SNOW BASKETBALL
2008-09 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

Snow College head men’s basketball coach Michael Ostlund has released the schedule for the 2008-09 season.  “What this schedule signifies is making good on a commitment I made a year ago to our students and our community,” said Coach Ostlund.  “That includes working hard and doing what it takes to secure high quality teams, and more home games.”  This year the Badgers will have 16 home games (last season only 10) out of a total of 30. 

This year’s slate features seven home games in the month of November, compared to a year ago when the seventh home game took place on February 8th.

Non-Conference:  Familiar opponents from Region 9 include Western Wyoming (Nov 1 in Ephraim, Jan 3 in Rock Springs) and Casper College (Dec 30 in Ephraim).  Coach O picked up his first win as the Badgers’ head coach against Western last season, and Casper is returning the game from Snow’s trip there in 2007.  Central Wyoming has resurrected their basketball program after a 20-year layoff, and will visit Ephraim on November 7.  The Badgers will return the game to Riverton, Wyoming on January 2.

“I am very pleased with the quality of teams that are coming the Ephraim this year,” said Coach O.  “It is always difficult, and most of the time you need to make the trips in order to get the return games.”

The Region 9 opponents continue as the Badgers travel to Cheyenne for the Golden Eagle Classic hosted by Laramie County.  Snow will play the host team LCCC November 14 and Eastern Wyoming November 15.  Trinidad State (CO) and Yavapai College (AZ) will be in town November 21 and 22, returning games from last year.

Thanksgiving weekend, the Badgers will host Southwest Academy, a prep school from the Denver area, and Howard College (TX).  Howard lost their region championship game in 2008 to eventual national champion South Plains.  “We are pleased to play this weekend of home games in Richfield.  We have a great arena in the Sevier Valley Center, and I really hope the people of Sevier County will support us there.  We are reaching out to that community of potential Badger fans, and hope this is a tradition that can continue.”

After December trips to Salt Lake CC for a two-game classic (vs. Southwest Academy and Salt Lake Metro), the Badgers will renew the battle with an old Region 18 opponent as they take on Treasure Valley (now members of the NWAACC) in Ontario December 13.

Tournaments in Ephraim: 

Badger Tip-Off Classic         
Friday 11/7:                  Eastern Utah vs. Pro Look Sports
                                    Snow vs. Central Wyoming 

Saturday 1/8:                Eastern Utah vs. Central Wyoming
                                    Snow vs. Pro Look Sports

Norbest Sanpete Shootout
Friday 11/21:                Salt Lake vs. Yavapai
                                    Snow vs. Trinidad State

Saturday 11/22:            Salt Lake vs. Trinidad State
                                    Snow vs. Yavapai

Tournament in Richfield:

Sevier Valley Classic
Friday 11/28:                Howard (TX) vs. Salt Lake Metro
                                    Snow vs. Southwest Academy (CO)

Saturday 11/29:            Southwest Academy (CO) vs. Salt Lake Metro
                                    Snow vs. Howard (TX)

Scenic West Conference Games:  After fighting through an unbalanced conference schedule in 2007-08 (7 home and 8 road games), the tide turns in the Badger’s favor in 2009.  “Playing each SWAC opponent three times brings unique challenges,” said Coach Ostlund. “But over a two-year cycle eventually evens out.”  This time around the Badgers play single games at Salt Lake, Southern Idaho and North Idaho with back to back road games at Colorado Northwestern and Eastern Utah.  After single home games with Colorado Northwestern (Jan 16) and Eastern Utah (Jan 17), the back to back home games will feature Salt Lake (Jan 30, 31), Southern Idaho (Feb 13, 14), and North Idaho (Feb 27, 28).

“Last year, the teams that played for the region championship were loaded with sophomores,” said Coach O.  “I know they (Salt Lake and Southern Idaho) have reloaded with talent over the spring and summer, but hopefully our increased experience will be a good sign for us.”

As far as the favorites go, it is usually very predictable.  “I believe Southern Idaho should be considered the preseason favorite,” added Coach O.  “With Salt Lake’s run last year, they should be up there as well.  Other than that, most people believe our conference is the toughest in the country top to bottom.  Eastern Utah and North Idaho are always good enough to challenge for the conference championship, and Colorado Northwestern is becoming much more competitive.  The entire conference schedule poses some very tough challenges every night.”

Badgers on the Air:  All of the Badgers games, home and away, can be heard on KMTI Radio 650AM with the voice of the Badgers Mike Traina with the call.  Other media availability, including television and internet is under negotiation and will be released soon.

Badger Tickets:  Season tickets are now on sale in the ticket office. 
Call 435-283-SNOW (7669) to reserve yours now.

Snow College, founded in 1888, serves approximately 3,000 students at its Ephraim campus. The college provides general education and applied technology programs leading to Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Pre-Engineering degrees, and certificates of completion in a number of occupational areas.  Once owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Snow College became a state college in 1932.

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