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View From The
Press Box
with Shawn
Jones, Joe Moore & Greg Hassler
VFTPB Archives |
Shawn
Jones is in his ninth season as the radio play-by-play voice of
Mules football, basketball and baseball. In addition to his radio
and television duties as host of Sportspage, he is UCM's
Associate Athletic Director for External Relations in charge of
marketing, promotions, media relations, fund-raising events and
special events. Greg Hassler is in his eighth season as the
sideline reporter and pre and post-game host for Mules broadcasts.
He is the Sports Director of flagship stations 1450 KOKO and The Bar 98.5
FM. Joe Moore and Bob Jackson will provide color analysis this
season and Moore will also contribute to this column. Jackson has
been a part of the UCM broadcast team since 1981 and is UCM's
Athletics Promotions Coordinator and Web Manager. Moore is a former
Mules football player and UCM Athletic Media Relations Director. He
is now an instructor in UCM's Department of Communication. |
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Shawn Jones
Central Sports Play-by-Play Man
October 1, 2008
As Coach Fritz told us last
week on his radio show before the Pitt State game, "win or lose,
it only counts as one, just like every other MIAA game."
Sure, it hurts to lose a big game like the one last Saturday,
but in reality it's no more important than the next one vs.
Emporia State. The great teams win at home, and that's exactly
what Pittsburg State did thanks to a solid all-around game and a
wide open passing attack. Now the Mules need to take care of
business at home.
We are entering the critical stretch for Mules football. The
next two games are at home. October 4 vs. Emporia State and
October 11 vs. Northwest Missouri. If the Mules can somehow come
out of those two home games at 6-1, things will be looking
really good. Of course, there are no freebies in the MIAA. None
of us should get caught looking ahead to October 11 and the
matchup with the Bearcats. That is exactly how you get whipped
in the MIAA. Emporia State is a young football team under second
year head coach Garin Higgins. He has improved their personnel
from year one to year two. They have played a nice schedule to
prepare themselves for the rigors of MIAA play. They are trying
to re-build that program and they will be excited for the chance
to pick up a win over a top-half, MIAA program. ESU spreads it
out on offense and until the Mules prove they can stop the pass,
you can bet the Hornets will try to exploit that area of the
game. It is critical we get better in pass defense, and that is
no secret. Hopefully, we will see great improvement in that area
this week vs. ESU. Offensively, the Mules are moving the ball
and spreading it around. Eric has 14 TD passes to only 1 pick on
the season. They are not turning the ball over either. The run
defense still looks good and the special teams, specifically the
punt game, was much improved vs. the Gorillas.
In case you didn't know, the Mules have to this point played one
of the toughest schedules in NCAA Division II. Minnesota State
is 4-1, Arkansas Tech is 3-1 and you know all about Pitt State,
Washburn and Truman. Win/loss record and strength of schedule
are the two key components come playoff time. So cheer for our
past opponents every week! So the Mules lost to a great team at
a place the home team has lost seven regular season games in 24
years......Get you head up and get ready for Emporia State and
this critical two-game home stand!
This Saturday is "Family Day" at UCM. This will bring some
first-time Mules fans out to the game. Be sure and tell them
hello and how much we appreciate new fans. There is always room
on the Mule bandwagon! Hopefully, our "Roaring Red"
student-section will be out in full-force this week once again.
That new group has really been great, and they are already the
largest student group on campus with 400 members! Against
Washburn, we had quite a few students there and folks in the GA
section, but several reserved season-ticket seats were empty. If
you have season tickets and can't make a game, that's cool, but
remember to give your ticket to a friend, neighbor or perhaps
someone who wouldn't normally make it to the game. You hate to
see those great seats empty (especially since you already paid
for 'em!)
Kickoff of the Mules and Hornets is Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at
Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field. What better way to spend an early
October Saturday than on campus at a college football game.
Besides, your favorite team is 4-1 with so much to play for.
Come cheer 'em on. Bring your radio, as our coverage begins at
12:10 p.m. on 1450 KOKO, 98.5 "The Bar" and
warrensburgradio.com
After the game, come down and join us at Fitter's on Pine Street
for the Fitter's Scoreboard Show. Greg Hassler and James Sales
will rundown scores from NCAA Division II, Super Regional Four,
Big 12 and more. They will also visit with a member of the Mules
coaching staff. It's a great place to hang out with Mules fans
after the game on the patio!
Come to the Burg and bring some friends this Saturday. Go Mules!"View From
The Press Box" is published every Wednesday throughout the football
season.
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