2014-15GUIDEAN

GELO

STA

TE U

NIVE

RSIT

YAN

GELO

STA

TE U

NIVE

RSIT

YM

EMBE

R, T

EXAS

TEC

H UN

IVER

SITY

SYS

TEM

MEM

BER,

TEX

AS T

ECH

UNIV

ERSI

TY S

YSTE

MANGELO STATE RAMSANGELO STATE RAMS

BASKETBALL BASKETBALL

Chris Beard immediately elevated the Angelo State basketball program into conference and regional contend-ers in his fi rst season as its head coach.

Inheriting a program that had not recorded a winning record in three seasons, Beard led the Rams to a 19-9 record in the 2013-14 season and guided the team to their fi rst postseason win since 2001. ASU started the season with a 10-0 record for the fi rst time in program history under his direction, was nation-ally ranked for the fi rst time since 2009, won 12 more games than the previous season and saw a player earn a regional award for the fi rst time since 2010.

Beard was announced as the fi fth head men’s basketball coach in Angelo State history on March 22, 2013. He has

19 years of successful coaching experi-ence as a head coach and assistant at the NCAA Division I, Division II, NJCAA and professional levels and has accumu-lated a 113-39 record (.743 win percent-age) in fi ve years as a head coach.

“Our teams will always start with the character of our players,” Beard said. “We want to recruit true student-athletes who are serious about getting a degree and have a desire and passion for the game of basketball and winning. Our teams will emphasize ball movement on off ense with good shot selection and a commit-ment to defend on every possession. We are excited about building a basketball program that ASU and the commu-nity of San Angelo will be proud of.”

NOTABLE PRO

PLAYERS COACHED BY CHRIS

BEARD

Earl BarronMiami Heat,

New York Knicks

LaMarshall Corbett

Siarka Jezioro (Poland)

Marcus Hubbard

Austin Toros, Los Angeles

Clippers, Atlanta Hawks

Ridge McKeitherMelilla (Spain)

Sam MackHouston Rockets,

San Antonio Spurs, Vancouver Grizzlies

COACH CHRIS BEARD

BUILDINGTRADITION

Success and excitement returned to the Junell Center in coach Chris

Beard’s first season at Angelo State. Beard led

the Rams to a regional and national ranking along

with a 12-win improvement from the previous season.

2

Cinco Boone is entering his second season as the assistant coach of the Angelo State men’s basketball team and helped guide the Rams to a 19-9 overall record and a regional and national ranking in his fi rst season.

Boone has prior coaching positions at the Division I, Division II, junior col-lege and high school levels and worked with ASU head coach Chris Beard in the 2012-13 season as his assistant coach at McMurry University following two sea-sons as an assistant at Stephen F. Austin. He was also the head coach at Jackson-ville College and has coaching experi-ences at Hardin Simmons University and Portales High School (New Mexico).

Boone, 29, began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Hardin Simmons University dur-ing the 2006-07 season. At HSU, he was the primary assistant and head recruiter along with attending gradu-ate school and teaching two Physical Assessment and Conditioning courses. He earned his graduate degree in Sports Recreation and Management in 2008.

His experience in Abilene led to the opportunity to coach at Jacksonville Col-lege in East Texas. At JC, Boone started as an assistant coach before taking over as head coach for the 2009-10 season.

Angelo State reached the postsea-son for the fi rst time since 2010 under Beard’s guidance and entered the Lone Star Conference tournament as the third seed after going 8-6 in conference play. The Rams, which had not won a postseason game in 13 seasons, earned a 64-59 quarterfi nals win over Cameron before falling to Midwestern State in the semifi nals. ASU fi nished the season second in the conference by shooting 46.4 percent from the fi eld and was third in the LSC and 19th nationally by limiting the opposition to 40.4 percent shooting. The team, which recorded regular-season victories over No. 16 Arkansas-Fort Smith and a Midwestern State team that advanced to the Elite Eight, ranked second in the conference with a plus-3.6 rebounding advantage and third with 25.36 defensive rebounds per game.

