Central Missouri Mules and Jennies

Infobox college athletics
name = Central Missouri Mules & Jennies
logo =
university = University of Central Missouri
conference = MIAA
division = Division II
director = Jerry Hughes
city = Warrensburg
state = Missouri
stateabb = MO
teams = 14
stadium = Audrey J. Walton Stadium
arena = UCM Multipurpose Building
mascot = Mo the Mule
nickname = Mules & Jennies
fightsong = 'Go Mules'
color1 = Cardinal
color2 = Black
hex1 = CC0033
hex2 = 000000
pageurl = http://www.ucmo.edu/athletic
pagename = www.ucmo.edu/athletic

The sports teams at the University of Central Missouri are known as the Mules (men) and Jennies (women). They participate in the NCAA's Division II and in the MIAA Conference.

Men's sports
*Baseball
*Basketball
*Cross country
*Football
*Golf
*Track and fieldWomen's sports
*Basketball
*Bowling
*Cross country
*Golf
*Soccer
*Softball
*Track and field
*Volleyball

Origin of 'Mules'

When the 1921-22 school year began, school officials decided "Normals" and "Teachers" were no longer appropriate nicknames for Central's athletic teams. Therefore, the school's athletic committee established a contest that promised the winner a three-year postgraduate subscription of the school newspaper. More than 80 suggestions were received, but the winning entry was submitted by John Thomason of Chilhowee, Missouri, Class of 1924, who felt that at least one Missouri team should be known as "Mules".

The "Jennies" nickname for Central Missouri's women's athletic teams was officially adopted in February, 1974 after the school's student newspaper, The Muleskinner, offered a prize of $50 in a contest to choose a nickname for the women's athletic teams. Cynthia Almaguer of Knob Noster, Missouri, Class of 1974, was chosen winner from 34 entries. Almaguer told the contest judges, "The reason I picked the name is because of the obvious feminine kinship of the jenny to our mule mascot. It is a fact that a mule is a descendant of a female donkey -- the jenny."

Men's basketball

The Mules have been playing basketball since 1905, and are among the top five teams in all-time wins on the NCAA Division II level. [cite web |url=http://www.cmsu.edu/athletic/mules/0607MBBGuide-PDF/MBB%20pgs%2019-36.pdf |title=2006-07 UCM Mens Basketball Media Guide Page 20
accessdate=2007-05-26 |date=2006-10 |work=UCM Athletics] The Mules have won three national titles: in 1937, 1938 (both NAIA, before the NCAA sponsored a Division II tournament), and 1984, when UCM, then Central Missouri State, was the first school ever to win NCAA men's and women's basketball championships in the same season. UCM swept the Division II titles in 1984. (The University of Connecticut would duplicate the feat in Division I in 2004.)

The Mules are currently under the leadership of Head Coach Kim Anderson, a standout player in the late 1970's at the University of Missouri under coach Norm Stewart.

2006-2007 Season

In the 2006-07 season, the Mules returned to the Division II Elite Eight in Springfield, Massachusetts. They defeated Montevallo to move on to the semi-finals, where they faced the then-unbeaten defending Division II champion Winona State. The Mules lost to Winona in overtime 90-85, ending the season 31-4, which set a new school record for most wins in a season.

After the season, the NCAA announced that UCM led all of Division II in attendance for Men's Basketball, at 3,640 fans per home game. [cite web |url=http://www.ncaa.org/stats/m_basketball/attendance/2007_basketball_attend.pdf |title=2006-07 NCAA Men's Basketball Attendance Figures
accessdate=2007-05-26 |date=2007-05-24 |work=NCAA]

In the past 30 seasons of Mules basketball, the cumulative record is 596-281.

Prominent men's basketball coaches

*Phog Allen - coached at UCM 1912-1919; compiled 84-31 record before returning to coach his alma mater, the University of Kansas.
*Gene Bartow - coached only three seasons, 1961-64; coached for 34 seasons at the collegiate level, including succeeding John Wooden at UCLA in 1975 and creating the basketball program at UAB.
*Joe B. Hall - followed Bartow as coach for the 1964-65 season before going to the University of Kentucky, where he would eventually succeed the legendary Adolph Rupp in 1972.
*Lynn Nance - came to UCM from Iowa State in time for the 1980-81 season. Nance led the Mules to their third national championship in 1984. He stayed at the helm until 1985 and finished with a record of 115-35. He went on to coach at the University of Washington.
*Jim Wooldridge - followed Nance, coaching 1985-91, in which he compiled a record of 131-48. His final three squads made the sweet sixteen in Division II. He coached in the Big 12 at Kansas State University from 2000-2006.

Women's basketball

The University has sponsored women's basketball since 1970. The Jennies began competing on the NCAA Division II level during the 1982-83 season. Prior to that, they were members of the AIAW (Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women). In the 35 seasons of Jennies basketball, only one season has ended with a sub-.500 record, that season being 2002-03. Besides the national title in 1984, the program has a history of great postseason success.

