The Fort Hays State football team held their first scrimmage of the 2012 fall camp Friday morning. The offense scored on a 12-play drive to start the scrimmage.

Click below to hear head coach Chris Brown and his take.
Chris Brown 8-17-12

The Tigers are scheduled to scrimmage again on Wednesday. They open the new season at Emporia State August 30th.

The Fort Hays State football team begins their second week of practice Thursday and are now two weeks away from the start of their season August 30th at Emporia State.

Listen to how coach Chris Brown feels his team is progressing.

Chris Brown
Chris Brown 8-15-12

The Tigers will hold a controlled scrimmage Friday morning. Members of the team will be signing team posters Sunday at the Mall from 1-3pm. KJLS will be broadcasting live.

On the first day of practice, the FHSU men’s soccer team played an exhibition match against Division I Central Arkansas that finished in a deadlock 0-0 tie after 90 minutes.

The Tigers totaled six shots in the match, while the visitors from Central Arkansas doubled FHSU with 12 shots.

Goalkeepers Ryan Pakieser and Kent Freund split time in goal for the Tigers. Pakieser went the first 45 minutes, stopping one Bears’ shot, and Freund played the second half, making three saves.

The Tigers return to the pitch on Saturday for their second of three exhibition games. FHSU welcomes Barton Community College to the FHSU Soccer Stadium for a 7 p.m. exhibition match.

– FHSU Athletics –

The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team topped the MIAA men’s soccer poll released by the MIAA on Friday, Aug. 10. The Tigers received four of the eight first place votes and 46 total points. This is the first season of MIAA men’s soccer since 1998.

FHSU is in its second season of men’s soccer, adding the sport in 2011. In the inaugural season, the Tigers went 11-5-2, including a 10-game unbeaten streak. Fort Hays returns nine of 11 starters. All-American Diego Cabral and all-region selection Ricardo Yeverino are two of the top players coming back for FHSU. The Tigers also add a strong recruiting class that includes the Kansas Gatorade High School Player of the Year Austin Clifton.

Northeastern State received two first place votes and 41 points to place second with Lindenwood one point behind in third with 40 points and two first place votes. One point separated Truman and Upper Iowa for fourth and fifth place. The Bulldogs totaled 27 points for fourth, and the Peacocks received 26 votes for fifth place.

Rounding out the standing were Harding, Sourthern Nazarene and Southwest Baptist in sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively.

The MIAA restarts men’s soccer in 2012 with eight members. Fort Hays State, Northeastern State, Lindenwood, Truman and Southwest Baptist are joined by associate members Upper Iowa, Harding and Southern Nazarene to form this season’s men’s soccer conference.

FHSU’s 2012 regular season starts on Aug. 31 on the road at Colorado Christian. The Tigers open their home schedule on Sept. 7 against Sioux Falls.

2012 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1.            Fort Hays State (4)          46
2.            Northeastern State (2)   41
3.            Lindenwood (2)               40
4.            Truman                              27
5.            Upper Iowa                       26
6.            Harding                             19
7.            Southern Nazarene         17
8.            Southwest Baptist             8

-FHSU Sports Information-

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Defending MIAA co-champion Washburn has been selected by the coaches to win the conference this year. The Lady Blues got 137 points and seven of the 13 first place votes to edge out Central Missouri in the voting.

The Jennies who finished tied atop the league standings with Washburn last season, finished just six points behind them in preseason voting taking four first place votes. The Jennies and Lady Blues represented the MIAA in the NCAA regional tournament last year as UCM defeated Washburn 3-1 to advance to the NCAA Elite Eight where they fell to eventual National Champion Concordia St. Paul.

Newcomer Nebraska-Kearney comes in with the #3 ranking with 129 points coming in ahead of Emporia State who earns the #4 spot with 108 points. Truman who finished fourth in the league last year earns the #5 spot coming in just six points behind the Hornets in the voting.

