Ten Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association legends and three national championship teams from the 2000’s have been elected to the MIAA Hall of Fame Class of 2013, the conference announced today. Below are the bios for the 2013 Hall of Fame class.
Gene Bartow, Men’s Basketball Coach
Central Missouri, 1961-64
Bartow coached the Mules from 1961 to 1964 compiling a 47-21 overall record, including 20-10 in MIAA play. He went on to coach at the Division I level at Valparaiso (1964-70), Memphis (1970-74), Illinois (1974-75), UCLA (1975-77) and Alabama-Birmingham (1978-96). He led his 1972-73 Memphis State to the NCAA Championship game. He replaced legendary UCLA coach John Wooden and led the Bruins to a combined 52-9 mark in two seasons, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament and a third place finish in his first season in 1975-76. He served as the first head coach and athletic director at UAB for 18 years. He led the school to the NIT in the second year of existence and followed it up with seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances. In 34 years as a head coach he compiled a 647-353 record. He led his teams to 20 postseason appearances and 14 NCAA Tournaments. He was elected to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000, the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in November of 2009 and was named one of Valparaiso University’s 150 most influential people in October 2009.
Janet Clark, Women’s Basketball Athlete
Northwest Missouri, 1986-89
Janet Clark is the only Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball player to be in the 2,000 point club. As one of the best shooters in MIAA women’s basketball history, Clark also ranks fourth on the all-time MIAA scoring list. Clark averaged over 20 points per game in her final three seasons at Northwest en route to being named First-Team All-MIAA in 1987, 1988 and 1989. She is also in the 500-rebound club and ranks sixth all-time at Northwest in assists (320) and sixth in steals (204). Clark also finished her career as the all-time leader in three-point percentage at 40.1 percent, a mark she still holds.
Mark Curp, Men’s Cross Country and Track and Field Athlete
Central Missouri, 1977-81
Curp was an eight-time All-American for the Mules cross country and track programs, from 1977-81. He earned three All-American honors from 1978-80 in cross country, and five in outdoor track, including the 5,000 meters from 1979-81, and the 10,000 meters in 1980 and 1981. A member of the 1978 MIAA cross country championship squad, Curp is one of only three athletes to win the MIAA individual cross country title three times (1978-80). His Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field record in the 5,000 meters of 14:13.4 was set in 1981 and still stands to this day, making his record the oldest building record at Central Missouri. Curp also set the UCM school record in the 10,000 meter run in 1980, and the 5,000 meter run in 1981. Both marks stood until just last season, when Laban Sialo broke the 22- and 21-year old marks. After his UCM career, Curp continued to compete, and in 1985, he set the world record in the half-marathon at 1:00:55. His record stood for five years, and his mark stood as an American record until 2007. Curp is a member of the inaugural class inducted into the UCM Athletics Hall of Fame.
Dr. Peggy Martin, Softball and Volleyball Coach
Central Missouri, Softball 1976-79, 81-87; Volleyball 1975-78, 80-2008
Martin is the winningest volleyball coach in NCAA Divsion II history with a career record of 1,064-281-8. Martin’s 1,064-281-8 record made her the first coach in the Divsion II volleyball ranks to reach the 1,000 victory plateau. Martin is one of only three coaches in collegiate volleyball at all levels to reach 1,100 wins. Martin was named the AVCA National Coach of the Year in 1987 after directing the Jennies to their second place NCAA Tournament finish and a 42-4 overall record. She was named the Central Regional Coach of the year six times and the MIAA Coach of the Year 15 times. In 1980 she was named the AIAW Missouri State Coach of the Year. Martin led the Jennies volleyball team to 19 MIAA championships since the league began sponsoring the sport in 1982. She also guide them to 31 straight season’s in which they won 25 matches or more. Her teams made 26 NCAA Tournament appearances in a row, the most in Divsion II History, and reached the Elite Eight six times, highlighted by the runner-up appearance in 1987. As a softball coach she compiled a career record of 174-156 while guiding her team to two MIAA championships. She retired from UCM in 2008 and is currently the head coach for the Spring Hill College Badgers in Mobile, Ala. At Spring Hill she has posted a record of 75-24 entering her fourth season. Martin served as the chair of the NCAA Division II Volleyball Committee for six years. She wrote the books 101 Volleyball Drills and produced four instructional videos. She was inducted into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame in Mobile, Ala. in 2006. She earned the distinguished alumni award from Indiana University in the spring of 2007.
