SMSU Athletics

December 15, 2011 – Hoof Prints Article

Hello Mustang Fans!

I apologize for not writing Hoofprints last week. I was off getting something taken care of that has been bothering my quality of life for a number of years and has progressively been getting worse throughout this year. Last Tuesday, I had a total left hip replacement procedure done by Dr. Corey Rothrock out of the Orthopedic Institute in Sioux Falls, SD.

Yes, I am very young to have a hip replaced. I believe it was the wear and tear of all the swinging and pitching I had done during my years of playing collegiate and professional baseball as well as the years of coaching. I am all ready feeling better just a little over a week after the procedure. I did not really understand the level of pain I was experiencing until I had surgery and the pain I was feeling post-surgery was a totally different pain than prior to the procedure. I would say I have less pain now than prior to the replacement.

I would like to thank all the people who sent me text messages, emails and cards wishing me a speedy recovery over the past week. All the thoughts and prayers have been felt. Thank you.

This past Monday, Lew Shaver’s mother passed away in Illinois. The thoughts and prayers of the Mustang Family go out to Lew and Judy Shaver and their entire family during this time.

Following this Saturday’s Women’s and Men’s Basketball games against Upper Iowa University,the Mustang Booster Club will be hosting the annual “Believe in Brown Bash” at Skewes Jewelry in Marshall. The event, which is scheduled to begin at 8:00 pm, is open to all Mustang Booster Club members.

The “Believe in Brown Bash” is an event to thank individuals and businesses that make a difference for SMSU athletics.  Complimentary beverages and hors d'oeuvres will be provided.  While socializing with Mustang fans, individuals will be able to view all of the fine items that Skewes Jewelry has to offer just in time for the holiday season.

For all your details on the Believe in Brown Bash and news and information on SMSU Athletics, go to SMSUmustangs.com.

This Week in Mustang Athletics:

The SMSU Men’s Basketball team (4-4, 3-1 NSIC) concludes its four-game homestand with a pair of NSIC games at the R/A Facility this weekend.  The Mustang  will battle No. 16 Winona State University (8-1, 3-0 NSIC) on Friday at 8:00 pm, before taking on Upper Iowa University (3-3, 0-2 NSIC) on Saturday with tip-off slated for 6:00 pm.  SMSU is coming off of a home sweep of St. Cloud State and Concordia University last weekend.

The SMSU Women’s Basketball team is coming off a weekend where they split losing to St. Cloud State last Friday and concluding the weekend with a great win over Concordia University. The Mustang Women’s Basketball team (2-6, 1-3 NSIC) will complete their four-game homestand this weekend, hosting Winona State (6-3, 1-2 NSIC) on Friday at 6:00 p.m. before taking on Upper Iowa (0-7, 0-3 NSIC) at 4:00 pm on Saturday.

The SMSU Wrestling and Wheelchair Basketball teams will not be back in action until after the holiday season. Mustang Wrestling will host Dakota Wesleyan (SD) on January 11 at 4:00pm in the PE Gym, while Wheelchair Basketball will head to Champaign, IL on January 21 to play four games in two days at the University of Illinois.
Good luck to all of our teams this week and Believe in Brown!

Congratulations to Max and Mary Lord who provided the correct answer to last week’s Mustang Hoofprints Question: What SMSU Male Student-athlete was named the Britton Scholar-Athlete two consecutive years? Mustang Football player, Tyler Fischer, was a two-time recipient of this award in 2007 & 2008.

Hoofprints Trivia Question (please put this in a box with the title on top)

How many corporate sponsors support the Southwest Minnesota State University Department of Athletics in 2011-12?

The first person to email me at MustangHoofPrints@SMSU.edu with the correct answer to this question will receive an SMSU t-shirt.