Plan your road trips now: Northwest releases 2017 NCAA schedule

Plan your road trips now: Northwest releases 2017 NCAA schedule

Maryville, Mo. - According to bearcatsports.com, your Northwest Missouri State University varsity baseball program released its 2017 NCAA schedule. Northwest will play a 50-game schedule in 2017 with a terrific line-up of top quality competition destined for epic series after epic series. Bring your popcorn and get a good night's sleep because 2017 looks to be an outstanding year of exciting collegiate baseball.

Northwest will open its 2017 NCAA regular season by traveling to Alva, Oklahoma, on February 3, 4, and 5, to take on Fort Hays State and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Following those three games, Northwest will then travel to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to play a mid-week game at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith on February 7, 2017. Following Fort Smith, Northwest will travel to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to play Ouachita Baptist University, Henderson State University, and Truman State University, on February 9, 10, and 11. The Bearcats will then return home for practice before hitting the road to Edmond, Oklahoma, to play a 3-game series at Oklahoma Christian University on February 17, 18, and 19. Following Oklahoma Christian University, Northwest will start its MIAA conference slate and take on Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on February 24, 25, and 26.

Northwest plays its home opener on March 3, 4, and 5, and takes on Lindenwood University. Following Lindenwood, Northwest is set to stay in Maryville the next weekend and will host Washburn University on March 10, 11, and 12. The Bearcats will then play a mid-week non-conference game versus William Jewell on Wednesday, March 15. Northwest is then set to play Rockhurst University in Kansas City on Saturday, March 18, and then in Maryville on Sunday, March 19. The Bearcats will then play a mid-week game versus Nebraska-Kearney on March 21. Northwest will stay in Maryville that weekend to play the University of Central Missouri on March 24, 25, and 26. Following the Mules' series, Northwest will travel to Kearney, Nebraska, to play a mid-week game on March 29. The Bearcats will end March and start April with a weekend series at Pitt State on March 31, April 1, and April 2. 

In April, Northwest will play a mid-week game versus Nebraska-Kearney in Maryville on April 4. Then, the Bearcats will host Missouri Southern on April 7, 8, and 9. Following Southern, Northwest will play a mid-week game versus Missouri Western in St. Joseph on April 11. The Bearcats will then travel to Bolivar, Missouri, to play Southwest Baptist on April 13, 14, and 15. Northwest will then host Missouri Western in Maryville in a mid-week match-up on April 18. The Bearcats will stay in Maryville that weekend to host the University of Central Oklahoma on April 21, 22, and 23. Following UCO, Northwest will travel to St. Joseph to play Missouri Western in a mid-week game on April 26. The Bearcats will then drive to Emporia, Kansas, to play the Hornets in a 3-game weekend series on April 28, 29, and 30. 

In May, Northwest will play a mid-week non-conference game versus William Jewell in Liberty, Missouri, on May 2nd. The Bearcats will then conclude the 2017 NCAA regular season by hosting Fort Hays State on May 5, 6, and 7.

The B2R cannot wait for 2017. Your calendar is now ready to follow the best college baseball team in the history of the world.

Pack your popcorn and get your sleep.

Go Cats!!

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Exciting News - Northwest Multipurpose Complex to boost NWMSU Baseball, student engagement, competitive advantage, & economic development

Photo courtesy of nwmissouri.edu

Maryville, Mo. - Northwest's strategic plan and Forever Green comprehensive campaign has changed the game for your Northwest Missouri State University varsity baseball program. The University's strategic plan took a remarkable step on election day in November 2016. The final step needed to accomplish a major component of Northwest's strategic plan required a little team work. Just as team work wins on the baseball diamond, the University and City of Maryville joined forces that forever changed the ball game for your Northwest Bearcats baseball team.

Photo courtesy of nwmissouri.edu

Imagine a northern school with an expansive indoor facility for a coaching staff to recruit, retain, engage, compete, and develop Bearcat baseball players. The rest of the MIAA is on notice that the Bearcats  baseball team's hard nose, blue collar, tremendous work ethic is now not the only obstacles they have to overcome to win. Now, the MIAA has to complete with a Northwest team that is able to practice full speed at full distances in the winter and spring, and, recruit baseball players that want to play at the next level.

Photo courtesy of nwmissouri.edu

Background - Northwest Missouri State University entered an agreement with the City of Maryville where the City proposed a transient guest tax on all hotel rooms rented in the City. The transient guest tax was a ballot issue that required voters' majority support to go into effect. The agreement called for part of the proceeds to go to Northwest to use in its Multipurpose Complex and the rest to promote tourism or economic development for the greater Maryville community. In return, Northwest and the City entered a lease agreement for the City to use the complex for trade shows and other large-scale events. The Northwest Multipurpose Complex is mostly funded through commitments from the University, private donors, and community supporters. The multipurpose complex is the single largest public-private partnership in the University's 111-year history.

