<a href="https://anchor.fm/dave-riggert21/episodes/Rachel-Benzing---MWSU-Lacrosse-Coach-eg3fj3">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MWSU LACROSSE COACH RACHEL BENZING</a>

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Griffon Athletics' newest team, women's lacrosse, will compete as an associate member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2021.

The addition of women's lacrosse was announced in November. The team will begin competition this spring and with Missouri Western becoming the first MIAA member and state school in Missouri to sponsor the sport, associate membership in another conference was necessary.

"We are very excited to join the GLVC as an associate member and are appreciative to Commissioner Naumovich and the GLVC's Council of Presidents for supporting MWSU's entry into the NCAA's fastest growing sport," MWSU vice president of intercollegiate athletics Dr. Josh Looney said. "The opportunity to grow the game in our region and compete for a conference championship alongside three other NCAA Division II women's lacrosse programs in the state of Missouri is an early win and important strategic step forward for our newest athletic program."

Rachel Benzing was tasked with ushering in MWSU's 17th NCAA DII sport and will lead her Griffons into a conference she is familiar with. Benzing finished her playing career at Lindenwood University which is now a full member of the GLVC and helped start the program at GLVC member Maryville University as an assistant coach.

"MWSU women's lacrosse is extremely grateful to join the GLVC in our inaugural season," Benzing said. "With strong ties to this conference, it will be an exciting and meaningful experience to be a part of the growth of women's lacrosse in both the GLVC and the Midwest region. I look forward to seeing our student-athletes compete on this stage against some of the top teams in the country."

The GLVC will feature eight women's lacrosse programs in 2021. Last year, women's lacrosse became the 23rd sponsored sport in the GLVC. Missouri Western will face in-state foes Maryville, Rockhurst and Lindenwood in addition to Quincy (Ill.), McKendree (Ill.), Lewis (Ill.) and Indianapolis.

With 15 total NCAA DII member institutions, the GLVC spans three Midwest states and has been in existence for more than 40 years. The conference sponsors 24 championship sports.

<a href="https://anchor.fm/dave-riggert21/episodes/Rachel-Benzing---MWSU-Lacrosse-Coach-eg3fj3">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO MWSU LACROSSE COACH RACHEL BENZING</a>INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Griffon Athletics' newest team, women's lacrosse, will compete as an associate member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2021.The addition of women's lacrosse was announced in November. The team will begin competition this spring and with Missouri Western becoming the first MIAA member and state school in Missouri to sponsor the sport, associate membership in another conference was necessary."We are very excited to join the GLVC as an associate member and are appreciative to Commissioner Naumovich and the GLVC's Council of Presidents for supporting MWSU's entry into the NCAA's fastest growing sport," MWSU vice president of intercollegiate athletics Dr. Josh Looney said. "The opportunity to grow the game in our region and compete for a conference championship alongside three other NCAA Division II women's lacrosse programs in the state of Missouri is an early win and important strategic step forward for our newest athletic program."Rachel Benzing was tasked with ushering in MWSU's 17th NCAA DII sport and will lead her Griffons into a conference she is familiar with. Benzing finished her playing career at Lindenwood University which is now a full member of the GLVC and helped start the program at GLVC member Maryville University as an assistant coach."MWSU women's lacrosse is extremely grateful to join the GLVC in our inaugural season," Benzing said. "With strong ties to this conference, it will be an exciting and meaningful experience to be a part of the growth of women's lacrosse in both the GLVC and the Midwest region. I look forward to seeing our student-athletes compete on this stage against some of the top teams in the country."The GLVC will feature eight women's lacrosse programs in 2021. Last year, women's lacrosse became the 23rd sponsored sport in the GLVC. Missouri Western will face in-state foes Maryville, Rockhurst and Lindenwood in addition to Quincy (Ill.), McKendree (Ill.), Lewis (Ill.) and Indianapolis.With 15 total NCAA DII member institutions, the GLVC spans three Midwest states and has been in existence for more than 40 years. The conference sponsors 24 championship sports.--- MWSU Athletics ---

Griffon lacrosse to compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference

Manhattan (AP) — Legendary former Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder says he misses being on the field but has no interest in returning to the sidelines more than 18 months after wrapping up a Hall of Fame career.

Snyder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/bf2c52a682ba4a07832d8b9a8fde05a8">stepped away</a>&nbsp;in 2018 after 27 seasons on the sidelines that included winning 215 games, reaching 19 bowls and claiming a pair of Big 12 titles. He said he’s now mostly at home spending time with his wife and family.

“I don’t wake up thinking, ‘Boy do I miss football,’” Snyder told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article243789582.html" target="_blank">The Wichita Eagle</a>&nbsp;during a recent video conference. “I don’t really think about it all that much.”

Snyder said that when he first retired in 2005, it took him about half a year to get accustomed to the new role. And though he returned from retirement three years later, it’s never bothered him since.

“I can’t say that I don’t miss being on the field, but it’s not something that I think about going back to,” Snyder said. “The time has come and passed and I enjoyed it.”

Snyder arrived at Kansas State in the fall of 1988, a nondescript offensive coordinator from Iowa who once coached high school swimming before learning under legendary Hawkeyes coach Hayden Fry. During his tenure in Manhattan, which began in the Big Eight, he weathered seismic shifts in college football. Along the way he overcame throat cancer, sent dozens of players to the NFL and gave countless more an opportunity to succeed on and off the field.

Snyder said he still talks to many of his former players and recently made the case for Michael Bishop and Darren Sproles to join him in the College Football Hall of Fame

Synder said he’s always loved mentoring young players and imparting wisdom. He offered insight to anyone struggling with the unprecedented times we’re living through.

“I would like to think that it would be virtually the same,” Snyder said. “With all the turmoil that goes on, one thing that stands at the top is the quality of character and the type of person that you are and the value system that you possess.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593432632894.png" alt="Bill Snyder -photo courtesy K-State Athletics&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Bill Snyder -photo courtesy K-State Athletics&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Manhattan (AP) — Legendary former Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder says he misses being on the field but has no interest in returning to the sidelines more than 18 months after wrapping up a Hall of Fame career.Snyder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/bf2c52a682ba4a07832d8b9a8fde05a8">stepped away</a>&nbsp;in 2018 after 27 seasons on the sidelines that included winning 215 games, reaching 19 bowls and claiming a pair of Big 12 titles. He said he’s now mostly at home spending time with his wife and family.“I don’t wake up thinking, ‘Boy do I miss football,’” Snyder told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article243789582.html" target="_blank">The Wichita Eagle</a>&nbsp;during a recent video conference. “I don’t really think about it all that much.”Snyder said that when he first retired in 2005, it took him about half a year to get accustomed to the new role. And though he returned from retirement three years later, it’s never bothered him since.“I can’t say that I don’t miss being on the field, but it’s not something that I think about going back to,” Snyder said. “The time has come and passed and I enjoyed it.”Snyder arrived at Kansas State in the fall of 1988, a nondescript offensive coordinator from Iowa who once coached high school swimming before learning under legendary Hawkeyes coach Hayden Fry. During his tenure in Manhattan, which began in the Big Eight, he weathered seismic shifts in college football. Along the way he overcame throat cancer, sent dozens of players to the NFL and gave countless more an opportunity to succeed on and off the field.Snyder said he still talks to many of his former players and recently made the case for Michael Bishop and Darren Sproles to join him in the College Football Hall of FameSynder said he’s always loved mentoring young players and imparting wisdom. He offered insight to anyone struggling with the unprecedented times we’re living through.“I would like to think that it would be virtually the same,” Snyder said. “With all the turmoil that goes on, one thing that stands at the top is the quality of character and the type of person that you are and the value system that you possess.”

Longtime Kansas State coach Snyder says he enjoys retirement

The Kansas City Royals released their 60-man player pool on Sunday as those players can begin workouts this Friday at Kauffman Stadium. 

The Royals added Bobby Witt, Jr. to their player pool as he was not invited to their initial spring training back in February.  Witt is the Royals' top pick from the 2019 MLB Draft.

Witt and many of the Royals' top pitching prospects are in the 60-man player pool.  Brady Signer, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch and Kris Bubic were all high draft picks in 2018 and were in spring training back in February.

Since there probably will not be a Minor League season players not on the 40-man roster who made the 60-man player pool will not accrue service time.

“With the circumstances we’re going through,” General Manager Dayton Moore said, “there really isn’t a clear pathway to develop this year, other than this. We’re trying to accommodate as many players as we can, not just for 2020, but for 2021 and 2022.”

The Royals did not put their top draft pick this season, left-hander Asa Lacy, in the player pool.

“There was some talk about adding him,” Moore said, “but at the end of the day, we like where he is right now -- he’s got a good workout spot at College Station [Texas]. We could only have so many players on the 60. There were a lot of players left off. But hopefully there’ll be an opportunity for many of them this fall in Arizona.”

Teams will have an initial 30-man roster for opening day, July 23-24. Two weeks from then, rosters will be reduced to 28, then two weeks later to 26.

Pitchers (32): Chance Adams, Scott Barlow, Scott Blewett, Kris Bubic, Austin Cox, Danny Duffy, Heath Fillmyer, Foster Griffin, Jesse Hahn, Tim Hill, Greg Holland, Jakob Junis, Brad Keller, Ian Kennedy, Jackson Kowar, Jorge López, Richard Lovelady, Daniel Lynch, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Montgomery, Jake Newberry, Randy Rosario, Trevor Rosenthal, Braden Shipley, Brady Singer, Glenn Sparkman, Gabe Speier, Josh Staumont, Daniel Tillo, Stephen Woods Jr., Kyle Zimmer, Tyler Zuber

Catchers (6): Nick Dini, Cam Gallagher, MJ Melendez, Salvador Perez, Sebastian Rivero, Meibrys Viloria

Infielders (11): Humberto Arteaga, Maikel Franco, Kelvin Gutierrez, Jeison Guzman, Nicky Lopez, Ryan McBroom, Adalberto Mondesi, Ryan O'Hearn, Nick Pratto, Matt Reynolds, Bobby Witt Jr.

