INDEX Events Comics COVID Update Sports
No. 5
Vol. 2
2 3 3 4
June 10, 2021
ASU System Board Votes to Unmask The Humane Society’s Cat-alog
Photo by Blanton Matthews
The Arkansas State University System voted unanimously to remove the mask and social distancing mandates systemwide.
Blanton Matthews Staff Reporter The Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees met at Henderson’s Garrison Center on the morning of Thursday, June 3. Among the resolutions presented was one to rescind the requirement for face coverings on ASU System campuses. At the state level, the requirement for masks to be worn on university campuses is set to expire on June 28, any mask rules would have to be made at the university level. The statewide mask mandate and social distancing rules were implemented by an executive order from Governor Asa Hutchinson on July 16, 2020. On August 12, the ASU System Board of Trustees issued a mask mandate for their
campuses with no expiration date, so that it would have to be rescinded by an active vote rather than be allowed to expire. Hutchinson signed Act 1002 into law on April 29, ending all mask requirements for the state as well as all requirements at the local level in the state of Arkansas. The decision to rescind all mask requirements on ASU campuses—including but not limited to local schools Henderson and ASU Three Rivers—was passed by a unanimous voice vote. Now the individual campuses can make their own mask rules or lack thereof. The text of the resolution “authorizes each ASU System campus to adopt policies consistent with state law and applicable public health guidance.”
This is not a negative requirement, that is to say masks are still an option for anyone who chooses to continue wearing one. The only change is to the rules requiring the wearing of masks and the enforcement thereof. “Any member of our university community or our guests who wish to continue to wear a mask is certainly welcome to do so,” Dr. Jim Borsig, interim Chancellor of Henderson said. This comes at a time when less than a third of Arkansans are vaccinated against COVID-19, the fourth lowest rate among US states and territories above only Alabama, Mississippi, and the US Virgin Islands. Current CDC guidance holds that fully vaccinated individuals need not wear masks in public, but there is no way to know someone’s vaccination status for certain, and with such a low number of Arkansans vaccinated it seems likely that many unvaccinated individuals will be going maskless on campus and in the state at large. While mask rules will not be enforced for anyone on campus, it is recommended that anyone who chooses to go maskless be fully vaccinated. Henderson is hosting vaccine clinics throughout the month
of June at the Garrison Center on campus, for anyone over the age of 18 not yet vaccinated. The doses provided are the Johnson and Johnson brand, which requires only a single dose and as such students can be fully vaccinated without having to wait a month and a half before safely removing their masks. “Voluntary vaccination opportunities are being offered as a part of each Heartstart this summer and we will do the same at the beginning of Fall semester 2021,” said Dr. Borsig in an email. Among other resolutions passed at the meeting were a resolution not to increase tuition for any ASU schools except Henderson, which will see a 2.3% increase, and a resolution to change the name of ASU Jonesboro’s Military Science building after Lieutenant Colonel Fredrick C. Turner, Jr., the first Black graduate and first Black professor at Arkansas State University. Those resolutions also passed by unanimous voice vote. Henderson Student Affairs sent an email to all currently enrolled students informing them of the change in policy on Sunday afternoon. According to that email, the policy would go into effect the following day, Monday June 7.
Tierra McCraney Staff Reporter The Humane Society of Clark County, located at 627 Walnut Street in Arkadelphia, is experiencing pet overload. As of May 20, the Humane Society is taking care of 58 dogs and 66 cats. According to staff, this is the most they can take care of both physically and financially. To combat pet overload, the Humane Society is in the process of adopting out some of their animals through PetSmart. Adoptions are also available at
the Humane Society, where dogs are $125, and cats are $95. Dogs adopted through the Humane Society are updated on their shots, spayed or neutered, and tested for heartworms. Cats are also updated on their shots, are spayed or neutered, and are FeLV/FIV tested. The Humane Society of Clark County is open Tuesdays through Fridays from noon to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations and volunteer work are greatly appreciated.
