Big Day for McMurry Basketball in Thursday's Abilene Reporter News

Wednesday was a historical, monumental day for McMurry basketball and the athletics department as a whole with Ron Holmes stepping down after 20 seasons and Matt Garnett chosen as the successor. My press release was 1,500 words trying to harness the impact of the day, and I know I still couldn't do it justice. I went to buy an Abilene Reporter News paper this morning to see what the coverage was like of the event after watching the local television newscasts last night. The Holmes / Garnett story was at the top of the sports page with a good jump to page three and written by Sam Waller. Check Waller's article here.



But I also noticed two other articles in the sports section that also gave McMurry a lot of press. We honored Kit Kimbrell and Leon Rawlings, Jr. Saturday between the men's and women's games against Howard Payne. We invited the ARN sports editor, Greg Jaklewicz, to the dinner at Lytle Land & Cattle Saturday night to write a piece on the duo that has been calling McMurry basketball, football and baseball games for 15 seasons. We wanted to honor them for 15 years of service, but the ceremonies also included an announcement that Leon would be retiring following the conclusion of basketball season. Jaklewicz's article on Kit and Leon also appeared in the paper Thursday morning. Please check that article here. The picture above was during the women's game Saturday against Howard Payne. Note that not only will it be Holmes' last two games as head coach at Kimbrell Arena tonight and Saturday, but also, it will be Leon's last two games as well, and the last two times that Kit and Leon will call together.

If that wasn't enough, we've mentioned to you before about the "Thursday College Notebook" in the ARN written by former McMurry beat writer Marc David. He rotates between Hardin-Simmons, McMurry, Abilene Christian and Tarleton State to catch up with former athletes still working in the sports industry. You'll also remember that Jan. 30, Holmes held a reunion for three of his squads spanning from 1998-2001 and 14 members of those three teams returned to be recognized. Thursday, to lead off the College Notebook, David caught up with Daniel Martinez who still holds career school and ASC records for assists and steals. Check that article here.