or internal process performance have a medical school, but three of its against best-in-class organizations within or management and marketing professors can even outside its industry. tell you a lot about how to run a hospital. The book is called Benchmarking Vic Sower, Jo Ann Duffy and Gerald for Hospitals: Achieving Best-in-Class Kohers found out that, for various reasons, Performance Without Having to Reinvent the patient satisfaction with hospitals is falling. Wheel. It’s available from the American So they wrote a book to help solve some of Society for Quality’s Quality Press online their problems through use of a management at http://www.asq.org/quality-press. O concept called “benchmarking.” Benchmarking is a process in which an organization measures its strategies,
F all 2 0 0 8 17 Statue Honors Former SHSU First Lady
Inside the College of Education at Sam Houston State University students work at learning how to be great classroom teachers. Just outside the building is a new tribute to most students’ favorite school period — recess — and to a former SHSU first lady. On April 1 the Sam Houston State University College of Education dedicated a statue of a boy pushing a girl on a swing in memory of Frances Handley Bowers. Her daughter, Linda Bowers Rushing, and her son-in-law, Charles, donated the statue. Frances Handley Bowers was a Huntsville resident for more than 50 years. She came to Sam Houston State Teachers College as a drum major for the Bearkat Marching Band and earned her bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees from the university. She also taught, mainly the fifth grade, within the Huntsville school district for 25 years and was active in the Huntsville President Jim Gaertner, Linda Rushing, Charles Rushing, College of Education Dean Genevieve Brown community through civic organizations after she retired from teaching. She served as the university’s “first lady” during the administration of Elliott T. Bowers from 1970 – 1989. O
Retired Faculty Member Gives Big
Although Professor Emeritus Paul Helen Cochran Gilliland Human Resource Reed is a graduate and fan of the University Management Endowment Fund in 1999. of Notre Dame, he has come to love the Over the years, the Reeds have made university where he taught management in donations totaling almost $100,000 to the College of Business Administration for the scholarship funds and such areas as the 23 years before retiring in 2006. volleyball program, the honors program, and He recently donated $42,000 to SHSU the Smith-Hutson Business Building addition. to establish the Emily J. and Paul R. Reed “I’ve been blessed to have worked here Human Resource Management Endowment. with such wonderful faculty, students and This gift is in addition to the one he and administrators,” Reed said. “I’m so happy to his wife, Jan, donated to establish the be able to give something back.” O
18 SHSU Heritage Magazine UNIVERSITY Focus
Students Chronicle Katrina In Book
Students in English professor Paul Ruffin’s English 533 class this fall will Ruffin’s editing and publishing class have produce a book on the impact of Katrina written and edited a book on the costliest on churches along the Mississippi Coast, hurricane ever to strike the United States and complete with before-and-after photographs, one of the most deadly in terms of human life. the history of the restoration of the churches, That Rough Beast, Its Hour Come Round and interviews with ministers and members at Last follows Hurricane Katrina from its of the congregations. beginning as a tropical wave in the Atlantic Copies of That Rough Beast, Its Hour through its eventual dissipation off the coast Come Round at Last may be purchased from the of eastern Canada. Texas Review Office, 152 Evans Building on Though a number of books have been campus, by phoning 936.294.1992, or through written about Katrina, this book shows the Texas A&M Consortium, at 800.826.8911. never-before-published pictures of the It is also available online at amazon.com. O damage of the storm and presents interviews with victims who survived Katrina but lost nearly everything they owned.
Student Personal Financial Education Center To Open
With the average college student Vienne, center director. “Students come in graduating college with $36,000 in student their freshman year, rack up credit card debt, loans and $4,500 in credit card debt, SHSU max out their loans, and if they get in over has taken action to ensure that its students their heads, a lot of times they have to quit have a firm understanding of personal finances. school to go back to work. Opening this fall, the Student Personal “There was a genuine concern on my Financial Education Center will provide part that we needed to do something about information on a broad range of money this,” she said. “It’s an epidemic that’s not matters — including budgeting, retirement going away.” planning, identity theft and avoiding The center was approved in November credit card debt — through seminars guest 2007, when the Texas State University lecturers, interactive workshops, one-on-one System Board of Regents allowed SHSU to confidential counseling, and other activities. create a separate $12 per semester fee that “There’s a direct link between the will fund both the Bearkat OneCard services ability of students to stay in school and and the center. O graduate and their finances,” said Kristy
