Moats is in his fourth year as Associate Athletics Director for National Marketing at the University of Louisville. He coordinates the Cardinals’ efforts in national awareness, marketing, branding and group ticket sales. He also works closely with Nelligan Sports Marketing, which manages the exclusive marketing rights for Cardinal Athletics. Moats oversees the Louisville band and spirit squads as the liaison with student government and student spirit groups.

Prior to joining the Louisville staff, Moats served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for two years (2004-05) at Marquette University, where oversaw the Golden Eagles’ Blue and Gold Fund, media relations, ticket operation, special events, licensing, radio, television, marketing and promotions and sponsorships with NSM, which has the marketing rights for several Big East Conference schools.

He also worked 14 years in the University of Kentucky athletics department, including his last three there as Associate Athletics Director for Marketing (2000-02).

Moats joined the UK staff as a graduate assistant in the athletics office in 1989, and in 1991 was promoted to Coordinator of Promotions and Special Events. He became the Wildcats’ Director of Marketing, Promotions and Licensing in 1993 before being named Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing in 1996. He served as tournament manager for the 1993 NCAA Golf Championships and the 1996 and 1998 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament events in Lexington.

A native of Dixon, Ill., Moats is a 1988 graduate of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. While at SIUE, Moats was a three-year letter winner in golf and was a student assistant basketball coach for the Cougars from 1985-1988. He earned a master’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Kentucky in 2001.

Moats and his wife Leeann have two children, Kirk (19) and Lauren (15).

"While we had several very good candidates in this search, I feel Kyle has the best combination of attributes and experiences that would make him a very good athletic director," said Missouri State University Vice President for University Advancement Brent Dunn who chaired the Search Committee. "I know that Missouri State will welcome him, and we look forward to working with him."

The process to replace Rowe began with the announcement of the Search Committee on September 28. The 12-member committee reviewed 103 applicants and began interviewing the first of five finalists on April 26. Moats was on campus for his first interview May 17-19 and returned to Springfield yesterday for a follow-up interview.

Moats’ hiring is contingent upon final approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next scheduled meeting, June 19.

The Special Olympics Missouri State Summer Games will bring more than 1,200 athletes from across the state to Springfield. This state-level event takes place May 28-30, on the Missouri State University and Drury University campuses.

The State Summer Games kick off on Thursday, May 28, with Opening Ceremonies at Plaster Sports Complex at 7:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies will feature the parade of athletes, the culmination of the statewide Law Enforcement Torch Runâ, the lighting of the Flame of Hope, the traditional declaration, “Let the games begin!” and special live performances by Sons of the Silver Dollar and Yakov Smirnoff. The public is encouraged to attend this free event.

Competition events will take place at four venues: Plaster Sports Complex, Plaster Student Union, the Practice Band Field and Drury University’s Breech Pool. Five summer sports are featured: Athletics (track and field), Aquatics, Powerlifting, Soccer and Bocce. Competition begins Thursday, May 28, and runs through Saturday, May 30. Please visit www.somo.org/fan to make a donation, register to volunteer, and for more information. The public is encouraged to attend all events. We’re on a mission to put “fans in the stands” to cheer for our athletes. Venues and times are as follows:

Soccer – Practice Band Field
May 28 – 10 am – 4 pm

Athletics (Track & Field) – Plaster Sports Complex
May 29 – 7:15 am – 4 pm
May 30 – 7:30 am – 1 pm

Bocce – Plaster Sports Complex
May 29 – 8 am – 4 pm

Aquatics – Drury University Breech Pool
May 29 – 9 am – 2 pm

Powerlifting – Plaster Student Union
May 29 – 9 am – 3 pm

Low Motor / Wheelchair Events – Plaster Sports Complex
May 30 – 8:15 am – 12 pm

Special Olympics is dedicated to improving the overall health and fitness of our athletes, not only through organized sports training and competition but by also providing free health screenings through the Healthy Athletes program. All of these screenings are provided for SOMO athletes free of charge.

The Healthy Athlete Park will be May 29 from 11 am – 4 pm on Kings Street and will include: Special Smiles Dental Clinic, Healthy Hearing and Health Promotion.

Athletes will spend some down time Friday afternoon with crafts and small stage performances. Friday evening the athletes will celebrate their victories at the dance and spend time with friends at Bingo.

The State Summer Games would not be possible without the generous contributions of our sponsors. Thank you to our year-round partners Knights of Columbus and Shop ‘n Save. Our presenting sponsors are CoxHealth, Southwest Dairy Farmers, Springfield News-Leader, KSPR and Clear Channel Radio. Our gold level sponsor is Hobbytime Motorsports. Our silver level sponsors are The Whitlock Company and Fabick Power Systems. Our bronze level sponsors are the Springfield Sports Commission, the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, Standing Room Only, Great Southern Bank and Associated Electric Cooperative Inc.

For more information about the 2009 State Summer Games, please contact Mandi Mueller at 1-800-846-2682 or email mueller@somo.org. Visit the Special Olympics Missouri website at www.somo.org.

Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with mental disabilities. More than 15,000 athletes participate in 21 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. Special Olympics provides people with mental disabilities continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with other athletes, their families and the community. Visit our website at www.somo.org.

Springfield, Missouri (May 15, 2009) – The 2009 Missouri Youth Soccer Association State Championship Cup tournament returns to Springfield, Missouri hosted by Lake Country Soccer June 6 – 12. 107 teams from the state will by vying for 14 state titles in the Under-13 through Under-19 boys and girls age divisions.

“Lake Country Soccer is very excited to once again host Missouri’s most competitive and prestigious tournament event and to have the opportunity to offer Missouri’s best teams a first class playing experience in an excellent setting,” said Kelly Ross, Executive Director for Lake Country Soccer.

The 2009 tournament will operate under a single elimination format. Although a majority of the teams are from the St. Louis area, Springfield will be represented by the Springfield Soccer Club, whose Under-18 boys’ team will be looking to three-peat as state champions after having won the Under-16 and Under-17 boys titles in 2007 & 2008. Schedule brackets can be downloaded from the Missouri Youth Soccer web site.

The Missouri State Championship Cup is the first stage in US Youth Soccer’s National Championship Series. Winners at the state level advance to the regional tournament to be held June 20-24 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Missouri is one of 14 Midwestern states in Region 2 including South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio North, Ohio South and Wisconsin. Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 brackets earn a berth to the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 21-26, at Citizens Bank Field at Progin Park in Lancaster, Mass.

One of the 12 national crowns awarded is the James P. McGuire Cup, the oldest trophy in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. The Under-19 Boys National Champion will hoist the McGuire Cup on the 74th anniversary of the storied cup.

About the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series
The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their abilities against the best in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. The yearlong competition begins with over 185,000 players in the US Youth Soccer State Championships. These champions and selected wildcard teams, through US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues, advance to compete in one of four the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Champions (U-14 through U-19) from each regional event advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. The Under-15 through 17 Boys and Girls age groups have two teams representative of the US Youth Soccer National League, in which the top two teams in each gender age group earn a direct path to the national championships. Overall the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation's top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer - The Game for ALL Kids!® is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3.2 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member state associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

About Lake Country Soccer – Lake Country Soccer was founded in 1984 to provide middle school boys a place to play soccer. Since then, the organization has expanded to provide leagues for kids ages 3-Adults, indoor and outdoor, instructional programs, camps, coaching education and referee training and development. Lake Country Soccer is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization operating under the auspices of the Springfield/Greene County Park Board. Lake Country Soccer currently serves nearly 3,000 registered youth and adult players. League play, three tournaments plus other local events, Lake Country Soccer attracts nearly 129,000 visitors to the facility annually.

Lake Country Soccer www.lakecountrysoccer.org
Missouri Youth Soccer Association www.mysa.org
US Youth Soccer Region II www.region2.com
US Youth Soccer www.usyouthsoccer.org

Springfield Public Schools has hired Callie Newton as head girls basketball coach at Central High School for 2009-2010.

Newton, who replaces Dan Stander, is currently an assistant women’s basketball coach at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. She has also served as assistant coach at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, and Drury University in Springfield.

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Drury University where she also played basketball and served as captain of the Lady Panthers basketball team.

Newton’s employment is pending final approval by the school board.

Nationally ranked boys and girls tennis players will compete in Springfield, Mo., for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Boys and Girls 12s National Open Championship Saturday, May 16 through Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at the Cooper Tennis Complex, 2331 E. Pythian St.

Play is scheduled to begin each day at 8 a.m., with Singles and Doubles finals scheduled for Wednesday morning. The event is free and open to the general public.

Players from Arizona, Oregon, Michigan, Minnesota, Arkansas, Florida, Wisconsin, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Washington, Nebraska and Missouri will vie for the title. Additional activities taking place during the tournament include:

· 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 15 - Player Registration;

· 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 15 - A one-hour Pre-Drill Session for participants conducted by Cooper Tennis Complex Teaching Professionals

The top three finishers in singles and the top two doubles teams will advance to the USTA National Clay Court Championships in July. The girls will compete in Boca Raton, Fla., while the boys will play in Greensboro, N.C.

This is the ninth year the USTA Boys and Girls 12s National Open Championship is being hosted by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Springfield Tennis Association, and the Clarion Hotel. Tennis is one of four sports included in the Community Olympic Development Program (CODP) for the Springfield community.

The Cooper Tennis Complex also will host the Missouri State High School Athletic Association (MSHSAA) Boys State Tennis Championships Thursday, May 28 through Saturday, May 30, 2009.

The Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Foundation (HOJGF) and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board will hold a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m., Friday, May 8, for the new Betty Allison Family Golf Center, 1825 E. Norton Road. To celebrate the new improvements, three days of free golf rounds for the whole family this Mother’s Day weekend also will be offered. The Betty Allison Family Golf Center is located within the campus of the Park Board’s Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course at Glenstone Avenue and Interstate 44.

The Betty Allison Family Golf Center project includes a 2,100-square ft. building with a multipurpose room, with surround glass windows overlooking the golf course; public restrooms; tables and chairs for seating for groups; humorous golf murals along the ceiling; a countertop and display area; utility room; and new landscaping. The facility can be rented out for birthday parties and other group functions. Call (417) 833-9962 for information.

To mark this occasion, three days of free golf for all ages at the par-three, nine-hole Betty Allison Golf Course at Oscar Blom is being offered by HOJGF and the Park Board. No tee times necessary. Golf club rental is available in the Stewart Golf Course Pro Shop. Call for details at (417) 833-9962. Dates include:

· 2 – 9 p.m., Friday, May 8; · 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday, May 9; and · 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday, May 10

The original Oscar Blom Golf Course opened on May 2, 1959 to the public. A full renovation of the course was completed in 2005 and made possible through the efforts of HOJGF and the Betty Allison family. The course is designed for all ages and abilities. The 50-year anniversary of the course will be marked with longtime area golf professional and Ozarks Golf Hall of Famer Sam Reynolds hitting a ceremonial first golf ball onto the course with local junior boy and girl golfers, who are all products of the Foundation’s free instruction and facilities. Reynolds, age 79, was one of four local golf professionals to mark the original opening of the course in 1959 with the same gesture.

At a cost of $365,000, the new Golf Center was funded completely by private donations from the HOJGF, with major support from the Betty Allison family. To date, the HOJGF has provided more than $1.1 million in improvements to the site.

Construction was led by Adam Pyle Construction. The architect for the project was Rob Haik with H-Design Group. The murals along both sides of the ceiling were painted by local artist Bertie Rader.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board’s Cooper Tennis Complex was awarded top honors by the Tennis Industry Association, U.S. Tennis Association and the trade magazine Racquet Sports Industry. The Park Board also has set its Free-For-All tennis lesson dates for the month of May, celebrating National Tennis Month.

Cooper Tennis Complex was recognized as a “Top 50 Tennis Welcome Center of 2008” by independent research firm Sports Marketing Surveys USA, of Jupiter, Fla. The facility was recognized as one of 50 leading the charge in the growth of tennis by providing well-rounded programs to new and current players of all ages and abilities.

To celebrate National Tennis Month, the Park Board will provide free tennis lessons for youth six years of age and older, along with adult instruction. Equipment will be provided at each location and attendees do not need to pre-register. The dates are:

· 7 – 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, Doling Park, 301 E. Talmage St.;

· 6 – 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 8, Perry Tennis Courts, National Avenue & Bennett Street;

· 6 – 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, Cooper Tennis Complex, 2331 E. Pythian St.;

· 7 – 8:30 p.m., Monday, May 18, Meador Park, 2500 S. Fremont Ave.;

· 6 – 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 21, Perry Tennis Courts, National Avenue & Bennett Street; and

· 10 – 11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 30, Gillenwaters Tennis Complex, 3635 S. Jefferson Ave.

For more information on the free tennis lessons or to register for youth and adult tennis programs currently available, call the Cooper Tennis Complex at (417) 837-5800.

The five finalists were selected from the 103 who applied to replace long-time AD Bill Rowe, who is retiring in June after 27 years in that position.

SPRINGFIELD — Five finalists have been named in the search for Missouri State University’s Director of Athletics position. The five are scheduled for interviews over the next five weeks.

The five finalists are successful and experienced athletics administrators from five different states across the country. The finalists were among 103 who applied to replace Bill Rowe, who is retiring in June after a 50-year association with Missouri State, the past 27 as Director of Athletics.

The five finalists and their interview dates are:

• Bob Arkeilpane (ARK-earl-pane), Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of Cincinnati – April 26-28

• Rick Darnell, Executive Director of Athletic Fundraising and Associate Athletics Director for Athletics Advancement at Baylor University – May 3-5

• Mike Marlow, Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs at the University of Oregon – May 6-8

• Kyle Moats (rhymes with BOATS), Associate Athletics Director of National Marketing at the University of Louisville – May 17-19

• Don Oberhelman (O-ber-hell-man), Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer at San Diego State University – May 10-12

“We had a great response to this position,” said Brent Dunn, Vice President for University Advancement and Chair of the Search Committee, “which is not surprising, given Missouri State’s athletics history and the strength of the program. And, we believe we have an outstanding group of finalists to interview. It is a very exciting time for all of us in BearNation.”

When the finalists come to campus, they will be involved in about two days of interviews with the Search Committee, coaches and athletics department staff, student-athletes, other administrators, and President Michael T. Nietzel. There also will be a session with media and an Open Forum for the entire campus community, Bears fans, and the general public. The detailed interview schedules for each of the five will be publicized when they are finalized.

University officials hope to make a final selection soon after the interviews are completed so the new Director of Athletics can begin his duties on July 1 or soon thereafter.

www.MissouriState.edu/ADSearch

Summaries: Five Finalists for Director of Athletics

Bob Arkeilpane has been Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of Cincinnati since 2005 and is the No. 2 administrator overseeing UC's 18 intercollegiate programs. He served as Director of Athletics at the University of Buffalo from 1998-2003 where he had responsibility for the school's 17 sports teams. He served on the Mid-American Conference Infractions Committee and the Big East Conference Baseball and Volleyball Committees. He served as Assistant Director of Athletics for Development at Miami University of Ohio (1993-95) and Cal State Fullerton (1985-87) and also has extensive development and campaign planning experience in previous roles at Cincinnati and Buffalo. The 1981 graduate of Syracuse University was a four-year letterman as a defensive back for the Orange football program and holds a Master of Sports Administration from Ohio University where he also served as a graduate assistant football coach (1981-82). www.GoBearcats.com

Rick Darnell currently serves as Executive Director of Athletics Fundraising and Associate Athletics Director for Athletics Advancement at Baylor University, where he has been a vital part of the fundraising and development efforts for the university's 18 athletics programs since 2007. He was Associate Athletics Director for Development at the University of Idaho from 2004-07 where he also oversaw the Vandal Scholarship Fund. He also has a wealth of coaching experience, including a stint as assistant men's basketball coach at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill., for legendary coach Harry Statham. His professional experience also spans more than a decade in the corporate world as a manager, consultant and major gifts officer. He is a 1992 graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Washington University in St. Louis. www.BaylorBears.com

Mike Marlow has been a part of the Duck Leadership Team at the University of Oregon since 1998 and was promoted to his current role as Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs in 2006. In that capacity, he oversees the offices of hospitality services, marketing and promotions, media services, and ticketing while administering the Duck Athletics Fund. At Oregon, he has also held the positions of Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations (2005-06), Associate Athletics Director for External Operations (2003-05), Executive Director of the Duck Athletic Fund (1999-2003) and Duck Athletic Fund Director, Portland (1998-99). He also served three years as Assistant Athletics Director at the University of Idaho (1995-98) and 3½ years as Assistant Director of the Grizzly Athletic Association at the University of Montana (1991-95). He is a 1990 graduate of Washington State University. www.GoDucks.com

Kyle Moats is in his fourth year as Associate Athletics Director for National Marketing at the University of Louisville. He coordinates the Cardinals' efforts in national awareness, marketing, branding and group ticket sales. He was Senior Associate Athletics Director at Marquette University from 2004-05 where he oversaw MU's Blue and Gold Fund and several offices. He also has 14 years experience at the University of Kentucky, including his last two years at UK as Associate Athletics Director for Marketing (2000-02) for the university’s 22 intercollegiate teams. He also held titles of Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing (1997-2000), Director of Marketing, Promotions and Licensing (1993-97) and Coordinator of Promotions and Special Events (1991-93) at UK. He is a 1988 graduate of SIU-Edwardsville, where he also served as a men’s basketball volunteer assistant, and earned his Master’s degree in Kinesiology and Sports Management from Kentucky in 2001. www.UofLSports.com

Don Oberhelman has been Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer at San Diego State University since 2007. He is responsible for the daily operations of SDSU's 17 intercollegiate programs. He spent five years at the University of Southern Mississippi (2002-07) where he supervised operational policies and procedures and a number of offices as Senior Associate Athletics Director. He also has served as Education Coordinator at Texas A&M University (1998-2002) and as Compliance Assistant at Florida State University (1995-98). He is a member of the NCAA Legislative Review and Interpretations Committee and has served as compliance chair for Conference USA, as well as presenting at numerous sports law and sports management conferences and seminars. He is a 1993 graduate of Kansas State University and holds a Master of Science degree in Athletic Administration from Florida State University (1996). www.GoAztecs.com

The Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League completed its 2009 Professional League Players Draft at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, Fla., earlier today. The Springfield Lasers, under the draft direction of General Manager, Tom Adams, are excited to select the World's #1 female doubles player, Liezel Huber, to join the Lasers team for the 2009 season. Other Lasers selected at today's draft include returnee, Chani Scheepers, as well as talented newcomers Martin Damm, Vania King and Raven Klaasen. Team roster bios are listed as follows:

Women

1st Round Pick (Roster Exempt Draft): Liezel Huber - World's #1 females doubles player (with Cara Black). Huber will play seven matches for the Lasers beginning July 15. She has won 36 career doubles titles, with two wins in 2009 (Dubai, Paris). Fed Cup and Olympic team player for native country of South Africa; Career earnings to date of $3,415,828.

1st Round Pick (Roster Draft): Vania King - One of the rising young American stars on the WTA Tour at 20 years of age. King has won seven WTA doubles titles, including one earlier in 2009 (Brisbane), and one WTA singles title. She reached quarterfinals at Monterrey tour stop earlier this year. King is currently ranked #101 in women's singles (career-high of 50 in '06) and #27 in women's doubles.

3rd Round Pick (Roster Draft) : Chani Scheepers – Scheepers is the popular returning member of 2008 Lasers team. She has won 18 ITF tournaments (10 singles titles; 8 doubles titles) and has career-high rankings of #147 in women's singles and #132 in women’s doubles. Scheepers is a South African native.

Complete bios on Huber, King and Scheepers can be found at: www.wtatour.com.

Men

2rd Round Pick (Roster Draft): Martin Damm – One of the most accomplished doubles players on the Men's ATP Tour, he has 39 career ATP doubles titles (primarily with Leander Paes) and was a doubles finalist in five Grand Slam events. Damm had a career-high of #5 in men's doubles in 2007. He is currently ranked #33 in the world. Damm’s career earnings total $5,525,667 and he is a native of Czechoslovakia.

4th Round Pick (Roster Draft): Raven Klaasen – Klaasen played for Coach de Jager on the South African Davis Cup Team. He is a strong men's singles player,- currently ranked #338, and is a 26-year old South African native.

