Friday, May 30, 2008

TAMUK add Illinios transfer (with video)

Billy 'The Kid' Garza returns to south Texas



From KGBT4.com
Link to story




It was four and a half years ago that Brownsville Porter superstar quarterback Billy "The Kid" Garza threw for over 2500 yards and 30 touchdowns in the Cowboys' best season ever.
Many people in Brownsville and the Porter Nation still remember that season well.

Garza took his skills to the University of Illinois where he was redshirted and graduates this month.

But Garza told still has one year of eligibility remaining to play in college football.
Garza confirmed that he will use that remaining year back in south Texas.
The Brownsville football star told Action 4 News that he is transfering to Texas A&M-Kingsville this summer.

He is planning to join the Javelinas football team for his final year of college football.
The football star had planned take a job as a Brownsville coach, but the opportunity to continue playing was too much to pass up.

Garza is expected to move to campus next week.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

UCO announces new AD

From the UCO Athletic Department

EDMOND (May 28) – University of Central Oklahomapresident W. Roger Webb announced Wednesday that he has named Joe Muller as the school’s new athletic director.

Muller comes to UCO from Purdue University, where he serves as senior associate athletic director for external relations. Previously an associate athletic director at Oklahoma State, he will take over duties as UCO’s seventh athletic director in July.

Bill Farley will move into a fundraising role with the UCO Foundation Office after five years as athletic director.

“Joe brings a wealth of experience to our athletic department that will help us continue to grow and compete on a national level in Division II athletics,” Webb said.

“I am extremely proud of all our coaches and athletic programs and I have every confidence that Joe’s principled leadership and vision will ensure the continued development of our programs to help make them, and our student-athletes, the best they can be.

”Muller has been at Purdue since August of 2006 and oversees all facets of external relations, including development, marketing and promotions and the John Purdue Club.

“Under President Webb’s leadership, so many positive things are happening at UCO and I am excited to be apart of it,” Muller said. “I am absolutely thrilled about the opportunity and can’t wait to get to UCO and get going.”

A graduate of Stillwater High School, Muller earned bachelor’s (Radio-TV Film) and master’s (MassCommunications) degrees from OSU. He served as director of athletic marketing and promotions at OSU from 1985-90 and then was involved in the television industry for more than a decade.

Muller returned to Oklahoma State in 2002 as associate athletic director, serving in that capacity until going to Purdue. His duties at OSU included all development activities of the athletic department, including ticket operations, marketing and promotions and the OSU POSSE fund-raising operation.

Under Muller’s watch, OSU raised over $90 million to renovate its football stadium, set football attendance records in 2003, ’04 and ’05 and had all-sport ticket revenues increase more than 115 percent.

Muller and his wife, Julie, have three sons – Jaxon, Brandon and Matthew.

UCO has 13 varsity athletic teams, five men (football, basketball, baseball, golf and wrestling) and eight women (basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball). The Bronchos advanced to NCAA Division II postseason play in nine of those 13 sports during the 2007-08 school year, highlighted by a sixth-place national finish inwrestling, an Elite Eight appearance in men’s basketball and a Sweet 16 appearance in soccer.

Former OSU official to lead UCO athletics

NewsOK.com

Joe Muller, a former associate athletic director at Oklahoma State, will be introduced this morning as the athletic director at the University of Central Oklahoma.

The Stillwater native has earned two degrees from OSU: a bachelor's in Radio-TV-Film in 1981 and a master's in mass communicatons in 1993.

He was associate athletic director for development and external relations at OSU from 2002-06. He has been the senior associate AD for external affairs at Purdue since August 2006.

Two months after resigning from OSU, Muller was one of six defendants in a lawsuit filed by Teresa J. Barnard, the person whose vehicle was hit by former OSU basketball coach Eddie Sutton on Feb. 10, 2006.

At UCO, Muller will succeed Bill Farley, who moved into the UCO Foundation's development department April 23. Farley had been UCO's athletic director since June 9, 2003.

Muller also was OSU's director of athletic marketing and promotions from 1985-90. Then he worked in the television industry from 1990-2002, as general manager of TV stations in Wichita Falls, Amarillo and Oklahoma City.

He also served as vice president of affiliate relations/network distribution for the Hispanic Television Network and was vice president for network distribution/affiliate relations for the Fox Television Network.

Muller and his wife, Julie, have three sons: Jaxon, Brandon and Matthew.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

First Preseason Football Poll Out

It's way too early for football predictions. You know it, I know it, anyone looking at it objectively knows it. There are too many things that will change between now and August (and mostly unknown outside of the inner circles of the coaching staffs). But that doesn't stop the prognosticators from going ahead with their outlook on the upcoming season.

First out of the chutes is Lindy's magazine. And like most publications, their focus is primarily on division I schools - more specifically BCS schools. But they do devote two pages to Division II, with a top 25, All American Teams and games to look for in the fall. The LSC is represented by West Texas A&M at number 10 and Abilene Christian at number 12. Other Southwest Region teams include 3-time national runner-up Northwest Missouri at number 2, Central Washington at number 5, Nebraska-Omaha at number 8, Washburn at number 23, and Pittsburg State at number 24.

Nebraska-Omaha and Central Washington are new to the SW region, having spent last season in the now-defunct NCC in the NE Region. CWU is returning to the GNAC conference, but the GNAC will not have earned access for the playoffs, as the conference does not have the requisite number of teams. UNO joins the MIAA conference, along with NWMSU, Washburn and Pitt State. Missouri Western, Missouri Southern, Truman State and Central Missouri are other MIAA teams that should be considered as darkhorse teams for the playoffs.

Individually, Bernad Scott (ACU) received recognition for pre-season All-American and Player of the Year. Brandon Swain and Jared Brock (both WTAM) were named first team All-Americans, while Keith Null (WTAM) and Sam Collins (ACU) were named to the second team.

The ACU-NWMSU season opening game on August 30 is listed as one of five "The Big Ones" to see in the fall. Other games mentioned are the ACU-WTAM matchup and the MSU-WTAM game.

Track & Field - LSC Participants

Women
Team Totals - ACU 76.5 pts - FIRST PLACE
Team Totals - ASU 19 pts - 16th place

Heptathlon - Jessica Withrow - ACU 2nd - 4,951 points
Heptathlon - Kyndel Howwell - ASU 9th - 4,550 points
Hammer Throw - Adree Lakey - ASU 5th
Pole Vault - Callie Young - ACU 6th
Shot Put - Adree Lakey - ASU 4th
Shot Put - Kelli Clements - ACU 7th
Triple Jump - Destinee Nixon - ACU 5th
Javelin - Linda Brivule - ACU 1st
High Jump - Jessica Withrow - ACU 11th
Discus - Adree Lakey - ASU 1st
Discus - Paige Newby - ACU 11th
Discus - La'Shara Jefferson - TAMC 17th
10,000 M Run - Winrose Karunde - ACU 1st
3,000 M Steeplechase - Winrose Karunde - ACU 1st
3,000 M Steeplechase - Loice Cheboi - ACU 8th
4X100 M Relay - ACU 6th
100 M Hurdles - Shwna-Kaye Thompson - ACU 9th
400 M Run - Keva Wilkins - ACU 1st
400 M Run - Azraa Rounds - ACU 6th
800 M Run - Mary Mwangi - ACU 5th
5,000 M Run - Loice Cheboi - ACU 6th
4X400 Relay - ACU 3rd

