Kim Anderson on Mizzou summer workouts

Springfield Lasers lose top player

(From the City of Springfield)

Springfield Lasers team member Alisa Kleybanova announced Friday she will not be able to play Mylan World TeamTennis this season, due to a shoulder injury.

Kleybanova, 24, from Moscow, Russia, helped lead the Springfield Lasers to the 2013 Mylan WTT Western Conference Championship, earning the league’s Female Rookie of the Year award. 

MSSU distance runner named All-American

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern senior distance runner Jake Benton has been named to the Capital One Academic All-America team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

A second-team honoree this year, this is the second-straight year for Benton to be named Academic All-American, as he was named a third-team selection last year. To be considered for this honor, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative 3.30 GPA, as well as participate in at least 50 percent of his team's events. The Lions are in a district with schools from the MIAA, the Great American Conference and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

A four-year distance runner for the Lions, Benton (Wentzville, Mo.) helped continue the tradition of dominance among distance runners for the MSSU program. A cross country All-MIAA and All-Region selection the past two years, Benton helped the Lions to two appearances in the NCAA XC Championships, finishing 8th in 2012 and 19th this year. During his tenure, the team has finished no lower than third at the MIAA XC meet.

He was one of six MIAA track and field athletes to be named to the All-America team. He graduated from Missouri Southern with a 4.00 GPA in biology/pre-med. He is currently in process of training for the 2016 United States Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles.

Flying wiener victim gets second shot at Sluggerrr, Royals

The Missouri Supreme Court today granted a new trial for a man who claimed he was hit in the eye by a flying wiener shot at him by Kansas City Royals mascot Sluggerrr.

John Coomer said he was injured by the hot dog and sued the Kansas City Royals. A jury ruled in favor of the Royals. The jury decided that flying wieners were a risk fans had to accept just like foul balls or bats going into the stands.

The court's opinion waxed a little poetic when it came to those joys of the game:

Such risks are an unavoidable – even desirable – part of the joy that comes with being close enough to the Great American Pastime to smell the new-mown grass, to hear the crack of 42 inches of solid ash meeting 
a 95-mph fastball, or to watch a diving third baseman turn a heart-rending triple into a soul-soaring double-play. The risk of being injured by Sluggerrr’s hotdog toss, on the other hand, is not an unavoidable part of watching the Royals play baseball. That risk is no more inherent in watching a game of baseball than it is inherent in watching a rock concert, a monster truck rally, or any other assemblage where free food or T-shirts are tossed into the crowd to increase excitement and boost attendance. 

The case was remanded for another trial.

The incident occurred when Coomer, who frequently attended Royals games took his father to Kauffman Stadium on September 8, 2009, a rainy day, to see the Royals play the Detroit Tigers.

Because of the rain, they moved closer to the field, putting them in closer proximity to any airborne sausages that might head their way.

Right after they  moved, Sluggerr climbed on top of the visitors' dugout and shot hot dogs at the fans.

The launch occurs between innings, when Sluggerrr uses an air gun to shoot hotdogs from the roof of the visitor’s dugout to fans seated beyond hand-tossing range. When his assistants are reloading the air gun, Sluggerrr tosses hotdogs by hand to the fans seated nearby. Sluggerrr generally tossed the hotdogs underhand while facing the fans but sometimes throws overhand, behind his back, and side-armed. 

Coomer says he never saw the wiener coming. He turned and "something hit me in the face.:

Major League Soccer coming to Joplin

(From the City of Joplin)

For the first time ever, MLS action will be live in your backyard. The Joplin Demize square off against Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo Reserve squad on Wednesday June 25th at 7:30 P.M. Hershewe Championship Field will play host to the matchup which is sure to be an amazing experience for fans and players alike, with the Demize hosting a Houston side who saw 17 victories during MLS play last season.

Tickets for this event and the Demize's final home game on June 29th, a rematch with St. Louis side FC Bordo, who will be joining the South-Central Conference next season, will remain the same as all previous matches. $6 for adults, $5 with a student or military ID, $4 for youth and children under the age of 6 are free. Come out and support your Joplin Demize as they continue to bring the highest level of soccer to southwest Missouri and the four-state area.