Complete bios on Damm and Klaasen can be found at: www.atptennis.com

Returning Lasers Coach

John-Laffnie (J.L.) de Jager – Coach de Jager returns for his third year as the Lasers’ coach. He was WTT Coach of the Year for the 2007 season; is the current captain (and former player) of the South African Davis Cup team; he coached Wes Moodie and Stephan Huss to Wimbledon Doubles title (2005); he’s a former ATP player with seven career doubles titles; he has his highest doubles ranking of #4 in world; was a doubles finalist at U.S., Australian and French Opens; and was a former WTT player.

Complete bio on Coach de Jager can be found at: www.atptennis.com

“We feel that this is one of the very best drafts the Lasers have ever had,” said team owner, John Cooper. “We're extremely excited to have the World's #1 Doubles Player, Liezel Huber, joining our team as a Springfield Laser. Having her team-up with one of the strongest doubles players on the Men's Tour, Martin Damm, should make for some very powerful tennis for our Laser fans. There's also no question that Vania King is one of the brightest and most versatile young American stars on the WTA Tour and should work well with returnee Chani Scheepers and newcomer Raven Klaasen to make us one of the teams to watch for the upcoming season.”

The Springfield Lasers open the 2009 WTT season at home on July 2nd against the Philadelphia Freedoms. Ten pro teams will be competing for the 2009 King Trophy over the duration of the upcoming WTT season, which is scheduled for July 2-26. All seven Lasers home matches will again be played in the Mediacom Tennis Stadium at the Cooper Tennis Complex, located at 2331 E. Pythian St.
Another highlight for the 2009 season will be the July 10 match against the St. Louis Aces, where the Lasers will welcome WTT marquee player and fan favorite, Anna Kournikova, to Springfield for the very first time. For ticket information, contact the Lasers Ticket Office at (417) 837-5800.

Complete results from today’s draft are available at www.wtt.com. For more information and updates on the Springfield Lasers, visit www.springfieldlasers.com.

Springfield Public Schools has hired Dick Rippee as head coach for boys basketball at Kickapoo High School beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. He will also teach driver’s education.

Rippee is currently employed by Evangel University as assistant men’s basketball coach and an assistant professor in the physical education department. Previously he was employed by Springfield Public Schools as head boys basketball coach from 1998 to 2002 and freshman boys basketball coach from 1996 to 1998 at Parkview High School. He was also Parkview’s varsity baseball coach in 1998. Rippee was a coach and physical education teacher at Jarrett Middle School from 1991 to 1995.

“We are excited to have Dick Rippee returning to Springfield Public Schools as the new head basketball coach at Kickapoo High School,” said Mark Fisher, athletic director. “As a former Chief’s player, Dick appreciates the proud history of the basketball program and is looking forward to continuing the rich tradition at Kickapoo.”

Rippee’s employment is pending until April when the school board is expected to give final approval.

Ava, Mo. - Cecil Huff won the Ultimate Equestrian Challenge produced by Missouri Equine Council, Inc., http://www.mo-equine.org/Celebration/UEC.htm and sponsored by MFA, Inc., at the Boone County Fairgrounds Jan. 23-24.

In The Ultimate Equestrian Challenge, trainers draw for a horse and round pen location in the arena. Horses are led to the pen and turned loose. The time begins when the trainers step inside the pen. Trainers have only 2 hours and 15 minutes training time before the show.

On the first night of competition, each trainer competed in a separate round pen in the main arena where the crowd watched as the horses were caught, bridled, saddled and ridden for the very first time. Trainers use various approaches and natural horsemanship techniques to start their untrained colt. Huff was the first trainer to saddle and ride his colt.

On the second night, trainers were given another 45-minute round pen session with colts. Then the round pens came down and trainers were given three minutes to introduce colts to the obstacle course. The course consisted of a 12-inch high rectangular mounting block which the colts were required to step upon and cross. The horses drug a ground pole and stepped over ground poles. The final challenge included riding the horses in a freestyle movement designed by the trainer. Walk, trot, lope and back on command was expected.

Huff chose for his free style to walk, trot and lope both directions. He continued with a serpentine between the ground poles and figures eights at the walk and at a trot in the middle of arena. Huff also chose to ride the colt in a rope mecate. Due to the previous time spent in bonding and communication, all this was accomplished with leg yields and light rein cues, no bit or spurs!

The relationship with the colt paid off. Huff had truly developed a soft and willing partner from an established connection of mutual trust and respect. This demonstrated dance between minds showed us all how rewarding the end result can be.

“This was the most challenging event I have ever done,” Huff says. “Wow! It’s more of a challenge than “Road to the Horse” (http://www.roadtothehorse.com/). We had 55 minutes less time to get the colt ready. “Road to the Horse” had used 3 hours and 10 minutes in their 2008 contest.

After our first session, my horse was willing to do what I asked – after he bucked like a rodeo bronco with his first saddle! When I saw the course requirements and time limits, I knew I must get the colt’s complete trust so I made it my top priority to build that trust and two hours later I had it.

When I think back on it, I am pleased it went so well. God blessed and used me in a special way.”

Huff’s congratulations on a challenge well done, were met with his shy smile and humble gratitude for all those in attendance and support. See this link for slide show. http://www.bucksandspurs.com/Ultimate-Road-to-the-Equestrian-Challenge.htm

Who is Cecil Huff?

He is married to Sonny (Sonya) Huff and has two children, Dustin and Kim, and three grandsons.
Huff has trained horses for novice riders visiting Bucks and Spurs Guest Ranch www.bucksandspurs.com and trained interns in natural horsemanship from USA, France, Italy, Austria, Luxemburg, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, England for the last 14 years (http://www.bucksandspurs.com/dude_ranch_internship.htm )
Huff uses natural horsemanship techniques and emphasizes nonverbal communication during the training process and all through his horse handling.

He is a member of the Board of Directors for the MFTHBA http://www.mfthba.com/ and President of the DCFTHBA http://dcfthba.com/ The Douglas County group has more 60 trail rides each year. http://dcfthba.com/whatsnew.htm.

Huff also serves a deacon for Walnut Grove Baptist Church.

Bucks and Spurs Guest Ranch is home to World Champion Missouri Fox Trotting horses and superior registered Angus cattle. Huff’s choice for ranch work and pleasure is a Missouri Fox Trotter. See his accomplishments here. http://bucksandspurs.com/World_Champion_Titles.htm.

The Springfield, Mo. Lasers professional tennis team will host seven home matches this 2009 Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League season, with a special Friday, July 10 home match featuring Anna Kournikova.

Kournikova returns for her seventh Advanta WTT Pro League season and her second with the St. Louis Aces. The former world no. 1 doubles star will play six matches for the Aces.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 10 Kournikova home match are now available ONLY by buying 2009 season tickets. Individual tickets for all home matches will go on sale at 8 a.m., Monday, May 18, with pricing TBA. Season tickets are $65 for grand stand and $135 for chair-back, and can be purchased online now at <www.springfieldlasers.com>.

The 2009 Advanta WTT Pro League schedule includes 73 matches in 10 markets, beginning July 2 and running through July 26. The Eastern and Western Conference Champions will battle for the Advanta WTT Championship title on July 26.

Springfield Lasers 2009 schedule: Thursday, July 2 Philadelphia Freedoms @ Springfield Lasers Sunday, July 5 Kansas City Explorers @ Springfield Lasers Monday, July 6 Newport Beach Breakers @ Springfield Lasers Wednesday, July 8 Springfield Lasers @ Newport Beach Breakers *Friday, July 10 St. Louis Aces (Anna Kournikova) @ Springfield Lasers Saturday, July 11 Springfield Lasers @ St. Louis Aces (Anna Kournikova) Sunday, July 12 Springfield Lasers @ Kansas City Explorers Wednesday, July 15 Sacramento Capitals @ Springfield Lasers Thursday, July 16 Springfield Lasers @ Boston Lobsters (Martina Navratilova) Friday, July 17 Springfield Lasers @ New York Buzz Saturday, July 18 St. Louis Aces @ Springfield Lasers Monday, July 20 Washington Kastles @ Springfield Lasers Tuesday, July 21 Springfield Lasers @ St. Louis Aces Wednesday, July 22 Springfield Lasers @ Washington Kastles Friday, July 24 Conference Championships – location TBD Western #1 vs. Western #2 Eastern #1 vs. Eastern #2 Sunday, July 26 Advanta WTT Championship Finals – location TBD Anna Kournikova Photo Credit: Bill Putnam

*All games are played at 7:05 p.m., CDT, except for the 7:30 p.m. match on July 10 with Anna Kournikova.

All Lasers home matches are played at the 2,500-seat outdoor Mediacom Tennis Stadium at Cooper Tennis Complex, 2331 E. Pythian St. In the event of inclement weather, matches are moved indoors.

The Springfield Lasers organization also will be co-sponsoring the upcoming Tennis Night in America with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board on March 1 & 2 by offering free tennis racquets and Lasers merchandise to youth players and will have information available on the Lasers Kids’ Club. Anyone who signs up for the USTA Junior Team Tennis program that day will be given a voucher for one free ticket to a 2009 Lasers match, excluding July 10.

The Advanta WTT Pro League is well known for introducing innovative elements to tennis including instant replay, co-ed format, multi-colored courts, cumulative and no-ad scoring, on-court coaching, Supertiebreakers and player names on back of their shirts.

Advanta is the title sponsor of the Advanta WTT Pro League and the official business credit card of WorldTeamTennis. Official Advanta WTT Pro League sponsors for the 2009 season include FirmGreen Energy, GEICO and Wilson Racquet Sports. For more information on the Advanta WTT Pro League, visit www.WTT.com.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will participate in the inaugural “Tennis Night In America” Sunday, March 1 and Monday, March 2, as part of the first-ever United States Tennis Association’s National Youth Tennis Registration Night initiative at more than 700 tennis locations across the nation.

Free local activities will include opportunities for all ages to try the sport of tennis, receive group tennis instruction from local tennis professionals, register for programs, win prizes, and receive a 10% discount on Park Board spring and summer tennis programs.

All-age instruction (minimum 5 years of age) will be provided at the following sites from 3 – 5 p.m., Sunday, March 1:

· Cooper Tennis Complex, 2331 E. Pythian

· Perry Tennis Courts, corner of National Avenue and Bennett Street (inclement weather location is Cooper Tennis Complex)

· Chesterfield Family Center, 2511 W. Republic Road

· Doling Family Center, 301 E. Talmage

The Park Board’s School-Parks Are Reaching Communities (SPARC) section will provide youth instruction at the following site from 4 – 5 p.m., Monday, March 2:

· Wilson’s Creek 5th-and-6th-grade School, 4035 W. Weaver Road

“We are hosting the tennis activities at a number of locations to make it more convenient for everyone in all parts of Springfield to experience the sport,” said local program coordinator Steve Webb. “We have a number of indoor and outdoor courts throughout town, so we encourage those who might be interested to visit the site closest to where they live. Using the national Quick Start program approach, we slow down the game by decreasing the air pressure in the tennis balls and incorporate other practices to get a player at any level immediately playing the game.”

Monday, March 2 will also feature a winner-take-all “BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup” at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The Showdown features four of the top women’s players in the world—10-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, two-time defending Wimbledon champion Venus Williams, reigning French Open champion Ana Ivanovic and 2008 year-end No. 1 Jelena Jankovic—playing in a one-night, single-elimination tournament for the inaugural Billie Jean King Cup before a live national TV audience on HBO.

Tennis participation in the U.S. has grown more than any other traditional sport since 2000. According to the annual research survey conducted for the Tennis Industry Association and the USTA by the Taylor Research Group, nearly 26.9 million people played tennis in 2008, the highest number of participants in 15 years. That marked a 7 percent increase over the prior year and an increase of more than 30 percent since 2000. In addition, the number of new tennis players increased by 3 percent last year, to more than 5.9 million.

For more information on Tennis Night in America, or to find the site closest to where you live, visit www.tennisnight.com. Registration is appreciated for all of the locations above by calling (417) 837-5800.

Springfield, Mo.—The Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission has hired an executive director to replace John Citron who resigned in January. Bobbi Box, who serves as the Sports Sales Manager for the Convention & Visitors Bureau, will keep her current responsibilities along with taking over responsibility for the Sports Commission. The CVB oversees the Sports Commission. Box is originally from Jacksonville, Fla. She worked for the CVB from 1992 to 1996 in sales before leaving the state for almost 10 years.Prior to returning to the CVB as sports sales manager in July 2007, she worked for Gannett Publishing Co. for seven years as a national sales manager for “USA Today” and the “Springfield News-Leader” as an advertising manager in niche publications. Box has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Missouri State University. Box and her husband, Greg, have lived in the Springfield area for 13 years non-consecutively. They have a 7-year-old son named Tony. The Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission was established in 1999 to promote and develop the Springfield area as a venue for amateur and professional sports events.

The Springfield, Mo. Lasers professional tennis team will host a match this 2009 season with a special appearance by former world No. 1 in women’s doubles and No. 8 in singles player Anna Kournikova this July.

One of the world’s most recognized athletes, Kournikova won two Grand Slam doubles titles, the Australian Open in 1999 and 2002, both with Martina Hingis. She has won 16 doubles titles on the World Tennis Association (WTA) Tour and was the two-time winner of the WTA Championships doubles events with Hingis in 1999 and 2000. Kournikova became the second woman in the Open era to reach the semifinals of Wimbledon in her debut in 1997. She has played in the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League for the St. Louis Aces, Sacramento Capitals and the Kansas City Explorers. She will play for the Aces again this season.

A resident of Moscow, Russia, Kournikova currently resides in Miami, Fla. In addition to playing in the Advanta WTT Pro League, she participates in a number of annual charity events. Her celebrity status and modeling career has put her in a number of magazines, including Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, FHM and Maxim. Kournikova was named several times as one of People’s 50 Most Beautiful People.

The date of the July Kournikova match has not been set for Springfield at this time. Match information is expected to be announced later this month when schedules for all 10 Advanta WTT Pro League teams are announced. At that time, ticket pricing and other match information will be announced.

The Lasers will then announce its team on Tuesday, March 31, during the player roster draft held at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, Fla. All Lasers home matches are played at the 2,500-seat outdoor Mediacom Stadium at Cooper Tennis Complex, 2331 E. Pythian St.

Seven-game season tickets can be purchased now online at www.springfieldlasers.com. Season tickets are $65 for grandstand; $135 for box seats. Individual ticket information will be announced in the near future.

“We are very pleased that Springfield was able to secure Kournikova this season for a one-night-only marquee match, said Tom Adams, Lasers General Manager. “She is a player who we have received an incredible amount of interest in from the community over the past several years, asking when she might be able to make an appearance in our local market. We hope that her visit to Springfield will increase the amount of excitement for those who already enjoy the sport, along with introducing tennis to a new market of other live sporting event fans.”

The Advanta WTT Pro League, co-founded by Billie Jean King, is a professional co-ed sports league featuring three generations of tennis stars playing in a team format. The 34th season of the Advanta WTT Pro League runs July 2-26, concluding with the Advanta WTT Championship Weekend where teams battle for the coveted King Trophy.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will host a Basketball Clinic with former Missouri State University and University of Michigan women’s basketball head coach Cheryl Burnett from 8:30 a.m. – noon, Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Doling Family Center, 301 E. Talmage St.

The developmental basketball clinic is offered to boys and girls in grades third through sixth. The cost is $25 per participant, with registration based on availability. Registration is available online at www.parkboard.org, or in-person at the Park Board main office, 1923 N. Weller Ave.

Burnett took MSU to the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 1992 and 2001, the Sweet Sixteen in 1993, and won five league tournament titles and had 10 twenty-win seasons at MSU. She was named Coach of the Year for the Gateway Conference in 1991 and 1992, was the Missouri Valley Coach of the Year in 1994, and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

This Friday, the Springfield Soccer Club will host their 2nd Annual 24 Hour Marathon Soccer Match. Ozarks kids playing on 26 teams will start a soccer game at 4 pm on Friday that will continue through the night until 4 pm on Saturday. The money raised for this event will help children throughout the Ozarks at the Ronald McDonald House.

I have attached the Press Release and would love to invite you to the kick-off of the marathon game at 4:00 Friday January 23rd and to the finale at 4pm on Saturday, January 24th. This is a great PHOTO OPPORTUNITY of KIDS HELPING KIDS during one of the most challenging times in our nation. It will be inspiring to see.

The Springfield Sports Complex is located at 3105 E. Elm St. in Springfield at the Springfield Sports Complex. To get to the Springfield Sports Complex take Hwy 65 to Chestnut Expressway. Travel West on Chestnut Expressway to N. Belcrest. Take a Left on N. Belcrest. That road will turn into E. Cairo Street then S. Union. From S. Union, take a left on E. Elm.

Top Honors for Hosting Amateur Softball in 2008

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board received top honors in 2008 for conducting three of the highest rated Amateur Softball Association (ASA) National Championships. The tournaments included the Girls’ 12U “B” and 14U “B” Fast Pitch Northern National Championships and the Men’s 45 & Over Fast Pitch National Championships. Other cities receiving similar honors included Johnson City, Tenn.; York, Pa.; Sterling, Va.; and Salem, Ore.

The ASA, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation’s largest sports organizations and now sanctions competition in every state through a network of 83 local associations. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 240,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than three million.

Springfield to Host MSHSAA Baseball Championships in 2009-2011

The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) selected Springfield’s Meador Park as the host site for 2009-2011 State Championships for all four classes. “We have an obligation to our membership to find not only the best facilities to host our championships, but also the best support from the host site to serve our schools needs,” said MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Kerwin Urhahn. “The City of Springfield and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board have hit a home run once again.” Numerous improvements have been made to Meador over the past few years, and the facility recently hosted the 2008 “Bound 4 Beijing” Women’s Olympic Softball Team.

USTA Missouri Valley Recognizes Cooper Tennis Head Pro Kyle Wartick was awarded the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Missouri Valley “Outstanding Contributor of Youth High Performance” award at its annual meeting in December 2008. Wartick has served on the Junior Competition Committee for Missouri Valley, as well as serving as Chair for the Missouri District. He is certified with the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) and the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). In 2008, he graduated from the USTA High Performance Coaching Program. Wartick is an ex-touring pro. He is the Head Pro at the Cooper Tennis Complex, is the Head Tennis Coach for the local Community Olympic Development Program (CODP) as well as the Cooper Tennis Academy. He also is the head coach for the USTA Competitive Training Center held at the Cooper Tennis Complex.

Springfield, Mo., (Jan. 2, 2009) — GL Moore Tire and Uniroyal® Tire have raised donations of over $1,350 in both funds and equipment for Lake Country Soccer. This is thanks to the Uniroyal Soccer Program, a grassroots initiative that annually supports youth soccer all over the country.

The program has been a major supporter of youth soccer for the past nine years. Alongside its tire dealers, Uniroyal Tire has donated nearly $11 million in funds, including over 818,000 soccer balls, since 2000.

“We were excited to be a part of the soccer program,” said Mark Moore of GL Moore Tire. “It’s been a great way to do our part for the community. It’s a wonderful feeling to support our youth, especially through an organization such as Lake Country Soccer. I love seeing everyone who comes in, and the kids are ecstatic when they get the soccer ball!”

“We started this program to give something back to organizations like Lake Country Soccer, who do valuable work for the children of the community,” said Uniroyal Tire Brand Marketing Director Kaz Holley. “Working together with excellent dealers like GL Moore Tire is the ideal way to support the people who work so hard to keep kids active and involved. This has been another great year for the Uniroyal Soccer Program.”

Uniroyal Tire is one of the world's leading tire brands for passenger and commercial cars, pick-ups, light trucks, mini vans and sport utility vehicles. Dating back to 1892, Uniroyal Tire has developed a reputation for providing high-quality, affordable tires including its Tiger Paw® and Laredo® series. Uniroyal® tires offer just the right combination of dependability, traction and grip in almost every weather condition, and come with one of the industry's leading warranties.

To learn more about the Uniroyal Soccer Program, visit the brand’s Web site at www.uniroyal.com. To learn more about GL Moore Tire visit www.glmooretire.com.

http://www.springfieldmo.org/sportscommission/sports_commission_new/1208_SC.pdf

The 5th Annual Southwest All-Stars Games, presented by SGFsoccer.com and Springfield Soccer Club, will be held Thursday June 18th, 2009 at the Cooper Soccer complex at Lake Country Soccer.