Outfielders (11): Hunter Dozier, Alex Gordon, Nick Heath, Kyle Isbel, Khalil Lee, Seuly Matias, Erick Mejia, Whit Merrifield, Brett Phillips, Jorge Soler, Bubba Starling

The Kansas City Royals released their 60-man player pool on Sunday as those players can begin workouts this Friday at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals added Bobby Witt, Jr. to their player pool as he was not invited to their initial spring training back in February. Witt is the Royals' top pick from the 2019 MLB Draft.Witt and many of the Royals' top pitching prospects are in the 60-man player pool. Brady Signer, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch and Kris Bubic were all high draft picks in 2018 and were in spring training back in February.Since there probably will not be a Minor League season players not on the 40-man roster who made the 60-man player pool will not accrue service time.“With the circumstances we’re going through,” General Manager Dayton Moore said, “there really isn’t a clear pathway to develop this year, other than this. We’re trying to accommodate as many players as we can, not just for 2020, but for 2021 and 2022.”The Royals did not put their top draft pick this season, left-hander Asa Lacy, in the player pool.“There was some talk about adding him,” Moore said, “but at the end of the day, we like where he is right now -- he’s got a good workout spot at College Station [Texas]. We could only have so many players on the 60. There were a lot of players left off. But hopefully there’ll be an opportunity for many of them this fall in Arizona.”Teams will have an initial 30-man roster for opening day, July 23-24. Two weeks from then, rosters will be reduced to 28, then two weeks later to 26.Here is the Royals' 60-man player pool:Pitchers (32): Chance Adams, Scott Barlow, Scott Blewett, Kris Bubic, Austin Cox, Danny Duffy, Heath Fillmyer, Foster Griffin, Jesse Hahn, Tim Hill, Greg Holland, Jakob Junis, Brad Keller, Ian Kennedy, Jackson Kowar, Jorge López, Richard Lovelady, Daniel Lynch, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Montgomery, Jake Newberry, Randy Rosario, Trevor Rosenthal, Braden Shipley, Brady Singer, Glenn Sparkman, Gabe Speier, Josh Staumont, Daniel Tillo, Stephen Woods Jr., Kyle Zimmer, Tyler ZuberCatchers (6): Nick Dini, Cam Gallagher, MJ Melendez, Salvador Perez, Sebastian Rivero, Meibrys ViloriaInfielders (11): Humberto Arteaga, Maikel Franco, Kelvin Gutierrez, Jeison Guzman, Nicky Lopez, Ryan McBroom, Adalberto Mondesi, Ryan O'Hearn, Nick Pratto, Matt Reynolds, Bobby Witt Jr.Outfielders (11): Hunter Dozier, Alex Gordon, Nick Heath, Kyle Isbel, Khalil Lee, Seuly Matias, Erick Mejia, Whit Merrifield, Brett Phillips, Jorge Soler, Bubba Starling

Royals release 60-man player pool ahead of camp

The St. Louis Cardinals announced 44 players they will bring to Busch Stadium for their training camp this week.  The club said the rest of the 60-man player pool, which teams had until 3 p.m. CT Sunday to submit, will be announced later.

Catchers (5): Jose Godoy, Ivan Herrera, Andrew Knizner, Yadier Molina, Matt Wieters

Infielders (10): Matt Carpenter, Paul DeJong, Tommy Edman, Paul Goldschmidt, Brad Miller, John Nogowski, Rangel Ravelo, Max Schrock, Edmundo Sosa, Kolten Wong

Outfielders (7): Harrison Bader, Dylan Carlson, Austin Dean, Dexter Fowler, Tyler O’Neill, Lane Thomas, Justin Williams

Pitchers (22): Génesis Cabrera, Brett Cecil, Junior Fernandez, Jack Flaherty, Giovanny Gallegos, John Gant, Austin Gomber, Ryan Helsley, Jordan Hicks, Dakota Hudson, Kwang-Hyun Kim, Carlos Martínez, Miles Mikolas, Andrew Miller, Johan Oviedo, Daniel Ponce de Leon, Alex Reyes, Ricardo Sánchez, Adam Wainwright, Tyler Webb, Kodi Whitley, Jake Woodford

The St. Louis Cardinals announced 44 players they will bring to Busch Stadium for their training camp this week. The club said the rest of the 60-man player pool, which teams had until 3 p.m. CT Sunday to submit, will be announced later.Catchers (5): Jose Godoy, Ivan Herrera, Andrew Knizner, Yadier Molina, Matt WietersInfielders (10): Matt Carpenter, Paul DeJong, Tommy Edman, Paul Goldschmidt, Brad Miller, John Nogowski, Rangel Ravelo, Max Schrock, Edmundo Sosa, Kolten WongOutfielders (7): Harrison Bader, Dylan Carlson, Austin Dean, Dexter Fowler, Tyler O’Neill, Lane Thomas, Justin WilliamsPitchers (22): Génesis Cabrera, Brett Cecil, Junior Fernandez, Jack Flaherty, Giovanny Gallegos, John Gant, Austin Gomber, Ryan Helsley, Jordan Hicks, Dakota Hudson, Kwang-Hyun Kim, Carlos Martínez, Miles Mikolas, Andrew Miller, Johan Oviedo, Daniel Ponce de Leon, Alex Reyes, Ricardo Sánchez, Adam Wainwright, Tyler Webb, Kodi Whitley, Jake Woodford

St. Louis Cardinals announce 44 of their 60-man player pool

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State University is reviewing its options after a tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd prompted outrage from several students, including two football players who threatened to leave, the school’s president said Friday.

On Thursday, one month since Floyd, a Black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck for nearly eight minutes, student Jaden McNeil tweeted “Congratulations to George Floyd on being drug free for an entire month!”

University President Richard Myers said Friday that “divisive statements do not represent for the values of our university.”

“We condemn racism and bigotry in all its forms,” Myers said. “We are launching an immediate review of the university’s options. Black Lives Matter at Kansas State University and we will continue to fight for social justice.”

McNeil describes himself as the founder of a conservative group called America First Students, which Kansas State says is not currently registered on the campus because of a lack of membership. America First Students had already drawn the ire of students for past statements made by McNeil. Students released a video last week under the #BlackAtKState hashtag and asked for America First Students to be removed from campus. And a petition has circulated on Twitter asking that the group be banned from campus because it spreads “hateful rhetoric,” The Manhattan Mercury reported.

McNeil did not respond to a message to America First Students seeking comment Friday. He has previously said America First Students is a “mainstream, Christian, conservative organization that supports President Donald Trump.”

Kansas State spokesman Jeff Morris said America First Students is currently not registered on the campus. He said independent student organizations need to have at least five members and renew registration every year, The Kansas City Star reported.

Wide receiver Joshua Youngblood and defensive back Walter Neil Jr. both tweeted that they would not play for the school unless McNeil is removed from campus, though Youngblood has since removed his tweet. Several other players posted tweets criticizing McNeil.

Athletics director Gene Taylor and football coach Chris Klieman both criticized McNeil’s tweet and said they would not tolerate racial hate on campus.

“Our program and our coaches will continue to be part of the solution when it comes to racial injustice,” Klieman wrote in a tweet. “I love our players and they know I have their backs.”

College athletes around the country have marched and used their influence to push for social justice since Floyd’s death.

On June 3, University of Missouri athletes and coaches joined with police and other administrators in walking to the Boone County Courthouse and knelt in honor of Floyd, before 62 football players registered to vote. That came on a campus that was roiled by controversy and demonstrations five years ago over the treatment of minorities on campus. Several members of the football team threatened to boycott until the then-president of the school resigned.

McNeil received several tweets of support Friday, including from conservative syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State University is reviewing its options after a tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd prompted outrage from several students, including two football players who threatened to leave, the school’s president said Friday.On Thursday, one month since Floyd, a Black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck for nearly eight minutes, student Jaden McNeil tweeted “Congratulations to George Floyd on being drug free for an entire month!”University President Richard Myers said Friday that “divisive statements do not represent for the values of our university.”“We condemn racism and bigotry in all its forms,” Myers said. “We are launching an immediate review of the university’s options. Black Lives Matter at Kansas State University and we will continue to fight for social justice.”McNeil describes himself as the founder of a conservative group called America First Students, which Kansas State says is not currently registered on the campus because of a lack of membership. America First Students had already drawn the ire of students for past statements made by McNeil. Students released a video last week under the #BlackAtKState hashtag and asked for America First Students to be removed from campus. And a petition has circulated on Twitter asking that the group be banned from campus because it spreads “hateful rhetoric,” The Manhattan Mercury reported.McNeil did not respond to a message to America First Students seeking comment Friday. He has previously said America First Students is a “mainstream, Christian, conservative organization that supports President Donald Trump.”Kansas State spokesman Jeff Morris said America First Students is currently not registered on the campus. He said independent student organizations need to have at least five members and renew registration every year, The Kansas City Star reported.Wide receiver Joshua Youngblood and defensive back Walter Neil Jr. both tweeted that they would not play for the school unless McNeil is removed from campus, though Youngblood has since removed his tweet. Several other players posted tweets criticizing McNeil.Athletics director Gene Taylor and football coach Chris Klieman both criticized McNeil’s tweet and said they would not tolerate racial hate on campus.“Our program and our coaches will continue to be part of the solution when it comes to racial injustice,” Klieman wrote in a tweet. “I love our players and they know I have their backs.”College athletes around the country have marched and used their influence to push for social justice since Floyd’s death.On June 3, University of Missouri athletes and coaches joined with police and other administrators in walking to the Boone County Courthouse and knelt in honor of Floyd, before 62 football players registered to vote. That came on a campus that was roiled by controversy and demonstrations five years ago over the treatment of minorities on campus. Several members of the football team threatened to boycott until the then-president of the school resigned.McNeil received several tweets of support Friday, including from conservative syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin.--- Associated Press ---

Kansas State athletes, officials decry student's Floyd tweet

ST. JOSEPH - Coming off the best combined seasons for the Missouri Western football and basketball teams in more than a decade, Griffon Athletics is finding its fan base is energized for the coming 2020-21 seasons.