MSSU offering two volleyball camps

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Summertime on the campus of Missouri Southern State University is beautiful this time of year so why not take in all this campus has to offer and learn some volleyball at the same time by attending the Lions volleyball camps.

The Lions coaching staff led by head coach John Napier along with current players will host two camps next month beginning with the all skills camp July 19 – 21 followed by the team camp July 24 – 26. 

The skills camp is open to participants ranging from 7^th – 12^th grades and will feature eight sessions over the three-day camp.  The team camp is open to high school and club teams and will feature competitive competition and interaction with the MSSU coaching staff and players.

To register for the camps, visit http://www.mssuvolleyballcamps.com/index.cfm.

For more information, contact the MSSU coaching staff at 417-625-3043 or napier-j@mssu.edu.  Or check out the MSSU Summer Camp Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lionsvb

Camp Costs:

Skills Camp: $180 (Commuter) $230 (Resident)

MSSU Team Camp: $150 (Commuter) $200 (Resident)

Missouri State men's basketball coach on summer workouts

Missouri State women's basketball begins summer practice

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Fundraiser held by local doctor nets $7,000+ for MSSU sports

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Joplin dentist and Missouri Southern Lionbacker Dr. Michael LaFerla hosted a fundraiser for the Southern men's basketball team last week at his home. 

The event took place on Thursday, June 12 and around 75 guests attended. Dinner and drinks were provided and the event helped raise more than $7,000 for the program. 

There were raffles throughout the night for various items, as well as a Challenge A Lion event where contestants were able to challenge a current player or coach to a shooting contest for $20. If they won, they doubled their money. 

Dinner was provided by Moe's, and drinks were courtesy of Missouri Eagle. 

"Bre and I thought it was a good opportunity to help the transition from Coach Corn to Coach Boschee with a fundraiser," LaFerla said. "We love MSSU and are very excited about the direction of the University. With the new leadership from Dr. Marble, we feel confident the academic and sports areas at MSSU will excel."

Boschee was very appreciative of the LaFerla's generosity. 

"We just want to send our thanks out to both Mike and Bre for donating their time and their house for the benefit," Boschee said. "It was great for them to sponsor this and it's just another example of our boosters coming through when we need them. I want to thank everyone that came out and supported us and it's events like this that make MSSU special." 

Joplin Demize summer soccer camp scheduled

(From the City of Joplin)

Children interested in developing their soccer skills have an opportunity to do so during the Joplin Demize’s summer soccer day camp. The City’s newest sports team is offering kids a fun way to learn or develop the skills needed to excel at soccer.

The summer soccer day camp runs June 23 through June 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The cost is $40 per child. For more information or to register, please visit the Joplin Demize Summer Camp website at www.demizesoccercamps.com.

The Joplin Demize soccer team was brought to Joplin early this spring and kicked off their season on May 16, 2014. The team uses local talent, allowing players from area schools to showcase their talents. As a member of the National Premier Soccer League, the Joplin Demize qualifies for the U.S. Open Cup.

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Southern Athletics announces new radio partner

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern Athletic Department announced today a new partnership with American Media Investments (AMI) Radio to be the official home of all Missouri Southern football and basketball games beginning this fall.

All football, as well as men's and women's basketball games, will now be broadcast on FM 99.7 – KBTN Real American Country, as well as AM 1420 in Joplin. It also means that all games can now be heard on an FM signal, where in the past, women's basketball games had been broadcast on the AM dial.

"We are excited to enter into this partnership with AMI and KBTN," said Missouri Southern Athletics Director Jared Bruggeman. "The ability to broadcast all of our games on an FM signal, as well as getting to work with the outstanding group of people they have on staff, was certainly vital in choosing the home of our radio broadcasts. We look forward to the great opportunity that our department has in bringing Southern athletics to the airwaves in Southwest Missouri."

