Missouri Western and the Kansas City Chiefs have announced that Western will host an off season practice for the Chiefs on June 12 at Spratt Stadium.

The practice will be a passing practice featuring some of the Kansas City Chief players. The players will not be in full pads, but rather helmets and shorts. The Chiefs cheerleaders and KC Wolf will also be in attendance for fans to enjoy. Missouri Western Vice President Dan Nicoson has been appointed chair of the committee for this event and he believes this will help Western’s prominence. (Full story)

The political husband and wife team of James Carville and Mary Matalin will be the speakers at the 15th annual Convocation on Critical Issues on Sept 30.

Carville is a political strategist for the Democratic party.  He has served as campaign manager under former president Bill Clinton in his presidential election win in 1992 along. He has also hosted CNN’s political debate show, Crossfire.  He appears regularly appears as a commentator on several news channels and political talk shows and made guest appearances in several different television shows and movies.

Matalin is a political consultant for the Republican party. She has been involved in the current Bush administration as an assistant to president Bush and a counselor to vice president Cheney. She has also written several books including Letters to My Daughters and also hosted Crossfire. She is currently the head of a conservative publication called Threshold. (Full story)

The Missouri Western men’s baseball team hasn’t exactly got out to the start they planned this season, with many of their first games getting cancelled, thier record now stands at 8-14 and (5-6) in conference.

The Griffons have struggled defensively committing errors that have led to many unearned runs. They have committed a total of 36 errors. Head Coach Buzz Verduzco knows this isn’t acceptable. (Full story)

A new hall will widen the choices for food on campus

Change is coming to Missouri Western’s campus with the addition of Remington Hall. One change that has been up in the air for sometime is the Einstein Bagel, which is to be put in the new atrium, and the existence of the hot dog cart in downstairs Agenstein.

In charge of the Einstein Bagel addition is a company on campus called Aramark. Aramark is in charge of handling the schools catering and food sources. Jim Maides, head of Missouri Western’s Aramark, has been seeing out the entire operation. (Full story)

The Missouri Western softball team split a home doubleheader against the Central Missouri Jennies, winning the first game 9-6 and falling in the second game 9-5.

Mandi Nocita played well in both games as she hit two home runs in the doubleheader. She also drove in three runs in the first game. Then she added a another r.b.i. in the second game.

In the first game the Griffons got of to a fast start as Kori Bowser blasted a home run which led to a big inning for the Griffons. They never looked back in the first contest. (Full story)

 Readers of Dan’s Opinion Page, I have an announcement to make: I have fallen in love. I didn’t mean to, certainly didn’t want to, but it’s true. I left the country and I fell hard and fast in love with the United States. No one is more shocked than I am, believe me. I’ve traveled abroad before, but mostly to developing countries full of poor, dirty people in bright colored clothing. People who were genuinely happy to see you, even if it was just because they hoped you would spend money at their shop. It was in places like those that I wanted to set up camp forever; but Great Britain, (or, rather, Pretty Good Britain) was a totally new experience for me. (Full story)

The Griffons’ 2007 season was filled with many highlights. The pinnacle of the season came with the victory over the Wayne State Wildcats in the 42nd annual Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo. This year’s squad hopes to follow in the legacy of success.

Beginning March 24, the public will be able to get a first hand look at the 2008 Griffons, as spring football practice begins. The main purpose of spring practice is to shake cob webs and work on fundamental techniques. Offensive coordinator Tyler Fenwick agrees,

“Spring practice works on the fundamental things like tackling, blocking, getting used to the schemes and getting the player’s minds back into the game,” Fenwick said.

Aside from fundamentals, spring practice also allows coaches to analyze the heart and determination of the hard hitting players who desire to earn a starting spot in the fall.  (Full story)