Men
Team Totals - ACU 108.5 pts - FIRST PLACE
Team Total - TSU 4 pts - 42nd Place
Team Total - ASU 2 pts - 52nd Place

Decathlon - Camille Vandendreissche - ACU 1st - 7,385 points
Decathlon - Chris Pounds - ACU 2nd - 7,351 points
Decathlon - Chase Moore - ASU 10th - 6,266 points
Long Jump - Ramon Sparks - ACU 5th
Hammer Throw - Tyler Fleet - ACU 11th
Shot Put - Casey Keeter - TSU 6th
Discus - Nick Jones - ACU 1st
Discus - Tyler Fleet - ACU 16th
Pole Vault - Cory Altenberg - ACU 5th
Pole Vault - Stephen Toler - ACU 6th (tie)
Pole Vault - Aaron Cantrell - ACU 10th (tie)
Triple Jump - Davy Manga - ACU 2nd
Triple Jump - Ramon Sparks - ACU 5th
Triple Jump - Lyndon Wyse - TAMC 13th
10,000 M Run - Amos Sang - ACU 5th
10,000 M Run - Nicaise Kazingo - ACU 7th
10,000 M Run - Cleophas Tanui - ACU 10th
3,000 M Steeplechase - Daniel Maina - ACU 1st
4X100 M Relay - ACU 6th
4X100 M Relay - ASU 8th
1,500 M Run - Julius Nyango - ACU 6th
110 M Hurdles - Billy Walker - ACU 1st
110 M Hurdles - Andrew McDowell - ACU 6th
110 M Hurdles - Garrett Thomas - TSU 8th
400 M Run - Raymond Radway - ACU 1st
400 M Run - Jordan Johnson - ACU 3rd
800 M Run - Daniel Maina - ACU 9th
5,000 M Run - Amos Sang - ACU 7th
5,000 M Run - Nicaise Kazingo - ACU 11th
4X400 Relay - ACU 3rd
4X400 Relay - ASU 5th

National Champions Again

Abilene Christian wins Men's and Women's Titles

Courtesy: ACU Sports

WALNUT, Calif. -- No one was on hand to ask the ACU men's and women's track and field teams where they were going after winning two NCAA Division II team national championships Saturday night at the outdoor championship meet at Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Jacinto College.
If they had, the answer would have been a resounding, "We're going to Disneyland!" after the Wildcats won both team national championships for the first time since 1999. Before both teams return to Abilene, they'll be making a stop at Disneyland on Sunday to enjoy to hard-earned national championships.
For the men's team, it was their seventh straight and 18th overall NCAA outdoor championship. But for the women, Saturday night's team championship snapped a streak that had seen the Wildcats go without a national championship of any kind since winning the indoor title in 2000. The Wildcats' last outdoor championship came in 1999 in Emporia, Kan. ACU has now swept outdoor team titles seven times (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1996, 1999 and 2008).
"We had people score in every aspect on both the men's and women's teams," said ACU head coach Don D. Hood, who on Wednesday night was named the men's National Coach of the Year. "We scored in almost every phase of the meet, and that's a tribute to not only the athletes, but the coaches as well. We've got a tremendous coaching staff that does a great job.
"I'm so happy for our women's team," he said. "Our senior group has gone through a lot this season from injuries to off-the-track stuff. But they put all of that behind them and pulled together and competed and I'm so proud of them. After the way we finished at the indoor meet, I don't think anybody would have said we were the favorite coming into this meet, but our team believed and they went out competed up and down the lineup.
"The men scored 108.50 points to 102 for St. Augustine's, while the women ran away from the field, scoring 76.50 points to 55 for runner-up Adams State (Colo.). Lincoln (Mo.), which had won five straight outdoor championships, finished third with 54 points.
The Wildcats overwhelmed the field early with seven individual winners in the men's and women's competition, and then had to wait out the rest of the night, especially on the men's side where the Wildcats had to sweat out the late charge of their rivals from St. Augustine's. But the Falcons, despite a strong showing from double national champion Dennis Boone in the 100 meters and 200 meters, didn't have quite enough to overtake the Wildcats.
ACU carried an 8.5-point lead over the Falcons going into the final two events and needed just two points in the 5000 meters to clinch the team title. The Wildcats got those two points they needed from Amos Sang, who finished seventh in 14:27.11 to give the Wildcats the two points they needed to take the team title.
"We needed people to step up all day, and they did," Hood said of his men's team. "You've just got to keep scoring, and that's what we did throughout the meet."The Wildcats' domination began early as Linda Brivule got the day started on the right foot for the Wildcats with a national championship in the javelin. Brivule, a sophomore from Latvia, set a new meet record with a throw of 169-9 on her first throw of the final round. Brivule is just the third ACU female to win the national title in the javelin, joining Sonya Smith (1984, 1985) and Geraldine George (2000) on the short list.
The early domination for the Wildcats continued as freshman thrower Nick Jones -- who made a name for himself in the high school ranks as a state champion shot-putter at Amarillo Tascosa -- won the national championship in the discus. Jones unleashed a throw of 187 feet on his final throw of the preliminary round and that stood up through the final three rounds to make him the Wildcats' first national champion in the discus since Andy Kokhanovsky in 1996.
"I'm not a discus thrower, or at least I wasn't when I came to ACU," Jones said after his win. "I certainly didn't come in here thinking I was going to win the national championship in the discus, but I'll take it. I'm really happy for (ACU throws coach) Jerrod Cook. He's worked really hard with our entire throws group, and I appreciate his work with me."People have always told me I look the part of a discus thrower, but I always did so well in the shot put that I didn't focus that much on the discus," he said. "But I found a lot of relief in the discus this year."Jones was in the second flight of the competition and entered his flight knowing the mark to beat was 176-6 by defending national champion Bryan Vickers of Ashland (Ohio). After a throw of 165-5 on his first attempt and a foul on his second, Jones unleashed his personal-best throw of 187-0 on his third and final throw of the preliminary round, pushing him into first place to stay.On his final throw, Vickers made a run at Jones, but his throw of 182-2 was well short of the Wildcat freshman. Jones, in fact, had three of the top four marks in the competition as he topped 180 feet three times.
The Wildcats then saw dominating freshman distance runner Winrose Karunde win her second individual national title of the meet as she captured the crown in the 3000 meter steeplechase. Karunde cruised to the championship in a meet record time of 10:20.42, edging out the previous record of 10:22.06 set by Jennifer Michel of Western State (Colo.) in 2001. Karunde had won the 10,000 meters on Thursday to make her one of three double-winners in the meet.
Just about 10 minutes after Karunde won the women's steeplechase, junior Daniel Maina added a national championship to his impressive inaugural season as a Wildcat by winning the men's title in a time of 8:53.61. Earlier this year, Maina won the title at the Penn Relays, and his win in the steeplechase gave the Wildcats the national champion in the event for the fourth straight year as Maina followed the three straight victories by Nicodemus Naimadu.
The second big surprise of the day came in the 110 hurdles where freshman Billy Walker of Lancaster rebounded from a poor start to win his first national title.
Walker was last out of the blocks and fourth coming off the final hurdle, but outran the field to finish in a personal-best time of 13.86, just edging Jermaine Baker of St. Augustine's (N.C.), who clocked in at 13.88 for second. Walker is the Wildcats' first national champion in the 110 hurdles since Brian Amos won the third of three straight national titles in 2004.
Walker told Hood before the race started that he would win the national championship, but he said after the race that he was never really that confident that he would win the national title."I just knew that's what he (Hood) wanted to hear," Walker said. "I honestly wasn't that confident that I would win because my body isn't in very good shape right now. Plus I was right next to (teammate) Andrew McDowell (who finished sixth), and we have different trail legs and we're always hitting each other in practice. I thought that would be a factor, but it turned out that it didn't hurt me too badly."
The Wildcats then turned in a double victory in the 400 meters as senior Keva Wilkins closed her Wildcat career with a national championship, and then watched teammate Raymond Radway win the men's 400 meters. Wilkins and Radway became the first ACU athletes to win women's and men's titles in the 400 meters in the same season since Tracey Barnes won the women's title and Kempa Busby took the men's crown in 1996.
Wilkins was in third place entering the final 100 meters, but she had a strong enough kick to pass Juliet Alrich of Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Stephanie Gebhart of South Dakota to win with a time of 54.05. Alrich was second in 54.58, followed by Gebhart in third at 54.65.
"When I started the race, I just wanted to get off to a good start and I did that," Wilkins said. "I told myself that this was my last year and it was time to win a national championship. To know that it helped our team win a national championship is even better because everybody won."
Radway then captured the men's national title in a time of 46.35 with teammate Jordan Johnson (2006 national champion) finishing third in 46.66, giving the Wildcats 16 critical points toward the team championship.
"I wanted to run in the 45s, but a victory is a victory," Radway said. "I didn't qualify for the Olympic Trials, and that's part of what I wanted to do here tonight. But I also came to ACU to win a team championship, and that's what counts."
That was the Wildcats' last individual win on Saturday, although Davy Manga -- the defending national champion in the triple jump -- finished second with a mark of 52-9.75, just behind Wilbert Walker of Lincoln, who went 53-5.75.
"We had a lot of people contribute to this, and that's what makes me so proud of this group," Hood said. "We had people step up and make things happen all day, and that's what you have to if you're going to win championships. Billy (Walker) and Nick (Jones) sparked us, and I think their performances carried us through the day."