ASU senior Kenny Williams earned multiple postseason awards, includ-ing NABC All-South Central First Team, Daktronics All-South Central First Team, LSC First Team and LSC New-comer of the Year. Additionally, Wil-liams was a two-time LSC Defensive Player of the Week and earned LSC Off ensive Player of the Week once.

ASU junior Tommy Woolridge was a two-time LSC Off ensive Player of the

Week for Beard and the Rams, while Ryan Marsh and Reggie Sutton were named to the LSC All-Academic Team.

Beard came to ASU after one sea-son as head coach at McMurry. He led the War Hawks through their fi rst year as a NCAA Division II program, post-ing a 19-10 record while advancing to the regional fi nal of the National Christian College Athletic Association national tournament. Beard guided McMurry to a 3-1 record against Lone Star Conference teams, including a win over NCAA Division II Tournament qualifi er Cameron, and an 8-6 record against Heartland Conference squads.

“Coach Beard brings an incredible

combination of skills and experience that will make him successful here at Angelo State,” Johnson said. “My personal relationship with Chris dates back over 15 years and I have had the pleasure of watching his career fl our-ish since then. He has been successful recruiting inside and outside the state of Texas, has proven himself as a head coach and received a once in a lifetime basketball PhD from one of the greatest teachers of the game in Coach Knight.”

Prior to McMurry, Beard was the head coach of the South Carolina Warriors of the American Basketball Associa-tion. He led the team to a 31-2 record, a Mid Atlantic Division Championship and an appearance in the ABA Finals.

Beard was a part of the Texas Tech staff from 2001-2011 as an assistant coach under Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight and was promoted to associate head coach in 2008 under Pat Knight. Tech won 188 games and advanced to the postseason six times including four trips to the NCAA Tournament and a trip to the NIT Postsea-son Final Four. While Beard was at Tech, the Red Raiders had 11 student-athletes named all-conference and had 32 of its 34 student-athletes graduate with degrees.

Beard was the head basketball coach at Seminole State College in Oklahoma during the 2000-2001 season. His team posted a 25-6 record and fi nished the season ranked No. 14 in the country. While at SSC he had all nine sophomores graduate and receive scholarship off ers.

Beard was the head basketball coach at Fort Scott Community College for two seasons and coached the team to its fi rst winning season in eight years.

ASSISTANT COACH CINCO BOONE‘PROVENWINNER’

“Cinco is a proven coach, recruiter and winner. Our players will benefit greatly from his work ethic and leadership.”

—Coach Beard

“I’ve worked with some outstanding people throughout my career. To be able to learn a lot of different styles and recruiting philosophies has broadened my contacts and range of experiences.”

—Coach Boone

“ANGELO STATE IS MAKING “ANGELO STATE IS MAKING AN EXCELLENT CHOICE IN AN EXCELLENT CHOICE IN HIRING CHRIS BEARD AS ITS HIRING CHRIS BEARD AS ITS NEW HEAD COACH. OUR STAFF NEW HEAD COACH. OUR STAFF HAS KNOWN CHRIS FOR MANY HAS KNOWN CHRIS FOR MANY YEARS AND WE HAVE A LOT OF YEARS AND WE HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR HIM, BOTH AS RESPECT FOR HIM, BOTH AS A COACH AND A PERSON. HE A COACH AND A PERSON. HE IS A VERY GOOD COACH AND IS A VERY GOOD COACH AND A TIRELESS RECRUITER WITH A TIRELESS RECRUITER WITH STRONG TIES THROUGHOUT STRONG TIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TEXAS.”THE STATE OF TEXAS.”