Last year saw a 9-3 record for Griffon football with its second consecutive Live United Bowl championship and a 13th place ranking among NCAA Division II average attendance. The men's and women's basketball teams both finished fourth in the MIAA standings, going 26-3 in the MWSU Fieldhouse in front of the nation's ninth and 10th largest average crowds, respectively.

The recent Gold Coat Club membership drive indicates a strong desire to see that success and support continue an upward climb. Gold Coat memberships and 2020-21 season ticket renewals are moving at a record pace. The historically-high interest has been fueled by a 95% renewal rate to date and an 18% surge in new memberships. The upward trajectory has currently pushed Griffon Athletics to 103% of its Gold Coat goal.

"Our coaches, staff and student-athletes feel this energy and I'm thrilled to report that we are ALL IN beside #OURCITY with 100% of full-time athletic department employees committed as Gold Coat members," said MWSU vice president for intercollegiate athletics Josh Looney. "Continuing this momentum is crucial as we prepare for, and recover from, a disruptive year for higher education."

Last week, in response to the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, the MIAA unveiled revised conference schedules which are now posted at GoGriffons.com. MWSU maintained a five-game home football schedule that includes a week-nine rivalry showdown with Northwest. While the 2020-21 basketball schedule will not feature neutral site competition at Civic Arena or non-conference competition, the MIAA conference schedule has been increased to feature 22 basketball games including 11 home doubleheaders.

"As we move closer to the 2020-21 academic year, we remain committed to hosting fans at our games," Looney said. "Our intent is to play in front of a full stadium. We will follow local health guidelines and recommendations at that time and, if attendance alterations are necessary, Gold Coat members will receive priority access to tickets."

Gold Coat memberships may be reserved online, by calling 816-271-4481, or by emailing MWSU senior associate athletic director Brett Esely (esely@missouriwestern.edu).

2020-21 Gold Coat Board Members Zack Workman (President) Nancy Black Chip Brock Don Daffron Scott Graham Jake Heston Mike Holden Rich Loehnig Rodney Saunders Ralph Schank Charles Schwichtenberg Kim Sigrist Lyle Smith Tom Tewell Don Tolly

ST. JOSEPH - Coming off the best combined seasons for the Missouri Western football and basketball teams in more than a decade, Griffon Athletics is finding its fan base is energized for the coming 2020-21 seasons.Last year saw a 9-3 record for Griffon football with its second consecutive Live United Bowl championship and a 13th place ranking among NCAA Division II average attendance. The men's and women's basketball teams both finished fourth in the MIAA standings, going 26-3 in the MWSU Fieldhouse in front of the nation's ninth and 10th largest average crowds, respectively.The recent Gold Coat Club membership drive indicates a strong desire to see that success and support continue an upward climb. Gold Coat memberships and 2020-21 season ticket renewals are moving at a record pace. The historically-high interest has been fueled by a 95% renewal rate to date and an 18% surge in new memberships. The upward trajectory has currently pushed Griffon Athletics to 103% of its Gold Coat goal."Our coaches, staff and student-athletes feel this energy and I'm thrilled to report that we are ALL IN beside #OURCITY with 100% of full-time athletic department employees committed as Gold Coat members," said MWSU vice president for intercollegiate athletics Josh Looney. "Continuing this momentum is crucial as we prepare for, and recover from, a disruptive year for higher education."Last week, in response to the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, the MIAA unveiled revised conference schedules which are now posted at GoGriffons.com. MWSU maintained a five-game home football schedule that includes a week-nine rivalry showdown with Northwest. While the 2020-21 basketball schedule will not feature neutral site competition at Civic Arena or non-conference competition, the MIAA conference schedule has been increased to feature 22 basketball games including 11 home doubleheaders."As we move closer to the 2020-21 academic year, we remain committed to hosting fans at our games," Looney said. "Our intent is to play in front of a full stadium. We will follow local health guidelines and recommendations at that time and, if attendance alterations are necessary, Gold Coat members will receive priority access to tickets."Gold Coat memberships may be reserved online, by calling 816-271-4481, or by emailing MWSU senior associate athletic director Brett Esely (esely@missouriwestern.edu).2020-21 Gold Coat Board Members Zack Workman (President) Nancy Black Chip Brock Don Daffron Scott Graham Jake Heston Mike Holden Rich Loehnig Rodney Saunders Ralph Schank Charles Schwichtenberg Kim Sigrist Lyle Smith Tom Tewell Don Tolly--- MWSU Athletics ---

Missouri Western seeing historically high season ticket renewals

The University of Missouri added another graduate transfer on Friday as former Kentucky punter and kicker Grant McKinniss announced on Twitter he is transferring to Mizzou for his senior season.

The Findlay, Ohio native handled all kickoff duties for the Wildcats in 2018 and 2019, and was the holder on field goals and PATs last season.  During the 2019 season, McKinniss kicked off 67 times and had 48 touchbacks.  In 2018, he had 66 kickoffs and 36 touchbacks.

McKinniss never attempted a field goal or PAT during his Kentucky career, but was UK's starting punter in 2016 during his freshman season and averaged 39.2 yards per punt.  He redshirted in 2017 and will have one year of eligibility remaining at Missouri.

The University of Missouri added another graduate transfer on Friday as former Kentucky punter and kicker Grant McKinniss announced on Twitter he is transferring to Mizzou for his senior season.The Findlay, Ohio native handled all kickoff duties for the Wildcats in 2018 and 2019, and was the holder on field goals and PATs last season. During the 2019 season, McKinniss kicked off 67 times and had 48 touchbacks. In 2018, he had 66 kickoffs and 36 touchbacks.McKinniss never attempted a field goal or PAT during his Kentucky career, but was UK's starting punter in 2016 during his freshman season and averaged 39.2 yards per punt. He redshirted in 2017 and will have one year of eligibility remaining at Missouri.

Former Kentucky P/K McKinniss transferring to Missouri

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State University Director of Athletics Kyle Moats announced Friday the addition of the department’s newest staff members and internal promotions, all effective July 1.

Coaching hires include C.J. Jones as an assistant in women’s basketball and A.J. Lux as an assistant in volleyball and beach volleyball. Likewise, men’s basketball will promote Sheldon Everett to assistant coach and Michael Collins to director of operations.

Support personnel additions include Ethan Swingle, Ph.D in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Academic Achievement Center, and David Consiglio in Strength and Conditioning (football). 

“I want to welcome our newest staff additions,” said Moats. “I appreciate their patience in the hiring process, particularly during the COVID shut-down and I really look forward to all of these individuals joining the Bears family.”

All of the new hires are replacing departing employees in existing staff positions and are contingent upon final approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next scheduled meeting.

After serving the previous two years as a graduate assistant for the Missouri State men’s basketball staff, Michael Collins was promoted to a full-time role in 2020 as the program’s director of basketball operations.

Collins was part of coach Dana Ford’s first staff at Missouri State and joined the Bears in the fall of 2018 while pursuing his master’s in Sports Management, which he completed in May.  

Previously, he worked with the men’s basketball staff at Colorado State University in Fort Collins where he completed his undergraduate work in 2017 with a double major in Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. At CSU, he served as head manager for three seasons from 2014-17 before taking on the role of video coordinator in August of 2017. 

He joined the CSU coaching staff in the spring of 2018 under interim Rams head coach Jase Herl, who is also part of the current Missouri State coaching staff under Ford. 

Originally from Highlands Ranch, Colo., Collins has also worked extensively with team travel, logistics and accommodations during his time at Missouri State.

David Consiglio joined the Missouri State staff in 2020 and serves as the assistant director of strength and conditioning, working exclusively with the Bears football program.

He comes to MSU from fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference program Western Illinois where he spent the 2019 season as director of strength and conditioning in Macomb. 

Previously, he was head strength and conditioning coach at Upper Iowa University from July 2018 to February 2019. He also served as associate director of strength and conditioning at Western Kentucky for nearly four years, working as the top assistant for WKU football from February 2014 to December 2017. 

During his time with the Hilltoppers, WKU won three consecutive bowl games (2014-16) as well as consecutive Conference USA championships in both 2015 and 2016. Over that span, the Hilltoppers went 30-10, including a 23-5 ledger over the championship seasons, the best two-year run in program history.

Consiglio was also the associate director of sports enhancement at UAB, a position he began in 2012. In Birmingham, he was the top assistant for sports enhancement with the football program and oversaw the same area for the baseball program. Consiglio also served as the sports enhancement coach with the Blazer women's basketball and men's tennis programs.