Pittsburg State sets in the #6 spot heading into the 2012 campaign after finishing seventh in the league last year. Northwest Missouri wraps up the #7 spot with 66 as just seven points separate the next four places. #8 Fort Hays State just edges out #9 Missouri Western with 63 points versus just 62 points. Lindenwood in this first year as a member of the MIAA takes the #10 slot with 59 total points.

The bottom three slots are separated by just one point each as Southwest Baptist comes in with the #11 slot and 28 points. Central Oklahoma earned 27 points for the #12 slot and Missouri Southern earned the #13 slot with 26 points in the poll.

The season will get underway on August 31 as many of the MIAA squads will hit the road for early season tournament play.

2012 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Washburn (7)        137
2. Central Missouri (4)     131
3. Nebraska-Kearney (2)     129
4. Emporia State         108
5. Truman         102
6. Pittsburg State           76
7. Northwest Missouri       66
8. Fort Hays State           63
9. Missouri Western       62
10. Lindenwood           59
11. Southwest Baptist       28
12. Central Oklahoma       27
13. Missouri Southern       26

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Defending National Champion Pittsburg State will begin their defense of the crown as the number one team in both the MIAA Coaches and Media Preseason Polls. The Gorillas won the MIAA last season as they finished 8-1 in league play and 13-1 overall on the year.

PSU received 192 overall points and 12 first place votes in the coaches poll and got 538 points and 24 first place votes in this season’s media poll. They were followed closely in each poll by 2011 league runner-up Northwest Missouri who also advanced to the NCAA playoffs last season. Missouri Western, also an NCAA Division II Playoff team, claims the third spot in both polls and received a first place vote in each as they look to move up from last season’s 7-2 finish.

Washburn is the #4 school in both polls after going 7-2 last season behind Harlon Hill finalist Dane Simoneau The Ichabods will have to replace Simoneau though on a team that was one of four MIAA teams to earn a bid to the NCAA post-season. Central Missouri, who represented the MIAA in last season’s Kanza Bowl, holds the fifth spot in both the coaches and media poll.
Newcomer Nebraska-Kearney sits sixth in both polls while Emporia State comes in with the seventh spot. New MIAA member Lindenwood makes their debut in the poll at #8, finishing just a few points behind the Hornets in both polls.

The #9 slot is where the polls show their first discrepancy as conference rookie Northeastern State, who advanced to last season’s Mineral Water Bowl, earned the spot in the coaches minds while Fort Hays State got the nod from the media. The #10 spot features Missouri Southern in the coaches poll while the Riverhawks of Northeastern State take the tenth spot in the media version.

In the Media poll Missouri Southern is #11, Truman #12, Southwest Baptist #13, Central Oklahoma is #14 while Lincoln comes in at #15. In the coaches poll Fort Hays State comes in at #11, Central Oklahoma #12, Southwest Baptist #13, Truman #14 and Lincoln rounding out the poll at #15 this year.

The 2012 season will kick off on Thursday, August 30 as 13 MIAA teams get underway with the final two MIAA squads kicking off their season on Sept. 1 as the MIAA will feature 15 schools in football this season.

Fort Hays State and second year head coach Chris Brown open the season on Thursday, August 30th at Emporia State.

Chris Brown Segment 1
Chris Brown at MIAA Media Day – Segment 1

Chris Brown Segment 2
Chris Brown at MIAA Media Day – Segment 2

2012 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Pittsburg State (12) 192
2. Northwest Missouri (2) 184
3. Missouri Western (1) 165
4. Washburn 154
5. Central Missouri 153
6. Nebraska-Kearney 122
7. Emporia State 103
8. Lindenwood 95
9. Northeastern State 85
10. Missouri Southern 82
11. Fort Hays State 74
12. Central Oklahoma 54
13. Southwest Baptist 49
14. Truman 43
15. Lincoln 18

