Sam Houston football viewbook

Sam HoustonSam Houston

www.gobearkats.com 2

General Sam Houston is the only man in U.S. history to be governor of two states (Tennessee and Texas). He led Texas to independence with the victory over Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto. He became the fi rst president of the Republic of Texas, senator from the State of Texas and governor of the State of Texas. He is buried in Huntsville not far from the campus of the university named in his honor.

Sam HoustonA Great Name In Texas EducationA Great Name In Texas Education

Sam Houston was founded in 1879and stands today as the third-oldest public university in Texas and the state’s fi fth oldest continuously operating institution of higher education. With nearly 100,000 graduates, SHSU has touched the lives of generations of Texans by helping to shape the economic, social and cultural development of this state and beyond.

The establishment of Sam Houston Normal Institute was authorized by Texas Governor Oran M. Roberts on April 21, 1879. On October 10 of that year “the Normal” opened with 109 students, four faculty members and its fi rst principal, Bernard Mallon.

In the 21st century, Sam Houston State University has seen record growth, ranking as one of the fastest growing public institution in Texas the past four years.

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER’S CUP Winners 2005, 2006, 2007

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE MEN’S ALL-SPORTS CUP Winners 2000, 2007

NCAA NATIONAL PLAYOFFS Football 1986, 1991, 2001, 2004 Baseball 1987, 1989, 1996, 2007, 2008, 2009 Bowling 2011 Men’s Basketball 1986, 2003, 2010 Volleyball 1984, 1985, 1993, 1996 Softball 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2007

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE TITLES Baseball 1989 Men’s Basketball 2000, 2003, 2010 Football 1991, 2001, 2004 Men’s Golf 1990, 1994 Women’s Golf 2004, 2007 Softball 1988, 1990, 1993 Men’s Outdoor Track 2005, 2006 Women’s Outdoor Track 2005, 2006, 2008 Women’s Indoor Track 2007, 2008 Volleyball 1993, 1994 SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE POST-SEASON TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS Men’s Basketball 2003, 2010 Volleyball 1996 Baseball 1996, 2007, 2008, 2009 Softball 1988, 2007

OTHER MAJOR NATIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS Softball National Invitational Champions 1996 Softball NCAA Division II National Champions 1982 Softball NAIA National Champions 1981 Men’s Golf NAIA National Champions 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 Football NAIA National Co-Champions 1964 Baseball NAIA National Champions 1963 Football Post Season Bowls 1952, 1953, 1955, 1958 Men’s Basketball NIT Season Tip-off quarterfi nalist 2005

... And A Great Name In Intercollegiate Athletics... And A Great Name In Intercollegiate Athletics


Dr. James Gaertner, president of Sam Houston State University from 2001 to 2010, and director of athletics Bobby Williams pose with the Bearkats’ three

Commissioner’s Cup trophies, symbolic of the Southland Conference’s all-sports championships won in 2005, 2006 and 2007.


REASONS TO CHOOSEREASONS TO CHOOSE

Four NCAA Division I Playoff AppearancesTen Conference Team Championships

64 All America Honorees381 All Conference Performers

AN IMPORTANT DECISIONAN IMPORTANT DECISION

One of the most diffi cult decisions for any young person is the selection of a university at which to pursue a college degree. As a student-athlete with exceptional skills, choosing a university and a football program that is right for you takes on added importance. I urge you to evaluate carefully every facet of each university and football program you consider. Closely examine the head coach, his staff , the academic and ath-letic facilities, the academic reputation of the institution, the community and the total environment. You should feel comfortable knowing this is where you will live and experience some of the most exciting years of your life. Our philosophy at Sam Houston State University is that it is our responsibility to provide an environment that contributes to the successful development of both the student and the athlete. A positive, rewarding collegiate and football experience is our commitment to every player in the program. The Sam Houston football program is built upon a foundation of academic, athletic and personal integrity. I encourage you to closely examine what Sam Houston has to off er you.

Willie FritzHead Coach, Sam Houston State University

BEARKAT BEARKAT

FOOTBALLFOOTBALL

FACILITIES

The Bearkats play and practice in Elliott T. Bowers Stadium (14,000) All SHSU student-athletes train in one of the top conditioning facilities in the Southwest, the Ron Randleman Strength & Fitness Center

SCHEDULE

Sam Houston competes as a member of the Southland Conference in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision The Bearkats have played before capacity crowds against such teams as Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and SMU

EXPOSURE

Bearkat sports teams have been featured on six national telecasts on CBS and ESPN2 and 16 regional cable telecasts since 2003

COMMITMENT

Sam Houston State University is committed to its student-athletes and the Huntsville community with a coaching and athletic administration fueled with a passion for the game

ACADEMICS

Sam Houston has a commitment to both academics and athleticsMore than 90 percent of Bearkat student-athletes who complete their eligibility earn their college degreeMore SHSU student-athletes have earned Southland Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll selection than any other university in the league four of the past six academic yearsBearkat student-athletes produce a higher grade point average than the general student population at Sam HoustonAcademic programs such as the SHSU Learning Enhancement Center and the CHAMPS life skills development program ensure


Students from every walk of life come to Sam Houston in pursuit of a quality college education.

