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(5/27/2008) Danny Kaspar named Southland Conference Coach of the Year

After securing the first Southland Conference championship in school history, the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack basketball team registered
another first when junior forward Josh Alexander was named the SLC Player of the Year, and head coach Danny Kaspar Southland Coach of the Year honors.

Junior center Matt Kingsley joined Alexander on the All-SLC squad with a second-team selection, tying SFA with co-champion Lamar as the only schools with two players chosen to the top two teams. Sophomore point guard Eric Bell was an honorable-mention selection, giving SFA four all-conference honors in total.

Alexander's achievement comes in a career year for the Shreveport, La., native. He finished the regular season ranked among the league's Top 20 in both scoring and rebounding. He averaged 16.5 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game through the first 29 games of the season, marking the third straight year for him to lead the Lumberjacks in both categories. Alexander became the school's career 3-point field goal leader after hitting a personal-best 89 triples this season. He has 234 career 3-pointers and is 13th among SFA's all-time scorers with 1,233 career points.

Kingsley is enjoying a break-out year and has pushed Alexander for the team scoring and rebounding titles all season. The Houston native averages 15.3 points per game and 5.6 rebounds, which rank fifth and 19th, respectively, in the SLC. He and Alexander give the Lumberjacks the most potent one-two scoring punch in the league, as no other team has two players in the top 10, let alone the top five. Tuesday's second-team nod marks Kingsley's first career all-conference honor. Congratulations to Josh and Coach Kaspar for their accomplishments and the success of the Lumberjack men's basketball program.

(5/27/2008) Scott Weaver Named Academic All-SLC

Stephen F. Austin senior Scott Weaver has been named to the 2008 Capital One Men's Basketball Academic All-Southland Conference team.
Scott is a second-team selection on the 10-player list, marking his second consecutive Academic All-SLC honor. He was also a second-team choice a year ago. Scott played in all but one game for the Lumberjacks this season, helping the program to a 26-6 record and its first-ever Southland Conference championship. He averaged 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in just over 11 minutes per game. Scott shot 41 percent from the field and 33 percent from 3-point range. The senior kinesiology major carries a 3.39 grade-point average and is scheduled to graduate this spring, after four years with the SFA basketball program and repeated appearances on both the Athletic Director's Honor Roll and the Dean's List. Congratulations Scott.

(5/20/08) Three former Lumberjacks elected to Hall of Fame

Three former SFA student-athletes have been elected to the Stephen F. Austin State University Lettermen's Association Athletic Hall of Fame. The Class of 2008 includes: Chuck Rawlinson, Football, 1988-90; Winston Harrison, Basketball, 1979-82; and, Ronnie Hawthorne, Football, 1966-69. Chuck earned three varsity letters for the Lumberjacks as the place kicker on the 1988 to 90 Lumberjacks squads. He earned first team All-Conference honors in 1988 and still holds 15 school kicking and scoring records. Winston, a Bryan, Texas native, was the point guard on the 1979-82 teams earning three varsity letters for Coach Harry Miller. Winston established the school record in assists during his SFA career and still ranks No. 2 in that category. He earned All-Conference first team honors in 1982. Andrews, Texas native Ronnie Hawthorne was a four year letterman for Coach Travis "Shorty" Hughes from 1966-68. He earned first team All-Lone Star Conference honors in both 1968 and 1969 while receiving Honorable Mention All-American honors both seasons. Ronnie caught 47 passes as a tight end in 1968 and 51 in 1969 while serving as the cornerstone of the "GO JACKS" offense that led the NAIA in both scoring (38.2 points per game) and total offense (502 yards per game). Ronnie was killed while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. The Class of 2008 will be honored at Homecoming 2008. Congratulations to the Class of 2008.

(5/20/08) Two former lettermen selected to join the Jacks of Honor

Two former Lumberjack lettermen have been selected to join the SFA Lettermen's Association Athletic Jacks of Honor. Neal Quillin, Football, 1962-64, and Kevin Hurley, Basketball, 1983-86, will be honored at the Lettermen's Game on September 13, 2008 when the Lumberjacks play host to Kentucky Wesleyan University. Neal, a Jacksonville, Texas native, earned three letters while playing for Coach Travis "Shorty" Hughes from 1962-64. Following graduation from SFA, Neal enjoyed a successful coaching career in the greater Houston area. His accomplishments include: State Football 4AChampionship 1982, 15-0 season record; State Football Finalist 1981, 12-2 season record; State Football Semi-Finalist 1995, 9-4-2 season record; State Football Regional Finalist 1987, 2001, 2002; Bi-District Football Champions 1991, 1998; won or shared 11 district championships, named district coach of the year 9 times; took his team to 15 State playoff appearances; 1981 Houston Chronicle Coach of the Year; received the Stephen F. Austin Alumni Ted Jeffries Coaching Award; 1982 Houston Post Coach of the Year; Fab-Knit Texas AAAA Coach of the Year; 1989 Nominee for Houston Touchdown Club Coach of the Year; 1990 Elected to Board of Directors for the Texas High School Coaches* Association; 1994 Nominee for Houston Touchdown Club Coach of the Year Award; 1995 Winner of Houston Touchdown Club Coach of the Year Award; 1996 Inducted into Greater Houston Coaches* Association Hall of Honor; 1997 President of the Texas High School Coaches* Association (elected by membership). Kevin was a four year letterman for Coach Harry Miller's Lumberjack teams from 1983-86. He played on the 1986 Gulf Star Championship team and still ranks in several statistical categories for the Lumberjack men's basketball program. Congratulations to both Neal and Kevin.

