Three-time defending Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Champion Northwest Missouri State was selected as preseason No. 1 in both the MIAA coaches poll as well as the first-ever MIAA media poll, it was announced Monday afternoon at the MIAA Football Kickoff Press Conference at the Downtown Marriott in Kansas City.
The Bearcats received 80 points with eight of 10 first-place votes in the coaches poll and 464 points with 42 of 47 first-place votes in the media poll.
Pittsburg State was selected as number two in both polls, receiving 407 points and four first-place votes in the media poll as well as 71 points and two first-place votes in the coaches poll.
Central Missouri was tabbed preseason No. 3 in both polls, receiving 59 points in the coaches poll and 321 points with one first-place vote in the media poll.
The number four spot was the first difference in the two polls, as Washburn was picked in fourth position in the coaches poll while Nebraska-Omaha was selected No. 4 in the media poll. The Ichabods and Mavericks swapped places in each poll, as Washburn was No. 6 in the media poll while Omaha was sixth in the coaches poll.
Numbers five and seven through 10 were exactly the same in both polls. Missouri Western State was voted number five in both, while Missouri Southern State was seventh, Emporia State was eighth, Truman State was ninth and Fort Hayes State was 10th.
The 2009 MIAA Football season begins Thursday, Aug. 27, with five conference schools competing. MIAA league play begins Saturday, Sept. 12.
2009 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri State (8) – 80 pts.
2. Pittsburg State (2) – 71 pts.
3. Central Missouri – 59 pts.
4. Washburn – 55 pts.
5. Missouri Western State – 50 pts.
6. Nebraska-Omaha – 49 pts.
7. Missouri Southern State – 31 pts.
8. Emporia State – 25 pts.
9. Truman State – 19 pts.
10. Fort Hays State – 11 pts.
2009 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri State (42) – 464 pts.
2. Pittsburg State (4) – 407 pts.
3. Central Missouri (1) – 321 pts.
4. Nebraska-Omaha – 315 pts.
5. Missouri Western State – 307 pts.
6. Washburn – 289 pts.
7. Missouri Southern State – 160 pts.
8. Emporia State – 139 pts.
9. Truman State – 100 pts.
10. Fort Hays State – 83 pts.
Northwest Missouri State FB picked to win MIAA
MIAA releases football schedule
A nationally televised season opener between three-time defending MIAA Champion Northwest Missouri State and Lone Star Conference foe Abilene Christian, plus several other big non-conference game and the usual in-conference rivalries highlight the 2009 MIAA football schedule, released by the conference office.
The Northwest Missouri State game against Abilene Christian is scheduled for Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. CT and will be televised nationally by CBS College Sports. The Northwest Missouri State Bearcats are the defending national runners-up as well as two-time defending MIAA Champions.
The MIAA slate features the eighth renewal of the Fall Classic at Arrowhead Stadium between Northwest Missouri State and Pittsburg State, which will be played Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. CT. Additional potential key games will be Nebraska-Omaha at Northwest Missouri State, Washburn at Missouri Western State, and Pittsburg State at Central Missouri Sept. 19; Central Missouri at Washburn and Missouri Western State at Pittsburg State Sept. 26; Northwest Missouri State at Missouri Western State Oct. 3; Central Missouri at Missouri Western State Oct. 17; Central Missouri at Nebraska-Omaha and Washburn at Northwest Missouri State Oct. 24; Central Missouri at Northwest Missouri State and Nebraska-Omaha at Missouri Western State Nov. 7.
The NCAA Division II Playoffs begin Nov. 14 with the first round. The MIAA has postseason bowl ties to the new Kanza Bowl, which will be played Dec. 5 in Topeka, Kan., as well as the Mineral Water Bowl, to be played Dec. 5 in Excelsior Springs, Mo.
MIAA schedule
Missouri Western women’s hoops in trouble
The NCAA has sanctioned the women’s basketball program at Missouri Western for letting an ineligible athlete play for two seasons. The school has been placed on two years’ probation and will forfeit any win in which the player was on the floor.
The St. Joe News-Press says their sources confirmed it was MIAA MVP Inga Buzoka who played in 06 and 07. She played some pro ball in Europe from 2000-2003.
The team will vacate their wins from the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 season. These findings come out a year after it was learned the Griffons’ coach at the time, Josh Keister provided players with monetary gifts that were deemed improper.
Missouri Western softball win streak hits 26
The Missouri Western softball team continues to add on to the school and conference record for wins in a row as they made it 26 in a row with a sweep of the Truman State Bulldogs.
Western was able to shutout the Bulldogs in game one winning 3-0 and then hung on in game two for the 7-5 victory. Western sits at 29-4 overall and 4-0 in MIAA play.
In Game 1, the Griffons never allowed a player to get past second base as they held the Bulldogs just four hits in the contest earning the 3-0 victory. In Game 2, the Griffons used a two run homerun by Mandie Nocita and a three run homerun by Becky Diehl to score the first seven runs of the ball game.
The Griffons will be in action next on Saturday, April 4 when they take on the Fort Hays State Tigers in Hays, Kan. The two teams will play a doubleheader starting at 12:00 pm.
Click here for more on the Griffons’ softball team
MIAA tournament tickets on sale now
Tickets to the 2009 MIAA Basketball Championships at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City are on sale through the Missouri Southern Ticket Office at 417-625-9366. The men will open up the tournament this year with first-round games on Thursday, March 5, while the women will open up their tournament beginning on Friday, March 6.
All-tourney passes are just $40 and will allow you to see all 14 games. Single session passes are $15 and will be available at Municipal Auditorium only.
A new attraction to the tournament this year will be the MIAA/Golden Ox Fan Pavilion, located just across the street from Municipal Auditorium at the Barney Allis Plaza. The pavilion will be a heated structure featuring several televisions and other activities. The Golden Ox will offer several of their menu items, with a variety of drinks available.
This is the seventh year the MIAA has hosted the tournament at the Auditorium in Kansas City. For more tournament information, including partner hotels visit www.themiaa.com
