Hannibal, MO

This event is part of the that HLGU hosts in partnership with the Moorman Foundation.

Riley Gaines is a leader defending women’s single-sex spaces, advocating for equality and fairness, and standing up for women’s safety, privacy, and equal opportunities.

Gaines graduated from the University of Kentucky, where she was a 12x All-American swimmer.

Riley has made waves for speaking out after tying UPenn’s Lia Thomas, a biological male swimmer on the women’s team, at the 2022 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships.

After Riley directly experienced competing against a man in women’s sports, being forced without warning or consent to undress before the fully intact male, and subjected to discrimination by the NCAA, she became one of the most powerful voices to speak out against the injustice, challenging the rules of the NCAA, USA Swimming, International Olympic Committee (IOC), and other governing bodies.

Riley now works for the leading women’s organization making real and lasting change, legally defining ‘woman,’ protecting Title IX, and defending women’s rights to single-sex spaces and equal opportunities. She has traveled the country speaking and has testified before the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and countless state legislatures.

“HLGU is grateful and excited for the opportunity to host Riley Gaines on campus as part of our Free Society Speaker Series. Her commitment and quest to save women’s sports from the growing threat of individuals and entities within our culture who are determined to deconstruct gender is admirable.” says Dr. Eric Turner, Christian Studies Division Chair at HLGU.

Gaines currently works for the Riley Gaines Foundation through the Leadership Institute which empowers and equips individuals to stand up for what is right. Gaines also speaks on laws concerning Title IX to keep biological women in women’s sports. She has given her testimony before the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and multiple state legislatures.

“We believe that her cause is shared and accentuated by HLGU’s core value of promoting a biblical worldview. For us, this event is an honor to host but also an important one for communicating and contributing our voice to this critical cause.” says Turner.

For more information about this event and the Free Society Speaker Series at HLGU, email FreeSociety@hlg.edu or call 573.629.3260.

�������� University is a four-year university that prides itself in its traditional and nontraditional educational experience in a distinctively Christian environment. The mission of HLGU is to transform lives and communities through relevant education anchored in a Biblical worldview.

“Coach Biggs understands HLG’s athletic programs provide a platform for advancing the university’s mission by developing a Christ-honoring environment for students, student-athletes, coaches, families, and fans,” said HLGU Transitional President Dr. Rodney Harrison

Biggs has served as the division chair of exercise and sports science since 2015 but has been an instructor/assistant professor in the program since 2002. He has been part of the HLGU community for 20 years, and in 2021 was awarded the Parkway Distinguished Professor Award for his substantial contributions to Christian higher education at HLGU.

“I am excited about the future of athletics at Hannibal-Lagrange University,” Biggs said. “I am a big believer in Christian higher education and the impact it has on the welfare of our culture. Athletics at HLGU has a rich history of enhancing the college experience for our students and campus community. I am so grateful to get to work alongside the coaching staff we currently have in place, many of whom I have known for many years.”

Biggs was hired as the baseball coach in 2002 and continued in that role through 2015. According to the records, Biggs accumulated over 240 wins during his tenure. He helped start the cross-country program as the first head coach and served in that role from 2002 through 2005. During his time at HLGU, Biggs has taken on many other leadership roles including the American Midwest Conference Baseball Chair, Higher Learning Commission site visit Criterion Chair, and most recently the chair of a committee that revised the general education requirements for all majors.

Biggs received his undergraduate degree from Truman State in 2000 and continued his education in Kirksville, completing his master’s degree in exercise science in 2002. Biggs also holds certifications in personal training and strength and conditioning. In 2013, he was chosen by the American Midwest Conference as the Coach of Character. Biggs also achieved the status of Colson Fellow in 2021 by completing the Colson Fellows Program that educates people of strong faith with relevant skills, biblical knowledge, and a solid Christian worldview.

“Over the last 20 years, Clay has established himself as a proven leader here at HLGU,” said Executive Vice President and Academic Dean, Dr. Robert Matz. “In both the classroom and on the playing field, Biggs has modeled the Christian character, servant-oriented leadership, and the student-focused attitude that helps to make HLGU such a unique university. In Biggs, our athletic department, student-athletes, coaches, and sports teams are in capable hands in this season of transition.”

