Phil Welch Stadium to host college conference tournament
Phil Welch Stadium will be getting a little extra work this spring. The St. Joseph facility will host the Heart of America Athletic Conference baseball tournament, which will feature the conference’s top six teams and run from May 5 to 9.
Local fans have expanded options for Olympic access
Plenty of options will be available for local fans who can’t get enough of the Winter Olympics, which start tonight. St. Joseph Cablevision and the News-Press’ Web site, stjoenews.net, both will offer special expanded packages of coverage to customers.
Chiefs camp at Western, Northwest championship top 2009 local sports stories
The successful recruitment of an NFL team's summer training camp (after a decade's worth of work), a national championship, the overwhelming attention of the nation focused on an admirable local young man ... Few years hold as many sports highlights for St. Joseph and Northwest Missouri than 2009. It seems as if ESPN needed to add a Northwest Missouri bureau as often as its cameramen turned their attention to this region. It's hard to rank the top 10 highlights of the year, especially the top half: Matt Ziesel, who has Down syndrome, scoring a touchdown for the Benton freshman team; the success of the St. Joseph Mustangs' inaugural season at Phil Welch Stadium; and Northwest Missouri State's victory in the NCAA Division II national championship game.
Western makes progress on construction of Chiefs' camp facilities
The Kansas City Chiefs summer camp at Missouri Western once was a fantasy. It's far more concrete now. Literally. Most of the exterior brick-and-mortar work is complete - about 90 percent so, said Dave Williams, Western athletic director. Construction is slightly behind schedule, but planners expect to catch up quickly once the building - located adjacent to Spratt Stadium on the Western campus - is fully enclosed. That aspect should be completed by mid to late January.
Work begins on Western's new baseball, softball stadiums
The indoor football facility isn't the only big piece of sports construction going on at the Missouri Western campus. The university recently started work on its new baseball and softball stadiums. The baseball team has historically played at Phil Welch Stadium, which is owned and operated by the city of St. Joseph. The stadium is about six miles from the campus. It's also used for high school games as well as acting as summer host of the St. Joseph Mustangs, a college wood bat league.
Missouri Sports Hall of Fame to induct Tjeerdsma, Schottenheimer
It's been a good month for Mel Tjeerdsma. The Northwest Missouri State football coach took his Bearcats along to their third NCAA Division II national title earlier this month. Now he can look forward to being inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Tjeerdsma will be one of 15 individuals honored at the ceremony on Jan. 31 in Springfield, Mo. The same class will include former Kansas City Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer and Kansas City Royals pitcher Mark Gubicza. "It's totally unexpected to me. It's something I didn't expect at this point in my career," Tjeerdsma said. "Those are usually for people whose careers are generally over, I think, and I don't consider mine over yet. "I'm thrilled about it."
Tough foes help Griffons grow up
Usually, when a team spends a couple of weeks playing one ranked team after another, it's part of the postseason tournament. But for the Missouri Western men, the cavalcade of ranked foes kicked off the season. And the Griffons expect that exposure to top competition will lead to the postseason tournament. "We escaped the preseason with a decent record and got some experience that I don't think a lot of other people got," said Western coach Tom Smith, whose team is 7-3. "You grow more playing good teams. And when you're trying to put new parts in like we are at point guard and some other places, then you need to grow."
Dominant run defense pushed Bearcats to 3rd national title
FLORENCE, Ala. - Northwest Missouri State knew one imperative stood out before all other priorities if the Bearcats were going to find a way to stop Grand Valley State on Saturday. "We told ourselves that if they couldn't run the football, then they couldn't win the game," said Northwest defensive lineman Kyle Sunderman. "That was the mentality.
FIVE TIMES WORTH THE WAIT
FLORENCE, Ala. - Northwest Missouri State quarterback Blake Bolles walked up to the line of scrimmage, looking over Grand Valley State's alignment. With the NCAA Division II national championship on the line - the Bearcats faced a fourth-and-four in the fourth quarter after Grand Valley scored three straight touchdowns and pulled within three points - Bolles then glanced at receiver Jake Soy. Soy tapped the temples of his helmet with both hands, the sign that he recognized the same thing as Bolles: man coverage.
