Women’s and men’s basketball kicked off their seasons with a tip-off night to introduce players and coaches in October for 1,200 fans. The women opened their season with 9-2 record under new head coach Rob Edmsson.
Rob came off of an NAIA National Championship at Oklahoma State University last season. He is 404-120 in 16 season as a college coach and has never had a losing season in his years of coaching. The new coach has guided 38 all-conference players, including four newcomer of the year award winners, two defensive players of the year, the sportsmanship award winner and three SAC player of the year honorees.
Heather Howard was named women’s basketball MIAA Athlete of the Week early in the season when she averaged a double-double with 14.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game through the Griffons’ first two contests. She helped her team defeat its first NCAA Division I team (University of Missouri-Kansas City) since 1997 and defeat their first Division II top-25 team since 2011.
The men opened their season under Head Coach Tom Smith. Tom is in his 25th season at Missouri Western and his 38th season as a collegiate head coach in 2012-2013. In December, he announced that he will retire at the end of this season. Tom became the winningest coach in Missouri Western history in 1998 and won his 600th game in the season opener in 2011. (Editor’s note: There will be more on Coach Smith’s outstanding career in the Spring 2013 issue.)
At press time, the men’s team’s record was 5-5.
A ticker: Keep up with Missouri Western athletics and sports schedules at gogriffons.com.