The roster for the Boys Team, high school seniors who will graduate in May 2009, is listed below. There were over 70 boys nominated this year, across three classes, representative of the strength of play we saw in the region this year.

The 5th Annual Southwest All-Stars Roster

The roster is led by All-State Offensive Player of the Year Devon Newport, one of ten (10) players recognized at the State level this year from the region, who will play for the SLU Billikens next year.

Additional top players include:
Ryan Squires, Glendale Falcons central defender, 1st Team All-State (Wm Jewell Cardinals)
Chris Tombridge, Kickapoo Chiefs goalkeeper, 1st Team All-State (Northwestern Wildcats)
Tyler Sinnott, Rolla Bulldogs, forward, 2nd Team All-State (playing baseball)
Graham Basecke, Glendale Falcons, defensive midfielder, 2nd Team All-State (Indiana Hoosiers)
Ryan Moses, Kickapoo Chiefs central defender, Honorable Mention All-State (SLU Billikens)
Tim Griffin, Parkview Vikings forward, Honorable Mention All-State (undecided)
Uziel Franco, Cassville Wildcats forward, 1st Team All-State Class 2 & Offensive MVP Regionally
Dale Baker, Bolivar Liberators, 2nd Team All-State Class 2
Cullen Barr, Springfield Catholic forward, 1st Team All-State Class 1
Brett Murray, New Covenant Warriors midfielder, 2nd Team All-State Class 1 (Drury Panthers)

There are four goalkeepers invited this year.
Christopher Tombridge, Kickapoo Chiefs, GK of the Year in the Southwest Region
John McDermid, Joplin Eagles, Honorable Mention Southwest Region, D12 Keeper of the Year
Dale Baker, Bolivar Liberators, GK of the Year in the West/Southwest Region
Steven Curti, Carthage Tigers, 2nd Team District 12

First and Last Name, Position, School
Blake Aggus, D, Joplin Eagles
Dale Baker, GK, Bolivar Liberators
Cullen Barr, F, Catholic Fighting Irish
Tyler Bartell, D, Nixa Eagles
Graham Basecke, D, Glendale Falcons
Tyler Bennett, D, Kickapoo Chiefs
Jordan Blevins, M, Neosho Wildcats
Grant Bollig, F, Lebanon Yellowjackets
Ethan Castle, M, Camdenton Lakers
Lane Chapman, M, Kickapoo Chiefs
Andrew Chism, M, Rolla Bulldogs
Caleb Collier, D, Kickapoo Chiefs
Bryce Collier, F, Hillcrest Hornets
Brad Cook, M, Greenwood Blue Jays
Matt Cook, M, Greenwood Blue Jays
Steven Curti, GK, Carthage Tigers
Uziel Franco, F, Cassville Wildcats
Tim Griffin, F, Parkview Vikings
Brandon Kilthau, F, Waynesville Tigers
John McDermid, GK, Joplin Eagles
Matt Medley, M, Parkview Vikings
TJ Miner, F, Ozark Tigers
Nathan Moore, M, West Plains Zizzers
Humberto Morales, M, Monett Cubs
Ryan Moses, D, Kickapoo Chiefs
Brett Murray, M, New Covenant Warriors
Ian Newport, M, Glendale Falcons
Devon Newport, M, Glendale Falcons
Ryan Partch, D, Glendale Falcons
Brock Ruggeri, F, Kickapoo Chiefs
Lorenzo Salas, M, Carthage Tigers
Darren Shaw, M, Parkview Vikings
Parlie Shikany, M, Willard Tigers
Tyler Sinnott, F, Rolla Bulldogs
Ryan Squires, D, Glendale Falcons
Christopher Tombridge, GK, Kickapoo Chiefs
Drew Whitney, M, Camdenton Lakers
Willis Zirsky, D, Marshfield Blue Jays

This year’s boy’s roster includes players representing 22 schools for the 38 players invited. The breakdown by school and class includes:
• Class 1 - four (4) players from three (3) schools
• Class 2 - five (5) players from five (5) schools
• Class 3 - twenty-nine (29) players from fourteen (14) schools

The game features the best graduating high school seniors in this region, as chosen by Steve Ole Olson of SGFsoccer.com and Jeremy Alumbaugh of Springfield SC. Nominations were sought from the coaches of all of the teams from the three classes that play soccer in the Southwest Missouri region.

The event is organized jointly by SGFsoccer.com, Southwest Missouri’s soccer resource, and Springfield Soccer Club, home to over 20 teams including the two time State Championship squad, the 89/90 Boys team.

By Mert Seaton
Community Free Press

The Springfield WolfPack, Springfield’s only professional indoor football team, will be having open tryouts for the 2009 season on January 17, 2009 at 8 a.m.
Team prospects must be at least 18 by the day of tryouts, and is asked to wear workout clothes and turf shoes. Metal cleats or spikes and pads will not be used for tryouts.

Tryouts will take place at Lake Country Soccer, 2334. E. Pythian. The fee for registration is $30 in advance or $40 the day of tryouts. A completed application and fee must be mailed in before January 1, to be eligible for the advance fee. Click here for an application form.

Mail application and fee to: Mediacom Ice Park C/O Springfield WolfPack 635 E. Trafficway Springfield, MO. 65803 For more information call Terry Edwards at 417-831-0548.

Senior Chris Ijames led four Panthers in double-figures with 17 points - and became the 36th player in DU history to score 1,000 points in his career - as Drury rolled to an 89-59 victory over Hannibal-LaGrange in a non-conference game Saturday at Weiser.

Ijames, who added a team-high nine rebounds as well, now has 1,004 points for his career as the Panthers improved to 6-2 overall. Hannibal-LaGrange dropped to 4-11.

Freshman forward Dominique Long added 15 points and eight rebounds, senior guard Tim Brown added 12 points and a team-high six assists and freshman forward Dusty Allen - in his first action in six games since breaking his non-shooting (left) hand in practice - added 10 points in 11 minutes for the Panthers.

"The thing I'm pleased about is maybe for the first time this year, I saw spurts of play that looks like Drury," Panthers coach Steve Hesser said. "We saw some things to build on, because previous to this, our ball movement, our shot selection, our collective defense ... obviously needed to improve.

"I was happy with our professionalism this afternoon."

Drury led 41-29 at halftime, jumping out to a 16-2 lead as Brown hit four 3-pointers in the game's first 10 minutes to carry over his hot shooting from the Panthers' 91-84, double-overtime victory at Missouri Science and Technology last Saturday, when he scored a career-high 25 points and hit 7 of 10 on 3-pointers.

The Panthers finished with a 45-41 advantage on the boards and forced 25 turnovers by the Trojans. Drury committed a season-low eight turnovers while accumulating 20 assists, which tied a season high. The Panthers also had 14 steals, including three each from freshman guard Kyle Vaughan and senior forward Jamel Grant.

Drury shot 46 percent from the field (36 of 79) while limiting the Trojans to 36-percent shooting (21 of 59).

The Panthers will now make the trek to Honolulu, Hawaii to face Chaminade (late Tuesday/early Wednesday, 12:30 a.m. CST) and eighth-ranked BYU-Hawaii (6 p.m. Thursday, CST) as part of the Hoop N' Surf Classic.

Drury senior swimming standout Janelle Slattery has been named the National Swimmer Of The Week for women's NCAA Division II teams by collegeswimming.com, the organization announced Tuesday. Slattery, in helping the Panthers to a third-place team finish as the only D-II team in the six-team field of the Missouri Invitational last weekend, captured the 100 Back and 200 Back events, reaching NCAA "A" qualifying times in each. She also finished second in the 100 Butterfly, also with an "A" time, as well as eighth in the 200 Fly. The senior from Waikerie, Australia was also a member of five DU relay squads in the meet. Drury is idle until a January 22 rematch with Missouri State at the Breech Pool.

Springfield, MO – December 2, 2008 – The Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield will be offering a Basketball Program for youth in Kindergarten through Eight Grade. Individual registration deadline is December 30, 2008 and team registration deadline is January 6, 2008. The cost of the program is $300.00/team and/or $30 for an individual for an eight game schedule. Season play will begin on January 24, 2009. A Post Season Tournament will follow the regular season.

Sportsmanship is stressed in all leagues. Registration packets can be picked up at the Stalnaker Unit, 1410 N. Fremont. For questions, call the Sports Director, Jay Gallivan, at the Stalnaker Unit (417) 865-2821 (Ext. 105). Individuals can be placed on teams if the Sports Director is notified a few weeks before the registration deadline.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield is to provide programs that guide and direct youth from all backgrounds, with a special concern for those from at-risk circumstances. Through social, physical, and educational development activities, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield teaches youth the values of life, strengthens their self-esteem, and makes them better citizens of our community.

CANYON, Texas - Tampa put the clamps on No. 4 Drury, holding the Lady Panthers to their worst offensive output in the program's history in picking up a 57-39 victory in the West Texas A & M Thanksgiving Shootout here on Friday afternoon.

Drury falls to 3-2 on the season with its second straight loss. The 39 points were the fewest ever scored by a Lady Panthers' basketball team, breaking the old mark set in a 57-45 loss to Arkansas Tech in
December, 2002 in Pensacola, Fla.

Tampa, an NCAA-II Tournament team each of the past three seasons and coming off a school-record, 24-win season, improved to 5-1. The Spartans - who were limiting opponents to 40 points and 29-percent shooting from the field per game coming in - held Drury to 29-percent shooting from the floor (13 of 45), including 25-percent from behind the 3-point line (5 of 20).

The Lady Panthers committed 21 turnovers in the contest, including 13 in the first half as Tampa built a 29-17 halftime advantage. Drury held a 14-13 lead midway through the half before the Spartans put together a 16-0 run to break it open, and the Lady Panthers never recovered.

"I've been involved in 400 to 500 basketball games, and I believe that's the worst I've had a team play," Drury coach Steve Harold said. "We had a lot of careless turnovers, and as a result, the game got away from us before the half, and we never recovered in the second half."

Freshman Katie Pritchard and junior Caitlin Shouse came off the bench to lead the Lady Panthers with eight points each. Returning All-GLVC performers Lindsay Ballweg and Melanie Oliver were limited to five and three points, respectively, with Ballweg's five points all coming in the first half and Oliver being held scoreless from the field.

Kym Taylor, a 6-1 senior, led Tampa with 14 points, while 6-1 junior Tiara Cook and 5-7 senior Hailee Sullivan added 10 points each.

Taylor 14 points, Cook and Sullivan 10 points each to lead the Spartans (5-1).

Drury now must turn around and play No. 3 West Texas A & M on its home floor in a 6 p.m. contest on Saturday. The Lady Buffs, led by three-time All-America selection Emily Brister, will take a 3-0 record into Friday night's game with Panhandle (Okla.) State as part of the two-day event.

"We'll probably shake up our lineup a little bit and try to get our kids refocused," Harold said. "I don't know if it's the travel ... but we've got to get back to playing our type of basketball, which I haven't seen on this trip yet. If we don't, we're going to come out of here 3-3 on the year.

"Our kids need to learn from this experience and grow from it."

Drury is trying to avoid only the second three-game losing streak in the program's nine-year history. The first came in 2006-07, when the Lady Panthers dropped November games at Grand Valley State, Ferris State and Lewis en route to a 25-9 campaign that ended with a trip to the NCAA-II Elite Eight.

Senior guard Tim Brown hit a pair of free throws with 11 seconds left to give No. 21 a three-point lead, and the Panthers weathered a last wave from Maryville from there to hold off the Saints for a 69-66 victory in a non-conference matchup Friday night at Weiser Gym.

Freshman forward Dominique Long had career highs of 20 points and seven rebounds and senior forward Chris Ijames added 15 points to lead the Panthers, who moved to 4-1 with the victory. Maryville, which will become a Great Lakes Valley Conference member next season, fell to 1-2.

Drury trailed 32-29 at halftime, then watched the Saints burst out to a nine-point lead, the last time at 43-34 with16:47 left, before the Panthers went to work.

Drury answered with a 21-0 run over the next six minutes to take a 55-43 lead with 10:40 remaining.

But the Saints wouldn't go away, rallying to eventually take a 63-62 lead on a 3-pointer by Aaron Steinke with 1:50 left. Drury countered with a layup by Ijames to make it 64-63, and a steal from freshman guard Kyle Vaughan led to a dunk by senior Adam White with 57 seconds left for a 66-63 cushion.

Two free throws by Maryville's Jared McCoy later made it a 67-66 Drury lead with 13 seconds left and Brown was fouled on the in-bounds pass. The senior calmly sank both free throws and the Panthers corralled the rebound of a miss by the Saints' Kyle Winters in the closing seconds to secure the victory.

"Give Maryville credit ... they came in here and they obviously were the basketball team that had the most passion," Drury coach Steve Hesser said. "I didn't see any passion from Drury in the first half. It's the greatest game there is, and you're fortunate enough to get to be a college basketball player. I don't care if we play on the asphalt ... play like you want to be there. And I didn't see that from our guys tonight."

The Panthers forced 30 turnovers by the Saints, who nearly overcame that flaw by hitting 10 of 16 3-pointers for the contest and matching Drury (33-33) on the boards, the first time all season the Panthers haven't won the rebounding matchup.

Winters hit 6 of 9 from 3-point range and finished with 20 points and Eric Gruenewald added 17 points for the Saints, who will become a twice-a-year divisional foe in the GLVC for the Panthers starting next season.

While the Saints hit 51 percent from the field (23 of 45), Drury made just 39 percent (24 of 62), including a 3-for-17 effort from behind the arc as their 3-pointer shooting woes continued.

"We've got to find somebody on the perimeter that wants to step up and be a basketball player," Hesser said.

"In the end, we made enough plays down the end to win the game. To have to make some big plays with some young guys in the end is a positive. We've just got to get better."

Hesser praised the plays down the stretch of Vaughan and in particular, Long, who hit a big pair of free throws with 18 seconds left to help ward off the Saints.

"In the second half, Dominique was the guy to go get us a basket when we needed a basket," Hesser said.

The Panthers had a season-high 14 steals, with Ijames picking up a career-high five and Vaughan and Brown adding four each. Ijames also led DU with four assists.

Drury goes on the road next Tuesday to visit Ouachita Baptist, an NCAA-II Tournament team last season, in a 7 p.m. tipoff in Arkadelphia, Ark.

Amine Boustani, the architect of Drury's rich NCAA Division II men's tennis tradition, has resigned to become an assistant coach for both the men's and women's programs at NCAA Division I Virginia Commonwealth.

Boustani has spent the past 14 seasons as the head men's coach at Drury, where he turned the Panthers into a perennial national powerhouse. He posted a 271-62 record (an .814 winning percentage) in his time at Drury, which included a national runner-up finish in 2001 and a national top six ranking each of the past nine seasons.

Boustani's 2008 Drury squad finished 25-3, reached the NCAA-II semifinals and won its third straight Great Lakes Valley Conference championship in incredible fashion, outscoring opponents a combined 102-0 in league singles and doubles play.

Boustani, a former tennis standout at then-Southwest Missouri State University, is a native of Morocco. He captured GLVC Coach of the Year honors three times and has also been a two-time National Coach of the Year selection as well. He also coached the DU women's team from 1995-2000.

"Drury wishes Amine the very best in his new venture at Virginia Commonwealth," Drury Director of Athletics Pat Atwell said. "He has been an outstanding ambassador for the university and our tennis program. Amine is one of the most successful coaches in Division II and has put Drury men's tennis on the map nationally.

"Amine is also extremely well respected in the local tennis community and has represented himself and DU in a first class manner during his career here. His overall contributions to the university will be greatly missed. It is with complete sincerity that we wish to thank Amine for his devoted service and wish him well in this new phase of his life."

Boustani joins a Virginia Commonwealth program that has been under the direction of head coach Paul Kostin for 19 seasons at the Richmond, Va., school. The Rams are 390-104 under Kostin, including 16 NCAA tournament appearances and 14 conference championships, including 11 in the Colonial Athletic Association Counting his career previously at Arkansas-Little Rock, Kostin became the fifth coach to reach 800 tennis victories last April.

Kostin has been the women's coach at VCU since 2002.

The Drury Lady Panthers picked up their second recruit of the fall signing session when Ozark High School standout Bri Anton signed an NCAA letter-of-intent to join the program starting with the 2009-10 campaign.

The 5-foot-10 Anton, a guard/forward, was one of the most sought-after prep products in Missouri this season, turning down several NCAA Division I opportunities to become a Lady Panther. She chose Drury over Missouri, Arkansas State, Arkansas, Eastern Illinois and Southeast Missouri State, among others.

She averaged just under 15 points, six rebounds and four assists per game last season for the Lady Tigers, a perennial Central Ozark Conference power expected to be among the elite teams in southwest Missouri again this season.

"We really feel like Bri can come in and impact our program immediately," Drury coach Steve Harold said. "I like her size, her athleticism, her ability to shoot the three ... she's played on a winning program at Ozark for Yancey Little and she's played against national caliber competition in the summer with (the Missouri Valley Magic program and coach) Allen Wilson, so we know she'll be ready to step on the floor and contribute from the minute she gets here."

Anton joins 5-10 Nixa High School senior Abby Bracker, also a member of the AAU Magic, as players who've committed to join the Lady Panthers next season.

Drury, ranked No. 7 nationally in the USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 Poll, opens its season tonight against Northeastern State in a 7 p.m. tipoff at Weiser. The Lady Panthers return four starters from a team that went 28-4 last season, won the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship and made a sixth straight appearance in the NCAA-II national tournament.

Kickapoo High School standout Alex Hall signed an NCAA letter-of-intent to play basketball for the Drury Panthers on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA's fall signing period.

Hall, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard, averaged 14 points, four rebounds and three steals per game as a junior for Coach Roy Green's Chiefs on a squad that finished 23-6 and also included current Drury freshmen Dusty Allen and Kyle Vaughan.

Hall, who hit 44 percent of his attempts from 3-point range last season, chose the Panthers over a handful of schools at the NCAA Division I and II levels after drawing significant interest in his summer AAU ball performances with the Kansas City-based Pump N' Run squad.

"We are very excited to get a player of Alex's potential to become a Panther," Drury coach Steve Hesser said. "He's got a tremendous amount of athleticism and shooting ability, and we bellieve he'll be able to come in and have the chance to contribute immediately as a freshman."

Hall will join a Panthers squad next season that will lose five seniors off this year's squad, including four-year standouts Adam White, Tim Brown and Chris Ijames. Drury will open its regular season on Saturday against Upper Iowa in a 7 p.m. tipoff at Weiser Gym.

Springfield, Mo. – The National Christian Homeschool Basketball Tip-Off Tournament is Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 13-15, in Springfield.

The Tip-Off Tournament is a pre-season event in which 24 teams from Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kansas are participating. Most of the teams will return to Springfield March 16-21 for the national championship tournament.

Games are:
· 4-9 p.m. Nov. 13 at Chesterfield Family Center, O’Reilly Gym and Central Bible College;
· 11 a.m.-10 p.m. at Nov. 14 at Central Bible College and Baptist Bible College;
· 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 15 at Central Bible College, Baptist Bible College and O’Reilly Gym.

All games are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.homeschoolbasketball.com

The Bears show more confidence, and wins, on the field after a dismal 2007 season. By Bridgette Robles CFP Intern Photo Right: Freshman Kristen Pettey fights for control of the ball in front of the goal. Pettey has scored seven goals for the Bears this season. Photo Below: Senior midfielder Sarah Johnson prepares to send the ball up field to start a fast break for the Bears.

SPRINGFIELD — The ceremonial ribbon cutting for Missouri State’s new $67 million basketball facility, JQH Arena, will take place at the grand entrance to the building at 4 p.m. Oct. 24.

The ceremony will also include the official key transfer from project’s construction management company, J.E. Dunn and Associates, to Missouri State University officials, marking the substantial completion of the Arena. Final touches of the construction phase will be completed over the next few months.

“Friday is a day we have anxiously awaited since the beginning of this project,” said Missouri State Director of Athletics Bill Rowe. “Missouri State is very excited to be transitioning from the construction phase to the preparation phase for our upcoming events. It has taken many months of hard work and dedication by literally hundreds of workers to reach this pivotal juncture, and the university is grateful for their efforts and the product they are turning over to us.”

