Story Highlights: > Lady Eagles honored as ‘Champions of Character’ > Perennial national contender also has high GPA > Team is extremely active in community outreach
CHARACTER ON & OFF THE COURT The NAIA recently honored the OC women’s basketball program as the national winner of the Buffalo Funds Five Star Award for its leadership as a Champions of Character program. The national award is OC’s third of the decade. Track and field star Luke Anderson won the NAIA Champions of Character Award in 2001 and Kory Allen was a 2005 Champions of Character honoree in men’s basketball. The Lady Eagle basketball team’s commitment to character shows both on and off the court. The 2006-07 team qualified for its eighth straight national championship tournament while maintaining a 3.6 team GPA. And in addition to their perennial role as a national contender, the Lady Eagles have produced at least one All-American in each of the last 12 years. “I think it is evident by the way that we play that we put the team first. We have a team full of stars that work together on the court
and selflessly share the ball to look out for the team rather than their personal stats,” former Champions of Character honoree Abbie Tiffany said. “Incorporating character into our team dynamics is what makes our relationships so strong on and off the court. Having character builds trust … and trusting your teammates is an essential part of basketball.” The Lady Eagles take the Champions of Character value of servant leadership seriously. They are active in community outreach as a longtime partner with Habitat For Humanity. They also go to run, jog and exercise with the students at Edmond’s Washington Irving Elementary School each Friday during the school year. They participate each year in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in honor of former faculty member Kim Gaither. And they’ve spent Thanksgiving distributing meals
to needy families as part of a project sponsored by Memorial Road Church of Christ.
“Character is an important part of team chemistry because it is a vital part of the individuals who make up the team. As the old saying goes, ‘character is what you are in the dark,’” Findley said. “Each team member must buy in to the importance of good and sincere character. This team genuinely cares about the team as a whole and they want to push each other to always reach for a better performance and excellence.”
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
MEN’S GOLF
MEN’S SOCCER
> The Lady Eagles have won five SAC titles and advanced to the national tournament 12 times, including eight of the last nine years.
> The Eagles have placed in the NAIA top four for nine straight years, including runner-up finishes in 2001, 2005 and 2008.
> In 2001, the Eagles won the SAC and Region VI championships and advanced to the NAIA “Elite Eight.”
> Women’s head coach Stephanie Findley has won more than 400 games in her career.
> Fourteen Eagles have combined to earn AllAmerica honors 30 times since 2000, including five All-Americans in 2008.
> The Eagles advanced to the NAIA “Elite Eight” again in 2006 and boasted three All-America honorees.
> David Lynn was named SAC Coach of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
> Five Eagles have been selected as SAC players of the year.
> The Lady Eagles have earned 36 All-America and 46 Scholar-Athlete honors.
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