09-10 Murray State Rifle Media Guide

RIFLEMURRAY STATE

2009-10 Media Guide

Caroline BarberFreshman

Lincoln, Neb.

Kaitlin ClevenFreshman

Greenleaf, Wisc.

Kyle DonnanFreshman

Galway, N.Y.

Harley JetteSenior

Puyallup, Wash.

2009-10 Rifle Team

Christine ManhartFreshman

Washington, Mo.

Kasey MeyerSenior

Quincy, Ill.

Emily QuinerFreshman

Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Ashley RoseSophomore

Eubank, Ky.

Daniel SojkaFreshman

Prospect Heights, Ill.

Alan LollarMSU Head Coach

MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITYLocation: Murray, Ky.

Founded: 1922

Enrollment: 10,500

Nickname: Racers

Colors: Navy & Gold

Conference: Ohio Valley

Affi liation: NCAA Division I

President: Dr. Randy Dunn

Faculty Representative: Bill Whitaker

Athletics Director: Allen Ward

Senior Women’s Admin: Velvet Milkman

Athletics Web Site: www.goracers.com

COACHING INFORMATIONHead Coach: Alan Lollar

Alma Mater: Mississippi State ‘81

Tenure at Murray State: 3rd season

Offi ce Telephone: (270) 809-4407/6858

E-Mail: [email protected]

PROGRAM INFORMATIONFirst Season: 1956-57

Seasons: 54

NCAA Championships: 2; 1985,1987

OVC Championships: 9; 1994, 1995,

1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004

INSIDE THE GUIDEMSU Quick Facts ..................................... 1Racer Rifl e Awards ............................... 2-3Racer Rifl e All-Americans ......................... 4Racer Rifl e History.......................... ........ 5Pat Spurgin Rifl e Range ........................... 6Head Coach Alan Lollar ............................ 7Meyer, Jette, Rose...... ............................ 8Barber, Cleven, Donnan ........................... 9Manhart, Quiner, Sojka ...........................10University Administration....................... .11Athletics Director Allen Ward.................. .12Athletics Administration......................... .13MSU Staff & Head Coaches.................. ...14Weaver Center ......................................15Ohio Valley Conference.......................... .16

CREDITSThe 2009-10 Murray State Rifl e Media Guide was written and produced by Dave Winder. The guide was printed by Printing Services & Supply of Murray, Ky. Cover photos by Dave Winder. Portrait photos by Lance Alli-son. The Cover was designed by Dave Winder.

ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS SID Contact: Dave Winder Offi ce Telephone: (270) 809-4271 Offi ce Fax: (270) 809-6814 E-Mail: [email protected] Mailing Address: Athletic Media Relations 217 Roy Stewart Stadium Murray, KY 42071

Director: Dave Winder Offi ce Telephone: (270) 809-4271 Sports Info. Asst.: John Brush Offi ce Telephone: (270) 809-7044 Sports Info. Asst.: Teri LaJeunesse Offi ce Telephone: (270) 809-3351

RACER RIFLE QUICK FACTSRACER RIFLE QUICK FACTS

MURRAY STATE RIFLE 2009-10


DEENA WIGGERDEENA WIGGER

RACER NCAA - OLYMPIANSRACER NCAA - OLYMPIANS

MORGAN HICKSMORGAN HICKS

77 66NCAANCAA

CHAMPIONSCHAMPIONSSMALL BOREPat Spurgin ........................................... 1985

AIR RIFLEPat Spurgin ........................................... 1984Marianne Wallace ................................. 1986Deena Wigger....................................... 1988Benji Belden ......................................... 1995Marra Hastings ..................................... 1997Morgan Hicks........................................ 2004

USA OLYMPICUSA OLYMPIC TEAM MEMBERS TEAM MEMBERS

SMALL BOREPat Spurgin ........................................... 1985

AIR RIFLEPat Spurgin ........................................... 1984Marianne Wallace ................................. 1986Deena Wigger....................................... 1988Benji Belden ......................................... 1995Marra Hastings ..................................... 1997Morgan Hicks........................................ 2004

Member of Olympic team* Pat Spurgin ........................................ 1984William Beard ....................................... 1984May Anne Schweitzer ........................... 1984Roger Withrow ...................................... 1984Deena Wigger....................................... 1988 Morgan Hicks........................................ 2004* - Won gold medal in air rifl e

MURRAY STATE RIFLE 2009-10 3

HALL OF FAME-OVC TITLESHALL OF FAME-OVC TITLES

PAT SPURGINPAT SPURGIN

TEAM MEMBERS

66HALL OF FAMEHALL OF FAME

MEMBERSMEMBERSErnie Vande Zande (68-71) .................. 1988Bob Beard (62-66) ................................ 1989Pat Spurgin (84-87) .............................. 1993Deena Wigger (86-90) .......................... 1988Elvis Green (Coach 81-99) .................. 2004Gary Stephens (84-88) ......................... 2007