Sam Houston Today Created to train school teachers, today’s Sam Houston State University off ers a broad range of academic programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Many of its academic programs and faculty have attained national and statewide recog-nition.

Sam Houston State University serves one of the most diverse populations of any education institution in Texas. Admission requirements were strengthened six years ago. In the fall of 2010, SHSU experienced another record enrollment, with a total of 17,214. The physical plant is undergoing signifi cant expansion and improvements at a cost of more than $250 million.

Enrollment 17,214 with expected growth to 20,000 by 2015

272-acre main campus

79 undergraduate degree programs

54 master’s programs

5 doctoral programs Criminal Justice Educational Leadership Counselor Education Clinical Psychology Reading

72% of faculty members hold doctoral or terminal degrees

31 student average class size

1:19 faculty-student ratio


Sam Houston State UniversitySam Houston State University A Carnegie Classifi ed Academic InstitutionA Carnegie Classifi ed Academic Institution

Carnegie Graduate Instructional Program Classifi cations: Doctoral Research University Community Engaged University

Six colleges within the university: Business Administration Criminal Justice Education Humanities and Social Sciences Sciences Fine Arts and Mass Communication

Capital project, construction, renovation, and improvement program totals more than $250 million

A diverse student body with students from 53 countries

Approximately 1,700 faculty and staff

More than 70% of commuter students come from the North Houston area University is partner with Raven Nest Golf Club

First teachers’ training school in the Southwest

U.S. News & World Report “Growing Fast, Staying Friendly”

Central to the university’s recent achievements is a dedicated faculty and staff who provide a caring education environment for students to learn and develop.

The classifi cation as a “Doctoral Research University” by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education places Sam Houston in the top 7% of all U.S. colleges and universities.



Sam Houston State UniversitySam Houston State University

Traditional, yes. Stuck in the past, defi nitely not.

At Sam Houston State University, you’ll step onto a beautiful campus of 17,000 active students and accomplished faculty who form an incredibly close-knit community.

Willie Fritz became the 14th head football coach at Sam Houston State University on December 18, 2011. During his 29-year coaching career, Fritz has produced an overall record of 226 victories, 81 losses and fi ve ties as both a head coach and an assistant. A proven motivator and recruiter, he has coached championship teams at NCAA Division I, Division II and junior college levels. In his fi rst season as head coach at Sam Houston in 2010, Fritz took a young squad that was picked in preseason next to last in the Southland and directed them to a third place fi nish. The “winningest” coach in the University of Central Missouri’s 113-year football history, Fritz rolled up a 97-47 record in 13 seasons as Mules head coach. He is the only Central Missouri head coach to produce eight con-secutive seasons of seven or more wins. When hired as head coach, Fritz was no stranger to Sam Houston. He served as a graduate assistant for Bearkat squads that went 16-6 in 1984-85 and won the 1985 Gulf Star Conference championship He was the secondary and special teams coach for the Bearkats in 1991 and 1992, helping lead Sam Houston to a Southland Conference championship and starting a special teams suc-cess tradition that lasted more than a decade. The “block party” saw Kat special teams block 80 punts, fi eld goals and extra points in the 14 seasons from 1991 to 2004. “Willie Fritz has a proven track record as someone who can come in and turn a program around,” Sam Houston director of athletics Bobby Williams said. “He has been successful every-where he has worked. He recruits quality student-athletes who are motivated to excel both on the fi eld and academically.” From 1993 to 1996, Fritz was head coach at Blinn College where turned around a program that had gone 5-24-1 in its three previous seasons. He produced a 39-5-1 record and two na-tional junior college championships. In both his fi nal two seasons at Blinn, the Pirates rolled up perfect 12-0 records. For his eff orts at Blinn, Fritz has been inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame. As head coach at Central Missouri, Fritz led the Mules to their fi rst post-season berth in 32 years when they defeated Minnesota-Duluth in the 2001 Mineral Water Bowl and its fi rst NCAA Division II playoff berth after winning the Mid-America Athletic Association (MIAA) champion-ship. Fritz coached 152 All-MIAA performers including 41 fi rst team selections and 24 All-Ameri-cans. Fritz ranks No. 15 among active NCAA Division II head coach in victories. In his 13 years, the Mules enjoyed an 84 percent graduation rate with three Academic All-Americans, 14 Academic All-Region and 144 MIAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll selec-tions. Central Missouri ranked No. 11 in NCAA Division II football attendance. Fritz played college football at Pittsburg State University where he was a four-year starter as a defensive back and played on two conference championship teams. He was a student assis-tant coach for the Gorillas in 1982. He served as an assistant football coach at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Kansas in 1983 and at Willis High School in Texas in 1986 and was defensive coordinator at Coff eyville Community College in Kansas from 1987 to 1990. Fritz and his wife Susan have three children, Wesley, Elaine and Brooke.