Also as part of the agreement, there will be a new 15-minute insider show featuring player interviews before the MSSU football broadcasts each week. Following that will also be a 30-minute pre-game show hosted by the voice of the Lions, Mike McClure.

AMI will also sponsor a pre-game tailgate each week for all home football games that will feature free food and drink for fans.

The daytime coverage signal for KBTN reaches as far west as Parsons, Kan. and as far east as Republic, Mo. The signal will go south to Springdale, Ark. and as just north of Lamar, Mo.

"All of us at AMI radio are very excited to join in a partnership with Missouri Southern, to broadcast the 2014-2015 Missouri Southern football and basketball games on KBTN, 99.7," said George DeMarco, Vice President & General Manager for AMI Radio Group. "We have had the pleasure of doing many things in the past with Missouri Southern, and it has always been a very good experience. We know that broadcasting these games will be a real benefit to all of the four states, Missouri Southern and AMI radio."

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Royals draft Missouri Southern center fielder

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern senior centerfielder Logan Moon was selected in the sixth round, 183rd overall pick, today of the Major League Baseball first-year player entry draft by the Kansas City Royals. 

Moon, a native of Blue Springs, becomes the highest-ever drafted player (in the main June draft) in Missouri Southern history. Daniel Rogers was selected in the eighth round in 1990 by the Detroit Tigers and was the previously highest-ever drafted player from MSSU. Moon is the first Lion to be drafted since 2010 when Joe Lincoln went in the 34th round to the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

He was the second-highest Division II player selected this year, one round behind Mercyhurst's (PA) Dan Altavilla, whom was taken in the fifth round (141st overall pick) by Seattle.  Moon also becomes the seventh-highest ever drafted player from an MIAA school and the highest player drafted since 2005 when Central Missouri's Nick Webber was taken in the second round. (Drafted while team was a member of the MIAA)

Moon was a third-team selection this year, his first in a Lions' uniform. He led the team and ranked eighth in the MIAA in hitting, finishing the season with a .386 batting average. He was fifth in the MIAA in hits, while leading the league and ranking fifth nationally in triples with seven. 

Previously Highest-Ever MIAA Drafted Players

Nick Webber - Central Missouri - 2nd Round - 78th pick - 2005 - St. Louis Cardinals
Carl Black - Central Missouri - 5th Round - 90th pick - 1966 - New York Yankees
Josh Reynolds - Central Missouri - 3rd Round - 95th pick - 2001 - New York Mets
Donnie McGowan - Central Missouri - 4th Round - 101st pick - 1985 - Detroit Tigers
Galen McSpadden - Southeast Missouri - 6th Round - 121st pick - 1974 - San Diego Padres
Charles Blakley - Northwest Missouri - 6th Round - 131st pick - 1971 - St. Louis Cardinals
Logan Moon - Missouri Southern - 6th Round - 183rd pick - 2014 - Kansas City Royals 

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Springfield Lasers doubles standouts win French Open

(From the City of Springfield)

Springfield Lasers doubles standouts Anne-Lena Groenefeld and Jean-Julien Rojer have won the mixed doubles title in the French Open Championship today.

Groenefeld and Rojer defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Julia Goerges 4-6, 6-2, 10-7 earlier today.

While not appearing at the French Open in Springfield Lasers jerseys, the win sets the stage for the Lasers’ Mylan World TeamTennis (WTT) season, which opens July 6 in Springfield Mediacom Tennis Stadium at Cooper Tennis Complex.

“Wow! A French Open title for Julien and Anna-Lena!” said Bob Belote, ownership representative for the Springfield Lasers. “Our Springfield Lasers franchise specifically traded up in the draft to get Anna-Lena to play doubles for us this season. Certainly her winning this title with Julien tells us we’re on the right track. Springfield Lasers fans are in for a real treat this season, getting to see James Blake, Andy Roddick and the new French Open champions: Jean-Julien Rojer and Anna-Lena Groenefeld.”

Rojer, who is returning for his second season with the Lasers, now holds 13 doubles titles. This is his first Grand Slam tournament title. Rojer helped lead the Lasers to the WTT 2013 Western Conference Championship, and was named WTT Male MVP in 2013.