The Oct. 24 events will begin with a performance by the Missouri State University Pep Band at 3:45 p.m., followed by brief comments by dignitaries at 4 p.m. The event will conclude with the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

Those expected to speak at the ribbon cutting include: Rowe, City Manager Greg Burris (formerly vice president for administrative and information services), a representative of J.E. Dunn and Associates, a representative of the Missouri State Board of Governors, and university President Dr. Michael Nietzel. Vice President of University Advancement Brent Dunn will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event.

Shortly after the university takes possession of the building, a series of special events begin, starting with a public Open House on Oct. 25 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

On Nov. 1, following the Lady Bears exhibition game against Southwestern Oklahoma State at Hammons Student Center, the university will host a reception and open house for Missouri State students and their parents in JQH Arena, featuring a performance by The Cadence.

Before the Bears’ 7 p.m. exhibition game at Hammons Student Center against Quincy University on Nov. 3, the public will have another opportunity to tour JQH Arena from 5:30-6:45 p.m. Similar tour and open house opportunities will be available prior to the Nov. 9 women’s exhibition game against Arkansas Tech and the men’s exhibition game on Nov. 10 against East Central University.

Special events for suite holders, major donors and others are also scheduled during early November, prior to the Arena’s first ticketed event on Nov. 13 when the Eagles make a stop at JQH Arena on their “Long Road Out of Eden” tour.

The inaugural basketball games at JQH Arena are Nov. 22 (Bears vs. Arkansas) and Sunday, Nov. 23 (Lady Bears vs. Arkansas State).

JQH Arena is named for John Q. Hammons in recognition of his $30 million gift. The facility will have more than 11,000 seats, a grand entrance, 24 private suites, more than 100 loge seats, 55 courtside seats, Legacy of Competition and Hall of Fame exhibit, a team souvenir store and a ticket office. JQH Arena is located just east of Hammons Student Center, with a connecting corridor between the facilities. Ground-breaking for the project was Dec. 21, 2006.

Lake Country Soccer, 2334 E. Pythian, will host 138 youth soccer teams from Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, Arkansas and Oklahoma this weekend during the 23rd Annual Thompson Fall Classic soccer tournament on Friday, Oct. 17 – Sunday, Oct. 19.

This year’s tournament represents the largest, single weekend tournament event ever hosted by Lake Country Soccer. More than 3,600 spectators, athletes, parents and coaches are expected with the 138 teams. Earlier this year, Lake Country hosted 137 teams during the Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission Champion Challenge.

“An impressive lineup of clubs and teams participating in this event will make for a very competitive weekend including, Springfield Soccer Club, Total Soccer Club, Tulsa Soccer Club, Scott Gallagher, Northwest Arkansas Lightning, KC Fusion and Lou Fusz, just to name a few,” said Lake Country Executive Director Kelly Ross. “We were so pleased to have maxed out on our teams wanting to participate. We’ll be at full capacity for field usage, referee availability and staffing, but are looking forward to the challenge.”

Games begin as early as 8 a.m., Saturday morning. Nearly 20 division championship games will be played on Sunday afternoon. Schedule information is available at www.lakecountrysoccer.org or the Lake Country offices at (417) 862-3211.

The Thompson Fall Classic is one of three annual tournaments hosted by Lake Country Soccer. The other two are held in early March and early April and draw nearly as many teams respectively.

Support is provided in part by Thompson Sales Automotive Group, Subway area restaurants, Steak-n-Shake area restaurants, San Francisco Ovens, Incredible Pizza, St. John’s Sports Medicine, Ozarks Coca-Cola /Dr. Pepper, and the Springfield-Greene County Park Board.

INDIANAPOLIS– The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced on Wednesday that Maryville University and the University of Illinois at Springfield have been admitted to the Conference bringing the league’s membership to 15 institutions. The addition of the two members was unanimously approved by the GLVC Council of Presidents at their Oct. 7 meeting.

Maryville and UIS will officially become members of the GLVC upon receipt of initiation fees entitling both institutions to voting privileges at the GLVC Winter Meeting on Jan. 16, 2009.

“The Great Lakes Valley Conference is pleased to welcome both Maryville University and the University of Illinois at Springfield to the league,” said Jim Naumovich, GLVC Commissioner. “Both institutions boast outstanding academic and solid athletic programs and are well positioned to make a successful transition to NCAA Division II.”

The two institutions will begin regular season competition in the GLVC during the 2009-10 academic year. UIS will be eligible for postseason competition in 2010-2011, while Maryville will compete for postseason championships in 2011-2012.

The delay in postseason eligibility coincides with the institution’s eligibility for NCAA Division II championships as each is completing reclassification to Division II. UIS, previously affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), is in its second exploratory year in Division II, while Maryville is currently in its first exploratory year as it makes the transition from Division III.

“The support of the Presidents, athletic directors, staff, administration, and coaches at each institution as well as the schools’ geographic locations in the current footprint of the league are all positive factors cited by our conference members when considering their applications for membership,” said Naumovich. “We look forward to including Maryville and UIS in our 2009-10 schedules and wish them the best of luck in the GLVC.”

Maryville is located in St. Louis, and along with the University of Missouri-St. Louis, will be one of two GLVC institutions in the St. Louis area. The University was founded in 1872 and is one of the oldest private institutions in the region. Maryville has an enrollment of over 3,400 students and offers more than 50 undergraduate degrees.

The University sponsors 13 sports including all seven of the ‘core’ sports (men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball) currently sponsored by the GLVC. The Saints also sponsor men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s cross country, each of which is also a sport sponsored by the Conference.

Maryville was a charter member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) and has competed in the NCAA Division III conference since the 1990-91 academic year. The Saints captured 34 league titles in the SLIAC, the second-most in the league since its inception, and the 2008-09 academic year will mark the Saints last in the SLIAC.

UIS resides in Springfield, Ill., the capital of the state of Illinois, and will be centrally located in the GLVC. The University was founded in 1969 as Sangamon State University and currently offers 21 undergraduate degree programs and over 20 graduate programs. In 1995, the institution became a campus of the University of Illinois and it currently boasts an enrollment of 4,700 students.

The athletic department was established in 1977 and the Prairie Stars competed in the NAIA as an independent until the 2002-03 academic year when they joined the America Midwest Conference (AMC). UIS built a strong athletic foundation in the NAIA and captured three national championships in men’s soccer, while producing a national presence in several other sports.

The University sponsors 10 sports, all of which are sponsored by the GLVC. The Prairie Stars offer men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, softball and volleyball and is expected to add baseball by the 2010-11 academic year to fulfill the GLVC ‘core’ sports requirement.

The GLVC was established in 1978 and is one of the largest NCAA Division II conferences in the country. With the addition of Maryville and UIS, the GLVC will include 15 teams from five Midwestern states. The current members of the GLVC are: Bellarmine University (Louisville, Ky.), Drury University (Springfield, Mo.), Kentucky Wesleyan College (Owensboro, Ky.), Lewis University (Romeoville, Ill.), Missouri University of Science & Technology (Rolla, Mo.), Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights, Ky.), Quincy University (Quincy, Ill.), Rockhurst University (Kansas City, Mo.), Saint Joseph’s College (Rensselaer, Ind.), University of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, Ind.), University of Missouri-St. Louis (St. Louis, Mo.), University of Southern Indiana (Evansville, Ind.) and University of Wisconsin-Parkside (Kenosha, Wis.).

The GLVC last expanded in 2005 with the addition of Drury, Rockhurst and Missouri S&T. The league began in 1978 with six members and had previously expanded to 14 members in 2005, prior to SIU Edwardsville’s departure in 2008. The addition of Maryville and UIS will mark the first time in its history the GLVC has had 15 members.

The GLVC currently sponsors championships in 17 sports: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor track & field, men’s and women’s outdoor track & field and volleyball.

For more information about the GLVC and each conference member, please visit
www.glvcsports.org.

SPRINGFIELD, MO – Yesterday (September 25), Bill Rowe announced his plans to retire from the AD position in June 2009 after 27 years. Now, Missouri State University President Michael T. Nietzel has announced the members of the search committee that will find his replacement.

The committee will be chaired by Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement. The position will be advertised in the near future, with the committee screening and interviewing candidates in the spring of 2009. The new director of athletics will be named sometime in the late spring, with a target starting date of July 1, 2009.

Joining Dunn on the search committee will be:

Judy Bilyeu, alumna
Melody (Howard) Elliott, former student-athlete
Chris Geisz, current student-athlete
Holly Hesse, softball coach
Jerry Hoover, director of bands
Bruce Johnson, faculty athletics representative
Kevin Kane, women’s golf coach
Bob Kincaid, academic advisor
Jon Leamy, men’s soccer coach
David McQueary, alumnus
Jack Miller, alumnus
Stacey Nelson, current student-athlete

Photo Courtesy MSU Photo Services

SPRINGFIELD — The individual synonymous with Missouri State University’s intercollegiate athletics program for more than a quarter-century is retiring.

Today (Sept. 25), Bill Rowe announced that in June 2009 he will step down as director of athletics, a position he has held since 1982. Including his time as a student and then as a coach, Rowe has been associated with the university for more than 50 years. Even after retiring as director of athletics, he hopes to continue to serve the university in some capacity.

A seemingly permanent fixture on the Springfield campus, Rowe is currently in his 47th year as part of the university’s athletics staff. He spent 19 years (1963-82) as head baseball coach, athletics business manager and assistant athletics director before becoming the school’s ninth director of athletics in 1982. He will complete his 28th year in that capacity this spring. He is a 1961 graduate of Missouri State, enrolling as an undergraduate in the fall of 1957 after graduating from Marionville (Mo.) High School. As an undergraduate, he served as a student trainer for the university and later served as an assistant coach in football and track for the Bears. Rowe also holds a master’s degree from the University of Missouri and completed 30 hours beyond his master’s at Indiana University.

“Coach Rowe has been an integral part of our university and the many successes of its athletics department for almost five decades,” said Missouri State President Michael T. Nietzel. “I have never met anyone as loyal and committed to a university as Bill Rowe has been for Missouri State. He has given his heart to this university.

“The announcement of his retirement is an opportunity for the Missouri State family and everyone who has had the pleasure of associating with Bill to celebrate the person he is and the many milestones of his career. Bill and I are discussing how he can continue to serve the university after his retirement. I look forward to working a lot more with him.”

Rowe became athletics director as Missouri State was transitioning to NCAA Division I status in 1982. During his tenure, the MSU men’s and women’s intercollegiate teams have made 46 trips to the NCAA championships along with numerous individual NCAA appearances, achieving national recognition almost immediately. Two teams, women’s volleyball and softball, made NCAA Tournament appearances during the school’s first season at the Division I level.

Under Rowe, the Bears Fund foundation, established in conjunction with the move to Division I, has grown exponentially, as has the Annual Auction Benefitting Intercollegiate Athletics which developed under Rowe in 1987. The Bears Fund alone has raised more than $34 million to contribute to the financial stability of MSU’s intercollegiate athletics programs.

Likewise, the expansion and improvement of athletics facilities on and around campus have been the envy of Rowe’s contemporaries around the nation. Missouri State’s athletics teams now enjoy some of the finest practice, competition and support facilities in the region. Most noteworthy among the many capital projects undertaken by Rowe and his staff are the new JQH Arena, which will open in November; Forsythe Athletic Center renovation in 2002-03; Plaster Field improvements from 1987-91 and the new Plaster Field scoreboard in 2008; multiple renovations to Hammons Student Center, including the most-recent upgrades in the summer of 2008; and collaborative efforts with community facilities such as Hammons Field, Cooper Tennis Complex, various golf courses and the future Killian Softball Stadium.

Rowe was named Executive of the Year by the Mid-Continent Conference four times, including Missouri State’s final year in the conference in 1989-90. A charter member of the league in 1982-83, MSU won 30 titles overall and 20 titles in its last four seasons in the conference before joining the Missouri Valley Conference in 1990-91. The Missouri Valley Conference transition proved to be a unifying force on campus just a few short years later when the MVC absorbed the women’s Gateway Conference, incorporating the men’s and women’s programs into one conference for the first time in school history. He served on the Missouri Valley Conference transition committee to incorporate women’s athletics into the league in 1992.

As members of the Missouri Valley Conference, Missouri State has finished in the top five in all but one season in the 10-team Valley all-sports competition. Missouri State has won the Missouri Valley Conference All-Sports Title three times – 2000, 2002 and 2003.

Rowe has also served on various national committees and assisted with NCAA events on numerous occasions. Missouri State has hosted NCAA Division I and Division II regional and national events in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, wrestling, football and volleyball during Rowe’s tenure as athletic director, coach and business manager. He has also served as chair of the NCAA Division II All-America and Coach of the Year committees and spent five years on the American Baseball Coaches Association Executive Committee. He served on the NCAA Division I FBS Committee and Division I Baseball Committee. He has served two terms as chair of the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee and been an NCAA representative at more than 20 baseball regionals and super regionals.

Honors have also been frequently bestowed on Rowe. In 1988, he was inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame and named an MSU Outstanding Alumnus. He was inducted into the Missouri State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994, the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

In recent years, the establishment of the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee, Student-Athletic Advisory Committee and Student-Athlete Code of Conduct by Rowe and his staff have helped solidify the university’s standing as a national leader in character education and reinforced the statewide public affairs mission of the Springfield campus. Likewise, Rowe’s determination and hard work on behalf of the university have positively impacting thousands of student-athletes, coaches, administrators and colleagues during his storied career.

“I am grateful for the people who gave me an opportunity to be involved in athletics at Missouri State when I first got started,” Rowe said. “There are two ways I measure the impact athletics has at this great university. The first is when former athletes and coaches send their sons and daughters to school here, and the second is when I see our student-athletes cross the stage on graduation day.

“The theme I have always tried to use throughout my career is ‘it takes everyone to make it work.’ The great family that we have at Missouri State and in intercollegiate athletics makes everything work, and for those relationships and the many successes we’ve enjoyed over the years, I’m extremely grateful.”

With little doubt, the inaugural game at JQH Arena on Nov. 22 will be a crowning moment for MSU athletics and Rowe’s legacy. The 11,000-seat facility will be the largest on-campus basketball facility in the Missouri Valley and will provide the university with a long-awaited entertainment venue that will attract nationally-prominent acts and events.

During Rowe’s tenure, he has seen the Bears softball team make the NCAA’s four more times since their first run 1982, while the volleyball program has now made seven NCAA trips, including four in the last five seasons. MSU men’s basketball teams have made 14 postseason appearances, including six trips to the Big Dance and a memorable run to the Sweet 16 in 1999. The baseball program has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the College World Series for the first time in 2003 and opening Hammons Field, one of the gems of college baseball stadiums, in 2004. Women’s basketball has emerged as a national power, both in terms of success and fan base, under Rowe’s administration. The storied Lady Bears have reached the NCAA Tournament 13 times with Final Four trips in 1992 and 2001, three runs to the Sweet 16, and a 2005 WNIT title. In addition, football, men’s golf, women’s golf, men’s soccer and women’s soccer have also combined to make seven NCAA Championship appearances in the Rowe era.

A search for a new director of athletics will begin in October. Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement, will chair the search committee for a new director, and the other members of the committee are in the process of being contacted. The composition of the complete committee will be announced within the next few days. The university plans to announce Rowe’s replacement sometime in the spring of 2009.

Rowe and his wife, Nydia, have two adult children, Jeff Rowe and Nancy Rowe Wedgeworth who are 1994 and 1996 graduates of Missouri State, respectively. He also has three grandchildren, Gracie Marie Wedgeworth (7), Drew Rowe Wedgeworth (3) and Elinor Kathleen Rowe (3 months).

The 2008 USTA/Missouri Valley Section Adult Mixed Doubles League Championships will be held Thursday, Sept. 25 – Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Cooper Tennis Complex, 2331 E. Pythian St.

Approximately 350 adult players from Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma will compete in several different levels of play for the opportunity to advance to the national championships on November 21 – 23, in Sacramento, Calif.

A player dinner kicks off the event at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25. Pool play begins at 7:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 26. Finals are expected to take place late morning on Sunday, Sept. 28.

Spectators can watch the games of the tournament for free. This is the first year that the Cooper Tennis Complex has hosted the prestigious event for the USTA.

Cooper Tennis Complex also will begin a TeamTennis League for College Co-eds beginning this Thursday, Sept. 18. The six-week league is a fun, competitive social team tennis league for college students who do not play on their school’s varsity tennis team. Match play is available in men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles. The league fee is $10 per person. Awards will be given at the end of the league, and winning teams can advance to regional and national championships in spring 2009.

The sixth annual Ozarks Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26, at the Clarion Hotel, 3333 S. Glenstone Ave. A Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Rivercut Golf Course, 2850 W. Farm Road 190, precedes the evening’s events.

The ceremony and dinner will honor the seventh class of distinguished inductees: Chuck Greene, Karl Anderson, Kerry Speaker North, Don Gardner, and 1946 Masters Champion Herman Keiser.

“This year’s induction class is a great blend of people who have not only played the game very well, but who also have promoted the great game of golf and helped many people in the Ozarks,” said Rick Grayson, President of the Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Foundation.

The evening also will recognize this year’s winners of area course championships throughout the Ozarks.

The Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Foundation is a non-profit organization, which will receive the proceeds from the event to promote junior golf in the Ozarks. For ticket information or to register for the pro-am, call the Rivercut Golf Course at (417) 891-1645.

Missouri-St. Louis scored the final three points of a nip-and-tuck fifth set to defeat Drury 3-2 in Great Lakes Valley Conference volleyball action Tuesday night at Weiser Gym.

The victory allowed the GLVC West-leading Tritons to improve to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in the league. Drury fell to 5-6 and 1-2 in dropping its home opener.

The Panthers won the opening game 25-23, but watched UMSL come back to claim the next two sets by scores of 25-20 and 25-15. Drury battled back to win the fourth game 25-21 and force the decisive set, which was tied at 12 before the Tritons put together the final three points for the win.

Sophomore Kyrie Hopkins led four Panthers with double-figure kills with 14, while senior Devin Buehler added 13, junior Brianne Holtkamp had a career-high 11 and junior Megan Warhol 10. Sophomore setter Austin Warren had 40 assists, while junior Rachel Warrington led the way with 22 digs and Warren added 19.

UMSL got 22 kills from Elizabeth Cook, who also added a team-high 23 digs.

Drury returns to action at home this weekend, playing host to Missouri Science and Technology at 7 p.m. Friday and Southern indiana at 3 p.m. Saturday. PHOTO: DU junior Brianne Holtkamp had a career-high 11 kills and two blocks for the Panthers in their 3-2 loss to UMSL

Panthers Finish Ninth, Vaughan 32nd In MSU/Payne Stewart Memorial

Freshman Aubree Vaughan finished 32nd and the Drury University women's golf team wound up in ninth place as the MSU/Payne Stewart Memorial came to a close Tuesday at the par-72 Rivercut Golf Course.

Oral Roberts won the 11-team event with a 609 total, including a final-round 302, to beat runner-up McNeese State by five shots. Host Missouri State was third at 615.

Drury finished with a 669 total after a 334 on Tuesday as the only non-Division I team in the field.

Vaughan, competing as an individual, was the top Panther with her rounds of 81-81 162 for a tie for 32nd place. Of the five players on the official Drury entry in the field, juniors Allison Rasnick and Katie Wilburn led the way with 166 totals. Wilburn had an 81 on Tuesday, Rasnick an 84.

Maggie Welch of McNeese State was the individual winner with her rounds of 73-73 146.

Drury returns to action on Sunday and Monday at the Southern Indiana/Ray Wright Classic in Evansville, Ind. PHOTO: DU junior Katie Wilburn

Photo: DU junior Steve Wilczewski (11) is the GLVC Player ot the Week

INDIANAPOLIS – Drury University’s Steve Wilczewski is the Great Lakes Valley Conference Men’s Soccer Player of the Week. The junior forward from Springfield (Glendale HS) helped the Panthers remain unbeaten in 2008 with a pair of conference victories over the weekend.

Drury began the weekend with a 2-1 win at previously unbeaten Missouri-St. Louis on Friday. Wilczewski opened the scoring on the afternoon by heading in a goal in the 16th minute on an assist from Jake Allison. He quickly added an assist on Marco Cherisma’s game-winning goal just over two minutes later.