HEAD COACHWon 142, Lost 57, Tied 1

Blinn Junior College (39-5-1) 1993 6-3-1 1994 9-2 Mineral Water Bowl 1994 12-0 National Champions 1995 12-0 National ChampionsCentral Missouri (97-47) 1997 5-6 1998 8-3 1999 7-4 2000 7-4 2001 10-2 Mineral Water Bowl 2002 10-2 NCAA Division II Playoff s 2003 9-2 MIAA Champions 2004 7-4 2005 7-3 2006 5-6 2007 7-4 2008 7-4 2009 8-3Sam Houston State (6-5) 2010 6-5

ASSISTANT COACH Won 84, Lost 26, Tied 4

Pittsburg State ( Student assistant) 1982 7-2 Conference championsShawnee Mission NW HS (Assistant) 1983 7-2Sam Houston (Graduate assistant) 1984 8-3 1985 8-3 Gulf Star championsWillis High School (Assistant) 1986 6-4Coff eyville C. C. (Defensive coordinator) 1987 8-2 Jayhawk Bowl 1988 9-1-1 Jayhawk Bowl 1989 6-3 1990 11-0 National ChampionsSam Houston (Secondary/special teams) 1991 8-3-1 Southland Champions 1992 6-3-2

Willie FritzWillie Fritz Head Football Coach

A Proven Winner


Meet the Bearkat CoachesMeet the Bearkat Coaches


JEFF CONWAYAssistant Head Coach, Wide ReceiversRecruiting Area: Houston/South Central TexasNorthwestern Missouri, 1981

Second year at Sam Houston Associate head coach and wide receivers coach at Central Missouri as the Mules rolled up a 41-24 record with 8-3 mark in 2009 and seven victory seasons in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008 Assistant at University of New Mexico, Missouri Western and Lamar University Off ensive off ensive coordinator at Blinn Junior College for teams that rolled up a 39-5-1 record and won two NJCAA na-tional championships Led Blinn to an 8-2 record as head coach in 1997 Graduate assistant at Sam Houston on teams that went 16-6 and won Gulf Star Conference championship. Wife, Jolene, and three daughters Callie, Patsy and Bobbi

BOB DeBESSEOff ensive Coordinator, QuarterbacksRecruiting Area: Austin / Central TexasSouthwest Texas State, 1982

Second year at Sam Houston Head coach at Southwest Texas State from 1997 to 2002 Assistant coach at Texas A&M, Purdue, Minnesota and TCU Helped direct Aggies to the Holiday Bowl and Alamo Bowl. At Purdue tutored two receivers who signed with NFL teamsand played in the Capital One Bowl and Sun Bowl. DeBesse’s 2000 Southwest Texas Bobcats rolled up the school’s best record in a decade (7-4) and earned a No. 25 national ranking Off ensive coordinator at Minnesota from 1992 to 1996 where the Golden Gophers led the Big Ten in passing. At TCU, named Southwest Conference Off ensive Coordinator of the Year honors in 1990. Wife, Janet, and three children: Brittney, Kaila and Cameron

SCOTT STOKERDefensive Coordinator, LinebackersRecruiting Area: East TexasNorthwestern State, 1990

Third year at Sam Houston Compiled a 43-38 record in seven seasons as head coach at Northwestern State Led Demons to 2004 Southland Conference title and to NCAA Division I playoff s in 2002 and 2004 Three of his Demon squads fi nished among the top 15 nationally in total defense and rushing defense including No. 2 national rankings in both categories in 2004 Assistant coach at McNeese State from 1994 to 2002 for teams that earned six national playoff berths All-Southland Conference quarterback for Northwestern State, leading Demons to 1988 league championship Wife Kim and three children Jennifer, Carlie and Zoe


BEN BEASLEYDefensive BacksRecruiting Area: Houston / Southeast TexasMcNeese State, 2002

Third year at Sam Houston, coaching four defensive backs who have earned All-Southland honors Assistant coach at Northwestern State from 2002 to 2008, helping the Demons to earn NCAA national statistics rankings in punt returns, rushingoff ense and scoring McNeese State student assistant coach for squads that made consecutive NCAA Division I playoff appearances and shared 2001 Southland championship with Sam Houston Wife Ellen and a daughter Sarah Jane.

JOHNNY JERNIGANDefensive Coordinator, LinebackersRecruiting Area: Fort Worth MetroNorthwestern State, 1994

Second year at Sam Houston, coaching defensive line that ranked 16th nationally in sacks and led the Southland in rush defense Assistant coach at Murray State and Tennessee-Martin, tutoring defenses that led the Ohio Valley Conference Began his career at Kilgore College before moving to Henderson State in Arkansas All-Southland Conference defensive lineman at Stephen F. Austin, leadingLumberjacks to the 1993 national playoff s Wife LaShunta and two sons, Davon and Amontae

DEREK WAREHIMERecruiting Area: Dallas Metro / East TexasOff ensive LineTulsa, 2006

Second year at Sam Houston, producing an off ensive line that blocked for the league’s top rushing off ense and tutoring two All-Southland selections Assistant coach at Arkansas-Monticello where the Boll Weevils led the GulfSouth Conference in total off ense and rushing off ense Graduate assistant at Rice, helping direct the Owls to their fi rst bowl game in 45 years at the New Orleans Bowl All-Western Athletic Conference selection and later student assistant coach for the Tulsa Hurricane, playing in the 2003 Humanitarian Bowl Wife Kelly and two daughters Kaysen and Kylie