The day will include a variety of fun activities that allow students and alumni to get involved. The men’s basketball alumni game will take place at 10 am and women’s alumni basketball game will take place at 9 am. To participate in alumni games, contact women’s basketball coach Kelly Quigle at 573-629-3212 or kelly.quigle@hlg.edu, or men’s basketball coach Jason Durst at 573-629-3213 or jwdurst@hlg.edu.

The day will also include a free lunch for alumni and their families from 11 am to Noon in the Trojan Hospitality Suite. The men’s basketball team will be facing Missouri Baptist University at 2 pm and the women’s team will face this college’s team at Noon.

For more information on the event, contact Alumni Director Lauren Youse ’05 M ‘16, at 573-629-3126 or via email at lauren.youse@hlg.edu.

RSVP & Buy Tickets Online Here

It is with great excitement that �������� University welcomes all Trojans and HLGU families back to campus and provides a time for alumni to reunite with each other during the 2019 Fall Homecoming and Family Weekend, October 4-5.

HLGU classes of 1969, 1979, 1989, 1999, and 2009 will be our honored guests at Homecoming 2019, which promises to be a fun, event-filled weekend.

“Homecoming is the time of year for Trojans to return to their roots, and we are looking forward to honoring the class of 1969,” said Lauren Youse ’05 M’16, director of alumni relations and development. “Their 50-year class reunion will leave each of us with a better sense of the tradition and pride that goes hand in hand with being alumni of this great University.”

Homecoming events start Friday morning with HLGU’s Annual Alumni Golf Classic, a tradition for many HLGU alumni and friends. This competitive yet fun scramble will take place at Norwoods Golf Course in Hannibal with registration beginning at 9 am and the shotgun start at 10 am.

Also on Friday morning, new members of the 50-Year Club will be inducted at a special luncheon event. The 50-Year Club was established to honor alumni who attended �������� 50 or more years ago. Members of the class of 1969 will have a fun morning to reminisce about their days at HLGU and will receive special medallions. Following the event, a campus tour will be given, allowing attendees to visit their old dorms and see all the changes and growth that HLGU has experienced.

The annual Homecoming Alumni Art Show Reception will be held on Friday as well, at 5:30 pm. This year, the exhibit will feature a wide range of artwork from individual artists who are HLGU alumni.

Saturday events include alumni games of baseball, softball, volleyball, and men’s and women’s soccer. HLGU’s campus caterer, Fresh Ideas, will offer BBQ and sides for sale at the Alumni Tent. Also at the Alumni Tent will be a petting zoo from 11 am to 1 pm.

Join families at Noon in The Loft located inside the HLGU Student Center for a performance of “Star Trip” by the HLGU Theatre Department. This show is 30 minutes long and great for all ages.

Watch the women’s and men’s Trojan soccer teams take on Williams Baptist at 1 pm and 3:30 pm. Admission is free for both games. Both teams will be celebrating their seniors before the games.

During the Saturday night homecoming banquet, alumni, families and current students will gather in the Mabee Sports Complex for a buffet feast. Afterwards, guests will move to the Roland Fine Arts Center for the coronation of the 2019 Homecoming King and Queen, recognition of HLGU athletes, recognition of the 50 year reunion class, and the announcement of this year’s alumni award winners. Entertainment will be presented by HLGU faculty and staff with the campus’ version of “Are you Smarter than an Undergrad?”

For a more detailed event listing, or to purchase tickets, visit hlg.edu/homecoming.

The day will include a variety of fun activities that allow students and alumni to get involved. The men’s basketball alumni game will take place at 11 am and women’s alumni basketball game will take place at 10 am. To participate in alumni games, contact women’s basketball coach Kelly Quigle at 573-629-3212 or kelly.quigle@hlg.edu, or men’s basketball coach Jason Durst at 573-629-3213 or jwdurst@hlg.edu. The day will also include basketball skills contest for all ages and free lunch for alumni and their families from noon to 1 pm. The men’s basketball team will be facing Williams Baptist University at 3 pm and the women’s team will face this college’s team at 1 pm.

For more information on the event, contact Alumni Director Lauren Youse ’05 ‘16, at 573-629-3126 or via email at lauren.youse@hlg.edu.

�������� University is a four-year Christian university fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and prides itself in its traditional and nontraditional educational experience in a distinctively Christian environment.

During his journey to the top, Theo defeated Eggbert, from Williams Baptist University, Scot, the 2017 defending champion from Lyon College, Screech, from William Woods University, and L-Wood of Lindenwood-Belleville in the final round.