Friday, May 16, 2008

ACU Moves On

www.acusports.com

ACU rallies for 8-7 win


CLEVELAND, Miss. -- For seven innings Friday afternoon, almost nothing went right for the ACU Wildcats.

For the final two innings they could do no wrong as they rallied from a 7-3 deficit to knock off West Alabama, 8-7, in the first round of the NCAA Division II South Central Region baseball tournament at Ferriss Field on the campus of Delta State University.

ACU (44-15) now advances to the winner's bracket game at 7 p.m. Saturay against the winner of Friday's afternoon's game between Southern Baptist and Ouachita Baptist. The Tigers (45-12) will play at 3 p.m. Saturday against the winner of Friday night's game between Texas A&M-Kingsville and top-seeded Delta State.

"We were able to just keep battling and fighting, and everntually things turned our way," said ACU head coach Britt Bonneau, who picked up his 498th career win as the Wildcats' head coach. "We had some good at-bats early in the game, but we just couldn't things to go our way. But when they did turn for us, they really went our way."

Things turned for the Wildcats in the top of the eight when they started the top of the eighth with three straight singles against UWA starting pitcher Mike Schmitt, who was then lifted from the game with a 7-3 lead. Josh Varner then came into the game and on his first pitch of the game gave up a two-run single to Thomas Bumpass that drove in Allen Smith and Willie Uechi to make it a 7-5 game.

J.J. Pacheco then reached on an infield single and went to second on a throwing error by third baseman Rob Dahlberg, a throwing error that allowed Cameron Watten to score to cut the lead UWA lead to 7-6. With no outs, Trey Watten grounded out to send Bumpass to third, and he then scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Matt Spotanski, tying the game at 7-7.

Chris Wiman then came into the game to pitch for the Wildcats, and, despite giving up a two-out double to Jade DeRoy, retired Jeremy Finney to end the inning and send the game to the ninth inning tied at 7-7.

In the ninth, the Wildcats had two outs and Uechi at first base after he reached on a fielder's choice before he went to second on a single by Cameron Watten. Bumpass then hit a ground ball to shortstop Nick Wheeler, who collided with second baseman Jeremy Finney behind the bag, and the Wildcats had the bases loaded with two outs.

Pacheco then hit a slow roller to Finney, who bobbled the ball and then kicked it, allowing Uechi to score the go-ahead run. Finney then threw out Watten at the plate to end the inning and keep the ACU lead at 8-7.

In the ninth, Wiman got the first out before Tres Avans drew a walk, bringing the winning run to the plate in the form of Todd Rea, who hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first and drove in five runs in the game. But Wiman struck him out swinging for the second out of the inning, and then retired Wheeler on a popout to Smith at first base to give the Wildcats the come-from-behind win.

"We'll enjoy this win for a little bit, but we know we've got a tough team in front of us Saturday night in either Southern Arkansas or Ouachita Baptist," Bonneau said. "I'm really proud of my guys for the way they kept battling and kept pushing and never gave up."

Ben Maynard got the start on the mound for the Wildcats, and he went 5 1/3 innings without much luck to show for it. In the bottom of the first inning, he retired the first two batters and then had a 3-2 count against Rob Dahlberg before what looked like was a third strike was called a ball, allowing Dahlberg to reach base on a two-out walk. Avans then hit a bloop single to left just out of the reach of Uechi at shorstop, keeping the inning alive. Rea then hammered a 3-1 pitch over the wall in right field to make it 3-0.

In the third, Finney reached on a single and went to second on a wild pitch before Maynard retired Dahlberg and Avans, looking as though he might get out of the inning unscathed. Rea then hit a ground ball to Smith at first, and just as the ball was about to roll right into his glove for an inning-ending groundout, the ball took a bad hop over his right shoulder into right field, driving in Finney to make it a 4-1 game.

The Wildcats added single runs in both the fourth and fifth to cut the UWA lead to 4-3, and ACU was right back in the game. But the Tigers added two runs in the fifth by executing some small ball to push the lead back to 6-3. Rea drove in a run with a fielder's choice, although it looked as if the throw from Pacheco to Jordan Schmitt at the plate cut down Dahlberg at the plate, and then Avans scored from third when he and Rea executed the double-steal.

In the sixth, Maynard retired the first man of the inninb efore Brent Bumgarner and Jake DeRoy hit back-to-back doubles to make it 7-3. DeRoy was the last man that Maynard faced, giving way to freshman lefthander Kevin Justice, who might have been the game's unsung hero. Schmitt threw out DeRoy trying to steal third for the second out and Justice retired Finney on a groundout to keep the game at 7-3.

Justice then worked around a pair of base hits in the seventh inning to keep the Tigers off the board and set up the Wildcats' comeback victory in the final two innings.