ANTHONY JOHNSONRunning BacksRecruiting Area: San Antonio / Central TexasTexas, 2005

Second year at Sam Houston, coaching fi rst team All-Conference and Southland “Newcomer of the Year” Tim Flanders in 2010 Bearkats led the Southland Conference in rushing off ense in 2010 Running back for University of Texas football teams that won the Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl and two Holiday Bowls Worked with Longhorn NFL draft picks Cedric Benson, Jamal Charles and Chris Ogbonnaya as a member of UT coaching staff that rolled up 34-4 record, won the Fiesta Bowl and Holiday Bowl and played in the national championship game Wife Erica and daughter London


Elliott T. Bowers StadiumElliott T. Bowers StadiumHome of Bearkat Football

Elliott T. Bowers Stadium gives the Sam Houston State a great

home fi eld advantage.

The Bearkats stand 88-42-1 on the turf at Bowers since the facility

opened in 1986.


The Ron Mafrige Field House in the south end zone of Bowers Stadium houses the football and athletic administration offi ces, the football dressing room, Bearkat athletic training facility and the SHSU Athletic Learning Enhancement Center. Sam Houston’s modern

Ron Randleman Strength and Fitness Center is located in the southeast corner of the stadium complex.

The crowd of 24,685 for the 84th “Battle of the Piney Woods” at Reliant Stadium in Houston was the largest in SHSU-SFA series history. It also was the largest crowd for a Bearkat game versus an NCAA Divi-sion I Football Championship Subdivision team. Game day started with a packed house at the pregame tailgate party in the Blue Lot south of Reliant.

24,68524,685

Battle of the Piney WoodsBattle of the Piney WoodsReliant Stadium - HoustonReliant Stadium - Houston

October 23, 2010October 23, 2010

The event provided a stage for Sam Houston State to gain exposure in a city in which more than 65,000 university alumni call home. The Bearkats and Lumberjacks were featured in interviews on all of the city’s television, radio and newspaper media throughout the week.



Sam Houston State University is committed to the concept that intercol-legiate athletics is an integral part of the university’s educational enterprise. The department of athletics recognizes that the athletics program must be supportive of the university’s mission, which is to inspire learning through excellence in teaching, to stimulate creativity, to conduct scholarly research and to direct signifi cant institutional resources to the community it serves. In keeping with these directives, the department of athletics under-stands that its primary mission is to develop student-athletes as complete individuals and educated citizens who are fully prepared to contribute positively to society. The department of athletics recognizes that it receives direction from the President of the university in the administration of the athletic program. The department of athletics will provide and support cultural diversity and provide for equitable opportunities for minorities and women. The depart-ment of athletics measures success in its ability to establish programs that support the mission of Sam Houston State University.

Strategic Goals The Department of Athletics will provide the best possible entertain-ment and image for our students, faculty, staff , alumni and community by competing on the Division I level through winning athletic teams. The Department of Athletics will provide an environment for student-athletes necessary to enhance graduation through classroom learning ex-periences that are conducive to a life skills learning experience on campus and in the community. The Department of Athletics will provide an environment for all staff necessary to attract, develop and retain quality personnel. The Department of Athletics will provide an environment for our alumni, community and friends of the university that encourages active participa-tion in the department programs and development activities.

Bearkat Athletics MissionBearkat Athletics Mission


Sam Houston State University competes at the NCAA Division I level in 17 sports as a member of the Southland Conference, bring-ing the fun and excitement of intercollegiate athletes to the Huntsville campus. Men’s intercollegiate sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track & fi eld, and outdoor track & fi eld. Women’s sports are basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track & fi eld, outdoor track & fi eld, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. In the fall of 2010, Sam Houston begins competition in women’s bowling. Three of the past six years, the SHSU athletic program as ranked as the best in the Southland Conference, winning the SLC Commissioner’s Cup all-sports trophy. Sam Houston is the only league member to win the Commissioner’s Cup three consecutive seasons. The Kats also have won two men’s all-sports trophies. Since moving up to the NCAA Division I level in 1986, Sam Houston has participated in the national playoff s 15 times including the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball “Big Dance”. The Bearkats have won 23 Southland Conference team championships with 11 of those SLC trophies earned in the past seven years. In addition, SHSU has won nine South-land post-season tournament titles. While competing at a high level on the playing fi eld, the Bearkats also have proven themselves tops in the Southland Confer-ence in the classroom.

Sam Houston State has placed more individuals on the Southland Commissioner’s Honor Roll (student-athletes with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better) than any other league member during the past six sports seasons. For the last nine consecu-tive semesters, SHSU student-athletes have combined to produce a department grade point average (GPA) of 2.87 or above, a mark higher than the GPA of the university’s over-all student population.