Photo Courtesy of Humane Society of Clark County
The Humane Society of Clark County is currently experiencing a pet overload.
Rodney Block Rocks the Block Downtown Phoebe Darley Staff Reporter
Photo by Phoebe Darley
The Rodney Block Collective brought the Jane Ross Plaza in Arkadelphia’s downtown to life on Thursday, June 3 with the blues, jazz, hip-hop and other musical stylings.
pliving Center. Downtown erupted in song as Downtown Arkadelphia hosted The Rodney Block Collective led by Rodney Block, a trumpet player, and singer from Dumas, Arkansas. The Rodney Block Collective is a quartet of rotating musicians who play various musical genres such as blues, jazz, and hip-hop. On their June 3rd appearance, the group featured vocalist Bijoux Pighee who provided both a musical flare and a stylistic one. The crowd started small, but soon the music drew a crowd that lined the streets. People who were coming out of the down-
An Arkadelphia summer Thursday night is typically quiet since all of the college students have gone home. But last Thursday, June 3, the energy in Downtown Arkadelphia was an exception to the rule. The afternoon was warm and humid in typical Arkansas summer fashion, yet that didn’t stop a small crowd from forming in the shade of the Jane Ross Plaza. The gathering was there, at 3 p.m., on the corner of Seventh and Main, between the Beehive and The Grou-
town shops, or just were intrigued while driving through the town stopped and listened. For the next hour, The Rodney Block Collective played an eclectic mix of songs starting with 24K Magic by Bruno Mars, followed by What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. They even had the crowd sing happy birthday to an Arkadelphia resident who chose to celebrate their birthday at the show. The show progressed, a brilliant sunset backlit the band and the crowd moved out from the shade, filling the blocked-off street. After their short break, Block and company continued
with Amazing Grace and then closed the show with a second-line version of the Saints Go Marching In to get the crowd involved. As Block played his trumpet and led the crowd marching through the street in true New Orleans fashion, Bijoux Pighee added her soulful vocals. After the second line, Block and Pighee encouraged the crowd to keep dancing, which resulted in one big Electric Slide. The band then closed the show with Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi, which seemed fitting after all we have survived over the past 18 months.
Baptist Health Family Clinic-Sparkman Opens: Nurse Practitioner Lauren Franks Accepting Patients Baptist Health
SPARKMAN, Ark. – Nurse practitioner Lauren Franks is now accepting patients at Baptist Health Family ClinicSparkman-A Service of Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia. Baptist Health Family ClinicSparkman, at 104 West Taylor St. in Sparkman, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Franks, a Sparkman native, received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and a Master of Science in Nursing from Harding University in Searcy. “I always want to have my patient leave their visit, better than when they came – whether they have emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual needs,” Franks said. “As their provider, I hope to make a positive impact on their life, using listening, medication, education and prayer, as I believe that all as-
pects of health are interconnected. Franks and her husband, Richard, have two children. The family is regularly involved in ministries at their church, Sparkman First Baptist Church. In her spare time, Franks enjoys playing the piano, bike riding and sitting on the front porch watching her chickens and ducks. Baptist Health Family ClinicSparkman evaluates and treats patients with a wide variety of acute injuries and illnesses, so they are equipped to manage their health
better and maintain an excellent quality of life. Prevention is a big part of the clinic’s family medicine services and includes physicals, women’s health, immunizations and health assessments for the whole family. For more information about the services that Franks offers at Baptist Health Family ClinicSparkman or to schedule an apPhoto Courtesy of Baptist Health pointment, call (870) 678-4010 or Nurse Practitioner Lauren visit baptist-health.com. Franks is now accepting patients to the new Baptist Health Family Clinic in Sparkman.