As the champion of the AMC Mascot Challenge, Theo will now move to a national mascot challenge sponsored by the NAIA.

Theo is played by Graysan Peneston, a freshman, and is the only mascot in the conference whose face isn’t covered with a cartoon head. This allows Peneston more freedom and creativity and the ability to express more personality with the character.

“It is an honor to be the Trojan and to move on to the national NAIA Mascot Challenge,” said Peneston.

Peneston was selected in fall 2017 to be the HLGU Trojan for the 2017-2018 school year. Theo makes appearances at various campus and HLGU sponsored events but appears most regularly at athletic games.

by Rebecca Sneed ’12

The NAIA website states, “Institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earned points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition, and character promotion. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade-point averages and by having minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.”  The five core character values of the NAIA are integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

The Trojans’ Champions of Character liaison is Assistant Baseball Coach, .  He shared, “This achievement is a natural overflow of our Christian emphasis and is something that the whole department came together to accomplish.  Our athletics have always been character driven, and we take pride in standing out amongst our peers.”  Athletic Director, Jason Nichols added, “I am proud of our coaches and student-athletes.  They are to be commended on receiving this honor.”

One way to earn points for the award is by doing service projects on campus and in the community of Hannibal.  HLGU requests each athletic team to invest in a project of this sort at least once annually.  Some examples of past community service projects can be found online at .  Additional resources on the page include videos created by the HLGU Communication Studies Department about each NAIA core value.

HLGU coaches and players will lead this camp that is being held for girls in grades K-12. The camp will feature two sessions. The first session, from 9 am to 11 am, will be devoted to grades K-6 and will cost $40. The second session, from noon to 3 pm, will focus on grades 7-12 and will cost $50.

Campers are asked to bring the following items will them: softball glove, tennis shoes, helmet, bat, water bottle, and softball. The registration fee can be paid in advance or on the day of the camp. For more information about this camp or to register, call or email Coach Dan Hurst at 573.629.3215 or dhurst@hlg.edu.

story by Carolyn Carpenter

The �������� University women’s volleyball program has elected to host an event to support the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) during the HLGU Homecoming weekend, Saturday, October 1, when the Trojans will play a game against Central Baptist College at 1 pm.

The volleyball players are currently selling t-shirts that can be purchased here prior to the game. Shirts ordered prior to September 13 will receive free shipping to HLGU. The shirt design can be viewed above.

The Trojans chose the WWP this year because they wanted to support the armed forces. The players have become student ambassadors for the WWP which allows them to hand out pamphlets, stickers, and wristbands supplied by and in support of the WWP whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors.

The women’s team will also be hosting a bake sale on October 1 to raise additional funds. HLGU will make a presentation about the WWP between the second and third set of the game against CBC.

�������� University’s newest coed athletic team, shotgun sports, will be holding a tryout for the program’s inaugural year on Sunday, July 10, beginning at 1:30pm at Ka-Tonka Game Preserve and Sporting Clays in New London, MO.

Those invited to attend are 2016 high school graduates and upcoming 2017 high school graduates along with current HLGU students and incoming transfer students.

Tryouts will consist of 50 trap and 25 five stand. Targets will be paid for by the University, however tryout attendees must bring ammo. Tryout spots are limited to 25 students, and shotgun sports scholarships are available.

The University has been studying the popularity of the sport and watching it grow in recent years. Because competitive shooting is a sport in which many can participate, this program seeks to further increase public awareness of shooting sports and firearm safety for youth among both males and females.

HLGU Athletic Director Jason Nichols cited both the quality and quantity of the students in the community and region as major factors for launching the program. “I am convinced that we will be able to obtain quality student-athletes from the surrounding region. Hunting and recreational firearm use is prevalent in the Midwest, and now HLGU offers a scholarship opportunity for students to continue shooting competitively while they pursue a degree.”

“We’re very excited about the opportunity to have a shooting sport here at �������� University,” said Dr. Anthony Allen, HLGU President. “Our board of trustees unanimously approved to move forward with this.”

HLGU has received two grants to help offset start-up costs of the program. Four different organizations have helped HLGU develop this new program: ACUI (Association of College Unions International), NSSF (National Shooting Sports Foundation), the NRA (National Rifle Association) Foundation, and the Midway USA Foundation.

For more information, or to reserve a spot for the tryout, contact Nathan Hammock, coach, by July 8, at 573-629-3059, or via email at nathan.hammock@hlg.edu.