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.

Holmes stepping down as men's basketball coach, will remain A.D.; Garnett Chosen as successor

Not the complete press conference, but the highlights of Holmes and Garnett's speeches.

Here is the official press release.
Here is the photo gallery of the press conference.

Story is also on the front of d3hoops.com
and the ASC Web Site

Stay tuned ...
--KR

Kiwanis Club Shootout Photos

The McMurry vs. Hardin-Simmons basketball rivalry has been one of intensity for both the men's and the women's teams over the years. But as important as the basketball games are to each school, there's always a reminder for both programs every year that it's just a game. February 1 marked the 13th season that McMurry and HSU have teamed up with the Kiwanis Club of Abilene to bring awareness to the Hendrick Children's Miracle Network and the Meek Children's Hospital.

Please check out the photo gallery link below, and then see an excerpt from David Jones, the backbone behind the Kiwanis Club Shootout in an email he sent following the event to the participants.

Photo Gallery Link

Thank you, thank you, thank you...for making the 13th Annual - Kiwanis Club of Abilene - Basketball Shoot Out a big success. Attached are just a few of the photographs from the Shoot Out so you can see the fun we had.

With your help, this years Shoot Out raised $4,005.07 for children in need. This makes the total amount we have donated in the last 13 years to the Children's Miracle Network and Hendrick Children's Hospital ... $43,377.06.

The Change Bandits did a great job again this year in robbing people for a good cause. We really appreciate the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Boy Scout Troop #206, First Financial Bank and of course the women's and men's basketball teams from McMurry and Hardin-Simmons for their efforts. Thanks especially to First Financial Bank, who was not only our corporate sponsor, but the fine folks at the River Oaks Branch also counted all of the money in the "Bandit Bags" that were turned in, which is quite an undertaking.

The ceremonial ball toss and half-time Change Bandit donations went great. Thank you coaches, players and universities for making our Miracle Kids, Keegan Vowell and Ryan Courvelle, feel extra special. I'm not sure we have ever had anyone ham it up quite as much as Ryan did during the second half-time. He was having a great time.

Of course, we really appreciate Melinda Blay and Megan Clifton and all the folks at Children's Miracle Network who helped with a lot of the details of putting the Shoot Out on and making it a grand success this year.

-- David Jones, Shootout Chairman

Baseball gallery, football recruiting update

Baseball season was welcomed Sunday with mid-30's degree weather and a loss to NCAA Division II West Texas A&M. McMurry will try and rebound with a win Friday at noon against New Mexico Highlands and then will play another game Saturday at noon against the University of the Southwest. Our talented contact photographer, Brian Schmidt, took some photos of the baseball game Sunday and I posted 12 of them on the web site. Check them here.

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The NCAA Division III rules don't allow high school students or transfers to sign national letters of intent. So on the big day when players declare where they are going to college, while it is binding for D1 and D2 schools, a high school athlete who declares they are going to a D3 school can change their minds at any point.

That being said, there were a few football players from around the area that said they would be continuing their playing careers at McMurry, see some of the posts below.

• Abilene Cooper's QB Heslep to McMurry (ARN)
• Albany's RB Hudson considering several D2 and D3 schools (ARN)
• Abilene High's Mosley, Gorman and Brooks plan to attend McMurry (ARN)
• Abilene Cooper's Beck, Lowry and Beall plan to go to McMurry (ARN)
• Huntsville's Collier and Smith speak well of McMurry in decision (Huntsville Item)

Stay tuned ...
--KR

First-Half highlights from McMurry vs. Hardin-Simmons - MBB

First-Half highlights from McMurry vs. Hardin-Simmons - WBB

Men's Basketball Reunion story; McMurry vs. Hardin-Simmons

I'm sitting court-side at Hardin-Simmons' Mabee Complex in preparation for the McMurry vs. Hardin-Simmons women's and men's basketball matchups. I still contend after living here for nearly 20 years that it provides the best college-sports atmosphere that Abilene has. It particularly is good when both teams are highly successful and the student sections from each school give a strong showing. But nonetheless, there have been some great battles in both men's and women's games over the past few years here. The women's game should provide a strong matchup tonight because HSU is fighting to get back in the postseason tournament race. McMurry is fourth in the ASC West while Hardin-Simmons is just behind at fifth and needs to move to fourth to make the tournament in late February.

The other special thing about this matchup is the annual "Kiwanis Club of Abilene Shootout" which benefits the Hendrick Children's Miracle Network. Over the years, the Kiwanis Club in association with both Hardin-Simmons and McMurry has raised over $20,000 to aide the Meek Children's Hospital.

Below are some pictures of the McMurry men's and women's teams making a visit to the hospital. Thanks to women's head coach Veronica Snow for the pictures.





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The McMurry men's basketball reunion featuring teams from the 1998-2001 seasons that combined for a 73-9 record and two-straight NCAA Tournament appearances was a success. Head coach Ron Holmes welcomed back nearly 20 players from that era. They were honored at halftime of the men's game vs. Concordia-Texas Saturday and a meal was held in their honor at the Wingate Hotel following the game.



Sam Waller, McMurry's beat writer for the Abilene Reporter News, was able to catch up with a few players, Holmes and Gerald Coppedge a former assistant. Check his article here.

Stay tuned ...
--KR