With today’s win, Groenefeld now holds 15 doubles titles, including a 2009 mixed doubles trophy at Wimbledon. New this year to the Lasers roster, this is her fourth season of WTT, previously playing for the New York Sportimes.

“I'm really happy to have reached my first mixed doubles final in Paris,” Groenefeld told WTT.com before the final match. “Doing it with Juls is even sweeter as we will be playing the Mylan WTT season together in Springfield. So we couldn't wish for a better start to our partnership. I hope we will have more success together in the future and with the Lasers, of course!”

The Springfield Lasers are one of seven teams in the nationwide Mylan World TeamTennis Pro League, bringing world-class tennis to Springfield every July. The Lasers enter the 2014 season as defending Western Conference Champions.

The highlight of the home season comes Sunday, July 13, when Lasers marquee player James Blake faces longtime friend and rival Andy Roddick. Also returning to the Lasers roster this year are Alisa Kleybanova, 2013 WTT Female Rookie of the Year, and WTT veteran Michael Russell. All four roster players competed at the French Open.

Tickets are now available for the Springfield Lasers home season, held July 6-23 at Mediacom Tennis Stadium, in Cooper Tennis Complex, 2331 E. Pythian, Springfield. Matches begin at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5:30, with live music 5:30-6:30. Concessions and the VIP Food Center both open at 5:30.

Grandstand tickets are $10 (July 6, 7, 18 and 19) $15 (July 12 and 17) and $20 (July 13.) Box Seat tickets are $20 (July 6, 7, 18 and 19) $30 (July 12 and 17) and $40 (July 13.) Season tickets and VIP packages are also available. To purchase tickets, call Cooper Tennis Complex at 417-837-5800.

For more information, visit springfieldlasers.com or look for Springfield Lasers on Facebook or @SpringLasers on Twitter. For more information on Mylan WTT, visit wtt.com.

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MSSU defensive coordinator to participate in Minority Coaching Fellowship

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

 Missouri Southern defensive coordinator Rashad Watson has been selected to participate in the Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship. 

The event will take place this summer in Kansas City as each NFL franchise operates a camp for coaches. The program's objective is to use NFL Clubs' training camps, offseason workout program and minicamps to give talented minority coaches opportunities to observe, participate, gain experience and ultimately gain a full-time NFL coaching position. 

Designed as a vocational tool to increase the number of full-time NFL minority coaches, all 32 NFL Clubs participate in the program on an annual basis. Specific aspects of the program (including hiring, salary and coaching duties) are administered on a Club-by-Club basis.

All Participants are hired by the NFL teams for the duration of training camp, including all pre-season games and clubs. Thirty current NFL coaches graduated from the program, including two current head coaches (Marvin Lewis - Cincinnati, and Mike Tomlin - Pittsburgh). 

Missouri Southern men's basketball adds assistant coach

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern men's basketball coach Jeff Boschee has announced the addition of Sam McMahon to his coaching staff for the Lions. 

McMahon comes to the Lions after serving the past four years on the staff at Missouri State including the last three for former MSSU Assistant Coach Paul Lusk. His duties at Missouri Southern will include recruiting, scouting, practice and game-day coaching assignments and assisting with the day-to-day operations for the program. 

"I am excited to announce Sam as a part of our staff," Boschee said. "He has been around some great coaches at Missouri State, and was part of a very successful program at Central Methodist. He is exactly what I was looking for to fulfill my staff.  He has a great knowledge of the game, had a great relationship with the players at Missouri State, and everyone that I spoke to about him spoke very highly of him."  

He served two seasons as the director of basketball operations for the Bears and as the team's video coordinator for the two seasons prior. 

A standout prep player at Jefferson City (Mo.) High, McMahon spent a year at Bridgton (Maine) Academy and then played four years as a Division I standout at the University of Delaware (2004-08).

