McMurry falls

Sorry for the radio technical difficulties, McMurry loses 88-72 to No. 15 Wheaton, we'll try to have our issues figured out for the radio doubleheader Saturday in Pineville, La. Women's game tips off at 1 p.m. and men at 3 p.m.

Wheaton builds keeps insurmountable lead

With under four minutes to play McMurry trails by 15 points at 80-65 to No. 15 Wheaton College.

Need a spurt in the worst way ...

McMurry has been able to string together consecutive buckets in the second half a couple of different times, however, Wheaton is always there to counter. Now, with under 10 minutes to play, the Thunder still have a 14-point lead and McMurry desperately needs stops on defense as well as quality shots on the offensive end, which haven't been coming easy.

Wheaton 68 McMurry 54 with 9:11 to play ...

Back to basketball ...

Wheaton is continuing its dominance over McMurry in the Lee Pfund Classic in Wheaton, Ill. Trailing by 12 points at half, the Thunder haven't missed a step and McMurry can't gain any ground, especially with their dismal shooting effort from the free-throw line (3 of 15 so far). McMurry trails 60-46 with 13:13 remaining in the game.

Lee Driggers

One of the great things about the men's basketball trip to Wheaton, Ill. has been reconnecting with former McMurry baseball coach Lee Driggers. Driggers re-birthed the baseball program in 1996 and coached the first 13 years leaving following his fourth ASC title in 2008. Driggers compiled more than 300 wins at McMurry and will be known for his work and commitment to the school and the program. He took the head coaching job at Wheaton College following the 2008 season, and it worked out well for he and his wife Sharon because their son Austin had just agreed to play football at Wheaton from Abilene's Cooper High School.

Everywhere Drigers has gone as a baseball coach including a AA coaching stint with the Pittsburg Pirates, he's been a winner. So it was no surprise last season when he not only took the Thunder to their first ever conference tournament appearance, but took them to the championship game as well.

Driggers admits advantages to both places when he's compared Wheaton and McMurry. Wheaton's facilities overall are incredible and the athletics facilities are top grade. However, as far as baseball is concerned, it would be hard to beat Walt Driggers Field on McMurry's campus because it is one, if not the, premiere NCAA Division III baseball facility in the nation. However, Driggers has already begun fund-raising work to help improve the baseball facilities, much like his efforts to build the field named after his uncle in Abilene.

All in all, Driggers is a good man, and he now carries his influences to the students, faculty and staff at Wheaton.

Good luck coach, it's been good to catch up, and you have been missed.

Half Stats

Wheaton Points leaders:

Andrew Jahns - 14 points
Tim McCrary - 14 points

McMurry Points leaders:

Jeremie Hart - 7 points
Tim Harrison - 7 points

Wheaton Rebound Leaders:

Tim McCrary - 4 rebounds

McMurry Rebound Leaders:

Three players tied with two

Wheaton Assist Leaders:

Stephen Pierotti - 3 assists

McMurry Assist Leaders:

Three tied with two assists

Team Field Goal Percentage
McMurry - 64 percent (16-25)
Wheaton - 69.6 percent (16-23)

Team Free Throw Percentage
McMurry - 23.1 (3-13)
Wheaton - 77.8 (14-18)

Team 3-point Percentage
McMurry - 33.3 (2-6)
Wheaton - 60.0 (3-5)

Don't forget the live stats link

Once again the radio broadcast is not working, so we're keeping up on the blog. Wheaton's web site is also powered by ICS, so you can keep up with us on live stats at this link by clicking here.

McMurry trails 49-37 at halftime of the championship game of the Lee Pfund Classic.

Fighting back ...

McMurry trailed by as many as 19 points at 35-16 in favor of Wheaton. However, McMurry went on an 11-2 run capped by a cutting layup in traffic by Tommy Lane to make the score 37-27 in favor of Wheaton. The on an apparent block TIm Harrison was called for a foul, reacted poorly and was given a technical foul. Wheaton responded with three of the four free-throws. Steven Luckey countered with a 3-pointer with 2:30 left and McMurry trails 40-32 with 2:19 to go ...

McMurry men's basketball vs. Wheaton updates

Isn't technology wonderful? Last night we broadcast the game from Wheaton, Ill. with no problem, tonight we plug in the radio equipment, and it won't work.

I have spent the entire game trying to get the radio equipment to work, so I don't know really what's been happening other than the fact that Wheaton is showing why they are ranked No. 15 in the country as the Thunder leads McMurry 37-23 in the championship game of the Lee Pfund Classic.

More details in a moment ...

six-point lead diminishes, HSU takes lead in set four

McMurry led 12-6 before HSU stormed back to score nine-straight points and leads 15-12 in the fourth set with McMurry facing elimination.

Headed to set four

Hardin-Simmons still holds a 2-1 advantage, but McMurry kept it season alive with a 25-21 win in set three. M.J. Vickers and Bennie Smith are leading McMurry's charge thus far with nine and seven kills respectively.

--KR

Heads up Seven Up, McMurry trying to force set four

McMurry leads 22-15 in set three needing just three points to force a fourth set in the ASC Semi-Finals ...

--KR

McMurry looking good in set three

Down two sets to none and the season's end within view, McMurry is scrapping to keep their championship hopes alive with an 11-5 start in set three. If McMurry can pull off the set victory, it will still need to win both set four and a 15-point set five to advance to the championship round.

--KR

HSU responds, leads 2-0

After cutting the lead to two points at 15-13, McMurry couldn't hold back HSU any longer. The Cowgirls closed the set with a 10-4 run to take set two and HSU leads two sets to none. McMurry's season will only stay alive if it can win set three.

--KR

Fighting back

After trailing 12-5, McMurry has rallied to score eight out of the last 11 points in the match. HSU has called a timeout after their lead has been cut to 15-13 in the second set. Terah Brown, McMurry's all-American, has answered Parnell's call with a couple of solo blocks and a kill during the run.

--KR

HSU showing how the west was won in set two ...

Hardin-Simmons posted a 21-6 record in the regular season and won the ASC West Division title with a 16-2 league record. So far in set two, they're proving their stripes with a 12-5 lead after a dominating win in set two. McMurry will have to regroup and make adjustments to avoid a sweep here in this semi-finals round.

--KR

HSU streaks to set one win

After breaking a 13-13 tie, HSU scored 12 of the last 15 points to win the first set 25-16. McMurry hit just .061 for the first set while HSU hit .387. M.J. Vickers leads McMurry with three kills, but on the other side of the net, HSU's all-American Kaela Parnell already has seven kills.

--KR

HSU bulids largest lead of match in first set

McMurry called a timeout after the Cowgirls have gone on a 4-1 run to take a 17-14 lead in the first set of this ASC Volleyball Tournament semi-finals match.

--KR

Just like a rivalry should be ...