F all 2 0 0 8 19 ‘Let’s Talk!’ Raises $55,600 For Honors Program
More than 23 interesting and accomplished persons served as discussion leaders at tables of 10. Marcus Luttrell, former Navy SEAL and former SHSU student who wrote a New York Times best seller — Lone Survivor — about his daring rescue in Afghanistan, received a standing ovation when he was introduced. Other topics included forensic science, the economy, challenges in higher education, Saddam Hussein’s regime, as well as art, music, sports and more. In addition to the $100 per person ticket price, sponsorships were sold at levels of $25,000, $5,000, and $2,500. The Sam Houston Foundation was the sole platinum Ron Koska and Marcus Luttrell ($25,000) sponsor. Silver ($5,000) sponsors included Robert More than 230 alumni, friends and the same location. and Erin Steele, Bennie and Martee Rush and community members raised $55,600 in “’Let’s Talk!’ is designed to help revive Jack and Kathleen Staggs. scholarships at the first “Let’s Talk!” dinner the vanishing art of conversation,” said Bronze ($2,500) sponsors included the March 27, and everyone had so much fun Nancy Gaertner, who chaired the event. John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial that an encore date has already been set for “We hope it will become one of the most Foundation, Inc., Huntsville Memorial next year. anticipated fundraisers in Huntsville.” Hospital, Ron and Donna Koska, Jack The event held in the Lowman Student During the first “Let’s Talk!” there was Heard, Jr. and Mac Woodward, Howard Center Ballroom benefited the Elliott T. a cocktail hour followed by a seated dinner and Diane Payne, Texas State University Bowers Honors Program. Next year’s “Let’s and lots of lively conversation, followed by System regent Trisha S. Pollard, and Dan Talk!” will take place March 26, 2009, in dessert and coffee. and Eloise Leonard. O
Faculty, Staff Giving Sets New Record
Although the Faculty / Staff Annual the President’s Office, the College of Fund Campaign continues through the end Education, and University Advancement. of the year, through the active phase, which The unit with the highest participation ended Nov. l6, a total of 1,186 donors increase, more than doubling their gave or pledged $157,000. Last year 900 participation from 99 donors last year donors employees contributed $146,000 through to 212 this year, was Finance and Operations. the same period. The College of Business Administration was Units with 100 percent participation recognized as the division with the most included Academic Affairs, Student Services, dollars raised — $34,905. O
20 SHSU Heritage Magazine UNIVERSITY Focus
Regents Approve $38.5 Million Performing Arts Center
A new $38.5 million Performing Gaertner called the project “one of the nationally-recognized programs in our fine Arts Center, described by Sam Houston biggest things that has occurred on our arts departments at SHSU. This new facility State University president Jim Gaertner as campus since I’ve been here.” He believes will allow us to showcase these top quality “transformational for our university,” has the students who perform will appreciate the programs and provide a fitting venue to been approved by the university’s regents. facility as well as those who attend events, market and share our faculty and students’ Construction could begin as early as and that it will become a cultural center for talents with the campus and community.” September 2008, pending approval of the residents of Walker and surrounding counties. “The building will tie the Music Texas Higher Education Coordinating “We have absolutely world-class Building to the University Theatre Center Board and the Texas Bond Review Board. performing arts programs here but our and brings dance into the mix,” said James Completion is estimated in the fall of 2010. venues are simply unacceptable,” Gaertner Bankhead, who chairs the Department The new building will be constructed said. “We’ve reached a stage where we of Music. “It will be a major step toward on the parking lots just north of the Music deserve to have a venue that will be a forging a School of the Arts. It will be great Building and University Theatre Center, tremendous asset for our campus, the place for social gatherings and events.” uniting the three into a Fine Arts Complex. community and the area.” Bankhead said the center “will put us in Features of the 91,976 square foot The primary users of the facility a league with the best schools in the state. facility include a recital hall of approximately are components of the College of Arts “It will be a place of learning, building, 150 seats, a concert hall of approximately and Sciences. developing talent and sharing ourselves and 800 seats, a centerpiece outdoor performance “The performing arts are an integral our art with everyone,” he said. O area, practice rooms for dance and music, part of every university community,” said rehearsal rooms for theater, costume storage, Jaimie Hebert, dean of the College of Arts and offices. and Sciences. “We are fortunate to have
An architectural rendering of the new Performing Arts Center.