Wilczewski (pronounced "Will-Chesky") also played a key role in the Panthers’ decisive 6-1 win over visiting Southern Indiana on Sunday. With Drury leading 1-0 late in the first half, Wilczewski scored the game-winning goal in the 44th minute from three-yards out unassisted. He added an insurance goal for the Panthers in the 57th minute, quickly answering the Eagles’ lone goal of the contest and providing his team a 4-1 lead.

On the week, Wilczewski finished with three goals and an assist, including the game-winner against USI. He converted all three of his shots on goal and three of his four shots overall.

Wilczewski is second in the GLVC this season with 12 points on five goals and two assists. His five goals lead the Panthers and rank the junior third in the league.

Drury moved to 4-0-0 overall and to 2-0-0 in the league with the victories. The Panthers will visit Kentucky Wesleyan and Bellarmine this weekend.

Other top performers in the GLVC last week included: Lewis’ Anthony Szymel, Missouri S&T’s Pat McNamee, Northern Kentucky’s Eric Ashworth, Rockhurst’s Haggai Leboo, Saint Joseph’s Greg Gehrig and UIndy’s Andrew Jones.

Photo: DU senior Melissa Perry (15) scored her 15th career goal in the contest

First-half goals from sophomore Alyssa Allcorn and senior Melissa Perry lifted Drury to a 2-0 victory over Southern Indiana in Great Lakes Valley Conference action Sunday afternoon at Harrison Stadium.

Allcorn cleaned up a loose ball in the box for the unassisted goal - her first of the season and second of her career - at the 31:54 mark to put the Panthers on top 1-0.

Six minutes later, Perry scored her first of the season (and 15th of her career) off an assist from fellow senior Chloe Moushey for the 2-0 advantage that stood through the remainder of the contest.

Sophomore keeper Jessie Sanderson posted her second straight shutout in goal with four saves as Drury outshot the Screaming Eagles 13-7.USI fell to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the league.

Defending GLVC champion Drury (2-2-1, 2-0) will return to action on the road in league play next weekend, visiting Kentucky Wesleyan on Friday and Bellarmine on Sunday.

Photo: DU's Marco Cherisma (left) and Steve Wilczewski celebrate during Sunday's 6-1 victory over Southern Indiana

Senior Marco Cherisma and junior Steve Wilczewski scored two goals each to lead the offensive enslaught as Drury posted a 6-1 victory over Southern Indiana in Great Lakes Valley Conference men's soccer action Sunday afternoon at Harrison Stadium.

Wilczewski, a Springfield Glendale High School product scored his team-leading fourth and fifth goals on the season as the Panthers moved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in GLVC play. USI fell to 2-4 and 1-2.

Cherisma got the Panthers on the board first with his goal off a Ben Taylor assist just 12 minutes into the contest. Drury pushed it to 2-0 in Wilczewski's unassisted goal at 43:26, then struck again less than a minute later when Cherisma picked up his third goal off the season (Tyson Bramley assist) for a 3-0 Panthers' advantage at halftime.

After USI cut it to 3-1 on a Caleb Johnson goal (William Reid assist) at 53:54, the Panthers retaliated with Wilczewski's second goal three minutes later, again with Taylor on the assist. Drury closed out the scoring with late goals from sophomores Adam Peterson and David Emnett (Alex Palmer assist).

Junior Logan Hoffman picked up the victory in goal and was credited with two assists. Drury out-shot the Screaming Eagles 22-4 in the contest, including 12-0 in the opening half.

The Panthers return to action on Friday against Kentucky Wesleyan in Owensboro, Ky. The GLVC match will begin at noon, with the women's game at 2:30 p.m.

The public is invited to participate in a free Tour of Springfield Community Bike Ride Monday evening to usher in the second annual Stage 2 finish of the Tour of Missouri in Springfield-Greene County.

Registration and activities begin at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 8, at Jordan Valley Park on the East Plaza adjacent to Mediacom Ice Park. The ride begins at 6:30 p.m. and will include a police escort for the two-mile finish circuit that the 120 world-class cyclists will experience on Tuesday afternoon.

The course is primarily flat and family friendly. It leaves Jordan Valley Park to the west on East Trafficway, north on Kimbrough Avenue to Tampa Street; west on Tampa to Jefferson Avenue; south on Jefferson to Monroe Street; east on Monroe to Kimbrough and north to East Trafficway to finish at Jordan Valley Park.

The activities include free bike safety inspections and a vendor village featuring area bike clubs, bike shops and the Stage 2 presenting sponsor, CoxHealth.

Springfield Police will distribute free youth bike helmets while supplies last. Drawings will be held to give away two bikes, Tour of Missouri merchandise and other items. The registration includes a coupon for 10 percent off Tour of Missouri merchandise while supplies last.

No advance registration is necessary until Monday evening.

The Tour of Springfield Community Bike Ride is sponsored by Springfield Police Department, Springbike Bicycle Club and the Polk County Bike Club.

More information on the events associated with the Tour of Missouri and the Stage 2 finish is available at: www.tourofmissouri.com and www.tourofspringfield.com.

Springfield-Greene County will host the second stage of the Tour of Missouri professional cycling race on Tuesday, Sept. 9, with a variety of activities surrounding the arrival of 120 world-class competitors, including recent Tour of France and Olympic competitors.

The Stage 2 finish line will be at Kimbrough Avenue and East Trafficway with riders expected to arrive after 3 p.m. Tuesday. The 126-mile course begins at 11 a.m. in Clinton and winds through Walnut Grove and Willard in northwestern Greene County before riders hit the final circuit in downtown Springfield for nearly three full laps to the finish line. A map of this year’s course is attached.

Here is a recap of Springfield-Greene County Stage 2 events and traffic plans for the Tour of Missouri:

Community Bike Ride: A free, police-escorted family bike ride will show the two-mile final circuit at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 8, starting at Jordan Valley Park. No advance registration is necessary. Registration and activities begin at 5:30 p.m. at Jordan Valley Park. This event is supported by Springfield Police, Springbike and the Polk County Bike Club. Police will give away youth bike helmets while quantities last and participants can draw for two free bikes and Tour of Missouri merchandise.

Health and Wellness Expo: CoxHealth is the presenting sponsor for an afternoon of sports and wellness information and kids activities at the Mediacom Ice Park parking lot adjacent to the Tour finish line. The Expo opens at 1 p.m. and remains open until after the awards ceremony. Local dance band Lost Highway will perform about 2 p.m., and again after the awards ceremony. Tour merchandise will be available and CoxHealth will sell cowbells to cheer on the cyclists for $3, which will benefit the CoxHealth Foundation’s Bethlehem Fund for high-risk, low-income expectant mothers.

Block Party: CoxHealth also will host a block party about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday for employees and area residents at its Cox North campus, which is on the Tour route as riders turn south from Division Street onto Jefferson Avenue to head toward the finish circuit. Bleacher seating, free refreshments, activities, games and wellness education will be available for employees and neighbors. Traffic Plans: To maintain the safety of riders and spectators, the Tour will necessitate temporary street closures along the route throughout Tuesday afternoon.

The intersection of Trafficway and Kimbrough will be closed completely about 6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 8, to prepare the finish line area. Traffic will be detoured using St. Louis and Tampa streets.

No on-street parking will be allowed on the Tour route on Tuesday. Vehicles that are not moved off the route by 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, will be subject to ticketing and towing. Springfield Police will put warning notices on cars parked along the route this weekend and signs will be clearly posted in the affected area.

As the riders enter Greene County, sections of the route will be closed to traffic for 20 to 30 minutes at a time until riders pass. This will affect access to driveways and parking lots during these closure periods. The downtown circuit will be closed for up to two hours as riders approach the finish on Tuesday afternoon. Notification of the closures has been sent to all addresses on the route throughout Greene County. Police and volunteer course marshals will provide traffic and closure direction throughout the afternoon with the goal of re-opening sections of the route as quickly as possible after riders have passed.

Stage 2 from Clinton to Springfield is the longest ride of the seven-day event with Edward Jones sprint points in Stockton and Willard. Last year’s overall winner George Hincapie, racing for the Discovery Channel team, took the lead during Stage 2. Hincapie is racing again this year, now for Team Columbia.

For more information about the Tour activities, visit: www.tourofmissouri.com or www.tourofspringfield.com. Copies of cycling publication Velo News with a Tour of Missouri guide and Tour of Missouri maps are available at local bike shops, Springfield-Greene County Park Board recreation centers and downtown Springfield businesses while supplies last.

The Stars and Cars of the Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series made their final trip of 2008 to West Plains Motor Speedway on Saturday August 30 for the 18th Annual Coca-Cola Fall Nationals. As always when going to West Plains, the track was perfectly prepared and ready for great racing action.

28 cars checked in to battle for the $1000 payday. Current points leader Leslie Essary took the win in heat race #1. Jordan Holloway, who had motor trouble at Muskogee, took the win in heat race #2 with a motor that Holloway said, “they just through together with parts they had.” Jim Fulp made an impressive run in heat race #3 coming from his 3rd row inside starting position. Chuck Adams won heat race #4 with his crate motor, with Conner Ward making a hard charge for second from his 7th place starting position.

12 cars lined up next for the B feature. 4 cars would transfer to the A. Darrin Barton took the win, only to have motor problems, and had to scratch from the A. Transferring to the A was Tracy Cottrell, Chris Powell, Jimmy Bellamy, and Austin Rettig. Randy Galloway & Ron Johnson received provisional starting positions for the A.

For the start of the A the drivers made their way to the front stretch for introductions for the fans. After a four wide salute, the green flag was flying for polesitter Jarrod Hilton and Chuck Comer on the outside front row. Jarrod Hilton jumped out to an early lead with Comer following. Jim Fulp starting charging to the front quickly pulling off the pass on Comer for second on lap two, setting his sights on Hilton. The lead cars were approaching lap traffic by lap 10 on the smooth racing surface. Fulp passed Hilton for the lead on lap 11, with the only caution of the night coming out on lap twelve for Burl Woods and Chris Morelock who got hung together on the backstretch.

Jim Fulp kept the top spot the remaining 20 laps, with Leslie Essary picking off the competition one-by-one to end up in second. Jarrod Hilton hung on for a 3rd place finish. Shane Essary made a hard charge from 11th for a 4th place finish, and Chuck Comer rounded out the top 5.

The Race Brother Show-Me Racin Series has seen some changes to the schedule over the last week. The race scheduled for Lebanon Midway Speedway on Sept 12 has been canceled. Possibly added to the schedule is the “October Fast” at Springfield Raceway on the second weekend in October. Be on the lookout for more information regarding the schedule in the coming weeks. This year’s season ending banquet will be on Sunday November 2 at Playtime Pizza in Branson, MO. Everyone is invited to attend.

As always for the most up-to-date info on the Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series visit www.Show-MeRacinSeries.com

Remaining Schedule

Sept 13 – Springfield Raceway – Springfield, MO
Sept 19 – North Central AR Speedway – Flippin, AR
Oct 9, 10, 11 – Springfield Raceway’s 3rd Annual OctoberFAST
(we will NOT be running all 3 nights – be looking for details soon)
Oct 18 – Tri-State Speedway – Pocola, OK
Nov 2 – Banquet @ Playtime Pizza – Branson, MO

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will host the Springfield Urban Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Cooper Tennis Complex, 2331 E. Pythian St.

The Urban Challenge is a race through and around Springfield. Teams compete against each other to complete the course the fastest using a variety of transportation means (bus, bike and running). Participants will encounter both mental and physical challenges during the race, requiring quick thinking and strong team-work skills.

There are three divisions:

Adult Long Course (4 – 6 hours), $100 for a team of three;
Adult Short Course (2 – 4 hours), $75 for a team of three; and
Family Challenge (2 – 4 hours), $15 per person (2 – 4 per team, and must have one adult and one 7-17 year-old).

Pre-register on or before Friday, Aug. 29, at Doling Family Center, 301 E. Talmage St. Prices increase to $120/team, $95/team, and $25/person after August 29. Some equipment is required. Prizes will be awarded in each of the three divisions.

For more details and information, visit http://urban.parkboard.org or call (417) 837-5900. The Springfield Urban Challenge is a rain or shine event.

Nearly 100 local volunteers are still needed for the Springfield/Greene County Stage Two leg of the 2008 Tour of Missouri elite professional cycling event. The Springfield-area portion of the event will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. The overall Tour of Missouri event will be held September 8-14, featuring seven separate competitive race stages, and covering more than 600 miles.

Approximately 250 volunteers are needed to successfully complete Stage Two activities for the Springfield area, particularly for the critical roles of course marshal, security and medical control support. Those interested need to apply online at www.tourofmissouri.com, hit the “race info” button, then go to the “get involved” section. Following submittal, volunteers will then be contacted by local committee organizers in order to properly plan for duties associated with the September 9 event.

Both registered volunteers and prospective volunteers are invited to attend the next Springfield Area Volunteer Orientation at 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Mediacom Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway. For more information, contact: Bob Belote, (417) 864-1327; or Barb Baker, (417) 831-6200, committee co-chairs.

The 2008 Tour of Missouri will take place as follows:

Monday, Sept. 8 – St. Joseph to Kansas City, road race with circuits (90 mi / 144.81 km)
Tuesday, Sept. 9 – Clinton to Springfield, road race with circuits (125 mi / 201.13 km)
Wednesday, Sept. 10 – Branson, individual time trial (18 mi / 28.6 km)
Thursday, Sept. 11 – Lebanon to Rolla, road race with circuits (105 mi / 168.95 km)
Friday, Sept. 12 – St. James to Jefferson City, road race with circuits (100 mi / 160.9 km)
Saturday, Sept. 13 – Hermann to St. Charles, road race (110 mi / 177 km)
Sunday, Sept. 14 – St. Louis, circuit race (75 mi / 120.68 km)

About the Tour of Missouri

After an exceptionally successful inaugural Tour of Missouri in 2007, the Show Me State will again welcome 120 of the world’s elite cyclists on a 600-mile point-to-point race, to be held Sept. 8-14, 2008. The second edition of the Tour will include seven days of racing, from Kansas City to the Ozarks, over the Katy Trail, along Route 66 and the historic Missouri River, with a fantastic finish under the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The race is sanctioned by the UCI and USA Cycling, the international and national governing bodies for cycling, respectively. It is ranked as a 2.1, second in ranking to only the Tour de Georgia and Amgen Tour of California in North American cycling. The event’s management group is Medalist Sports of Tyrone, Ga., the organizers of both the California and Georgia races. KOM Sports Marketing of Colorado Springs, Colo., is the event’s marketing agency. For more information: www.tourofmissouri.com.

Several Olympians to participate in September’s world-class week-long race through the Show Me State

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (August 26, 2008) – Team Garmin-Chipotle’s Christian Vandevelde, the fifth-place finisher overall and top American at this year’s Tour de France, and 2008 Tour of Switzerland championRoman Kreuzinger of team Liquigas highlight the names released for the upcoming Tour of Missouri, a world-class 623-mile race through the Show Me State, September 8-14.

The 32-year-old Vandevelde, one American cycling’s big revelations in the post-Lance Armstrong era, surprised the world by finishing less than a couple minutes out of the podium at this year’s Tour de France. Known as a top trialist most of his career, Vandevelde showed amazing climbing skills and has matured into one of the world’s best all-around riders. Earlier in the year, he finished 3rd overall in the Amgen Tour of California and last year finished second overall at the Tour de Georgia, two of North America’s biggest races. He finished 17th overall in the road race at the Olympic Games two weeks ago.

Kreuzinger, the 22-year-old phenom from the Czech Reuplic finished 13th overall at this year’s Tour de France and second in the Best Young Rider competition for cyclists under the age of 25. His teammate Vincenzo Nibali finished third in the Best Young Rider competition at the Tour de France, will join him on the Liquigas squad inMissouri. Nibali recently was selected to represent his native Italy at the Beijing Games and is recognized as one of the sport’s young superstars with Kreuzinger.

Vandevelde will be joined by a very strong Garmin-Chipotle team that includes U.S. Olympic team member David Zabriskie and Tour de France team member Danny Pate. Zabriskie is the only American to ever win a stage of all three of professional cycling’s Grand Tours (France, Italy, and Spain), and is a two-time time trial champion and former Tour de France race leader. Pate won Stage 5 of last year’s Tour of Missouri in dramatic fashion, breaking away to win into St. Charles. Pate is a former Under-23 World Champion.

“We will be back to win,” said Jonathan Vaughters, director of the Garmin-Chipotle team. “This is not an end-of-the-season fun race for us. This is a serious objective for our team. It’s a major event now.”

Garmin’s team is bolstered by Will Frischkorn, who finished second overall at last year’s Tour of Missouri and narrowly missed winning a Tour de France stage last month. Steven Cozza, last year the Best Young Rider at the Tour of Missouri, will return and be joined by U.S. Olympian in track Mike Friedman, America’s top young sprinter Tyler Farrar, who led this year’s Tour de Georgia for a day, and upstart Jason Donald, a former NCAA Division II track All American turned professional cyclist.

“No doubt, Garmin Chipotle’s team is stacked,” said race director Jim Birrell. “They are bringing the best Americans on their team. Along with Team Columbia and Liquigas, they are definitely a team to watch.”

Rosters for HealthNet presented by MAXXIS, Germany’s Sparkasse, Mexico’s Tecos, and Canada’s Symmetrics were also announced.

America’s top team the past four seasons, HealthNet presented by MAXXIS will be led by Rory Sutherland, this year’s top-ranked rider on the American professional circuit. Sprinters Karl Menzies Frank Pipp, who almost beat George Hincapie in the Stage 2 sprint into Springfield in last year’s Tour of Missouri, and John Murphy, along with Tim Johnson, the current U.S. National Champion in cyclocross, Kyle Gritters, Kirk O’Bee and Phil Zijacek help round out the squad.

Canada’s top team Symmetrics will be led by Svein Tuft, who recently competed at the Beijing Olympics and earlier this summer won Canada’s top stage race. Other notables are sprinters Andrew Pinfold, second to Ivan Dominquez at Stage 1 in Kansas City, Canada’s top young rider Cameron Evans, and toughman Eric Wohlberg.

Mexico’s top club Tecos provided last year’s Tour of Missouri with a lot of excitement and aggressive racing. The team will feature a combination of climbers and roulers, including Bernardo Colex, who won a stage and finished second in Canada’s top stage race this summer.

Sparkasse, a top club team from Germany, features several very fast sprinters, including Eric Baumann and Sebastian Frey, who was featured in several sprints at last year’s race.

Branson (MO) – One of the Tri-Lake Region’s acclaimed professional golf tournaments returns to the Ozarks this week and welcomes familiar names to the area. In addition to playing at the beautiful LedgeStone Golf Course in Branson, the 45 professional golfers from across the country will compete for the $40,000 purse in the Skaggs Classic at Ledgestone presented by CenturyTel, a Tour Stop on the UGGOA Tour (United Golf Group of America). This year’s champion will take home a minimum of $6,200. The first round of professional play started today, with the Championship Round concluding on Friday, August 22 with a 7:30 a.m. tee time.

The Skaggs Classic is under the management of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, with the Skaggs Foundation serving as the non-profit underwriter. Funds generated from the event will go directly to the Skaggs Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Scholarship Fund, providing necessary and life-enhancing services to all cardiac patients in need – regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay.

The tournament week kicked off with several activities, the Jackson Brothers of the South Junior Golf Clinic, followed by the Alberici Healthcare Contractors Women’s Golf Clinic. Also held was a nine-hole Media Skins Game with four Springfield area media paired with four Pros. Springfield Media included: Rob Evans with Ozarks Fox, Mike Scott with KSPR, Kyle Bosch with KSPR and Ethan Forhetz with KY3. Several hundred people participated in the Southern Construction Pro-Am Pairings Party & Auction presented by Beaver Creek Elk & Cattle Ranch & Lakes Region Imaging on Monday raising additional funds for the Skaggs Foundation. The prestigious Southern Construction Pro-Am was held Tuesday with 46 teams participating (see Pro-Am results below).

A list of the 45 Professional Players are listed below. For pairings or field information visit the link below. http://uggoa.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/uggoa8/event/uggoa84/contest/0/contestant/index.htm

Beginning this Saturday Aug 23, and the remaining regular races for 2008, Springfield Raceway will allow Show-Me Cars to run under current Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series rules. The weight rule is 2300 pounds. For complete rules visit www.Show-MeRacinSeries.com.