ACU NOTES: Senior righthander Chris Wiman extended his ACU single-season record for wins to 13 as he picked up Friday's victory in relief. ... Wiman needs just one more win this season to tie the Lone Star Conference single-season record for wins in a season (14), which was set by Cary Ammons of Southeastern Oklahoma State in 1998 and tied in 2001 by Ricky Belk of Central Oklahoma and Garrett Murdy of Texas A&M-Kingsville in 2004. ... Wiman now has 32 career victories, which leaves him one away from tying teammate Ben Maynard as the all-time leading winner in LSC and ACU history. ... ACU has the top three winningest pitchers in LSC history with Maynard (33 wins from 2004-08), Wiman (32 wins from 2006-08) and Casey Towery (31 wins from 1996-99). ... ACU senior leftfielder Mike Elkerson had a first-inning single Friday to give him 108 hits on the season, tying the LSC record for hits in a season (Steven Allred, Angelo State, 2007). ... The Wildcats had 17 hits in Friday's victory, their most in a game since they had 21 hits in a 16-7 win over Tarleton State on April 25. ... The Wildcats' 8-7 win over West Alabama marked the fifth straight time the Wildcats have opened the regional tournament with a win (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008). ... ACU is 7-1 in the first game of the regional tournament in eight regional tournament appearances. ... Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they are 1-6 in the second game of the regional tournament with the only win coming in 2003 (14-5 over Delta State) when the Wildcats won the regional title to advance to their only College World Series.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Lions Dominate AFL Awards


Former Lions Standouts Earn Arena Football League Player of the Week Recognition

Lionathletics.com

A pair of former Texas A&M University-Commerce football standouts - Clint Doelzel and Traco Rachal - earned recognition recently from the Arena Football League as the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively.

Dolezel completed 25-of-35 passes for 320 yards and tied a Week 11-high eight touchdowns as the Dallas Desperados defeated the Grand Rapids Rampage, 65-54, on Saturday. Dolezel led Dallas on scoring drives during nine of the teams 11 total possessions, while his passer rating of 139.2 ranked third among all quarterbacks in Week 11. Dolezel became the first quarterback in professional football history to throw for 900 career touchdowns on his seventh of the game, a six-yard pass to Marcus Nash with 11:00 minutes remaining

Rachal registered a Week 11-high 12.5 tackles, one pass defensed and one interception as the Tampa Bay Storm defeated the New Orleans VooDoo (7-4), 41-37, on Friday. On fourth-and-goal from Tampa Bay's nine-yard line, with eight seconds remaining and the Storm leading by four, Rachal intercepted VooDoo QB Danny Wimprine to seal the victory and end the game. Tampa Bay's defense held New Orleans to season-lows in scoring with 16 first-half points and 37 for the game.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

NFCA Softball All America team announced

2008 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-Americans






First Team
Kari Galm - Pitcher - Angelo State (Second Team last year)
Jessica Shiery - Catcher - Abilene Christian
Rachel Lynn - Outfielder - Southeastern Oklahoma

Second Team
Macy Baker - Shortstop - Angelo State

Third Team
Alley Roberts - Second Base - Central Oklahoma





NFL Camp Update - Daniel Polk

Will of a winner
Cowboys hope Polk's determination can make him an NFL receiver
By Lori Dann
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Everything about Daniel Polk's football background suggests he's a long shot to make the Dallas Cowboys' roster.

First there's the small school -- Midwestern State.

Then there's the experience. Polk started only one full season at the Division II school in Wichita Falls, although he still managed to set 14 school records.

And, of course, there's the switch to wide receiver. Before last week's rookie minicamp, the dual-threat quarterback said he hadn't run pass routes since his junior season at Dallas South Oak Cliff High School.
Go to the Fort Worth Star Telegram for the complete story.

Monday, May 12, 2008

A&M-Commerce Athletes Graduating

29 people with ties to the athletic department at Texas A&M University-Commerce participated in commencement activities on Saturday, May 10th.

Athletic Trainer Kjerstin Gardner, Assistant Track and Field Coach Brian Stephenson and former cheerleader and track and field member Keri Taylor will earn their master's degree. Earning their bachelor degree will be women's basketball: Katedria Mosley, cheerleader Katherine Holt from football: Mialon Collins, Zech Donaldson, Trae Grimes, Orlando Hernandez, Jon Miller and David Wofford as well as manager, James Slayton; soccer: Cheryl Canavan, track and field: Britney Fisher and Rachel Redding; volleyball: Colleen Favaro and Jackie Orr; athletic trainers Brandi Coe, Jackie Fisher, John Hill, Taryn Moore and student assistants in the athletic department, Shelly Cervantes, Brent Lyday and Kevin Mosher. In addition, former men's basketball assistant coach Laytwan Slaughter, former football players, Cliff Edwards, Vernis James, Brandon Keeling and Kevin Mathis earned their bachelor's degree.

Mathis, who finished playing at A&M-Commerce in 1996, went on to have a successful career in the NFL playing for the Dallas Cowboys from 1997 to 1999, the New Orleans Saints from 2000 to 2001 and the Atlanta Falcons from 2002 to 2006. In his career, he made 269 tackles, recorded four sacks and picked off 11 passes for three touchdowns. Last year, he was selected among the 75 Greatest Players in the Lone Star Conference as the LSC celebrated its 75th Anniversary. At A&M-Commerce, he earned All-American recognition 12 times, a four-time all-LSC selection and was the named conference's Defensive Back of the Year as a senior.

Edwards, James and Keeling finished their playing days at A&M-Commerce in the fall of 2006. Edwards ended his career with 1,986 career yards rushing in two seasons. The 1,986 yards ranks eighth-best in school history. Edwards is currently a running back for the Wichita Wild in the Indoor Football League. James and Keeling were part of a Lions defense that ranked first in the LSC as a junior and as a senior in scoring defense. The Lions defense also ranked among the top two in passing and rushing defense both years.

Tennis: Three LSC teams headed to Nationals

A trio of Lone Star Conference tennis teams won regional titles and earned a trip to this week's NCAA Division II Tennis Championships, May 14-17, in Houston, Texas.

On the men's side, Cameron and Abilene Christian won regional titles. The Aggies defeated Southeastern Oklahoma, 5-0, while the Wildcats topped Incarnate Word, 5-2.

The ACU women advanced to their 12th straight national tournament with a 5-0 victory over Northeastern State. East Central, Central Oklahoma, Cameron all lost in the opening round, while Tarleton State fell in the second round to UIW.

The matches will be played at Memorial Park or Homer Ford in Houston as part of the Spring Championships Festival.

LSC announces Track & Field awards

Abilene Christian headlined the All-Lone Star Conference awards with 30 of the 48 student-athletes on the list for their efforts at the 2008 LSC Men's and Women's Track & Field Championships. The awards were announced Friday by league officials.

ACU's men and women swept the team championships for the third consecutive year at the 2008 LSC meet, which ended May 4 in Abilene, Texas. The Wildcat men had 16 all-conference performers, while the women added 14.