Rick Barnes, University of TexasRick Barnes, University of Texas

3

JUNELL CENTER

STEPHENS ARENAHOME OF RAM

BASKETBALLThe facility provides a fi rst-class set-

ting for educational, cultural, social and athletic events. Accommodating audi-ences up to 5,600, the Junell Center has allowed the university to bring commencement activities, previously staged in the city’s coliseum, home to the campus. The Junell Center also serves as home to asu’s athletic staff , off ering a support complex with offi ces, conference rooms and classrooms—many of which are designed to serve multiple uses.

Fans watch the Rams and ’Belles bas-ketball and volleyball squads on a gleam-ing wood court that also serves as a uil playoff site for area public schools. The fans can also catch the “instant replay” on the 9×12-foot video screen—the largest of its kind in the Lone Star Conference. Media personnel enjoy the spacious press

row, and championship banners are hung from the rafters of the majestic arena.

Adjacent to the arena fl oor are the dressing rooms for the Rams and Rambelles athletic teams. These are supported by a sports medicine cen-ter, equipment rooms, storage facili-ties and a laundry room. Two weight rooms look out over the track com-plex through gleaming glass walls.

A specially appointed vip Lounge is housed in the Junell Center, overlooking the Stephens Arena fl oor. The lounge is the site for dinners, receptions and other programs requiring that extra touch of class. The Angelo State Athletic Hall of Honor on the Junell Center concourse heralds the accomplishments of asu athletes through the ages. Taken together, the many amenities make the Junell Cen-

The Junell Center is one of the most recognizable

buildings on the Angelo State University campus

and is home to one of the finest playing courts in NCAA Division II—the

Stephens Arena.

The life-size bronze Rambouillet ram and ewe statues stand as sentinels in front

of the Junell Center/Stephens Arena.Amidst a fountain that resembles a rocky

West Texas stream, the sheep are a fitting symbol for the enduring spirit of Angelo State University’s Rams and Rambelles.

ARENA FAST

FACTSArena

Floor Space21,500 square feet

LightingFifty 1,000-

watt lights

Seating Capacity

Athletic Events: 4,970

Other Events:5,638

Ceiling Height:68 feet

Floor SurfaceMaple

Video Screen9 feet by 12 feet

Sound System9,000 watts with

more than two miles of wiring

symbol for the enduring spirit of AngeloState University’s Rams and Rambelles.

4

ter/Stephens Arena one of the premier facilities in the state and a crowning jewel for the campus and the community.

Speaking engagements, distin-guished lecture series, cultural pro-grams, exhibitions and concerts are just a few of the community activi-ties that are staged in the facility. A multi-use area is available for smaller programs or as additional space for larger programs requiring its use in conjunction with the arena fl oor. This space also doubles as a practice site for the Rams and Rambelles, and may also be used for classes and dinners.

Other support spaces in the build-ing include a warming kitchen for banquet catering and other dining events, as well as a “green room” for performers waiting to go on stage.

The Junell Center was made possible by funding from the Texas State Legisla-ture in a $30 million package made avail-able for the construction of the new spe-cial events center and renovation of the existing Houston Harte University Center.

The university’s Board of Regents approved the plans for the new center at an estimated cost of $20 million. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held in the summer of 1999, and construction was completed in December of 2001. The fi rst athletic contest to be held in the facility was on Jan. 17, 2002, as the Rams and Rambelles hosted Texas a m University-Kingsville in a basketball doubleheader.

The center is on university-owned property on Varsity Drive, just off of Jackson Street and north of the LeGrand Sports Complex.

“Coach Rike is one of the best individual improvement coaches in the country and has the unique ability to be tough and demanding on the court but still find a way to be a role model and connect with each individual athlete off of the court.”

—Scott Cross, head basketball

coach, University of Texas at

Arlington

5

LSC CHAMPIONS22-11, 11-1 LSC

ASU rolled through the Lone Star Conference, suff ering only a single loss to Texas a m-Commerce during the regular season. The Rams then ran the table at the lsc Tournament, including a spectacular 94-73 vic-tory over the Buff s from West Texas State in the title game.