From Weather.com
FRI - June 11 partly cloudy
SAT - June 12 partly cloudy
SUN - June 13 mostly sunny
MON - June 14 partly cloudy
TUE - June 15 mostly sunny
WED - June 16 mostly sunny
THU - June 17 mostly sunny
84o 63
91o 72
89o 71
89o 69
90o 67
87o 64
85o 61
Precipitation:9% Wind: SW 9 mph Humidity: 73%
Precipitation: 24% Wind: W 5 mph Humidity: 77%
Precipitation: 24% Wind: NNE 5 mph Humidity: 71%
Precipitation: 13% Wind: NNE 5mph Humidity: 68%
Precipitation: 12% Wind: NNE 6 mph Humidity: 59%
Precipitation: 7% Wind: NE 5 mph Humidity: 59%
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Precipitation: 13% Wind: NE 4 mph Humidity: 63%
2 News
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Gurdon Mayor on Sales Tax Sherry Kelley Mayor of Gurdon I want to thank Clark County Judge Troy Tucker and the Clark County Road Department for their recent offer of assistance. For many weeks, the Gurdon Water Department has been working on a sewer line replacement on Old Whelen Road. It was a large and involved project and all of the rainfall complicated matters. The roadway was torn up during the process. Troy offered to help us repair the road and we gladly accepted. All of his men were great to work with. We appreciate them very much. It is good when we work together. Gurdon enjoys and benefits from good relationships with our neighbors including Arkadelphia, Clark County and Prescott. It is time to vote on the extension of the 1/2 cent sales tax for economic
development. I want to share with you how the money has helped Gurdon. When I first came into office in 2015, we began an ambitious project, the upgrade of our waste water treatment plant. Like most things in many small rural areas, our treatment plant had issues. And like many rural Arkansas areas we have very few opportunities for revenue, we work on a tight budget. The complete upgrade was nearly $600,000, something that we could never afford. It was funded by the 1/2 cent sales tax for economic development. Why? Because Georgia Pacific Gurdon Wood Products was seeking to invest millions of dollars in their mill to increase production. While other mills around us were closing, Gurdon’s was growing. Georgia Pacific’s decision to invest in Gurdon was due in part to Gurdon’s ability
to handle their increased waste water stream and because we have some great employees at the mill. Rather than risk the closing of the Gurdon Mill the Economic Development Corporation of Clark County offered Georgia Pacific a reliable and efficient way to support their growth. This was a brilliant use of the tax in my opinion. The money was not given to GP for new equipment at the mill. Equipment can be moved to other mills. The funds weren’t used for employee training, employees can also be moved to other mills. The money was invested in the City of Gurdon to allow us to support Georgia Pacific’s increased demands. The newly upgraded treatment plant will benefit GP and our Gurdon citizens for years and years to come and I appreciate that immensely.
Attorney General Rutledge, Israeli Consul General Gilad Katz Meet To Discuss Arkansas-Israel Relations Attorney General Leslie Rutledge The Rutledge Report Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge welcomed Israeli Consul General Gilad Katz to Arkansas on Wednesday, May 26 to discuss Arkansas’s law prohibiting the State from contracting with entities that are boycotting Israel, and how the two leaders can work to strengthen the Arkansas-Israel relationship. Israeli Consul General Gilad Katz leads the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest United States. “Israel is an important American ally, and today’s discussion with Consul General Katz strengthens Arkansas’s commitment to protecting our relationship with Israel,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Arkansas is proud to be a leader in the fight against discrimination, and I am committed to defending Arkansas’s law.” Consul General Katz traveled to Little Rock to say thank you to the leaders and citizens for
the special relationship shared between Israel and Arkansas during his tenure. The Consul General wanted to thank Attorney General Rutledge for her leadership in strengthening Arkansas’s and the United States’ strong relationship with Israel, her efforts to defend Arkansas’s law prohibiting the State from contracting with those who are boycotting Israel, and push to create the Arkansas Holocaust Education Committee. “During my tenure as Consul General of Israel to the Southwest, I have thoroughly enjoyed the partnership built with a great friend to the State of Israel, Attorney General Rutledge,” said Consul General Katz. “Israel deeply appreciates the Attorney General’s support for the State of Israel and her work in strengthening the partnership between Israel and Arkansas.” Consul General Katz has held his position since August of 2017. Prior to assuming the post of Consul General to the Southwest United
States, Consul General Katz was an Adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During his tenure in the Office of the Prime Minister, he held prestigious titles such as Head of the Hebrew Correspondence Department and the Public Affairs Department. Arkansas’s anti-discrimination law, Arkansas Act 710 of 2017, is a commonsense law that prohibits public entities from contracting and investing in companies that boycott Israel. In 2018, Arkansas Times filed a lawsuit seeking to halt University of Arkansas System schools from requiring a pledge not to boycott Israel as part of business contracts. In January 2019, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas sided with the State and dismissed that lawsuit. In February, a three judge panel sided with the Arkansas Times, and in March 2021, Arkansas filed a petition asking the Eighth Circuit to hear the case en banc.