The list of all-conference performers includes the winner of each event at the conference meet, including all members of the winning relay teams, plus any athlete who scores at least 14 points at the meet. In all, 23 men and 25 women were recognized by the all-conference program

In addition to the announcement of All-LSC performers, the league recognized seven student-athletes and three coaches with individual awards.

On the men's side, TSU's Jared McNeil, ACU's Raymond Radway and ASU's Jeremy Jones shared the Cap Shelton Award as Outstanding Male Track Athlete, while the Wildcats Davy Manga earned the Oscar Stahan Award for the second straight year as Outstanding Male Field Athlete. Tarleton State's Pat Ponder was honored as Men's Track Coach of the Year.

For the women, ACU's Winrose Karunde and ASU's Yvette Pender shared the Wes Kittley Award as Outstanding Female Track Athlete, while ASU's Adree Lakey won the David Noble Award for the third straight year as Outstanding Female Field Athlete. ACU's Don Hood, TSU's Ponder and ASU's James Reid earned Women's Track Coach of the Year accolades.

The special awards were voted upon by the league coaches.

Many of the LSC track and field athletes are now preparing for the end of the 2008 outdoor season with the NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Track & Field Championships, set for May 22-24 in Walnut, Calif.

Complete List

Saturday, May 10, 2008

NCAA Softball - South Central Regional

The St. Edwards Hilltoppers are the South Central Champions

All-Tournament Team
P - Diana Cezeuax, Fr., St. Edward's
P - Kari Galm, Sr., Angelo State
C - Laura Lopez, Jr., Angelo State
IF - Jodi Craig, Sr., Central Oklahoma
IF - Melissa Rodriguez, Jr., Abilene Christian
IF - Rachel Sill, Sr., Southeastern Oklahoma
IF - Mandy Phillips, Sr., St. Edward's
OF - Maranda Bishop, Jr., Midwestern State
OF - Rachel Lynn, Sr., Southeastern Oklahoma
OF - Kristen Lozano, Sr., St. Edward's
DP - Jessica Johnsosn, Sr., Abilene Christian
AL - Marjorie Johnsosn, Jr., Southeastern Oklahoma
AL - Robin Becker, Sr., St. Edward's
Most Outstanding Player: Kristen Lozano, St. Edward's


Participating Teams
No. 1 - Angelo State University (46-10)
No. 2 - St. Mary's University (53-10)
No. 3 - Southeastern Oklahoma State University (50-10)
No. 4 - St. Edward's University (45-14)
No. 5 - Abilene Christian University (32-25)
No. 6 - University of Central Oklahoma (35-14)
No. 7 - Midwestern State University (35-27)
No. 8 - Fort Lewis College (28-24-1)


Game Times - Link to Live Stats

Sunday, May 11 2008
Game 15 - St. Edward's 4, Southeastern Oklahoma 1 recap

Saturday, May 10 2008
Game 13 St Edwards 3 Angelo State 2
Game 14 St Edwards 1 Southeastern Oklahoma 0

Friday, May 9 2008 (Third Round)
Game 9 - Abilene Christian 6- Midwestern State 2 Kristen Stonecipher is the new all-time LSC career leader in RBI's with 172
Game 10 - Central Oklahoma 0-St. Edward's 3 UCO shut out in both losses
Game 11 - Southeastern Oklahoma 1 vs. Angelo State 0
Game 12 - Abilene Christian 1 vs. St Edwards 2

Johnson sets ACU record with 7 RBIs - Erin Bolen, (on loan to) Abilene Reporter News
Rambelles win again at regional softball tourney-Erin Bolen, San Angelo Standard Times
No. 14 Southeastern Oklahoma rallies past Mustangs, 3-2- Times Record News

Thursday , May 8 2008 (Second Round)
Game 5 - Central Oklahoma 7 vs. St. Mary's 4
Game 6 - Abilene Christian 10 vs. Fort Lewis 3
Game 7 - Southeastern Oklahoma 3 vs. Midwestern State 2
Game 8 - St. Edward's 1 vs. Angelo State 5


ASU blows out Fort Lewis in regional tourney opener- Erin Bolen, San Angelo Standard Times
Rough loss for ACU-Abilene Reporter News
Petersen outduels Magee, MSU wins 2-0-Times Record News
Regional softball notebook- Erin Bolen, San Angelo Standard Times

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 (First Round)
Game 1 - (3) Southeastern Oklahoma vs. (6) Central Oklahoma --- SOSU 2-0 Johnson throws a no-hitter.
Game 2 - (2) St. Mary's vs. (7) Midwestern State MSU 2-0 in 8, another pitchers duel
Game 3 - (4) St. Edward's vs. (5) Abilene Christian SEU 3-1, Hilltoppers get walk-off 3 run home run
Game 4 - (1) Angelo State vs. (8) Fort Lewis ASU 9-1

Regional tourney begins today for ASU softball team - Paul Harris, San Angelo Standard Times
ACU to begin softball playoffs - Troy Shockley, Abilene Reporter News
Mustangs open South Central Regional today against St. Mary’s-Times News Record
SOSU softball set for NCAA regional-Herald Democrat

Friday, May 9, 2008

NFCA All-Region Team Announced

First Team
P - Malissa Magee - St Marys
P - Kari Galm - Angelo State
C - Jessica Shiery - Abilene Christian
1 - Brittney Cargill - Angelo State
2 - Alley Roberts - Central Oklahoma
3 - Jodie Craig - Central Oklahoma
SS - Macy Baker - Angelo State
OF - Rachel Lynn - Southeastern Oklahoma
OF - Stacy Haney - Colorado Springs
OF - Witney Meeks - Angelo State
DP - Kristen Frye - Angelos State
Utility Pitcher - Booke Saulters - Tarleton State
Utility Non-Pitcher - Kaycee Taylor - Angelo State

Second Team
P - Katie Petersen - Midwestern State
P - Marjorie Johnson - Southeastern Oklahoma
C - Emilee Bounds - Central Oklahoma
1 - Lindsay Barnes - St Marys
2 - Shannon Galanek - Adams State
3 - Kristen Stonecipher - Midwestern State
SS - Heather Ebert - Adams State
OF - Leisha Johnson - Abilene Christian
OF - Leslie Reed - Mesa State
OF - Lexi Stephens - St Edwards
DP - Kelcy Walker - St Marys
Utility Pitcher - Molly Shivers - Central Oklahoma
Utility Non-Pitcher - Amber Farr - West Texas A&M

Four Players Honored
Petersen, Stonecipher named Louisville Slugger/NFCA all-region players
Four Earn All-Region Honors, Johnson Tabbed Pitcher of the Year
Farr Selected to Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region Team
Two Wildcats voted all-region
Rambelles Place Six on All-Region Team

Baseball Coaches Moving Vans

Matt Vanderburg Selected to Lead WTAMU Baseball Program

Complete story at the WTAM Website

Following a successful three-year run at Clarendon Junior College, Matt Vanderburg has been tabbed as the man to direct the resurgence of the West Texas A&M baseball program as Friday he was named just the fourth head coach of the Diamond Buffs since 1994.