In their fi rst trip to the ncaa South Central Regional Tournament, the Rams opened up against the host and top-seeded Indians of Southeast Missouri State. semo proved too much for asu as the Rams fell, 111-75. Guard Robert Barley led asu with 16 points. In the consolation match up, asu took on South Dakota State, but also lost to the Jackrabbits, 89-80. Tim Howard paced asu with 32 points in the loss.

1987-88

LSC CHAMPIONS18-10, 11-3 LSC

The Rams repeated as lsc champs in 1989, sweeping to the LSC Tourna-ment title with a dramatic 84-66 victory over Texas a&m-Kingsville after hav-ing lost to the Javelinas just a few days earlier in the regular season.

ASU then drew a bid to the South Central Regional Tournament and faced top-seeded Southeast Missouri State in the fi rst round in Cape Girardeau. In a close game, the Indians defeated the Rams, 65-60. Senior Tim Howard led asu in scor-ing with 14 points. In the consolation game, asu defeated Northwest Missouri State, 89-80. Chris Mason paced the Rams’ attack with a game-high 21 points.

1988-89

DURING THE 20 0 9 SOUTH CENTRAL REG IONAL TOURNAMENT VERSUS SOUTHWEST B

TOP TEAMS

OF ANGELO

STATEWINNING IN THE

LSC

RAM’S HEAD

Just as all the Texas Big XII

universities have their own spirit hand signs, so

does Angelo State University

with the Ram’s Head.

The sign is made by

bending the middle and ring

fi ngers down over the palm and covering

them with the thumb. The

extended index and

pinky fi ngers are then

bent halfway to represent the curve of

the horns.

ASlossran ttory

Inopenprov16 polost t

Thmenting l

ASseedgameing wState

DURING

dododododododdoodd eseseseseses AAAAAAAAngngngngnggggnggeleleleeelo oooStStStStSttStStttttStttatatatatatatatttatteee e eeeee UnUnUnUnUnnivivivivivvivererererererererererrsisisisisitytytytyty

wwwwiwiwiwwwithtththhhhhhhhh ttttthehehehehe RRRRRRaRaaRRaRRRam’m’m’m’m s ss s s ss HeHeHeHHeHeHeeHeHeHHeHHHHH adadadadada ...

ThThThThThThheee e eeee sisisiisisiiigggggggngngnggggggnnn iiiiiss ss smmamammamaaadededddddddeeeeedd bbbbby y yyy

bebbbebeebbb ndndndnddddndddininninningggggggggggggggggg ththththe e eemmimimiimimiiim ddddddddddddddd leleleee aaaaaaandndnndndddddd rrrrinininnini g g g ggg

fi fi fi fi nnngngngnnnnngnnggerererrrreee s s s s s dodododdodooodododooownwnwnwn ovovovovvvovveererereee ttttthhheheheheheh ppppppppppppalalalalm m mm ananananananananannnnanndddddddd cccocooccoocoveveveveeeveeeriririingngng

thththhththttt ememememeememmmmmeemem wwwwwwwwwwitittitthhhhhhh tthththtthththe e e ththththhhththhhhhumuumumumumumuumumumuuuuu bbb.bb.b.b. TTTTTThhhhheheheehhhe

eeeeexexexexexxxeeexteteteteeeteendndndndnddnn edeeededdeededdeinininininininiinnnnninininndedededededeeexxx xx xxx anananannannnannnd d ddd

pppipipipipipipp nknknknnnknnnkknknkky y y y fi fi fififififififingnngnggnggggeeeerererereere s s ss sararararaaaa ee e e eee ttththththhtt enennnenene

bebebebebebbebebbebbbb ntntnttntnnntnt hhhhhalaalalalalalalffwfwfwwfwfwayayaayayay tttottottotoottotott rrrrrrrreepepepepepepepeprrerrreeeeeeerr sesesesees ntntnnt tththththtthttt ee e ee eee cucucuuucucuuurrrvrvrvrvrrvrr e eeee ofofof

ththththhhhtthtt e e eee hhhhhohohohhohoornrnrnnns.s.s.