(5/6/08) SFA adds a 6'8" post for 2008-09 season

SFA men's basketball Coach Danny Kaspar added another player for the 2008-09 season with the announced that 6'8" forward Aaron Smith of Salt Lake City Community College (Utah) has signed with the Lumberjacks. Smith is a native of Kendrick, Idaho and spent one season at the University of Idaho.

Congratulations to Coach Kaspar and his staff.

(4/16/08) Lumberjacks gain commitment from another guard

On National Signing Day, Stephen F. Austin men's basketball coach Danny Kaspar gained his second commitment for the spring in Jarrod McDaniel, a 5'8" point guard from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. McDaniel played his prep ball at Midwest City High School (OK). Jarrod joins point guard Girod Adams from Cloud Community College in Kansas as players who have announced their intentions of signing with the Lumberjacks this spring.

Congratulations to Coach Kaspar and his staff.

(4/8/08) Lumberjack Men's Basketball adds spring commitment

The Stephen F. Austin men's basketball program added another commitment for their 2008 signing class with announcement that Girod Adams, a 5'10" point guard from Cloud Community College in Kansas will sign with the Lumberjacks. Cloud is a Kansas native who played his high school basketball at West High School in Topeka, Kansas.

Congratulations to Coach Kaspar and his staff.

(3/11/08) Lumberjacks garner All-Conference Honors

The Stephen F. Austin men's basketball team continued to receive honors for their accomplishments during the 2007-08 season with junior forward Josh Alexander being named as the Southland Conference Player of the Year, and head coach Danny Kaspar receiving Coach of the Year honors. This marks the first time in program history for SFA to take either of those two awards.

In addition, junior center Matt Kingsley was named to the SLC second-team, tying SFA with co-champion Lamar as the only schools with two players chosen to the top two teams. Sophomore point guard Eric Bell received honorable-mention honors, giving SFA four all-conference
honors in total.

Congratulations to Coach Kaspar and the Lumberjacks.

(2/26/08) Lumberjack basketball moves to No. 6 in latest Mid-Major Poll

Monday brought good news to the Stephne F. Austin Lumberjack men's basketball team when the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll was announced on Monday, February 25, 2008. SFA entered last week as the No. 9 team in the poll which was the Lumberjack's highest ranking in the nine-year history of the Mid-Major Top 25. The Lumberjacks shattered that record with this week's poll, as they moved to No. 6 with 640 points, including the program's first-ever first-place vote. Congratulations to Coach Kaspar, his staff and the Lumberjack basketball team.

(1/24/08) Tyler Chapel Hills' Chris Mass commits to play football and basketball at SFA

John Tyler's Romonte' Hampton and his cousin, Chapel Hill's Chris Mass plan to stay in the Pineywoods after the duo gave oral commitments to play for the Stephen F. Austin State Lumberjacks over the weekend. Hampton committed to play football, while Mass committed to play football and basketball.

Hampton, a 5-9, 185-pounder, led District 12-5A in rushing with 1,059 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was a unanimous choice on the All-District 12-5A football team. Hampton becomes the third JT player in the last year to pick the Southland Conference school, following William Granberry and Rod Warren. "I think it's a good choice, a great opportunity to take it to the next level," JT coach Dereck Rush said of Hampton's decision to join the Lumberjacks, who went 0-11 last season. "I think he can help them out and play (right away). He had an awesome season." As JT's featured back, Hampton proved durable, carrying the ball 224 times and more than 25 on five occasions. In the season finale against North Mesquite, Hampton toted the ball 36 times for a career-high 179 yards. "What he can bring to SFA is durability," Rush said of the Lion workhorse. "(He's) able to carry the ball 20 times per game and still
come out healthy and be durable."

Mass played quarterback for the Chapel Hill football team en route to making the postseason in 2006 and 2007, and last season led the basketball team to the state tournament for the first time in school history. Mass was averaging 17 points and 7.2 rebounds a game this season before tearing his ACL last week. He will miss the rest of the season. "I think it was a great decision for him," said Chapel Hill basketball coach Mike Brewster. "I think he will fit in well. He's a great student as well as an athlete. I think he will excell. "With me being a SFA graduate, I'm excited about it and I want to go watch him play."