*1983 - Final Four
*1984 - Won Title
*1985 - Lost title game
*1986 - Elite Eight
*1987 - Sweet Sixteen
*1988 - Sweet Sixteen
*1989 - Final Four
*1990 - Elite Eight

Overall, the Jennies have a record of 19-14 in the NCAA Division II Tournament. They last participated in the Division II tournament in 2006.

In the 2006-07 season, despite one of the worst season's in school history at 14-14, UCM was 10th in all of Division II in home attendance. [cite web |url=http://www.ncaa.org/stats/w_basketball/attendance/2006-07/2006-07_w_basketball_attendance.pdf |title=2006-07 NCAA Women's Basketball Attendance Figures
accessdate=2007-05-26 |date=2007-05-24 |work=NCAA]

Baseball

The Mules baseball program has been arguably the most successful program in the school's history. The team has taken part in the Division II World Series 13 times, 12 of those being since 1989. They have been to the title game three times, winning the title in 1994 and 2003. The Mules have a large number of current pro players, especially considering that UCM is a Division II school. In the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, five Mules were selected in the first 11 rounds. [cite web |url=http://twins.scout.com/2/610800.html |title=Powers Leads Division II Charge
accessdate=2007-05-26 |date=2007-01-18 |work=Scout.com]

Current Professional players

*Morgan Burkhart (played 1994) - First Base - Algodoneros de Guasave (Mexican League)
*Francisco Leandro (2004) - Outfielder - Southwest Michigan (Class A - Devil Rays)
*Steve Sharpe (2004) - Right-handed Pitcher - Midland (Class AA - Athletics)
*Josh Outman (2005) - Left-handed Pitcher - Clearwater (Class A - Phillies)
*Mike Phelps (2004-05) - Right-handed Pitcher - Daytona (Advanced A - Cubs)
*Danny Powers (2003-05) - Right-handed Pitcher - New Brittan (Class AA - Twins)
*Jason Schutt (2005) - Right-handed Pitcher - Lake County (Class A - Cleveland)
*Nick Webber (2003-05) - Right-handed Pitcher - Springfield (Mo.) (Class AA - Cardinals)
*Bridger Hunt (2006) - Third Baseman -Great Lakes (Class A - Dodgers)
*Brent Lacy (2004-05) - Catcher - Mahoning Valley (Short A - Indians)
*Phil Sobkow (2003) - Right-handed Pitcher - Calgary (Independent League)
*Steve Murphy (2003) - Outfielder - Frisco - (Class AA- Rangers) [ [http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp Official Minor League Baseball Site] ]

Football

Football has been sponsored by the university since 1895. Historically, it has not enjoyed the consistent success that other athletic teams have had. However, with the hiring of head coach Willie Fritz before the 1997 season, the Mules became relevant again. Since coming to UCM, Fritz has a record of 82-40. That includes two postseason appearances. In 2001, the Mules went 10-2 and won the Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. In 2002, they made their first ever trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs, losing to Northern Colorado 49-28.

Prior to the NCAA sponsoring a playoff in Division II, Central Missouri played in three bowl games.

*1950 Mirza Shrine Bowl in Pittsburg, Kansas, where they defeated Pittsburg State 32-21.
*1968 Mineral Water Bowl - Were defeated 10-0 by Doane College
*1970 Pecan Bowl in Arlington, Texas - Lost to Arkansas State 38-21.

The Mules have won or shared six MIAA conference titles in football.

Prominent Coaches

The Mules have had two prominent coaches who have guided them. Phog Allen coached football at Central from 1912-1917, with a record of 29-19-2. Al Molde came on in 1980. Molde only stayed three seasons, but his tenure turned around a program that wished the 1970's never happened. Central's record from 1971-79 was 27-63-2. Molde left in 1983 after compiling a 17-9-4 record in his three seasons. Molde coached at Division I Western Michigan after leaving Central Missouri.

Mules In The Pros

*Jeff Wright - DT - Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in round 8 of the 1988 NFL Draft. Played through 1994 and started at nose tackle in four Super Bowls.
*Colston Weatherington - DE - Drafted in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He was released by the Cowboys in 2003, but signed as a free agent with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League. He was named Defensive Lineman of the Year for the AFL in 2006 and in 2008.
*Kevin Nickerson - WR - Was named to the AFL All-Rookie team in 2005 after leading the Austin Wranglers with 85 receptions for 1,028 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.
*Toby Korrodi - QB - Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals immediately after the 2007 NFL Draft. Currently a free agent after being released in August 2007.
*Roderick Green - OLB - Selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft, the highest any UCM football player has ever been drafted. Green played with the San Francisco 49ers in 2006, where he had 4.5 sacks as a pass-rush specialist.
*Delanie Walker - TE - Selected as the sixth pick of the sixth round in the 2006 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
*Todd Devoe - WR - Signed onto the Baltimore Ravens practice squad in 2003. Also spent time on the practice squads of the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins. In 2005, he signed with the Denver Broncos and had nine catches, including one touchdown. He is currently a member of the Arizona Rattlers in the AFL.

References

External links

* [http://www.ucmo.edu/athletic UCM Athletics]
* [http://www.mulescentral.com MulesCentral.com]