F all 2 0 0 8 21 BOMAR READY FOR SEASON TO START By Jason Barfield
off a five-game winning streak to finish out An hour before the Annual the year. In the season finale, Hicks engineered a Orange / White game this past fourth quarter comeback against Texas State-San spring, the first Bearkat football Marcos to lead the Kats to a 29-28 victory that player comes walking down the was televised by Fox Sports Net Southwest. “I had to sit there and watch the only ramp toward the field at Bowers TV game we get all year, and it was tough Stadium. Dressed in a T-shirt not playing in it,” Bomar said. “It has been a rough couple of years for me. After playing a and shorts, he starts going full year and then sitting a full year I was glad through some agility drills. to be playing again. And then to get hurt and have to miss the last two and a half games was tough. The game I got hurt in, I felt like I It was similar to what you would see any “I had some soreness in my knee for was playing one of my best games. We were football player doing before playing a game. two years that I thought was just tendinitis, moving the ball, and I felt very comfortable.” The only difference was he wasn’t playing but it turned out I had a tear in my patella At the same time, Bomar was beginning that day. It was just another typical morning tendon and they fixed that as well,” he said. to cement himself as the leader of the in the rehabilitation process. The middle of May marked a big point Bearkat team. He spent his first season It had been five and a half months since in Bomar’s rehab process. Just as he was watching SHSU compile a 6 – 5 record, Sam Houston State quarterback Rhett Bomar getting ready to finish finals he also hit the waiting for the chance to take over the tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left six-month mark from his surgery. team. He started taking snaps as the No. knee against Nicholls State on Nov. 3 of “They say the rehab time for an injury 1 quarterback the following spring, and last season. Ever since that day, Bomar has like this is 6 – 9 months, so I am right at immediately the team started to take note been traveling a path he never envisioned he that point,” he said. “If I really wanted to of his leadership abilities and his work ethic. would be on. push it, I could have been ready to play right Bomar said that was the point where he “I have been around guys who have had now. But as it is, I will be ready to go when started to feel like it was becoming his team. this, but never paid attention to the rehab camp starts. “Coming into a new place it takes time they were going through because you never “It has not been a fun process. I to establish yourself as a leader, especially think it will happen to you,” Bomar said, wouldn’t wish this on anybody. It is a not playing the first year,” he said. “But last “This is the first major injury I’ve ever had.” grueling process, and I have been doing it for spring I think I took a big step toward that A few weeks later he was on the four to five days a week for six months now.” role. But you have to do it on the field and operating table when another surprise came Bomar said the time after the surgery earn the guys’ respect in a game.” his way. It turned out the ACL injury wasn’t was one of the toughest for him. The football Bomar took it to the next level in the the only thing wrong with Bomar’s knee. team was peaking right at the end of the third game of the season last year. The Kats Doctors found a tear in the patella tendon season, but instead of being on the field, he traveled to North Dakota State to take on the as well. had to watch as senior Brett Hicks capped No. 4-ranked Bison. In that game, he passed
22 SHSU Heritage Magazine EYE ON THE ’Kats
“He just had a phenomenal game,” the Bomar knows the last hurdle he will coach said. “He really took that game over have to clear will be the mental aspect of BOMAR READY FOR SEASON TO START with a dominating performance. I think the recovering from the injury. team saw something in him they had never “I am looking forward to that first hit,” seen before.” the senior said. “You worry about what is What they saw, and what more than going to happen if you cut this way or get hit. 18,000 fans in the Fargodome saw, was They say after you get that first hit you are one of the best performances ever by a OK, and you don’t worry about it anymore.” “Especially after getting Sam Houston State quarterback. It was It has been four years since the Bearkats the fourth-best single game for a Bearkat made the playoffs and a run to the I-AA hurt last year, I am quarterback in school history. He passed for semifinals. Bomar thinks this team has the 358 yards and four touchdowns and ran for ability to be just as good if everything looking forward to getting another 103 yards. He put up 461 yards of comes together. total offense and in the process became the “I think we have a chance to have a out there and playing first SHSU quarterback to pass for 300 yards good season,” he said. “Especially after again. I want go out and run for 100 in the same game. getting hurt last year, I am looking forward He finished the year with 2,209 yards, to getting out there and playing again. I there from the first game the fifth-best single season mark in school want go out there from the first game on and history, and 406 yards rushing. He also come out firing and never slow down.” on and come out firing accounted for 17 touchdowns, including The Bearkats will open the season 10 through the air. at home on Aug. 28 against East Central and never slow down.” The big question he faces now, as he Oklahoma and then welcome Prairie View — Rhett Bomar begins to prepare for his senior year, is will A&M to Bowers Stadium on Sept. 13 for he be the same type of quarterback he has Parent/Family Weekend. O always been. One of the things that made for 358 yards and ran for another 103. Bomar the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the He led a fourth-quarter rally scoring two nation coming out of Grand Prairie High touchdowns in the final minutes including School was his versatility. Bomar poses a one with 26 seconds left to take the lead. dual threat in the backfield, which makes North Dakota State came back to score him very tough to defend. with seven ticks left on the clock for a 41-38 Despite the knee surgery, he doesn’t see victory. Despite the loss, Bomar said the that changing. game against the Bison was a big one for “Everyone asks if I am going to be able him and the team. to run,” he said. “I don’t think anything is “We didn’t do much the first two games,” going to change. I am sprinting now, and it he said about the Kats’ two opening wins is feeling fine. You see guys come back all against Angelo State and Arkansas Monticello. the time from surgeries like this.” “We kind of held things back and didn’t show Whitten doesn’t think Rhett would much until then. That was the most fun I had, have it any other way. because we opened it up offensively. It gave “I don’t think he could be a pocket me a chance to show off my abilities against a passer,” Whitten said. “That is not his good opponent, and I think that was one of the personality. He is a great athlete, and his best games I ever played.” work ethic is so good that he will force Bearkat head football coach Todd himself to get back to the form he was Whitten agreed. before the injury.” Rhett Bomar and Ryan Hinojoza
F all 2 0 0 8 23 Bearkats Win Conference Tournament … Again!
Senior baseball players hoist the conference championship trophy at the Southland Tournament.