99OVC TEAMOVC TEAM

CHAMPIONSCHAMPIONS

1994, 1995,19961997, 1998, 19992000, 2001, 2004

GARY STEPHENSGARY STEPHENS


RACER ALL-AMERICANSRACER ALL-AMERICANS

1964 Bob Beard ............................ (SB)1968 Robert Arledge ..................... (SB) Roger Estes ......................... (SB) Nancy Harrington................. (SB) Ernie Vande Zande .............. (SB)1969 Robert Arledge ..................... (SB) William Beard ...................... (SB) Roger Estes ......................... (SB) Rhonda Rothrock................. (SB) Ernie Vande Zande .............. (SB)1970 Robert Arledge ..................... (SB) William Beard ...................... (SB) William Schweitzer .............. (SB) Ernie Vande Zande .............. (SB)1971 William Schweitzer .............. (SB) Ernie Vande Zande .............. (SB)1972 William Schweitzer .............. (SB)1973 Robert Estes ........................ (SB) William Schweitzer .............. (SB)1976 Gary Kramp ......................... (SB)1978 Micheal Gross ...................... (SB) William Patzke ..................... (SB)1979 William Patzke ..................... (SB)1980 Mark Del Cotto ..................... (SB) Scott Lewandowski .............. (AR) Mark Rabenstein ........... (AR,SB) Mary Anne Schweitzer ......... (SB)1981 Mark Del Cotto ..................... (SB) Scott Lewandowski .............. (AR) Mary Anne Schweitzer ......... (SB) Michael Soncrant ................. (SB)1982 Mark Del Cotto ..................... (SB) Scott Lewandowski .............. (AR) Mary Anne Schweitzer ......... (SB)

1983 Scott Lewandowski ........ (AR,SB) Mary Ann Schweitzer ..... (AR,SB) Mark Rabenstein ................. (SB) Michael Rabenstein ............. (AR) Kerry Spurgin....................... (SB)1984 Kerry Spurgin ....................... (SB) Pat Spurgin .................... (AR,SB) Michael Rabenstein ............. (AR)1985 Pat Spurgin .................... (AR,SB) Marianne Wallace ................ (AR) Gary Stephens..................... (SB)1986 Alison Schultz ...................... (SB) Pat Spurgin .................... (AR,SB) Gary Stephens..................... (AR) Marianne Wallace ................ (AR) Deena Wigger................ (AR,DB)1987 Robert Young ....................... (SB) Alison Schultz ...................... (SB) Pat Spurgin .................... (AR,SB) Gary Stephens..................... (AR) Deena Wigger................ (AR,SB) Marianne Wallace ................ (AR)1988 Gary Stephens ............... (AR,SB) Deena Wigger................ (AR,SB) Alison Schultz ...................... (AR) Marianne Wallace ................ (AR)1989 Lance Goldhahn .................. (SB) Don Kristiansen ............. (AR,SB)1990 Deena Wigger ................ (AR,SB) Lance Goldhahn ............ (AR,SB)1991 Beth Herzman ...................... (SB) Rusty Kendle ....................... (SB) Anne Tully ............................ (AR)1992 Lance Goldhahn .................. (SB) Diana Muth .......................... (AR) Beth Herzman...................... (SB)1993 Beth Herzman ...................... (SB) Kate Kelemen ...................... (AR) Lance Goldhahn .................. (SB)

Nancy Harrington

Ernie Vande Zande

William Beard

1994 Kate Kelemen ...................... (AR) Beth Herzman...................... (AR) Diana Muth .......................... (AR)

1995 Irryt Chance ......................... (AR) Benji Belden ........................ (AR)1997 Marra Hastings .............. (AR,SB) Ken Hicks ............................ (SB)1998 Marra Hastings .............. (AR,SB) Ken Hicks ............................ (SB)1999 Marra Hastings .............. (AR,SB) Ken Hicks(SB) Crystal Kern ......................... (SB)2000 Marra Hastings .............. (AR,SB) Martin Wheeldon ........... (AR,SB)2001 Morgan Hicks ....................... (SB)2002 Crystal Dove ........................ (SB) Morgan Hicks ................. (AR,SB) Robert Purdy ....................... (AR)2003 Morgan Hicks ................. (AR,SB) Robert Purdy ....................... (AR)2004 Morgan Hicks ................. (AR,SB) Robert Purdy ....................... (AR)2005 Robert Purdy ....................... (AR) Cameron Hicks .................... (SB)2006 Cameron Hicks .................... (SB) Bryant Wallizer .................... (AR)2007 Cameron Hicks .................... (SB) Bryant Wallizer ..................... (AR)2008 Kevin Whitbrodt .................. (SB)2009

Kasey Meyer ........................ (SB)


