May 25, 2004

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State University basketball coach Gary Garner has announced that three members of the basketball team will not return for the 2004-2005 season.

Cole Grapperhaus and Norman Prather have indicated they will transfer to other schools while Adam Crader has withdrawn from school and the basketball team due to medical reasons.

Crader, 6-11, appeared in 62 games during his three seasons at Southeast with a career average of 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. Last season, Crader struggled with injuries and illness and appeared in only 18 games, averaging 1.8 points and 1.1 rebounds per game.

Prather, who is academically ineligible to play during the first semester next season, played just one season at Southeast after transferring from Mineral Area Community College. He played in 24 games, starting 15, and averaged 4.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 43% from the field and 48% from the line. Prather, originally from Caruthersville, Mo., has indicated he hopes to transfer to an NAIA school where he would be eligible next season.

Grapperhaus spent two seasons at Southeast but will receive a medical redshirt for last season when he played in only three games because of numerous injuries sustained in a summer jet ski accident. For his Southeast career, Grapperhaus played in 26 games, averaging 1.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. Originally from Breese, Ill., Grapperhaus hopes to transfer to a school closer to his home.

Southeast currently has 12 players on scholarship and on the 2004-2005 roster.

Kevin Williams RESIGNS COACHING POSITION

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Kevin Williams, a member of the Southeast Missouri State University basketball coaching staff for the past two seasons has resigned to accept a position with Hancock High School in St. Louis.

Williams was also a staff member during Gary Garner's first three seasons at Southeast including the 2000 season when Southeast advanced to the NCAA tournament. He served two years as head basketball coach at Caruthersville High School.

A native of Cape Girardeau, Williams was an all-state player at Cape Central High School and played on the 1980 state championship team. He played college basketball at St. Louis University.

"We wish Kevin the best of luck," Garner said. "He has been a big part of our program for several seasons."

"Being a member of the basketball staff at Southeast has been a tremendous experience for me," Williams said. "At Hancock High School, I will be an assistant coach under Roland Grey who was a teammate of mine at St. Louis University."

Garner said there will be a national search for a coach to replace Williams.