Neither team has led by more than two points as the teams are knotted at 11 in the first set. Two freshmen are helping McMurry's so far with M.J. Vickers and Bennie Smith each recording multiple kills.

--KR

HSU stands in the way of McMurry's chances at ASC Volleyball title

With the clock ticking down under a minute for warmups, McMurry will take on a familiar face for the semi-final round of the ASC Volleyball Tournament. After a 3-1 victory earlier this afternoon over East Texas Baptist, McMurry will try and defeat HSU for the first time in 2009. HSU defeated McMurry 3-0 Sept. 23 on HSU's campus in Abilene, and then the Cowgirls defeated McMurry on its home floor Oct. 14 3-1.

Much like 2007, McMurry defeated ETBU in the quarterfinals and faced HSU in the semis at the UTD Activity Center where the Cowgirls swept McMurry in three sets.

The starting lineups have been announced and McMurry will try to reverse its fate ...

McMurry volleyball highlights vs. East Texas Baptist

McMurry won 3-1 to advance to semi-finals round of ASC VB Tournament

McMurry advances to semi-finals with 3-1 win over ETBU

McMurry's fast start propelled the team to a quarterfinals victory over the Tigers and McMurry will play Hardin-Simmons at 5 p.m. for the semi-finals match. Be sure and purchase the live video feed by clicking here.

Coming out swinging in set four

McMurry leads 6-1 thanks to a couple of kills and a solo block by junior middle blocker Terah Brown. UT-Dallas burns its first timeout of the fourth set.

McMurry squanders late lead, ETBU takes McMurry to set four

ETBU hit a much-improved .171 in set three to take down McMurry 26-24, however, McMurry still holds a 2-1 lead needing just a win in set four or five to advance to the semi-finals to face Hardin-Simmons at 5 p.m.

Bailey Marcum leads McMurry with 12 kills, and Danielle Kelton moved to third all-time on McMurry's kills list passing Mandy Findley. Kelton had nine so far in the match and needed eight to pass Findley.

--KR

See-Saw in set three

McMurry came out a little flat in the third set, however, once again the team has come back to take a late lead 19-18 in the third set. McMurry looking for a sweep ...

McMurry up two sets to none on ETBU

McMurry's M.J. Vickers put down the final kill of the second set and McMurry will need to be poised and not let up as it holds a 2-0 lead over East Texas Baptist in the opening round of the ASC VB Tournament.

Bailey Marcum has seven kills, Danielle Kelton has five and McMurry's blocking scheme (six total so far) has held the Tigers to just a .036 hitting percentage through two sets. ETBU's Kourtney Adams has eight kills on 25 attacks

-- KR

Looking for a 2-0 lead

UT-Dallas just called its first timeout of the second set. McMurry leads 21-18 in a back-and-forth set. FYI, McMurry's last three matches with the Tigers have gone the full five sets. In 2007, McMurry defeated ETBU in five sets in the quarterfinals round of the ASC Tournament. Then in 2008, the Tigers beat McMurry in the regular season in five sets followed by a five-set win in the ASC Tournament. On Oct. 16 of this season, McMurry defeated the Tigers in five sets. So even, if McMurry were to hang on for a two-set lead, don't expect ETBU to lie down.

--KR

Set two tight so far

McMurry led 8-5, but ETBU is on a 4-1 run in the last five points and the Tigers tied up the score at nine forcing McMurry to use its first time out of the second set.

--KR

McMurry takes set one in comeback fashion

McMurry trailed 18-14 before storming back to take 11 of the last 16 points to take set one. McMurry hit .179 for the set and held ETBU to just .024. Danielle Kelton and Bailey Marcum each had three kills to pace McMurry and McMurry already has four team blocks led by Terah Brown's three assisted blocks.

McMurry 1 ETBU 0

Down to the wire in set one

McMurry has trailed by as many as five points in the first set, but has come back to make the score 19-18 in the first set. ETBU called its first time out after Terah Brown and Danielle Kelton teamed up to block the Tigers' Mary Morgan Swanson's attack attempt.

Live Blogging from Dallas at ASC Volleyball Tournament

We're here in Richardson at the UT-Dallas Activity Center where McMurry is taking on East Texas Baptist for the third-straight season at the American Southwest Conference Volleyball Tournament. Early in set one, McMurry and the Tigers are locked in a 5-5 tie.

A couple of notes:
• Freshman M.J. Vickers who missed all of last week with an injury is back in the starting lineup, and obviously since she's second on the team in both kills and blocks, McMurry is happy to have her back.
• McMurry has made 10 appearances in the American Southwest Conference Tournament since its inception in 1996. That is the most appearances of any school, however, McMurry has never won an ASC Tournament title
• In order to do this, McMurry will look to beat ETBU in the quarterfinals, a feat they accomplished in 2007 at this very gym in Richardson, but last year, the Tigers sent McMurry home early.
• As I complete this post, McMurry trails 9-8 in set one.

Another feature on McMurry from D3football.com

Jason Bowen, the "Around the Region" columnist for the South Region on D3football.com has been an ambassador for McMurry football this season and we appreciate the work he's been doing. However, much of his attention to McMurry is because of the changes taking place within the football program. This week, he writes on the cross-town rivalry between Hardin-Simmons and McMurry, check it out by clicking here.

Former McMurry volleyballer Abbey Hester up for the UIL all-century high school volleyball team

Marc David, who covers Abilene's college sports scene from afar in Chandler, Ariz. writes a weekly column for the Abilene Reporter News that runs Thursdays. A few weeks ago, he highlighted a former McMurry volleyball player, Abbey Hester, who's playing days at Hutto High School have garnered attention as fans were able to vote on the UIL's all-century volleyball team. Check David's column out here and check online on the Abilene Reporter News every Thursday for his college notebook.

David also used to be McMurry's beat writer for the ARN for the 2007-08 school year. Since then, he's moved to Ariz. where he teaches school, but also he is an avid runner and shared his experiences in a self-published book that McMurry fans should check out by clicking here.

ARN's Jaklewicz takes a look at the other side of sports with McMurry women's soccer

The McMurry women's soccer team finished without a win for the third-straight year, and as the season was coming to a close, Greg Jacklewicz, the sports editor for the Abilene Reporter News, wrote about the program's struggles:

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/oct/22/no-headline---jaklewicz_column/

Corpus Christi Caller Times features former Flower Bluff standout R.J. Long

This article was written by Coy Slavik a couple of weeks ago, but thought McMurry football fans might find another perspective on sophomore receiver R.J. Long. First, in case you missed it, read McMurry's feature on Long and Marcus Franklin by clicking here; then see Slavik's article link below:

http://www.caller.com/news/2009/oct/20/flour-bluff-grad-keys-turnaround/

Yesterday's Press Conferences - Football and Cross Country

Here is senior cross country runner Carla Lewis reflecting on her individual ASC Title from Saturday in Clinton, Miss.:



Here is Coach Hal Mumme's words on the bye week and preparation for Saturday's cross-town showdown with Hardin-Simmons:

New Web Site, Monday's Press Conference Videos

Fans, please update your bookmarks, McMurry's new athletics web site address is http://www.mcmurrysports.com.