Murray State has a rifl e team history that has been producing outstanding student-athletes for 52 years and the formula of great people, facilities, coaching and administrative support continues today. MSU Head Coach Alan Lollar begins his third season with an improved rifl e range and a group of student-athletes who’re carrying on the tradition built long ago. MSU Rifl e history begins with Ernie Vande Zande who was the fi rst athlete from the program inducted to the MSU Hall of Fame in 1988. He was Murray State’s fi rst four-time All-American in rifl e, having been named each year from 1968-71. Vande Zande was instrumental in MSU claiming four National Rifl e Association National Championships during his career. In 1975, he won a gold medal at the Pan American Games in Mexico City, followed by a gold and two silver medals in the 1979 Pan American Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Also in 1979, Vande Zande won a silver medal at the World Air Gun Championships in Seoul, South Korea. In 1981, he took fi ve golds and set two world records at the Championships of The Americas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Robert “Bob” Beard became a Hall of Fame member in 1989. Part of MSU Rifl e from 1962-66, Beard helped the Racers achieve national success in his fi nal year, with the team fi nishing third in the country. During his career as a Racer, Beard set all of the Murray State and Kentucky Rifl e League records, and also shot his way to four consecutive fi rst-place fi nishes in the KRL. After graduating from Murray State, Beard began his PhD work at the University of Missouri, Columbia, where he graduated with a doctorate in chemistry in 1970. Perhaps the most prominent shooter in Murray State rifl e history is Pat Spurgin, who was inducted in 1993. She was the fi rst MSU female shooter to be named an All-American in both air-rifl e and smallbore achieving that honor eight times during her four-year career. As a freshman at MSU, Spurgin won the NCAA Individual Air-Rifl e Championship in 1984, and returned the next year and earned the national individual championship in smallbore. The peak of Spurgin’s career came in the summer of 1984, where she claimed a gold medal in the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, becoming the fi rst Olympic medalist from Murray State and the fi rst woman to win a gold medal in Olympic shooting. Spurgin helped Murray State to two more national team titles, further solidifying her impact as a Racer. In 1994, Murray State offi cially named its rifl e range the “Pat Spurgin Rifl e Range” in honor of her achievements. The second female shooter to be inducted into the Hall of Fame was only the third United States Olympic shooter to come from Murray State. Deena Wigger, an eight-time All-American during her four years as a Racer, helped her team claim the 1987 NCAA Rifl e Championship, as well as two more runner-up fi nishes during her career. Following her junior year, she traveled to Seoul, South Korea, where she competed in the 1988 Olympic Games. In 2004, Elvis Green became the only rifl e coach to be inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame. During his 19-year career as the Racers head coach, Green led the program to 17 top-fi ve fi nishes at the NCAA Championships and MSU won the title in 1985 and 1987. Green served

Gary Stephens (left) was the sixth MSU Rifl e and most recent se-lection to be inducted into the Murray State Athletics Hall of Fame

in January 2007. Stephens was inducted by former MSU Rifl e Head Coach Elvis Green (right) who was inducted in 2004.

on the NCAA Rifl e Committee, with a one-year term as its chair. Green was also inducted into the Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame in the summer of 2008. Before coaching at Murray State, Green served 26 years in the United States Army, and earned the Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Star. In January 2007, Murray State inducted its sixth rifl e alum to the Hall of Fame. Gary Stephens, a rifl e team member from 1984 to 1988, was an All-American selection all four years of his collegiate career. Stephens was named to the NCAA’s second-team in the smallbore rifl e in 1985, 1986, 1987, and he was a First Team NCAA All-American member in rifl e in 1986, 1987 and 1988. During his time with the Murray State Rifl e program, the team won two NCAA championships and fi nished second twice. He made his mark after his graduation from Murray State as a veteran in the United States Army and has risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Morgan Hicks continued the MSU Rifl e tradition from 2000-04. She earned eight All-American honors and the 2004 NCAA air rifl e title. Hicks made the USA Olympic team in 2004, won an International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) World Cup medal then became the head coach for Racer rifl e from 2005 to 2007. She is now the head coach at Nebraska. Murray State Rifl e has produced seven NCAA champions, six Olympians, six members of the Racer Hall of Fame, and nine Ohio Valley Conference championships. Add those accomplishments to 99 NCAA All-American selections and it’s easy to see why the Racers can walk proud among the nation’s best programs.

RACER RIFLE HISTORYRACER RIFLE HISTORY


Pat Spurgin-Pitney8-Time All-AmericanGold Medalist - 1984

Los Angeles Summer Olympics

PAT SPURGIN RIFLE RANGEPAT SPURGIN RIFLE RANGE

As one of the top rifl e programs in the country, it is only fi tting that the Murray State rifl e team shoots in the best facility. The Pat Spurgin Rifl e Range is considered one of the fi nest shooting venues in America and has hosted the NCAA championships seven times. Murray State has updated the range with Improvements including the latest electronic scoring devices and other completed remodeling projects. The most signifi cant upgrade to the range was the addition of twelve electronic targets made by Megalink Targets. This state-of-the-art technology brings the competition alive like never before. Shots are scored based on sound wave measurements. Rifl e matches are now more spectator friendly, because the audience can follow the shooting (shot-by-shot) on a large monitor. For the shooters, they get immediate feedback at their position. The range retains the ability to be expanded to it’s maximum number of sixteen points in the future. The Spurgin Rifl e Range is located in Roy Stewart Stadium.