Photo courtesy of nwmissouri.edu

For the University, the multipurpose complex changes the game beyond varsity sports. The 137,250 square foot complex will have recreation and event space, an indoor flooring system, a 100-yard practice turf, a 300-meter indoor competition track, spectator seating, and tiered meeting rooms. Northwest's club sports and student organizations will use the facility. It will be able to host high school and intercollegiate track events. Everything from concerts to early January varsity baseball drills with outdoor temperatures below freezing, the multipurpose complex will most certainly be a tremendous boost to Northwest athletics, student engagement, competitive advantage, and economic development.

Photo courtesy of nwmissouri.edu

Media coverage - To read more about Northwest's multipurpose complex, please click on the hyperlink below:

Plans for Northwest Multipurpose Complex unfolding to boost student engagement, competitive advantage, economic development: For decades Northwest Missouri State University has been a leader among its peer institutions in the areas of recruitment and retention. Now, as the race to attract and keep students continues to evolve and a strong partnership with the city of Maryville works to boost economic development, Northwest is shaping plans for a facility that will meet a multitude of University and community needs.

Go Cats!!
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Ode to Nick Gotta

Ode to Nick Gotta

Maryville, Mo. - The B2R is pleased to present an ode to arguably one of the great Bearcat baseball players. The B2R put together a collage of photographs taken of Nick Gotta during his playing days at Northwest Missouri State University as a thank you and commemorative act to one of the best. Nick Gotta is from San Diego, California, and transferred to Northwest from Fullerton Community College. The 5'10", 170 lbs, Californian was proud of his hometown and home State. Gotta always made time for the kids at the ball park and earned the respect from opponents for his scrappy and blue collar play. Fan favorite. Nick completed his senior season at Northwest this past Spring.

Ladies and Gentlemen, from San Diego, California, Short Stop, #4, Nick, Gotta.

Go Cats!!

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Northwest Missouri State University - Register for the 2016 Bearcat baseball golf tournament

Northwest's Varsity Baseball Program to hold annual golf tournament on September 25

Maryville, Mo. - Northwest Missouri State University's Varsity Baseball Program will hold its annual golf tournament on Sunday, September 25, 2016, at 10:00am at the Mozingo Lake Golf Course in Maryville. Whether you are a Bearcat baseball alumni, Bearcat baseball fan, Bearcat fan, or have a business trying to spread the word about your products or services, this golf tournament is for you with sweet goody bags, silent auction items, jolly times and good cheer at a bargain price.

$80 per golfer will get you a sweet t-shirt, goody bag, 18 holes at one of the premier golf courses around, golf cart, and range balls. Add in the fact you are supporting 50 blue collar Northwest student-athletes working on their degrees and busting their butts to make us proud and you have the perfect reason to grab your significant other and make a weekend of it in Maryville with some golf to finish it all off on Sunday.

Sponsorships are available with the best value being the Home Run package for $500.00 which includes a foursome registration, signage on a hole, game used jersey, name on the T-shirt, T-shirt, commemorative print, and recognition in the goody bag.

The Northwest baseball golf tournament is the perfect way to generate leads for your business. Call Coach Darin Loe at 660-562-1352 to make arrangements.

Below is a link to the Northwest Athletics' Department release on the golf tournament with links to register on-line and flyers for the sponsorships.

Northwest Missouri State University - Register for the 2016 Bearcat baseball golf tournament: The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team will host its 2016 Golf Tournament on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m. at the Mozingo Lake Golf Course in Maryville, Mo.

If you haven't heard recent news, Northwest has announced an amazing cooperative effort with the City of Maryville to build an indoor events and multi-purpose practice facility. Northwest Missouri State University President John Jasinski has forged a working relationship with local leaders the likes the B2R has not ever seen before and his hard work is paying off. Check out your source for all things Northwest by visiting the Athletics' Department official website at www.bearcatsports.com to see all the details.

Go Cats!!
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Northwest Missouri State University - Handzlik headlines Bearcats' MIAA academic honors

#6 Kevin Handzlik

Northwest Missouri State University - Handzlik headlines Bearcats' MIAA academic honors: The Northwest baseball team placed 18 student athletes on the MIAA's Academic honor roll. Kevin Handzlik was named an MIAA Scholar Athlete.

Go Cats!!
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Northwest Missouri State University - Five Bearcats earn All-MIAA baseball honors

Photo courtesy of bearcatsports.com - Your source for Bearcat athletics

Northwest Missouri State University - Five Bearcats earn All-MIAA baseball honors: Five members of the Northwest Missouri State University baseball team earned All-MIAA honors from the conference office on Thursday.

Go Cats!!

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Northwest Missouri State University - Baseball ends season with loss in MIAA third round

Photo courtesy of the Barratt family

Northwest Missouri State University - Baseball ends season with loss in MIAA third round: The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to Missouri Western, 12-3, on Saturday afternoon in the third round of the MIAA Tournament in St. Charles, Mo.

Go Cats!!
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