Ten times in the past fi ve years, Bearkats have been recognized as the outstanding student-athlete in their individual sports. Winners of the SLC “Student-Athlete of the Year” honors have been Ryan Bright (2007 and 2008 men’s basketball), Stephen Prihoda (2007 baseball), Lata Assudani (2007 women’s tennis), Jennie Sewell (2007 wom-en’s track and fi eld), Jennifer Heinz (2008 women’s golf ), Barkley Falkner (2009 men’s basketball), Irina Sotnikova (2009 women’s tennis), Brittany Brooks (2010 women’s bas-ketball) and Chris Cralle (2011 men’s indoor track and fi eld). Sam Houston State University annually draws regional and national media attention through televised athletic contests. Bearkat football and basketball games have been featured in nationally televised games on ESPN2 and CBS. Each year, SHSU games are telecast on the Southland Conference TV network. The university boasts one of the fi nest athletic complexes in the Southwestern that serve as the site of both regular season com-petition and post-season tournament action. Home athletic events are held at Bow-ers Stadium (football), Johnson Coliseum (basketball and volleyball), Don Sanders Stadium (baseball), softball (Bearkat Softball Complex), tennis (McAdams Tennis Center), track and fi eld (York Track Center) and soccer (Pritchett Field). News, schedules, ticket information and opportunities to watch live video of Bearkat sports events are available on the SHSU athletic web site at www.gobearkats.com.

Sports excitement at Sam Houston StateSports excitement at Sam Houston State


Sam Houston State and the city of Huntsville give student-athletes the best of both worlds. Huntsville off ers a commu-nity atmosphere that retains its small town friendliness while off ering intellectual and cultural stimulation with the Univer-sity’s proximity to a large metropolitan area. The community is an ideal college town with a population of 35,078 just 68 miles north of Houston and 171 miles south of Dallas. Huntsville is one of the oldest communities in Texas. The city was founded in 1835 by Pleasant Gray and grew quickly with prominent settlers moving here from Alabama, Tennes-see and Virginia. From its inception, Huntsville was considered to be a center of education and law. It was the home of many military leaders during the years of the Republic of Texas. The city features such historical attractions as Austin Hall (the oldest functioning educational building in Texas); the home and burial place of Texas history legend, Sam Houston; and the Sam Houston Memorial Museum.

One Great College Town One Great College Town

Huntsville, Texas, off ers students a small town community atmosphere with the excitement of Houston one hour’s drive to the south.

David Addick’s 67 feet high Sam Houston statue on Interstate 45 is the tallest statue of an American hero in the world


Sam Houston State’s athletic teams have been nick-named “The Bearkats” since 1923 when the university’s name was changed by the Texas state legislature from Sam Houston Normal Institute to Sam Houston State Teachers College. Prior to 1923, the varsity sports teams were nick-named “The Normals.”

Early references to “Bearkats” spelled the name either “Bearcats,” “Bear Cats,” or “Bearkats.” A bearcat is said by some to be a kinkajou, a small, golden, carnivorous mam-mal that resides in the jungles of South America. It is doubt-ful those who coined the “Bearkat” nickname had either a kinkajou or a binturong in mind, however. More likely, the name came from a popular local saying of the time, “tough as a Bearkat!” Since the animal in the saying was thought more mythical than real, the spelling settled upon was “Bearkat.”

In the late 1940s, then SHSU President Harmon Low-man attempted to change the Sam Houston mascot from Bearkats to “Ravens” (after General Sam Houston’s Cherokee nickname). Mrs. Vernon Schuder reported that the alumni were polled, she voted for the raven but that “all those old Bearkats beat us out!” The current Sammy Bearkat mascot character began ap-pearing at Sam Houston State sports events in 1959.

Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Paul Culp of the Sam Houston State University Library whose research made this article possible.

What is a Bearkat?

The cheer “Eat ‘em up Kats!” is a Sam Houston tradition.


Academic Studies Accounting Agriculture Agriculture-Agricultural Business Agriculture-Agricultural Mechanization Agriculture-Animal Science Agriculture-Horticulture & Crop Science Applied Arts and Sciences Art-Advertising and Graphic Design Art-Computer AnimationArt-Photography Art-Studio Art Banking and Financial Institutions Biology Chemistry Communication StudiesComputing Science Criminal Justice Dance Economics English

Sam Houston State Undergraduate Degree Programs Environmental Science Family and Consumer Sciences Fashion Merchandising Food Science and Nutrition Food Service Management Interior Design Finance Forensic Chemistry General Business Administration Geography Geology Health History Human Resource Management Industrial Technology Construction Management Design and Development Electronics Industrial Management Interdisciplinary StudiesInternational Business

Kinesiology Management Management Information Systems Marketing Mass Communication Mathematics Music Music Therapy Music Therapy-Correctional Musical Theatre NursingPhilosophy Photography Physics Political Science Psychology Sociology Spanish Speech Communication Theatre Victim Studies

DAVID ADICKESDesigner of

Sam Houston statue

KATIE CLARKEStar of Broadway touring company

of “Wicked”

DON SANDERSSanders Morris Group Inc

Ryan-Sanders Baseball

RON MAFRIGEHouston businessman

Ron Mafrige Enterprises, Inc

WILLIAM DAN WOMACKNational Aeronautics and

Space Administration (NASA)