On July 30, 2007, Alan Lollar was named the seventh head coach of Murray State’s storied rifl e program by MSU Athletics Director Allen Ward. Lollar relates well to the student-athletes in his charge. When he talks about his team, you can tell how much he loves to coach and how much he cares for the MSU program. He is exactly where he wants to be. “That’s the best part about it for me, the relationships I have with our team members,” Lollar said. “These years are ones that I want our student-athletes to look back on and see how they made some friends for life and that the hard work they put in paid off, not only on the range, but in life. Murray State is such a special place.” Lollar is also Head Athletic Trainer at Murray State, a position he’s held since 1993. The hiring of Lollar was natural, knowing the respect he has for the Murray State rifl e program and the history that had been built.

“When I think back to all the great coaches and teams that have been here, it makes you want to keep it going,” Lollar said. Lollar is out in front of the program now as MSU’s head coach, but has been a behind-the-scenes part of the success for many years. Lollar assisted legendary Murray State head coach Elvis Green (1980-1999) in the conduction of home matches and became the NCAA Tournament Director when Murray State hosted the NCAA Rifl e Championships. This background and experience picked up along the way from coach Green and other coaches prepared Lollar for the job. He has been hands-on in making the Pat Spurgin Rifl e Range a better place. “I’m really happy with the things we’ve done, including the electronic targets that were added two years ago,” Lollar said. “We had a great range before, but it is better now. We have a brand new locker area and there are a lot of other updates we’ve been able to do.” A 1981 graduate of Mississippi State University, Lollar is married to the former Liz Weglicki of Paducah. The couple has two children, Maggie (20)

and John (14).

HEAD COACH ALAN LOLLARHEAD COACH ALAN LOLLAR

Alan LollarMSU Rifl e Head Coach


2008-09: Had a season-best 584 in smallbore and a 588 in air rif le ... ended t h e s e a s o n b e i n g named National Rifle Association All-American ... Also earned All-OVC Air Rifle First Team, and All-OVC Smallbore

S e c o n d T e a m h o n o r s .

Before MSU: Finished 6th at the National Junior Olympic 3P Championships ... Won 2006 Illinois State Rifl e Individual Championship ...Won high school Most Valuable Player awards both junior and senior years ... Competed at the Junior Olympics in Colorado Springs, Colo. during junior year ... Led high school team to three consecutive state titles ... Member of National Honor Society.

Personal: Born Feb. 20, 1988 ... The son of Steve Meyer and Dave and Kimi Yuchs ... Majoring in advertising.

Kasey MeyerKasey Meyer

SeniorSenior

Quincy, ILl.Quincy, ILl.

Quincy Quincy

2008-09: Competed in 10 events with a smallbore best of 573 and also a 573 for air rifl e.

Before MSU: 2006 participant in the Junior Olympic Trials ... Practiced at the Olympic

Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. ... Outstanding high school shooting career.

Personal: Born March 4, 1988...The son of Kelly and Holly Jette ... Majoring in civil engineering technology.

Harley JetteHarley Jette

SeniorSenior

Puyallup, Wash.Puyallup, Wash.

Rogers Rogers

2008-09: Had high scores of 574 in smallbore and 581 in air rifl e ... Placed 10th overall at the USA Nationals ... Earned All-OVC Second Team honors as well as being named to the All-OVC Newcomer Team.

Before MSU: Had a career-best 563 in small bore and a 584 in air rifl e .... Had the best score at the 2006 USA Shooting National Championships in the 10-meter air rifl e ... Was third in her age group at the 2006 National Junior Olympics in the 10-meter air rifl e ... Finished in the top-10 of the 2007 Southeastern Regional of USA Shooting in the junior women’s air rifl e ... She is also a top archer having been a member of the Kentucky Junior Olympics Dream Team her junior and senior year.

Personal: Born Oct. 7, 1989 ... The daughter of Denver and Elizabeth Rose ... Majoring in political science.

Ashley RoseAshley Rose

SophomoreSophomore

Eubank, Ky.Eubank, Ky.

Pulaski County Pulaski County

RIFLE PROFILESRIFLE PROFILES


Before MSU: Joins the Racer program out of Southeast Nebraska HS ... Career highs are 382 out of 400 in air rifl e and 584 out of 600 in 3P air rifl e ... Finished 8th in the 2008 Montgomery Bell event.

Personal: Born December 8, 1990, daughter of Jeff and Monica Barber ... ... Undeclared major.

Caroline BarberCaroline Barber

FreshmanFreshman

Lincoln, Neb.Lincoln, Neb.

St. Pius X St. Pius X

Before MSU: Competed at N.E.W. Lutheran High School where she had high scores of 1128 and 573 (smallbore), 382 (air rifl e), and 581 (3P air rifl e) ... Won the Wisconsin Junior State Outdoor Championship three times from

2006-08 ... Won the same title for indoors in 2007 ... Competed out of the DePere Sportsmen’s Club.