During his time at Delaware, McMahon earned four letters, was team captain his senior season (2007-08) and earned Colonial Athletic Association All-Academic second team honors twice. He earned a spot on the CAA Commissioner's Honor Roll and averaged 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists his junior season. He ranked second in the CAA in free-throw percentage (.840) his senior campaign and was third in three-point shooting (.444). He scored 20 or more points five times during his collegiate career, reeled off a streak of 16 straight double-figure scoring games, and earned his team's Most-Improved Award his junior season.

On his way to earning a degree in Sports Management (May 2008), McMahon was also on the Dean's List at Delaware and played in over 100 games. After his tenure with the Blue Hens, he spent three months interning at Wilmington University in New Castle, Del., where he worked on scouting, fundraising and video coordination.

He later landed an assistant coaching spot at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo., and spent two years at CMU, helping the team to a combined 52-15 record in that span. Central Methodist made a pair of NAIA National Tournament appearances, claimed a Heart of America Conference regular-season title in 2009-10 and led the nation in three-point accuracy (.423) in 2009-10. CMU was 24-8 in 2009-10, finished with a No. 13 national ranking, and gave up just 60.7 points per game.

"I want to thank Coach (Paul) Lusk and the rest of the Missouri State coaching staff and administration for helping me develop professionally during my time here," McMahon said. "I have learned so much from Coach Lusk and will always cherish our friendship. I'm so thankful for an opportunity to get back on the floor coaching. Coach Boschee is one of the best young coaches around, and I'm excited to learn from him."

Lusk said McMahon has been a vital part of Missouri State's success during his tenure.

"Sam has done an unbelievable job for our program," Lusk explained. "He has a very bright future in this profession. We will miss him, but this move allows him to be a full-time coach, and he will be a great addition for Coach Boschee and Missouri Southern."

McMahon posted a perfect 4.0 GPA at CMU in earning his Master of Education in May 2010.

The 29-year-old joined the MSU staff in 2010-11 for coach Cuonzo Martin and was part of the Bears' 26-9 season that culminated in a 15-3 MVC record and the school's first-ever Valley regular-season title for the Bears.

He has worked numerous basketball camps and clinics since 2008, including Tennessee, MSU, Creighton, Delaware and others. His duties included video exchange with opponents for scouting purposes, academic monitoring of players, directing team travel, practice coordination, game equipment and budgeting.

McMahon and the former Holly Wade were married on September 8, 2012.

MSSU places 64th in Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

 The Missouri Southern athletics department finished 64th in the final Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings released by the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA) today. 

The Cup awards points based on NCAA post season success. The Lions saw post season appearances by both the men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field teams, while the men's cross country team and an individual from the women's team saw action. 

The men's cross country team finished 19th nationally, while the indoor track and field team placed 19th, as well at the national meet. The men placed 29th at this year's outdoor meet. 

The women's indoor track and field team placed 29th at the national meet, while the team placed 35th at the outdoor meet. 

The men's basketball team won the 2013-14 MIAA Tournament title and earned a bid to the NCAA tournament for the third time in the last four years, falling to eventual National Champion, Central Missouri, in the round of 32. 

Overall this year, the Lions had 140 named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, including seven named Academic All-MIAA and nine earn MIAA Presidential Scholar Awards. The school had 77 All-MIAA athletes, 28 All-Region selections and nine All-Americans, while five were named Academic All-American. Men's basketball coach Robert Corn was named MIAA Men's Basketball Coach of the Year after his 25th and final season leading the Lions. 

The Lions were seventh among MIAA schools in the standings as Central Missouri was the top school, placing third. Lindenwood was 23rd, followed by Nebraska-Kearney (33), Southwest Baptist, (37), Emporia State (54), Lincoln (58), Southern (64), Pittsburg State (66), Northwest Missouri (69) and Central Oklahoma (70) to round out the MIAA schools in the top 100. 

Southern was 11th best in the Central Region as the MIAA had seven of the top 11 programs in the region. The complete standings for MIAA schools are listed below. 