Here is Monday's Football Press Conference with Marcus Franklin and Hal Mumme



Here is Monday's Cross Country Press Conference with Ken Wheeler

Senior Diary: Ken Wheeler and cross country teams prepare for conference championships

It's been an interesting month for me individually and for the men's and women's teams since the last time I wrote. We have had quite a few ups and downs, a lot of successful meets, records broke, dealing with injury, stress, and a lot of surprises...but putting all that aside, there is only one meet that really counts. Cross Country is funny like that. At the end of the season, only one race matters. Only one chance. Understanding that it's easy to see how anything can happen. Next Saturday will be our Conference meet held in Mississippi, and we are definitely doing everything we can to get ready. We all have our goals and expectations, and each day that passes the intensity grows. For many of us this will be our last Conference meet, and after competing together since 06, a chance to make some more awesome memories. So if you see a runner wish them luck, and let's go take care of business!!! (John 14:1)

--Ken Wheeler

Senior Diary: Kelton reflects on volleyball team's improvement

We are on a roll; we have been playing so well together. In the years past I think we have peaked too early; where as this year we had a rough start and now at the middle and end of our season we are playing our best. We are winning and enjoy the great game of volleyball. The past 2 weeks we had the McMurry Classic and a tournament at Austin College. We swept all 3 teams at the McMurry Classic and went 2-1 at the Austin College Tournament. At the beginning of the season we had the University of Dallas tournament at Austin college and really had a rough time there going 1-2, losing against Austin College and University of Dallas. This time around it was different we came out a beat both of them. We played as a team and worked hard for every point.

Being a senior and knowing that you only have a couple more weeks of your volleyball career left you really have a different perspective on playing. You don’t want to end the season, and you don’t want to be satisfied with yourself and how you played. I have not been so worried about winning but more enjoying myself in the game, I think that by having fun, playing with 110% every ball, and being encouraging to my teammates, winning will come. We only have two more conference games left this season, we will be play on Wednesday in Schreiner and Saturday in Alpine Sul Ross State. Then we have a full week to prepare for the conference tournament!

-- Danielle Kelton

Highlights of first swim meet of 2009-10 season

McMurry University played host to two NCAA Division II schools: UT-Permian Basin, Incarnate Word.

First Day of McMurry Basketball Practice Video

Time for a little round ball ... McMurry's basketball teams began practice Thursday with both the men's and women's team looking to defend their American Southwest Conference West Division Titles. Check out video highlights and interviews with the head coaches below:

Senior Diary: Seth Waller talks about win over HPU

Our second win this year was a great one. We all showed up to play on a chilly Saturday down in Brownwood and enjoyed a short bus ride back to Abilene. The offense jumped on the board quick and did a good job of scoring throughout the game. The defense once again played well keeping them out of the endzone. We have a tough game coming up this week for homecoming when Sul Ross State comes into town. We have been practicing hard and are looking forward to playing hard on Saturday.

-- Seth Waller

Yesterday's Press Conference Video

Volleyball:



Football:

UPDATE: Saturday's Football stream vs. HPU

If you purchased the individual game to view the video stream and the live video feed and were unable to view it, please email me by clicking here. I will get you your $4.99 back. Unfortunately, if you are a monthly or yearly subscriber, you won't be able to get a refund for one game.

My apologies ...
Kyle

Saturday's football video stream

Some of you may have been disappointed Saturday when you tried to view the live audio / video stream of the football game. We could not establish an Internet connection in Brownwood. Our plan B is a Verizon Wireless Air Internet Card to stream the games, however, Brownwood does not have Verizon Wireless coverage. We apologize for the inconvenience. We are working with ICS to talk about refunds for those who bought the game individually; unfortunately refunds won't include those who've bought monthly or yearly passes. We will work to have a plan C in the future. We can make NO PROMISES about a possible refund for Saturday, but we will inform you if we hear anything.

Senior Diary: Danielle Kelton pleased with the volleyball team's progress

This past weekend was a great weekend. I feel like we are finally getting back on track. I feel like I am playing to my potential after the fist part of the season, I felt like I really struggled. But, with the help of my coaches and my teammates I have got my confidence back and been able to play my game and enjoy my last volleyball season.

I think that we have found our rotation that works best for all of us. We are communicating and working together better as the season has gone along. We have changed our practices and really feel like they are preparing us for game situations. The coaches are always good at coming up with new exciting drills that get our feet going.
The next 2 weeks are going to be very exciting because we have 7 home games in a row. Then, Homecoming is in 2 weekends, that is always an exciting time at McMurry.

-- Danielle Kelton

Senior Diary: Waller reflects on football's first win in 2009

Our first victory of the year was a sweet one. It was a well deserved win and we finally came together as a whole team and played for 60 minutes. Offense, defense and special teams all played hard to pull this victory together. Long drives on offense and scoring when we got the ball is something we are going to have to do every game from here on out. Taste of victory is sweet but we are going to move on and get ready to play HPU.

-- Seth Waller

View Today's McMurry Athletics Press Conference

McMurry vs. ETBU highlights

Senior Diary: Danielle Kelton looks at the ups and downs of last week's performance

Every year I have been at McMurry there is a time in our season were we struggle. I don’t know if that is just how things go or what, but it always happens. The past couple of weeks we have been really struggling as a team to work together and finish a game. This past week we played a tough game against Hardin-Simmons. We lost in three, and at this point I think everyone was just ready to scream. We had an opportunity for everyone to get some things off their chests; we had to do something before our first home game of the season. By doing this I think it was in a way a stress reliever for everyone, for me I know it was. Thursday we had a really tough but awesome practice, everyone was back to normal and ready to play. We won both of our games in front of our home crowd against Sul Ross and Schreiner in three sets.

I really think the true test will be this weekend at the ASC crossover tournament in Tyler. We play UTD, UT Tyler, and Letourneau, they have always been tough competition in the past. We have this whole week to practice we don’t have any weak games so this will allow us to continue to work on the things we need to work on like, playing together and finishing a game. I know we are all ready to get on a winning streak.

Danielle Kelton

Today's Press Conference

For your viewing pleasure

McMurry and Hardin-Simmons square off in the cross-town showdown in volleyball tonight. The first match will be on the north side of town at HSU's Mabee Complex. The Cowgirls enter with a 5-4 record and a 2-1 mark in the ASC West while McMurry is 4-6 with a 1-2 record in the west. Read the game preview here ...