Personal: Born May 27, 1991, daughter of Jim and Lori Cleven ... ... Majoring in animal health - pre vet.

Kaitlin ClevenKaitlin Cleven

freshmanfreshman

Greenleaf, Wisc.Greenleaf, Wisc.

NE Wisconsin LuthernNE Wisconsin Luthern

Before MSU: Comes to MSU from Galway HS ... Career highs are 1110 in smallbore and 582 in air rifl e.

Personal: Born June 19, 1991, son of Hume and Joanne Donnan ... Majoring in agriculture.

Kyle DonnanKyle Donnan

FreshmanFreshman

Galway, N.Y.Galway, N.Y.

Galway Galway

RIFLE PROFILESRIFLE PROFILES


RIFLE PROFILES RIFLE PROFILES

Before MSU: Comes to the MSU program after graduating from Washington High School ... Scored career highs of 1107 in smallbore and 382 in air rifl e ... Won the title of the NRA Junior Championship.

Personal: Born March 19, 1991, daughter of Daniel and Melisa Manhart ... Majoring in mathematics.

Christine ManhartChristine Manhart

FreshmanFreshman

Washington, Mo.Washington, Mo.

Washington Washington

Before MSU: Won the 2009 Junior Olympics Air Rifl e Championship and the American Legion Junior Championship.

Personal: Born May 13, 1991, daughter of Greg and Jodi Quiner ... Majoring in wildlife and

conservation biology.

Emily QuinerEmily Quiner

FreshmanFreshman

Brooklyn Park, Minn.Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Champlin Park Champlin Park

Before MSU: Was a three-time competitor in the NRA Junior Nationals and also competed in the Junior Olympics three times in his career... Had career highs of 581 in the air rifl e and 589 in the 3P air rifl e.

Personal: Born June 20, 1990, son of Andrezj and Urszula Sojka ... Undeclared major.

Daniel SojkaDaniel Sojka

FreshmanFreshman

Prospect Heights, Ill.Prospect Heights, Ill.

Wheeling Wheeling


MSU ADMINISTRATIONMSU ADMINISTRATION

Dr. Randy J. Dunn became Murray State’s 11th president on Dec. 1, 2006. He also holds tenure as a professor in MSU’s Department of Educational Studies, Leadership and Counseling.

Dunn served as the Illinois State Superintendent of Schools previous to taking the MSU presidency and he has chaired the Department of Educational Administration and Higher Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Dunn began his academic career at Memphis State University (now The University of Memphis).

Dunn earned his doctorate from the University of Illinois in 1991, having completed his

bachelor’s degree in education (1980) and his master’s degree in educational administration and foundations (1983) from Illinois State University.

A K-20 educator, Dunn has served in almost every capacity, from classroom teacher and building principal to district superintendent and university professor. In addition to his service to state and local schools, he has distinguished himself as a noted scholar and professor in educational leadership.During his time as a professor, he published more than 29 professional articles and book chapters, and made more than 30 presentations at state and national conferences.

Dunn has directly infl uenced hundreds of educators, teaching more than 11 different graduate courses and serving on more than 40 doctoral dissertation commit tees dur ing h is academic career. He has also served as principal or co-investigator on numerous funded grants totaling nearly $650,000.

Dunn and his wife Ronda have four children—two who are students at Murray State and two in the Chicago area.

Dr. Randy J. DunnMurray State University President

Murray State University Board Of Regents

Alan StoutChair

Marion

Bill AdamsVice Chair

Murray

Dr. Constantine Curris

Lexington

Sharon GreenMayfi eld

Dr. Laxmaiah ManchikantiPaducah

Kara MantoothStudent RegentOwensboro

MarilynBuchanon

Grand Rivers

Dr. Jay Morgan Faculty Regent

Murray

Phil SchooleyStaff Regent

Murray

Vickie TravisMurray


athletics directorathletics director

AllenAllenWardWard

Allen Ward joined the Murray State athletics department as its director on March 30, 2005. Since his arrival, there has been a prevailing theme that symbolizes his administration: steady and signifi cant progress.

“It’s an honor to serve as Director of Athletics at Murray State.” said Ward. “I’m very pleased with the direction of the program and confi dent it’s positioned for long-term success.”

The most recent illustration of Ward’s stamp on the program was Murray State’s capturing of the 2008-09 OVC Commissioners Cup, a symbol of overall athletic excellence in OVC sponsored championships.

“The OVC Commissioners Cup signifi es excellence throughout the entire program,” said Ward. “It’s a good barometer in measuring the overall success of any athletic department and it’s exactly what I envisioned when I came to Murray State”.

It’s the fi rst time since 1991 that MSU won the all-sports trophy, now known as the OVC Commissioners Cup. Ten of Murray’s fi fteen sports fi nished third place or higher, with three sports winning league championships.

Ward also emphasizes the importance of achievement in the classroom as well.

“Our motto is Four Years – Two Goals. We want every student-athlete to leave Murray State with a degree in one hand and a championship ring on the other,” states Ward unrelentingly. “I fully expect our student-athletes to take advantage of their opportunity to receive a quality education while competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics.”

