Former MSSU coach Pat Lipira named to St. Joseph Sports Hall of Fame

(From Missouri Southern Athletics)

The St. Joseph Sports Commission recently announced the 2024 St. Joseph Area Sports of Hall of Fame Class, one of those members being former Missouri Southern coach Pat Lipira. She is a member of the Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame, the MIAA Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

The St. Joseph Area Sports of Hall recognizes those individuals, families, teams, entities or significant feats/accomplishments that have made a significant impact on sports history in Buchanan County. Missouri Southern's legendary softball coach, Pat Lipira, was born and raised in St. Joseph, graduating from Central High School.

Coach Lipira took over the MSSC softball program in 1982 and within the first eight years led the Lady Lions to four top-ten national finishes in the NAIA, four NAIA district 16 championships, and two district 16 runner-up finishes. 

In their first season as an NCAA Division II member, Coach Lipira led the Lady Lions to a fourth place finish as the team went 36-9 while winning both the MIAA Championship and sweeping through the Midwest Regional. 

Two years later, in only their third season at the NCAA DII level, Coach Lipira would lead the Lady Lions to the top of the NCAA DII as they went 50-7. During that 1992 season, the Lions swept the MIAA Championship, the Midwest Regional, and the NCAA Nationals. Their last loss of that season was back on April 21, winning their final 11 games to claim the championship. 

During that undefeated run, the team outscored their opponents 54-10. In total, Lipira helped the team to four MIAA Championships, six NCAA Tournament appearances, two NCAA Regional Championships, and the 1992 NCAA National Championship.

Over her 18 years coaching the Lion Softball team, Lipira compiled a 632-275 record (29th in NCAA history) for a .697 winning percentage (18th in NCAA history). She was named the MIAA Coach of the Year five times, Region Coach of the Year twice, and National Coach of the Year once. Additionally, Lipira coached the Missouri Southern volleyball team for seven seasons, collecting another 265 wins. She retired from coaching in 2000.

The 2024 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony presented by Atha Bros Ag, being in held in memory and honor of the St. Joseph Sports Commissions' founder and first chairman Frank O'Malley will be held on Sunday, August 25 at Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center. Social hour presented by Ellison-Auxier Architects begins at 4 PM with the enshrinement and presentation of awards beginning at 5 PM.

Matt Morris, Whitey Kurowski, Dave Duncan to be inducted into Cardinals Hall of Fame

(From the St. Louis Cardinals)

Matt Morris, Whitey Kurowski and Dave Duncan will be inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame, the team announced today. It is the tenth induction class since the team dedicated the Cardinals Hall of Fame with an inaugural class on Opening Day in 2014. 

An enshrinement ceremony will be held at Ballpark Village during Hall of Fame Weekend presented by Edward Jones on Saturday, September 7.

Matt Morris (Modern Era Player — Fan Selection)
Years: 1997 – 2005
Morris, a former first round draft pick and two-time All-Star, won 11 or more games in six different seasons with St. Louis and ranks T-11th in franchise history with 101 wins.

Whitey Kurowski (Veteran Era Player — Red Ribbon Selection)
Years: 1941 – 1949
Kurowski, the team's starting third baseman during their 1940's dynasty, never played on a team that finished lower than second place and was a three-time World Series champion.

Dave Duncan (Organizational Selection)
Years: 1996 – 2011
Duncan served as the team's pitching coach for 16 seasons from 1996-2011. Under his watch, St. Louis ranked in the top half of the National League in ERA in 12 seasons and made the postseason nine times, culminating in World Series titles in 2006 and 2011.

"We take great pride in the selection process we use for electing new members of the Cardinals Hall of Fame," said Bill DeWitt Jr., Cardinals Chairman and CEO. "I'd like to thank our fans as well as the Red Ribbon Committee who cast their votes for this year's induction class. Congratulations to Matt Morris, Dave Duncan, and the late Whitey Kurowski on this tremendous honor. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of these players during our induction ceremony in September."

KOAM to carry Oklahoma City Thunder games

(From KOAM)

Friday nights will soon be filled with the sound of Thunder on KOAM, FOX 14 and The 4-States’ CW.

The NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder has reached an agreement with the KOAM’s parent company, Morgan Murphy Media, allowing for the local broadcast of eight Friday night games this season.

“We are thrilled to be part of the OKC Thunder local broadcast team to bring these games to fans for free with over-the-air TV,” said Brook Arnold, VP & General Manager. “For 70 years, KOAM has been passionate about providing local information and entertainment, making our stations the most watched in northeast Oklahoma, southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri. This is a perfect fit."

The decision to team up with local broadcasters is a recent effort by the OKC Thunder to give fans a new and exciting way to watch their team.

“This is a tremendous opportunity that allows us to increase our fans’ ability to watch Friday games free and over the air this season,” said Dan Mahoney, Thunder Vice President of Broadcasting.

Clay Bennett, Chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder agrees. “The Thunder is grateful for the loyal support we receive from our fans across Oklahoma and the region. We look forward to providing them this additional access to our game broadcasts.”

KOAM will broadcast the eight games across its network of local stations. The first game will air on KOAM on January 26th. The CW will carry the next two contests. And the final five games can be seen on FOX 14.

“The Thunder is one of the top teams in the NBA this season. In addition to their regional popularity, they are just a fun team to watch,” said John Dales, KOAM Sports Director. “I’m excited that our stations will be bringing these games to area fans.”

Here is the complete schedule of the eight broadcasts.

KOAM Friday, Jan. 26 at New Orleans Pelicans 7 p.m.

CW Friday, Feb. 2 vs. Charlotte Hornets 7 p.m.

CW Friday, Feb 23 vs. Washington Wizards 7 p.m.

FOX14 Friday, March 8 vs. Miami Heat 7 p.m.

FOX14 Friday, March 22 at Toronto Raptors 6 p.m.

FOX14 Friday, March 29 vs. Phoenix Suns 7 p.m.

FOX14 Friday, April 5 at Indiana Pacers 6 p.m.

FOX14 Friday, April 12 vs. Milwaukee Bucks 7 p.m.

The Friday night games will be hosted by the Thunder’s on-air team of Chris Fisher, Michael Cage, Paris Lawson, and Nick Gallo. Along with the team’s director and producer, they will continue to provide a top-quality broadcast with expert coverage and analysis. Each of the eight games will include 30-minute pre and postgame shows.