Sherri Reeves, Women’s Basketball Coach/Assistant AD
Northwest Missouri, 1971-2001
1971: Was the first women’s basketball coach at Northwest. Compiled a record of 61-15 in her four seasons. Won the 1971-72 MAIAW title. First all-time in program history with an .802 winning percentage. Third in Northwest history in victories (61) and fourth in games coached (76). Was an “M” Club Hall of Fame (Northwest hall of fame) inductee in 2005. 1973: Helped jump start the women’s cross country program at Northwest while she was the athletic director. 1976: By the time Title IX mandates sports sponsorship for female students, Northwest was already sponsoring women’s programs of basketball, tennis, volleyball, track and field, cross country, softball and gymnastics. Named Senior Women’s Athletics Administrator Emeritus upon her retirement in 2001.
Harold Robertson, Basketball Athlete
Lincoln, 1974-78
Robertson is second all-time in the MIAA in scoring with 2,551 points in his four year career at Lincoln. He holds the MIAA career records for career (1,116) and single season (408) field goals made. He led all of Division II and the MIAA in scoring with 34.5 points per game in 1977-78 which stands to this day as the MIAA single season scoring average record. He helped Lincoln to advance to NCAA Division II Regionals in all four seasons he played for the Blue Tigers, also leading them to an MIAA Tournament Title and two MIAA regular season championships. In 1978 he led the Blue Tigers to the Elite Eight and was named to the All-Regional Team as Lincoln finished 22-6 on the season. That same season against Arkansas Little-Rock he set what is still the MIAA single game scoring record pouring in 59 points in the game. His 965 points that season still stands as the MIAA single season scoring record. He was twice named the MIAA’s Most Valuable Player and earned first team All-MIAA honors three times. He was also named an All-American during his senior season. He was a fourth round draft pick of the Los Angeles Lakes in 1978 and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 for his play at Lincoln University.
Tom Smith, Men’s Basketball Coach
Central Missouri 1975-80, Missouri Western 1988-2013
Smith is the winningest coach in MIAA history with 535 victories and has 618 career wins. In his career he coached 51 All-MIAA selections, six All-Region/District picks and three NCAA All-Americans. He has coached Missouri Western to 12-20 win seasons and has 13 total in his career. He won five regular season MIAA Championships and four MIAA postseason tournament titles. He has been named the MIAA Coach of the Year three times in his career. He coached his team to regular season and tournament titles in their first year in the league and they advanced to the second round of the NCAA South Central Regional. He also coached at Central Missouri from 1975-80 posting an 86-46 overall record.