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Events Upcoming Events June 19 NAACP Juneteenth Celebration June 24 9 p.m. Arkadelphia Rec Center Drive-In Movie Nights July 15 9 p.m. Arkadelphia Rec Center Drive-In Movie Nights July 23 9 a.m. Willie Tate Golf Tournament Classic August 5 8:30 p.m. Arkadelphia Rec Center Drive-In Movie Nights
Recurring Friday Night Magic The Gathering - Atlas Gaming ♦♦♦ Alcoholics Anonymous hosts two meetings a week in Arkadelphia. The meetings are open to anyone interested in AA’s program of recovery. The Arkadelphia Group meets at 7 p.m. every Tues. in the Sturgis Building at North 9 and Caddo Streets. For more information on the Arkadelphia Group Meetings, call 870-403-3001. The U-Turn Group meets at 7 p.m. every Thurs. on the front, upper level of Park Hill Baptist Church, 3163 Hollywood Road. For information on that group’s meetings, call 870-230-2975 or 870-260-9277. ♦♦♦ The Arkadelphia Arts Center directors are looking forward to the day when we can open the doors to the public. Meanwhile, enjoy our rotating exhibits that may be seen through the window and glass door. For more information about the Arkadelphia Arts Center and the Caddo River Art Guild find their pages on Facebook or visit CaddoRiverArtGuild.com or CCAHC.org. ♦♦♦ With Late ‘til 8, local businesses stay open to 8:00 pm so that customers can shop and also win door prizes! this is a monthly event that happens every first Thursday of every month. ♦♦♦ Pediatrics Plus is excited to announce that our brand new facility is now open. Our new facility is located at 702 Hickory Street. The new facility offers includes a Developmental Preschool and Therapy Services that include: ABA, Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy. In addition, our brand new, state-of-the-art facilities include a House Next Door suite which offers a homey feel for children learning daily living activities like cooking, feeding therapy, making the bed, getting dressed, and more! Other features of the new facility include a new playground, gross motor gym, high stimulation and low stimulation gyms, and a library! Enroll Now to get a spot in our new location! ♦♦♦ Al-Anon meetings, designed to help family and friends affected by alcohol, are held three days a week in the Arkadelphia area: - Tues. at 7 p.m., Sturgis Building, corner of 9 and Caddo. 870-403-2019; Thurs. at 6:30 p.m., Park Hill Baptist Church. 870-403-2019; Fri. at noon, Clark County Library, 609 Caddo St., side door. 512-750-2292.
Photo Courtesy of The Rutledge Report
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge meets Israeli Consul General Gilad Katz during his visit to Arkansas to discuss diplomatic relations between nation and the state.
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Thursday, June 10, 2021
Page 3
Photo by Lance Brownfield
Monday, June 6, a group of prospective students touring Henderson through Heart Start and Upward Bound were forced to stay put inside the Garrison because of a tornado warning for the area.
