Griffon Athletics move celebration of past spring sports women’s teams indoors due to rain

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Originally set to take place during the Griffon Softball double-header on Saturday, MoWest's Athletics department celebration of women's spring sports moved inside due to the rain.

As Griffon Athletics celebrates 50 years of women taking the field at the university, a planned reunion of women’s spring sports teams from the department's past took place.

During the event held at the Athletic Department's Hall of Fame Room at Spratt Stadium on campus, the only national championship team for the black and gold was recognized. Also present were former student-athletes, coaches, and others connected to past teams in Griffon Softball and Griffon Tennis.

One of those returning team members from the 1982 NAIA Softball National Championship team for the Griffs was Athletics Hall of Fame member Cheri Kempf.

"I think it's what I say about Missouri Western is that they always respected and treated us as equals. And, so that goes all the way to today," Kempf shared. "I think celebrating women and celebrating the 50th anniversary of women's sports here is really important."

Along with Kempf and her teammates was their former coach, Rhesa Sumrell, who was also the first head coach not only for softball at MoWest, but also for women's basketball and volleyball. Sumrell is also a department hall of famer in her own right, having been inducted in 1990, amongst many other halls of fame.

Former Student Athlete and Volleyball Coach for the Griffons, Marian Carbin, also announced at the end of the presentation that the athletic department has established a legacy scholarship in honor of Sumrell. Something that Kempf feels is well deserved for the Griffon Athletics legend.

"I think legacy, scholarships, and when you pay it forward are important regardless," Kempf said. "I think for Missouri Western to be able to create that opportunity for women is important and natural, and it should be something that continues to go from here and only expand."

For more information on the Rhesa Sumrell Legacy Scholarship, click here. For more information about future events celebrating 50 years of women's athletics at MoWest, or about their athletic teams, click here.