MIAA in the Director’s Cup
3. Central Missouri         653.75
23. Lindenwood              472.00
33. Nebraska-Kearney   425.25
37. Southwest Baptist    398.75
54. Emporia State          326.50
58. Lincoln                     313.25
64. Missouri Southern    283.5066. Pittsburg State         282.00
69. Northwest Missouri  265.00
70. Central Oklahoma    263.75
106. Fort Hays State      192.00
157. Northeastern State 120.50
228. Missouri Western      25.00
228. Washburn                  25.00 

Assistant women's basketball coach hired at MSSU

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

 Missouri Southern women's basketball coach Ronda Hubbard has announced the addition of Haley Wolf to the coaching staff for the Lions. 

"Haley is a welcomed addition to our staff as she has good knowledge of the MIAA and great 'behind the scenes' training in the marketing department at KU," Hubbard said. "I am confident that her young skill set and work ethic are going to help us function at a higher level. She will work within all aspects of our program, but in particular will take on the academic coordinator and travel coordinator responsibilities." 

Wolf comes to Missouri Southern after spending the last year working in the Athletic Marketing department at the University of Kansas where she assisted in promoting each sport for the Jayhawks'.

A four-year letterwinner, Wolf played collegiately at MIAA member Fort Hays State where she graduated with a degree in health and human performance in 2013. 

A native of Ellis, Kansas, Wolf prepped at Ellis High School where she was a two-time All-League sellection and part of the winningest class in EHS history. She also helped lead the Railroaders to a state runners-up finish in 2009. 

MSSU women's soccer adds two recruits

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern women's soccer coach Alese Woolard has announced the addition of two additional high school products to her 2014 recruiting class.

Joining the Lions for the 2014 season will be Ronise Miller from Canterbury Episcopal school in Texas, as well as Aubrey Lindsey from Verdigris High School in Oklahoma.

Miller is a 5-4 defender that comes to Southern from Canterbury Episcopal in DeSoto, Texas. A member of the National Honor Society, Miller played soccer with her club team (FC Dallas) as her high school did not sponsor women's soccer.

An eight-year member of the team, Miller played for coach Ben Waldrum. FC Dallas is a member of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). Also a talented track and field athlete at Canterbury, Miller is a two-time Texas State Champion in the 200m, winning as a freshman and again as a senior. She was the runner-up as a senior, earning All-State honors three times.

The daughter of Ronnie and Marilyn Miller, her father played baseball and basketball at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Miller plans on majoring in kinesiology at Southern.

Lindsey is a 5-5 midfielder that comes to Southern from Verdigris High School in Claremore, Oklahoma. A four-year varsity performer, Lindsey was an All-District selection three times, while earning All-Metro honors twice for coach Stacia Risenhoover and the Cardinals.

Lindsey was a member of the Principal's Honor Roll at VHS, while also graduating with honors. The daughter of Brett and Deanna Lindsey, Aubrey plans to major in kinesiology at Southern.

Eagles sign Allen Barbre to three-year extension

Allen Barbre has found a home with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles signed the former East Newton High School and Missouri Southern State University standout to a three-year extension today:

“Allen has great versatility and his ability to play both outside and inside on the offensive line makes him so valuable to what we do,” Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said in a statement. “He’s been in this league for a number of years and we know we can count on him to step up and fill in whenever he is called upon. When Jason Peters went down in Green Bay last season, Allen jumped right in and our offense didn’t miss a beat.”

Barbre has appeared in 47 games with seven starts during his six-year career. Before arriving in Philadelphia, Barbre had appeared in 32 games with the Green Bay Packers(2007-09), Miami Dolphins (2010) and Seattle Seahawks (2010-12).

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Top-notch pitcher, Webb City native transfers to MSSU

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern baseball coach Bryce Darnell has announced the addition of Missouri State lefty Tyler Burgess as the Webb City native will transfer to Southern with one year of eligibility left. 

Burgess, a 5-11, 185 pound lefty, comes to Southern after three years at Division I Missouri State. During his time at MSU he posted an 8-3 record with 14 saves and a 2.65 ERA.  In 61 Appearances Burgess threw 85.0 IP, allowed just 59 hits, surrendered 41 walks, struck out 59 batters, and limited opponents to a .203 AVG. 