Warren Turner, Baseball Coach
Missouri Southern 1977-2007
Turner is the all-time wins leader in the history of MSSU baseball. With 852 career victories he also ranks 15th all-time in NCAA history. During his tenure, Turner took five teams to national tournaments. His 1978 squad finished second to Emporia State in the NAIA World Series at St. Joseph, Mo., and Turner was named NAIA national coach of the year that season. Turner’s 1986 and 1987 squads competed in the NAIA World Series at Lewiston, Idaho, finishing seventh and fifth, respectively. He coached MSSU to a pair of NCAA Division II World Series at Montgomery, Ala., with the Lions finishing as the national runner-up in 1991 and finishing fifth the following year. He led MSSU to the CSIC title in 1986, MIAA south division championships in 1990, 1991 and 1992 and MIAA titles in 1991 and 1992. His teams advanced to the NCAA-II regional tournament four times, finishing first in 1990 and 1991, Turner has been named conference Coach of the Year three times (CSIC in 1986 and MIAA in 1991 and 1992). He was the NCAA Regional Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1992; NAIA District 16 Coach of the Year in 1978, 1985, 1986 and 1987; and NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1978. Turner was elected to the NAIA Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the ABCA Hall of Fame in 2008. He also is a member of the MSSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Ronnie West, Football Athlete
Pittsburg State, 1990-91
West captured the Harlon Hill Award as the NCAA Division II National Player of the Year in 1991, leading Pitt State to a 13-1-1 record and the NCAA-II National Championship. He was named the MIAA Player of the Year that season, catching 74 passes for 1,495 yards and 14 touchdowns, setting the MIAA single-season receiving record that season. He was a two-time first-team All-MIAA selection and finished his career with 123 receptions for 2,521 yards and 27 touchdowns (all Pitt State records). West was a two-time first-team All-America selection (1990-91). He led Division II in punt returns and ranked second nationally in kickoff returns as a junior in 1990. West was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft, but his professional career was cut short by a knee injury.
Bill Westbrook, Basketball Official
Was one of the best MIAA basketball officials working over 20 years in the conference. During his career he worked games in not only the MIAA, but the Big 8 and Big 12 conferences. He did several NCAA Tournament games during the 1980’s, 1990’s and in the 2000’s.
Central Missouri, 2003 Baseball Team
The 2003 Mules Baseball team finished the season 51-7 overall and 27-2 in MIAA play winning the conference crown. They swept through the Regional in Warrensburg and went a perfect 4-0 at the World Series to claim the 2003 National Championship. The 2003 Mules had five first team All-MIAA players, including Player of the Year Zach Norman and Freshman of the Year Steve Murphy. The Mules also had two first team All-Americans in Norman and Joe Strada.
Northwest Missouri, 2009 Football Team
The 2009 Northwest Missouri State football team was one of the most prolific offensive teams in NCAA Division II history en route to claiming the 2009 National Championship. The Bearcats finished the season 14-1 and a perfect 9-0 in the MIAA claiming the program’s 22nd league championship. After falling in the season opener the Bearcats won 14 straight games to claim the title including knocking off Abilene Christian in a re-match of the season opener to avenge their only loss of the season . The offensive numbers continued to pile up for Northwest scoring 632 points on the season, a then-school record. The Bearcats also finished in the top 10 in the nation of seven categories including scoring, pass efficiency , total offense, turnover margin, sacks, passing offense and run defense. The 2009 bearcat senior class never lost an MIAA contest going 36-0 during their careers. Four All-America and five All-MIAA players along with 10 All-Region players emerged from the Northwest team. Included in the list of accolades was the NCAA Division II Receiver of the Year, Jake Soy, the AFCA Coach of the Year, Mel Tjeerdsma, and the Ken B. Jones Award winner for the MIAA Student-Athlete of the Year, Myles Burnsides. For Northwest it gave the program five consecutive championship game appearances, one of two schools at any level to accomplish the feat.
Washburn, 2004-05 Women’s Basketball Team
The 2004-05 Washburn Lady Blues won the school’s first NCAA championship in any sport finished the season with a 35-2 record and winning 19 straight to close out the season. Washburn was led at the Elite Eight by Carla Sintra who was named the Most Outstanding Player after the championship game. Washburn won the MIAA regular season with a 16-2 record and won the MIAA postseason tournament in Kansas City as well that season. The Lady Blues swept through the regional playing in Springfield, Mo. and outscored their opponents by a combined 214-180 winning two games by double-digit finals. WU would then win two of the three games in the Elite Eight by ten points or more defeating Seattle Pacific 70-53 in the national championship game.
This year’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on June 6, 2013 at the Kansas City Public Library – Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street in Kansas City, Mo. The event will be held in the Truman Forum Auditorium. Tickets for the event are available by visiting www.themiaa.com/sb_output.aspx?form=4 and filling out the form. Tickets will be given out on a first come, first serve basis.