HOW TO REACH YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Arkadelphia Mayor Scott Byrd 700 Clay Street Arkadelphia, AR 71923 (870) 246-6745
Governor Asa Hutchinson 250 State Capital Bldg. Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-2345 Attorney General Leslie Rutledge 323 Center Street, Suite 200 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-2007
Arkadelphia Treasurer Shacresha Wilson (870) 246-9864 shacresha.wilson@arkadelphia.gov
State Senator Alan Clark P.O. Box 211 Lonsdale, AR 72087 (501) 844-6800
Prosecuting Attorney Dan Turner 414 Court Street Arkadelphia, AR 71923 (870) 246-9868 dan.turner@ClarkAR.us
Congressman Bruce Westerman 130 Cannon House Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3772
Clark County Judge Troy Tucker 401 Clay Street Arkadelphia, AR 71923 (870) 246-5847
Comic by Blanton Matthews
Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson 406 South 5th Street Arkadelphia, AR 71923 (870) 246-8859
Arkansas Department of Health COVID-19 Update
U.S. Senator Tom Cotton B33 Russell Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3772 U.S. Senator John Boozman 1 Russell Courtyard Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-4843
How to place Classified Ads in the
Send an ad with payment addressed to “Oracle” to 1100 Henderson Street Box 7693. Tell us how often the ad should run. Deadline for ads: For ad changes, to cancel ads; tell us by Thursday. The week before publication. No extra charge for bold or caps. Phone number and full name are one word. Cost: 25¢/word “$7/photo.” Call Reddie Media Group (RMG) at 870230-5220 or rmg@hsu.edu for a detailed rate card or any other questions. Ask us about our duration packages.
Arkansas Department of Health
According to the Arkansas Department of Health Administration in its COVID-19 update, there are a total of 75,059 probable
cases in the state as of April 19. In reference to ADH’s graph, there are a total of 267,374 cases. There have been 237,406 individuals partially immunzed and 921,245 fully immunized.
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The counties are colored by light to dark in terms of density of cases. The Dispatch will post an updated version of this graph weekly according to what is available from the Department of Health and state officials. Vaccines are now available for a limited amount of people. Baptist Health in Arkadelphia has been supplying shots for weeks for selected employees across town. Golf, softball, women’s volleyball, and basketball are in full swing, so sports teams are
keeping an eye on COVID guidelines. That’s not to say that there aren’t precautions, however, as games are being cancelled left and right to coincide with regulations. With Joe Biden as the new President of the United States and vaccines being given to those that meet the needed qualifications, things are changing week by week. People are encouraged to continue social distancing and staying at least six feet away from others. Testing is widely available in most cities.
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Editor in Chief: Lance Brownfield Ads Manager: Harley Whisenhunt Oracle Editor: Kaela McKim Sports Editor: Donovan Lee Staff Reporters: Phoebe Darley, Blanton Matthews, Tierra McCraney, Juliann Reaper, Aaron Weatherford, Jaylon McKewen, Madison Hardcastle, Haven Hughes Adviser: Steve Listopad
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4 Sports
UPCOMING EVENTS
6/7 - 8/5 Coak Matthews HSU Red Wave - Learn to Swim
6/9 - 6/10 9 a.m. - noon Tigers in Training Volleyball Camp
6/15 - 6/16 10 a.m. - noon, 1 - 3 p.m. Tigers Jr. High Elite Volleyball Camp
6/18 - 6/19 AHS football 7 on 7 @ Pulaski Academy
6/24 AHS football team camp @ Pulaski Academy
Thursday, June 10, 2021
7/20 AHS football team camp @ Lake Hamilton
7/29 AHS football team camp @ Prescott
8/2 - 8/6 AHS football Fall camp
8/9 - 8/13 AHS football Fall camp
8/16 AHS football benefit game vs. Lake Hamilton
Aaron Weatherford Staff Reporter As the 2021 season creeps closer and closer, football programs have begun summer competitions. For instance, the Badgers traveled this week to Benton Tuesday to compete in a 7 on 7 tournament. Then on Wednesday, Arkadelphia made the 8 minute trip to OBU to compete in one of the biggest team camps in southwest Arkansas during the summer. Last friday, Bismarck and Gurdon got their summer started ear lier though. Both teams travelled over to Grant County to compete in the annual 7 on 7 Smalltown Shootout that is hosted by the Poyen Indians. Several teams were in attendance, including Poyen, Magnet Cove, Fordyce, Camden Harmony Grove, and northern teams that included Quitman, Paris, and Perryville. Ironically enough, Gurdon and Bismarck will be going
