Spring Break
Out of the Pouch
Dan Stroud
Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: Sports
The Kansas City Star had an article last week which stated the "the honeymoon was over" for UMKC head basketball coach Matt Brown after a disappointing 5-12 start to the season. There are some who would beg to differ with this assessment.
UMKC Athletics Director Tim Hall, for one, isn't concerned about his program's slow start out of the gate this year.
"We're building a program here," Hall said. "No question, it will take some time to get there."
The leader of the Kangaroo athletics department came to UMKC last February with big plans. He was adamant about just where he wanted to go in an interview with this reporter after his hiring.
"I really believe that UMKC can be in the top third across the board in the [Summit League]," Hall said. "I believe we can compete for and win and win league championships in every sport … and I really think we have a great opportunity to do that."
Fast forward 11 months and there is little surface evidence that can support the A.D.'s claims.
In the fall, the volleyball team finished eighth in a nine-team field. The cross country team also finished its season in eighth place.
The UMKC soccer team had its bright spots during the year, garnering a regional ranking midway through the season. But league play turned out to be more than the squad could handle.
Soccer coach Rick Benben's team finished fourth in a field of six teams and reached the Summit League playoffs before being eliminated in the first round by regular season champion Oakland University.
The men's golf team showed promise in the fall with a third place finish in the Battle of the Bend Golf Tournament held in Many, La. Both the men and a women's team that struggled will compete for league honors in the spring.
Basketball, which is without question the dominant sport on the UMKC scene, has seen its fortunes increased by the hiring of two promising young head coaches and numerous player and equipment upgrades.
UMKC Athletics Director Tim Hall, for one, isn't concerned about his program's slow start out of the gate this year.
"We're building a program here," Hall said. "No question, it will take some time to get there."
The leader of the Kangaroo athletics department came to UMKC last February with big plans. He was adamant about just where he wanted to go in an interview with this reporter after his hiring.
"I really believe that UMKC can be in the top third across the board in the [Summit League]," Hall said. "I believe we can compete for and win and win league championships in every sport … and I really think we have a great opportunity to do that."
Fast forward 11 months and there is little surface evidence that can support the A.D.'s claims.
In the fall, the volleyball team finished eighth in a nine-team field. The cross country team also finished its season in eighth place.
The UMKC soccer team had its bright spots during the year, garnering a regional ranking midway through the season. But league play turned out to be more than the squad could handle.
Soccer coach Rick Benben's team finished fourth in a field of six teams and reached the Summit League playoffs before being eliminated in the first round by regular season champion Oakland University.
The men's golf team showed promise in the fall with a third place finish in the Battle of the Bend Golf Tournament held in Many, La. Both the men and a women's team that struggled will compete for league honors in the spring.
Basketball, which is without question the dominant sport on the UMKC scene, has seen its fortunes increased by the hiring of two promising young head coaches and numerous player and equipment upgrades.
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