MSSU announces start times for home football games

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern athletic department has announced the start times of its home football games for the 2020 season.

The Lions will play five games at home beginning with the opener on September 19 at 6 pm against Washburn inside Fred G. Hughes Stadium.

The Lions will play host to Central Oklahoma at 2 pm for homecoming on September 26 and then will play host to Central Missouri on October 17 for a 2 pm start time. 

The Lions then play host to Lincoln on October 24 for a 6 pm start and Senior Day is set for a 2 pm start on November 7 against Nebraska-Kearney. Most road start times have been set, as well, so check out the schedule by clicking here (2020 football schedule).

The complete home schedule is listed below.

9/19 - Washburn - 6 pm
9/26 - Central Oklahoma - 2 pm (Homecoming)
10/17 - Central Missouri - 2 pm
10/24 - Lincoln - 6 pm
11/7 - Nebraska-Kearney - 2 pm

Former MSSU baseball player Landers signs with Chicago Dogs

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Former Missouri Southern baseball player Freddie Landers has signed a deal to play for the Chicago Dogs of the American Association.

Landers pleyed a season for the Lions in 2019 where he was a first-team All-MIAA selection, as well as All-Region and All-American pick. 

That season, he led the Lions with a .349 batting average and finished second on the team with 11 home runs and fourth with 36 RBIs. He slugged a team-high .602, while also leading the team with a .494 on-base percentage. He led the MIAA in hit by pitch with an MSSU record 22 times taking one for the team. 

Landers ranked sixth nationally in hit by pitch, while ranking second in the MIAA in slugging, fourth in total bases, sixth in walks and runs scored, seventh in hits and eighth in average. A third basemen for the Lions, Landers is projected to be a catcher for the Dogs.

In his first year of professional baseball, Landers played for the White Sands Pupfish in the Pecos league. He finished the 2019 season with a .339 average, including a pair of doubles, a triple and four walks, while posting an onbase percentage of .403, slugging .411 and recording an OPS of .814.

The Dogs play in the American Association, the same league the Kansas City T-Bones participate in. The team plays its games in Impact Field, located in Rosemont near O'Hare Airport. A $63 million facility, the stadium seats 6,300. The team will start the season this Friday, July 3 with a road series in Milwaukee. Then, the home opener will be played on Tuesday, July 7 at 7:05 p.m. with a three-game homestand with the Milkmen. The Dogs will play 30 home games in Rosemont this season, which will end September 10.

"Freddie was a major part of our success in 2019," said head coach Bryce Darnell. "He is a real leader on the field and in the lockeroom. We are proud that he is able to continue his baseball career."

MSSU's Elyjah Clark to play pro basketball in Europe

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern basketball player Elyjah Clark has signed a contract to play basketball professionally in Europe.

Clark, who finished his MSSU career as the best three-point shooter in the program's history, will play with the Ankar Anadolu Basketball Club in the Turkish Basketball Second League. Clark will leave in October to join his team in prepping for the upcoming season.

Clark will go down as one of the best three-point shooters to ever play in the MIAA. He holds the MSSU single-season and career three-point records, while holding a share of the single-game mark. He was just five away from tying the MIAA record before the season was cut short due to the Covid-19 Global Pandemic. 

He finished with 365 made three-pointers and sits at number four in the All-Time scoring list at MSSU with 1,813 career points. He has the top-three single-season marks for three-pointers made, all coming in his final three years of his career. Clark also holds the MSSU record for games played with 124 and games started with 123. His .816 career free throw percentage ranks fifth-best all-time, while his 735 career rebounds is third-best in a Southern uniform. He was a three-time All-MIAA selection.

"I am so proud of Elyjah," said head coach Jeff Boschee. "He has worked so hard to achieve his dream. He will continue to get better and have a great career. I look forward to watching him grow as a man in this game and representing our University. I feel very fortunate I got to coach him for four years."

MSSU women's track and field athletes named Academice All-American

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern State University senior Morgan Ash and junior Elena Bisotto were named to the Academic All-America ® Division II Women's Track & Field/Cross Country First Team, selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). The teams were announced on Wednesday.