head to head against Poyen this coming fall. As the summer moves along, the Go-Devils are looking to find new playmakers this summer after they lost 18 seniors to graduation this past spring. Gurdon struggled throughout the day but were able to find success in their round one game against Camden Harmony Grove. They weren’t able to get past the first round, but Gurdon showed a lot of potential. Bismarck came in with their starting quarterback absent and did not miss a beat. The Lions went 5-1 in the round robin series and decided not to stop there. Bismarck went on to beat Hot Spring county rival Magnet Cove, Paris, and won the championship game 23-2. Bismarck Head Coach Daniel Keithly was able to get his team to its first playoff game since 2014. For a program that has been at the bot tom of Class 3A for two decades, it looks like success is coming for Bismarck Football.
Photo by Aaron Weatherford
Bismarck wins 2021 Smalltown Shootout
Photo by Aaron Weatherford
Gurdon receiver runs forward for extra yards.
Photo by Aaron Weatherford
A Gurdon cornerback gets ready to cover a receiver.yards.
Scotty Serio Named Henderson State Swimming and Diving Head Coach Henderson State Athletics has announced the hiring of Scotty Serio (‘14) as the new head coach for the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs. Serio, a Red Wave alum and former assistant whose most recent stop was as the head coach at McKinney High School in McKinney, Texas, follows Hall of Honor inductee Coak Matthews, who retired as head coach after 39 years in April. “I am incredibly excited to welcome Scotty Serio back to Henderson State as the next head coach of our swimming and diving programs,” Director of Athletics Shawn Jones said. “Scotty is a Reddie through and through, and his passion for both this program and the University was evident throughout the search process. His wealth of experience from coaching at the highest classification
of high school swimming in Texas has prepared him to lead the Red Wave into the future. Scotty checked every box for us and what we were looking for. We cannot wait to see him take this program and make it his own in the coming years.” A McKinney, Texas native, Serio was a team captain for HSU under Matthews in both 2012 and 2013, and said he is excited to come home for what he sees as a dream job. “Today truly is a dream come true for me,” Serio said. “I am eager to serve my alma mater and am honored to be entrusted with the Red Wave program that was an integral part of my development as an athlete, coach, and father.” Serio is no stranger to following a coaching legend. In 2016, he took over the reins at McKinney High School from his father, Sam, who spent 33 years as head coach and led the Lions to nine district and four
regional championships. In the younger Serio’s five seasons at McKinney, he was twice named District Diving Coach of the Year and helped the Lions break several long-standing records at the school. Under his leadership, McKinney’s women’s team never failed to finish in the Top-6 of the Photo Courteesy of HSUsports.com 6-6A region and the men Scotty Serio to replace Henderson Hall of Honor inductee clinched Top-12 region results in each of the last two Coak Matthews as head coach of the swimming and diving team. Matthews retired in April after 39 years in the role. seasons. Before succeeding his he served as a student as- for Henderson at the 2012 father, Serio was an as- sistant for the Red Wave NSISC Championship meet sistant coach for Prosper men’s and women’s pro- in the 1-meter dive, placed High School in Prosper, grams. In his time as an sixth in the same event at Texas, from 2015 to 2016, assistant for Henderson, the 2013 conference chamwhere he was named both Serio worked with sprint, pionships, and had Top-10 Boys and Girls District Div- individual medley and dis- NSISC finishes as a leg of ing Coach of the Year. In tance groups, helped devel- both the 400-yard freestyle 2014, he served as head op multiple NCAA national relay and 200-yard medcoach for beginners and qualifiers, and co-designed ley relay. In Serio’s senior high school age students the Red Wave weight pro- season in 2013, the Red at the Metroplex Aquatics gram. Wave finished No. 20 in the Swim Club in Allen, Texas Prior to entering the country at the NCAA DII — the second-largest club coaching ranks, Serio was National Championships. team in the state. a stand-out in the pool for Serio will officially begin Serio was introduced the Red Wave from 2010 his duties at Henderson to collegiate coaching in to 2013. He took third- State on July 1, 2021. the 2013-14 season when place and scored 16 points
Charles Bradley Returns to Tiger Baseball
8/27 AHS football vs. Camden Fairview (nonconference) Photo Courteesy of OBUtigers.com
Assistant Baseball Coach Charles Bradley returns to OBU after stints at Murray State and Queens University of Charlotte.