For these weekly races, with over 14 cars, the payoff will be $500 to win, $100 to start. These are NOT point races for the series. For more information regarding the Springfield Raceway visit www.SpringfieldRaceway.com.

After an extended August break due to schedule changes, the drivers, crews, & fans of the Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series are preparing to get back in action on August 30 at West Plains Motor Speedway in West Plains, MO.

Leslie Essary enjoyed nearly a 100 point lead in the point standings earlier this year, but a hard crash and bad finish at Outlaw Motor Speedway in Muskogee has cut his lead to only 44 points over second place Ken Essary. Conner Ward and Shane Essary are also hanging tough in the point standings, with Don Cloyd rounding out the top 5.

This will be the final appearance at West Plains this season - Gates open at 5:00 pm, with Hot Laps at 6:30, and Racing starts at 7:00. Pit Passes $30 adults, - 6 & under Free. Grandstand admission: Kids 7-11 $4, Adults $15.

Make room in your Labor Day weekend plans for a stop at West Plains Speedway – and for the most current info on the Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series visit www.Show-MeRacinSeries.com

Remaining schedule:

Aug 30 - West Plains Speedway
Sept 12 – Lebanon Midway Speedway
Sept 13 – Springfield Raceway
Sept 19 – North Central Arkansas Speedway – Flippin, AR
Oct 18 – Tri-State Speedway – Pocola, OK

The Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Foundation (HOJGF) and Springfield-Greene County Park Board will celebrate “Junior Golf Week” for the Greater Springfield Area on Monday, Aug. 18 – Sunday, Aug. 24. Throughout the week, a number of junior golf activities and improvements will be underway, including the following:

“Betty’s Birthday” Promotion – Youth ages 16 and younger can play for free with a paid adult on Saturday, Aug. 23 and Sunday, Aug. 24, at any of the three Park Board municipal golf courses: Horton Smith, 2409 S. Scenic Ave.; Rivercut, 2850 W. Farm Road 190; Bill and Payne Stewart, 1825 E. Norton Road. To take part in the promotion, mention “Betty’s Birthday” at each course pro shop. The promotion is underwritten by the HOJGF and the Park Board in honor of Ms. Betty Allison’s birthday (August 24) and her family’s numerous donations to the Foundation’s junior golf program.

Girls’ High School Clinic – A clinic for area high school girl golfers and coaches will be offered from 3 – 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 18, at Rivercut Golf Course. Instruction, swing analysis, rules review, and other pointers will be available for girls participating in the upcoming fall high school golf season. Members of the Professional Golf Association’s Midwest Section will administer the instruction.

SNAG Program – The HOJGF has purchased SNAG (Start New At Golf) Junior Development Golf Kits for each of the elementary schools in the Springfield R-12 School District, representing an estimated donation of $50,000. Kits include oversize golf clubs, oversize balls, target areas, etc. On Wednesday, Aug. 20, volunteer foundation members will work with elementary Physical Education instructors to distribute the kits and establish lesson plans in order to have golf included in the R-12 PE curriculum for 2008-09.

Junior Clubhouse Underway – Construction is anticipated to start during the week of August 18 on a new junior clubhouse at the Betty Allison at Oscar Blom Junior Golf Course. Set with a junior golf motif, the facility is being fully funded through the HOJGF and will feature a junior lounge and snack bar area, new restrooms, opportunities for rental/donor clubs, etc. It also will be available for birthday parties, junior tournaments and other golf-related special events.

New Junior Tees – The HOJGF also will present the Springfield-Greene County Park Board with new Junior Yardage Tee Markers. Featuring low-maintenance cart path medallion markers and ground-mounted tee box markers, new junior tee areas will be located at modified junior-friendly yardage lengths on each of the holes at the three municipal courses, in an effort to promote additional junior and family play. Implementation is anticipated for later this fall.

The public should call Rivercut Golf Course, (417) 891-1645, with questions or for more information.

The football Crusaders tied with Graceland at No. 5 in the 2008 Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) coaches’ poll. The poll was released today at the league’s annual press luncheon in Kansas City.

Missouri Valley is the coaches’ pick to win the 2008 HAAC title. The Vikings accumulated 99 points. Lindenwood is No. 2 with 88 points and MidAmerica Nazarene finished No. 3 in the poll with 85.

Benedictine is No. 4 with 66 points. Evangel and Graceland tied with 57 points in the fifth position. Baker and William Jewell tied for seventh (47 points). Rounding out the the final three spots are Central Methodist (24 points), Avila (20), and Culver-Stockton (15).

The Crusaders will open their 2008 season at home in JFK Stadium against William Jewell on Sept. 6. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. EU will play an 11-game schedule in 2008. The schedule features 10 Heart of America Athletic Conference games, a non-conference contest at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla on Sept. 13, and five home games. Evangel’s homecoming is on Oct. 11.

The entire schedule of games will be broadcast on ESPN Radio 1400 AM (KGBY) and webcast at www.allinbroadcasting.com. Ed Beach will handle the play-by-play duties for the seventh consecutive season.

Drury University's second-year softball program has added a pair of former Butler (Kan.) Community College standouts to the roster for the 2008-09 school year.

Pitcher Tori Whitehead from Andover, Kan., and outfielder/catcher Jessica Matlock of Colorado Springs, Colo., will join the Panthers this fall after helping Butler to a 49-8 mark and the juco national tournament last season. Both will have two seasons of eligibility remaining at DU.

Whitehead compiled a 10-4 record with a 2.55 earned run average, striking out 76 in 101.1 innings pitched. Matlock was one of the top bats for the Grizzlies, turning in a sophomore season that included a .444 average, seven homers, 14 doubles and 67 runs batted in with 48 runs scored.

"We hope both Tori and Jessica will make an immediate impact and will provide experience and leadership,'' said Drury coach Annie Medico, whose Panthers completed their first season this spring with a 20-37 record, including a 7-7 mark in their final 14 games (and a victory over nationally seventh-ranked Lewis).

Whitehead and Matlock hail from the same Butler juco that produced DU senior standout Sadie Ball, who led the Panthers with a .388 average and 25 stolen bases to go with nine homers and 44 RBIs.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will host the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Men’s 45 & Over Fast Pitch National Championships from Thursday, Aug. 14 through Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008, at Meador Sports Complex, 2500 S. Fremont Ave.

The Championships will feature teams from Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and two teams from Springfield. Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Meador’s Thompson Field; the first games of the tournament begin that evening at 7:30 p.m. The Championship game begins at noon, Sunday, Aug. 17.

Two long-time softball players will be inducted into the Springfield Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame Thursday evening. R.C. Crowe and Chuck Middleton will be recognized for their decades of service to the sport of softball in the Springfield area. Crowe was an AAA pitcher for 20 years, and holds many pitching and other credits to his name. Middleton coached teams to four National ASA Championships, and a second place finish in World Championships in 1981, among other accomplishments.

Daily passes are available to the public for $4 or a tournament pass may be purchased for $15, both available at the gate.

“Hosting ASA National Championship Tournaments in Springfield are significant, especially when you’re looking at three in one summer,” said Tournament Director Mark Nelson. “We’ve been very lucky to have a proven track record in the way we’re able to pull these off with both staff and the facilities involved.”

This is the 28th ASA National level tournament that the Park Board has hosted in Springfield.

Week-long festivities includes free bowling parties, games, and costume contests, and a nationwide attempt to set a world record for the most games rolled in a single day

SPRINGFIELD, Mo-National Bowling Week 2008 kicks off on Saturday, August 23rd at Enterprise Park Lanes, Sunshine Lanes, and Holiday Lanes. To launch the weeklong celebration, each center will host special events every day during the week that include free youth parties, bowl one get one nights, theme nights and costume contests.

Additionally, on Saturday, August 30th, each center invites Springfield area residents to be a part of history and take part in a nationwide attempt to set the world record for the most games rolled in a single day.

“With more than 67.2 million people having bowled in 2007 alone, this has been an incredible year for the sport of bowling. Enterprise Park Lanes, Sunshine Lanes, and Holiday Lanes is hosting a weeklong celebration to thank our customers for helping to make bowling the nation’s number one participatory sport and to welcome new guests to our centers,” said Ashlee Marsh, Marketing Director.

Throughout National Bowling Week, Enterprise Park Lanes, Sunshine Lanes, and Holiday Lanes will be one of more than 3,400 bowling centers across the nation hosting fun events and promotions. The celebration begins on National Bowling Day (Saturday, August 23rd) and will run throughout the week. All events are open to the public.

National Bowling Week is sponsored by the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA), Strike Ten Entertainment (STE), International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA), Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).

Benefits include opportunities to pre-order concert tickets

SPRINGFIELD, MO – Now that the initial seat selection process for prior season-ticket holders has been concluded, season tickets to Bears and Lady Bears basketball games in JQH Arena are on sale to the general public, and they come with two special benefits just announced by Missouri State University officials: 1) the opportunity to order concert tickets early, and 2) a 10 percent discount on purchases in the Team Store.

To be eligible for the special benefits, season ticket holders for Bears and/or Lady Bears must be at the $500 per seat assessment or above, and either already purchased season tickets or purchase tickets by Oct. 1, 2008. For more information about purchasing season tickets, those interested may call (417) 836-7678.

The $67 million JQH Arena at Missouri State University will be open in time for the 2008-09 basketball seasons. The first game is Nov. 22, featuring the Bears against the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. The Lady Bears play Arkansas State the following day, Nov. 23. University officials also hope to host concerts and other special events beginning in November.

Season tickets holders at the $500 seat assessment or above will be able to order tickets to concerts and other special events before the tickets go on sale to the general public. The season tickets holders will be able to indicate the number of seats and price range, with the exact seats, pending availability, to be determined later in the process. Pre-ordering will be available on most concerts and events; a few performers prohibit such sales in their contract.

Likewise, season ticket holders will be able to purchase clothing, memorabilia and other items in the Team Store in JQH Arena at a 10 percent discount. The Team Store will be just off the Grand Entrance. The 24 suite holders will have the ability to purchase tickets for their suite for every special event in JQH Arena. “Season ticket sales have gone extremely well so far,” said Padraic McMeel, director of athletics development. “We have had a great response from our past season ticket holders. When it’s all said and done, we believe the lower bowl (6,000 seats) will be full for the Bears. While there are more seats available in the lower bowl for Lady Bears, we expect to be full by the time the first game comes Nov. 23. “As we have had our individual meetings, there has been great interest by fans in the concerts and other special events that will be coming to JQH Arena. Therefore, we thought the advance ordering would be a welcome benefit. It is one of the ways we can say ‘thanks’ to our season ticket holders at the $500 level and above.” (See PDF charts of seating and seat assessments.)

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Mediacom Ice Park will host the Inaugural 2008 B/C Adult Ice Hockey Tournament on Friday, Aug. 8 – Sunday, Aug. 10.

Six teams will compete in the tournament, including those from Springfield, Little Rock, Ark., and Lebanon, Mo. The B/C Tournament is for novice and intermediate players.

• Three Friday games run with start times between 6:15 – 9:15 p.m.;
• Six Saturday games start between 8 – 11 a.m. and 2 – 5 p.m.;
• Sunday elimination games are at 8 and 9:30 a.m.;
• Sunday Play-off/Championship games run between noon – 6 p.m.;
• Sunday’s 3rd Place game begins at 4:30 p.m.; and
• Sunday’s Championship game is at 6 p.m.

Admission is free to the public at Mediacom Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway. Call the Ice Park at (417) 866-7444 for more tournament information.

Fall Adult Ice Hockey Leagues run Sunday, Sept. 14 through Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008. Call the Ice Hockey Office for cost and more information.

Schedule: Click Here

Drury University has named Don Keeton as its new men's and women's track and field coach beginning with the 2008-09 school year, the athletic department announced on Thursday.

Keeton, who spent 24 years as the highly successful track and field/cross country coach at Springfield's Parkview High School, will work with current DU men's and women's cross country coach Jon Van Arkel as Drury continues to gradually increase an emphasis on its two newest sports, bringing the total to 17 offered by the university on the NCAA Division II level. Drury is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, which offers competition and crowns league champions in both indoor and outdoor track and field for men and women.

Under Van Arkel's guidance, the Panthers sent several men's and women's distance runners from the cross country squads to NCAA-member meets last spring, the first steps toward the addition of the track and field programs. According to Drury athletic director Pat Atwell, the Panthers will do the same during the 2009 spring season, with Keeton also recruiting on campus for past track and field runners in non-distance events to participate before a more intensified effort to fill the rosters and empty events through the recruitment off-campus begins for the 2009-10 school year.

"With the continued emerging success of our cross country programs and the fact that our league offers championships in track and field for both men and women, we believe it's a natural move to add those programs here at Drury," Atwell said. "Don Keeton brings a wealth of experience not only in the sport, but in the area and regional programs. We welcome his addition and believe his knowledge will be instrumental as we strive to complete our squads in the near future to bring them up to par with other track and field programs in the GLVC and NCAA Division II."

Keeton retired after the 2007-08 school year at Parkview, putting an end to a run of 31 years in the coaching ranks with the Vikings after opening with seven years as a football assistant.

"It's a new challenge for me, but I love it," Keeton says. "It's what I wanted to do. When I retired (from the Springfield Public Schools), I wanted to stay in coaching. Track is where I started, and this is a great opportunity for me as well as area athletes looking to continue their careers at Drury."

PHOTO: New Drury track and field coach Don Keeton

The Drury Lady Panthers, seeking their seventh straight trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament in the upcoming season, will have to navigate arguably their most challenging basketball schedule to date as their 2008-09 slate was released on Thursday.

Coach Steve Harold's Lady Panthers are coming off a 28-4 season that produced DU's first Great Lakes Valley Conference championship and another NCAA bid. In their path this time are perennial powers like Grand Valley State, Washburn, West Texas A & M, UC-San Diego and defending national champion Northern Kentucky in what is expected to be the Lady Panthers' final full season in Weiser Gym before moving into the plush O'Reilly Family Events Center in 2009-10.

"One of the keys to this program over the years has been its desire to play the best there is out there to prepare ourselves for league play and the post-season," Harold says, "and we believe we've put together a schedule that will do so again."

Highlighting Drury's trek for the upcoming season, including the usual GLVC grind, is the Lady Panther Classic featuring a Drury-Grand Valley State matchup on November 22; a trip to mighty Washburn in Topeka, Kan., on November 25; a journey to Canyon, Texas, to play in the West Texas A&M Classic - including a date with the host school - on Nov. 28-29; and a visit to La Jolla, Calif., to compete in the UC-San Diego Tournament against San Bernadino and the host UCSD on Dec. 19-20.

Drury will open defense of its GLVC title by visiting rival Missouri Science and Technology in Rolla on Saturday, December 6. The Lady Panthers will play their first home league game when Quincy comes to Weiser on January 2. Other key dates to remember: A visit from defending NCAA-II national champion and chief GLVC rival Northern Kentucky on January 17, and Homecoming festivities when Missouri S & T visits Weiser on Feb. 14.

The Lady Panthers return four starters from last season's GLVC champs, including all-league performers in junior forwards Lindsay Ballweg and Melanie Oliver and returning veterans in the likes of juniors Hannah Carter, Sara Bos and Caitlin Shouse as well as standout sophomore guard Ja'Nell Jones.

Drury added NCAA Division I (Evansville) transfer Jillian Palan, a 6-foot-1 junior post, as well as a talented group of five freshmen to the mix for the upcoming season, including former Waynesville standout Katie Pritchard, Mount Vernon's Liz Moriondo, Marshfield's Sarah Jane Plemmons, Erica Groose from Jefferson City Helias and Kassie Walker from Arcadia Valley.

Season ticket packages for the expected final full season in Weiser are available by calling (417) 873-7265.

PHOTO: Drury junior forward Lindsay Ballweg and the Lady Panthers will face a challenging 2008-09 slate

DRURY LADY PANTHERS 2008-09 SCHEDULE

NOVEMBER
1 - Alumni Game (exhibition)
8 - Livin' The Dream (exhibition)
17 - Northeastern State
21 - Christian Brothers (Lady Panther Classic)
22 - Grand Valley State (Lady Panther Classic)
25 - at Washburn
28 - vs. Panhandle State (West Texas A & M Classic, Canyon, Texas)
29 - vs. West Texas A & M (Westt Texas A & M Classic, Canyon, Texas)

DECEMBER
4 - Maryville
6 - at Missouri Science and Technology*
10 - Henderson State
19 - vs. San Bernardino (UC-San Diego Classic, La Jolla, CA)
20 - vs. UC-San Diego (UC-San Diego Classic, La Jolla, CA)

JANUARY
2 - Quincy*
4 - Lewis*
8 - at Wisconsin-Parkside*
10 - at Saint Joseph's*
15 - Indianapolis*
17 - Northern Kentucky*
22 - at Bellarmine*
24 - at Kentucky Wesleyan*
29 - Southern Indiana*
31 - Missouri-St. Louis*

FEBRUARY
5 - at Rockhurst*
7 - at Southern Indiana*
14 - Missouri Science and Technology*
19 - Rockhurst*
21 - at Missouri-St. Louis*
28 - at Quincy*

MARCH5-8 - GLVC Tournament (site TBD)

* - Denotes GLVC game

Former Glenville (W. Va.) State assistant coach John Nicolais has joined the Drury Lady Panthers' basketball staff as an assistant coach, the university announced on Wednesday.

Nicolais, 31, spent five seasons as an assistant for current Drury coach Steve Harold when the pair were at Glenville. He was out of coaching last season while he finished his Master's degree at Salem International in Salem, West Virginia.

"John has been with me for five years, so he has an understanding of the type of program I want to build," Harold said. "He has familiarity with our system and I think he brings a very good understanding of the game to us. He also has a personality that leads to a good rapport with players."

During his time with Harold at Glenville State, Nicolais (pronounced "nik-olay") and the Lady Pioneers made five consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II national tournament and posted an overall record 145-22 in that stretch. He was credited by Harold for his work with the GSC perimeter players and was very active in the recruiting process.

"I'm excited to be here and to be able to join Coach Harold's staff again, and I'm very much looking forward to being able to work at Drury University," Nickolais said. "I know this is a very tradition-rich program, and even with just eight years of basketball in the books, it's very impressive what they've been able to accomplish here."

Nicolais replaces Jill Curry, the former Lady Panther standout and assistant coach who resigned last month to pursue other career interests.

"John has been with me for five years, so he has an understanding of the type of program I want to build," Harold said. "He has familiarity with our system and I think he brings a very good understanding of the game to us. He also has a personality that leads to a good rapport with players."

During his time with Harold at Glenville State, Nicolais (pronounced "nik-olay") and the Lady Pioneers made five consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II national tournament and posted an overall record 145-22 in that stretch. He was credited by Harold for his work with the GSC perimeter players and was very active in the recruiting process.

"I'm excited to be here and to be able to join Coach Harold's staff again, and I'm very much looking forward to being able to work at Drury University," Nicolais said. "I know this is a very tradition-rich program, and even with just eight years of basketball in the books, it's very impressive what they've been able to accomplish here."

The Lady Panthers finished 28-4 last season under Harold, won the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship for the first time and made their sixth straight appearance in the NCAA-II national tournament.

Nicolais replaces Jill Curry, the former Lady Panther standout and assistant coach who resigned last month to pursue other career interests.

Drury University's basketball Panthers released on Wednesday a 27-game regular season schedule for 2008-09 highlighted by eight games against NCAA-II Tournament qualifiers last season, a trip to Hawaii to play two of them, and the usual tough slate against Great Lakes Valley Conference foes as they attempt to defend their first league title.

Coach Steve Hesser's Panthers, coming off a 25-6 season that represented their most victories since moving to the D-II level in 1994-95, will open the regular season at home against Upper Iowa University on November 15 in what is expected to be their final full season at Weiser Gym before moving into the O'Reilly Family Events Center during the 2009-10 season.

"We believe it's again a very challenging schedule that will help us prepare for another tough run through the Great Lakes Valley Conference," says Hesser, who will take an 88-31 record into his fifth season at Drury.