"Matt Vanderburg has the energy, drive and plan to rejuvenate West Texas A&M Baseball," said WTAMU Director of Athletics Michael McBroom. "He has performed at every level - as a student-athlete, an assistant coach and as head coach. He is a proven winner and an excellent recruiter. He is a team player and will fit in well with our outstanding coaching staff."
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Felan resigns as baseball coach


STEPHENVILLE – Tarleton State University athletic director Lonn Reisman has announced the resignation of head baseball coach Trey Felan.

“We want to thank Trey for serving the Tarleton baseball program for 19 years,” Reisman said. “We wish Trey the best in future endeavors.”

Felan came to Tarleton when former head coach Jack Allen was hired in 1989.

Following Allen’s resignation in 2002, Felan became Tarleton’s fourth head coach after serving as an assistant for the previous 13 seasons.

A nationwide search to fill the position will begin immediately.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

College Football Hall of Fame adds another LSC Player

Former Hog Legend John Randle Elected To College Football Hall of Fame

From the Texas A&M-Kingsville Sports Information Department

Former Javelina John Randle, one of the greatest defensive lineman in both NFL and college football history, was named to The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.

Randle, along with three other players and two coaches will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during the Enshrinement Festival, July 18-19, in South Bend, Ind.

He will be the sixth Javelina to be inducted into The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, the most of any college division football program in the country.

Randle will join Gil Steinke (1996), Richard Ritchie (1998), Johnny Bailey (2000), Dwayne Nix (2003) and Darrell Green (2004) as inductees.

Randle, a native of Hearne, Texas, came to Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) in 1988 after two seasons at Trinity Valley Junior College.

A defensive end for the Javelinas, Randle had a spectacular two year career, leading the team to a 20-4 record, a pair of Lone Star Conference titles and two trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs, including a spot in the 1988 semifinals.

As a junior in 1998, Randle was a first team AP Little All-America selection, a first team All-Lone Star Conference Pick and was voted the Lone Star Conference Lineman of the Year in 1988. In 10 regular season games he had 37 solo tackles, 21 assisted tackles, one fumble recovery and an amazing 20 quarterback sacks. During the Javelinas’ three playoff games he had two quarterback sacks, a fumble recovery and 12 total tackles. The Javelinas led the Lone Star Conference in rush defense, allowing only 110 yards per game and nine total rushing touchdowns. The Javelinas went 10-3 and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

As a senior in 1989, Randle earned first team All-America recognition from the Football Gazette, was again voted the LSC Lineman of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year and earned first team All-LSC honors. He was also named to the Lone Star Conference Team of the Decade. Randle had 33 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles and 14 quarterback sacks in 10 regular season games. The Javelinas won another Lone Star Conference title, going 7-0 and finished 10-1 overall, falling the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

During his two seasons he played alongside some of the greatest players in Javelina history including Johnny Bailey and Heath Sherman.

After his Javelina career, Randle established himself as one of the greatest interior lineman in NFL history.

Randle played 14 years in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks. Named an All-Pro seven times, he recorded double-digit sacks during eight different seasons, including a career-high and league-leading 15.5 sacks in 1997. He retired as the league’s all-time leader in sacks by a defensive tackle (137.5).

Randle was induced into the Division II Football Hall of Fame in December of 2007.

LSC Players in College Football Hall of Fame

Angelo State
Pierce Holt - Defensive Tackle - 1984-1987 - Inducted in 1997
Grant Teaff - Coach - 1969-1971 - Inducted in 2001
Rod Cason - Tackle - 1968-1971 - Inducted in 2002

Abilene Christian
Wilbert Montgomery - Running Back - 1973-1973 - Inducted in 1996

East Central
Brad Calip - Quarterback - 1981-1984 - Inducted in 2003

Texas A&I/Texas A&M-Kingsville
Gil Steinke - Coach - 1954-1976 - Inducted in 1996
Richard Ritchie - Quarterback - 1973-1976 - Inducted in 1998
Johnny Bailey - Running Back - 1986-1989 - Inducted in 2000
Dwayne Nix - Tight End - 1965-1968 - Inducted in 2003
Darrell Green - Defensive Back - 1978-1982 - Inducted in 2004

Women's Golf News

West Regional Final Round Recap And Results

Tarleton State Wins West Region

PHOENIX -- Tarleton State University won the NCAA Division II Women's Golf West Region Championships Wednesday at The Legacy Golf Club hosted by Grand Canyon University.
Tarleton State shot 910 as a team, finishing four strokes ahead of Western Washington University's 914. Both teams qualified for the NCAA Championships May 13-17 in Houston.
Stephanie Bird of Northeastern State (Okla.) and Grand Canyon's Jessica McKay qualified for nationals as individuals. Bird shot a final round 75 to finish at 5-over 221. McKay shot 77 to finish at 8-over 224.

Tarleton State's Shraddhanjali Singh shot 3-under 69 Wednesday to win the tournament with a 2-over 218. Teammate Carla Cooper was fourth at 225, and Western Washington's Breanna Carmichael and Kaitlin Parker tied for fifth at 226.

St. Martin's University placed third as a team at 940. St. Edward's was fourth at 941, Northeastern State's fifth at 945 and Western New Mexico sixth at 968.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Rouse in oblivion five years after Baylor scandal


By Dana O'Neil
ESPN.com
Every night it's the same. He leaves his one-bedroom apartment, hops in his 10-year-old car and clocks in to work at the factory in Wichita Falls, Texas. For eight hours, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., he makes airplane parts.

When his shift is over, he gets back in his beat-up Toyota Corolla and goes back to his depressing apartment. He sleeps until 2 p.m. and in the afternoon, he might drop a few more résumés in the mail.
He is beyond broke. His credit cards are maxed out, his credit ruined. He has humbled himself and borrowed from his mother, tapping her out almost as badly as himself. Desperately in need of overtime pay, he has not taken more than two days off in a month since the fall.

This was not Abar Rouse's plan. For six years after graduating from Baylor University, he chased his dream of becoming a top-level college basketball coach. He lived in the tiny outposts necessary to climb the coaching ladder before landing at his alma mater, finally an assistant coach at a Division I university.

Three months later, it was over.
For the rest of the story go to ESPN.com.
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The story does have an LSC connection. Rouse attended Midwestern State for a year, and was a graduate assistant under Jeff Ray after Baylor did not retain him. Kudos to coach Ray for trying to do the right thing.
Thank you to our anonymous friend for forwarding this story to us.

LSC Baseball Tournament


Texas A&M-Kingsville came into the Lone Star Conference Baseball Championship as the sixth seed but after five games, including four wins, left as the top team with a 7-6 win over Abilene Christian in the title game to win its third LSC title and first since 2004.
The Javelinas earned the league's automatic qualification into next week's South Central Region Tournament, their first appearance since 1998, and also made history by becoming the only sixth seed to claim the title since the tournament expanded to six teams.

