Scott Pummell
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008
Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Up close and personal, huge calves and all
Friday, June 13, 2008
Fans get acquainted with new faces, names during Chiefs workout here
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Monday, Feb. 4, 2008
Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008
Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008
Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008
Monday, Jan. 21, 2008
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008
Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007
Friday, Dec. 14, 2007
Friday, Dec. 14, 2007
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007
Monday, Dec. 10, 2007
Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007
Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008
Dennis Snethen understands the nature of big aspirations. He helped nurture and coach two St. Joseph youths into Olympic athletes.
Hometown veterans ready to rumbleWednesday, Sept. 24, 2008
Saturday’s boxing card at Civic Arena is built around youth — 25-year-old St. Joseph boxer Andre Wilson’s attempt to clinch local, maybe national, prominence.
But the old guard will get its share of the spotlight, too.
Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008
Andre Wilson and Alex Baba stand on the opposite ends of their boxing careers.
Baba’s held a world title, competed as a captain on Ghana’s Olympic team and weathered 40 professional fights.
Wilson’s just 25 with a total of 12 fights — a 10-1-1 record — and Baba represents the latest hurdle blocking the St. Joseph man’s title ambitions.
Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008
Take last year’s standings. Copy them onto a blank sheet of paper.
That’s generally the way the MIAA preseason coaches poll works — other than moving Missouri Western to fifth no matter how high the Griffons finished the previous season.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Before Friday, Tim Woodruff never saw anyone make a hole-in-one. He’d never made one himself.
But he’s $10,000 wealthier after his first experience with the landmark golfing moment.
Woodruff aced hole No. 11 at Moila Country Club’s Patio Fundraiser. The hole was designated with the cash prize — plus an extra $1,000 each for the golfer’s three playing partners.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
College football officials get booed, yelled at, cursed. Delivering flowers to people in the hospital generally earns a better greeting.
Bill Lowe, who on Tuesday announced his retirement as MIAA director of football officials, thinks it’s a decent trade.
“You really make people happy when you deliver flowers,” Lowe said. “That’s right up my alley.”
Friday, July 11, 2008
Northwest Missouri Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry makes a big impact on the local effort to feed the hungry. But the organization is in danger of folding due to the health of its founder and driving force, area coordinator Steve Goben.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Football’s taken Chris Greisen all over the world ever since he left Maryville, Mo., after leading Northwest Missouri State to a national championship in 1998. And the game turns a national spotlight on the former Bearcat again next week as he and his Georgia Force teammates fight on in the AFL playoffs.
Solving the southpawsSaturday, July 5, 2008
For much of his early career, lefthanders were to Rob Calloway what a plastic jug of vodka is to an alcoholic. Troublesome at best, dangerous at times.
Southpaws handed the St. Joseph boxer the majority of his seven losses — in 78 professional fights.
“It’s just different, man, adjusting to southpaws,” Calloway said. “We just don’t see many lefthanders. Everything is pretty much backwards.”
Up close and personal, huge calves and all
Friday, June 13, 2008
Missouri Western State University football player Roger Allen is a big man. But even at 6 foot, 4 inches and 315 pounds, Mr. Allen still found himself wondering if he measured up against some of the more massive examples of humanity collected by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Fans get acquainted with new faces, names during Chiefs workout here
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Chiefs fans need to learn these names: Glenn Dorsey and Brandon Carr, Brandon Flowers and Brian Johnston, Branden Albert and Brad Cottam.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Missouri Western tried repeatedly over the last few years to convince the Kansas City Chiefs to hold their annual training camp at Spratt Stadium. The deal never got done.
But for a day, fans will get the chance to see what that would have been like.
The Chiefs will hold a practice on the St. Joseph campus starting at 11:30 a.m. today. Fans are welcome, but tickets are required — the free passes were available at St. Joseph McDonald’s locations.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
No one painted Tyler Armstrong’s face with a red-and-gold arrowhead. He wore no Chiefs paraphernalia as he stood in the Hyde Elementary School gymnasium. “I’m not really a Chiefs fan,” Tyler said. “I guess I’m kind of a Green Bay fan.”
