SHSU Sports
Bearkat Gameday: Getting to know Billy Skinner
Billy Skinner is in his first season as Sam Houston State’s starting free safety. In four games this season, the senior from Arlington leads the Bearkats with 15 solo and 27 total tackles.
What do you like to do when you are not playing football?
I like to hang out with my fiancé. We have three dogs, so that takes up a lot of time running around with them. I also like to hang out with my teammates and play Madden. I really dominate in Madden, I dominate everybody. I’m a Cowboys guy, but they are so good on the game that I play with whoever. I’m going to win whenever, so it doesn’t matter. I can win with the Browns.
What is one of your greatest memories on the field ?
Probably my senior year of high school (at Arlington Lamar) and making is really deep in the playoffs. We made it to the state semifinals and lost to The Woodlands in 2004. That was fun. It was a fun year, the best I have ever had in football.
What are your plans after college?
I would like to go back to the (Dallas/Fort Worth) area and coach. Hopefully go coach some high school football. I don’t think I want to coach college because it takes up so much time. I want to be a family man. I want to spend a lot of time with my family, and I think it would be easier doing that as a high school coach instead of a college coach. They work hard (at Sam Houston).
You originally went to BYU to play football before transferring to Sam Houston. Why did you choose to go all the way to Utah?
I originally committed to Tulane in New Orleans, but the coach that recruited me there left and went to Tennessee, so they pulled the scholarship. It was late in the year, and BYU came and said they would offer me a scholarship. I went up there on an official visit, and it was a really nice place.
What is your favorite thing about being a Bearkat?
I love everybody on the team. Everybody around here makes this place what it is. Everybody is so cool on offense and defense. I can’t really say that there is anyone that bugs me, and that is rare. I can see these guys around and talk to them. That’s what I like.
Who has been a major influence in your life?
My high school coach Jeff Kemp. He was my safeties coach. He has always called me and made sure everything was OK. When I was going through tough times he was there for me. He was a heck of a coach, too. He is the one who turned me on to coaching and wanting to be a part of someone’s life. He has been a part of my life. I didn’t have a father, and he was there in that aspect — someone I could look up to as a positive male influence.
What is in your DVD player right now?
“The Office” season four. I love that show. Me and my fiancé watch that all the time. Nolan (Bucek) and David Cash can quote that show from season one to the show that is on right now.
- SHSU Sports
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SAM SURVIVES
At this stage in the game, a win is a win.
Sam Houston State survived a stellar performance from a one-man wrecking crew Wednesday to advance to the semifinals of the Southland Conference tournament. The top-seeded Bearkats held on and beat upset-minded Nicholls 62-57 at the Merrell Center. -
Bearkats blow out Northwestern State 103-75
When Sam Houston State senior Corey Allmond drained his first 3-point attempt Wednesday, the Demons from Northwestern State had to know it was going to be a long night.
- Another big win for Bearkat women
- Danger, danger
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Bearkats up for another challenge
Fresh off winning their third straight Southland Conference tournament championship and another NCAA regional appearance, the Bearkats are preparing for baseball season with an all-too familiar task of having to fill the voids left behind from players who made significant contributions.
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COOL KATS
BEAUMONT — The Bearkats sure know how to keep their cool.
After seeing a 23-point lead dwindle down to single digits in the second half, Sam Houston State again rose to the occasion and made the plays down the stretch.
The result was also the same as usual. The Bearkats extended their Southland Conference winning streak to 11 games to remain unbeaten in league play with a 66-54 victory over Lamar at the Montagne Center on Wednesday night. -
Sam Houston’s Clavell named player of week for third time
For the third time this season, Sam Houston State center Gilberto Clavell was named the Southland Conference men’s basketball player of the week, the league office announced Monday.
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Red-hot Bearkats climb RPI ladder to No. 74
After improving to 10-0 in the Southland Conference with a 90-74 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday, the Sam Houston State men’s basketball team climbed to No. 74 in the latest ratings percentage index standings, which was released Monday.
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Ten in a row
There was no crawling back in it this time.
The Bearkats jumped on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the final five minutes of the first half and delivered the knockout punch in the second to roll to a 90-74 victory Saturday night at Johnson Coliseum.
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Hornet golfers finish first in Bastrop
The Hornets golf team sealed the deal Saturday. Led by seniors Brent Baker and Ryan Bennett, the Huntsville golfers turned in another superb round and claimed the top prizes at the Dodson-Evans Memorial Golf Tournament, which was played at Pine Forest Golf Club.
With team scores of 307 and 310, the Hornets ran away from the other nine teams, including Lake Travis which finished second, 23 strokes behind Huntsville.
Baker followed his first-round 74 with a 1-over-par 73 on Saturday to claim the first-place medalist trophy. Bennett rallied with a 2-over 74 after opening with a 81 to place third in the individual standings.
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SAM SURVIVES