Javelinas suprise, win LSC tourney - Corpus Christi Caller
ACU drops LSC title game-Troy Shockley, Abilene Reporter News
Javelinas shock Wildcats with late rally to win LSC title-ACU Sports
Hogs Win!, Hogs Win!, Hogs Win!-Javelinaathletics.com

All-Tournament Team
First Base -- Owen Weaver, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Second Base -- J.J. Pacheco, Abilene Christian
Shortstop -- Willie Uechi, Abilene Christian
Third base -- Blake Watson, Cameron
Catcher -- Joe Hamon, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Designated hitter -- Breck Draper, Central Oklahoma
Outfielder -- Jorey Price, Cameron
Outfielder -- Thomas Bumpass, Abilene Christian
Outfielder -- Cody Pearce, SE Oklahoma State
Pitcher -- Luis Estrella, SE Oklahoma State
Pitcher -- Ben Maynard, Abilene Christian
Pitcher -- Sam Strickland, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Pitcher -- Trey Watten, Abilene Christian
MVP -- Tim Jones, Texas A&M-Kingsville

Our post from Friday got lost somewhere in cyberspace. It may be a good thing, as the first round had our predictions hitting at a .000 clip. It has been a very interesting tournament. Here's where we stand so far.

Saturday, May 3
Game 2 – Central Oklahoma 13, Angelo State 2 (Game story)
Game 3 – Cameron 20, Southeastern Oklahoma State 2 (Game story)
Game 1 – Texas A&M-Kingsville 5, Abilene Christian 3 (Game story)

Sunday, May 4
Game 4 – Abilene Christian 4, Angelo State 2, Angelo State eliminated (Game story)
Game 5 – Southeastern Oklahoma State 3, Texas A&M-Kingsville 0 (Game story)
Game 6 – Central Oklahoma 12, Cameron 6 (Game story)

Monday, May 5
Game 7 (elimination game) – Texas A&M-Kingsville 7, Cameron, 4 Cameron Eliminated (Game story)
Game 8 (elimination game) -- Southeastern Oklahoma State 3 vs. Abilene Christian 4 SOSU Eliminated Game story
Game 9 (possible elimination game) – Texas A&M-Kingsville 2 vs. Central Oklahoma 1 Game story

Tuesday May 6 Click here for live stats of each game.

Game 10 (elimination game) - Abilene Christian 6 vs. Central Oklahoma 2 UCO Eliminated
Game 11 (Championship Game) - Texas A&M - Kingsville vs. Abilene Christian (5:00)

ACU remains in baseball title hunt - Troy Shockley - Abilene Reporter News
Hogs Play For LSC Title, NCAA Bid Today At 5:00 p.m. - Javelinaathletics.com
Power Outage - Bronchosports.com
Season over, Aggies win 35 games - GoAggies.cameron.edu
SOSU Run Falls Short with 4-3 Loss to ACU - gosavagestorm.athleticsite.com
ACU FB coach back on diamond for a day - Bill Hart - Abilene Reporter News

NFL Update - Richard Bartel

Pro football: Cowboys impressed with Bartel's new look

San Antonio native emerges as a viable candidate for Dallas' 53-man roster.
Web Posted: 05/04/2008 11:30 PM CDT

Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News

IRVING — First-round pick Felix Jones wasn't the only player whose footwork was a topic of discussion at the Dallas Cowboys' rookie minicamp.

With his drop-back time quickened by a nearly 30-pound reduction from last season's listed weight of 246 pounds, practice-squad quarterback Richard Bartel has emerged as a viable candidate for the 53-man roster even as the Cowboys ponder whether to add another veteran passer.

“He is significantly better than he was this time last year,” owner Jerry Jones said of the San Antonio native, who attended Clark before transferring to Grapevine late in his sophomore year in 1999. “I'm very impressed with how he rearranged his physical makeup.

“That kind of improvement is encouraging. It had a bearing on us not drafting a quarterback.”

Even though such talk lifts his spirits, the 6-foot-2 Bartel isn't taking anything for granted.

Go to the San Antonio Express for the rest of the story.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Spring Football Update - East Central

New defense, new attitude for Tigers

Bob Forrest Sports Writer

Over the past decade and half, the East Central University football program has rarely been ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’.

Since capturing an NAIA national championship in 1993, the Tigers have had just a handful of winning seasons, with 6-4 the norm in those years, and only once in the past five years have they won more than they lost. Upon winning state championships, high school players who were asked “Where are you going now?” almost never answered “to ECU!!”.

As a result, football Saturday nights at Norris Field since 1993 have almost always been just a chance to gather and recount past glories. Wins were nice but, in most cases unexpected, and they were easily outdistanced by losses piling up at an alarming rate.

In Kurt Nichols’ first two seasons as ECU’s head football coach, the trend continued. The Tigers were 3-7 in 2006, and adding an opener at rugged Tarleton State last fall only turned what would normally have been a 2-8 season into 2-9. ECU finished 0-5 in the six-team Lone Star Conference North Division (the poster child for parity in NCAA Division II football last year) and was the only team that DIDN’T tie for the division title (the other five finished 3-2 to share the crown).

Go to the Ada Evening News for the remainder of the article.

Monday, May 5, 2008

LSC Softball

Angelo State wins LSC Championship

The Rambelles cruised through the LSC Championship Tournament, winning all four of their games by combined 30-16 margin. Kari Galm was named the tournament's MVP. Brittney Cargill, Whitney Meeks, Kristen Frye (all ASU), Jessica Shiery, Liesha Johnson, Melissa Rodriguez ( all ACU), Rachel Lynn, Lesley Boyd, Bailey Mathes (SOSU), Katie Petersen (MSU), Kelli Gayle (TSU) and Megan Young (CU) were named to the all-tournament team.

Link to scores and story.

South Central Tournament Lineup

Wednesday May 7
#3 SOSU vs #6 UCO
#2 St Mary vs. #7 MSU
#4 St Edwards vs. #5 ACU
#1 ASU vs. #8 Ft Lewis

Friday, May 2, 2008

Former Angelo State Pitcher starring for another ASU

Rafferty gives ASU pitching boost

by Jeff Metcalfe
The Arizona Republic

Tommy Rafferty might not have pitched at all for Arizona State.
The odds were much greater of that than of Rafferty being 8-0 for ASU, one win shy of the most victories in the country. When the Sun Devils went to the College World Series last year, Rafferty was a guy with a broken right ankle and no place on the roster because of academic issues.

"I was tough on him," ASU coach Pat Murphy said. "I didn't want him around until he acted like an Arizona State baseball player. He wasn't a kid I was even serious about having back until we had a few long sessions. He said, 'Coach, I'm ready to do it.' He's made a chance and realized he can contribute, and he's been a great kid all year."

The entire story can be found at The Arizona Republic.

Of interest to LSC fans in general and Angelo State fans in particular is the following.

Coach Kevin Brooks was steamed when Rafferty opted to transfer from one ASU - Angelo State, a Division II school in Texas - to another.
Rafferty was 8-1 with a 1.73 ERA and four saves at Angelo State in 2006. Before that, he was an outfielder at Temple College (Texas), where he turned to pitching after breaking his left hand.

Brooks did not release Rafferty from his letter of intent to transfer, forcing him to sit out last season. "He thought I was making a mistake and that I wasn't going to get to play very much," Rafferty said. "He made his decision, and I couldn't do anything about it. I've had to take it and move on."

LSC Baseball Postseason Awards

Academic awards announced by LSC
Nearly 30 student-athletes were recognized for their accomplishments in the classroom Friday when Lone Star Conference officials announced the league's annual baseball academic awards.