IN THE NEWS

• In case you missed it, Carla Lewis won her third-straight ASC Runner of the Week award and men's runner Ken Wheeler won the award on the men's side helping McMurry sweep the award two weeks straight. The cross country teams were in Joplin, Mo. at the Missouri Southern Stampede. Below is a video of the highglights of the meet, thanks to head coach David Chandler for the footage. Thanks to Thomas Beckham for putting the editing touches on it.



In other news, the tennis teams hosted a non-traditional season tournament called the ASC Singles / Doubles Tournament. The tennis teams' regular season is in the spring, but the teams are allowed tournaments in the fall. In this particular tournament, seedings for the ITA Regionals are selected based upon the success of individual singles' performance and doubles performance. McMurry's Will Davis and Bryan Rainwater won the top flight of the doubles tournament and will go on to Dallas as the No. 2 seed in the ITA Regional Tournament in Dallas this weekend.

Below is a YouTube Video of interviews with head tennis coach Mark Hathorn along with comments from Davis and Rainwater.



I was out Monday sick, but I'll try to catch up and give you the Monday football press conference featuring Hal Mumme and running back Keenan Alford.

Also, more senior blogs coming ...
If you're in town support the McM Volleyball team against HSU at 7 p.m. on the campus of HSU.

Stay tuned ...
--KR

Listen to Monday's archived copy of the Sports Overtime Show, and Senior Diary entry by Seth Waller

• Check out Monday's version of Sports Overtime with guests Jimmy Terrell, Hal Mumme and ASC Media Relations Director Greg Weghorst by clicking here.

Saturday’s loss to Austin College was another game that we should have won. Our first drive was a ninety- five yard seventeen play score. Their offense came ready to play and so did ours. We scored and scored fast. We took a big hit in the third quarter when we only ran three plays. Their offense did a good job of managing the clock and keeping our offense off the field. The weather did not play too much of a factor in our passing game and hopefully this Saturday we will see a clear sky at Wilford Moore Stadium when we play Mississippi College.

-- Seth Waller #85

Catching you up on photo galleries

Brian Schmidt, our freelance photographer, has taken some good photos this season. I've been a little behind, but check these galleries:

Men's Soccer vs. University of the Southwest (09/05/09)
Women's Soccer vs. University of the Southwest (09/05/09)
Men's Cross Country - McMurry Invitational (09/12/09)
Women's Cross Country - McMurry Invitational (09/12/09)
Football vs. Austin College (09/12/09)

Stay tuned ...
-- KR

Senior Diary: Danielle Kelton recaps Colorado College Tournament experience

This past week we had the opportunity to go to Colorado Springs, CO for our second tournament of the season. We had four games this weekend and went 2-2. This weekend was a great weekend for out team. Although we lost two of the games we grew together as a team and became stronger on and off the court. We played several very good volleyball teams, one in which was Puget Sounds the number 14th team in the nation. Having the opportunity to play against these teams really helped in our preparation for our first conference game this Tuesday in Brownwood.

The coaches are always wonderful not only in taking all 23 of us on each trip so we can stay unified but also giving us the opportunity to see new and exciting places. We left Wednesday afternoon and drove all 11 hours to Colorado. The next day they took us to the Olympic Training Center, we watched a video and took a tour of the training center and were able to see some male gymnasts training. Seeing and hearing how hard each of them have to train each day really inspired me to work hard in everything I do. There was a quote on the wall that read: “Practice like you are the worst, play like you are the best” –anonymous. I really think this is the kind of mindset we should all have this season. We are preparing this week for Howard Payne on Tuesday in Brownwood.

--Danielle Kelton

Watch today's press conference with Jimmy Terrell and Hal Mumme

Mullin featured internally and externally for his college debut

Sophomore Quarterback Jake Mullin is turning heads not only for his 479-yard record-setting pass performance Saturday night, but for the fact that he's been out of football for three years.

Read McMurry's feature on Mullin which includes quotes from his Burleson High School coach Mel Maxfield, and then read the Abilene Reporter News feature story on Mullin by Sam Waller. On a side note, the ARN launched a new web site design, looks good.

Stay tuned ...
--KR

Senior Diary: Kelton reflects on the ups and downs of the UD Tournament

This week we had our first tournament of the year, in Sherman. We were in great need of this weekend. Friday night was awesome; we won in three against Hendrix. It being our first game of the season everyone was excited to be there and ready to play. The game was so much fun everyone one was talking and enthusiastic the whole game; having 23 people on the team is awesome. Even though we played so well on Friday we had a rough day on Saturday. We played Austin College and University of Dallas, we lost to both teams but these two games really showed us what each of us need to work on and what we need to work as on a team. During the times we were struggling on Saturday it was great when we could bring people off the bench to come in and help us fight back. Being a team with so many new players it may take us a couple of games to get use to each other’s tendencies. There were several games when we would be ahead seven or eight points and we weren’t able to finish. That is something we have had a problem with in the past, but I know we can overcome that and be able to finish strong; we did it against Hendrix. We just need to be consistent in playing all 25 points. After the tournament we went to Great Wolf Lodge for some team bonding, we met several of the volleyball alumni that played for Coach Petree when she won her last conference tournament. It was a great time for us to get to know each other better and spend some fun and relaxing time together off the court as a team. We are practicing this week and then leaving on Wednesday to go to Colorado Springs, CO for a tournament.

-- Danielle Kelton

Senior Diary: Waller reflects on first game

Our home opener was a tough loss. We came out excited to play and ready to get the season started off with a bang. Both offense and defense played lights out but we could not catch a break when we needed one. The improvements we have made from last year and the start of camp are tremendous, and we are sure to turn many heads this season. We need to correct our mistakes and work on the little things that are going to make us a great football team. We have moved on and this week we play Austin College again at home and are ready to show people what the 2009 McMurry football team is all about. Preparation is under way to go out and get our first win of the season.

-- Seth Waller #85

Signs of Things To come ... Trust me read until the bottom of this post

Before we dive into the meat, here are some tidbits from Saturday's game

• Jake Mullin attempted 100 passes his senior season as the starting quarterback at Burleson High School. In his first college game, he attempted more than half that total with 54 attempts.
• Mullin appears to have the highest passing total this week in all the NCAA at any division with 479 yards. We are still working to confirm this number
• Sophomore Marcus Franklin caught six passes for 153 yards. The 153 yards is the 10th highest receiving yardage total for a McMurry player in an individual game since McMurry joined the NCAA in 1996.
• Mullin was the first McMurry player to throw for at least 300 yards since Jordan Neuman passed for 394 yards against Howard Payne Oct. 16, 2004.