OBU Tigers
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Local Teams compete in 7 on 7 Smalltown Shootout at Poyen
HSU Sports
7/13 AHS football team camp @ Pulaski Academy
Head coach Luke Howard is pleased to announce the addition of Charles Bradley to the coaching staff of Ouachita Baptist baseball. Bradley returns for his second stint with the Tigers after spending time as an assistant at Murray State and Queens University of Charlotte. “I am ecstatic for Coach Bradley to be back in our program,” Howard said. “He was my first call when
this job came open, and I am just excited that we were able to get it done. His passion and energy for the game of baseball and getting the most out of the players he coaches is infectious. He had a big impact on our program in his first stint here, and the players are excited for him to get back on the field and work with them. With Coach Bradley alongside Coach Dave Brown, I feel very confident that we will continue to take this program on an upward trajectory!”
Bradley served as an assistant coach at Murray State University from 2020-2021 as the team’s third base coach, while coordinating the team defense and assisting with recruiting, travel and game-day operations. The Racers finished 33-25 and set a school record for wins in the Ohio Valley Conference (18). Murray State also led the OVC in slugging percentage, runs scored, doubles, home runs, and runs batted in. Their 84 total team home runs were good for 10th most in the country. After the shortened 2020 season, Bradley joined the staff at Queens University of Charlotte as an assistant coaching and recruiting coordinator. He also served as the team’s infield coach. Queens’ 2021 recruiting class ranked No. 3 in the country according to Perfect Game. Bradley spent the 20192020 season as an assistant coach at Ouachita Baptist
University, where he was responsible for Junior College recruiting, instructed the team defense and base running development. The 2019-2020 season was cut short due to Covid-19. Bradley spent the 20152017 summers as an assistant coach for the Gastonia Grizzlies, a wood-bat summer league team in the Coastal Plain League. In 2017, the Grizzlies won the Coastal Plain League Championship. He served as Head Coach for the Grizzlies for both the 2018 and 2019 seasons. In 2019, the Grizzlies won both the First Half and Second Half Western Division title while setting the league record with 200 stolen bases. From 2013-2015 Bradley was a graduate assistant baseball coach at LenoirRhyne University. Four former players were eventually selected in the Major League Baseball draft- Ivan Vieitez (2015, 27th round Dodgers), Matthew De La
Rosa (2016, 28th round Orioles), John Luke Curtis (2017, 8th round Braves), and Thomas St. Clair (2017, 24th round Cardinals). As a player, Bradley was a shortstop for Harding University from 2007-2011. In 2011, the Bisons’ won the Gulf South Conference West Division, setting a school record for wins in a season (42) and advancing to the first NCAA Regional Tournament in school history. He left Harding as the program’s all-time leader in sacrifice hits, while finishing second in career double-plays turned and fourth in assists. Bradley is originally from Charlotte, N.C. He received his Bachelor of Arts in sport management from Harding University in 2011. In 2015, Bradley received his Master of English degree in liberal studies from Lenoir-Rhyne University. He resides with his wife, Swati, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.