Each of the past four years, the graduation rates for student-athletes have surpassed that of the general student body.

Ward makes no secret where he intends to take the program.

“I expect to be a leader in the OVC in everything we do. I expect to win championships and advance to compete on the national stage. I intend to continue to move the program forward,” states Ward.

And Murray moving forward is exactly what has been happening. Over $3.5 million in athletic facility enhancements have been made touching every sport and unit.

The department successfully completed its 10-year NCAA Recertifi cation process. The overall APR scores for the department now surpass 960, and the cumulative GPA for student-athletes for the spring, 2009 semester was 3.06.

Under Ward’s leadership, the Racer Club was established as the annual fund raising arm of the department and continues to thrive, the sport of softball was introduced to the varsity line-up, additional staff was added in areas vital to student-athlete achievement, a comprehensive Title IX plan was developed and enacted, the Racer Television Network was unveiled, and the athletic program became an offi cial NCAA CHAMPS / Life Skills member.

Ward has also had to successfully manage unprecedented turnover with head coaching positions and senior level staff, most notably with its high profi le positions. New coaches have been hired for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, football, women’s soccer, softball, rifl e, and strength and conditioning.

“I like our coaches and staff; it’s a really good group, and they work extremely hard,” noted Ward. “They know what

The Ward family: Sharon, Allen, Nicole and Nathan.

it takes to win championships, but also teach the importance of achieving academically as well.”

It’s very clear Ward has a passion and devotion for student-athletes and college athletics.

“Their success, and providing the tools necessary to perform at the highest level, is my top priority,” says Ward. “We’re a proud program with a rich tradition that’s fortunate to have extraordinary university leadership. We will continue to win championships while, at the same time, prepare our athletes to excel long after they have played their last game for Murray State.”

Ward, 42, came to Murray State from the University of North Texas, where he served in numerous capacities over 14 years for the Division I BCS program, including the last six years as Senior Associate Athletics Director.

A native of Rolla, Missouri, Ward is a 1989 graduate of William Jewell College and earned his master’s degree from Wichita State University. Ward and his wife, Sharon, have two children: Nathan, 11, and Nicole, 8.


athletics adminstrationathletics adminstration

Associate Athletics Director,External Affairs

Paul Bubb(Monmouth College, 1979)

Associate Athletics Director,Internal Operations

Matt Kelly(Alma College, 1994)

Asst. Athletics Director -Compliance

Steve Harrell(Delaware, 2005)

Asst. Athletics Director -Media Relations

Dave Winder(Murray State, 1987)

Matt Kelly is in his third year as associate athletics director for internal operations after serving two years as assistant director of athletics for academics.

Prior to arriving at Murray State, Kelly spent two years at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

A 1994 graduate of Alma College, he also earned his master’s in physical education and sports administration at Eastern Kentucky in 1996.

Kelly oversees the academic progress of more than 300 Murray State student-athletes. He is a member of the National Association of Advisors for Athletics and is an adjunct instructor in sport sociology at MSU.

Before arriving at UMKC, he spent four-and a-half years as academic advisor for the football, swimming and diving teams at Florida State University. He was also the study hall/tutor coordinator for all sports at FSU.

Kelly was also a graduate assistant for the EKU athletics academics department and an adjunct faculty member in the health and physical ed department.

Kelly and his wife, Laura, have a son, Cole, 8, and a daughter, Olivia, 6.

Steve Harrell begins his fi rst season with the Murray State athletic department as the assistant athletics director for compliance. Harrell comes to Murray after spending one year at the University of North Florida.

Harrell is responsible for the oversight of NCAA compliance for over 300 student-athletes in Murray State’s 16 NCAA Division I athletic programs.

While at North Florida, Harrell worked both in the compliance department and as an athletic academic support counselor. During that time he produced a guide and website for student-athletes to help them achieve academic success.

Before his time at North Florida, Harrell served as a senior event staff supervisor at the University of Delaware. He supervised event staff for athletic games, concerts, graduations, and trade shows. He also volunteered in the sports marketing department and was a coach and counselor at the David Henderson Basketball school while at Delaware.

In December 2005 Harrell earned a bachelor of science degree in sport management from the University of Delaware. After graduating from Delaware Harrell enrolled in Florida Coastal School of Law, where he earned a law degree in 2009. Harrell also earned sports law and advanced legal writing certifi cates.

Dave Winder is in his eighth year with Murray State athletics and sixth in media relations.

Winder “offi cially” joined the Racer athletics program in 2001, but in many ways, the Jackson, Mo., native has been a part of Murray State athletics for years.

Winder fi rst came to MSU as a sophomore baseball player in the fall of 1983. He played three seasons for Johnny Reagan and became an All-Ohio Valley Conference fi rst baseman in 1987. Winder still holds the OVC and MSU single-game record with 12 RBIs.