For the second year in a row and the batting average of .335 and 457 RBIs. Other and a member of the NCAA Regional fifth time in school history, Sam Houston team school records established this season All-Tournament team, hit .357 in 2008. As State earned an NCAA Division I baseball include most hits (740), doubles (144), the Kats’ leadoff hitter, the senior outfielder playoff berth in 2008. triples (25), and most at bats (2,212). started the season with a 20-game hitting The Bearkats swept unbeaten through Six Bearkats earned All-Southland streak and had an 18-hitting streak end in the Southland Conference post-season Conference honors. Third baseman Seth the semifinals of the SLC tournament. tournament held at Don Sanders Stadium Hammock, outfielder Keith Stein, and With the loss of NCAA Division in Huntsville. Sam Houston defeated No. 2 designated hitter Bobby Verbick were first I “Closer of the Year” Luke Prihoda to seed Lamar 15 – 7 in the finals. team selections. Outfielder Todd Sebek was graduation and All-Southland Conference In the NCAA Regional in Houston, the second team All-SLC, and infielder Jamie Jacob Howard to an early season injury, Sam Kats battled No. 1 seed Rice to the last out, Rohlmeier and pitcher Dallas Gallant were Houston had to rely on a young pitching falling 3 – 2. Sam Houston fell to the No. 2 honorable mention selections. staff in 2008. seeded Texas Longhorns in the second round. Hammock (.380) was the Bearkat’s Dallas, Gallant, an NCAA Division I The NCAA Regional appearance capped leading hitter. The junior has 12 home runs Freshman All-America honoree, emerged another outstanding season for coach Mark and 56 RBIs to his credit. as a leader on the mound. Gallant was Johnson’s baseball team. In his two years, Verbick (.343) was named Southland 9 – 4 for the year, going 7 – 1 in Southland Johnson has directed Sam Houston to 40 Conference post-season tournament Most Conference regular season action. The Trinity wins in 2007 and 37 victories in 2008. Valuable Player. The senior led Sam Houston product picked up two victories in the Those 77 victories represent the most wins with 14 home runs. Southland tournament and threw a complete by a Bearkat team in consecutive seasons Stein ended his two years as a Bearkat game against the Rice Owls in NCAA play. since SHSU won 45 and 44 games in 1986 with a .379 career batting average, the Verbick, Hammock, shortstop Ryan and 1987. highest in school history. Stein hit .355 for Weber, Stein, and Gallant all were named to Sam Houston rolled up its 37 – 25 the 2008 season with 24 doubles, six triples, the 2008 Southland Conference post-season won-loss mark in 2008 in record setting 10 home runs, and 58 RBIs. all-tournament team. O fashion. The Bearkats set both school and Sebek, a third team All-America Southland Conference records with a team selection by Collegiate Baseball Magazine
24 SHSU Heritage Magazine EYE ON THE ’Kats
SHSU Stays ‘On Track’ With Winning Record
Chris Cralle Tiffany Singleton
For the third time in the past four fifth in the same event to whittle the lead Allison Ferries (3,000-meter steeplechase) years, Sam Houston State won the Southland to 12 points. and Kendall Bass (shot put). Conference Women’s Outdoor Track and Meek won the NCAA regional high Fourteen Bearkat women earned All- Field championships at the York Track jump championship on May 31 to earn a berth Southland Conference honors by placing Events Center at Bowers Stadium May in the NCAA National Meet. At nationals, in the top three of their individual events. 9 – 11. Sam Houston finished with 175.5 she finished 16th. Lee, Fisher, and Meek led the team will points, well ahead of Texas State-San Marcos Fisher and Offord put the Bearkats All-SLC honors in three events. (148.5) and Stephen F. Austin State (124.83). ahead to stay with third and fifth place Sam Houston’s men placed fourth in The Bobcats led Sam Houston 112.5 finishes, respectively, in the 100-meter dash. the team competition. Lane Dennis, Darryl points to 76.5 heading into the running Singleton later teamed with Brittany Henson, Hayes, George Whitney, and Michael finals. But the speedy Kats soon caught and Monika May and Desiree Taylor to put the Courtney won the 440-relay and Courtney passed the field. exclamation point on the team title with a also won the 400-meter dash. First, Tiana Lee, Jessica Fisher, Dess gold-medal performance in the 4 X 400-relay Chris Cralle won the hammer with a Meek and Regina Offord won the 4x100 to close the meet. It was SHSU’s fifth SLC Southland Conference record throw of 200 relay. Then Lee, Jordan Heggie, and women’s track and field title (2005, 2006, and feet, two inches. Cralle placed 14th in the Tywanisha Spiller finished third, fifth, 2007 outdoor and 2007 and 2008 indoor). hammer, and Dennis 24th in the and sixth, respectively, in the 100-meter The Bearkat men and women turned in 400 meter hurdles in the NCAA hurdles. Tiffany Singleton won the 17 NCAA regional qualifying times. Event National Meet. O 400-meter dash and Desiree Taylor placed winners included Lee (400-meter hurdles),
F all 2 0 0 8 25 Mafrige’s Latest Gift Honors Sculptor, Soldier