Partridge, Savannah hold off Kearney for district titleWednesday, May 14, 2008
Savannah coach Erich Bodenhausen turned to his catcher, Lee McFadden, and asked if he should stick with pitcher Travis Partridge for the seventh inning of the Class 3 District 16 championship game.
“Coach just asked me if he still had it, if he was too tired,” McFadden said. “I knew how much (Partridge) wanted it, and that he’d do whatever he could to finish it. So I said yeah.”
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Northwest Missouri State running back Xavier Omon got a lot of attention around Buffalo for a sixth-round draft pick this past weekend. And Northwest coach Mel Tjeerdsma said Wednesday that Omon has a great shot to make the Bills’ team.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Missouri offensive lineman Tyler Luellen may not have been drafted this past weekend, but he’s still got a golden opportunity.
Luellen, a native of Bethany, Mo., and graduate of South Harrison High School, signed an NFL contract late Sunday with the San Diego Chargers. Luellen, the Tigers’ three-plus-year starter at left tackle, said he’s thrilled with the opportunity — and more than a little anxious.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The first mistake most new golfers make has nothing to do with their swing or putting or chipping.
Friday, April 25, 2008
The first mistake most new golfers make has nothing to do with their swing or putting or chipping. It’s all mental. That’s the first — and biggest — tip from Randy McGohan, the golf professional at Moila Country Club.
Don't forget good etiquetteThursday, April 24, 2008
Put the golf ball in the hole and do it in four attempts or fewer. If only that’s all there were to it. Many rules, some clearly stated and others just understood, make sure that golfers are courteous to one another and the course. But those rules are broken on a daily basis and often by some of the most advanced golfers.
Big money not necessary to get startedThursday, April 24, 2008
It’s pretty easy to spend a couple thousand dollars on a set of golf clubs. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. “If you’re just starting out, there’s no reason to go spend a whole lot of money on clubs,” said Mike Habermehl, the golf professional at Fairview Golf Course.
Easier said than doneThursday, April 24, 2008
Tiger Woods makes golf look astoundingly simple every weekend. But that doesn’t mean it’s an easy game. “If you think you’re going to figure the game out and figure your problems out without somebody, you’re probably mistaken,” said Randy McGohan, Moila Country Club’s golf professional. “Look at how they have become that good. Tiger Woods has an instructor, and he works at his game constantly.”
What's the spin on golf balls?Thursday, April 24, 2008
The Titleist Pro V1, probably the best-selling golf ball, won’t necessarily make your game better. In fact, if you’re not a well-skilled golfer, the Pro V1 and other higher-tech — and more costly — balls could add a few strokes to your game, said Randy McGohan, golf professional at Moila Country Club. “Your average golfer,” he said, “isn’t going to see a big difference between that golf ball and a $24-a-dozen golf ball.”
Football star Mike Rucker retires from the NFLWednesday, April 23, 2008
Mike Rucker loved the Apple Blossom Parade while growing up in St. Joseph. But during five years starring at the University of Nebraska and nine for the Carolina Panthers, some hurdle always tripped up his efforts to bring his wife, Kris, and three children back for St. Joseph’s spring rite. Not this year.
The Right Time for RuckerTuesday, April 22, 2008
St. Joseph native Mike Rucker never was very good at quitting.
While playing at Benton and then the University of Nebraska, Rucker refused to listen to the litany of voices who shouted that a kid from the South Side had almost no chance of making it to the NFL. Instead of giving up, he worked harder.
Friday, April 18, 2008
No more cutting corners for Byron Polley.
The St. Joseph boxer, who’s getting ready for the main event on Saturday’s Civic Arena boxing card, failed to make it past the first round in his last fight — against Brian Minto — because of a cut over his left eye.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
An empty Phil Welch Stadium isn’t an appealing thought. But it’s not nearly as disturbing as the average St. Joe sewer calamity or the community’s current job outlook or even a drive down the pothole-permeated catastrophes we consider streets.
