Southeast graduate hired as organist at Blues games

Fans who attend St. Louis Blues games are now hearing the sounds of a Southeast Missouri State product.

Jeremy Boyer, a 2004 Southeast graduate, was recently hired as the Blues' organist.

Boyer has for the past several years played the organ during Southeast basketball games at the Show Me Center and during Southeast baseball games at Capaha Field.

In addition, Boyer has been the organist for the Plaza Tire Capahas baseball games at Capaha Field, while also serving as the organist for the Memphis Redbirds, which is the Class AAA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

"Close to the beginning of the year, a Blues team representative called me and invited me up for an interview," Boyer said. "He knew I was a student of former Blues organist Ernie Hays, and had played organ for Southeast baseball for several seasons, as well as the Memphis Redbirds.

"I auditioned for him, he liked what he heard and decided to make me the team's organist."

Boyer, a native of Potosi, Mo., also conducts a professional choir at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, Mo.

As a Southeast student, Boyer played in the Southeast Show Band while working on a music degree in secondary education.

Boyer, who lives in Cape Girardeau, will continue to play at Southeast baseball and basketball games when his schedule allows.

"I feel very lucky to have such fun jobs that I really enjoy," Boyer said. "I'll still be playing at several SEMO basketball and baseball games this spring semester to keep my chops in good shape."

Southeast track third

The Southeast track and field team came up on the short end against rugged competition during Saturday's indoor tri-meet at Purdue.

Southeast had 134.5 points, behind Purdue (290.5) and Indiana State (205).

Winners for Southeast's men were John Berry in the long jump (23-8) and the 1,600-meter relay team of Chris Gill, Chris Poindexter, Robert Delaria and Miles Smith (3:16.45).

Gill (21.87) and Ryan Criglar (22.33) were second and third in the 200, while Brandon Colbert placed third in the shot put (56-6 1/2) and Bilal Hameed finished third in the triple jump (46-11 3/4).

On the women's side, freshman Brianna Egbuka from Central High School was second in the shot put (44-6), Funtasia Clark was second in the high jump (5-2 1/4) and Jerica Hamm was second in the 400 (58.62).

Placing third were Precious Elliott in the 60 (7.90), Juli Koenegstein in the 3,000 (10:35.95), Ashley Brewer in the weight throw (54 1/2), Whitney Thomas in the 60 hurdles (8.80) and the 1,600 relay team of Thomas, Hamm, Orie Ibe and Lashonda Conley (3:54.73).

Freshman Rachel Kahle from Jackson had a pair of fourth-place performances, in the 60 (7.90) and 200 (26.49).

Southeast competes this weekend at the Indiana Invitational.

-- From staff reports