DAN RATHERFormer Anchor

CBS News

JOSEPH “BUD” HANEYCo-founder

Profi les International

PRESTON JOHNSON, JR.Senior Vice President

Center Point Energy, Inc

MICHAEL BANKSTON9 year veteran

National Football League

LYNNE LIBERATOFirst women president

Houston Bar Association

ARNOLD A. ALLEMANGBoard of Directors

memberDow Chemical

RICHARD LINKLATERMovie Director

Academy Award Nominee

Sam Houston Notable BearkatsSam Houston Notable Bearkats


Character Counts: We CareCharacter Counts: We Care

Bearkat student-athletes make an impact on the Huntsville community through programs organized by the Sam Houston State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. So successful have been the committee’s activities that other universities in the Southland Conference have used the group as a model for their own campus. Activities on the committee’s annual calendar include the NCAA Champs/Life Skills program; the annual homecoming parade; a mentor program with the Huntsville Independent School District (HISD); sports festivals at HISD elementary campuses; canned food drive benefi ting The Good Shepherd Mission; Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter fundraiser; pop tab drive for M. D. Anderson Cancer Center / Ronald McDonald House; and Student Life Awareness Programs (alcohol, nutrition, time and stress management, diversity). Each academic year ends with the annual All-Sports Awards Banquet sponsored, planned and hosted by the committee. The leadership role played on campus by Sam Houston stu-dent-athletes has been recognized nationally by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Bearkat athletes have served on major NCAA committees including the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference held each June at Disney World in Orlando, FL.

Beark community service activities have included “Jump Rope for Heart,” mentor programs with area schools, collecting school supplies for low income families, city park clean-up and fund-raisers for the Huntsville Safe House, Good Shepherd Mission and the Ronald McDonald House of Houston.


Bearkats involved in the Huntsville Community

Student-Athlete Advisory CommitteeStudent-Athlete Advisory Committee

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a special group of representatives from each varsity sports team who work to insure a quality academic and athletic experience that will culminate in gradua-tion from the university. SAAC provides a voice for student-athletes at all levels of the uni-versity. Members assist the athletic department in establishing policies, seeking methods to develop professional skills and work habits, to facilitate peer involvement, to fulfi ll the responsibilities that are part of the privilege of being a student-athlete and to express pride in team achievements. Among the various SAAC projects are the Student-Athlete Welfare Committee; NCAA exit exam development Committee; Southland Con-ference “Twelve Days of Christmas” project; Bearkat Mentor Program; the Hall of Honor Dinner; pop tab collection for the Ronald McDonald House M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; CHAMPS/Life Skills Advisory Board, “Think Pink” breast cancer awareness drive; SAAFE House Program; Saturday’s At Sam; National Student Athlete Day and National Alcohol Awareness Week.

Dallas Cowboy NFL legend Tony Dorsett meets with SHSU President Dr. Dana Gibson and Bearkat student-athletes Jenny Zoch (track), Brian Bell (football), Tim Flanders (football), Courtney Schoenemann (softball), Jessica Fisher (track) and J. T. Cleveland (football).


The Sam Houston student-athlete academic planner is utilized by all Bearkats varsity sports participants to help them organize their time and explain support programs, policies, resources, study and test-taking tips and skills.

The Enterprise Car Rental Corporation off ers seminars each semester with hands-on advice for Sam Houston State student-athletes to prepare them for the job market.

Unparalled Student ServicesUnparalled Student Services

Sam Houston State athletics student servic-

es off ers Bearkat student-athletes an outstand-

ing academic support system. The staff ’s goal

is to help each student-athlete success in the

classroom, in his or her sport and in overall life

experiences at Sam Houston and beyond.

The student services staff works with each

student-athlete individually. Among the many

resources off ered student-athletes are tutoring

sessions; supervised studey halls; assistance

in selecting majors, degree plans and courses;

mandatory academic advisement (class

scheduling) and use of the Sam Houston State

Athletics Learning Enhancement Center (LEC).

Located in the Ron Mafrige Fieldhouse, the LEC

features study and work areas, 24 computers,

printed and hosts the tutorial program strictly

for student-athlete use. Also in the LEC is the

Enterprise Career Center which off ers career

advice on resume writing, interviewing skills

and assistance for the job market.

The NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program pro-

vides a mandatory class for incoming freshmen

student-athletes to enhance their opportuni-

ties for success at Sam Houston. Additionally,

the university off ers the SAM Center which

provides academic advising, study skills ses-

sions, graduate school seminars and additional

academic support.


While winning three Southland Confer-ence Commissioner’s Cups (symbolic of the SLC’s All-Sports championship) and 11 SLC championship trophies in the past six years, Sam Houston athletes also have led the league in performance in the classroom. More Sam Houston student-athletes have earned recognition on the SLC Commis-sioner’s Academic Honor Roll than any of the 12 universities in the league during the past six years. To be recognized, a student-athlete must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA. For nine consecutive semesters, Bearkat student-ath-letes have produced a grade point average higher than 2.87. That includes a record high GPA of 2.94 during the 2008 fall semester. These GPAs are marks better than the univer-sity’s general student population. Sam Houston student-athletes have posted overall GPAs of 2.30 or higher for 37 consecutive semesters. “We are extremely proud of our athletes’ achievements in the classroom and com-mend our coaching staff for the tremendous job they do in recruiting quality student-ath-letes,” Williams said. “The No. 1 goal for each of our sports teams is to have our athletes earn their Sam Houston State degrees. We are proud that 90 percent of student athletes who complete their eligibility at Sam Hous-ton earn their degree.”