24SHAVAR BURCHFORWARD

6

LSC SOUTH CHAMPIONS22-8, 11-1 LSC SOUTH

LSC SOUTH RUNNERS-UP20-9, 8-4 LSC SOUTH

The Rams returned to the LSC Tournament for the fi rst time in 10 years after nab-bing the lsc South Division title with an 11-1 record in league play. asu hosted the lsc Tournament in San Angelo, but fell in the championship fi nal to West Texas a&m, 75-73, in overtime. Despite the loss, the Rams were picked for the South Central Regional Tournament at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. They opened the tournament against another lsc foe, the third-seeded Redmen of Northeastern State. All fi ve Rams starters posted double-fi gure scoring performances, but it was not enough as asu fell to Northeast-ern, 80-75. Terrell Johnston and James Gray led the Rams with 16 points each.

The Rams made their fi rst appearance in eight years at the South Central Regional Tournament after posting a 20-9 overall mark and placing second in the lsc South Divi-sion at 8-4. ASU advanced to the lsc Tournament for the second straight year, but an 82-65 loss to Southwestern Oklahoma in the fi rst round forced the Rams wait for an invitation to the regional tournament. asu was chosen as the No. 7 seed in the South Central Region and faced Southwest Baptist, the No. 7-ranked team in the nation, in the opening round of the event held in Warrensburg, Mo. The Rams battled with sbu through the fi nal horn, but fell to the Bearcats, 89-84. Sha-var Burch scored a game-high 27 points and Ryan Bennett added 20 points.

2000-01

2008-09

In time to come when we shall speak of Angelo State University, Then let us raise our voices in praise of the truth we seek to set us free. In time to come when our ideals shall become reality, Then let us praise the, Alma Mater, Angelo State University.

ASU ALMA MATER

ST BAPTIST UNIVERS IT Y, SHAVAR BURCH SCORED A GAME- H IG H 27 PO INTS .

2013-143rd in Lone Star 19-9, 8-6 LSC

Under the guidance of head coach Chris Beard and assistant coach Cinco Boone, the Rams made a quick turnaround by going 19-9 following three losing seasons. The Rams started the season with a program’s best 10-0 record, were ranked No. 22 in the nation and were regionally ranked until the fi nal weekend of play. ASU fi nished its campaign with an 11-2 record at home and secured its fi rst postseason win since the 2002 season. The Rams would win 11 games by double digits, scored over 80 points in six games and highlighted their season with a 64-59 win over Cameron at the Lone Star Conference Championships in Allen.

“We accomplished a lot of good things and had a successful fi rst season,” Beard said. “Above all, I thought we established our program as a contender in the LSC and in the region. We have a lot of work ahead of us but the foundation for success has been started.”

An 8-6 conference record gave the Rams the third seed in the conference tournament and included an 83-68 w in over regionally-ranked Midwestern State and a season sweep of West Texas A&M and Cameron. The Rams fi nished the season second in the LSC in fi eld goal percentage at 46.4 percent and second defensively by limiting the opposition to 40.4 percent shooting. A 3.6 rebounding advantage was also second in the conference.

7

ALL-AMERICANS 1993 Ed Wheeler, Center 2010 LaMarshall Corbett, Guard

ALL-REGION 1993 Ed Wheeler, Center2007 Marcus Hubbard, Forward 2010 LaMarshall Corbett, Guard2014 Kenny Williams, Forward

FIRST TEAM ALL-LSC SELECTIONS 1984 Greg Wolff , Forward 1985 Tony Mathews, Guard 1987 Tim Howard, Forward 1988 Tim Howard, Forward 1989 Tim Howard, Forward 1992 John Thompson, Guard 1993 Ed Wheeler, Center 1994 Ed Wheeler, Center 2001 Darwin Carter, Guard 2002 Tyree Williams, Forward 2007 Marcus Hubbard, Forward 2008 Marcus Hubbard, Forward 2009 Lionel Brown, Guard 2010 LaMarshall Corbett, Guard 2010 Stavon Williams, Guard 2011 Richard Thomas, Guard2014 Kenny Williams, Forward

