Looney honored by MSU-WP Grizzly Booster Club

Pontiac resident Marv Looney, fifth from right, chancellor of the Missouri State University-West Plains campus from 1990 to 1998, was designated an “emeritus member” of the Grizzly Booster Club Board of Directors during halftime of the Feb. 14 Grizzly Basketball home game at the West Plains Civic Center. An announcement from MSU-WP said Looney received the distinction in recognition of his “unwavering support” for the program and his efforts to get it off the ground. As chancellor, he secured funding from the university’s board of regents for a residence hall to house student-athletes; helped pass a city-wide sales tax to fund construction of the West Plains Civic Center, giving the student-athletes a place to play; and organized a group of community members to help raise funds to support the program. This group eventually became the booster club. He continues to support the Grizzly basketball and volleyball teams through scholarship donations and his attendance at games. From left are booster club board members Donna Frey, Ron Shemwell and John Williams; Grizzly basketball head coach Chris Popp; booster club board member Chuck Kimberlin; MSU-WP Chancellor Drew Bennett; booster club board members Russ Squires and Bill Wood; Looney; former booster club board member and board of regents member Jerry Hall; and current booster club board members John Kenslow, Bo Pace and Steve DeClue.