This is the second-straight year Bisotto has earned the honor, first time on the first team.

Ash, a Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy major has a cumulative 3.80 GPA while Bisotto, a biology major has a perfect 4.00 GPA.

Ash is the school record holder for the javelin with a throw of 51.45 meters (168 feet, 9 inches). She holds four of the top ten marks in Southern history including three of the top four marks in the event.
Bissoto, who was a finalist for the MIAA Winter Women's Athlete of the Year, holds the No.3 spot in the performer's list in outdoor pole vault as she cleared 3.98 meters (13 feet, 0.75 inches). She holds the No. 2 mark in the Southern performer's list for the indoor portion of the season after she cleared 4.04 meters (13 feet, 3 inches).

The CoSIDA Academic All-America® program recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. To be selected for the award, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore in academic standing, as well as not being a first-year transfer to the institution. Student-athletes must also maintain a minimum of a 3.30 GPA, as well as participate in at least 50 percent of their team's competitions. The award is voted on by sports information professionals throughout Division II. Despite the cancellation of spring competition during COVID-19, CoSIDA continued its sponsorship of the Academic All-America awards program where student-athletes were selected based on career statistics.

The 15 CoSIDA Academic All-America® Division II women's track/cross country first team members hold a composite 3.95 GPA. Twenty-four members of the 45-player first, second and third teams honorees hold a perfect 4.00 cumulative GPA. Thirteen CoSIDA Academic All-America® Division II women's track/cross country selections are repeat picks from the 2018-19 honor listing, including one student-athlete making the 2017-18 team.

MSSU football season tickets on sale, ticket assurance plan announced

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern Athletics Department has announced that football season tickets are on sale now, as well as a ticket assurance plan for the 2020-21 season.

We know these are uncertain times and we appreciate your patience as we navigate through the many rounds of planning for unknown circumstances during our upcoming season.

Our top priority is to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes. Additionally, we want all of our supporters and patrons to feel safe and comfortable attending MSSU sporting events and watching our student-athletes compete. 

However, we do understand each individual has different levels of comfort in returning to in-person events, but we ask that you have confidence knowing we will do everything in our ability to ensure a safe and enjoyable gameday experience.

Below is a detailed Ticket Assurance Plan that our department has prepared to hopefully ease any apprehension you may have and assist you in making your ticket purchases. We have also placed various frequently asked questions at the bottom of this story to help guide you through these new procedures this season.

Missouri Southern State University Athletics 2020-21 Ticket Assurance Plan

MSSU Athletics has implemented the following ticket assurance plan for our Lionbackers and fans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If games are cancelled, postponed, or played with restricted fan access that prevents you from using your tickets, you will have the following options for games impacted:

Option 1: Donate your 2020 football season ticket payments to support MSSU Student-Athletes 

Season ticket holders/purchasers who choose to donate their 2020 football season ticket will receive an updated gift receipt acknowledging tax deductible amounts.

Your contribution related to the 2020 football season is now a fully tax-deductible contribution and will be acknowledged as such with an updated gift receipt.

Option 2: Credit your 2020 football season ticket payment to the 2021 football season 

Season ticket holders/purchasers may request their 2020 football season ticket purchase be applied to the 2021 football season. Prices for the 2021 football season will be the same as 2020.Option 3: Request a refund for your 2020 football season ticket purchase 

Season ticket purchase will be applied using the same format the person used to pay. *Should the 2020 Football season be impacted by a reduced number of games or spectator limitations imposed, values will be pro-rated accordingly.

Please know that we are committed to treating you fairly as we navigate these uncertain times. Thank you again for your understanding. If any changes occur during these unprecedented times, a staff member will contact you as soon as possible.

We look forward to seeing you this year to cheer on our Lions together!

Incoming MSSU softball player earns student-athlete honors

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Future Missouri Southern softball player and Truman High School graduate Kara Amos was selected to participate in the annual Mo-Kan All-Star Softball Series. In addition, Amos was selected Truman High School's Kansas City Star's Scholar Athlete of the Year.

The Mo-Kan All-Star Softball Series has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The teams who are scheduled to compete are composed of the Kansas City metro area's best seniors.

