Missouri Western State University - Griffon Yearbook (St Joseph, MO)

Page 10 text:

Mayor bans 'a-thons'g reverses decision As of February 19, 1980, St. joseph Mayor Gordon Wiser banned all UA-Thons for the purpose of raising money or promoting a cause because of the danger involved with hav- ing the participants on the city streets. This would ,mean there would be no more bike-a-thons, walk-a-thons, or run-a-thons for worthy causes. That was, however, until enough people complained about it. Wiser had suggested instead uwork-a-thons, raising mon- ey by working those hours that would have been spent walk- ing or biking in the city parks. A March of Dimes representative pointed out the danger of that suggestion by showing the risk of allowing all ages. of participants, including children, to use the tools necessary for the work involved in cleaning and gardening in the park. And as far as the danger of being on the city streets is Ground squirrels rival Griffon as mascot ln most places they would be considered chipmunks with a thyroid problem, but on the Missouri Western campusthey rival the Griffon for school mascot. Scampering across the grass so fast they are usually no more than a blur, the ground squirrels are more fascinating to watch than most of the teachers. lt becomes a contest to see how close they will allow a person to get before they head for the nearest hole. Not being totally anti-social, they will force themselves to stay put, trembling, sometimes almost within reach. But the slightest quick movement will send them flying. lt has been rumored that signs indicating 'Squirrel Cross- ing will be posted at strategic sidewalks. lt is certainly time for this rival of the educational system to be preserved for future generations. Who knows, in a few years it might be the Missouri Western Ground Squirrels. 8! Potpourri concerned, information about injuries directly related to HA- Thons held on city streets is not available, because they are recorded by name, and not by cause. After the decision, the March of Dimes announced that they would still have their annual walk-a-thons, because it had been approved prior to the decision. Apparently the appeal from the mayor's office was not taken particularly seriously by any organization that uses the 'A-Thon as a major source of funds. The pressure from the various groups broke down the resistance of the mayor, and he reversed his original stand. So now, the many organizations that depend on the mon- ey from these A-Thons will brave the danger of St. lo- seph's streets, and hope that the warning is an errant one. Coach Steve Schottel instructs players during the Shrine Bowl Classic.

Page 9 text:

llWelcome to Western State University, home of the mighty Griffons, champions of the Big 18. As your tram car stops, please step off and walk to the correct line for registra- tion processingf' blares the speaker above head. lt's some time in the twenty-first century. President M.O. Looney has been replaced by none other than his grand- daughter Rachel. Spratt Memorial Stadium, with recent ren- ovation, now seats a crowded 50,000 spectators. The work and toil of yesterday has paid off. That work and toil of 'lyesterday is the work and toil of today. Yesterday's pursuits-today's pursuits-will become tomorrow's realities. A study authorized by the Board of Regents was complet- ed by the Midwest Research Institute of Kansas City, which foretells a possible route for the college to take. The study determined that the college should taken an ac- tive role in seeking graduate programs not currently offered in the area. It was also determined that enrollment was up nearly 5.6 percent, which exceeds national and state trends for four-year institutions. The results were opposite of those determined by the Coordinating Board of Higher Education in 1979. With the growth of the college, the computer department has developed a five-year plan to study computer needs and evaluate annually, in hopes that new equipment may be pur- chased to keep up with the need. In 1978-79, Looney alluded to a goal of five thousand stu- dents in five years. Perhaps optimistic, the goal is attainable. Past projects to increase enrollment have concentrated on the sports program. But at Prexy Club the first semester, Loo- ney announced a shift in concentration on academic excel- lence and needed construction. The future looks bright for the college as it moves into its second decade rather aggressively. Maybe the state legisla- ture will come to realize that what is needed is a viable city university with freedom to grow. The basis for which has al- ready been established. -MIKE HOFFMAN 5 An artist's conception of the college center tabovej includes a planned bowl- ing alley-recreation complex. The east entrance to the H.P.E.R. addition fleftl leads into the new gymnasium, classrooms and indoor racquet courts sched- uled to be completed in Spring 1981, The campus map tfar leftl shows present and planned facilities. Openingf7

Page 11 text:

When Arizonia State coach Frank X G. N 5 an Q7 ,fx WX Evinger runs in Boston Without a doubt, most people have heard of the Boston Marathon, the 26 mile running event that annually takes place through the streets of Boston. Some names that come to mind include Dr. George Sheehan, Frank Shorter, Dave Wolfe and Lee Evinger. Don't worry, however, if the last name doesn't ring a bell. Lee Evinger is neither rich nor famous, but he is a Geology instructor on campus. This year, Evinger flew to Boston to run in the marathon. You might say it's been a lifetime goal, said Evinger who ran eight to nine miles a day to train for the event. But this marathon was a bit different. It had rained and the temperature was in the 70's. The crowd loved it, but the run- ners despised it. Evinger related that after he finished, the medical area for treating patients looked like a 'lwar zone. Evinger himself had approximately twenty-five blisters on his feet. Finishing better than the previous year, but with a longer time, Evinger crossed the line approximately 1300 out of over 7000 runners. Schottel to ichigan State Kush struck his punter, setting off a na- tionwide media surge on the institution and Kush, Missouri Western's assistant coach Steve Schottel had no idea his career would be affected. When Michigan State Coach Darryl Rogers left his job to fill the vacancy left by Kush, the Spartans hired Frank Waters as the new head coach. Waters was familiar with small col- leges and was an acquaintance of Ivan Schottel, Steve's father, who suggested Steve as an assistant. So before Schottel was aware of the happenings, he was asked to interview for the job. When my father notified me I'd be coaching for Michigan State, I just said 'yeahf I didn't think he was too seri- ous, Schottel related. Obviously, the jump to a major uni- versity is a tremendous opportunity for the 31-year-old Schottel, but the years. thought of leaving Missouri Western leaves him feeling remorseful. llYou know, I think every high school coach dreams of coaching at a major university, but I could have got- ten along quite well here, Schottel said. One reason is because of the .college in general. I feel in the next ten years the growth at Missouri Western will be phenomonal, which I think is a reflection on the institution as a whole. Another reason is there are tremen- dous opportunities here, and not just in the coaching fieId, Schottel continued. 'President Looney has just done tre- mendous things with the growth of the school. I just hope and pray the people at Michigan State are as friendly as the people here. Schottel said he doesn't plan to stay at Michigan State for long and hopes to return to Missouri Western in two The reason I went into coaching were for recognition and satisfaction, Schottel said. l'At Missouri Western, I feel really important and I have a great rapport with the players and even the students. Plus, the pressures of winning aren't nearly as great here as they will be at Michigan State. Schottel said coaching at Missouri Western went further than screaming at practices and games. Here you get a chance to see players change. I feel they accept me, not only as a coach, but also as a teacher and a counselor. At Michigan State l'll have to start on my knees, l'll be on the bottom of the totem pole, and that worries me. llBut this is my home. All my family is here, my past is here. I just hope I can come back soon and bring with me ev- erything I Iearned, Schottel said. - CHRIS HAMILTON Potpourri!9