Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Release

SPRINGFIELD -- Former Missouri State player and assistant coach Karen Rapier will join the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. The latest in a long line of individuals associated with the Lady Bears to be chosen for the Hall, Rapier will be honored during the annual Basketball Tipoff Luncheon at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 at the University Plaza Convention Center.

Rapier, a Jefferson City native, was the first player to sign with the Lady Bears after Cheryl Burnett took over as coach in 1987, and success soon followed. Missouri State was 83-36 in her four years as the team earned Gateway Conference Championships and NCAA Tournament berths her final two seasons. That included a Final Four in 1991-1992, when the Lady Bears were 31-3 and earned a final No. 4 national ranking.

Rapier closed her career as the all-time MSU leader in games played (118), ranked fifth in career rebounds (666), fifth in points (1,365), sixth in steals (123) and sixth in field goal accuracy (.513) at the time of graduation.

As a senior, Rapier was a team co-captain and a preseason Street and Smith's All-America honorable mention. She later was voted to the NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament team. Rapier eventually returned to assist Burnett and helped the Lady Bears to six additional NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2001 Final Four.

Rapier arrived to Springfield after a standout career at Jefferson City High School, where she set the single-season scoring record during her senior year and was first team All-State. She also set single-game school records for points (36) and rebounds (27).

For tickets to the Basketball Tipoff Luncheon, call the Hall at 417-889-3100.