Special teams prove pivotal for Bearcats
FLORENCE, Ala. - Defensive end Kyle Sunderman gave some simple instructions to his Northwest Missouri State teammates when as they lined up to defend a routine extra-point play. "'We've got to get this block right here,' I told them," Sunderman said right after Grand Valley's first touchdown. "I told them straight up that I was going to block that.
Bearcats bring home title
Some habits are hard to break. Like losing national championship games. Northwest Missouri State University needed every ounce of fight to finally earn the third NCAA Division II national championship in school history Saturday in Florence, Ala. "I don't even know what to do right now. Every other year, we've all been in the locker room, kicking (stuff) all over the place and cussing," Northwest offensive lineman Brett Grozinger said. "I can't even explain it. We're all so happy finally."
Northwest Notes: Division II Championship Game
Northwest Missouri State's passing-game juggernaut of quarterback Blake Bolles and receiver Jake Soy finished with the season with a huge exclamation point. Soy set an MIAA conference record. With 118 yards in the NCAA Division II national championship game on Saturday, Soy finished with 1,559 total receiving yards. That bested the previous mark of 1,495 of Pittsburg State great Ronnie West in 1991.
For What It's Worth: Council's fortitude foreshadowed title
FLORENCE, Ala. - Before his last game at Northwest Missouri State, only one goal eluded running back LaRon Council: a national championship. "I told my team this week that I wasn't going to be the one to let them down," Council said. "I was going to do everything in my power to not feel the way I felt last year."
Soy's dedication pays big dividends
MARYVILLE, Mo. - For Jake Soy, a football is like a rosary to a devout Catholic. He's rarely at rest without one in his hands. "In my apartment or my room, wherever I am, I constantly have a football with me," Soy said. "I toss it up, catch it, throw it to myself all the time." That relationship is part of the reason Soy went from 10 total catches in all of 2008 to the Bearcats' 2009 juggernaut: 1,441 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns.
FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH: Qaoud's comeback inspires Bearcats
On Monday, Abe Qaoud bought a new digital camera. Within two days, the Northwest Missouri State receiver collected more than 300 photos. "I even took pictures of myself working out today," Qaoud said Tuesday. He's savoring the final moments of his college football career: plenty of locker-room pictures, lots of Bearcat Stadium, more of teammates practicing and working together.
THE GREEN MONSTER
MARYVILLE, Mo. - Sean Paddock waits for a special moment each game. It's that time when an offensive lineman's face sags and his body language drags. "You see it in their faces," the Northwest Missouri State defensive end said. "You see the doubts creeping in." It happens once a team recognizes that their running game has hit the green wall.
ANATOMY OF A TOUCHDOWN: Bolles, Soy make Northwest go
MARYVILLE, Mo. - A phenomenon. Something impressive or extraordinary; a prodigy; a wonder. Quarterback Blake Bolles to wide receiver Jake Soy: 22 touchdowns; the impetus of a Northwest Missouri State machine that averages nearly 45 points a game.
Consistency key to Griffon men
Missouri Western coach Tom Smith knew the challenge for his men's basketball team this season before practice even started: offensive consistency. It was the struggle in 2008-09, and it's an issue early this season. But the latest on-the-court lesson arrives tonight at the Griffons' annual early season showcase, the Hillyard Classic.
Northwest's Council in contention for Harlon Hill Award
In 2008, Northwest Missouri State running back LaRon Council faced the unenviable task of replacing Xavier Omon, one of the more dominant running backs in Division II over his four-year Bearcat career. "The one thing about him," Northwest coach Mel Tjeerdsma said, "is that I don't think anybody thought he could come close to doing what Xavier did."
Northwest earns playoff berth, first-round bye
Northwest Missouri State's only loss of the season came in the opener at Abilene Christian. The Bearcats, a young team that appears to be peaking just as the playoffs get underway, might get a chance to make amends for that single stumble.
Bearcats decimate Mules
MARYVILLE, Mo. - Central Missouri scored first Saturday, but Northwest Missouri State answered with a pace the Mules never matched. The Bearcats' offense scored on five of their first six possessions - four of the drives took less than 2 minutes - and overwhelmed the Mules 56-14 in front of 6,600 people at Bearcat Stadium. "We want to push the tempo - roll, roll, roll," said Northwest left tackle Dane Wardenburg. "That's our big thing. And it worked. "They were getting tired. You saw it happen."
