3 Columbians to be inducted

On April 14, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, based in Springfield, will induct nine individuals and two programs and name a Missouri Sports Legend in a ceremony at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. The list of inductees includes Phil Bradley and Keith Weber, representing the University of Missouri, along with Bob Burchard, representing Columbia College.

One of the most decorated MU athletes, Bradley lettered in football from 1977-80 and in baseball from 1979-81. Bradley quarterbacked the Tigers to three bowl games. He was a three-time Big Eight Conference Offensive Player of the Year and set the conference total offense record at 6,459 yards, which stood for 10 years.

In baseball, he starred as an outfielder on MU teams that won the Big Eight

Championship in 1980 and went to the NCAA Tournament in 1980 and 1981. He reached the Major Leagues with Seattle in 1984 and played with the Mariners through 1987. He was named to the ’85 American League All-Star Team and hit his career-high 26 homers that season.

Weber graduated in 1964 with MU Baseball’s lowest career ERA (0.56). During his senior season in 1964, in which he posted a 0.50 ERA, Weber tallied a then school-record 11 wins while striking out 90 batters and leading MU to a 26-5-1 overall record and advancing to the College World Series. His 11 victories that season stood as a record at MU for 44 seasons before current Kansas City Royals All-Star Aaron Crow tallied 13 wins in 2008. His strikeout total was also a school record for 26 seasons. Weber signed with the New York Mets upon graduation. He died on Feb. 18, 2011.

Burchard came to Columbia College after seven seasons as an assistant coach at Missouri Western College. Since his arrival, Burchard has turned the Cougar basketball program into a perennial powerhouse in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Burchard has compiled a 597-225 (.726) record in 24 seasons at the helm. The Cougars have averaged almost 25 victories per season under his guidance.

Business Showcase

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce held its premiere tradeshow on March 5 in the Holiday Inn Expo Center. The exciting daylong event gave Chamber members a venue to showcase products and services in both business-to-business and business-to-consumer contexts.

The　Columbia Women’s Network　recruited Gregg Fraley as keynote speaker to deliver a presentation on creativity and innovation. Based out of Chicago, Fraley describes himself as a serial entrepreneur, starting companies around the world and inspiring large professional groups. Fraley’s speech, entitled “The Creative Choice,” was all about problem solving and choices in personal life that lead to creativity and burst the myth that creativity is solely dependent on artistry.

 30 years

Primaris, the company tasked with finding ways to make Missouri’s Medicare system more efficient, celebrated 30 years of operations.

 Flight expansions

Columbia Regional Airport expanded its reach with its first American Airline flights to two new major airline hubs: Chicago-O’Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth.

On the rise

Boone County experienced an estimated 25 percent increase in its annual home sales this past year, which marks the highest annual home sales in the past five years.

 Accredited breasts

Ellis Fischel Cancer Center’s breast health program recently received a three-year accreditation from the American College of Surgeon’s National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. It is the only breast center in mid-Missouri to have received this accreditation.

 Ronald McDonald House

The board of directors of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri named Terri Gray as the new executive director.

As executive director, Gray will focus on the completion of the new Ronald McDonald House at 3501 E. Lansing Ave. She is working to have the house completed and fully functional by early 2014.

 Ameren down

Ameren Corp. (NYSE: AEE) announced in February a 2012 net loss of $974 million, or $4.01 per share, compared to 2011 net income of $519 million, or $2.15 per share.

 $10,000

Tech Electronics, a technology services organization and systems integrator, is set to donate fire and life safety and access control systems for the new golf facility at The Club at Old Hawthorne. The company will supply and install the systems as gifts-in-kind, totaling more than $10,000 to Mizzou Athletics for ongoing facility improvements.