In 2012 Burgess set the MSU freshman saves record (11) and posted a 5-2 record with a 2.08 ERA, holding opponents to a .164 AVG. He picked up first-team Freshman All-American Honors from Collegiate Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. He was also named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year and was a first-team All-MVC Selection.

Burgess spent the 2012 and 2013 summers playing in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League for the Harwich Mariners.  In two summers at the Cape, Burgess had 23 appearances, throwing 30.0 innings, allowing 25 hits, 14 walks, and striking out 35.  He was 1-0 with four saves and a 2.40 ERA and earned the 2012 Harwich Mariners Unsung Hero Award after recording a team-high four saves and posting a 2.16 ERA. 

Burgess was a highly-decorated pitching standout at Webb City High School, where he set a Missouri prep record with 11 career shutouts. He completed his career with a 31-8 record, 1.44 ERA, 362 strikeouts, three saves, 29 complete games, two no-hitters and 11 shutouts. He set Webb City career records with 45 appearances, 38 starts and 248 innings in addition to wins, complete games, shutouts and strikeouts. He owns single-season Webb City records with 14 starts, 13 wins, and 12 complete games, all done during a 13-1 junior campaign where he had a 0.75 ERA and 142 strikeouts in 93.2 innings.

His 12 complete games that season also marked a Missouri state record, while an 18-strikeout game was a school record. He went 8-2 with a 1.53 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 73.1 innings as a senior, earning first-team All-State recognition on both the media and coaches teams. He was also All-Conference and All-District as both a junior and senior, and an academic All-State pick as a junior when Webb City finished the year as the Missouri Class 4 state runners-up. As a sophomore, Burgess went 7-3 with a 1.92 ERA, 74 strikeouts and one save in 54.2 innings. He finished his freshman season with a 3-2 record, 2.66 ERA and two saves for the Missouri Class 3 runners-up.

Tyler is the son of Todd and Stephanie Burgess and will be a History Major at Missouri Southern.

Skip Brock to coach Carl Junction boys basketball

A report from KSN Sports

MSSU announces 2014 Athletics Hall of Fame Class

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern athletics department has announced the 2014 Athletics Hall of Fame Class as four individuals will be enshrined as part of Hall of Fame Weekend on September 26-27. The list includes four former student-athletes from the sports of football, baseball and men's and women’s track and field.

Tim Doss (Baseball – 1972-74), Brad Cornelsen (Football – 1995-98), Brian Lyons (Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country – 1999-2004), and Margaret (Miklovic) Lyons (Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country – 1998-2002) will all be enshrined into the 2014 class of the Hall of Fame. The group also features the first married couple to be inducted in the same class (Margaret and Brian Lyons).

The newest class will be present at a social at 7 pm on Friday night, Sept. 26 and will be inducted at a lunch at noon on Saturday, Sept. 27. The group will be introduced as new Hall of Fame members at halftime of the Lions’ football game vs. Washburn on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Below are short biographies on each of the four Lions to be inducted into the Hall of Fame:

Tim Doss (Baseball – 1972-74) – Doss played for the very first baseball team at Missouri Southern and is one of the best pitchers to put on an MSSU uniform. Doss was a three-year starter and finished his career with a record of 16-3, while putting up a 2.13 career ERA in 23 games. He started 20 games and finished with 13 complete-games and four shutouts. He struck out 65 batters and allowed just 33 earned runs in 139.2 innings pitched.

Doss is the single-season record holder in complete games (9), while holding the career record in both ERA (2.13) and winning percentage (.842). He is fourth in career shutouts (4), sixth in career complete games (13), seventh in wins (16), while ranking tenth in single-season ERA (1.78).

Doss graduated from Missouri Southern in 1974 with a degree in education. He is a collegiate softball umpire in the MIAA, while also umpiring at the high school level and officiating high school basketball. He currently works in purchasing and receiving at Freeman Hospital in Joplin and has two grown children. He and his wife Debbie reside in Joplin.