Let’s face it: We should be used to vacant bleachers. The stadium stood essentially empty most of last year, as the embarrassment of the St. Joe Blacksnakes’ collapse unfolded and attendance was better measured in dozens than hundreds or thousands.
Nonetheless, a vacant stadium remains a blow to the community.
Kansas City restaurateur Dan Gerson offered some relief this week when he spoke publicly for the first time about his plan to bring a college wood-bat team back to the city in 2009.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Staying on an angry, 1,500-pound bull for 8 seconds requires amazing technique. Launching and then maintaining a professional bull riding event for 10 years demands a great deal of skill, too.
FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH: Western's new A.D. brings hopeSaturday, March 22, 2008
It’s fourth-and-23. The Griffons are down by 5 points. One second is left on the clock, and a last-ditch play is all that’s left.
That’s where Missouri Western’s search for a new athletic director stood a few weeks ago.
But in this case, the Hail Mary scored.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Rob Calloway still is trying to put the exclamation point on his career with a cruiserweight world title fight.
But the St. Joseph boxer is keeping himself sharp with regular fights, including this weekend’s bout in Philadelphia.
“I’m trying just to stay busy, take on these young guys to keep my name out there until I get my opportunity,” the St. Joseph boxer said from the Philadelphia camp where he works out with trainer Marshall Kauffman.
Monday, March 10, 2008
MARYVILLE, Mo. — The MIAA Tournament provided a week’s worth of familiar foes for both the Northwest Missouri State men and women. That familiarity might have helped them to two championships and a pair of NCAA tournament berths.
But both Bearcat teams face unfamiliar terrain in their respective South Central Regional fields.
The men, especially, have a lot of research to do. Their first-round game is against No. 7 St. Edward’s (23-6), who Northwest has never played.
Monday, Feb. 4, 2008
When the Carolina Panthers’ season ended, defensive lineman Mike Rucker wasn’t certain he wanted to come back for another year.
But the South Side St. Joseph native said Monday that he plans to play for at least one more season.
“I just feel good, and I feel motivated to go another round,” said Rucker, who finished 2007 with 57 tackles and three sacks.
Rucker returned last season from an anterior cruciate ligament tear late in the 2006 season. Rucker took a pay cut and went through a grueling rehabilitation program, but was on the field for the start of training camp eight months later and regained his starting position.
Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008
Dave Tollefson played a huge role in leading Northwest Missouri State to four road playoff victories and an appearance in the 2005 Division II national championship.
Now the 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end is contributing to another underdog’s postseason campaign.
Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008
Dave Tollefson trekked along to the NFL by way of the junior college route --- Los Medanos Community College --- and then Division II, with a two-year playing career at Northwest Missouri State.
Nonetheless, he's playing at football's highest level now and on Sunday will be on the NFL's biggest stage.
Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008
Take a decent man. Stick him in the quagmire that has become professional sports. Watch him descend.
Steroids, human growth hormone and an obscene amount of money combine in an ever-growing froth of depravity.
In this sort of environment, no one
escapes.
Trey Hillman and I stumbled into this together last week.
Monday, Jan. 21, 2008
While waiting idle for a world title fight, St. Joseph boxer Rob Calloway needs to get back in the ring.
That need will translate into another card at Civic Arena next month.
“It’s just so I can get back in the ring,” Calloway said. “I need to keep busy.”
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008
A couple of blog posts this weekend talked about the best women's players in the MIAA. I pointed to Washburn guard Corkey Stiger, who played at Northwest Missouri State on Saturday, and our Missouri Western beat reporter highlighted Truman State's Georgia Mueller.
That begs the question. We're nearly two months into the MIAA season. Who's the best?
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Mandi Schumacher, playing under Northwest Missouri State’s boards, spent most of Saturday night with a pained expression on her face. Frustration dripped from the senior for the game’s first 35 minutes.
Then, with 4 minutes, 27 seconds left, she took the ball and fronted up against No. 4 Washburn’s powerful 6-foot-2 center, Renata Germano. Without hesitation and not even a thought of a dribble, she stabbed the ball into the bucket.