My Take:
•If you read the Abilene Reporter News Article written by Sam Waller, you saw that Hal Mumme said he wasn't into moral victories. You can't expect him to be. He's had nothing to do with poor record or reputation of the McMurry football program for the last few seasons. He's used to seeing success, he's used to seeing it quick. So from that stand point, McMurry fans should be pleased to hear this from Mumme. He expects to win, he expects to win now. For those of you at the game, you saw two touchdown passes called back for penalties, and you saw four turnovers by McMurry in the fourth quarter. We lost the game by five points. What does that tell you about where we are as a football team? For one, it tells you that if we had it cleaned up a little bit, it's quite possible we could have beat Trinity by two to three touchdowns. The other thing it tells you, is that we have quite a bit to clean up. But the most important thing it tells you is that even with the few mistakes, we nearly be a perennial Division III power. Great things to come ...

• As impressive as Jake Mullin was, he'll be the first to tell you that the three interceptions are not acceptable to him (Watch today's press conference). But, I'll rave about Mullin later in the feature I'm writing on him ... look for that late tonight or tomorrow.

• Defensively, we were kept in the ball game in the first half by their stellar performance. McMurry only allowed 10 points, 155 yards of offense and, just 3 of 9 third-down conversions were converted by Trinity.

• Several playmakers emerged, we already knew Drew Wallace could play, he responded with 10 tackles, 1.5 TFL, a forced fumble and two recoveries. Jimmy Terrell, the receiver turned safety went out into the forest and brought home the wood; he had 10 tackles, 2.5 TFL and a forced fumble that led to a Wallace recovery. Nick Hernandez led the team with 11 tackles, Kerry Gamble had 10 and a forced fumble and our corners Gavan Bass and Gene Hudson (also had a pick) impressed the coaches and the crowd with five and six tackles respectively.

• The advantage of having a quick strike offense means a lot of chances to score. The disadvantage means lots of time on the field for the defense. McMurry's defense was on the field seven and a half minutes longer than Trnity's even though the teams were nearly even in total plays at 74-73 in favor of the Tigers.

• Bottom line is, McMurry will end the losing streak sooner rather than later if their effort matches this week's. Mistakes will happen with a team nearly exclusively led by underclassmen, but by the time mid-season rolls around, the Air Raid will be even more finely tuned and the 3-3-5 defense will continue to take shape.

Areas to work on:
I'm not a football expert, so when I write this section, I'll just stick to the stats: Negative nine rushing yards even though we are in a pass-heavy offense (55 pass plays, 19 run plays) is an issue that the McMurry coaches have said they will address. We have to be able to have that change of pace on the ground from time to time. However, Chantz Purvis' (six receptions 56 yards) performance out of the back field catching the ball on short receptions could be considered nearly the same effect that the ground game would have.

McMurry's defense was credited with two quarterback hurries and one sack. Overall, the defensive line was solid and the defense as a whole held Trinity well under the season average of total offense from a year ago. I'm sure they would have liked to get more pressure on the passer although Trinity did only throw the ball 24 times. Austin College is likely to throw the ball less this Saturday.

Crowd Grade: B+
Lots of hype led to a great crowd. We could stand to be a little more energetic on third downs when we're on defense. I literally yelled from the press box a couple of times during the game for the fans to get up and yell at crucial times and received no response. However, in one of the most important plays of the game, I coerced our P.A. Announcer David Bacon into rallying the crowd in the fourth quarter. He hesitantly obliged, but the crowd responded. Hopefully, in the future, our crowds won't need such a suggestion, but they'll already be doing it!

That said, the students in the end zone were GREAT, and overall the crowd was fantastic! I hope we can keep up the energy throughout the season. Not to overlook Austin College, but I think a very big test for McMurry's team will be week three against Mississippi College who pummeled Milsaps, a solid program from the SCAC, Saturday night.

Band Grade: A+
Putting the McMurry band on the east side was genious as the group played towards the home side and created racket behind the visiting bench. Dr. Chris Neal's decision to bring the band to the home side in the fourth quarter when things were getting close was another stroke of genius, and I know it helped get the crowd involved in the late going.

Other than a five-point loss, the first game of the season should be considered a SUCCESS. Can't wait til next week ... I wanted you to read the whole thing, if you did, your reward is: HIGHLIGHTS!



And check out the full photo gallery of Saturday's game by Brian Schmidt.

Stay tuned ...
--KR

Today's Weekly Press Conference

will follow up later ...

DARN!

Though the game didn't end like we wanted, this picture shows our coaching staff and players enjoying a first-quarter touchdown. And though there were opportunities to knock off No. 20 Trinity Saturday, there's plenty to celebrate. Remember that last year's team was throttled by Trinity 48-18 in the season opener. So the fact that McMurry held the lead going into the fourth quarter and had the NCAA Division III power scrambling to find a way to beat us is a very positive sign for the both the near and distant future under the new regime of Hal Mumme and his staff.

When I first got back on board at McMurry this past summer, one of the first articles I wrote is about how McMurry's passing records would immediately begin to fall. My crystal ball was right, or we could just credit the incredible offensive scheme that is the Air Raid. Sophomore quarterback Jake Mullin had some rough patches being that it was his first organized football game since 2006 when he was a senior in high school. However, his positives outweighed his negatives. He set the single-game passing record at McMurry for yards (479) and completions (35). Mullin passed Braxton Shaver in both cases; Shaver had 410 yards on 33 completions Oct. 3, 1998 vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor. More tomorrow, I'm tired.

Check out the game story
Check out a taste of the incredible photos by Brian Schmidt.

Stay tuned ...
--KR

What a half!

All things considered, we're pretty happy campers in the press box at halftime. Thanks to Brian Schmidt to the great picture of Gene Hudson's interception. Mullin has 201 passing yards and Marcus Franklin has 81 yards receiving at half. We had a couple of missed opportunities and Trinity did as well. It will be up to coaches now to see who makes the best adjustments.

McMurry trails 10-7 to nationally-ranked Trinity, the second half to come

Stay tuned ...
--KR

A little help for our fans ...

• I wanted to give McMurry fans one more push to join us by following @mcmsports on Twitter. You must first set up an account on Twittter. Once you have that set up, go to http://twitter.com/mcmsports. Click the follow button. Then, you must go to your own home page, select settings and turn on your mobile device. Then once your mobile device is ready, you have to turn mobile updates on for McMurry sports. Then, every time I update the twitter page, you will instantaneously get a text to you cell phone. This will be especially useful when I report scores on site.

• To watch the McMurry Athletics video / audio webcasts. You must sign up to be a McMurry Insider on the web site. From the athletics home page, scroll over the “For Fans” tab and select “Live Audio / Video.” That link will take you to the SideArmSports page for McMurry. To sign up ($4.99 per game, $10.95 per month, $69.99 per year) you must click the “Sign in / Register” button on the top right-hand corner of the page. If you have already signed up, you need just to sign in with your user name and password. However, if you have not signed up yet, you will need to click on the word “Register” which is grayed out to the right of “Sign In.” From there you can put in your information and your credit card information. IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE, return to the SideArmSports Home page and look in the lower right-hand corner for the “Tech Support” button. ICS, the company that hosts the audio / video has said that there should be someone on call to answer your emails if you have trouble. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, please use ICS as your source of tech support for the McMurry Insider. However, if you get no response, feel free to email me: robarts.kyle@gmail.com.