The native of Hubertus, Wis., also spent time at Arizona State where he completed an internship, working with the Sun Devils' sports performance team for football in 2010. He stayed on as a volunteer assistant, working primarily with the Arizona State football team.

Before heading to ASU, Consiglio was a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at Grambling State, where he worked with football, men's and women's basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball.

A 2009 graduate of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Consiglio played four years of college football there and was an all-conference linebacker as a senior. He earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science and health promotion.

After joining the Missouri State men’s basketball staff in 2018 as the director of basketball operations, Sheldon Everett was promoted to assistant coach during the summer of 2020.

Prior to arriving in Springfield, he spent the previous five seasons (2012-2017) as an assistant coach at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. During his time in Miami, Everett coordinated the recruiting efforts for the RedHawks and oversaw the development of Miami's guards.

Everett came to Miami after three seasons (2009-12) as an assistant coach with the men's basketball program at Tennessee State under coach John Cooper. Alongside, Ford, Everett helped Tennessee State to a 20-13 record in 2011-12, the program's first winning record since 1995-96 and the Tigers' first 20-win season in 32 years. The team knocked off seventh-ranked Murray State and later defeated their first SEC opponent with an upset of South Carolina. TSU nearly earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament, falling to Murray State by two points in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament final.

Prior to his time with the men's program at TSU, Everett spent one year (2008-09) as an assistant coach with the Tigers' women's basketball program. During his time on the TSU women's basketball staff, Everett helped the team to its first winning record in 14 years.

Everett joined the Tennessee State staff after spending the 2007-08 season as the director of basketball operations at his alma mater, South Carolina, under head coach Dave Odom. While at South Carolina, Everett served as an assistant coach for the American Team of the 2008 DiGiorno College All-Star Game presented by the NABC at the 2008 NCAA Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.

Everett was a two-year letterman and two-time SEC All-Academic Team selection at South Carolina, helping the Gamecocks to a 23-11 record and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2004. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in management and marketing at South Carolina in 2004.

He is the proud father of two daughters, Kinsley and Lennon.

Crayton (CJ) Jones officially began his duties as assistant coach for the Lady Bears on July 1, 2020.

Jones spent six seasons at two American Athletic Conference schools prior to coming to Springfield, the last four at Temple University in Philadelphia, where he played a key role in recruiting, scheduling, camps and player development and helped the Owls to a No. 7 seed in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

Before his stint at Temple, Jones assisted East Carolina to 35 wins in two seasons and a WNIT second round appearance in 2015, and was an assistant men’s coach at his alma mater, Francis Marion University, for five seasons from 2009-14. While at the NCAA Division II institution, Jones was pivotal in developing recruiting strategies, individual workouts, academic support and summer camps. The Patriots posted a 73-63 record during his tenure.

Jones also served as a team assistant for three years with the Detroit Pistons and one year with the Miami Heat at the NBA Summer League between 2008 and 2014. His duties included facilitating on-court drills and providing support to the head coaches and players during games.

As a player, Jones was a member of Francis Marion’s men’s basketball team from 2007-09, where he started 47 games during his two seasons. As a senior, he shot 57.6 percent from the field and ranked second in assists and sixth in steals in the Peach Belt Conference. He played his first two years at Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz., where he averaged 15.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game in 2006-07 and earned first team all-conference recognition and was all-region honorable mention.

A native of Las Vegas, Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Francis Marion in 2010. He and his wife, Leeza, have three sons, Crayton “Cinco,” Cayson, and Cai.

Anastasia (AJ) Lux joined the Missouri State volleyball staff as assistant coach in the summer of 2020.

Lux comes to Springfield after one season as an assistant coach at Francis Marion University and a successful playing career at East Tennessee State.

While at ETSU, Lux was three-year captain and a first-team all-Southern Conference pick as a sophomore in 2016 for the Bucs’ regular season championship club, posting a .332 attack efficiency from the outside that ranked fourth in school history for a season at the time.

Lux helped East Tennessee to NCAA Tournaments her junior and senior years, including becoming the first SoCon team in history to earn an NCAA at-large bid in 2018. She was a Senior CLASS Award nominee and on the SoCon All-Academic team her senior year.

Ethan Swingle returned to his alma mater and joined the Missouri State staff in 2020 as an academic counselor in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Academic Achievement Center.

He spent the 2019-20 year as an athletic academic counselor at the University of Memphis where he helped oversee the academic responsibilities of women's basketball, softball, women's soccer, volleyball and men's tennis.

He earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership in the Fall of 2019 from Florida Atlantic University and was a learning assistant at FAU in the Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence from 2016-2018.

A native of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Swingle earned his undergraduate degree in Organizational Communication from Missouri State in 2015 and served as an intern for director Dan Raines in the Wynn Academic Achievement Center during the 2019 academic year.

He also spent part of his undergraduate years at Lindenwood University in St. Louis where he earned a wrestling scholarship for the Lynx.

In addition to serving as an academic counselor, Ethan is a member of the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals. He is also a scholar practitioner, whose research areas focus on transfer student athletes, hazing in colleges and universities, and social justice in higher education.

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State University Director of Athletics Kyle Moats announced Friday the addition of the department’s newest staff members and internal promotions, all effective July 1.Coaching hires include C.J. Jones as an assistant in women’s basketball and A.J. Lux as an assistant in volleyball and beach volleyball. Likewise, men’s basketball will promote Sheldon Everett to assistant coach and Michael Collins to director of operations.Support personnel additions include Ethan Swingle, Ph.D in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Academic Achievement Center, and David Consiglio in Strength and Conditioning (football). “I want to welcome our newest staff additions,” said Moats. “I appreciate their patience in the hiring process, particularly during the COVID shut-down and I really look forward to all of these individuals joining the Bears family.”All of the new hires are replacing departing employees in existing staff positions and are contingent upon final approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next scheduled meeting.Individual profiles are below: Michael CollinsAfter serving the previous two years as a graduate assistant for the Missouri State men’s basketball staff, Michael Collins was promoted to a full-time role in 2020 as the program’s director of basketball operations.Collins was part of coach Dana Ford’s first staff at Missouri State and joined the Bears in the fall of 2018 while pursuing his master’s in Sports Management, which he completed in May. Previously, he worked with the men’s basketball staff at Colorado State University in Fort Collins where he completed his undergraduate work in 2017 with a double major in Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. At CSU, he served as head manager for three seasons from 2014-17 before taking on the role of video coordinator in August of 2017. He joined the CSU coaching staff in the spring of 2018 under interim Rams head coach Jase Herl, who is also part of the current Missouri State coaching staff under Ford. Originally from Highlands Ranch, Colo., Collins has also worked extensively with team travel, logistics and accommodations during his time at Missouri State.David ConsiglioDavid Consiglio joined the Missouri State staff in 2020 and serves as the assistant director of strength and conditioning, working exclusively with the Bears football program.He comes to MSU from fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference program Western Illinois where he spent the 2019 season as director of strength and conditioning in Macomb. Previously, he was head strength and conditioning coach at Upper Iowa University from July 2018 to February 2019. He also served as associate director of strength and conditioning at Western Kentucky for nearly four years, working as the top assistant for WKU football from February 2014 to December 2017. During his time with the Hilltoppers, WKU won three consecutive bowl games (2014-16) as well as consecutive Conference USA championships in both 2015 and 2016. Over that span, the Hilltoppers went 30-10, including a 23-5 ledger over the championship seasons, the best two-year run in program history.Consiglio was also the associate director of sports enhancement at UAB, a position he began in 2012. In Birmingham, he was the top assistant for sports enhancement with the football program and oversaw the same area for the baseball program. Consiglio also served as the sports enhancement coach with the Blazer women's basketball and men's tennis programs.The native of Hubertus, Wis., also spent time at Arizona State where he completed an internship, working with the Sun Devils' sports performance team for football in 2010. He stayed on as a volunteer assistant, working primarily with the Arizona State football team.Before heading to ASU, Consiglio was a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at Grambling State, where he worked with football, men's and women's basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball.A 2009 graduate of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Consiglio played four years of college football there and was an all-conference linebacker as a senior. He earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science and health promotion.Sheldon EverettAfter joining the Missouri State men’s basketball staff in 2018 as the director of basketball operations, Sheldon Everett was promoted to assistant coach during the summer of 2020.Prior to arriving in Springfield, he spent the previous five seasons (2012-2017) as an assistant coach at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. During his time in Miami, Everett coordinated the recruiting efforts for the RedHawks and oversaw the development of Miami's guards.Everett came to Miami after three seasons (2009-12) as an assistant coach with the men's basketball program at Tennessee State under coach John Cooper. Alongside, Ford, Everett helped Tennessee State to a 20-13 record in 2011-12, the program's first winning record since 1995-96 and the Tigers' first 20-win season in 32 years. The team knocked off seventh-ranked Murray State and later defeated their first SEC opponent with an upset of South Carolina. TSU nearly earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament, falling to Murray State by two points in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament final.Prior to his time with the men's program at TSU, Everett spent one year (2008-09) as an assistant coach with the Tigers' women's basketball program. During his time on the TSU women's basketball staff, Everett helped the team to its first winning record in 14 years.Everett joined the Tennessee State staff after spending the 2007-08 season as the director of basketball operations at his alma mater, South Carolina, under head coach Dave Odom. While at South Carolina, Everett served as an assistant coach for the American Team of the 2008 DiGiorno College All-Star Game presented by the NABC at the 2008 NCAA Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.Everett was a two-year letterman and two-time SEC All-Academic Team selection at South Carolina, helping the Gamecocks to a 23-11 record and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2004. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in management and marketing at South Carolina in 2004.He is the proud father of two daughters, Kinsley and Lennon.CJ JonesCrayton (CJ) Jones officially began his duties as assistant coach for the Lady Bears on July 1, 2020.Jones spent six seasons at two American Athletic Conference schools prior to coming to Springfield, the last four at Temple University in Philadelphia, where he played a key role in recruiting, scheduling, camps and player development and helped the Owls to a No. 7 seed in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.Before his stint at Temple, Jones assisted East Carolina to 35 wins in two seasons and a WNIT second round appearance in 2015, and was an assistant men’s coach at his alma mater, Francis Marion University, for five seasons from 2009-14. While at the NCAA Division II institution, Jones was pivotal in developing recruiting strategies, individual workouts, academic support and summer camps. The Patriots posted a 73-63 record during his tenure.Jones also served as a team assistant for three years with the Detroit Pistons and one year with the Miami Heat at the NBA Summer League between 2008 and 2014. His duties included facilitating on-court drills and providing support to the head coaches and players during games.As a player, Jones was a member of Francis Marion’s men’s basketball team from 2007-09, where he started 47 games during his two seasons. As a senior, he shot 57.6 percent from the field and ranked second in assists and sixth in steals in the Peach Belt Conference. He played his first two years at Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz., where he averaged 15.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game in 2006-07 and earned first team all-conference recognition and was all-region honorable mention.A native of Las Vegas, Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Francis Marion in 2010. He and his wife, Leeza, have three sons, Crayton “Cinco,” Cayson, and Cai.AJ LuxAnastasia (AJ) Lux joined the Missouri State volleyball staff as assistant coach in the summer of 2020.Lux comes to Springfield after one season as an assistant coach at Francis Marion University and a successful playing career at East Tennessee State.While at ETSU, Lux was three-year captain and a first-team all-Southern Conference pick as a sophomore in 2016 for the Bucs’ regular season championship club, posting a .332 attack efficiency from the outside that ranked fourth in school history for a season at the time.Lux helped East Tennessee to NCAA Tournaments her junior and senior years, including becoming the first SoCon team in history to earn an NCAA at-large bid in 2018. She was a Senior CLASS Award nominee and on the SoCon All-Academic team her senior year.Ethan Swingle, Ph.DEthan Swingle returned to his alma mater and joined the Missouri State staff in 2020 as an academic counselor in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Academic Achievement Center.He spent the 2019-20 year as an athletic academic counselor at the University of Memphis where he helped oversee the academic responsibilities of women's basketball, softball, women's soccer, volleyball and men's tennis.He earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership in the Fall of 2019 from Florida Atlantic University and was a learning assistant at FAU in the Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence from 2016-2018.A native of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Swingle earned his undergraduate degree in Organizational Communication from Missouri State in 2015 and served as an intern for director Dan Raines in the Wynn Academic Achievement Center during the 2019 academic year.He also spent part of his undergraduate years at Lindenwood University in St. Louis where he earned a wrestling scholarship for the Lynx.In addition to serving as an academic counselor, Ethan is a member of the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals. He is also a scholar practitioner, whose research areas focus on transfer student athletes, hazing in colleges and universities, and social justice in higher education.--- Missouri State Athletics ---