The Bearkat Learning Enhancement Center

1992-93 Fall 2.53 Spring 2.41

1993-94 Fall 2.30 Spring 2.57

1994-95 Fall 2.47 Spring 2.48

1995-96 Fall 2.39 Spring 2.54

1996-97 Fall 2.55 Spring 2.59

1997-98 Fall 2.59 Spring 2.59

1998-99 Fall 2.74 Spring 2.62

1999-00 Fall 2.59 Spring 2.69

2000-01 Fall 2.66 Spring 2.60

2001-02 Fall 2.60 Spring 2.59

2002-03 Fall 2.69 Spring 2.58

2003-04 Fall 2.63 Spring 2.78

2004-05 Fall 2.75 Spring 2.76

2005-06 Fall 2.76 Spring 2.79

2006-07 Fall 2.90 Spring 2.90

2007-08 Fall 2.89 Spring 2.93

2008-09 Fall 2.94 Spring 2.91

2009-10 Fall 2.93 Spring 2.87

2010-11 Fall 2.88 Spring 2.89

Bearkat Grade Point AveragesFor The Past 34 Semesters

Academic SuccessAcademic Success


Ayo Akindona 2005, 2006 Blake Anderson 1991 Eric Anderson 1994 Elmore Armstrong 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 Stacey Arrambide 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 Brad Atkeisson 1997, 1998 Michael Bankston 1991 Chris Batten 1991 Ryan Bisetti 2001 Kenneth Black 1997 Dan Bowen 1997, 1998 Jordan Bowersox 2008, 2009 Charles Boyce 1990 David Branch 2007 Matt Buss 1999, 2000, 2001 Nolan Bucek 2007, 2008 Craig Carpenter 1995, 1996, 1997 Jason Carr 2000, 2001, 2002 Alberto Castillo 1997 Brandon Closner 2010 Damon Cobb 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 Steve Conner 1997 Gerald Dasbach 1991 Broderick Davis 1991 Richard Deming 1997 David Elam 1990 Brian Gloden 1991 Marcus Hajdik 1995 Lance Hancock 2004, 2005, 2006 Jeff Hayes 1997, 1998 Jed Henke 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Jeff Herford 1997 Brett Hicks 2007 Greenwood Horn 1991 Averil Houston 1997 Rodney Howerton 1990, 1991 Aaron Ivey 2004, 2005, 2006 Eric January 1990, 1991 Steve Jeter 1992 Kevin Johnson 1991, 1992, 1993 Chad Junell 1994

Ryan Klaus 1996 Ryan Kleiber 2001 Ryan Labay 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Kregg Lunsford 1991 Murrah Mayberry 1992 Andre Mayeaux 1997 Eric Mikolajchak 2006, 2007 Todd Moebes 1998, 1999, 2000 Kevin Mohr 1999 Kevin Murphy 1997 John Norman 1994 Curtis Parks 2004 Wade Pate 2004 Troy Phipps 2002 Joe Rauls 2001 Kevin Riley 1991, 1992, 1993 Davy Roberts 1992, 1993 Brandon Sandefur 1991 Jalani Sanders 1997 Michael Saumell-Baston 2001, 2002, 2004 Chad Schramek 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Chad Scott 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 Davy Smith 1993 Jeff Sparks 2008 Robert Stephenson 2001 Randy Stewart 2010 Scott Stewart 1995 Ryan Tedford 1992 Danny Thomas 1991 Ronnie Thomas 2000, 2001 Robbie Thompson 1996, 1997, 1998 Todd Thompson 1992 Tom Tomesko 1997 Ashley Van Meter 1992 Aaron Walters 1997 Travis Watson 2010 Jartis Watts 1997, 1998, 1999 Billy Williams 2000, 2001, 2002 Bennie Wylie 1997 Murphy Yates 1991

Academic All-Southland Bearkat Football Players

In Sam Houston State’s 24 seasons of football in the NCAA Division I Southland Conference, 81 Bearkat football players have been named as Academic All-Conference a total of 137 times.To be eligible to be selected as Academic All-Southland Conference, student-athletes must have compiled

an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be a starter or front line reserve.

Sam Houston State accomplishments as a member ofthe NCAA Division I Southland Conference: 7 NCAA Division I Academic All-Region honorees 8 Southland Conference tournament “Most Valuable Players” 9 Southland Conference tournament championships 10 Southland individual sport “Student Athletes of the Year” 15 NCAA Division I tournament appearances 23 Southland regular season team championships 44 All-Americans624 All-Southland Conference selections in 16 sports

BEARKAT ATHLETICSBEARKAT ATHLETICS

Ryan Bright2007 2008

Irina Sotnikova2009

Luke Prihoda2007

Jennie Sewell2007

Barkley Falkner2009

Seven Bearkats who have earned “Student-Athlete of the Year” or NCAA Academic All-Region honors in their individual sports.