After graduating from MSU in 1987 with a journalism degree, Winder served as the radio voice of Southeast Missouri State athletics from 1988 to 1991. He returned to Kentucky in 1991 and anchored the sports desk at WPSD TV-6 in Paducah for 10 years. He hosted the Murray State Racers’ football and basketball television shows from 1993 to 2007.

Since becoming assistant athletics director for media relations in 2004 Winder has increased the size of the sports information staff and its production, launched a new athletics website and began video streaming of MSU games in 2006.

Winder and his wife, Janice, have a daughter, Meagan, 14, and son, Matthew, 12.

Paul Bubb is in his fi rst full year as associate athletic director for external affairs.

Bubb directs the activities of the Racer Club and Racer Athletics’ Corporate Partner program. He also oversees the areas of marketing and promotions, ticket operations and media relations as well as the men’s and women’s golf, baseball and softball teams.

Prior to arriving at Murray State, Bubb spent fi ve years at Idaho State University, fi rst serving as assistant athletic director for development (2003), and then senior associate athletic director for external operations (2004), and fi nally as the director of athletics (2005 – 2008).

Bubb’s 28-year career in athletics has included athletic administrative positions at Southern Illinois University (Carbondale), Drake University, Cal State Northridge, Boise State and the University of Maine. Bubb began his collegiate career as an assistant basketball coach and alumni administrator at Monmouth College.

A 1979 graduate of Monmouth College (IL), Bubb earned his master’s degree in sport management at Western Illinois University.

Paul and his wife, Susan, were married in 1985 and have a daughter, Kallan.

Asst. Athletics Director -Facilities

Mike Thieke(Murray State, 1974)

Mike Thieke is in his 20th year at Murray State and has served in many areas of the athletics department.

He was named coordinator of facilities and game day management in 2004 and has served as assistant athletics director for facilities since 2007.

Thieke’s long association with MSU began as a baseball player in 1973 and 1974. He owns one of only seven no-hitters in program history.

After coaching at Memphis University from 1978-89, he came back to MSU as an assistant and served as head coach from 1993-03. In 2003, the ‘Breds played in the NCAA Regionals.

Thieke has directed all building and renovation projects in MSU Athletics including the Crisp Soccer-Tennis Complex, and Racer Softball Field.

He graduated in 1974 from MSU with a degree in secondary education/business and earned a master’s degree in physical education in 1977 and also owns a United States patent.

Thieke and his wife, Suzie, have two sons, John David, 27, and Taylor, 21. John David, played baseball at MSU and is married to former OVC Tennis MVP Melissa Spencer, they have a daughter, Madison, 2. Taylor is a senior on the MSU Baseball team.


MSU STAFF & HEAD COACHES MSU STAFF & HEAD COACHES

James GardnerEquipment Manager

Cate EllisAssistant

Athletic Trainer

Eric FrederickAssistant

Athletic Trainer

Susan Rogers Darnell

Ticket Manager

Fulton HartAssistant

Athletic Trainer

Crystal MorrowAdministrative

Assistant

Joe HaynesTelevision Specialist

Kyle McClureMarketing & Promotions

Director

Janet FutrellBusiness Manager

Darren EdgingtonStrength &

Conditioning Coach

Jennifer JohnsonWomen’s Basketball

Secretary

Tamra GarrisonFootball

Secretary

Dereck ChavisCC/Track & Field

Beth AcremanWomen’s Soccer

Chris EnglandCross Country

Matt Griffi nFootball

Eddie HuntMen’s Golf

Rob McDonaldBaseball

Rob CrossWomen’s Basketball

Mel PurcellMen’s Tennis

Velvet MilkmanWomen’s Golf/SWA

Alan LollarRifl e

Jay PyronSoftball

Deanna GordonSr. Accounting

Clerk

Scott Grant Ticket Offi ce

Assistant

Becky HudsonMen’s Basketball

Secretary

Alan LollarHead Athletic

Trainer

Bill WhitakerFaculty AthleticRepresentative

Billy KennedyMen’s Basketball

Nathan YoungStrength &

Conditioning Coach

Connie KeaslingWomen’s Tennis

Dave SchwepkerVolleyball

MSU HEAD COACHESMSU HEAD COACHES


MSU STAFF & HEAD COACHES WEAVER ACADEMIC CENTERWEAVER ACADEMIC CENTER

Backing up its commitment to ensure that Racer student-athletes have every opportunity to excel in the classroom as well as on the athletic fi elds, Murray State athletics established a state-of-the-art academic center.

Named in honor of longtime supporters Jan and Dick Weaver, who provided funding for the building of the center, the Weaver Academic Enhancement Center was opened at Roy Stewart Stadium on June 30, 1997, and immediately began to pay dividends in the MSU athletics program.

Today, the Weaver Center is a spacious facility equipped with individual and group study areas, but the centerpiece of the Weaver Center is its computer lab.

In 2007, the lab was outfi tted with 15 new desktop computers. Student-athletes can use the computers to access the internet for research and to complete class projects and papers.

MSU student-athletes also use the Weaver Center for study hall, which meets throughout the day. During study hall, student-athletes have access to tutors, study groups and computers.