Missouri State announces new additions to athletic department

The Universtiy of Missouri Athletic Department announced on Twitter Thursday that there are five student-athletes at Mizzou that have tested postitive for the coronavirus.

Missouri has tested 308 student-athletes since June 8 and four of the five that tested positive were asymptomatic.

This announcement comes nearly a week after Kansas State announced they were pausing their voluntary workouts after 14 Wildcats had positive tests.

The Universtiy of Missouri Athletic Department announced on Twitter Thursday that there are five student-athletes at Mizzou that have tested postitive for the coronavirus.Missouri has tested 308 student-athletes since June 8 and four of the five that tested positive were asymptomatic.This announcement comes nearly a week after Kansas State announced they were pausing their voluntary workouts after 14 Wildcats had positive tests.

Five Missouri student-athletes test positive for COVID-19

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (June 25, 2020) -&nbsp;The MIAA announced that it will conduct its football and basketball media days virtually for 2020. The Association also said that its annual Awards Celebration will be postponed to Summer 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp; This year’s virtual MIAA Football Media Day is set for Monday, July 27 with virtual Basketball Media Day planned for Tuesday, October 13. Fans will be encouraged to participate in both events through social media by asking a question for their favorite team, coaches, and student-athletes. More details will be available on the format and schedule of the 2020 Football Media Day at a later date. The MIAA Awards Celebration to induct the 2020 Hall of Fame class will be postponed until Summer 2021. The 2021 event will honor the 2020 Hall of Famers along with select awards from the 2020-2021 academic year.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (June 25, 2020) -&nbsp;The MIAA announced that it will conduct its football and basketball media days virtually for 2020. The Association also said that its annual Awards Celebration will be postponed to Summer 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp; This year’s virtual MIAA Football Media Day is set for Monday, July 27 with virtual Basketball Media Day planned for Tuesday, October 13. Fans will be encouraged to participate in both events through social media by asking a question for their favorite team, coaches, and student-athletes. More details will be available on the format and schedule of the 2020 Football Media Day at a later date. The MIAA Awards Celebration to induct the 2020 Hall of Fame class will be postponed until Summer 2021. The 2021 event will honor the 2020 Hall of Famers along with select awards from the 2020-2021 academic year.&nbsp;--- MIAA Press Release ---

MIAA to host virtual football and basketball media days

COLUMBIA, Mo. –&nbsp;Perfection: The 1993-94 Missouri Tigers, a 90-minute documentary presentation detailing the 1993-94 Mizzou
Men’s Basketball season is set to debut Thursday night on Mediacom, Mizzou
Athletics’ Facebook page (<a href="http://www.Facebook.com/MizzouAthletics">www.Facebook.com/MizzouAthletics</a>) and
Mizzou Athletics’ YouTube page (<a href="http://www.YouTube.com/MizzouNetwork">www.YouTube.com/MizzouNetwork</a>). The
film will air at 8 p.m. CT simultaneously on all three platforms.

Perfection: The 1993-94 Missouri
Tigers, a documentary produced and created by Ben Arnet and Mizzou
Athletics, includes exclusive interviews with legendary former head coach Norm
Stewart, and former Tiger standouts Melvin Booker, Jevon Crudup, Paul O’Liney
and Julian Winfield, among others. The film follows a magical campaign that saw
Mizzou become the third team in Big Eight history to finish a conference
schedule with a perfect, undefeated record.

After finishing seventh in the Big
Eight in 1992-93, Mizzou roared back with a balanced cast of characters to
complete a historic 1993-94 campaign. The unforgettable season included an epic
3-overtime Braggin’ Rights win, a 15-game winning streak, a season-sweep of the
Kansas Jayhawks and an Elite Eight run in the NCAA Tournament.

The documentary’s premiere on
Mediacom Channel 22 locally and Mizzou Athletics’ social channels will be the
first of several chances to watch the film. It is also set to air multiple
times on KOMU with the premiere set for 11:30 a.m. CT on July 19, and it will
be available on KOMU’s new Roku and Smart TV app at that time. Additionally, it
can be found on YouTube or the YouTube app to watch at any time following
Thursday night’s 8 p.m. debut.

COLUMBIA, Mo. –&nbsp;Perfection: The 1993-94 Missouri Tigers, a 90-minute documentary presentation detailing the 1993-94 Mizzou
Men’s Basketball season is set to debut Thursday night on Mediacom, Mizzou
Athletics’ Facebook page (<a href="http://www.Facebook.com/MizzouAthletics">www.Facebook.com/MizzouAthletics</a>) and
Mizzou Athletics’ YouTube page (<a href="http://www.YouTube.com/MizzouNetwork">www.YouTube.com/MizzouNetwork</a>). The
film will air at 8 p.m. CT simultaneously on all three platforms. Perfection: The 1993-94 Missouri
Tigers, a documentary produced and created by Ben Arnet and Mizzou
Athletics, includes exclusive interviews with legendary former head coach Norm
Stewart, and former Tiger standouts Melvin Booker, Jevon Crudup, Paul O’Liney
and Julian Winfield, among others. The film follows a magical campaign that saw
Mizzou become the third team in Big Eight history to finish a conference
schedule with a perfect, undefeated record.After finishing seventh in the Big
Eight in 1992-93, Mizzou roared back with a balanced cast of characters to
complete a historic 1993-94 campaign. The unforgettable season included an epic
3-overtime Braggin’ Rights win, a 15-game winning streak, a season-sweep of the
Kansas Jayhawks and an Elite Eight run in the NCAA Tournament.The documentary’s premiere on
Mediacom Channel 22 locally and Mizzou Athletics’ social channels will be the
first of several chances to watch the film. It is also set to air multiple
times on KOMU with the premiere set for 11:30 a.m. CT on July 19, and it will
be available on KOMU’s new Roku and Smart TV app at that time. Additionally, it
can be found on YouTube or the YouTube app to watch at any time following
Thursday night’s 8 p.m. debut.--- MU Athletics ---

Mizzou hoops documentary about undefeated 1993-94 Big Eight season debuts Thursday

<a href="https://anchor.fm/dave-riggert21/episodes/Josh-Looney---MWSU-VP-of-Intercollegiate-Athletics-efslde">MWSU AD JOSH LOONEY DISCUSSES NOT HOSTING TRAINING CAMP</a>

The Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Western State University&nbsp; made it official on Wednesday that the Chiefs Training Camp will not be held in St. Joseph this summer.