• The Abilene Reporter News has stepped up their game on local coverage this year. A lot of it has to do with the extra-local emphasis that new sports editor Greg Jaklewicz has placed on his staff. Also kudos to Sam Waller, McMury’s beat writer, for his work this school year so far. Here is the link to the Abilene Reporter News Sports Page to read up on McMurry.

Senior Diary: Kat Alonso and the women's team get started this week

As we got through the first week of school and got into the mix of playing our first two games we definetly grew a lot as a team. Our game against Cisco on Friday was cancelled due to injuries, so a weekend of rest was pretty nice. Our last few sessions we have been focusing a lot on fitness and again touching up on our basics. Everything seems to be falling together and as a small team were learning a lot about each other. We are down to our last two games before conference play starts, Thursday against Wayland Baptist in Plainview, which will be our first away trip together. Then, we'll play the University of the Southwest on Saturday here at home at 1 p.m. Although there is room for improvement and we have a lot more growing to do, the season is definitely looking up and were all excited to be a part of the team this year.

--Kathy Alonso

It's finally here ...

The McMurry Athletics 2009-2010 season is finally underway after Tuesday's Cross Country Twilight Relays. Check out the story from the first official event of the year. With the story link, you can also view a small photo gallery (unfortunately with the sun going down, I was only able to capture a few photos that were usable), also get the entire results. Carla Lewis and Alaisha Guerra teamed up to win the women's 2X2-mile relay and Todd Neer and Brad Mullens placed second in the men's 2X5K relay. Enjoy the YouTube highlights below:

Yesterday's Press Conference Video

Press conference video available tomorrow, Sports OT NOT archived

Unfortunately, something happened and tonight's sports overtime show did not archive on our local computers, so we will be unable to post this week's show. I thought it went very well, and Ken Wheeler and Gavan Bass did an excellent job as our student-athlete interviews. Greg Harrod talked season tickets for football and Operation Maroon Pride, Chase Holbrook talked about his perspective of the Air Raid Offense both as a player and a coach, and Greg Weghorst gave us the Weekly Report. If ANYONE was able to hear the show live via the Internet link, please let me know by commenting in the comments box on this page, or by emailing me. It will help me with technical issues so we can avoid this again in the future.

We asked a trivia question and gave away two season ticket packages to a man named Joe, who in turn, directly donated the tickets back to the program for Maroon Pride, which I thought was a nice gesture.

If any fans out there want to send the Dyess AFB military personnel along with their immediate families to McMurry's home football games this season, please click here and donate $30 per season ticket package.

The YouTube video didn't upload correctly as well, so I really had a case of the Mondays today. I will try to have it posted by the lunch hour tomorrow.

Stay tuned ...
--KR

Gavan Bass, Ken Wheeler, Chase Holbrook, Hal Mumme, David Chandler, Greg Harrod all involved in this week's media day.

Don't forget to tune into Sports Overtime tonight Live at 6 p.m. CST. If you miss it, we'll have an archived copy posted Tuesday. Hal Mumme, Gavan Bass, David Chandler and Ken Wheeler will represent football and cross country respectively at the weekly press conference at 2 p.m. Then, at 6 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1560 AM KZQQ tune in for interviews with Greg Weghorst (ASC office), Chase Holbrook (running backs coach and former QB under Hal Mumme), Gavan Bass (sophomore cornerback), Ken Wheeler (Senior men's runner for cross country), and Greg Harrod (Director of Football Operations).

Click Here to Listen Live.

Senior Diary: Danielle Kelton sees the mix of old and new coming together in final week before the volleyball season

As the weeks pass to our first game I am becoming more and more confident in our team this year. Last year we had a very good team and we lost several crucial players. They were not just great players, but they brought enthusiasm, encouragement, and positivity to the team. It was sad for several of us not to have them around, and I would catch myself looking for them. I am so excited to get to know each one of the new girls. With, having so many new players, it is best to know them not only on the court but off the court as well. This year we all want to be united on and off the court. We try to eat together and hangout whenever we can. I believe that being united off the court will come natural when we are on the court. This week, the newcomers really opened up, and they are beginning to fit in well with us. They bring that extra excitement and positivity to the team. There is great talent all the way around on this team. I have no worries that if someone has to come in off the bench, that the level of play will decrease a single bit. We have depth and I love it! We have our first games this coming weekend September 4th and 5th in Sherman. I absolutely can’t wait to put everything together in an actual game.

--Danielle Kelton

Senior Diary: Ken Wheeler excited about the upcoming cross country season

As our season is starting up there are already a lot of high expectations, a team packed with seniors, ranked 8th in the preseason regional rankings, and a great shot at a conference title that has been just barely out of reach for 9 years. I personally feel the pressure of competition because of a back injury that kept me out of track and slowed my summer training. These past few weeks though have been phenomenal as we met the new freshman and caught back up with old teammates. As our first meet is approaching, I'm sure one thing that is on everyone's mind is how will they individually compare to the competition and how will we as a team compete. Through it all, though, Coach [David] Chandler keeps our spirits focused on the bigger picture with this season's kind of unofficial slogan "run free." Free from all the worry and stress, and simply praising God with our gifts as we empty our hearts into the sport we love........Though it seems far away now, the big meets will be here before we know it, and I look forward to updating everyone on what amazing things God is doing in our lives and on our teams.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's press conference.
--KR

Watch McMurry games live and listen as well with McMurry Sports Insider

In case you missed it, read the release on becoming a McMurry Sports Insider. Basically live audio / video is available for all 10 football games, five volleyball matches, four men's and women's soccer matches, at least 22 games for both men's and women's basketball, and at least 10 baseball games.

Cost per game is $4.99, cost to subscribe monthly, which includes access to all sports for that month is $10.95, and a yearly subscription costs $69.99 which gives you access to over 75 events on the year.

Volleyball and soccer matches will be video only. Hope you take advantage of this opportunity to follow McMurry Sports. Email me if you have questions.

Listen to archived file of today's Sports Overtime Radio Show, video press conference coming shortly

Below is today's Press Conference Video: Guests were Cammie Petree, Sarah Anding, Hal Mumme and Chantz Purvis.



You can listen to today's McMurry Sports Overtime show in archived format by clicking here. On today's show were Petree, Anding, Purvis and defensive line coach Barris Grant.

Also, in case you haven't been checking the official McMurry Athletics site, the preseason ASC Volleyball polls were released. McMurry finished third in the ASC West Division voting including two first-place votes. Anding was named ASC West Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Read the Release here.

