AREA SCENE

Published Friday, June 15, 2007

Missouri to play SEMO in 2008

An open date on Missouri’s 2008 football schedule is close to being filled by an in-state opponent.

Southeast Missouri State Athletic Director Don Kaverman told the Southeast Missourian on Wednesday that the Redhawks and Tigers have agreed to play at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 6, 2008. SEMO is a Division I-AA program

Missouri officials have yet to confirm the agreement, though a team spokesman said the two schools had been in negotiations. Missouri’s Web site lists an open date for that weekend, as well as open dates for Sept. 20 and 27. Missouri has previously announced 2008 nonconference games against Illinois and Nevada.

Since the NCAA separated Division I into two classes in 1978, Missouri is 6-0 against I-AA opponents, including 3-0 under Gary Pinkel. In those games, the Tigers outscored Southwest Texas (2001), Eastern Illinois (2003) and Murray State (2006) 124-13. Missouri plays host to I-AA Illinois State this year on Sept. 22.

The Tigers have faced SEMO only other time: a 20-0 victory in 1936.

According to the Southeast Missourian, MU will pay SEMO $250,000 for the game.

"We’ve been talking to them well over a year," Kaverman told the newspaper. "From a fan’s standpoint, I think it’s just a natural. We’d like to maybe play them every other year.

"Games like these, especially against Missouri, where our team can stay off an airplane and our fans can get there relatively easy, are what we’re looking for from a Division I-A opponent."

Local swimmers win in Jefferson City

Some members of Mid-Missouri Aquatic Club relay teams that won events at the Capital City Invitational were left out of a story in yesterday’s Tribune.

Kortney Betz, Jamie Allen, Kameron Godsey and Suzie Whitmar won the girls 200-yard medley relay. Christian Lattimer, Alex Shayatovich, Nick Lee and Michael Laupp won the boys 200 medley relay.

Softball player transfers to Stephens

Sophomore softball player Jessi Allspach will transfer from Columbia College to Stephens College. Allspach, a Bevier native, is a catcher.

Cougar Basketball Academy scheduled

Columbia College’s Cougar Basketball Academy will be held June 25-28 and July 2-6.

The camps are for players entering kindergarten through eighth grade. The cost for kindergartners through third-graders is $50 and for fourth- through eighth-graders is $85. Register at www.columbiacougars.com. For more information, call Coach Bob Burchard at (573) 875-7410.

CMU to hold girls basketball camp

Central Methodist will host the Lady Eagle Basketball Camp of June 24-27.

The camp is for girls entering third through 12th grade. It runs from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day and costs $150 for commuters and $200 for residents. To register, visit www.centralmethodist.edu. For more information, call (573) 864-4437.

Midwest Sports Challenge camp set

The Midwest Sports Challenge Basketball Camp will be held June 22-24 at the Midwest Sports Academy at 1425 Boone Industrial Drive.

The camp is for players entering kindergarten through eighth grade. It runs from 5-9 p.m. next Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 23-24. Campers will receive instruction in shooting, passing, dribbling and defense.