SECOND TEAM ALL-LSC SELECTIONS 1984 Kenny Smith, Guard 1985 Kenny Smith, Guard 1985 Don Johnson, Center 1988 Bobby Darnell, Center 1988 Chris Mason, Guard 1988 Glen Noesen, Guard 1989 Chris Mason, Guard 1990 Jeff Fudge, Guard 1994 Alan Bradley, Guard 1995 Alan Bradley, Guard 1999 Gerald Morris, Forward 2000 Cameron Henderson, Forward 2001 James Gray, Guard 2002 Corey Williams, Forward 2003 Germaine Chase, Forward 2003 Toby Thompson, Guard 2005 Kenny Smith, Guard 2008 Denell Stephens, Forward 2009 Ryan Bennett, Guard 2010 Johnny Barnes, Forward

BEST OF THE

BESTANGELO STATE

PLAYERS RECOGNIZED

FOR EXCELLENCE

3333KENNY KENNY WILLIAMSWILLIAMSFORWARDFORWARD

LSC MVP/PLAYER OF THE YEAR 1976 Dennis McLaughlin, Guard 1989 Tim Howard, Forward 1994 Ed Wheeler, Center 2010 LaMarshall Corbett, Guard

LSC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR 1989 Bobby Darnell, Center 1995 Scott Plemons, Guard 2001 James Gray, Guard

LSC FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR 1990 Chet Byerly, Guard 2011 Andre Adams, Guard2013 Jovan Austin, Guard

LSC NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR 2009 Lionel Brown, Guard 2010 LaMarshall Corbett, Guard 2011 Richard Thomas, Guard2014 Kenny Williams, Forward

LSC COACH OF THE YEAR 1984 Ed Messbarger 1988 Ed Messbarger 2001 Joe Esposito

1RICHARD THOMAS

GUARDYou’ve got to

do your best to stand the test

For old ASU

Hang your name in halls

of fame

For all the world to view.

Rah!Rah!Rah!

Raise her banners high

in the sky

Praise her brave ones as

they go by,

Hail Alma Mater Hail,

Blue and Gold of ASU

ASU FIGHT SONG

8

23RIDGEMcKEITHERFORWARD

Ridge McKeither went from ASU to play

professionally in Spain.NATHAN’S AND HOLLAND’S AWARD WINNERSSportsmanshipTeamworkMost ConscientiousAbility

Those words are inscribed on the plaques

that bear the names of each award

winner. These awards are given annually

at the spring asu All-Sports Banquet to

the top student-athlete in each sport,

as voted on by their teammates.

From 1965–97, these awards were

presented by Nathan’s Jewelers, and

asu is immensely grateful to “Babe”

Donsky and her late husband, Nathan

Donsky, for their role in founding and

sponsoring the awards. Beginning in

1998, Holland’s Jewelry became the

sponsor for these prestigious awards.

1966 Charles Spieker 1967 Alex Decuir 1968 Danny Sponhaltz 1969 Laurin Prather 1970 Willie Hill 1971 Willie Hill 1972 Phillip Ned 1973 Charles Williams 1974 Oscar Lott 1975 Dennis McLaughlin Roy Moore 1976 Dennis McLaughlin 1977 Dean Young 1978 Harold Taylor 1979 Harold Taylor 1980 Tommy Tyler 1981 Jeff Burdick 1982 Tino Wilson 1983 Tommie Tyler 1984 Greg Wolff 1985 Mike Jones 1986 Mark Williams 1987 Tim Howard 1988 Glen Noesen 1989 Tim Howard Chris Mason 1990 Darnell Roberts 1991 Vernon Ragsdale 1992 John Thompson 1993 Andre President 1994 Ed Wheeler 1995 Scott Plemons Ken Gaines 1996 Blaine Brunson 1997 Marlon Hall 1998 Brian Kusnierz 1999 Gerald Morris Chris Connolly 2000 Cameron Henderson 2001 Justin Hardin 2002 Tyree Williams 2003 Toby Thompson 2004 Nate Gordon 2005 Kenny Smith 2006 Marlow Rockwell 2007 Turner Phipps 2008 Nathan Walton 2009 Maso Hamilton 2010 Johnny Barnes 2011 Trey Mays 2012 Joey Lenox2013 Antonio Dye2014 Bryan Hammond