For the Scholar Athlete award, nominations came from faculty and staff at each of the 100-plus high schools in the Star's circulation area - the Kansas City metro - earlier this year.

All candidates were reviewed thoroughly and the field was narrowed down through three rounds of independent judging by KC Star staffers and prominent members of the community, including players from the Kansas City Chiefs including Harrison Butker, Kansas City Royals including Brad Keller and Sporting KC's Daniel Salloi. Judges reviewed the nominees' portfolios for athletic and academic prowess, as well as their community service.

Amos boasts a 3.89 GPA and was ranked 34th in a class of 354. She earned four varsity letters in softball where she holds three single-season records including batting average, hits and doubles, and career record in doubles. She was a four-year all-conference player, a three-time All-State pitcher/utility player and was the yearbook editor a member of the National Honor Society and student council president.

MSSU basketball schedule released

The MIAA has released the 2020-21 men's and women's basketball schedules and the Lions will have 11 games at home and 11 on the road.

Due to the reduction in maximum allowable games this season by the NCAA, all regular-season games for the Lions will be MIAA contests.

The season kicks off for each team with a road trip to Central Oklahoma on November 19 and Newman on November 21. The home opener for the Lions is December 3 against Northeastern State. Southern will host Northwest Missouri on December 17 and Pittsburg State on February 20 as the Lions close the season with three-straight games inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

The 2021 MIAA Basketball Tournament will be back inside the historic Municipal Auditorium running from March 4 through March 7, 2021.

The complete schedule is listed below with times still yet to be determined.

November 19 - at Central Oklahoma
November 21 - at Newman
December 3 - vs. Northeastern State
December 5 - vs. Rogers State
December 10 - at Central Missouri
December 12 - at Lincoln
December 17 - vs. Northwest Missouri
December 19 - vs. Missouri Western
January 9 - at Pittsburg State
January 14 - at Washburn
January 16 - at Emporia State
January 21 - vs. Fort Hays State
January 23 - vs. Nebraska-Kearney
January 28 - at Rogers State
January 30 - at Northeastern State
February 4 - vs. Lincoln
February 6 vs. Central Missouri
February 11 - at Missouri Western
February 13 - at Northwest Missouri
February 20 - vs. Pittsburg State
February 25 - vs. Washburn
February 27 - vs. Emporia State
March 4-7 - MIAA Tournament

MSSU women's soccer schedule released

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The MIAA has announced the soccer schedule for the 2020 season and the Missouri Southern Lions will have seven games at home and seven on the road this year.

With the new NCAA limit on games played, the schedule will be an entire slate against conference opponents with the first two games of the season being non-conference in-region contests.

To qualify for the postseason, the top eight teams will face off in the flex week with the winners of those games moving on to the MIAA Championship at the highest remaining seed. The final four seeds will play one additional game during the flex week.

The Lions are set to open the season ay home on Sept. 13 against Missouri Western.

Times for games are to be determined and will be announced at a later date. The complete schedule is listed below.

September 13 - vs. Missouri Western*
September 20 - vs. Central Missouri*
September 25 - vs. Northwest Missouri
September 27 - at Missouri Western
October 2 - vs. Rogers State
October 4 - vs. Northeastern State
October 9 - at Central Oklahoma
October 11 - at Newman
October 16 - vs. Nebraska Kearney
October 18 - vs. Fort Hays State
October 23 - at Emporia State
October 25 - at Washburn
November 1 - at Central Missouri
November 8 - MIAA Flex Week

MSSU football schedule announced

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The MIAA has announced the football schedule for the 2020 season and the Missouri Southern Lions will have five games at home and five on the road this year.

All teams will have a bye week on week one with action beginning on September 12. Southern opens up play at Pittsburg State on September 12 and the home opener for the Lions will be on September 19 against Washburn.

The Lions will play Washburn, Central Oklahoma, Central Missouri, Lincoln and Nebraska-Kearney at home, while travelling to Pittsburg State, Northeastern State, Missouri Western, Northwest Missouri and Emporia State.

Times for games are to be determined at the moment and will be announced at a later date. The complete schedule is listed below.