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008
Home isn't real sweet for Northwest right now. The Bearcats have dropped two of their last three games at Bearcat Arena.
It's not a pleasant dynamic for a team that started the season with huge expectations --- the hands-down pick for MIAA favorite before any games were played --- and it's not real easy to figure out an exact reason the team has struggled.
The team still has MIAA MVP Hunter Henry and one of the league's best all-around lineup. But it's not adding up this year.
Watching Saturday's game, you could look at two individuals --- a Bearcat and an Ichabod --- and gain a little insight.
Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008
Before Saturday night, Northwest Missouri State center Mandi Schumacher had never beaten Washburn. And for about 36 minutes on Saturday, it didn't look like she or her fellow Northwest seniors ever would.
The Bearcats struggled shooting the ball --- hitting just 24 percent from the field --- and their most reliable weapon, Schumacher, managed just one point in the first half. They were down 10 at intermission and seemed lost on offense.
But the Bearcats played tough, gritty defense and fought for every loose ball and rebound. Then they leaned on a resurgent Meghan Brue and scratched together enough supporting-cast baskets to knock off the fourth-ranked Lady Blues.
Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007
FLORENCE, Ala. — As Missouri Western’s search for a new athletic director extends into a new year, the department’s former leader recently offered the Griffons some encouragement.
“It’s a great place to be, and they should be able to attract a quality person,” said Mark Linder, who as athletic director at North Alabama acted as host to Saturday’s Division II national championship game.
“It’s a wonderful administrative staff. A good coaching staff. And corporate sponsorship was strong.”
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007
FLORENCE, Ala. — Knowing what it takes to shut down Northwest Missouri State is easy: stop running back Xavier Omon. Accomplishing that task has proved to be far more daunting.
But Valdosta State earned a national championship on Saturday by stomping the Bearcats’ vaunted ground attack.
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007
FLORENCE, Ala. — Failure always breeds regrets. The past two years, Northwest Missouri State left Florence thinking “if only.”
That wasn't the case this time.
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007
MARYVILLE, Mo. — The University of Missouri learned this fall the benefit of a strong football program. Admission applications increased 20 percent as the Tigers roared to a Big 12 North title and played huge, nationally televised games.
Sweet home AlabamaFriday, Dec. 14, 2007
Florence, Ala., might be a good 12-hour drive from Maryville, but the Bearcat bandwagon has learned how to make itself at home in the southern community.
Four trips to North Alabama in three years helps build a few habits.
Friday, Dec. 14, 2007
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Bearcat fans looked a little green in the face after Northwest Missouri State struggled to slip past MIAA afterthought Fort Hays State by just a touchdown on Oct. 20.
Not the bright green of the school colors but a sickly looking shade.
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Mike Peterson stands 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 250 pounds. The Northwest Missouri State tight end establishes a daunting presence on most offensive plays.
But he’s rarely more of a factor than when he plays at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Ala.
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007
In a tough but ultimately successful year, the challenges keep piling up for Northwest Missouri State.
This week the weather has done its best to disrupt the Bearcats as they prepare for Saturday’s national championship game. Ice covered the field at Bearcat Stadium and made practice a challenge.
However, the school was able to clear enough of the field for passing drills. The team did the rest of its work inside, said coach Mel Tjeerdsma.
Monday, Dec. 10, 2007
Few athletes dominate their level of play like Northwest Missouri State running back Xavier Omon.
In three playoff wins this year, he has 708 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. For the season, he’s ran for a Division II-leading 2,274 yards and scored 37 touchdowns. He’s carried his Bearcats into their third straight national championship game, which will be played this weekend.
But according to voters for the Harlon Hill Trophy — Division II’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy — Omon isn’t even among the nine best D-II athletes.
Talk about a joke.
Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007
SAVANNAH, Mo. — Life measures Tyson Durfey in 8-second increments.
Recovery on track for QaoudSaturday, Nov. 24, 2007
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Abe Qaoud found a little seam behind the West Texas A&M defense and turned a short crossing route into a 27-yard gain, transforming a third-and-long into a crucial first down.