33BRYAN BRYAN HAMMONDHAMMONDGUARDGUARD

9

10 Jay Hawley

11 Phil Addison

12 Frank Treviño

13 Milton Nickel

14 Albert Miranda

16 Billy Tankersly

17 Larue Robinson

19 Don Kountz

20 Rex Rearden

21 Rex Nichols

22 Arnold Patton

44 Bill Jiles

Coach Phil George

1956-57 SAC TEAM

ROSTER

The 1957 Rams basketball team, coached by the

legendary Phil George, posted a 31-2 record on its way to winning

the National Junior College Athletic

Association (NJCAA) National Championship.

GEORGE LEADS

‘BATTLING RAMS’TO 1957

NJCAA NATIONAL

TITLE

“Team play, that’s what has done it

all year, boys working

together and not getting

point-hungry.”—Phil George

Head coach, 1957

The only two losses for San Angelo Col-lege, as asu was then known, came at the hands of senior college programs as the Rams were the only team to go unde-feated in junior college play that season.

Characterized as “too short and inex-perienced to win a national champion-ship,” the “Battling Rams” knocked off Eastern Arizona University, 63-51, in the title game in Hutchinson, Kan., to bring home what is still the only basketball national championship in school history.

“The way this season has turned out has been beyond my wildest dreams,” George commented in 1957. “Team play, that’s what has done it all year, boys working together and not getting point-hungry. Notice how the scoring is always split up among diff erent fellows. That’s what makes a team.”

Milton Nickel and Larue Rob-inson served as co-captains of the Rams championship squad. Jay Hawley was named a njcaa All-American and Frank Treviño was an All-Pioneer Conference selection.

Upon the team’s return from the national tournament, Nickel and Robinson presented the national championship trophy to San Angelo College President Raymond Cav-ness. Rams football coach Max Bumgardner called the basketball champion-ship run “the greatest feat of coaching and playing” he had ever seen.

10

WINNING LEADERSHIPA renowned coach and a former Lone

Star Conference mvp represent the asu Rams basketball program in the Angelo State Athletic Hall of Honor—Ed Messbarger and Tim Howard.

A legend in the coaching profession, Messbarger was inducted into the Hall of Honor in 2012. He was recognized for guiding the Rams for 20 seasons and compiling a 268-289 (.483) record during that period. He coached Angelo State to a pair of lsc titles and was named the lsc Coach of the Year in 1984 and 1988.

At the time of his retirement from coaching, Messbarger ranked third in ncaa Division II for career wins with 665, and was second all-time in coaching appearances at any level of play. He is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athlet-ics Hall of Fame as well as university halls of fame at St. Mary’s and North-west Missouri State. He was enshrined in the lsc Hall of Honor in 2006.

Howard became the fi rst Rams basketball player inducted into the Hall of Honor in 2010. A forward from Fort Worth, he led the Rams to their fi rst-ever ncaa D-II Tournament appear-ances in 1988 and 1989, and was named lsc Most Valuable Player in 1989.

Individually, Howard stands out as the Rams all-time leading scorer with 1,844 points. He also ranks fi rst on asu’s career list for fi eld goals made (690), second in rebounds (629) and free throws made (401), and eighth in blocked shots (39).