"After much discussion over the past several months, the Kansas City Chiefs officially notified us this week that they will be unable to hold their 2020 Training Camp at Missouri Western due to the NFL's evolving policies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak," said MWSU vice president of intercollegiate athletics Josh Looney.

"Both MWSU and the Chiefs were very excited about the potential of our 11th training camp in St. Joseph this summer, but with health and safety a top priority surrounding the many facets of hosting an NFL Training Camp we understand and appreciate the need for caution," Looney added. "We look forward to rooting on our defending Super Bowl champs throughout this coming season and welcoming them back to our campus in July 2021 and beyond."

Earlier this month, all 32 NFL teams were told by Commissioner Roger Goodell to hold training camps at their home facilities this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Chiefs were in discussion with the NFL about the possibility of still holding camp at Missouri Western.

The Chiefs also released a statement about training camp on Wednesday,&nbsp;"When the NFL announced a new policy requiring all training camps to be held at team facilities, we looked at every avenue to return to Missouri Western State University, including making a detailed appeal to the League. We were looking forward to returning to St. Joseph as we prepare to defend our Super Bowl title, but unfortunately, as conditions have evolved nationally, we have decided that our best option is to conduct training camp at The University of Kansas Health System Training Complex this season. We appreciate the overwhelming support of Chiefs Kingdom and the St. Joseph community and look forward to returning to Missouri Western State University in preparation for the 2021 season."

The Chiefs were one of ten teams last year to hold their training camp away from their own facility and have been at MWSU for ten straight years.  In February, Kansas City announced a three-year deal with Missouri Western to continue training in St. Joe and enhance facilities on campus.

It was a record-breaking training camp in 2019 as more fans attended the camp than any training camp in history.  More than 62,000 fans turned out during the three-week training camp, shattering the old record of 55,000 set in 2010.

The 2019 total is nearly double the number of fans (33,000) who showed up to watch training camp in 2018 and and 2020 was expected to surpass last year after the Chiefs Super Bowl victory in February.

<a href="https://anchor.fm/dave-riggert21/episodes/Josh-Looney---MWSU-VP-of-Intercollegiate-Athletics-efslde">MWSU AD JOSH LOONEY DISCUSSES NOT HOSTING TRAINING CAMP</a>The Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Western State University&nbsp; made it official on Wednesday that the Chiefs Training Camp will not be held in St. Joseph this summer."After much discussion over the past several months, the Kansas City Chiefs officially notified us this week that they will be unable to hold their 2020 Training Camp at Missouri Western due to the NFL's evolving policies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak," said MWSU vice president of intercollegiate athletics Josh Looney."Both MWSU and the Chiefs were very excited about the potential of our 11th training camp in St. Joseph this summer, but with health and safety a top priority surrounding the many facets of hosting an NFL Training Camp we understand and appreciate the need for caution," Looney added. "We look forward to rooting on our defending Super Bowl champs throughout this coming season and welcoming them back to our campus in July 2021 and beyond."Earlier this month, all 32 NFL teams were told by Commissioner Roger Goodell to hold training camps at their home facilities this summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chiefs were in discussion with the NFL about the possibility of still holding camp at Missouri Western.The Chiefs also released a statement about training camp on Wednesday,&nbsp;"When the NFL announced a new policy requiring all training camps to be held at team facilities, we looked at every avenue to return to Missouri Western State University, including making a detailed appeal to the League. We were looking forward to returning to St. Joseph as we prepare to defend our Super Bowl title, but unfortunately, as conditions have evolved nationally, we have decided that our best option is to conduct training camp at The University of Kansas Health System Training Complex this season. We appreciate the overwhelming support of Chiefs Kingdom and the St. Joseph community and look forward to returning to Missouri Western State University in preparation for the 2021 season."The Chiefs were one of ten teams last year to hold their training camp away from their own facility and have been at MWSU for ten straight years. In February, Kansas City announced a three-year deal with Missouri Western to continue training in St. Joe and enhance facilities on campus.It was a record-breaking training camp in 2019 as more fans attended the camp than any training camp in history. More than 62,000 fans turned out during the three-week training camp, shattering the old record of 55,000 set in 2010.The 2019 total is nearly double the number of fans (33,000) who showed up to watch training camp in 2018 and and 2020 was expected to surpass last year after the Chiefs Super Bowl victory in February.

Chiefs confirm they won't hold training camp at Missouri Western this summer

Northwest Missouri
State track and field senior Marcus Klein earned prestigious First-Team
Academic All-America® honors as selected by the College Sports Information
Directors of America (CoSIDA). 
Klein (Harlan, Iowa) becomes only the ninth Bearcat track and field/cross
country competitor, and the first since 2005, to secure Academic All-America®
in program history. Klein is also the sixth of those to earn first-team status
joining Bob Sundell (1989), Robby
Lane (1999), Tucker Woolsey (2002)
and Clint Prange (2003, 2005). 
Klein registered a 3.98 grade point average in mathematics.&nbsp;In this past
season's indoor campaign, Klein jumped 7.45 meters to earn the 10th-best jump
in the nation. His best leap of the year came at the Gorilla Classic on Feb.
14. Klein is a two-time indoor national championship qualifier and a one-time
outdoor qualifier. Klein secured All-America honors in the long jump at the
2019 NCAA Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships.&nbsp; 
The Division II Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by
the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards
fulfillment aspects for the 2019-20 Division II Academic All-America® teams
program. Despite the cancellation of spring competition during COVID-19, CoSIDA continued its sponsorship of the
Academic All-America awards program. Student-athletes were selected based on
career statistics. 
Since the inception of the Academic All-America® program, Klein is the
38th&nbsp;Northwest student-athlete overall to achieve Academic All-America®
recognition. He is also the 19th&nbsp;Bearcat overall to earn first-team
status. <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/cosidaallamerican.sidearmsports.com/documents/2017/4/11/AAA_AllTime_Individual_by_school_N_S.pdf">(CLICK
HERE FOR FULL LIST)</a> 
For more information on the Academic All-America® program, go to <a href="https://academicallamerica.com/">https://academicallamerica.com/</a>.

Northwest Missouri
State track and field senior Marcus Klein earned prestigious First-Team
Academic All-America® honors as selected by the College Sports Information
Directors of America (CoSIDA). 
Klein (Harlan, Iowa) becomes only the ninth Bearcat track and field/cross
country competitor, and the first since 2005, to secure Academic All-America®
in program history. Klein is also the sixth of those to earn first-team status
joining Bob Sundell (1989), Robby
Lane (1999), Tucker Woolsey (2002)
and Clint Prange (2003, 2005). 
Klein registered a 3.98 grade point average in mathematics.&nbsp;In this past
season's indoor campaign, Klein jumped 7.45 meters to earn the 10th-best jump
in the nation. His best leap of the year came at the Gorilla Classic on Feb.
14. Klein is a two-time indoor national championship qualifier and a one-time
outdoor qualifier. Klein secured All-America honors in the long jump at the
2019 NCAA Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships.&nbsp; 
The Division II Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by
the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards
fulfillment aspects for the 2019-20 Division II Academic All-America® teams
program. Despite the cancellation of spring competition during COVID-19, CoSIDA continued its sponsorship of the
Academic All-America awards program. Student-athletes were selected based on
career statistics. 
Since the inception of the Academic All-America® program, Klein is the
38th&nbsp;Northwest student-athlete overall to achieve Academic All-America®
recognition. He is also the 19th&nbsp;Bearcat overall to earn first-team
status. <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/cosidaallamerican.sidearmsports.com/documents/2017/4/11/AAA_AllTime_Individual_by_school_N_S.pdf">(CLICK
HERE FOR FULL LIST)</a> 
For more information on the Academic All-America® program, go to <a href="https://academicallamerica.com/">https://academicallamerica.com/</a>.--- Northwest Athletics ---

Bearcats' Marcus Klein named First Team Academic All-American

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western softball team has released dates and information on four different summer camps this year that will take place at the Griffon Softball Field.

Specific information on each camp along with online registration can be found at griffonsoftballcamps.com. All camps are conducted on one day with three dates available for each of the four camps.

Future Prospect Camp 7th-8th Grade July 6th, 13th &amp; 20th

Kids Camp K-3rd Grade July 6th, 13th &amp; 20th

Griffs Development Camp 4th-6th Grades July 7th, 14th &amp; 21st

Elite Prospect Camp 9th-12th Grades July 8th, 15th, 22nd

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western softball team has released dates and information on four different summer camps this year that will take place at the Griffon Softball Field.Specific information on each camp along with online registration can be found at griffonsoftballcamps.com. All camps are conducted on one day with three dates available for each of the four camps.Future Prospect Camp 7th-8th Grade July 6th, 13th &amp; 20thKids Camp K-3rd Grade July 6th, 13th &amp; 20thGriffs Development Camp 4th-6th Grades July 7th, 14th &amp; 21stElite Prospect Camp 9th-12th Grades July 8th, 15th, 22nd--- MWSU Athletics ---

Griffon softball sets camp dates for this summer

Lincoln – The Nebraska basketball program added another backcourt performer on Wednesday, as Head Coach Fred Hoiberg announced the signing of Elijah Wood for the upcoming season. Wood, a 6-foot-6, 180-pound guard from Potomac, Md., has reclassified from the class of 2021, where he was going to attend Hargrave Military Academy.