Angelo State's Bradley Durst was named Academic Player of the Year to headline the All-Academic team. He was joined by nine others on the team, while 19 players were named to the LSC Commissioner's Honor Roll.

To be eligible for LSC academic honors, student-athletes must carry at least a 3.20 grade point average and have reached sophomore status both athletically and academically. The Academic Player of Year award and All-Academic Team are selected from the list of academically qualified players, with the league's sports information directors voting on the basis of both academic and athletic achievement. All qualifying student-athletes not selected for the All-Academic Team are then named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll.

On the All-Academic Team along with Durst were Cameron's Jorey Price, Central Oklahoma's Andrew Foshee and Dean McIntyre, Abilene Christian's Thomas Bumpass, Trey Watten, Matt Spotanski and Willie Uechi, West Texas A&M's Billy Zeleznak and Northeastern State's Blake Neighbors.

Go to the LSC Website for the entire list of honorees.


LSC announces Baseball postseason awards


Over 60 baseball stars were honored Friday when Lone Star Conference officials announced the league's annual baseball postseason awards.

The honorees included four first team selections for Central Oklahoma, Angelo State and Southeastern Oklahoma. LSC regular season champion Abilene Christian had three first-teamers.

A total of 61 student-athletes were recognized by the all-conference program, including at least one player from each of the 12 baseball teams in the LSC. The awards are voted upon by the league coaches.

ACU's Mike Elkerson earned Player of the Year acclaim, while UCO's Clint Straka and the Wildcats Trey Watten shared Pitcher of the Year honors. East Central's Clint Bowker and West Texas A&M's Darby Walker were named co-Freshman of the Year, while ACU's Britt Bonneau was tabbed Coach of the Year.

ASU led way with four first-team picks and four second-teams for eight total picks, while Eastern New Mexico had two first-teamers and five second-team selections for seven total. SOSU and Cameron each had six players on the first and second teams.

Go to the LSC Website for the entire team.

ASU to Host Softball Regional


Courtesy: ASU Sports Information

For the second straight season and second time in school history, Angelo State will serve as the host for the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Tournament. The event will take place May 7-11, 2008, at the ASU Softball Complex in San Angelo.

The Rambelles (42-10) have been ranked atop the NCAA DII South Central Regional Ranking for the entire season, but will need to wait until Sunday to learn if they are the top seed in the regional tournament. Last season, ASU was the No. 2 seed in the tournament after being selected to host.

ASU has now qualified for the regional round of the NCAA DII National Tournament five of the past six years, winning the regional crown in 2004 and 2007. In 2004, the Rambelles went on to claim the NCAA DII National Championship. The Rambelles are 13-5 all-time at the regional event competition and are riding a six-game winning streak at the region tournament thanks to last year's title run after losing their first round game.

Angelo State will open up the postseason later this afternoon as the Rambelles meet up with Cameron in the first round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament in Durant, Okla. Game time is 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on KKSA 1260 AM and on the internet at www.angelosports.com.

Myles gets his shot with Tampa Bay

From Tarleton to the NFL

By BRAD KEITH
Sports Editor

Tywain Myles didn’t get to hear his name called out on ESPN or the NFL Network during the countless hours of live draft coverage last weekend, but he’s going to mini-camp just the same.


Myles signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent and will attend the Buccaneers’ mini-camp Thursday through Saturday.

The 6-2, 305 defensive tackle from Nacogdoches was a three-time All-Conference pick in the South Division of the Lone Star Conference while at Tarleton, and was named the South Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2006.

Scouts always keep up with all the guys like Tywain who they think have potential,” said Tarleton Head Football Coach Sam McElroy. “As the draft finishes they’re always looking for other players available who may serve a need on their team.”

For the rest of the story, go to the Stephenville Empire Tribune.

Another former Division I quarterback to join LSC team

Rock and roll quarterback returns


By BRAD KEITH
Sports Editor
brad.keith@empiretribune.com


Seven years and a trip through the world of rock and roll later, Kelan Luker is back on the college football gridiron.


Yes, that Kelan Luker.


Luker was a hometown hero in Stephenville in 1998 when he led the Yellow Jackets to their third of four Class 4A football titles in the 90s.


Now, he’s back in Stephenville as a member of another successful football program - this time wearing purple and white.

Luker has committed to returning to the collegiate game as a junior at Tarleton State University.


“I’m hoping to get enrolled to start in June,” Luker said. “That way I can start learning and catching up. I don’t want to fall any further behind.”


Go to the Stephenville Empire-Tribune for the rest of the story.
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Tarleton State is amassing quite a collection of quarterbacks with returning starter Scott Grantham, the reports of former UT Longhorn Eric Foreman on the Texans and now Kelan Luker looking to join the team.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

LSC Softball Tournament

Score Updates from the LSC Website

Rambelles advance to LSC finals - San Angelo Standard Times

Day Three Matchups
Game 14: ACU vs ASU
Game 15: ACU vs ASU (only if ACU wins Game 14)

ACU splits doubleheader - Abilene Reporter News
ASU softball team wins first two games at tourney - San Angelo Standard Times
Javs softball swept at Lone Star tourney - Corpus Christi Caller Times
Softball Advances with Pair of Wins at LSC Tourney - SOSU Website
TexAnns advance in LSC tournament, finish 1-1 Thursday - Tarletonsports.com
Petersen, MSU too much for TexAnns - Midwestern State Website
No. 3 Southeastern Oklahoma nips Mustangs, 1-0 - Midwestern State Website
CU Softball advances - Cameron Website


Day Two Matchups (Game 12 is the only non-elimination Game Today)
Game 9: Tarleton State vs. Abilene Christian, 11 am (Elimination Game) ACU 3-2
Game 10: Midwestern State vs. Cameron, 11 am (Elimination Game) MSU 4-0
Game 11: ACU vs. Midwestern State, 1:30 pm (Elimination Game) ACU scores 3 in the bottom of the 7th to beat MSU 7-6
Game 12: Southeastern Oklahoma vs. Angelo State, 3 pm ASU 4-3
Game 13: ACU vs. SOSU, 5:30 pm (Elimination Game) ACU 12-10


Day One Results
Game 1: Southeastern Oklahoma 7, Texas A&M-Kingsville 1
Game 2: Midwestern State 8, Tarleton State 0
Game 3: Abilene Christian 2, Central Oklahoma 0
Game 4: Angelo State 9, Cameron 3
Game 5: Tarleton State 6, Texas A&M Kingsville 2
Game 6: Cameron 10, Central Oklahoma 4
Game 7: Southeastern Oklahoma 1, Midwestern State 0
Game 8: Angelo State 6, Abilene Christian 4



ASU Softball players focused on winning LSC tourney - San Angelo Standard Times
MSU Roundup - Times Record News
Lady Javelinas Looking To Play The Spoiler At Tournament (w/video) - KRIS TV
Javs look to shake losing streak - Corpus Christi Caller

Lone Star Conference

Angelo State University

Cameron University

Eastern New Mexico University

MSUMustangs.com

Texas A&M-Commerce

Tarleton State University

Texas A&M-Kingsville

Texas Woman's College

University of Texas of the Permian Basin

West Texas A&M University

Western New Mexico