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Central Missouri State University

Encyclopedia : C : CE : CEN : Central Missouri State University

Central Missouri State University is a four-year public institution offering a diverse range of academic concentrations. The university is located in Warrensburg, a town of nearly 17,000 residents located 45 miles southeast of Kansas City. The university is widely known for their aviation, education, finance, College Student Personnel, Library Science and photography programs.

The university houses and runs a NPR affiliate [KTBG], at 90.9 FM ("The Bridge"), which features the NPR newsmagazines and other NPR shows such as Car Talk, with music consisting mostly of album oriented, adult alternative rock along with a blues show and World Cafe.

Contents

History

Central Missouri State University started in 1871 as State Normal School, District #2. The name was later changed to Central Missouri State Teachers College in 1919, Central Missouri State College in 1946 and finally to Central Missouri State Univerisity in 1971. In 1965, the institution established a graduate school. The institution is currently considering a name change. In 2005, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt signed into law a provision that would authorize CMSU to change its name, if so desired, to The University of Central Missouri. Discussions are ongoing as to whether or not to go ahead with the option.

In the late 60's and early 70's men and women were treated differently as far as dormitory living was concerned. Men had no 'curfew' and could come and go from their dorm as they pleased. Women were required to sign 'in and out' of the dorm and were subject to night curfews.

Prior to the 1960's, most fraternities had off campus houses surrounding campus. After fires at the Tau Kappa Epsilon and Acacia houses, fraternities and sororities were consolidated into university owned residence hall-like buildings- Panhellenic Hall and the Fraternity Complex. The Fraternity Complex is a shaped octagon-shaped building that as 8 "wedges" each holding one greek chapter, with the center originally containing a dining hall. This design won an architectural awards soon after construction. This traditon continued until Fall 2005 when Sigma Phi Epsilon opened an off-campus tradtional greek house and Sigma Nu began construction of similar house also off campus.[2]

GIMPS

This university has a very important role in the Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search. It is currently the number one contributor to that project.[link]

The GIMPS project at Central Missouri State University is run by Dr. Curtis Cooper and Dr. Steven Boone.

Athletics

The school sponsors teams in basketball, baseball, bowling, football, golf, soccer, softball, cross-country, track, volleyball, and wrestling. The school's athletic teams are called Mules (men) and Jennies (women).

Men's basketball

The CMSU Mules have been playing basketball since 1905, and are among the top five teams in all-time wins on the Division II level. The Mules has won three national titles, in 1937, 1938 (before the NCAA sponsored a Division II tournament) and 1984, when CMSU was the first school ever to win NCAA men's and women's basketball championships in the same season. CMSU 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. They have taken part in the last two NCAA Division II tournaments.

Prominent men's basketball coaches

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.

Overall, the Jennies have a record of 19-14 in the NCAA Division II Tournament. They are returning to prominence, having participated in the Division II tournament in 2005 and 2006.

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 CMSU is a Division II school.

Current
  • Craig Ringe (played 1999-2002) - Shortstop - Bakersfield (Advanced A - Rangers)
  • Boomer Berry (2000-03) - Second Baseman - Kanapolis (Class A - White Sox)
  • Zach Norman (2001-03) - Catcher - Clearwater (Advanced A - Phillies)
  • Francisco Leandro (2004) - Outfielder - Southwest Michigan (Class A - Devil Rays)
  • Steve Sharpe (2004) - Righthanded Pitcher - AZL Athletics (Class A - Athletics)
  • Shawn Callahan (2004-05) - Catcher - Vancouver (Shortseason A - Athletics)
  • Josh Outman (2005) - Lefthanded Pitcher - Batavia (Shortseason A - Phillies)
  • Mike Phelps (2004-05) - Righthanded Pitcher - AZL Cubs (Rookie - Cubs)
  • Danny Powers (2003-05) - Righthanded Pitcher - Elizabethton (Rookie - Twins)
  • Jason Schutt (2005) - Righthanded Pitcher - Burlington (Rookie - Cleveland)
  • Nick Webber (2003-05) - Righthanded Pitcher - Quad Cities (Class A - Cardinals)

Famous alumni

See also

External links

 

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