Missouri Southern State University Athletics

In2008: Poised to bethe Lions’ main kicker and punter after appearing in sevengames last year … contributed 27 kickoffs, with fivetouchbacks and a 59.4 average.

AtOklahoma/Ohio State … Was a member of the track and field teams atboth Oklahoma and Ohio State … helped OSU to a third-placefinish at the Big Ten Indoor and Outdoor Championships this pastseason.

Inhigh school: Afour-sport athlete at Clinton High School in Clinton, Mo. …A four-year starter at goalkeeper for the soccer team, where he wasa first-team all-conference and all-district selection, two times,earning second-team all-conference as a freshman … anall-area selection as a placekicker his senior year … was afour-time conference champion in the long and triple jump and astate champion in the triple jump in 2004.

Personal:Majoris business management/ accounting … Born on April 10, 1988… son of John and Mada’ Gassen … I can’tbelieve I watch: Nip/Tuck … My sports hero as a kid was: TimHoward.