2012 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Pittsburg State (24) 538
2. Northwest Missouri (11) 524
3. Missouri Western (1) 456
4. Washburn 447
5. Central Missouri 393
6. Nebraska-Kearney 390
7. Emporia State 286
8. Lindenwood 268
9. Fort Hays State 241
10. Northeastern State 233
11. Missouri Southern 194
12. Truman 155
13. Southwest Baptist 150
14. Central Oklahoma 121
15. Lincoln 42

-MIAA Sports Information-

TAMPA — O.J. Murdock, a former Middleton High standout wide receiver, has died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to a media alert sent out by the Tampa Police Department on Monday morning, Murdock, who signed a free agent deal with the Tennessee Titans a year ago, was transported to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition. His body was found in his car in front of Middleton High School around 8:30 a.m. An updated release said he had died at 10:43 a.m.

“This is just surprise,” said former Middleton coach Harry Hubbard, adding Murdock seemed in great spirits when he ran into him at last fall’s Blake-Middleton football game. “I don’t know if something else is involved or not. That just knocks me off my feet.”

Murdock, who initially landed at South Carolina after high school but was dismissed from the squad by coach Steve Spurrier after being charged with grand theft, eventually played at Division II Fort Hays State. He had a breakout season there, compiling 1,290 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

As a high school senior, Murdock was ranked the nation’s 10th-ranked receiver by Rivals, and chose South Carolina over Florida. He was the Tampa Bay Times’ top bay area prospect in the Class of 2005, after catching 58 passes for 831 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. Murdock was also a state track standout that year, winning gold in the 100 and 200 meters.

“I’m going to always remember his smile and just his warmth,” said Hubbard, who coached Murdock for three seasons at Middleton. “Every time he would see me he would always have a big smile and laugh when we talked and everything. … Truly, he was probably one of the best athletes that I’ve ever coached. Personally, I always remember that smile.”

Murdock, who was on injured reserve last season with the Titans after injuring his Achilles’, had not reported to camp this month for personal reasons.

No further information was immediately available.

Courtesy the Tampa Bay Times
https://www.tampabay.com/hometeam/blog/ex-middleton-star-oj-murdock-dies/14286/

Fort Hays State baseball coach Steve Johnson announced the signing of 11 players for the 2013 season. Seven are transfers and four are true freshmen. Transfers include Clayton Garland, Michael Edlefson, Jordan Miller, Garrett Blair, Horace “Ryan” Johnson, Nathan Briar, and Robert VanCour. Freshmen include Ryan Norton, Josh Norris, and Brady Abrahams, along with early signing Nick Hammeke.

Garland is a junior transfer from Barton (Kan.) Community College. As a sophomore in 2012, Garland earned All-KJCCC West Division First Team and All-Region 6 Second Team honors in the outfield. He led the team in hitting with a .363 batting average, runs (61), hits (78), triples (9), slugging percentage (.581), and stolen bases (17), and was second in doubles (14), home runs (5), and RBI (57), while starting all 59 games. As a freshman in 2011, he hit .333 with five doubles, 15 runs scored, and 13 RBI. Garland is a native of Cheyenne, Wyo.

Edlefson is also a junior transfer from Barton (Kan.) Community College that has the ability to pitch and play outfield. As a sophomore in 2012, he posted a 2-0 record on the mound with a team-leading 2.86 ERA in 20 appearances, all out of the bullpen. He led the team in saves with three, while striking out 15 batters, and held opponents to a .228 batting average. As a hitter, he played and started 39 contests, hitting .295 with 41 hits, 27 runs scored, nine doubles, three triples, 21 RBI and six stolen bases. He sat out the 2011 season, but as a freshman in 2010, hit .297 with five doubles and nine RBI. Edlefson is a native of Bloomington, Minn.

Miller is a junior transfer from Neosho County (Kan.) Community College. As a sophomore in 2012, Miller earned All-KJCCC East Division Second Team honors in the outfield. He hit .354 with 63 hits, 53 runs scored, seven doubles, 20 RBI, and 19 stolen bases, helping his team to the Region 6 Championship and an appearance in the NJCAA World Series. As a freshman in 2011, he played at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, where he hit .231 with nine RBI, one home run, 11 runs scored, and six stolen bases. Miller is a native of Spring Hill, Kan. and the son of former Fort Hays State quarterback Jeff Miller.