Together, Messbarger and How-ard helped lead the Rams through one of their most successful periods from 1985–89, compiling a 69-46 record over that four-year span.

(left) Tim Howard presents a signed jersey to Ed Messbarger. The plaque at the top reads: “Thank you Coach Messbarger, From your players,1978–1998, February 24, 2011”

(above) Tim Howard receives the Hall of Honor trophy from Ed Mussbarger.

11

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Helping our student-athletes achieve

academic success is essential for our program. In addition to having academic resources within the Athletics Department, our athletes also receive assistance from other programs available to all ASU students.

ACADEMIC PROGRESSDuring each semester, the acc surveys the professors of each student-athlete three times. In each grade check, professors are asked to provide academic progress information such as attendance, current grade, at-risk or not, and any additional comments.

MENTORSHIPThe acc provides weekly sessions with mentors for student-athletes identifi ed as “at-risk” based on acc and coach recommendations. During the sessions, grade updates and upcoming assignments are discussed. Assignments are reviewed and study plans are implemented if necessary.

TUTORINGFree tutoring is available for student-athletes in Angelo State University’s Tutor Center. In addition to having tutors available for nearly every general education class as well as many upper-level classes, specialized tutoring units include the Math lab, Writing Center, Modern Language tutoring, Accounting lab and Supplemental Instruction (si). The si program off ers extracurricular peer tutoring groups for traditionally tough classes. Study sessions are led by students who have completed and earned high grades in the courses. si sessions are conducted multiple times throughout the week.

ATHLETIC STUDY CENTERThe goal of the Athletic Study Center is to act as the primary academic support contact for student-athletes. The center holds the offi ce of the Athletic Academic Coordinator (acc) for easy visibility and reach. The center houses laptop computers, printers, and individual and collaborative work stations.

ADVISINGAll academic advising is provided through the individual colleges and academic departments.

12

Celebrating the official kickoff of basketball season, this annual event is held during Homecoming.

GAME DAYFEEL THE

TRUE BLUE SPIRIT OF ASU

b. 1970

A perpetual junior with a major in animal science and a minor in communications, Roscoe D. Ram is the son

ROSCOE

isisisisssiss tttttttttttthehehhehehehehehhhehehehe sssssssssssssoooooooooooo

of Buck and Ewenice Ram of San Angelo. In his spare time, he hangs out with the brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha.

13

RAMS IN THE COMMUNITY

Established in 1928

Funded by local contributions

and a self-imposed county tax, San Angelo

Junior College opened its

doors in 1928 on North Oakes

Street near downtown San Angelo.

ASU FACTS

A purebred Rambouillet ram, Dominic stands as a proud symbol of Angelo State University and the institution’s ties to the region and its people.

A domesticated breed originating in Spain over two centuries ago, the Rambouillet are compact, white-wooled sheep with rams that proudly carry long, curving horns.

The fi rst Rambouillet ram “Shorty” was donated to the college in 1940 by area rancher D.T. Jones, who had two daughters attending the school. Jones’ generosity typifi ed the West Texas spirit and the sup-port asu has had throughout its history from the people of San Angelo and the surrounding area.

ASU’S MASCOT

DOMINIC

Rams players help local children improve their basketball skills and give them motivation along the way.

14

ANGELO STATESAN ANGELO, TEXAS

CAMERON UNIVERSITYLAWTON, OKLAHOMA

EASTERN NEW MEXICOPORTALES, NEW MEXICO

MIDWESTERN STATEWICHITA FALLS, TEXAS

TARLETON STATESTEPHENVILLE, TEXAS

TEXAS A&M COMMERCECOMMERCE, TEXAS

TEXAS A&M-KINGSVILLEKINGSVILLE, TEXAS

WEST TEXAS A&MCANYON, TEXAS

FOUNDED IN 1931

LONE STARCONFERENCEASU, MEMBER SINCE 1968

15

angelo.eduangelosports.com

Aff ordablefor all.

Better than you imagine.

Closer thanyou think.