Stay tuned ...
-- KR

Senior Diary: Danielle Kelton prepares for her fourth and final season of volleyball at McMurry

This week was our first week of two-a-days, and while being the one and only senior is very exciting, it’s also very sad at the same time. This year is different; coming into this season I didn’t know what to expect because this year we have 24 players on the team. But, to my surprise it has been wonderful. Everyone came in excited and ready to work out hard, people have worked hard throughout the summer and you can really tell. The coaches have been very organized; we are getting a lot of conditioning and by setting up two nets during practice, everyone is getting a lot of touches on the ball. It is very exciting having this many people and so much talent on one team. Knowing that someone could take your place at any moment really makes everyone work hard and want to be the best of the best. The new girls are wonderful and I am so blessed to have them all on my team my last year at McMurry. We are really beginning to mesh well. I really feel confident in this team of 24. I can’t wait to see what the season holds for us.

-- Danielle Kelton

Listen live to McMurry's Sports Overtime, other notes in the news

Click here to get the weekly media press kit I give to the media and get the live link for Sports Overtime. It airs locally on ESPN Radio 1560 AM KZQQ. Also, we will archive the show and post it Tuesday.

Also, a couple of McMurry football stories in the Abilene Reporter News this week by Sam Waller (not to be confused with our player, Seth Waller). Be sure to drop him a line to appreciate what he's doing. Those guys often hear the negative, so McMurry fans should compliment sports writers when they cover our teams well, and Sam is doing a good job.

• McMurry Nation feels the Jackets' sting
  
• Roscoe's life beyond the Villanuevas

Stay tuned ...
-- KR

Senior Diary: Kat Alonso takes a look towards the 2009 season for women's soccer

We arrived at camp on Sunday the 16th with 5 returners and 10 freshmen. We started off with an easy pick up game and for once in the past few years of the women’s program, things look good. Everyone came into camp with a touch on the ball and ready to play. As the week has gone by we lost a player but picked up a few more and pulled together while putting a major emphasis on TEAMWORK. Every practice we focus on fitness and proper technique. We played our first scrimmage Saturday the 22nd and although we lost, we now know what we need to improve on to make us a better team and achieve our first win this Tuesday against Western Texas. We are a small team and we know that this season is not going to be easy but we are determined to turn it around and take it one game at a time. Coach Grove, Coach Tate and Coach Lindsey Grove have been extremely motivating throughout the week and we look forward to finishing up preseason and having a successful season with them.

-- Kathy Alonso

Monday, the lone senior on the volleyball team, Danielle Kelton, will write about her last first week of volleyball camp.

Stay tuned ...
-- KR

Training Camp comes to a close with Packer Day

This is definitely not the end of the McMurry Sports Blog coverage of football. And also, it's the beginning for many of the other sports that this blog will provide. However, the daily videos (or most days) will stop after this one. We will have weekly press conferences Mondays at 2 p.m., so those days we will always catch up with coaches and players with YouTube videos. Also, we will try to provide special event videos and hopefully (no promises) some highlight videos where we can get them.

As far as text goes, I plan to update the blog pretty regularly with notes from around McMurry that may not make it to the athletics web site. I'll give you an early heads up. We will be streaming audio and video of all 10 football games this season, but fans will have to pay subscription packages (monthly or yearly) or by the game.

Also, the athletics web site is undergoing re-design and hopefully we'll be able to do even more with it. If you remember, three years ago, the web site was brutal, and now it is a site that receives over 1 million hits per year.

So, please keep coming back to visit the blog. We have senior diaries lined up for volleyball (Danielle Kelton) and women's soccer (Kathy Alonso) and those updates will come Sunday and Monday respectively.

I've had a lot of fun, but am exhausted, I know the players and coaches are as well. If you have any comments or suggestions, leave them in the comments below each post. Read also, the official release on the final day of training camp for McMurry Football.

Stay tuned ...

-- KR

Spoiling You

Here's not one, not two, but three photo galleries from today's happenings in McMurry athletics.

First, the volleyball intrasquad scrimmage that took place in front of at least 100 on-lookers. Click here to see the photo gallery. The volleyball team begins the season in Sherman Sept. 4-5 at the University of Dallas Tournament with four matches.

Second, the football team has its last day of two-a-days today. I'll get you the final video of training camp tonight, but here's this morning's gallery from practice at Dyess Air Force Base. I have lived in Abilene 19 years and had been to the base just once as a kid for an air show. I didn't realize how big it was, and they had extremely nice facilities for their personnel to play sports in.

Thirdly, the rough-and-tough football players at McMurry showed a more humane sign after morning practice by running its second Bleacher Creatures events for the children of Dyess Air Force Base, be sure to check out this gallery.

Senior Diary: Waller looks towards final practice tonight

Camp has been going well and our “practice” in Lubbock with another team went great. We had over 450 yards of offense and defense played tough. We came back with strong practices and are now polishing up our offense. This morning we had an inter-squad scrimmage out at Dyess Air Force Base, and again both offense and defense played hard and things are beginning to shape up. We thank all who showed up this morning and appreciate them having us out there.

We finish up our last practice of camp tonight at 7:30 p.m. and are looking forward to our first upcoming game vs Trinity at home on September 5th.

-- Seth Waller

McMurry's final practice is tonight and fans are welcome to come to the last open practice of the season. You'll also get to see the infamous Packer Drill in its final day where all defensive players are required to do 15 consecutive minutes of up-downs in order to play in the 2009 season.

More photos from Dyess and the kids clinic upcoming soon.

--KR

Tonight's Practice Video, looking towards last day of camp

Tomorrow, McMurry closes camp with two-a-days. The team will practice at Dyess Air Force Base in an effort to build a further relationship with the local military unit. McMurry began a program a few weeks ago called Operation Maroon Pride where fans can purchase season tickets for active military personnel and their families so they can attend the games for free.

We'll try to bring you coverage tomorrow from that eventful practice. The team will also conduct a kids clinic for the kids that live on the Dyess campus.

Then, the team closes training camp with practice. For the defense, it means that defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn will require that his players make it through 15-minutes of up-downs, a tradition carried on by Dunn from Vince Lombardi's days in Green Bay.

We'll wrap up this mega-coverage tomorrow. I hope you fans have enjoyed it, and we'll try to use this blog to keep fans updated with the latest insider news on McMurry Athletics.

Volleyball completes first day of practice

NCAA regulations say that we cannot publicize football scrimmages. So the football team ...................... And, moving on.