Blair is a junior transfer from McCook (Neb.) Community College. As a sophomore in 2012, Blair was an All-Region 9 Second Team selection at shortstop. He batted .320 with 57 hits, 42 runs scored, nine doubles, three triples, five home runs, and 25 RBI. As a pitcher, he pitched 20 innings in his five appearances with a 4.05 ERA and 28 strikeouts. Blair is a native of Las Vegas, Nev.

Johnson is a junior transfer from Seminole State (Okla.) College. As a sophomore in 2012, Johnson hit .258 with four doubles, one triple, five home runs, 15 runs scored and 21 RBI. As a freshman in 2011, he hit .264 with 13 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 23 runs scored and 31 RBI. Johnson is a native of Raymore, Mo.

Briar is a junior transfer from Butler (Kan.) Community College. As a sophomore in 2012, Briar led Butler pitching in appearances with 25, all out of the bullpen. He posted a 4.74 ERA with three wins and three saves in 43.2 innings of work. He struck out 34 batters. As a freshman in 2011, he made 22 appearances and won two games with a 4.96 ERA, striking out 21 in 32.2 innings of work. Briar is a native of Newton, Kan.

VanCour is a senior transfer from New Mexico State University. He made two appearances as a junior in 2012 for NMHU. Prior to that, he played two years at Barton (Kan.) Community College. As a sophomore in 2011, he posted a record of 4-1, starting in six of his seven appearances with a 5.01 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 32.1 innings pitched. As a freshman in 2010, he made 22 appearances, including two starts, with a 2-1 record, four saves, and a 5.11 ERA. That year he had 38 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched. VanCour is a native of San Antonio, Texas.

Norton comes to Fort Hays State from Monarch High School in Colorado. He is projected to play second base or outfield. He hit .352 as a senior with an on-base percentage of .514 and 19 RBI. Norton is from Louisville, Colo.

Norris is a pitching product of Lee’s Summit High School in his hometown of Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Abrahams is transferring from Baker University has not played in any games since his senior year of high school in 2010. He competed at Silver Lake High School in his hometown of Silver Lake, Kan., where he earned Class 4A All-State First Team honors as a pitcher.

Hammeke signed with Fort Hays State in the fall of the 2011-12 school year. He was a Kansas Class 3A All-State First Team selection at pitcher as a senior in 2012 and earned all-league first team honors all four years at Thomas More Prep-Marian High School. The Hays, Kan., product is projected as both a shortstop and pitcher at FHSU.

– FHSU Sports Information –

Fort Hays State softball coach Erin Kinberger announced the signing of four transfers for the 2013 season, all coming from junior college programs in Kansas and Oklahoma. All four will be juniors in 2013, which includes Bianca Adame, Amy Dunn, Katlyn Kern, and Jordan Jones.

Adame was a All-KJCCC West Division First Team and All-Region 6 First Team selection in 2012 at shortstop for Seward County (Kan.) Community College. A native of El Paso, Texas, Adame had a tremendous season at SCCC as a sophomore hitting .447, while setting single-season school records with 101 hits, 10 triples, and 41 stolen bases. She also led the team in runs scored with 64 and recorded 37 RBI, helping the Saints to a 40-19 record. Adame added 13 doubles for a total of 23 extra-base hits in 2012. She only struck out six times in 226 at bats and had a .457 on-base percentage. Adame also had a successful freshman campaign in 2011, hitting .318 with four extra-base hits, 17 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases. She has the ability to play both the infield and outfield.

Dunn comes to the program from Garden City (Kan.) Community College, where she played for two years. Dunn appeared in 31 games as a sophomore for GCCC in 2012, batting .333 in a limited hitting role. As a freshman in 2011, she hit .200 with four home runs and 14 RBI. Dunn is a native of Lakin, Kan., and is listed as a catcher.

