Volume XXIII No. 23 • June 11, 1999

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Spearfish High School volleyball coach takes BH volleyball job - Top

Former Black Hills State University football stand out, Jhett Albers, will leave his current teaching and coaching position at Spearfish High School to become the women's volleyball coach at BHSU.

Albers replaces Naomi Hatfield who submitted her resignation this winter after coaching the BH women for the past five seasons.

The new Yellow Jacket coach guided the Spartan girls' volleyball team to three consecutive winning season and three state tournament appearances with 7th, 6th, and 5th place finishes. His overall record at the Spartan helm was 68-40. Albers was named Region IV volleyball coach of the year in 1997. His 1997 volleyball team won the conference and region titles. In 1998 and 1999 they were runners-up in the region.

Dave Little, BHSU athletic director, said, “We're excited about his enthusiasm and fundamental knowledge of volleyball. Besides his coaching abilities, he has a strong teaching background that leads itself to classroom support as well as on the court skills.”

The former NAIA academic All-American says he is looking forward to the challenge of college coaching. He expects the game to be stronger and more intense than what he experienced at the high school level. The big differences he said between high school and college are consistency and power.

He said he was introduced to college-level volleyball as an undergraduate at BHSU when he helped BHSU Coach Lea Totton with spring practice for a couple of seasons.

“It's been my goal and a dream of mine to step to the next level of coaching,” said Albers. “I feel fortunate to have an opportunity opened to me in the same community.”

With the recruits Hatfield has brought into the program this spring and with quality returning players, Albers believes he has a good mix of veterans and newcomers with which to work.

This summer he will be conducting a couple of volleyball camps and is inviting the BH players to return to the campus to help out and get acquainted with his coaching style.

“I want to meet them,” he said. “I hope it is exciting, challenging and beneficial for them to come to the camps.”

He expects to attend a South Dakota High School Athletic Association sponsored volleyball competition this summer and see what's out there for potential recruits. He also expects to make contacts with the other high school coaches.

Although most of the recruiting for the new season is in place, Albers said he would consider new prospects and those wishing to walk on this fall. He expects to have 10 to 12 players on the roster when competition begins.

After a stellar athletic career for the Yellow Jackets as a wide receiver, Albers began his teaching and coaching career in Todd County in 1987. From 1988 to 1990 he taught at East Elementary in Spearfish and coached freshman football, middle school basketball and track.

Returning to his alma mater in 1990 as a graduate assistant, he completed his master's degree in curriculum and instruction and assisted as a Yellow Jacket football coach.

From 1992 he served as an assistant volleyball coach at Spearfish High School and then became varsity head coach in 1996. He also served as an assistant football coach for the Spartans.

Albers taught sixth grade middle school and served as middle school at risk coordinator and instructor for the Spearfish school district.

Events scheduled for Black Hills Festival of the Arts - Top

The second annual Black Hills Festival of the Arts begins next week. Consider attending some of these events. To find out about additional events contact the office of the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at BHSU, (605) 642-6420 or http://www.bhsu.edu/foa/foa.html,

  • A chamber music concert is set for Sunday, June 13 at 2 p.m. in Woodburn Hall featuring Rasma Lielmane and Charis Dimaras. Their performance will be followed by a reception. Ticket cost is $10 for the general public, $5 for students and children 12 and under.
  • Lecture series - Dance topic - Monday, June 14 at 3 p.m; Music topic - Tuesday, June 15 at 3 p.m.; Writing topic - Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m.; Visual arts topic - Thursday, June 17 at 3 p.m.; Theatre topic - Friday, June 18 at 3 p.m. The lectures will be held at Hudson Street Hall, 222 W. Hudson St. and will be free to the public.
  • Hot Guitar Night will be Friday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Belle Fourche Community Center with performances by Dono Conoscenti, Jalan Crossland, James Van Nuys, and Randall Royer. Ticket price is $8.
  • Saturday, June 19 at 6 p.m. a Big Performance featuring Anne Hills, Dono Conoscenti, Jalan Crossland, Lyle Doug & Paul, and Fast Larry & the Whiners is scheduled at the High Plains Heritage Theatre. Tickets are $10.