Ron Mafrige and Jim Gaertner, President
By Frank Krystyniak His latest gift to the university Throughout his life Ron Mafrige has had many interests. He has been represents only a small part of the more than $2 million he has given in the past an athlete, a U.S. Army officer and a business student, graduate and 14 years — $40,000 for a statue of Gen. business owner. He has been successful personally and now is sharing Sam Houston — but it was done in typical Mafrige style. He didn’t just go out and buy that success with Sam Houston State University in an unprecedented any old statue that the university could put way with contributions that mirror those diverse interests. his name on. The Sam Houston statue is a 20-foot replica of the 67-foot “Tribute to Courage” that SHSU alum and renowned large media sculptor David Adickes presented to the city of Huntsville 15 years ago, and which stands on Interstate 45 on the southern edge of the city. Mafrige said he was making the gift to honor Adickes and M. B. Etheredge of Huntsville, a former SHSU athlete and our
26 SHSU Heritage Magazine BUILDING THE Vision
country’s highest decorated surviving soldier I don’t know how anyone can measure One of his favorite charities has been the of World War II. contributions to mankind, but I wanted to Recycled Baseball Items (RBI) foundation Calling attention to others through his give back, and the people that I have honored of Houston, which in January presented gifts to Sam Houston State is a theme of are all people who have given back.” him their Nash Community Leader Award. Mafrige philanthropy. One of Mafrige’s greatest gifts has Jim Gaertner, SHSU president, introduced In 1994 he endowed a scholarship in the been his service as national chair for the Mafrige at that award ceremony. College of Business Administration in the university’s first-ever capital campaign, “Ron is truly a ‘hero’ at our university,” name of Glenn Adams, one of his classmates which has raised more than 80 percent of said Gaertner. “He was there before anyone who also served as president of his company. its $50 million goal only two years into a else, and continues to make things possible at Mafrige earned his business degree in 1960. five-year campaign. Sam Houston State that otherwise we could Although Mafrige enrolled at Texas When he agreed to chair the campaign, not have done. He has made a tremendous A&M to play football before transferring to Mafrige also revealed a bit more of why he difference with his life.” O Sam Houston State, his next donation was has been so generous to Sam Houston State. a tribute to the many baseball athletes he “I love this university,” he told those has admired. It was a collection of baseball attending the campaign kick-off dinner. memorabilia that includes items from some “The measure of an individual is largely what of the greatest names in the history of the is left behind for your fellow man. I can’t sport — Mickey Mantle, Rogers Hornsby, Joe think of a better way to do that than to help DiMaggio, Bob Feller and Hank Aaron. young people get an education.” That exhibit is encased just outside the In addition to his monetary support, Ron and Linda Mafrige Auditorium in the Mafrige serves on the COBA Advisory College of Business Administration. Council, the President’s Circle, and the Sam Other donations indicate Mafrige’s Houston Memorial Museum board. He is broad interests — historical items relating a member of Delta Tau Delta and a Life to Gen. Sam Houston and Santa Anna, a Endowed member of the Alumni Association. priceless “Gone With the Wind” collection In appreciation, SHSU has presented now in the Theatre Center, and a boxing Mafrige with the Alumni Service Award, glove signed by both Muhammad Ali and the Distinguished Alumni Award, and Joe Frazier. selection as one of the College of Business Other individuals who have been Administration’s first inductees into its hall recognized by his contributions include of honor. long-time and now-retired football coach Sam Houston State is not the only Ron Randleman, business dean R. Dean beneficiary of Mafrige’s generosity. He has Lewis, long-time business vice president Jack served on almost 30 charity boards, most Parker and a number of former professors. in the Houston area. Other organizations The Athletics Complex strength and fitness receiving his time and monetary support center is named in honor of Randleman and have included the Houston Livestock Show the field house for Mafrige. and Rodeo, San Marcos Baptist Academy, the So why has Mafrige deflected attention Make-A-Wish foundation, M. D. Anderson, away from himself and toward others in the George Bush Presidential Library, many of his gifts? This is his explanation. Chapelwood United Methodist Church, “Quite honestly, I think people don’t Delta Tau Delta fraternity, the Mystic Shrine ‘get it’ if they think that life is just for Temple of Houston and the U.S. Army them,” Mafrige said. “You must give back. Retired Reserves.
F all 2 0 0 8 27 Lettermen Support SHSU Long After Playing Days End
Over the years Sam Houston State athletes have given a lot on the fields and courts and they continue to give even after leaving the campus.