Football fans take a break and get to know a little bit about the McMurry volleyball team. Head coach Cammie Petree is in her 14th season (three different stints) and the team is looking for its third-straight trip to the ASC Tournament and first West Division title since 2002. Terah Brown is the reigning ASC West Division MVP and is the only all-American in school history after she earned honorable mention honors as a sophomore last season by the AVCA. Also coming back is the regining ASC West Division Defensive Player of the Year in Sarah Anding and all-conference honoree Danielle Kelton. The team has seven other returnees with significant playing time from last season, and Petree welcomed 15 newcomers Tuesday. McMurry volleyball gets started in Sherman Sept. 4-5 with four matches at the University of Dallas Tournament (actually on Austin College's campus due to floor damage at UD).

Check out today's first day of practice photo gallery (no newcomers included because of McMurry's first-year Vision Quest Program, only returnees were at afternoon practice, I'll make it up to the freshman and transfer parents).

Here is the roster, the schedule, the link to today's web story, and 2008 Stats. Enjoy the YouTube Video below:

No coverage tonight

I am taking a much needed night off tonight, so I'll leave you with a couple of random notes to go over. First, we cannot publicize our scrimmage with N.M.M.I. so I won't be going to Lubbock, and you won't be seeing any photos or video coverage from the scrimmage itself. However, Friday morning, I will interview Hal Mumme on the vid-cam and let McMurry fans know how it went and what his perceptions were.

Secondly, know that Saturday is the official last day of camp with practice at Dyess Air Force Base. We initially called it a scrimmage, it is not a scrimmage other than the fact that McMurry's players will scrimmage each other on base. We are doing this to build a relationship with Dyess and to attract active Military personnel to come out to the games. Obviously, we are as a McMurry community asking fans to participate in McMurry's Operation Maroon Pride program so that fans can buy tickets for the active military personnel at Dyess. I will be attending that, and I will get footage and photos from there.

Thirdly, I finished 92 bios on the web for football. Check the roster there. We should have numbers by Sunday on the web.

Lastly, one of the sections on the player questionnaires that they fill out for me to write bios is one where the players write if their relatives have ever played college or pro sports.

Every year, we get some interesting ones. Usually distant cousins or so-and-so is someone's father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate (pardon the Spaceballs reference). However, this year we have a couple of good ones. We need the whole story on this first one, but Delfonte Diamond is the nephew of former NBA great Karl Malone.

As big a name as Malone is, and its a big one, Rae'Shaud Lemon's great uncle is Meadowlark Lemon, a 22-year veteran of the Harlem Globetrotters and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.

He was also known as the "Clown Prince" and played over 16,000 games for the Globetrotters.

Training Camp Central: Two-A-Days Recap video

Longer video tonight, no photo gallery. Team is preparing for scrimmage Thursday in Lubbock at Jones Stadium against New Mexico Military Institute. Hope you enjoy the video. Keep visiting and give us comments in the comments box if you have feedback. Kickoff is approaching; it's just 18 days away!

Listen to yesterday's show, see yesterday's gallery

I said I would take care of our fans, and I did. Brian Schmidt, who I've hired to be our contract photographer for McMurry's fall sports, filled in for his first assignment last night and shot the first practice with full pads. Brian will shoot all our home football games and a handful of volleyball and soccer games as well as a cross country meet.

Check the gallery.

Also, if you missed last night's first Sports Overtime Show, you can listen to it here. If you have trouble hearing it, drop me an email and let me know, and I'll try to help you. The file format is ".wma," so I'm not sure what all programs you need to hear it. It opened on QuickTime on my computer, so hopefully that will work for you too.

Click here to listen to the first Sports Overtime Show of the 2009-2010 school year.

Tonight, I'll be at practice resuming my duties and getting video footage.

--KR

Today's Weekly Press Conference

Today was the first weekly press conference for McMurry Athletics. These will be a regular event beginning on Monday's and we will post the videos both here and on the main athletics web site. I did not go to practice today, but hopefully you were able to catch the Sports Overtime radio show to hear the interviews with Hal Mumme, Joe Lee Dunn, Drew Wallace, Josh Clements and Greg Weghorst. I did take care of you, however, with photos from the first full-pads practice, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for me to post them.

Take a look at the uncut press conference. You'll have to excuse about 20 seconds during the interview with Mumme, I took the camera off him trying to silence my phone! Just got a new one and don't know how to work it yet!

Below is the video:

Sports Overtime Radio Show debuts second season tonight!

McMurry' Sports Overtime radio show debuts for its second season Monday night with a live remote from McMurry's Wilford Moore Stadium. The show, which airs locally on ESPN Radio 1560 AM, moved to a new time in its second season at 6 p.m. (CDT) and runs until 7 p.m.

Head coach Hal Mumme and defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn will join host Kyle Robarts live from the press box for interviews. Seniors Andrew Wallace and Josh Clements will also be guests on the first show.

Greg Weghorst, the American Southwest Conference Media Relations Director, will provide the ASC Weekly Report and be a regular guest on the show as well for the 2009-2010 school year.

Sports Overtime will cover all three colleges in Abilene throughout the season, but Monday night's show will be exclusively McMurry and mostly a show concerning the football program. The football team will be preparing for its first full-pads practice at McMurry at 8 p.m. and the show will air prior to the practice.

Fans can listen live by clicking the audio link below, and it will be archived and posted on the McMurry Athletics Site and the McMurry Sports Blog within 24 hours.

http://pointers.audiovideoweb.com/stcasx/ca25winlive2078/play.asx

Training Camp Central: Day four over, hiting the breaks on coverage

For four days, I've brought you photo galleries and YouTube videos of camp. Beginning tomorrow I'll have to slow down coverage a bit. This week is absolutely crunch time to complete the digital media guide, to finish player bios, coach bios and get the game-day magazine ready for production. I won't abandon coverage all together, but there won't be as much multimedia this week. Also, I will sprinkle in coverage from soccer, cross country and volleyball as those sports all begin this week. I hope you've enjoyed what you've seen. And I WILL make daily posts, but there may not always be videos or galleries to accompany it. Coach Mumme wasn't pleased with practice tonight, you'll see that on the video. The picture that accompanies this entry is Mumme with sophomore cornerback Gavan Bass.

Click here to see tonight's photo gallery.

And here's the YouTube video:


Talk to you tomorrow McMurry fans, spread the word about the blog, twitter, athletics home page and YouTube Channel - let's make our multimedia pages the most visited in NCAA Division III!

--KR

Largest number in school's history shows up for men's soccer camp

Now on to futbol. Take a break from 11-on-11 with helmets and pads and take a look at a video of today's first practice for men's soccer at McMurry. Third-year head coach Tim Grove welcomed 30 players to camp Sunday and expects that 32 will be practicing by Tuesday. You'll see it in the video, but Grove's attitude is one that McMurry fans would appreciate. He said that he thinks that the rebuilding process is over and that he expects results this year. McMurry's goal as a men's program is to make the conference tournament, a feat the team hasn't accomplished since 2004.

Take a look at the video below and check back later in the week for updates on both men's and women's soccer.