Plans set for the Yellow Jacket Golf Classic and sports and leisure auction - Top

The 1999 Gold Dust Yellow Jacket Golf Classic and sports and leisure auction will be held Saturday, June 26.

The ninth annual golf tournament gets underway at the Spearfish Canyon Golf Course at 10 a.m. with a putting contest. The 18-hole Texas best-shot tournament begins at noon with a shot-gun start. A social hour and dinner will be held at the Holiday Inn of the Northern Black Hills following the tournament. Golf awards will be presented at 7 p.m.

The sports and leisure auction will also be held at the Holiday Inn of the Northern Black Hills beginning at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public at no charge.

To register for the golf tournament call the BHSU institutional advancement office at (605) 642-6385. The entry fee is $90 and includes golf cart, two dinner tickets and a classic souvenir.

The sports and leisure scholarship auction includes a variety of items. More than 250 items will be available during the live and silent auctions.

Some of the items available at the auction include:

  • autographed baseballs from Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa
  • autographed Joe Montana Kansas City Chiefs football helmet
  • autographed boxing gloves from Muhammad Ali
  • 13-inch color television from Karl's TV
  • autographed Terrell Davis Denver Bronco helmet
  • autographed baseball bats from Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa
  • round-trip airfare for two from Black Hills Travel
  • underground tour of Homestake mine
  • one night stay, one snowmobile rental and dinner for two at the Spearfish Canyon Resort
  • autographed Larry Walker jersey and more

For information regarding the golf tournament or the sports and leisure auction contact Steve Meeker, BHSU institutional advancement director, Unit 9506, Spearfish, S.D. 57799-9506 or phone (605) 642-6385.

Sears representative presents scholarship award to BH student - Top

Tanya Tolman, a May graduate of Black Hills State University, was presented a $5,000 scholarship check by Kent Baker, Sears store manager from Rapid City. As a Sears Directors' Cup Post Graduate Scholarship winner, Tolman plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master's degree in athletic training. She completed 1,500 hours of volunteer work under the direction of BHSU athletic trainer Tony Silva, left, who encouraged her to apply for the award. The Newcastle, Wyo., native is considering the University of Wyoming or Colorado State University for her graduate studies. Her undergraduate degree is in wellness management.

Sears representative presents conference trophy to BHSU track coach - Top
Scott Walkinshaw, track and field coach at Black Hills State University, was presented a trophy from Sears for the Yellow Jacket women's SDIC indoor track and field championship. Kent Baker, right, Sears store manager from Rapid City, presented the trophy to Walkinshaw. The first-year BHSU coach guided the women's team to the title by out distancing Sioux Falls 125-110 in conference competition at the Young Center last February. The women nearly duplicated their title accomplishment in the outdoor season, but lost out on a technicality to the Cougars.

Business office announces deadlines for fiscal year - Top

The last day to pay general funds invoices is Monday, June 14, 1999. Invoices, requests for payment, and travel expenses for general funds must be received in the business office by noon Monday, June 14, to be processed for fiscal year '99.

The last opportunity to submit a voucher payment (invoices, requests for payment, and travel expenses) for other funds will be noon on Friday, June 25, to be processed for fiscal year '99.

All changes for payroll must be submitted to Anita Haeder by noon June 15 to be included in fiscal year 99.

Contact Diane Watson, business office accountant, if you have questions concerning these deadlines.

This week at Black Hills State - Top

Sunday, June 13

  • Gala Opening Concert and reception for Black Hills Festival of the Arts, Woodburn Auditorium, 2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 17

  • Open Mic at Common Grounds and Knights Cellar, 7-10 p.m.

Thursday, June 17

  • Open Mic at Biff Malibu's

Friday, June 18

  • Hot Guitar night, Belle Fourche Community Center theatre, 7:30-10 p.m.

Saturday, June 19

  • Big Performance, High Plains Heritage Center Museum Theatre, 6-11 p.m.

Sunday, June 20

  • Song writers' forum, Common Grounds, 2-4 p.m.
  • Chopin Recital, Woodburn Hall, 2 p.m.

Monthly campus calendar