Non-conference highlights of the slate include a Nov. 22 trip to Bolivar to play rival Southwest Baptist - like Ouachita Baptist (which DU visits on Dec. 2), an NCAA-II Tournament qualifier last season - and the journey to Honolulu, Hawaii to compete in the Hoop N Surf Classic Dec. 16 (vs. Chaminade) and Dec. 18 (vs. BYU-Hawaii). Both made the NCAA tourney field last season as Chaminade finished 21-8 and BYU-Hawaii was 20-8 in reaching the West Regional finals.

Drury opens defense of its GLVC championship with a visit to Rolla on December 6 to face Missouri Science & Technology, then plays its first home league game when Quincy visits Weiser on Friday, January 2 followed by a rare Sunday afternoon visit from Lewis on January 4. The departure of SIU Edwardsville to the NCAA-1 level drops the GLVC slate from 19 games to 17 contests for 2008-09.

The Panthers will celebrate the 100th anniversary of their first Drury basketball game (January 9, 1909) when they play host to GLVC rival Northern Kentucky on Saturday afternoon, January 17th, with a planned ceremony to invite and recognize every player to have worn a Drury basketball uniform followed by a post-game reception. Other key dates to remember include the annual Homecoming contest with Missouri S & T on Saturday, February 14th and Senior Day festivities when the Panthers entertain Rockhurst on Thursday, February 19th.

Hesser's Panthers have won 21 or more games in each of his four seasons and are riding a streak of three consecutive NCAA-II Tournament trips. They return three starters - guards Tim Brown and Adam White and forward Chris Ijames - and a key reserve in senior forward Jamel Grant from a team that spent most of last season ranked in the national Top 10 of the NABC Coaches Poll.

Drury coach Alf Bilbao (below) and keeper Jessie Sanderson (1)

Defending champion Drury has been picked to finish second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason poll of league coaches released on Wednesday.

Quincy University has been selected as the favorite to win the 2008 Great Lakes Valley Conference women’s soccer championship in a vote of league coaches. The Lady Hawks received six first-place votes and 134 total points in the annual GLVC Women’s Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll to edge Drury, which collected five first-place votes and 130 points.

Drury returns nearly its entire starting lineup from the squad taht finished a school-best 17-5-3 overall and 8-3-2 in league play last season. Coach Alf Bilbao's Panthers, who advanced to the NCAA-II quarterfinals for the first time in school history last year, return two First Team All-GLVC players in senior defender Chloe Moushey and sophomore keeper Jessie Sanderson, who was named the league's Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year last season..

Quincy, headed by third-year coach Dave Musso, is coming off back-to-back NCAA Great Lakes Regional appearances and finished 14-6-1 overall and 10-3 in league play during the 2007 campaign. The Lady Hawks finished atop the GLVC standings in 2006 and will be looking for its first GLVC women’s soccer championship in 2008.

Northern Kentucky placed third in the poll with a total of 120 points and picked up one first-place vote. The Norse have won a GLVC-record six titles with the last coming in 2005 and completed the 2007 season with an 8-5 record in the GLVC and 12-6 overall record.

UW-Parkside, which posted an overall record of 11-6-1 in 2007, was selected to finish fourth in the GLVC standings in 2008 with 105 total points. The Rangers finished just ahead of UIndy in the voting for fourth place. The Greyhounds collected 103 total points and recorded the final first-place vote.

Rockhurst was selected to finish sixth in the preseason poll with a total of 92 points. The Hawks were followed by Missouri-St. Louis (72 total points), Bellarmine (71), Southern Indiana (53), Lewis (49), Saint Joseph’s (43), Missouri S&T (33) and Kentucky Wesleyan (12).

The 2008 season begins on Aug. 28 with non-conference competition. GLVC action is slated to begin on Sept. 12.

The top eight teams in the league standings will advance to the 2008 GLVC Tournament which is scheduled to begin on Nov. 2. The highest remaining seed following the quarterfinal round will host the GLVC semifinals and final on Nov. 7 and 9, respectively.

The complete 2008 GLVC Women’s Soccer Coaches’ Preseason Poll follows:

Team (First-place votes) Total Points
1. Quincy (6) 134
2. Drury (5) 130
3. Northern Kentucky (1) 120
4. UW-Parkside 105
5. Indianapolis (1) 103
6. Rockhurst 92
7. Missouri-St. Louis 72
8. Bellarmine 71
9. Southern Indiana 53
10. Lewis 49
11. Saint Joseph’s 43
12. Missouri S&T 33
13. Kentucky Wesleyan 12

All teams now announced for September race

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 4, 2008) - Team Garmin-Chipotle of the United States and Team Liquigas of Italy---two top-performing entrants from the recently completed Tour de France---head a list of 13 teams that have been added for the Tour of Missouri world-class cycling event, September 8th - 14th, throughout the Show Me State.

"We will be back to win," said Jonathan Vaughters, director of the Garmin-Chipotle team, which competed successfully in last year's race with the team title, second overall finisher (Will Frischkorn), and stage winner (Danny Pate). "This is not an end-of-the-season fun race for us. This is a serious objective for our team. It's a major event." The team is expected to bring many riders from their Tour de France team.

HealthNet presented by MAXXIS , the top team on America's pro circuit the past four years, along with up and coming teams BMC and Rock Racing , head the list of top U.S.-based squads added, along with Bissell , Colovita Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light , Jelly Belly , and Kelly Benefits Strategies-Medifast .

Mexico's top professional team Tecos and Canada's best squad Symmetrics , along with top European continental squads from Rabobank of the Netherlands and Sparkasse of Germany will participate. Rabobank is a top European-based club with both a Tour de France-level team and a younger development squad. Their development squad will be represented at Missouri.

All teams join the previously-announced participation of the world's top team, Columbia , which will be led by the race's defending-champion George Hincapie; and Toyota-United , which will be led by their star sprinter Ivan Dominguez, who won two stages at last year's Tour of Missouri, and Dominque Rollin, who placed third overall last year.

"Athletes from around the world will come to race in Missouri," said Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder. "Last year, they experienced great weather, great crowds, and were welcomed by big and small cities alike. We look forward to playing host to them all again in September."

"Without doubt, this is a deeper field than last year," said Chris Aronhalt, managing partner of event organizers Medalist Sports. "We have three teams that played major roles at the Tour de France this year. We have all the top clubs in North America, and two top European continental teams that will surely be hungry. It is an interesting and talented mix."

The seven-day race starts in St. Joseph and routes to Missouri's largest town Kansas City with a relatively flat stage. Stage 2 will be a flat stage from Clinton to Springfield, which saw the decisive breakaway that launched Hincapie into the overall lead, which he kept the remainder of the race. Stage 3 is a decisive individual time trial around the mountains in the tourist mecca of Branson.

Stages 4, 5, and 6 all will be hilly and play a role in the overall outcome of the 623-mile race, according to race director Jim Birrell. Stage 4 will start in Lebanon and route to first-time host city Rolla in central Missouri. The stage, which is on September 11th, will route through Fort Leonard Wood Military Reservation to honor and acknowledge American troops. Stage 5 will go from the wine-country town of St. James to finish in Missouri's capital of Jefferson City. Stage 6 starts in another wine-country town Hermann and routes to the historic river city of St. Charles. The race will culminate with a circuit race through the urban landscape of St. Louis and finish in front of City Hall in the shadows of the Gateway Arch, the back drop to last year's finale.

"We have a unique blend of teams," said Birrell. "The way the course is designed, it will take a very high-caliber athlete to win. We could see a few more lead changes than last year. With three top teams from the Tour de France and all the top teams in North America, there will be a lot of good wheels to follow."

Organizers will announce the top riders later this month after the Olympic Games in Beijing. Numerous cyclists racing in Beijing will participate at the Tour of Missouri, a unique opportunity for spectators to see Olympic athletes immediately after an Olympic Games.

Last year's event drew a police-estimated 365,000 spectators over six days and provided $26.2 million of direct and indirect economic benefit for the state and its host cities.

"This event proved, in only its first year, to be hugely successful for all involved, most importantly the great host communities of the Tour," Lieutenant Governor Kinder, chair of the Tourism Commission of Missouri. "It was very successful for the state as a tourism vehicle as people from 73 countries caught part of the event via live webcasts and people from 21 states came into Missouri to see the event."

Missouri Tourism is the presenting sponsor of the event. Top level sponsors include Anheuser-Busch (and their Michelob ULTRA brand), Drury Hotels, Emerson, Edward Jones, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Wine and Grape Board, Cerner and Monsanto.

###

About the Tour of Missouri

After an exceptionally successful inaugural Tour of Missouri in 2007, the Show Me State will again welcome 120 of the world's elite cyclists on a 623-mile point-to-point race, to be held September 8-14, 2008. The second edition of the Tour will include seven days of racing, from Kansas City to the Ozarks, over the Katy Trail, along Route 66 and the historic Missouri River, with a fantastic finish under the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The race is sanctioned by the UCI and USA Cycling, the international and national governing bodies for cycling, respectively. It is ranked as a 2.1, second in ranking to only the Tour de Georgia and Amgen Tour of California in North American cycling. The event's management group is Medalist Sports of Tyrone, Ga., the organizers of both the California and Georgia races. KOM Sports Marketing of Colorado Springs, Colo., is the event's marketing agency.

For more information:

www.tourofmissouri.com

VIEW COURSE MAP

COURSE SCHEDULE

STAGE 1 / Monday, Sept. 8
St. Joseph to Kansas City, road race, with 3 finish circuits (90 mi / 144.81 km) / Start: 12:30 pm / Finish: 4:30 pm

STAGE 2 / Tuesday, September 9
Clinton to Springfield, road race, with 3 finish circuits (125 mi / 201.13 km) / Start: 11:00 am / Finish: 3:30 pm

STAGE 3 / Wednesday, September 10
Branson, individual time trial (18 mi / 28.6 km) / Start (first rider): 11:00 am / Finish: 2:00 pm

STAGE 4 / Thursday, September 11
Lebanon to Rolla, road race (105 mi / 168.95 km) / Start: 11:00 am / Finish: 3:15 pm

STAGE 5 / Friday, September 12
St. James to Jefferson City, road race, with 3 three circuits (100 mi / 160.9 km) / Start: 2:00 pm / Finish: 6:30 p.m.

STAGE 6 / Saturday, September 13
Hermann to St. Charles, road race (110 mi / 177 km) / Start: 12:30 pm / Finish: 4:15 pm

STAGE 7 / Sunday, September 14
St. Louis, circuit race, five laps (75 mi / 120.68 km) / Start: 2:00 pm / 4:45 pm

Teams Click team name for additional info

Two of the 120 world-class cyclists who will be competing in the 2008 Tour of Missouri will visit Springfield Tuesday to discuss the upcoming seven-day cycling event taking place for the second year in September.

Springfield will again be the host city for the Stage 2 finish on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, as riders complete a 126-mile course from Clinton, Mo.

On Tuesday, Michael Creed, a 20-time U.S. national champion and six-time world championship team member now with Rock Racing, and Brad Huff, Fair Grove native now racing with the Jelly Belly Professional Cycling Team, will be available for one-on-ones between 11:30 a.m. – noon, at the Mediacom Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway.

All teams participating in this year’s Tour of Missouri were announced earlier today at a news conference held in Kansas City. Of the teams, both Huff’s Jelly Belly Professional Cycling Team and Creed’s Rock Racing would be participating.

Creed is a versatile racer on both road and track racing. He is a former teammate of Lance Armstrong on both the Discovery Channel and U.S. Postal Service teams. He has been racing since 2000 and placed first in the U.S. National Team Pursuit Championships in 2007. Huff, who turned pro in 2006, has career highlights including the 2007 Pan Am Championships Omnium and Madison Gold Medalist; 2006 USPRO Criterium Champion, 1st American; and 2005 1st Place, US National Criterium Champion.

The Stage 2 finish will enter Greene County on Missouri 123 at Walnut Grove. It is anticipated the racers will hit the final circuit of nearly three full laps through downtown Springfield mid-afternoon on Sept. 9. The event is free for spectators, who are encouraged to come early and enjoy the race-day activities centered at Mediacom Ice Park adjacent to the finish line at Kimbrough Avenue and East Trafficway.

Presenting sponsor CoxHealth Systems will host a Health & Wellness Fair in the Mediacom Ice Park parking lot with a variety of booths focusing on family wellness and featuring Tour of Missouri merchandise. In addition, the Health & Wellness Fair will feature an entertainment stage for live music during the pre-arrival build-up. The stage for the awards ceremony following the race is located just across Kimbrough and bleachers will be available on a first-come basis.

CoxHealth also will host activities at its Cox North campus where employees and area residents can watch the racers power right past Cox as they ride east on Division and turn south on Jefferson Avenue heading to the final circuit.

George Hincapie, who took over the yellow jersey as the winner of the 2007 Stage 2 and went on to win the Tour of Missouri, will compete again this year. The relatively flat Stage 2 through western Missouri is again the longest of the seven stages in this year’s race, which has been extended by two days.

Local volunteers are being sought to work on this year’s event. The volunteers will fill a variety of roles, but particularly provide support as course marshal, security and medical control. Nearly 300 volunteers will be needed for the Springfield-Greene County Stage 2 support. Those interested can apply online at www.tourofmissouri.com, hit the “race info” button, then go to the “get involved” section. For more information, please contact the Springfield Area Volunteer Committee, either Bob Belote, (417) 864-1327, or Barb Baker, (417) 831-6200.

In addition to presenting sponsor CoxHealth Systems, the other local sponsors for the Stage 2 event are: Oasis Hotel and Convention Center; Doubletree Hotel/Springfield; Lamplighter Inn; Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau; Springfield-Greene County Park Board; City of Springfield; Greene County; Greater Springfield Sports Commission; and Urban Districts Alliance.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will again host a Community Fun Ride on the eve of the Stage 2 event beginning at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 8, at the Mediacom Ice Park. Booths, bike tune ups and “register-to-win” prize giveaways will take place on the Ice Park’s East Plaza, where Springfield Police will provide free helmets while supplies last.

The Community Fun Ride will begin at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 8, and, with Police escort, cover the 2.5-mile final circuit that the Tour of Missouri riders will take on the next day. After the ride, more activities and the prize announcements will take place on the East Plaza. The Park Board will give away two bikes.

The Community Fun Ride is sponsored by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Springfield Police Department, CoxHealth, Springbike and Polk County Bike Club.

For more information on local activities, visit: www.tourofspringfield.com.

For information on the overall tour or to volunteer for the Stage 2 events, visit: www.tourofmissouri.com.

By: Clarissa Essary

On August 1 the Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series boys were in action in Muskogee, OK at Outlaw Motor Speedway. The stands were packed full of fans that were ready to see an exciting night of racing. In the end the 55 of Ken Essary would be the one come home with the win.

Twenty-three cars would fight their way through the three qualifying heats. The first heat was won by the 26 of Burl Woods. The second heat went to the 33 of Rick Lebow. Chuck Comer in the 83 took the win in the third and final heat of the night.

After a brief intermission it was finally time for the features to get underway. The 59 of Jimmy Bellamy and the 83 of Chuck Comer would set the pace to the green. The flag flew and it was off. On lap one the 5 of Leslie Essary would sail through the air on the front stretch bringing out the first caution of the night. Only one more lap would be completed before the 59 of Jimmy Bellamy would wreck hard on the back stretch bringing out another caution. The green flew again and the 83 of Chuck Comer was in the top spot but the 21 of Jordan Holloway was on his bumper. The 21 overtook the lead, when Chuck Comer was forced to the pits with a tire issue, and was pulling away from Burl Woods in the 26 and the 33 of Rick Lebow who were fighting for the second position. Lap fourteen brought out the third caution of the night for the 16 of Jeff Johnson who spun in turns three and four. Holloway was still in the lead but he now had Lebow, Essary, and Woods right behind him all vying for the top spot. The race went green and the 55 of Ken Essary flew to the front. It was going to be a fierce battle to the finish between the 21 and 55, but on lap twenty-one Holloway's motor would blow making it a four lap dash to the checkered. The Flyin' Farmer would manage to hold off the 33 of Lebow and the 56 of Ward to take the win. The top five were Ken Essary in the 55, Rick Lebow in the 33, Conner Ward in the 56, Kevin Henson in the 15, and Don Cloyd in the 30.

The Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series next scheduled event was on Aug 16 at Springfield Raceway, but this event has been rescheduled for Sept 13, due to the rain forcing a large number of specials at Springfield Raceway during the month of Aug. As always, visit www.Show-MeRacinSeries.com for all your schedule updates and racing information.

8-1-08 Outlaw Motor Speedway

Race Brothers Farm & Home Supply A Feature

Ken Essary 55
Rick Lebow 33
Conner Ward 56
Kevin Henson 15
Don Cloyd 30
Dairan Hendrix 112
Chris Morelock 25b
Jarrod Hilton 11
Phil Edmondson 7e
Chris Powell 29
Darrin Barton 60
Shannon Phillips 25s
Burl Woods 26 (flat tire last lap)
Jordan Holloway 21 (lead a long time – motor blew with 4 to go)
Mark Penticuff
Ron Johnson
Chuck Comer (leading early & had flat)
Shane Essary (top 2-4 most of race, pulled off under caution)
Jeff Johnson
Jimmy Bellamy (bad back-stretch wreck lap 2)
Leslie Essary (bad front-stretch wreck lap 1)
Matt Walter – DNS (motor)

Morelock Racing Heat Race #1

Burl Woods
Leslie Essary
Ken Essary
Jordan Holloway
Jim Fulp
Shannon Phillips
Darrin Barton
Ron Johnson

Babe’s Drive-In Heat Race #2

Rick Lebow
Shane Essary
Jimmy Bellamy
Jarrod Hilton
Dairan Hendrix
Phil Edmondson
Jeff Johnson
Matt Walter

SafeRacer.com Heat Race #3

Chuck Comer
Conner Ward
Don Cloyd
Kevin Henson
Chris Morelock
Chris Powell
Mark Penticuff

Babe’s Drive-In

$ 50 to the first person that fails to qualify for the A or a mystery position with less than 22 cars – Matt Walter

GRT Race Cars

$50 gift certificate to winner – Ken Essary
$25 gift certificate to _5_ - Don Cloyd
$25 gift certificate to _8_ - Jarrod Hilton

Kluhsman Racing Components

$50 KRC Gift Certificate to highest passing point car from heat race – Leslie Essary

$30 KRC Gift Certificate to winner – Ken Essary

Morelock Racing

$100 to 12 – Shannon Phillips

Raceway Ministries water _14__ - Jordan Holloway

Springfield Redwings Baseball will hold tryouts for its competitive baseball teams for the 2009 season on August 16, 2008 starting at 9:00 am. Check website for time and location of your age group. Ages 9-13 with an age cutoff date of April 30. Local and tournament play starting in March with winter workouts. Check out our website www.springfieldredwings.com to register or call Charles Givens at 889-3983.

Rivercut Golf Course will host the AJGA Bass Pro Shops/Payne Stewart Junior Golf Championship on Sunday, Aug. 3, through Thursday, Aug. 7.

This American Junior Golf Association event will host junior golfers from nearly 15 states, and is considered a premier competition for youth golfers. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Lorena Ochoa and Paula Creamer. Proceeds benefit the Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Foundation.

The tournament includes a Sunday qualifier, where 100 junior golfers will play for 11 spots at a 1:30 p.m. shotgun start; practice rounds; a Junior/Amateur event on Monday morning; and tournament play Tuesday through Thursday. Tournament tee times run 7 – 11:48 a.m. The field will consist of at least 12 local boys and two girls, who have all pre-qualified for the tournament.

This is the second consecutive year that the event has been held in Springfield. In 2007, Rivercut received AJGA’s prestigious “Newcomer of the Year” Award for being the top new event on the annual AJGA tournament schedule.

The week-long tournament is free and open to the public. For more specific information, call the Rivercut Golf Course at (417) 891-1645.

“If you’re looking for tomorrow’s next great players, this group of youth athletes will no doubt impress,” said Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Foundation President Rick Grayson. “To have so many local golfers competing continues to say quite a bit about the level of development within our program, and we’re lucky to be able to feature this prestigious competition once again in the Ozarks.”

The tournament is a partnership between Bass Pro Shops, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Payne Stewart Family Foundation and the Heart of the Ozarks Junior Golf Foundation. Interested volunteers should contact Rivercut Golf Course at (417) 891-1645.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Mediacom Ice Park will host the 2008 Show-Me-State Adult Ice Hockey Tournament on Friday, Aug. 1 – Sunday, Aug. 3.