The Sam Houston State Lettermen back every year for the fun, fellowship and Association got its start in the 1920s, competition,” said Jack Kyle, who has served in making it the oldest Sam Houston State a number of Lettermen Association offices. alumni group. While they have always been “This financial support would not have supportive in spirit, in 1992 they began been possible had it not been for the folks making monetary contributions as well. that participated over the years,” said Kyle. In that year the Lettermen Association “We would encourage other organizations made its first cash contribution of just under and individuals to look for ways to support $1,800, designated for use by the university’s the university.” athletics programs. The Lettermen have also been supportive The association has announced that in other ways, establishing a Hall of Honor this year their contribution will be at least program in 1971. This past year they joined $10,000, which will bring their total given in the Sam Houston SH Association to induct the past 16 years to almost $105,000. both women and men for the first time. “These funds have come from an annual The 2008 SH Association Hall of Honor golf tournament and the support of a group of induction ceremony has been scheduled for donors, contributors and players that have come Dec. 6. O
Samuel Houston Society Dinner Set
The Fourth Annual Samuel Houston university a part of their philanthropic Society dinner will take place on Friday, service. This year, those who have donated Nov. 14. $2,500 or more in the fiscal year beginning The event will begin with a 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007, are invited to join. reception, followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact the The Samuel Houston Society was development office at Sam Houston State organized in 2003 to honor the individuals University at 936.294.3625. O and organizations that have made the
28 SHSU Heritage Magazine BUILDING THE Vision
Game … Set … Match! By Jennifer Gauntt Matching Gifts Provide Great Way To Maximize Donations
When alumna Megan Burnham was selected as one of the first six women to ever be inducted into Sam Houston State University’s Hall of Honor last year as a two-time Lone Star Conference tennis champion, she and her father Robert Burnham became motivated to contribute to the university. The result was the establishment of the Megan Burnham Women’s Tennis Endowment Fund, which will support the The Burnham Family — Clay, Neal, Megan, Lyssa and Doug team “in any way it can.” “As we drove through the university, it brought back great memories of playing Thousands of companies of all sizes and Additionally, companies will match tennis and achieving a bachelor’s, a master’s across the country participate in program, donations made by spouses, retirees or, in some and an administrative certification in Truax said. cases, those who serve on the board of directors. education,” she said. “I attended school on Some of these companies include “Corporate matching gifts are a great a full scholarship, and I wanted to be sure ExxonMobil, State Farm Insurance, Shell Oil, way for Sam Houston alumni and friends that opportunity was available for others.” Dow, Chevron Texaco, Chase — JP Morgan to maximize personal contributions to When making the contribution, the Chase, Baker Hughes, Anadarko, Hewitt the university and increase the impact of Burnhams utilized SHSU’s matching Associates, Wells Fargo, Halliburton, AT&T, their gift, as was the case with the Megan gifts program. Entergy, Blue Bell, Coca Cola, General Electric, Burnham Women’s Tennis Endowment Through the program, companies Bank of America and Allstate Insurance. Fund,” Burnham said. affiliated with those who give add to the In the Burnhams’ case, Highland Resources, “Corporations usually have a matching gift donation and double, triple or even quadruple the George R. Brown Partnership and the Brown benefit established. All one has to do is find out the gift, according to Cindy Truax, director Foundations made matching contributions. what the amount is and submit the amount of annual giving. These companies will match gifts of all you donated to your company and they will The matching gifts program is an easy sizes, from $25 to $25,000. match it,” she said. “The program is already way to get more mileage out of any donation, “If someone gives a $100 gift, matching set up; all you have to do is utilize it, and the whether it is giving an annual donation, one-to-one, that becomes $200,” Truax said. university is the winner.” establishing an endowment or scholarship, or “If someone gives a $250 gift and they work Participants can search for their pledging to the Capital Campaign, Truax said. for ExxonMobil (a three-to-one company), company to find out if it participates in Participants simply fill out a matching that’s a $1000 gift. the matching gift program by visiting gift form, usually available through their “It’s an easy way to increase your gift www.shsu.edu/~ua_www/annualfund.html. O human resources department or the company’s amount, and you receive recognition for the Web site, and send the form in with the gift. full amount,” she said.
F all 2 0 0 8 29 ALUMNI Look
2008 Alumni Association Service Awards
Tommy Davis, Lois Kolkhorst, George Miles, Mike O’Day, Billy Ringo and Greg Smith were honored at a luncheon on April 18 in the Lowman Student Center Ballroom in recognition of their outstanding service to Sam Houston State University and beyond.