September 12 - at Pittsburg State
September 19 - vs. Washburn
September 26 - vs. Central Oklahoma
October 3 - at Northeastern State
October 10 - at Missouri Western
October 17 - vs. Central Missouri
October 24 - vs. Lincoln
October 31 - at Northwest Missouri
November 7 - vs. Nebraska-Kearney
November 14 - at Emporia State

Cody Barham named assistant softball coach at Missouri Southern

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern head softball coach Hallie Blackney has named Cody Barham as the program's new assistant coach effective immediately.

Barham comes to Southern after serving as an assistant with the University of Tulsa and prior to that, Oklahoma State for a pair of seasons.

"Our student-athletes and I are excited to welcome Cody to our family," Blackney said. "His passion and work ethic are unmatched, and I look forward to what our program will accomplish on and off the field in the future."

At Tulsa, Barham spent a season with the Golden Hurricane where he worked with the catchers, as well as coaching first base. At Oklahoma State, he worked with pitchers and catchers and helped the Cowgirls to a fifth-place finish at the 2019 Women's College World Series. The coaching staff at OSU was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Midwest Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.

Prior to OSU, Barham spent four seasons as an assistant and the junior varsity head coach at Oklahoma Wesleyan. There, he worked primarily with the pitching staff and oversaw the development of the outfielders. Former OWU pitcher Jenna Daniel ranks as one of his top talents, as she was named the MCAC Pitcher of the Year in 2014 and 2015, the KCAC Pitcher of the Year in 2016 and earned NAIA Second-Team All-America honors in 2016.

A native of Owasso, Okla., Barham has also coached at the high school level at Bartlesville High School.

Barham said he is looking forward to wearing the Green and Gold and getting started with the program.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to work aside Coach Blackney as we continue to build something special at Missouri Southern," he said.

MSSU assistant track and field coach named to Pittsburg State Hall of Fame

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern track and field assistant coach Brian Allen will be inducted into the Pittsburg State University Athletics Hall of Fame the school has announced.

Allen, who will be entering his eighth season as an assistant coach with the Lions, has helped the Southern throwers to huge successes in his tenure.

The Lions have posted more than 20 All-American performances under Allen's guidance as well as nearly 30 All-MIAA marks.

Allen was an All-American thrower at PSU from 2006-10, earning nine All-American honors and 15 All-MIAA performances. He was the MIAA Men's High Point Winner at the 2009 and 2019 MIAA Outdoor Championships, earning 28 points at each Championship. Allen was a four-time MIAA Champion.

Allen was selected as the 2010 Division II South Central Region Field Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and still holds the PSU records in the weight throw and hammer.

MSSU women's basketball adds graduate transfer

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern head coach Ronnie Ressel has announced the signing graduate transfer Carley Turnbull who joins the Lions for the 2021 season.

Turnbull is a 5-10 senior that comes to the Lions after three years at from Monmouth College in Monmouth Ill. where she has already graduated and will have one more year of eligibility.

This past season, Turnbull helped the Fighting Scots to a 21-7 overall record including a 14-4 Midwest Conference record where they finished in second place. They went on to win the conference tournament for the second time in program history to earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

As a junior, Turnball saw action in all 28 games, averaging 16 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest, while shooting 44 percent from the field and averaging 29.5 minutes per game. She had a season-high 30 points during a Jan. 31st contest at Ripon College where she was 13-of-14 from the free throw line.

A native of Mesa, Ariz., Turnbull prepped at Mesa High School, helping the Jackrabbits to the state playoffs her sophomore and senior year, making an appearance in the final four in her senior year.
She averaged 16 points per game with 6.5 rebounds and shot 49 percent from beyond the arch. She was an All-Region selection as a junior and senior and an All-State selection her senior year.

The daughter of Mark and Carrie Turnbull, Carley plans to seek a masters degree in management at Southern.

"We are extremely excited to add Carley (Turnbull) to the Lion Family. She is a graduate transfer that will bring a lot of playing experience to our team," said Ressel. "Carley can score at all three levels and is a very versatile player. She comes from a great family and will be a very nice addition to our 2020 recruiting class."