Kern transfers to Fort Hays State from Eastern Oklahoma State College, where she played two years. The Wichita, Kan., native posted 20 wins as a pitcher over two years with a career ERA of 4.28 and 122 strikeouts. As a hitter, she posted a career average of .270 with 14 doubles, one triple, one home run and 27 RBI over two years.

Jones comes to the program from Connors State (Okla.) College, where she played for two years. A native of Skiatook, Okla., Jones posted 18 wins as a pitcher over two years with a career ERA of 1.77 and 128 strikeouts. She saw limited action as a hitter in the two years with a .308 average, three home runs and nine RBI.

2013 FHSU Softball Transfers

2013 FHSU Softball Incoming Freshmen

The MIAA has announced their schedule of televised games on the MIAA TV Network and the Fort Hays State Tigers will be featured twice.

The Tigers road game at Southwest Baptist on October 13th as well as their home game with Lincoln on October 20th will be covered. Both will kickoff at 2:30pm

Fort Hays State is one of five schools to have two games televised.

In addition to the 11 football games on the MIAA Network, the league will also be featured on national television Thursday, Sept. 20, as Central Missouri plays host to Truman at 7 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.

All MIAA football and basketball games will continue to be streamed live online on the America One Television Network.

2012 MIAA Television Network Football Schedule
September 8: Central Oklahoma at Pittsburg State, 6:00pm
September 15: Nebraska-Kearney at Missouri Western, 6:00pm
September 22: Washburn at Central Oklahoma, 2:30pm
September 29: Northeastern State at Northwest Missouri, 2:30pm
October 6: Truman at Nebraska-Kearney, 2:30pm
October 13: Fort Hays State at Southwest Baptist, 2:30pm
October 20: Lincoln at Fort Hays State, 2:30pm
October 25: Missouri Western at Emporia State, 6:00 pm
October 27: Missouri Southern at Lindenwood, 2:30pm
November 3: TBA, 2:30pm
November 10: TBA, 2:30pm

The MIAA Network is offered exclusively on Eagle Communications Television in Hays, Ellis, Russell, WaKeeney, Victoria and Munjor on Channel 15.

Fort Hays State women’s basketball ranked seventh nationally in attendance for the second straight year in NCAA Division II, averaging 1,736 fans per game. This total is higher than the 1,667 per game last year for the Lady Tigers and marks the third consecutive year that Fort Hays State ranked in the top 10 nationally.

The four Kansas schools of the MIAA continue to keep the conference strong in attendance. The MIAA ranked first in the nation once again as a conference, as the league reported an average of 1,282 fans per women’s game among the 11 institutions. Emporia State led the way in the conference at 2,233 per game, ranking second in the nation, and Washburn was a close third nationally at 2,227 per game. Pittsburg State was also in the top 10, ranked ninth at 1,578 per game.

The MIAA was the only conference to average more than 1,000 fans per game. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, which aligns regionally with the MIAA in 2012-13, was a distant second with 880 fans per game, an average of 402 less than the MIAA. The Lone Star Conference, which will no longer in the same region as the MIAA starting in 2012-13, was third with 728 per game.
NCAA II Attendance Leaders…

Rk. School G – Att. – Avg.
1. Northern State (S.D.) 13 – 34,851 – 2,681
2. Emporia State (Kan.) 12 – 26,796 – 2,233
3. Washburn (Kan.) 15 – 33,405 – 2,227
4. Augustana (S.D.) 15 – 27,078 – 1,805
5. Midwestern Statet (Tex.). 14 – 24,494 – 1,750
6. Tarleton State (Tex.) 13 – 22,678 – 1,744
7. Fort Hays State (Kan.) 15 – 26,034 – 1,736
8. Drury (Mo.) 12 – 19,229 – 1,602
9. Pittsburg State (Kan.) 13 – 20,512 – 1,578
10. Winston-Salem (N.C.) 11 – 15,863 – 1,442

– FHSU Sports Information –