Thomas F. Davis For longtime professor at SHSU Star and Southland conferences and the Thomas Davis, whose relationship with the NCAA and was president of the Southland university started on the football field, “it Conference. He also served on numerous would probably be easier to answer ‘what university committees. he hasn’t done for Sam Houston State Davis is well known for love for and University’ rather than ‘what he has done,’” support of Bearkat athletics. For most of his his nomination form said. time on the faculty at Sam Houston, he has The former All-Texas and All-America operated the clock for football and basketball Bearkat football player earned his bachelor’s home games. and master’s degrees in math from SHSU and He also has been and continues to be his doctorate from the University of Texas. active in the Kat Pack, Bearkat Partners and Davis’ contribution to SHSU during Lettermen’s Association. his 47 years on the mathematics and In 1996, Davis was honored with the statistics department’s faculty is wide spread, SHSU Distinguished Alumni award. including service with the faculty senate He and his wife, Patty Sue, have and the faculty athletic committee. He was two daughters. O faculty representative to the Lone Star, Gulf
30 SHSU Heritage Magazine Lois W. Kolkhorst One of Texas’ “Top Ten Best reform, education funding, agriculture Legislators,” Lois Kolkhorst has been policies, consumer rights issues, economic described as a “protector” of SHSU. development and domestic violence. A member of the Texas House of In 2007, she authored and pushed Representatives since her election in 2000, through the House and Senate HB1418, Kolkhorst serves House District 13, which which ensures that the Texas State University includes more than 140,000 people in Austin, System board of regents can never change the Grimes, Walker and Washington counties. name of Sam Houston State University. The Brenham native earned her bachelor’s Her accolades include being named one degree in advertising and public relations from of Texas Monthly’s 2007 “Top Ten Best Texas Christian University in 1988. Legislators.” She is a two-time recipient of She has authored and sponsored a the “Fighter for Free Enterprise” award and long list of bills that tackle issues as varied the “Freedom and Family Award.” as private toll roads and the Trans-Texas She and husband, Jim, have two Corridor, criminal justice and prison children, Lois Kate and Jake. O
George D. Miles A “friend” of Sam Houston State, whose Memorial Museum,” for which he helped “leadership is unsurpassed in service,” Miles develop new interest and created programs earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism for the entire family. from SHSU in 1961 and his master’s from A 27-year resident of Huntsville, Southern Methodist University’s Graduate he is active in his community, including Banking School. managing “funds for medical expenses for a Miles served as a member of the SHSU local family in dire need,” according to his alumni association board of directors, including nomination form. time spent as president and past president; on “He has many associates but only a few the university’s executive leadership council; as peers in leading, organizing and motivating a member of university president Jim Gaertner’s large groups to solve problems,” the form said. President’s Circle; and on the board of the He and his wife, Beth, have three sons Raven Nest Golf Course. and two granddaughters. O In 2006, he created and was named president of the “Friends of the Sam Houston
F all 2 0 0 8 31 Michael P. O’Day One of a long line of Bearkats, State of leadership skills,” his nomination form said. Rep. Michael Patrick O’Day, a 1972 SHSU “He is a community and state servant and is graduate, serves District 29 as well as the admired by his friends and constituents.” university, in a variety of ways. During the 80th legislative session, A member of the Texas House of O’Day worked on improving border security, Representatives since 2007, representing lowering the Margin Tax, keeping religion in Matagorda and parts of Brazoria County, schools and insuring pay increases for teachers O’Day co-authored HB1418, preserving the and retired teachers. name of SHSU. “Mike is one of the most generous He has served as a commencement speaker individuals,” his form said. “He is always the and a member of the SHSU Alumni Board, the first to give his time and funds to those who Bearkat Boosters and Sigma Chi fraternity. are ‘down on their luck.’” He is also one of 12 members of his family O’Day and his wife, Connie, reside in to have attended SHSU. Pearland, along with their three children and “Mike O’Day is an honest, hardworking, three grandchildren O. loyal, driven individual with an overabundance
Billy F. Ringo Though he may not be a Bearkat on the Huntsville chapter of “Little Dribblers” “The measure of a Life paper, Billy Frank Ringo is a “110 percent basketball program in 1979; has coached both Bearkat” in his heart. boys and girls teams in basketball, baseball, is its Service.” A Huntsville High School graduate softball and soccer; and has recruited many and president of Ringo Tire and Service local businesses to become members of the Center in Huntsville, Ringo is an avid Bearkat Club. Bearkat sports fan, following teams to “If all residents of Huntsville supported Lubbock, Austin, Louisiana, Florida, our town and our wonderful university as San Antonio, San Marcos, Arlington Billy and his family do, all of our sporting and Beaumont. events would be at 100 percent capacity,” “(We) have never attended a Bearkat another letter said. sporting event without seeing Billy Ringo His family is also filled with Bearkats: there,” a nomination letter said. “Winning wife Kim graduated in 2000, his daughter season or not, Billy is faithful to all teams Elizabeth graduated in 2007, his son at Sam Houston.” Steven is currently attending SHSU and Not only a Bearkat athletics fan, which daughters Lindsey and Traci are “future he supports and promotes, Ringo started SHSU students.” O
32 SHSU Heritage Magazine ALUMNI Look
W. Greg Smith The owner of three businesses, Greg “Greg Smith is always willing to step Smith shares his “time and talents generously” up to the plate and help Sam Houston and with Sam Houston State University. other organizations raise money,” the form A graduate of North Texas Community said. “He is an extremely humble man and College with an aviation degree, Smith began has chosen to make many of his contributions actively supporting SHSU when his son without any recognition.” joined the Bearkat football team. “His dedicated service-above-self Since then, he has “dedicated his services actions for the university is reflected by the unselfishly to enhance” SHSU through his exemplary drive he provides to the university participation in fundraisers for the theatre and community through his participation,” a department; the baseball, basketball, football nomination letter said. and golf teams; and has served as a member He and his wife, Ruth, live in of the Kat Pack and on the board of directors Montgomery. O for the Bearkat Partners, according to his nomination form.
“The measure of a Life is its Service.” Sam Houston State University motto Join those who Serve. http://alumni.shsu.edu or 800.283.7478
F all 2 0 0 8 33 Recognition Opportunities Available On Alumni Wall Of Honor The naming of all rooms in the John R. Ragsdale Visitor & Alumni Center is complete, thanks to the altruism of several special alumni who have chosen to support Alumni Association programs through this manner.