“Elijah is a versatile guard who can play several spots in our system,” Nebraska Coach Fred Hoiberg said. “He has the offensive skillset to create his own shot and the athletic ability to finish at the rim. He also will help us defensively, as he possesses the length and size to guard multiple positions.”

Wood was ranked among the top-150 players in the country by both Rivals and 247 Sports and a four-star recruit by both websites in the spring of 2019, but fell out of the rankings after not playing AAU basketball after his junior year. He spent his senior year at Berkmar (Ga.) High School, helping Coach Greg Phillips’ squad to a 18-10 record and a Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals appearance. 

Wood, who originally signed with Rhode Island in the fall of 2019, played his sophomore and junior seasons at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. As a junior, he averaged 11 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.  Wood reached double figures in 12 of 19 contests and dished out five or more assists eight times as a junior. During his sophomore year, he moved into the lineup and averaged 11.5 points, 5.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. His season was highlighted by a 10-point, 11-assist double-double vs. Northwest. 

Wood, who chose Nebraska over schools such as Florida, Mississippi, Providence and TCU among others, played AAU basketball with Team Thrill.

Wood joins a recruiting class which includes grad transfer Kobe Webster (Western Illinois), transfers Trey McGowens (Pittsburgh) and Trevor Lakes (University of Indianapolis), junior college transfers Teddy Allen (Western Nebraska CC) and Lat Mayen (Chipola College) and freshman Eduardo Andre.

Lincoln – The Nebraska basketball program added another backcourt performer on Wednesday, as Head Coach Fred Hoiberg announced the signing of Elijah Wood for the upcoming season. Wood, a 6-foot-6, 180-pound guard from Potomac, Md., has reclassified from the class of 2021, where he was going to attend Hargrave Military Academy.“Elijah is a versatile guard who can play several spots in our system,” Nebraska Coach Fred Hoiberg said. “He has the offensive skillset to create his own shot and the athletic ability to finish at the rim. He also will help us defensively, as he possesses the length and size to guard multiple positions.”Wood was ranked among the top-150 players in the country by both Rivals and 247 Sports and a four-star recruit by both websites in the spring of 2019, but fell out of the rankings after not playing AAU basketball after his junior year. He spent his senior year at Berkmar (Ga.) High School, helping Coach Greg Phillips’ squad to a 18-10 record and a Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals appearance. Wood, who originally signed with Rhode Island in the fall of 2019, played his sophomore and junior seasons at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. As a junior, he averaged 11 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.8 blocks per game. Wood reached double figures in 12 of 19 contests and dished out five or more assists eight times as a junior. During his sophomore year, he moved into the lineup and averaged 11.5 points, 5.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. His season was highlighted by a 10-point, 11-assist double-double vs. Northwest. Wood, who chose Nebraska over schools such as Florida, Mississippi, Providence and TCU among others, played AAU basketball with Team Thrill.Wood joins a recruiting class which includes grad transfer Kobe Webster (Western Illinois), transfers Trey McGowens (Pittsburgh) and Trevor Lakes (University of Indianapolis), junior college transfers Teddy Allen (Western Nebraska CC) and Lat Mayen (Chipola College) and freshman Eduardo Andre.--- NU Athletics ---

Nebraska men's basketball adds Elijah Wood

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball issued a 60-game schedule Tuesday night that will start July 23 or 24 in empty ballparks as the sport tries to push ahead amid the coronavirus following months of acrimony.

A dramatically altered season with games full of new rules was the final result of failed financial negotiations. But for fans eager to see any baseball this year, at least now they can look forward to opening day.

The announcement by MLB came while more players continue to test positive for the virus — at least seven on the Philadelphia Phillies alone. And a stark realization remained, that if health situations deteriorate, all games could still be wiped out.

“What happens when we all get it?” Milwaukee pitcher Brett Anderson tweeted Monday.

One day after the players’ association rejected an economic agreement and left open the possibility of a grievance seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, the bickering sides agreed on an operations manual. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred then unilaterally imposed the schedule, his right under a March agreement with the union.

In a twist, the sides expanded the designated hitter to games between National League teams for the first time and instituted the radical innovation of starting extra innings with a runner on second base.

Playoff teams remain at 10 for now — there is still talk of a possible expansion. The rejected deal had called for 16 teams.

Players will start reporting for the resumption of training on July 1. It remains to be seen which players will report back to work — high-risk individuals are allowed to opt out and still receive salary and service time, but others who sit out get neither money nor the service credit needed for eligibility for free agency and salary arbitration.

Each team will play 10 games against each of its four division rivals and 20 total games against the five clubs in the corresponding regional division in the other league, according to details obtained by The Associated Press.

This will be MLB’s shortest season since 1878, a schedule of such brevity that some fans may question the legitimacy of stats and records.

No matter what, the season will be among the most unusual ever for a sport that takes pride in the race for titles being a marathon and not a sprint: Washington started 19-31 and 27-33 last year but finished 93-69 to earn a wild card and won a seven-game World Series for its first title.

“There’s a lot more pressure because in a 60-game schedule, I think that you have 25% more teams that can compete, that had no idea they were going to compete for 162 games,” said Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, now a broadcaster.

The trade deadline will be Aug. 31 and the deadline to be in an organization for postseason eligibility is Sept. 15. Teams can resume making trades Friday, when rosters will no longer be frozen.

Active rosters will be 30 players during the first two weeks of the season, 28 during the second two weeks and 26 after that. They will not expand to 28 on Sept. 1, as originally intended this year.

With no minor leagues, teams would be allowed to retain 60 players each, including a taxi squad. Up to three players from the taxi squad can travel with a team to a game, and one of the three must be a catcher.

MLB is keeping the planned innovation that pitchers must face three batters or finish a half inning — players refused to agree a year ago but also waived their right to block.

The injured list minimum for pitchers will remain 10 days rather than revert to 15, as initially intended.

Public opinion shredded both sides as they locked in a ferocious financial battle during a pandemic that has led to more than 120,000 deaths and 2.3 million infections in the U.S. and led to a 14.7% unemployment rate, the highest since the Great Depression.

MLB hoped to be the first U.S. major league to return, at first with an 82-game schedule starting around the Fourth of July, but sniping broke out between management and players who distrust teams’ claims of economic losses following years of franchise appreciation. MLB claimed that without gate-related revenue it would lose $640,000 for each additional regular-season game, a figure the union disputed.

MLB became exasperated with the union’s leadership team, headed by former All-Star first baseman Tony Clark and Bruce Meyer, a litigator hired in August 2018. Manfred and Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem were infuriated when Clark said he considered the result of a one-on-one meeting with Manfred last week a proposal rather than what MLB termed a framework for a deal.

Rather than play 162 games over 186 days, the season will be 60 games over 66 or 67 days, depending on whether there is a nationally televised Thursday night opener. It is scheduled to end Sept. 27, which leaves little margin to make up September rainouts. MLB insisted it needed to complete the World Series in October, avoiding any second wave of the virus.

Players are being given staggered reporting times over several days for intake screening. The time will be used for coronavirus testing ahead of the resumption of workouts, which were stopped March 12 due to the pandemic.

Because of an uptick in infections in Florida and Arizona’s summer heat, 28 teams currently are leaning toward training in their regular-season ballparks. Detroit remained partial to Lakeland, Florida, and Toronto was hoping to gain government permission to work out at Rogers Centre.

Under terms of the deal the sides reached on March 26, which was to have been opening day, players would receive prorated portions of their salaries if the 60-game schedule is not cut short by the virus. Salaries originally totaled $4 billion, and the prorated portion of about 37% reduces pay to $1.48 billion.

Salaries were to have ranged from $563,500 at the minimum to $36 million for Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole at the top, but the spread would now be from $208,704 to $13,333,333.

MLB initially had sought last month in its initial economic plan to reduce pay to about $1 billion, and players vowed not to give up full prorated pay and proposed a 114-game schedule that amounted to $2.8 billion.

The relationship deteriorated back to the level of the acrimonious labor disputes that led to eight work stoppages from 1972-95, and the union has threatened a grievance claiming MLB didn’t fulfill the provision in the March deal requiring the longest season economically feasible, conditioned by several other provisions. MLB would claim the union bargained in bad faith, and the case would be argued before arbitrator Mark Irvings.

That would be a prelude to the expiration of the current labor contract on Dec. 1, 2021, which likely will be followed by a lockout.

