LSC Roundup 7-20

Five receive LSC Degree Completion Scholarships - LSC Office
Five Lone Conference student-athletes were selected to receive an award from the Lone Star Conference Degree Completion Scholarship program for 2011-12.

Cameron’s Megan Whan, Eastern New Mexico’s Veronica Valdez-Kent, Midwestern State’s Vjekoslav Stipanic and Texas Woman’s Caroline Hilpisch and Megan Warren are the scholarship recipients for the program’s third year. These five student-athletes together have an average grade point average of 3.55, with four of the five having a 3.4 GPA or better.

“This program is a great illustration of what it means to be a part of the Lone Star Conference. Each of these student-athletes has enjoyed success in both athletic and academic circles, and the degree completion scholarships they’ve earned serve as examples to the type of positive outcomes that can be attained when adhering to LSC values such as academic excellence and commitment,” said Stan Wagnon, LSC commissioner. “On behalf of the 11 member schools, it is a pleasure for the LSC to offer this assistance, and we look forward to tracking the continued success of these students.”

The purpose of the LSC Degree Completion Scholarship Program is to provide financial assistance for completion of a first baccalaureate degree to deserving student-athletes in the conference. A total of $12,000 was distributed this year, bringing the sum to $34,000 in three years. The funding is made possible through the NCAA Conference Grant program.

Whan, a former women’s golfer at CU, is completing her degree in sports fitness management. She posted an 84.1 stroke average in 10 events last year with one top-20 finish.

Valdez-Kent, who just exhausted her eligibility with the ENMU volleyball team, is on track for a degree in music education. She was a second-team All-LSC selection, after recording 12 double-doubles and finishing third in the league with 9.90 assists per set.

Stipanic, a former men’s tennis player at MSU, is finishing his mechanical engineering degree. The two-time LSC Academic Player of the Year, he earned all-conference accolades in singles and doubles as a junior and senior along with freshman of the Year honors.

Hilpisch, who wrapped up her four-year career with the TWU gymnastics team, is completing her degree in interdisciplinary studies. She received USAG second-team recognition on floor and USAG scholar-athlete acclaim after competing on bars, beam and floor last season.

Warren, who completed her senior year of eligibility with the TWU softball program, is pursuing a degree in mathematics. She saw limited action for the Pioneers.

This year’s recipients were chosen from 10 applicants representing five different schools and nine different sports in the league. The winners were selected after evaluating demonstrated need, GPA, academic awards and honors, plus meaningful and consistent community involvement. Applicants were required to provide a statement that outlined how they would benefit from the scholarship, why they haven’t completed their degree yet, and how they plan to use the degree. Other considerations listed on the application were academic achievements, extracurricular activities and leadership roles on campus, and athletic accomplishments.

The 2010 scholarship recipients all earned their degrees. Northeastern State’s Sarah Millar, Southeastern Oklahoma’s Crystal Trussell and Cole Jones, along with West Texas A&M’s Kayla Sisco graduated in December 2010, while WT’s Mollie Peterson finished in May 2011.


Baseball Signs Juco Shortstop - TAMK Sports
New Mexico Junior College shortstop Matt Perez will be joining the Texas A&M-Kingsville baseball team according to head coach Jason Gonzales.

“Matt brings immediate experience to a much needed position for us,” said Gonzales. “He will be expected to solidify the middle of the infield, providing a steady, defense first mentality.”

Perez is from Billings, MT and played one year at New Mexico JC where he appeared in 58 games while leading the team in runs batted in and walks. He hit .288 with seven doubles, six triples, 43 runs and 45 RBI’s.



ROBERT TAYLOR NAMED A&M-COMMERCE'S ASSISTANT MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
A&M-Commerce head men's basketball coach Sam Walker today announced the hiring of Robert Taylor as the Lions' new assistant basketball coach.

"I'm extremely excited to have Robert join me on the staff here at A&M-Commerce," Walker said. "I've known Robert for 15 years, and he brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge at all levels. He has proven to be a solid recruiter both locally and nationally, and brings with him ties to the area. Robert will bring a wealth of experience and maturity and I'm extremely excited to have him on board."

Taylor comes to A&M-Commerce from Oklahoma City where he spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of the Arena Football League. There he coached three players who would go on to sign contracts with either the National Football League or the Canadian Football League, as well as helping the Yard Dawgz reach the playoffs in 2009.