Benton youth nabs ESPN attention
After scoring his first touchdown, Benton's Matt Ziesel ignited a Youtube sensation, found his way onto newspapers across the country and starred on television news broadcasts throughout the region. Today, the media attention hits a new level. Matt will be featured on ESPN's "E:60" at 6 tonight.
Western, Northwest women ranked near bottom
The Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri State women's teams both struggled last season. And the MIAA coaches' poll reflected that. The coaches picked the Bearcats at ninth out of 11 teams. The Griffons stood at 10th.
Baptist, Central top preseason men's MIAA basketball poll
Southwest Baptist and Central Missouri's recent dominance takes the debate out of the MIAA preseason expectations. The drama comes down to who will emerge from the middle of the pack, Missouri Western men's coach Tom Smith said. Baptist and Central - who were picked No. 1 and No. 2 in the coaches preseason poll released Tuesday - both earned Division II postseason berths last year, but the rest of the conference got shut out.
Thrasher seeks world long drive championship this week
The length of four football fields. That's about all that stands between Jesse Thrasher, his driver and $150,000 at the World Long Drive Championship.
Western offense struggles with 3rd-down conversions
Missouri Western quarterback Drew Newhart threw for 383 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Michael Hill ate up 143 yards and scored a touchdown. Receiver Ferrell McGhee stabbed six catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns. But the Griffons' offense made enough little mistakes to allow Missouri Southern to charge back for a 35-34 upset of No. 12 Western on Saturday at Spratt Stadium.
Southern hands Western heartbreaker
Before Saturday, Missouri Western perched itself near the top of the MIAA. Missouri Southern flailed around at the bottom. The Griffons proceeded to heap up more than 500 yards and collected four turnovers against the Lions. But Western also amassed enough mistakes - missed tackles, dropped passes, errant field goal attempts, a blocked punt, fumbled snap, game-deciding sack and turnover, and more - to reward a persistent Southern team with a 35-34 triumph, marking the Lions' first road victory in more than a year.
Heritage Park helps bring all of Missouri to St. Joseph
When the 16 high school softball teams converge on St. Joseph tonight and Friday, they'll find an operation that's getting practiced at hosting championships. The Missouri State High School Activities Association's State Softball Championships, which start with a social tonight and semifinals on Friday, are part of a string of events the city has recruited since opening Heritage Park Softball Complex.
Northwest, Western women's programs seek to restore self-confidence
MARYVILLE, Mo. - Basketball comes down to a confidence game this season for the Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri State women's basketball teams. Both teams collapsed last season, and now the two coaches trying to restore the programs - Lynn Plett at Western and Gene Steinmeyer at Northwest - say this season comes down to the players' faith in themselves. "We've got to restore confidence in our program," said Steinmeyer, whose Bearcats went just 9-18 overall and 5-15 in the MIAA. "Two years ago, we won the conference tournament. Then when we stepped on the court last year, that was the most talented team I ever coached at Northwest, and we won nine games."
Enthusiasm recharges Western men
It's easy for a team to be enthusiastic and hopeful before playing a single game or even starting practice. But the Missouri Western men claim plenty of substance behind their energy. The Griffons finished below .500 last season - 14-16 - but surged to a late-season climax, including a run to the MIAA postseason tournament championship game. In the title game, they forced prohibitive favorite Central Missouri to overtime before falling 86-84.
Spratt to host NFL scrimmage
Chiefs fans can expect another big highlight during the Kansas City franchise's summer training camp in St. Joseph next year: a scrimmage at Spratt Stadium with another NFL team. "For the first year, we've been told we are definitely going to have a scrimmage," said Dave Williams, Missouri Western State University's athletic director. "We'd love to get a team like the Cowboys or Rams. You know, someone that's going to be a real hit with the fans."
FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH: Big game gives Griffons an opportunity to continue momentum
In 1981, before Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri State ever played each other, the Griffons already despised the Bearcats. When they met for the first time - Sept. 19, 1981, at Spratt Stadium - the late Western coach Rob Hicklin made T-shirts for his entire team. The shirts read simply "Beat Maryville." "'Gotta beat Maryville this week,' coach Hicklin kept saying," said Robert Newhart, a middle linebacker on the team. "It was always Maryville, never Northwest. I don't know why he refused to call them Northwest. Either he had some deep animosity or disrespect ..."
17-year golf pro among Country Club cuts
The St. Joseph Country Club and its longtime PGA professional will part ways by the end of the year. The Country Club has opted not to renew the contract of 17-year pro John Leimbach, who will serve out the remainder of his contract that ends Dec. 31. General manager Ken Leland said the Country Club's governing board based the decision on finances.
Longtime coach sidelined by illness
It's hard to imagine Benedictine College football without Larry Wilcox, its coach for more than three decades and the man in whose honor the Ravens' football stadium is named. But the Ravens today start their season without Mr. Wilcox, who underwent open-heart surgery on Thursday and is recovering at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.
Lessons in logistics set in
Some simple details blur the line between dreams and nightmares. For Missouri Western State University athletic department leaders, the dream of hosting the Kansas City Chiefs' summer training camp shifts to the cold-sweat variety when it comes to accounting for 15,000 Chiefs' fans. That's the number of people who show up for weekend practices at the Chicago Bears' training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., a suburb about 45 minutes from downtown Chicago. "Crowd size: That's the big unknown," said Dave Williams, Western athletic director. "And it's our biggest concern."
FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH: Two players to count on, two to watch for Western, Northwest
The only things more useless than preseason sports polls are ticket scalpers at Kauffman Stadium. That's especially true at the smaller-college level. So let's ignore the MIAA polls from earlier this month when Northwest Missouri State got a No. 1 ranking and Missouri Western sat at No. 5. Instead, we quizzed the coaches about a few players - and how prepared they showed up for practice - who will have roles in determining where the Griffons and Bearcats sit in the only poll that matters: the final conference standings.
Griffons move to bolster offensive line
Andrew Gilmore, one of Missouri Western's top recruits two years ago, badly wanted to play offensive line for the Griffons. The Griffons, on the other hand, badly needed him to play defensive line. So Gilmore, a standout in football and wrestling at Benton, stepped in where the Griffons needed him: at defensive tackle. But now, in Gilmore's junior year, Western needs offensive linemen. And it's finally a chance for both parties to get their wishes.
Chiefs give Western boost in MIAA
Forget tourism dollars and marketing profiles and general public goodwill. The Kansas City Chiefs' plan to relocate their summer training camp to Missouri Western brings benefits in those areas - and more - but that's all been discussed, understood and accepted. The Griffons open the football season in 11 days, and that makes it the perfect time to finally talk about what the Chiefs' annual St. Joseph visit means for Western's ability to burst through to the MIAA's top echelon. Coach Jerry Partridge says, simply, "it's so huge."
Local radio station to switch to all-sports format
Last year, local sports fans couldn't even listen to the University of Missouri football games on the radio. This year, they're going to get a wealth of local sports on the radio, thanks to a decision by Eagle Communications, which plans to merge ESPN and St. Joseph sports. The broadcasting company is shifting the format of KSFT 1550 AM from 1960s and 70s "gold" music to all-sports. The change is planned for Aug. 25.
Roberts, Nurski advance to semis of SJCC tourney
Unseasonably low temperatures, a brisk breeze and cool play all marked the quarterfinals of St. Joseph Country Club's Club Championship.
Mustangs make believers of skeptics
Ryan Hook looked with dubiousness on the St. Joseph Mustangs' invitation to join their inaugural club this year. He watched the St. Joseph Blacksnakes' debacle - the embarrassing meltdown that left Phil Welch Stadium vacant during summer 2008. "I was pretty iffy when they first approached me," said Hook, a South Side native who plays for Western Kentucky. "I was around the Blacksnakes, and I saw what happened. I didn't want to be a part of an organization like that."
MMA legend to appear in Cameron
Royce Gracie remains one of the most prominent figures in the mixed-martial arts craze, and his early dominance of the Ultimate Fighting Championship still speaks to his legend.