Nine teams will compete in the tournament, including those from Arkansas, Illinois, and Missouri. Teams from more than just the state of Missouri are allowed to play in the games, because of the “open weekend” format of play.

· Four Friday games run with start times between 6 – 10:30 p.m.;
· Nine Saturday games start between 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.;
· Six Sunday elimination games start between 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.;
· Sunday’s Championship game begins at 5:30 p.m.; and
· Sunday’s Bronze Medal Place Game begins at 7 p.m.

Admission is free to the public. This is the fourth year the event has been hosted by the Mediacom Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway. Call the Ice Park at (417) 866-7444 for more information.

“The games are especially fun to watch because they are fast-paced with players from current and local collegiate teams and ex-NCAA Division I teams,” said Tournament Coordinator Al Valdivia.

Two stand-out athletes, who train at the Mediacom Ice Park, recently received top honors in their respective sports.

Caroline Campbell	Emily Moon

Caroline Campbell, 16, has been selected as a member of the U18 Women’s U.S. Select Team in the sport of ice hockey. Campbell will compete in a three-game series against Canada on Aug. 20 – 23 in Lake Placid, N.Y. Campbell has been a member of the Community Olympic Development Program (CODP) at the Mediacom Ice Park for the past two summers. She is a junior at Shattuck St. Mary’s Preparatory School in Faribault, Minn., and spends her summers in Fordland, Mo. Campbell is trained by local CODP Hockey Coordinator, Archie Bifulk.

Emily Moon, 11, won the qualifying round of the ladies Juvenile level free skate at the Skate St. Paul Figure Skating Competition in St. Paul, Minn. the weekend of July 18 – 20. The competition is one of several Moon will participate in as she prepares for this year’s regional championships. This is the first year Moon has competed at this level, and her first year competing in a qualifying event. The top four winners at the regional competition in St. Paul advance to junior nationals in Lake Placid, N.Y. Moon has been taking private lessons for three years and is currently coached by Amy Vorhaben, Val Williams, and Yulia Sudakova-Modes at Mediacom Ice Park.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board will host the 2008 Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Girls 12 & Under and 14 & Under “B” Northern National Championship tournaments Wednesday, July 30, through Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008.

The four-day tournament will host more than 70 teams. This is the 26th and 27th ASA National level tournament that the Park Board has hosted in Springfield.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 30, at Killian Softball Complex, 2141 E. Pythian St., which include ceremonial pitches and a parade of all teams involved with both tournaments.

Open Pool Play begins at 8 a.m., Thursday, July 31, at both Killian Softball Complex and Cooper Youth Sports Complex, 2501 E. Pythian St. Double Elimination Play begins the following morning. Daily passes are available to the public for $6 at the gate, a tournament pass may be purchased for $20 at the gate, or both can be purchased by calling the Killian offices at (417) 837-5817. Passes include admission to both locations.

“With the excitement and interest of girls’ fast-pitch softball in the Springfield-Greene County area, this is an opportunity for local players and fans to see some of the best young teams in the nation,” said Tournament Director Mark Nelson. “Girls softball was introduced to the community through Park Board initiatives decades ago, and the sport continues to be very popular today with 114 girls’ softball teams playing through the Park Board in 2008.”

The City hosted the 2008 USA Women’s Softball Team, as part of its “Bound 4 Beijing” tour, last week. A visiting softball team from Springfield’s sister city of Isesaki, Japan also will arrive in 2009 as part of an ongoing sports exchange.

$1000 to win, $300 to start
Gates open at 5:30, Hot Laps 7:00, Races starting at 8:00
Admission:
Grandstands 6-12 $5, Adults $10
Pit Passes $30

We will not be racing at Siloam Springs Speedway on August 2, also the race scheduled for Aug 15 at Dallas County Speedway in Urbana, Mo has been removed from the schedule due to the track closing.

Be on the look out for a couple of added dates later this season, and as always, for the most up-to-date information please visit our website at www.Show-MeRacinSeries.com

Please find the following additional information for those interested in this Friday’s USA Women’s Softball Team visit. The event is sold out.

USA Softball Women’s site with resources:

http://admin.usasoftball.com/folders.asp?uid=28

1)USA Bound 4 Beijing Press Kit	2) All-Star Roster of those who will play the USA team

Tennis legend Billie Jean King will participate in a special naming ceremony of the new Mediacom Stadium at Cooper Tennis Complex during the half-time ceremonies of the 7:05 p.m., Saturday, July 19, Springfield Lasers match.

A news conference with King is scheduled for 5:15 p.m., in the new meeting room area of the Cooper Tennis Complex (Lasers VIP food area) that evening, prior to the match.

King is the co-founder of the unique gender-balanced World TeamTennis league. She was named “one of the 100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” by Life Magazine in 1990. King won 39 Grand Slam singles, doubles and mixed doubles tennis titles, including a record 20 titles at the Wimbledon event in England. She also is the author of Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I’ve Learned from Life and Battle of the Sexes, which will be released next month.

Tickets for the match are still available for $20, box seats; $10 general admission grand stand, by calling (417) 837-5800 to order. The Cooper Tennis Complex is located at 2331 E. Pythian St. The Saturday match vs. the St. Louis Aces is one of the last two before the end of the Lasers season. A commemorative sling back bag will be given away to the first 900 fans entering the gate that evening as part of “Mediacom Night at the Lasers.”

Mediacom acquired the naming rights to the stadium in May, as part of a 10-year agreement for naming rights to both the Mediacom Ice Park at Jordan Valley Park and the Mediacom Stadium at Cooper Tennis Complex.

Speakers during the half-time ceremony will include Billie Jean King; Larry Peterson, Mediacom Vice President of Region Operations; Cooper Family representative; Parks Director Jodie Adams; Park Board Chair Bob Horton; and Lasers staff liaison Bob Belote.

The 2,500-seat stadium at Cooper Tennis Complex was built in 1994. Named as the 2006 USTA Missouri Valley Section “Facility of the Year” and Tennis Industry’s Champions of Tennis 2002 “Municipal Facility of the Year”, the stadium is the centerpiece of the Complex. The state-of-the-art Complex also features 12 indoor and 16 outdoor lighted courts, along with meeting room, full concession capabilities. In 2002, the facility hosted the Fed Cup games against Israel.

The USA Women’s Softball “Bound 4 Beijing” tour will make its way to Springfield for a one-night only game against the Springfield All-Stars at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 18, at Thompson Field at Meador Softball Complex, 2500 S. Fremont Ave.

The event is sold out to more than 3,000 attendees.

USA team members Monica Abbott and Jessica Mendoza will participate in a CoxHealth pediatric ward visit immediately following a 1 p.m., Friday, July 18 news conference. Media interested in attending the event and/or pediatric walk-through should meet at The Meyer Center Conference Room B, 3545 S. National Ave. Speakers at the 1 p.m. news conference also will include Parks Director Jodie Adams, CoxHealth Vice President Ron Prenger, and Julie Bartel with USA Softball.

The evening event schedule is tentatively set as follows:

5:30 p.m. – USA Batting Practice
6 p.m. – Gates Open to General Public
6:20 p.m. – Warm-ups for USA Team and Springfield All-Stars
7:14 p.m. – On-field ceremonies begin/Re-dedication of Thompson Field
7:20 p.m. – Team Intros begin
7:30 p.m. – First Pitch

Thompson Field has recently undergone considerable upgrades, including: new energy efficient lighting; new Hilltop polymer-coated infield aggregate, which allows for quicker play after heavy rains and needs less general upkeep; new masonry backstop, dugouts, backstop netting, scoreboard, bleacher seat skins, press box, sound/public address system; and renovations to restrooms. Improvements were made possible by the 2006 voter-approved 1/4-cent sales tax for Parks.

This is the second visit to Springfield for the USA Softball team. The team visited in 2004, as part of its “Aiming for Athens” tour.

Springfield, Mo - The Good Samaritan Boys Ranch Celebrity Skins game was held today at Highland Springs Country Club. Four Board of Directors from Good Samaritan Boys Ranch and four top area high school golfers were paired with four Nationwide Tour Pros. Below are the pairings and the results of the skins game.

Proceeds benefit abused and neglected children who reside at the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch located 15 miles north of Springfield. Last year the Celebrity Skins Game raised over $5,000 for the charity. For additional information about tournament activities please visit www.PriceCutterCC.org or call 417-887-3400.

Pairings:

Kevin Killian (Executive Director of GSBR), Nick Goodin, (Senior at Rogersville), and Colt Knost (Pro - #20 on Money List)

Raymond Tripp (Board Member), Joe Atkisson (Junior at Kickapoo), Jeff Klauk (Pro - #7 on Money List)

John Horton (Board Member), Josh Roller (Glendale Grad), Scott Gutschewski (Pro - #12 on Money List)

Tom Tappmeyer (Board Member), Nick Sheppard (Glendale Grad), Darron Stiles (Pro - #5 on Money List)

Results:

Winning Team included Tom Tappmeyer (Board Member), Nick Sheppard (Glendale Grad), Darron Stiles (Pro - #5 on Money List)

Nationwide Tour Pros Winnings: Darron Stiles - $900 / Scott Gutschewski - $700 / Colt Knost - $500 / Jeff Klauk - $400.

Springfield, Missouri- July 2008:Extra Innings Springfield is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Missouri TPX TOP 96 clinic will take place on July 22th and 23th at Meador Park located at Drury University. The TPX TOP 96 is a two-day clinic that offers high school baseball players the chance to work with and learn from some of the best college coaches in the country. There is a guaranteed ratio of players to coaches of 7 to 1 or less. This is considered to be the best instruction in the country with hired coaches attending, instructing and evaluating players.

Last year, local star Andy Davis displayed his abilities on the field and earned a scholarship from this event! Andy will be signing his letter of intent to Missouri Valley College, at Extra Innings Springfield the day before the event! “The evaluations and instruction I received from the coaches really showed me what my strengths and weaknesses were. Being able to perform in front that many coaches led to lots of interest from different schools and an eventual tryout and scholarship for me" commented Davis.

All high school players who graduate in 2009 thru 2012 are eligible for this clinic. Players are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, according to available slots at their preferred position. Participants must first complete the online registration where there must be an opening at one of their two chosen positions. To register online, visit www.top96.com.

For more information about Extra Innings or this clinic, please call Chad Stills at 417-881-2920 or log onto http://www.tpxtop96.com/.

About Extra Innings:

Founded in 1996 and based in Middleton, MA, Extra Innings provides practice facilities, professional instruction, and a nationally recognized Pro Shop to baseball and softball players of all ages and ability levels. The Extra Innings Franchise Company is committed to providing these same opportunities and services to ballplayers across the country with its franchise initiative. Additional locations are set to open this year in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Texas. For more information, or to find one of the over 40 locations nearest you, visit www.extrainnings.us

By: Clarissa Essary

The Race Brothers Farm and Home Supply Show-Me Racin Series was at the Monett Speedway on Sunday July 13. Thirty-two late models pulled into the pits ready to put on a great show for the fans. The 21 of Jordan Holloway would end up taking his second straight victory at the end of the night.

The 59 of Jimmy Bellamy took the win in the first heat of the night. The 00 of Jim Fulp came away with heat number two. Ken Essary in the 55 was the winner in the third heat. The fourth heat went to the 30 of Don Cloyd.

The top six in passing points from the qualifying heats lined up for the B and P Discount Grocery Dash for Cash. The 55 of Ken Essary, the 00 of Jim Fulp, the 13 of Kevin Patrick, the 59 of Jimmy Bellamy, the 30 of Don Cloyd, and the 27 of Kenny Hartwigsen were eligible for the chance at $200.00 in cash. The 00 of Jim Fulp ended up taking the win followed by the 27 of Kenny Hartwigsen and the 55 of Ken Essary.

Sixteen cars were left to battle their way through the last chance qualifiers for the remaining four positions in the A main. The 25s of Shannon Phillips and the 113 of Adam Brown took the top two spots in B feature number one. The final two transfer positions went to the 83 of Chuck Comer and the 11 of Jarrod Hilton. The 33 of Rick Lebow and the 25b of Chris Morelock received the two point provisional positions.

Twenty-two cars lined up for the A main and gave the fans the traditional four wide salute. The 59 of Jimmy Bellamy and the 13 of Kevin Patrick would set the pace to the green. The green flew and the 13 of Patrick would jump out to the lead. Only four laps would be completed when the one and only caution of the night would fly for the 25s of Shannon Phillips with a flat tire. The cars lined back up and the race was on again. This time the 21 of Jordan Holloway would be in the lead at the flag stand. Holloway was pulling away, but the 00 of Jim Fulp and the 115 of Shane Essary were quickly moving up through the field. The 21 had a substantial lead but the 115 was in second by lap thirteen and inching closer each lap. Holloway was beginning to catch lap traffic and the 115 was right behind him. It looked as though either could win with only three laps left. The white flag flew and the 21 managed to pull away securing his second straight SMRS win. The top five were: the 21 of Jordan Holloway, the 115 of Shane Essary, the 00 of Jim Fulp, the 5 of Leslie Essary, and the 13 of Kevin Patrick.

The Show-Me boys will be off for a couple of weeks so continue to check www.Show-MeRacinseries.com for schedule changes and all your other SMRS information. We would like to send out a special thank to Bo Martin of B and P Discount Grocery for putting up money for the Dash for Cash, and to Country Dodge for being our race night sponsor.

The Northwest Springfield Free Youth Softball League will hold its first regular games on Saturday at Grant Beach Park in Springfield Missouri.

Springfield General Councilman Doug Burlison will throw out the first pitch at 9:59am.

Saturday’s lineup includes the following contests:

Knights vs. Hammers at 10am.
Blazers vs. Fighting Irish at 11am.
Dragons vs. Mustangs at 12pm.
Goof Balls vs. Predators at 1pm.

League Organizers, sponsors, and members of the community are very excited.

“We have worked a long time to get to this point,” said co-organizer Derek White. “It will be nice to see the kids out there fielding the ball and working as teams.”

The Northwest Springfield Free Youth Softball League is designed to give underprivileged and disabled children the chance to participate in team sport.

In case of cancellation due to inclement weather the first regular season games will start on Saturday, July 19th.

For more information prior to the event contact Derek White at 693-4205.

For information on the day of the event find Rob Brantley on site.

By: Clarissa Essary

Thursday July 3, the Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series arrived at Crawford County Speedway ready for some good racing action. The stands were full despite the lingering threat of rain. Twenty-three cars pulled into the pits for the chance of bringing home the thousand dollar check. The 3 of Rick Wallis ended up being the one to take home the grand prize.

After a short shower the heat races finally got underway. The 11 of Jarrod Hilton came away the winner in heat one. Heat two was won by the 25b of Chris Morelock. The 83 of Chuck Comer took the third and final heat of the night.

The risk of rain was becoming a reality quickly so the A Main was pushed up. After another quick drizzle, the Show-Me boys helped dry the track and it was finally time for the green to fall. The 16 of Jeff Johnson would set the pace and jump out to take the lead on the first lap. Everyone was racing for that one position ahead of them hoping that the rain would hold off. Lap ten brought out the first caution of the night for the 13 of Kevin Patrick, the 31 of Ron Johnson, and the 28b of Wesley Briggs. The green dropped once again but only two laps were completed before the caution was thrown again for the 31 of Ron Johnson. The green fell again but this time the 3 of Rick Wallis was right behind the 16 of Johnson. On lap fifteen the 3 of Wallis managed to overtake the 16 and secure the lead. Lap seventeen brought out the final caution, this time for the 13 of Kevin Patrick. The green was thrown for the final time and the 83 of Chuck Comer was directly behind the 3 waiting to make his final move. The white flag flew signifying the final lap, but the 3 managed to hold on take his first win in the 2008 season. The top five were; the 3 of Rick Wallis, the 83 of Chuck Comer, the 26 of Burl Woods, the 16 of Jeff Johnson, and the 25b of Chris Morelock.

The Show-Me boys were at Nevada Raceway on Saturday July 5, wrapping up their two race weekend. Twenty-seven late models entered the pits with the same goal. The 21 of Jordan Holloway would be the one to go home with the big check at the end of the night.

The first heat rolled out onto the track to begin the action packed night of racing. The 5e of Leslie Essary would take the win in heat one. Heat two was won by the 4 of Dustin Beisley. Heat three went to the 44 of Randy Galloway. Jordan Holloway in the 21 came away with the win in the fourth and final heat. Eleven late models were left to battle for the remaining four transfer positions through the B feature. The 1z of Zac Simmons, the #3 of Rick Wallis, #25b of Chris Morelock, and #13 of Kevin Patrick would be the top four to transfer to the A Main. The 00 of Jim Fulp and the 16 of Jeff Johnson would claim the point provisional positions.

After a spectacular fireworks display it was finally time for the night’s main event. The 44 of Randy Galloway and the 21 of Jordan Holloway would set the pace from the front row. The green was thrown and the 21 of Holloway jumped out to the lead. The 21 began to pull away from the 44 of Galloway who was in a hard battle for second with the 30 of Don Cloyd. Lap eleven brought out the first caution of the night for the 3 of Rick Wallis in turn three. The 21 still had the lead but now had the whole field behind him ready to steal it away on the restart. The green flew and once more and the 21 remained in the top spot. The 30 of Cloyd was now in second followed closely by the 55 of Ken Essary and the 5e of Leslie Essary who were in a fight for third. Two more cautions flew on lap sixteen. The first was thrown for the 16 of Jeff Johnson who spun in turn four. On the restart the 25b of Chris Morelock hit the wall in turn one bringing out the final caution of the night. The green dropped for the last time and the 21 pulled away with the lead once again. The 5e of Leslie Essary was applying pressure to the 30 in second position but Cloyd was holding him off. The white flag flew but no one was even close to Holloway, securing his first Show-Me Racing Series victory. The top five were; the 21 of Jordan Holloway, the 30 of Don Cloyd, the 5e of Leslie Essary, the 55 of Ken Essary, and the J2 of Jack Simmons.

The Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series will be at the Monett Speedway on July 13. Come out and watch your favorite SMRS driver battle it out on the Grand Ol’ Lady of dirt tracks. For points, driver info, and all your other Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series information visit us at www.Show-MeRacinSeries.com.

Babe’s Drive-In

$ 50 to the first person that fails to qualify for the A or a mystery position with less than 22 cars – Jarrod Hilton (didn’t run A – motor trouble)

GRT Race Cars

$50 gift certificate to winner – Rick Wallis
$25 gift certificate to (15)- Shane Essary
$25 gift certificate to (17) - Kevin Patrick

Kluhsman Racing Components

$50 KRC Gift Certificate to highest passing point car from heat race – Jarrod Hilton

$30 KRC Gift Certificate to winner – Rick Wallis

Morelock Racing

$100 to(6) -Leslie Essary

Raceway Ministries water (20) - Chris Powell

SPRINGFIELD, MO. (July 3, 2008) – On this Independence Day July 4th, for the first time in his career, Kerry Earnhardt, the son of seven-time NASCAR Champion Dale Earnhardt, will drive a Dale Earnhardt Inc. entry in a NASCAR race.

Kerry is a member of the Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats Racing team. He will pilot the # 8 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet in the July 4 Daytona 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

“Bass Pro Shops is proud to be a sponsor of Kerry Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Inc and the # 8 car,” said Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. “In addition to being a super driver, Kerry Earnhardt is a world-class sportsman. Kerry and his family have been great ambassadors not only for Bass Pro Shops, but also for conservation and the outdoors. We certainly wish him luck.”

Earnhardt, who currently works at Dale Earnhardt Inc. as a team liaison, will be making his 70th career start in the series, but only his fifth Nationwide start since 2003. He most recently competed regularly in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2006.

“I've won several races with DEI in an ARCA car, but I'm really looking forward to driving a fast car at Daytona under the DEI umbrella,” Earnhardt said. “I appreciate Bass Pro Shops and DEI giving me the opportunity to get back in a car; especially one that I know will be fast and competitive. I love running the speedways (Daytona and Talladega) and can’t wait for the weekend to get here. I’m happy to be driving for Bass Pro Shops and DEI.”

It will be Earnhardt’s ninth career Nationwide Series start at Daytona International Speedway.