(1/2/2008) SFA moves to No. 11 in latest Mid-Mojor Poll

The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack Basketball Team moved to No. 11 in the most recent Mid-Major National Basketball Poll. The Lumberjacks (11-1) are one of three Southland Conference teams listed in the poll. Sam Houston State (11-1 on the season) is ranked no. 7 while UT-Arlington is ranked No. 19 with a 9-2 record. Congratulations to our Lumberjacks.

(1/1/2008) SFA Moves Up Six Slots In Mid-Major Poll and earns vote in USA Today/ESPN Top 25 rankings

The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack men's basketball team moved up six spots to No. 16 in the recent CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll. The No. 16 ranking is SFA's highest in the poll since the 2003-04 season and came on the same day that the Lumberjacks garnered some additional national attention. SFA received a vote in the recent USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches Poll, marking the first time in five years for the Lumberjacks to earn a nod in either of the top two national polls. SFA got one vote in the Feb. 3, 2003 Associated Press poll. This week marked the first week for a Southland Conference school to appear in the USA Today/ESPN poll since Northwestern State garnered a vote in March of 2006. The Lumberjacks have defeated the University of Oklahoma at
Norman and Southern Methodist University at Dallas. Congratulations to Coach Kaspar and the Lumberjacks.

(1/1/2008) SFA takes SMU Holiday Classic title with 61-58 win over Mustangs

Josh Alexander led the Lumberhjacks to a 61-58 victory over SMU last Sunday in the SMU Holiday Classic. The win gives SFA its ninth straight victory and the championship in the inaugural SMU Holiday Classic. The Lumberjacks improved to 11-1 on the season, continuing the program's best start to a season in 26 years. Congratulations to Coach Kaspar and the Lumberjack basketball team.

(12/13/07) Men's Basketball recruiting class ranked best in Southland Conference

SFA's early signing class, which includes two junior college transfers (Walt Harris, McLennan, and Lu Griffin, South Plains) and prep standout Zach Williams of Dallas Skyline, have been recognized recently by two online recruiting sources as the best crop in the Southland Conference.
The www.HoopScooponline.com and www.Rivals.com have both lauded the Lumberjacks' current crop as the best group of early signees in the Southland Conference.

The Hoop Scoop's annual ranking of the nation's fall signing period recruiting classes has SFA out in front of the Southland pack. The Lumberjacks' three signees earned an average talent rating of 3.0 in a conference that averaged a 2.240 talent rating. Harris, a 6'5" shooting guard, was the top-rated player in the conference, earning the only 4 talent rating in the league. Williams, a 6'4" small forward, is one of just six Southland recruits this fall to earn a 3 rating, which makes SFA the only team in the conference to have two players with at least a 3 talent rating. Griffin is a 6'5" power forward from South Plains Junior College who earned a 2 rating in The Hoop Scoop system.

In addition, Harris and Williams have also been lauded by Rivals.com in its breakdown of the top signings by position in the Southland. Harris is listed as the top shooting guard signed by a Southland Conference team, while Williams is a Top 15 high school player in the Texas, according to Mike Kunstadt's Texas Hoops. Furthermore, Williams is rated the No. 1 small forward signee in the SLC. SFA is the only team in the conference to have locked up the top signee at more than one
position.

Congratulations to Coach Kaspar and his staff.

(12/13/07) SFA earns spot in Mid-Major Top 25

The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks upset victory at Oklahoma Saturday vaulted the Lumberjacks into the Mid-Major Men's Basketball Rankings at No. 25. The highlights of the upset of the Sooners at Norman were played on major sports networks both Saturday and Sunday. This marks
the Lumberjacks' first appearance in the Mid-Major Top 25 since Feb. 9, 2004. The Lumberjacks spent nine weeks in the poll that year before back-to-back losses in February knocked it out. This is the first time in the nine-year history of the Mid-Major Top 25 that three teams from the Southland were listed in the rankings during the same week. The poll is a production of CollegeInsider.com, and its voting panel is comprised of 31 head coaches representing teams from the twenty-two NCAA Division I mid-major conferences.

SFA's inclusion in the Mid-Major Top 25 is just the most recent wave of buzz created by the Lumberjacks' win at Oklahoma. The Lumberjacks were lauded for the upset victory with highlight clip appearances during college basketball halftime shows on both ESPN and CBS Saturday. Later
that evening, highlights from the game were featured on ESPN News, and the Lumberjacks' win was dubbed the surprise of the day by analyst Stephen Bardo during the "One-and-One" college basketball segment on SportsCenter. Monday, Dick Vitale named the game one of his two "Shocks
of the Week" on Dickey V's Awards, a feature authored weekly on ESPN.com by the former coach-turned national college basketball analyst and celebrity.

The victory improved the Lumberjacks' record to 7-1 o n the season, matching the program's best record through eight games in 26 years and continuing the best start to a season since SFA joined the NCAA Division I ranks in the 1987-88 season.

Congratulations to Coach Kaspar, his staff and the Lumberjack team.