The center continues to play a key role in the academic success of MSU student-athletes. For the 2008-09 academic year 284 student-athletes had a 3.0 or higher grade point average and 36 had perfect 4.0 GPA’s.

The center is open 12 hours a day, six days a week during the school year, with an abbreviated schedule during the summer and holidays.

MSU HEAD COACHES

OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCEOHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE


BETH DEBAUCHCommissioner

Entering its 62nd year, the Ohio Valley Conference embarks on a new era while continuing to build on the success that has made it the nation’s eighth-oldest NCAA Division I conference.

In 2008 the conference again expanded with the addition of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. The Cougars will begin play in women’s softball in the 2010-11 season, while the rest of their teams begin in 2011-12.

In 2003, the OVC extended its geographical footprint into Alabama for the fi rst time with the addition of Jacksonville State University and Samford University.

Samford left the OVC after the 2007-08 season to join the Southern Conference.

The OVC’s proud past dates back to 1948, but seeds for the new league were actually planted in 1941. It was then that Murray State athletics director Roy Stewart, Eastern Kentucky athletics director Charles “Turkey” Hughes and Western Kentucky public relations director Kelly Thompson fi rst broached the idea of forming a new conference.

Discussions were put on hold by World War II, but re-emerged on Feb. 27-28, 1948, at the Kentucky Hotel in Louisville, as the three original institutions combined with Morehead State,

Louisville and Evansville to form the OVC.

In the 1950s, the OVC became a pioneer on a much more signifi cant scale socially. During times of racial segregation, league member Morehead State became one of the fi rst non-traditionally black mid-southern institutions to accept a black student. In 1958, Marshall Banks earned athletically-related aid at Morehead, which signed a second black athlete, Howard Murphy, a year later. With racial barriers broken, the rest of the institutions in the league began to provide educational and athletic opportunities to African- Americans.

In the late 1970s, women’s athletics began a rebirth on the national scene, as the NCAA began sponsoring and marketing women’s sports. Recognizing the need to provide increased opportunities for female athletes, the OVC established women’s championships in basketball, tennis, track, cross country and volleyball.

The prestigious OVC Academic Achievement Banner is awarded annually to the league school whose athletes produce the highest grade-point average when compared to the general student body. Also, six Scholar-Athlete Awards are presented yearly to male and female athletes, while others are commended by being Medal of Honor recipients or earning a spot on the

Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Additionally, the Steve Hamilton Sportsmanship Award — named in honor of the former Morehead State student-athlete, coach and athletics director — is presented annually to a junior or senior student-athlete with signifi cant athletic contributions who best exemplifi es the characteristics of sportsmanship and citizenship.

The vision of leadership demonstrated by the founding fathers in 1948 remains alive today as the Ohio Valley Conference prepares for the future. One example is in regard to the current trend in collegiate athletics administration for increased involvement of university presidents in setting policies and making rules. The presidents of OVC institutions, however, have always governed the Conference, long before presidential governance became a national theme.

BRAD WALKERAssoc. Commissioner

for Operations &Chief Operating Offi cer

KYLE SCHWARTZAsst. Commissionerfor Media Relations

ROB HAUCKEDirector,

OVC Properties

JENNIFER GIBBSAsst. Commissioner

Championships

BRYAN PULLEYAsst. Commissioner

External Affairs

HEATHER BROWNDirector,

Media Relations

MURRAY STATETRADITION

9 OVC Team Titles

7 NCAA Individual Titles

6 USA Olympic Team Members

6 MSU Hall of Fame Selections

2 NCAA Team Titles

SEPTEMBER

SAT/26 *UT Martin Martin, Tenn. 8:00 a.m.

OCTOBER

SAT/03 Mississippi Oxford, Miss. 8:00 a.m.

SAT/10 *Jacksonville State Jacksonville, Ala. 8:00 a.m.

SAT/24 Kentucky Murray, Ky. 8:00 a.m.

SAT/31 *Morehead State Morehead, Ky. 8:00 a.m.

NOVEMBER

SAT/07 Texas Christian Murray, Ky. 8:00 a.m.

SAT/21 *Jacksonville State Jacksonville, Ala. TBA

JANUARY

SAT/16 Mississippi Murray, Ky. 9:00 a.m.

SUN/17 Nebraska Murray, Ky. 9:00 a.m.

SAT/23 Newkirk Invitational Cookeville, Tenn. 9:00 a.m.

THU/28 UTM Invitational Martin, Tenn. TBA

FEBRUARY

SAT/06 OVC Championship Murray, Ky. TBA

SAT/13 NCAAQualifier Murray,Ky. 8:00a.m.

MARCH

SAT/12 NCAA Championship Fort Worth, Texas TBA

* OVC OpponentAll MSU matches are held at the Pat Spurgin Range in Roy Stewart Stadium

2009-10 MSU Rifle Schedule

09-10 Murray State Rifle Media Guide

Documents

Transcript of 09-10 Murray State Rifle Media Guide