2008 Woodie Awards
Writer gives out grades for spring and fall teams
Nick Hartley
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Sports
This spring has not been great for some teams on campus. Weather, injuries and coaching changes have inundated some teams, while others hold strong and work toward high expectations for next year. With spring only about a month old, some teams are waiting for it to end. However, with the beginning of spring also comes the end of the year. What does this spring hold in store for some teams busy on campus?
A look at the volleyball team shows a lot of question marks this spring. Injuries have hit Mackenzie Angner and Annie Adams, leaving coach Palileo short handed at times. Speaking of coach Palileo, his name surfaced last week as an applicant for a head coaching opening at Florida Gulf Coast University. Combined with the recent announcement by Drake University naming Phil McDaniel head coach, the Jacks could be in for a long year. One bright spot comes later this month when the Jacks will announce some late signings for the 2008 season.
Football has been a victim of the weather this spring as a few of the spring practice dates had to be postponed. Even though Coach Stig has his work cut out for him this spring, do not expect the football team to be lazy. The Gateway Football Conference, which soon could be called the Missouri Valley Conference, is the best conference in the Football Championship Series and produces some of the best games week in, week out. The Jacks lost many weapons but hope to plug those holes this spring and fall, as they are eligible for a National Championship.
Softball has also faced the wrath of spring; multiple games have been moved due to weather. Fortunately, coach Lane has had the team ready to play at a moment's notice. They have responded by not missing a beat, going 5-1 in the six moved games and are currently in the hunt for a conference championship. Compared with last year, the Jacks softball team is en fuego with a new breath of life not seen in many years. The best news for the Jacks: eight of their last 16 games are supposed to be played on campus, giving the road-weary Jacks a chance to play in front of a home crowd to boost their energy.
A look at the volleyball team shows a lot of question marks this spring. Injuries have hit Mackenzie Angner and Annie Adams, leaving coach Palileo short handed at times. Speaking of coach Palileo, his name surfaced last week as an applicant for a head coaching opening at Florida Gulf Coast University. Combined with the recent announcement by Drake University naming Phil McDaniel head coach, the Jacks could be in for a long year. One bright spot comes later this month when the Jacks will announce some late signings for the 2008 season.
Football has been a victim of the weather this spring as a few of the spring practice dates had to be postponed. Even though Coach Stig has his work cut out for him this spring, do not expect the football team to be lazy. The Gateway Football Conference, which soon could be called the Missouri Valley Conference, is the best conference in the Football Championship Series and produces some of the best games week in, week out. The Jacks lost many weapons but hope to plug those holes this spring and fall, as they are eligible for a National Championship.
Softball has also faced the wrath of spring; multiple games have been moved due to weather. Fortunately, coach Lane has had the team ready to play at a moment's notice. They have responded by not missing a beat, going 5-1 in the six moved games and are currently in the hunt for a conference championship. Compared with last year, the Jacks softball team is en fuego with a new breath of life not seen in many years. The best news for the Jacks: eight of their last 16 games are supposed to be played on campus, giving the road-weary Jacks a chance to play in front of a home crowd to boost their energy.
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