The Alumni Association is grateful to those alumni for their vision and thoughtfulness. The alumni and the rooms which will be named in their honor include:
Robert & Gay Rod Alumni Board Room Diane & Alan L. Tinsley Entry Plaza R. H. & Kelley Bond Lobby Area Bobby & Karen Gray Director’s Office Eleanor Smith Garrett Assistant Director’s Office Ed McCrory Event Coordinator’s Office Martee Leonard Rush Assistant’s Office Chester D. & Pamela G. Crawford Multipurpose Room Ronny Carroll Concourse
Alumni and friends of the university who would like to be recognized on the Wall of Honor in the Center still have a chance to be included. The listing is limited to 500 names, and honoring opportunities can be purchased for $500 each. All donations will be endowed to create a permanent fund to support Alumni Association activities and initiatives designed to engage alumni with the university. John R. Ragsdale, for whom the Visitor & Alumni Center is named, is the inspiration for the naming campaign. Ragsdale, an SHSU alumnus who owned and operated 23 Burger King restaurants in the Houston area for over 30 years, generously donated $1.25 million to Sam Houston State University last year, most of which was designated to support the work of the Office of Alumni Relations. For additional information about the Alumni Association Endowment Campaign, contact the SHSU Office of Alumni Relations at 936.294.1841. O
34 SHSU Heritage Magazine ALUMNI Look Save The Date The SHSU Alumni Association will host a Texas-size party to commemorate Sam Houston’s birthday on March 3, 2009, at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin. All alumni and friends are invited to the celebration. More details about the event will be available this fall. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend!
TAILGATE SCHEDULE 2008
Come be a part of Bearkat football fun and excitement this fall by participating in Alumni Association tailgate activities prior to each home game.
DATE OPPONENT TAILGATE TIME GAME TIME Thursday, Aug. 28 East Central Oklahoma 4 PM 6 PM
Saturday, Sept. 13 Prairie View A&M 4 PM 6 PM Parent/Family Weekend Saturday, Oct. 18 McNeese State Noon 2 PM Homecoming Saturday, Nov. 1 Stephen F. Austin Noon 2 PM
Saturday, Nov. 15 Southeastern LA 4 PM 6 PM
Saturday, Nov. 22 Texas State University Noon 2 PM — San Marcos
F all 2 0 0 8 35 HOMECOMING CALENDAR 2008
THURSDAY, Homecoming Parade Sam Houston Avenue 6:30 PM Student Activities OCT. 16 936.294.3861
FRIDAY, Distinguished Alumni LSC Ballroom 6 PM Alumni Relations OCT. 17 Gala Reception 936.294.1841
Distinguished Alumni LSC Ballroom 7 PM Alumni Relations Gala Dinner 936.294.1841
SATURDAY, Raven Kids 1-Mile Race Intramural Field 7 AM Recreational Sports OCT. 18 936.294.1966
Raven 5K Race & Health & 7:30 AM Recreational Sports 1 Mile Walk Kinesiology Center 936.294.1966
Alumni Coffee Visitor & 9:30 AM Alumni Relations Alumni Center 936.294.1841
Pre-Game with Austin Hall 11 AM President’s Office the President 936.294.3415
SHSU Bearkat Alley Bowers Stadium Noon Athletics & Student (tailgate party) Activities 936.294.3861
SHSU vs. McNeese Football Bowers Stadium 2 PM Athletics 936.294.1729
SHSU vs. Nicholls State Johnson Coliseum 7 PM Athletics Volleyball 936.294.1729
Regional & Special Interest LSC Ballroom TBA Alumni Relations Alumni Clubs Reception 936.294.1841
36 SHSU Heritage Magazine From Dedicated Athlete To Dedicated Benefactor
hen Joseph L. “Bud” Haney attended Sam of Business Advisory Council. He is in the SHSU Athletic Hall Houston State Teachers College, he was of Honor and in 2005 was named a recipient of the SHSU passionately committed to his alma mater, Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2007 he was inducted into both as a student and as an incredibly the College of Business Hall of Honor. gifted, award-winning centerfielder for Bud and his wife, Joan, have established many significant the Bearkat baseball program. relationships within SHSU. Their benevolence to programs Today, he is still passionately in the College of Business Administration, the Department committed to his alma mater, although he demonstrates his of Athletics, Enrollment Management, Alumni Relations, and loyaltyW in a different manner than he did as a student-athlete. other areas exceeds $1 million, providing support that has Bud received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree been much needed and is highly valued. in accounting in 1963. After an injury ended his hopes of playing Because of the Haneys’ generosity, students coming to in the major leagues, he turned his attention to his business and SHSU are now better able to choose majors which will guide has achieved accomplishments in the professional arena that them to satisfying career paths. Also because of the Haneys are as impressive as the ones he made on the field. and their thoughtfulness, student-athletes have a beautiful His involvement with Sam Houston State University includes room in the baseball and softball complex to use between being a Life Endowed Member of the Alumni Association, a classes to relax or study. member of the President’s Circle and a member of the College
To learn more about ways you can support Sam Houston State University, visit http://www.shsu.edu/~ua_www/giving.html or call 936.294.3625. Sam Houston State University Office of University Advancement Box 2537 Huntsville, Texas 77341-2537