A "NEW ERA" and SouthernFest '09

This week's post is written by Head Coach Maryann Mitts:


The month of July means that summer is in full swing (although the weather over the weekend would fool one to believe it to be September!) and people are vacationing, planning family reunions, and enjoying several hours of additional sunlight. In the coaching profession, there are typically only two times during the year to enjoy a little “R&R” – immediately after classes end in May and the early part of July.

“R&R” as we all know it (rest and relaxation) has been more commonly noticed as rigorous and renewal over the past several weeks. Let me explain…………………..

We are in process of organizing a major fundraiser for Missouri Southern Athletics known as SouthernFest ’09. It is a two-day event being held on Sunday August 2-Monday August 3. The festivities begin on Sunday evening with a Dinner/Auction held at the Downstream Casino followed by the annual Rod Smith Golf Tournament on Monday. The rigors of putting on such an event – an event that will be not only be a financial benefit for our athletics department, but also a fun-filled evening for the Joplin community- can be pretty taxing. As we enter into the latter part of July, the details and specifics become more and more critical and time-consuming.

I am very fortunate to be working along side some great, fun people in preparing for this big event. Kevin Greim (aka “Voice of the Lions”) and Julie Wengert, our compliance director have been wonderful – I have truly enjoyed the extra time that I have been able to spend with them! Our hours are consumed with getting tickets into the hands of those attending the dinner/auction (Over 130 have been sold!) and obtaining auction items. What a process to get auction items – you need big ones, little ones, ones that are appealing to the “eye” and others that are sure to sell. It is our first attempt at such an event – we are anxious and excited to kick off what will hopefully be a Southern tradition that will improve for years to come! So…………if you haven’t bought your tickets or signed up to play golf there is still plenty of time – go to the SouthernFest ’09 site. You can find all the registration information there!

So that’s the rigorous side of the R&R. Now to the Renewal side. On July 6th, a new face began leading MSSU Athletics. Jared Bruggeman arrived on our campus from Northern Arizona University replacing long-time athletic director Sallie Beard. Personally, it was difficult for me to see Sallie retire. Although it was “time” for her to start a new era of her life, it is always hard to see someone like her step away. No matter what profession-when someone devotes his/her life to something and one spends hours upon hours living out their passion in life, it must be so hard to step away. Isn’t there a void, perhaps many voids, to fill? I can’t imagine what it feels like to have something so engrained in who we are to just disappear one day-unfortunately, some day I too will experience this kind of loss, but fortunately not any time soon. Thank you Sallie for believing in me and allowing me to have the enormous responsibility of leading MSSU Women’s Basketball!

At any rate, that being said, Jared has arrived on campus and has hit the ground “running.” No pun intended since he is a former track athlete and coach. I will not go into specifics here because I think the shock effect will be great as people learn of all the changes being made. But, he has been on campus for just two weeks and the pace is quick and productive. Athletic committees are being formed, meetings are being held, and “homework assignments” are being given. I am not one who loves change, but I have learned to embrace it because I recognize that truly great things in life happen only after change has taken place. I encourage you to watch closely with your eyes, and listen intently with your ears because we are moving in a direction that is very exciting and promising!

Lastly, we finished our recruiting for ’09-’10 with the signing of another guard, Danielle Harris. Our website has the details if you are interested. Coaching staffs across the country hold one scholarship into the summer hoping to land a late franchise player. We were very fortunate last summer as we signed Myosha Barnes late in the summer. Anyone who followed us this year knows the impact Myosha made on our team! Well, we are excited about the upcoming year! We have some very nice talent, but will have to deal with inexperience along the way. Hope you plan on following our successes closely!

Well, that’s it for now. Remember to follow us on TWITTER as well. I look forward to our next blog. I am currently reading A PASSION TO LEAD by Jim Calhoun. I will share some of my findings with you then. Please enjoy the blogs by the players……….they have been very impressive to say the least! We are very fortunate to have such great people in our program!

My very best to you and your family…..continue to enjoy a safe and relaxing summer!

Maryann Mitts
Head Coach