Mustangs start thinking about 2010
By nearly every measure, the St. Joseph Mustangs exceeded expectations in their inaugural season. Crowds surged all the way until a record 4,000-plus cheered on the Phil Welch Stadium finale. The team started 12-0 at home, then nearly battled to a MINK League North division title before succumbing during the last regular-season series. And it all started with two simple philosophies. First, compile a roster built with speed and defense as the top priority. Next? Just have fun. "At the first meeting, I think the first thing I said was, 'Hey, you guys got to be able to laugh at yourself. If you can't, you're on the wrong ball club,'" said Matt Johnson, the team's first-year manager. "Because we're going to poke fun at each other and just enjoy ourselves. That's our approach."
Calloway hosting retirement party tonight
Rob Calloway peers at retirement the way a myopic man reads the fine print in a contract. He keeps pulling it closer and closer to himself. The St. Joseph boxer plans to box one last time in St. Joseph this fall, and while getting ready for that, he and his fans are taking the chance to reflect on his personal success and the achievement of reestablishing boxing locally.
Local athlete returns to kick off softball tournament
As a 12-year-old, Cheri Kempf and her softball team claimed the 15-and-under national ASA championship during a trip to Texas. That experience ignited something in the St. Joseph native. "That was my first taste of really dreaming about something," Kempf said, "and then actually accomplishing it." She earned the Most Valuable Player Award for the tournament. More importantly, she went on to star at Mid-Buchanan and Missouri Western, where her Griffons team won the NAIA national championship. She played for the U.S. national team, winning the World Cup in 1992, coached at the Division I level, authored books on teaching the sport and opened her own private teaching facility in Nashville, Tenn. And now her career includes work as a commentator and analyst on ESPN and other national networks as well as the leadership position of commissioner and president of the National pro Fastpitch Softball League. That resume should dazzle a group of about 500 girls gathered in St. Joseph today to kick off the ASA Girls 14-and-under Class A Northern National tournament, which will be held at Heritage Park Softball Complex this week. The opening ceremonies, which begin at 6 p.m. at Civic Arena, feature Kempf and her story.
Mustangs ready for shot in Central Regional Tournament
The Mustangs established their power in St. Joseph this summer, drawing thousands of people a night to Phil Welch Stadium. Today, the organization hopes to earn itself status as a regional powerhouse.
Mustangs roll in final home game of 2009 season
Saturday night's home finale stood as a microcosm of the Mustangs' 2009 summer: A record-breaking crowd, efficient baseball, perfect weather. St. Joseph made the most of every opportunity, blistering the Chillicothe Mudcats 5-1 in front of 4,077 fans - a record for the team at Phil Welch Stadium.
Local men get rare chance to compete on home course Missouri Amateur
It's been more than five decades since a St. Joseph man won the Missouri Amateur golf championship. And it's been 21 years since St. Joseph has hosted it. A few local golfers hope that St. Joseph Country Club - this year's host site - provides the opportunity to change those streaks. "You know a few things here and there (about your home course) that maybe help out a little. And you get to stay at home and sleep in your own bed," said Brad Nurski, one of the contenders in the six-day tournament that begins this morning. "You'd like to think that you have a good chance. Hopefully, maybe one of us come out on top. Even better, maybe make it all the way to the final."
Pujols' home run creates memory for St. Joseph man
Taylor Crouse takes his passion for the St. Louis Cardinals on the road at least once every year. This year, the St. Joseph man's annual road trip reaped a reward to bring back home: a home run ball hit by Cardinals star Albert Pujols. "I've never been a big foul ball person," the 31-year-old South Side resident said. "But I always thought that if I could get a home run ball, that would be great. That it was Pujols makes it even sweeter."
Local radio station picks up University of Missouri games
University of Missouri fans around the state enjoyed the Tigers' nearly unprecedented football and basketball success the last couple of years. Next year, St. Joseph-area residents get to share a little more in that success. The Tigers haven't had a local radio carrier for years, including two years ago when Missouri's football team spent part of the season ranked No. 1 and last season's basketball run to the Elite Eight. But KSFT 1550 AM announced Monday that it will pick up the full Missouri football and men's basketball schedules in 2009 and 2010.
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