As we bid goodbye to Springfield-area sports in 2022 and look ahead to the new year, let’s begin with some reflection on something more important than touchdowns, slam dunks and won-loss records.
Our sports community — and it is tight-knit no matter which team you cheer for — was rocked in September when the most-recognizable voice in Southwest Missouri was floored with a sudden and life-threatening illness.
Art Hains, play-by-play voice of Missouri State athletics for more than four decades and the long-time host of the popular afternoon “Sports Talk” show on Jock 96.9 and 99.9 FM, has been battling for his life since contracting a rare case of West Nile Virus after calling Missouri State’s football game at Arkansas on Sept. 17.
Hains has regained some feeling in his extremities but is not yet able to walk. He continues a slow-but-steady recovery at a rehabilitation facility in Lincoln, Neb., the biggest current challenge a need for a ventilator to aid his breathing, especially at night.
There is optimism that he will continue to be weaned off the vent and be able to eventually breath on his own and regain mobility sooner than later. But there are no certainties at this point.
I had a chance to message Chris Hains this week for the latest on his dad’s battle. Chris said that Art had a “rough couple of days” this week after another bout of pneumonia, but was rallying.
“He got down to just four hours on the vent at night before this, so still hopefully he can get off … but risk exists that he may always need support at night,” Chris Hains said.
“We still believe he will recover and got a message from someone that took 11 months to get off the vent and two years to walk, but she did fully recover.”
I’ve known Art since he came to Springfield 45 years ago, meeting him while he was covering the American Legion 4th of July Tournament and I was a scorekeeper. Art is tougher than a Charlie Spoonhour defense during Missouri State basketball’s glory years. If anyone can beat this thing, Art is the man.
My first hope for the Springfield sports scene for 2023 is good health for Art Hains. I fully expect him to return to his home behind a microphone and what a joyous occasion that will be.
Let that happen and everything else is proverbial gravy on top for Springfield sports in 2023.
Chris Hains said his family is thankful for the army of fans praying for Art over the last few months and he asks for those to continue.
As of Thursday morning, people had contributed $105,177 to a GoFundMe account to help the Hains family with a mountain of medical expenses. Many people have contributed multiple times and any amount, large or small, helps. Anyone who is inclined to contribute can go to the GoFundMe account.
2023 promises an exciting year on local sports scene
Now, here a few things to look for on the local college and professional sports scene in 2023:
Missouri State basketball to find its identity: Coach Dana Ford had nearly an entire new roster to work with and, through the first portion of the season, he’s continued to seek the right combination for success. There have been ups and downs, but the Bears picked up an impressive 12-point victory on Wednesday at Northern Iowa.
Missouri State (6-7 overall, 2-1 Missouri Valley Conference) returns home on Sunday afternoon to face league preseason favorite Drake. A victory in this one would give legitimate reason to believe that Bears can contend in a wide-open Valley.
With plenty of quickness and athleticism, here’s hoping the Bears have found their niche as a pesky, defensive-oriented team as players accept their roles on both ends of the floor.
Lady Bears continue to evolve and improve: First-year Missouri State women’s basketball coach Beth Cunningham has been a steady hand in developing her team — also short on returning experience — into an improving unit.
The Lady Bears took a three-game winning streak into the holiday break and, after a challenging non-conference schedule, could be Valley contenders.
Top-four finish a key for both Bears, Lady Bears: With the Valley expanding to 12 teams this season, finishing in the top four of the regular-season standings is important. That would mean a first-round bye at the league tournaments and only needing three wins in three days instead of four in four.
Drury women thinking big, men seek traction: An annual rite of winter and early spring is Drury women’s basketball being in the mix as one of the top teams in NCAA Division II. The Lady Panthers are there again, with an 11-1 record and No. 3 national ranking.
Drury made it to the national championship game in 2021, losing to Lubbock Christian. Coach Amy Eagan’s team clearly wants to make another run and we’ll be watching as the Lady Panthers pile up wins on the road to March.
On the men’s side at Drury, it has been a struggle. Hopefully the Panthers, 3-8 this season under second-year coach Chris Foster, are able to gain some traction the rest of the way and develop a foundation for the future under Foster.
Another NAIA tourney berth for Evangel: One of the under-the-radar programs worth a look on Springfield’s north side is Coach Bert Capel’s Evangel men. The Valor are 11-2 and ranked No. 20 in the NAIA with their next home game set for Jan. 7 against Clarke.
Evangel made a surprise run to the NAIA national tournament last March, losing a heartbreaker against top-seeded Florida College. Look for the Valor to have a longer postseason stay this time around.
Baseball Bears thinking big: Optimism is high for Missouri State’s baseball program in 2023 with the Bears looking to build off their return to the NCAA regionals last June. There are plenty of new pitching arms in place and experienced hitters returning as Keith Guttin enters his 41st season as head coach with a pair of former players, Joey Hawkins and Nick Petree, now his top assistants.
The Bears are scheduled to open the home season Feb. 24 at Hammons Field, against Central Arkansas. Coats and stocking hats are advised.
Who’s the next Springfield Cardinals’ star? Another season of prospects and promotions begins April 6 at Hammons Field as the Springfield Cardinals play host to Wichita Wind Surge. Last season saw top prospects Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn continue their ascent with stellar play for the Cardinals.
While the roster won’t be set until the end of March, look for pitchers Tink Hence and Cooper Hjerpe as possible headliners for the Springbirds in 2023. Meanwhile, General Manager Dan Reiter and staff will have another full schedule of giveaways and theme nights planned for the fans.
Meanwhile, the countdown will be on for Walker to make his big-league debut in St. Louis. The third baseman-turned-outfielder could have a shot at making the big-league roster during spring training.
New coach for football Bears: As fall approaches, eyes will be on Missouri State football and new head coach Ryan Beard. The son-in-law of Bobby Petrino, who turned the program from awful to a playoff team in two of his three seasons, the 33-year-old Beard has an infectious enthusiasm that should play well with the public.
It won’t be easy in a league featuring powers North Dakota State and South Dakota State, but Bears football is in an interesting place as Beard takes the reins. The schedule is challenging, with road games to start at Kansas and Tennessee Martin prior to the home opener on Sept. 23 against Utah Tech.
