There will be a news conference and reception on Saturday to introduce new Southeast Missouri State director of athletics John Shafer.

The event will take place at 4 p.m. in the front meeting rooms at the Show Me Center before Southeast's basketball games against Eastern Illinois.

The general public is invited to attend.

Shafer, a former director of athletics at Eastern Kentucky and Mississippi, officially begins his duties at Southeast on Feb. 1.

In a statement from the university, Shafer said his first order of business at Southeast will be to "come in and get to know the Southeast Missouri family, the staff, the faculty and especially the student athletes.

"I plan to come in and really be visible, especially in the community."

Spada honored again

Southeast junior punter Doug Spada this week made another Division I-AA All-American football squad as he was placed on The Sports Network third team.

Spada had previously received first-team from the American Football Coaches Association, third team from The Associated Press and honorable mention on the College Sports News Fabulous 50 All-American Team.

Spada, an honorable mention All-American last year, is only the third player in Southeast history to earn All-American honors in multiple years, joining punter David Simonhoff (2004 to 2006) and tight end Ray Goodson (2003, 2004).

Spada finished third in Division I-AA with an average of 44.7 yards per punt while placing 12 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Gymnast nabs award

Southeast junior Rikara Turner is the Midwest Independent Conference gymnast of the week.

Turner led the Redhawks to a win at Illinois State on Sunday in their season opener. She captured the all-around title and shared the title on beam.

The Redhawks return to action tonight in Iowa City, Iowa, as they face host Iowa and LSU, ranked seventh nationally.

Southeast's first home meet will be Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. against Illinois-Chicago.

Basketball tickets for $2

With Southeast students on break, tickets in the student section for Southeast's next four basketball games at the Show Me Center are being made available to the general public for $2.

Dates are Saturday vs. Eastern Illinois, Monday vs. Tennessee-Martin, Thursday vs. Morehead State and Jan. 17 vs. Eastern Kentucky.

All but Tennessee-Martin are doubleheaders featuring men's and women's games.

Tickets are available by visiting the ticket office at Houck Field House or calling 651-2113. Tickets are also available on game day at the Show Me Center box office, beginning one hour prior to tipoff.