Chris Cralle2011


Jordan Bowersox2009

Sam Houston in the Media SpotlightSam Houston in the Media Spotlight Sam Houston State is the only Southland Conference member to be featured in an ABC-TV regular season regional football telecast (Sept. 24, 1994 vs. Alcorn State). Bearkat athletic events have been televised nationally on ESPN2, CBS and CSTV including Sam Houston’s NCAA Division I appearances in football (2001 and 2004) and men’s basketball (2003 and 2010). In March, 2007, Sam Houston State football was featured on “Out-side the Lines - First Report” on ESPN. Sam Houston’s 24-21 victory over Stephen F. Austin in 2001 drew the largest regional TV audience ever for a Southland football game. Since 2008, Bearkat football and basketball games are televised regionally as part of the Southland Conference TV network in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. Sam Houston games draw the top ratings for the network in the Greater Houston area.

ESPN2 gives a sideline report behind the Bearkat bench at Montana Bearkats Ashton Mitchell and Corey Allmond face the NCAA media

Houston area media cover the news conference announcing the “Battle of the Piney Woods” at Reliant Stadium in 2010.

SHSU head football coach Willie Fritz and president Dr. Dana Gibson are familiar faces

on area news and sports telecasts.


The athletic facilities at Sam Houston State University rival any in the Southland Conference, giving student-

athletes optimal opportunities to succeed in their sport.

FOOTBALLElliott T. Bowers Stadium

First Class FacilitiesFirst Class Facilities

GOLFRaven Nest Golf Course

TENNISMcAdams Tennis Center

GOLFMichael McIver Golf Training Center

ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATIONRon Mafrige Field House


BASKETBALL & VOLLEYBALLBernard G. Johnson Coliseum

BASEBALLDon Sanders Stadium


SOFTBALLBearkat Softball Complex

STRENGTH & CONDITIONINGRon Randleman Strength & Fitness Center


SOCCERPritchett Field

TRACK & FIELDMeredith & Miriam York Track Complex


The Bearkat athletic program gets a winning edge from its nationally recognized strength and condi-tioning program. Kyle Speer and his conditioning program have been honored by American Football Magazine for their part in preparing the more than 390 athletes who compete in 17 sports for Sam Houston State, winners of three Southland Conference Commis-sioner’s Cup All-Sports titles and 10 Southland sports championships in the past seven years. The 11,000 square foot Ron Randleman Strength and Fitness Center opened in 2006. The center con-sists of coaches’ offi ces, dressing rooms and a 9,000 square foot area for weights. “The preparation for all championships begins with a great work ethic and commitment in weight training and conditioning,” Bearkat football head coach Willie Fritz said. “At Sam Houston, we have state-of-the-art training facilities and an outstanding staff to help us accomplish our goals.”

Kyle Speer

Training the Elite AthleteTraining the Elite Athlete


www.gobearkats.com - 32

The Strength and Fitness Center is named for Ron Randleman (right), who compiled a 132-124-3 record as

Sam Houston head football coach from 1982 to 2004. The center was made possible by a gift from Houston

businessman and Bearkat alum Ron Mafrige (left).

www.gobearkats.com - 33

Board of Regents

Charlie AmatoChairman

San Antonio

Donna N. WilliamsVice Chairman

Arlington

Jaime R. GarzaRegent

San Antonio

Kevin J. LillyRegent

Houston

Ron MitchellRegent

Horseshoe Bay

David MontagneRegent

Beaumont

Trisha S. PollardRegentBellaire

Michael TruncaleRegent

Beaumont

Ryan BridgesStudent Regent

Huntsville

Brian McCallChancellor

Rossanna SalazarRegentAustin

The Texas State University System has a long and illustrious history in Texas. It is the oldest and third largest higher education system in Tex-as. Beginning as an administrative means to consolidate the support and management of state teacher colleges, the System has evolved into a network of higher education institutions stretching from the Texas–Louisiana border to the Big Bend region of far West Texas.

Today eight System components off er a broad range of academic and career pathways. Throughout the System, you will fi nd professionals committed to preparing students for working and contributing to an increasingly global society. The academic and professional programs off ered will help them learn to make sound decisions in life and be-come contributors in their communities.

Each university, college and institute within The Texas State University System is unique in its own way and is highlighted within this website. Additional literature is available from each institution, and contact information is referenced within each section featured.

The Texas State University System is governed by an nine-member Board of Regents appointed by the Governor. In addition, a nonvoting student regent is appointed annually to the Board. The administration, which is headed by a board-appointed Chancellor, is based in Austin.

System enrollment: 72,000System total operating budget for fi scal year 2010: $822 millionSystem total state appropriation for fi scal year 2010: $344 million

The Texas State University SystemThe Texas State University System

Sam Houston State University Administration

Mr. Frank ParkerVice President forStudent Services

Mr. Frank HolmesVice President for

University Advancement

Dr. Randall PowellInterim Vice President for

Finance & Operations

Dr. Jaime HebertProvost/Vice President for

Academic Aff airs

Dr. Heather ThielemannVice President for

Enrollment Management

Dr. Dana GibsonUniversity President

Sam Houston Athletic Administration

Bobby WilliamsAthletic Director

Bobbie HilliardAssociate A.D.

Finance

Chris ThompsonAssociate A.D.

Student Services

Greg HinzeAssociate A.D.

Operations

David PaitsonAssociate A.D.

External Operations


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Sam Houston football viewbook

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