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball issued a 60-game schedule Tuesday night that will start July 23 or 24 in empty ballparks as the sport tries to push ahead amid the coronavirus following months of acrimony.A dramatically altered season with games full of new rules was the final result of failed financial negotiations. But for fans eager to see any baseball this year, at least now they can look forward to opening day.The announcement by MLB came while more players continue to test positive for the virus — at least seven on the Philadelphia Phillies alone. And a stark realization remained, that if health situations deteriorate, all games could still be wiped out.“What happens when we all get it?” Milwaukee pitcher Brett Anderson tweeted Monday.One day after the players’ association rejected an economic agreement and left open the possibility of a grievance seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, the bickering sides agreed on an operations manual. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred then unilaterally imposed the schedule, his right under a March agreement with the union.In a twist, the sides expanded the designated hitter to games between National League teams for the first time and instituted the radical innovation of starting extra innings with a runner on second base.Playoff teams remain at 10 for now — there is still talk of a possible expansion. The rejected deal had called for 16 teams.Players will start reporting for the resumption of training on July 1. It remains to be seen which players will report back to work — high-risk individuals are allowed to opt out and still receive salary and service time, but others who sit out get neither money nor the service credit needed for eligibility for free agency and salary arbitration.Each team will play 10 games against each of its four division rivals and 20 total games against the five clubs in the corresponding regional division in the other league, according to details obtained by The Associated Press.This will be MLB’s shortest season since 1878, a schedule of such brevity that some fans may question the legitimacy of stats and records.No matter what, the season will be among the most unusual ever for a sport that takes pride in the race for titles being a marathon and not a sprint: Washington started 19-31 and 27-33 last year but finished 93-69 to earn a wild card and won a seven-game World Series for its first title.“There’s a lot more pressure because in a 60-game schedule, I think that you have 25% more teams that can compete, that had no idea they were going to compete for 162 games,” said Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, now a broadcaster.The trade deadline will be Aug. 31 and the deadline to be in an organization for postseason eligibility is Sept. 15. Teams can resume making trades Friday, when rosters will no longer be frozen.Active rosters will be 30 players during the first two weeks of the season, 28 during the second two weeks and 26 after that. They will not expand to 28 on Sept. 1, as originally intended this year.With no minor leagues, teams would be allowed to retain 60 players each, including a taxi squad. Up to three players from the taxi squad can travel with a team to a game, and one of the three must be a catcher.MLB is keeping the planned innovation that pitchers must face three batters or finish a half inning — players refused to agree a year ago but also waived their right to block.The injured list minimum for pitchers will remain 10 days rather than revert to 15, as initially intended.Public opinion shredded both sides as they locked in a ferocious financial battle during a pandemic that has led to more than 120,000 deaths and 2.3 million infections in the U.S. and led to a 14.7% unemployment rate, the highest since the Great Depression.MLB hoped to be the first U.S. major league to return, at first with an 82-game schedule starting around the Fourth of July, but sniping broke out between management and players who distrust teams’ claims of economic losses following years of franchise appreciation. MLB claimed that without gate-related revenue it would lose $640,000 for each additional regular-season game, a figure the union disputed.MLB became exasperated with the union’s leadership team, headed by former All-Star first baseman Tony Clark and Bruce Meyer, a litigator hired in August 2018. Manfred and Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem were infuriated when Clark said he considered the result of a one-on-one meeting with Manfred last week a proposal rather than what MLB termed a framework for a deal.Rather than play 162 games over 186 days, the season will be 60 games over 66 or 67 days, depending on whether there is a nationally televised Thursday night opener. It is scheduled to end Sept. 27, which leaves little margin to make up September rainouts. MLB insisted it needed to complete the World Series in October, avoiding any second wave of the virus.Players are being given staggered reporting times over several days for intake screening. The time will be used for coronavirus testing ahead of the resumption of workouts, which were stopped March 12 due to the pandemic.Because of an uptick in infections in Florida and Arizona’s summer heat, 28 teams currently are leaning toward training in their regular-season ballparks. Detroit remained partial to Lakeland, Florida, and Toronto was hoping to gain government permission to work out at Rogers Centre.Under terms of the deal the sides reached on March 26, which was to have been opening day, players would receive prorated portions of their salaries if the 60-game schedule is not cut short by the virus. Salaries originally totaled $4 billion, and the prorated portion of about 37% reduces pay to $1.48 billion.Salaries were to have ranged from $563,500 at the minimum to $36 million for Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole at the top, but the spread would now be from $208,704 to $13,333,333.MLB initially had sought last month in its initial economic plan to reduce pay to about $1 billion, and players vowed not to give up full prorated pay and proposed a 114-game schedule that amounted to $2.8 billion.The relationship deteriorated back to the level of the acrimonious labor disputes that led to eight work stoppages from 1972-95, and the union has threatened a grievance claiming MLB didn’t fulfill the provision in the March deal requiring the longest season economically feasible, conditioned by several other provisions. MLB would claim the union bargained in bad faith, and the case would be argued before arbitrator Mark Irvings.That would be a prelude to the expiration of the current labor contract on Dec. 1, 2021, which likely will be followed by a lockout.--- Associated Press ---

Baseball's back: MLB sets 60-game schedule, opens July 23 or 24

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The&nbsp;Kansas City Royals&nbsp;brought their entire six-man draft class to town this week, signing them to their first professional contracts and giving them a chance to see spacious Kauffman Stadium and learn about the organization.

Worry not: In the age of&nbsp;coronavirus, the prospects and their families maintained plenty of social distancing.

The headliner of the crop is Asa Lacy, their first-round pick out of Texas A&amp;M, whom scouting director Lonnie Goldberg believes has the talent to pitch at the front of the rotation. The big, rangy left-hander was widely considered the best arm in the draft earlier this month, yet he slid to the Royals at the fourth overall pick.

The Royals continued the draft by taking Baylor shortstop Nick Loftin in the competitive-balance round; high school right-hander Ben Hernandez in the second; Alabama outfielder Tyler Gentry in the third; Oregon State left-hander Christian Chamberlain in the fourth; and Eastern Illinois right-hander Will Klein in the fifth and final round.

"We're very proud of the players we selected. We're proud of their families and we're proud of the scouting departments and the great work that many people in our staff are doing," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "So we wanted to share knowledge, we wanted to share vision, but most importantly we wanted to begin that relationship, and doing what we can to break down barriers and build trust through transparency and learning and growth."

Typically the Royals have a news conference when their first-round pick signs his contract, and then showcase him to fans during a home game. But all that pizzazz was put on hold while the country continues to deal with the coronavirus, which has kept big leaguers sidelined and is likely to prevent minor league baseball from happening at all.

That didn't stop Lacy from marveling at a ballpark that has played host to two World Series in the past six years.

"Just to have all of us here, all the picks, and have us together and have some sense of normalcy, and to kind of learn and realize what we're about to embark on has been special," he said, "and this is only the beginning."

Goldberg said the plan for the rookie class is to join the rest of the Royals' prospects in a series of video meetings, and the hope is that they eventually will be given a green light to begin workouts at their facility in Surprise, Arizona.

The pandemic caused Major League Baseball to shorten its draft to just five rounds, creating a massive pool of undrafted prospects that teams could sign for a maximum of $20,000. The Royals attacked the market the minute the draft ended and came away with seven other players whom many scouts ranked among the top 25 who were still available.

They were Washington State left-hander A.J. Block; Georgia outfielder Tucker Bradley; Arkansas-Little Rock catcher Kale Emshoff; LSU catcher Saul Garza; Texas Tech right-hander John McMillon; Michigan infielder Matt Schmidt; and Tennessee right-hander Chase Wallace.

"They all really want to play baseball," Moore said, "and like I've told Asa and some of the other players that have earned those slots in the draft where they've been awarded pretty good financial packages -- they've earned that. They've earned that through their hard work and commitment and perfecting their skills.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The&nbsp;Kansas City Royals&nbsp;brought their entire six-man draft class to town this week, signing them to their first professional contracts and giving them a chance to see spacious Kauffman Stadium and learn about the organization.Worry not: In the age of&nbsp;coronavirus, the prospects and their families maintained plenty of social distancing.The headliner of the crop is Asa Lacy, their first-round pick out of Texas A&amp;M, whom scouting director Lonnie Goldberg believes has the talent to pitch at the front of the rotation. The big, rangy left-hander was widely considered the best arm in the draft earlier this month, yet he slid to the Royals at the fourth overall pick.The Royals continued the draft by taking Baylor shortstop Nick Loftin in the competitive-balance round; high school right-hander Ben Hernandez in the second; Alabama outfielder Tyler Gentry in the third; Oregon State left-hander Christian Chamberlain in the fourth; and Eastern Illinois right-hander Will Klein in the fifth and final round."We're very proud of the players we selected. We're proud of their families and we're proud of the scouting departments and the great work that many people in our staff are doing," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "So we wanted to share knowledge, we wanted to share vision, but most importantly we wanted to begin that relationship, and doing what we can to break down barriers and build trust through transparency and learning and growth."Typically the Royals have a news conference when their first-round pick signs his contract, and then showcase him to fans during a home game. But all that pizzazz was put on hold while the country continues to deal with the coronavirus, which has kept big leaguers sidelined and is likely to prevent minor league baseball from happening at all.That didn't stop Lacy from marveling at a ballpark that has played host to two World Series in the past six years."Just to have all of us here, all the picks, and have us together and have some sense of normalcy, and to kind of learn and realize what we're about to embark on has been special," he said, "and this is only the beginning."Goldberg said the plan for the rookie class is to join the rest of the Royals' prospects in a series of video meetings, and the hope is that they eventually will be given a green light to begin workouts at their facility in Surprise, Arizona.The pandemic caused Major League Baseball to shorten its draft to just five rounds, creating a massive pool of undrafted prospects that teams could sign for a maximum of $20,000. The Royals attacked the market the minute the draft ended and came away with seven other players whom many scouts ranked among the top 25 who were still available.They were Washington State left-hander A.J. Block; Georgia outfielder Tucker Bradley; Arkansas-Little Rock catcher Kale Emshoff; LSU catcher Saul Garza; Texas Tech right-hander John McMillon; Michigan infielder Matt Schmidt; and Tennessee right-hander Chase Wallace."They all really want to play baseball," Moore said, "and like I've told Asa and some of the other players that have earned those slots in the draft where they've been awarded pretty good financial packages -- they've earned that. They've earned that through their hard work and commitment and perfecting their skills."The other players, because of only five rounds, were kind of left out of that mix a little bit, so it speaks volumes that they just want to play baseball. The money doesn't make the player and these guys all understand that. And they're going to get the same opportunity here in Kansas City, and some of them are going to be in a different spot financially as they begin their career, but they're all going to have the same opportunity to make it to the major leagues."--- Associated Press ---