Brad Cornelsen (Football – 1995-98) – Cornelsen was a three-year starter and four-year letter winner at quarterback for the Lions. He was the first quarterback in NCAA Division II history to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for 2,000 yards in a career.

He was an Academic All-Conference selection in both 1997-98 and was a Harlon Hill Regional Finalist in 1997. He finished his career fourth all-time on the total offense list with 6,671 yards. He had the highest passing efficiency mark in MSSU history in 1996 when he put up a mark of 162.5. He completed 102 passes in 189 attempts for 1,625 yards and ten touchdowns. He also ranks seventh all-time in career rushing yards (second amongst quarterbacks) with 2,273 yards and ranks fourth in career scoring (210). He is fifth in both passing yards (5,334) and completions (261).

Cornelsen started his coaching career at Northeast Oklahoma A&M, and served stints at Northwest Missouri, Oklahoma State, Illinois State, Northeastern State and has served as a quarterbacks coach at the University of Memphis for the past three seasons. This past year, Cornelsen coached freshman Paxton Lynch to become just the second Tiger to throw for over 2,000 yards in his rookie campaign. It was also just the tenth 2,000 yard passing campaign in Memphis program history and Lynch ranked in the top ten in single-season pass attempts, completions and completion percentage.

Cornelsen graduated from Southern in 2000 with a degree in physical education and he and his wife Jaimi were married in 2011.

Brian Lyons (Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country – 1999-2004) – Lyons was a five-year member of the cross country and track and field teams at Missouri Southern. He was a seven-time All-Conference selection in cross country and track and field, helping the Lions to five different team MIAA titles (cross country – 2000-2003, indoor – 2004).

He was named the 2002 MSSU Outstanding Athlete and still holds the Missouri Southern record in the outdoor 5k. He was a three-time MIAA Athlete of the Week, while winning four individual MIAA titles in 2002 alone (cross country, indoor 3k and 5k and outdoor 5k). He was the 2004 MIAA Indoor Track Championships High Point Scorer, while being named the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Regional Indoor Athlete of the Year that season.

Lyons was a two-time cross country All-Region selection and earned two All-American honors.

Lyons graduated from Missouri Southern in 2004 with a degree in environmental health and micro biology. He and his wife, Margaret, have three children, Lillian, Lukas and Lincoln and reside in Glendale, Mo. He is currently the Director of Race Management for GO! St. Louis, where he directs running events, including the GO! St. Louis Marathon and Family Fitness Weekend that hosts over 20,000 runners every April.

Margaret (Miklovic) Lyons (Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country – 1998-2002) – Lyons is one of the most decorated female distance runners in Missouri Southern history. She is one of just two women in Southern history to qualify for the NCAA Championship in each sport in the same season (Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track), doing so in 2001-02.

A two-time All-American, she placed third in the indoor mile in 2002, while placing fifth in the 3k in the 2002 outdoor championships. She was the MIAA Champion in the 1,500m run, while holding the MSSU school record in the indoor mile, 3k and 1k, as well as the outdoor 1,500m.

She was a three-time MIAA Champion in the mile, 3k and 1,500m, while earning the cross country Lionbacker Award of Excellence in 2001 and the track and field MVP in 2002. She was named the MSSU Female Athlete of the Year in 2002.

A three-time MIAA Academic Honor Roll member, she was named the Missouri Southern Outstanding Graduate in 2002, earning a degree in accounting and graduating Magna Cum Laude.

An accountant living in suburban St. Louis, Lyons is married to fellow Hall of Fame inductee Brian Lyons. The couple has three children, Lillian, Lukas and Lincoln.

The Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame was established to pay tribute and give deserved recognition while enhancing school tradition by honoring former athletic letter winners and/or coaches who have shown distinctive, unique or exceptional ability while at Missouri Southern or since graduation. The honorees must be graduates of Missouri Southern and there must have been a lapse of at least 10 years since the individual last participated in athletics at Southern.

With the addition of the 2014 class, the MSSU Athletics Hall of Fame now includes 109 members and two teams.