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2013 uco TeNNiS Schedule Date
Opponent
Site
Time
Feb. 8 (Friday)
Newman
Wichita, Kan.
1:00 p.m.
Feb. 11 (Monday)
Southeastern Oklahoma
Edmond
2:00 p.m.
Feb. 16 (Saturday)
Arkansas Tech
Edmond
12:00 p.m.
Feb. 22 (Friday)
Cowley College
Edmond
2:00 p.m.
Feb. 26 (Tuesday)
Southern Nazarene
Edmond
2:00 p.m.
March 5 (Tuesday)
Northeastern State*
Tahlequah, Okla.
2:00 p.m.
March 8 (Friday)
Emporia State*
Edmond
3:00 p.m.
March 9 (Saturday)
Washburn*
Edmond
12:00 p.m.
March 14 (Thursday)
Northwest Missouri*
Maryville, Mo.
3:00 p.m.
March 15 (Friday)
Missouri Western*
St. Joseph, Mo.
10:00 a.m.
March 22 (Friday)
Southwest Baptist*
Bolivar, Mo.
11:00 a.m.
March 23 (Saturday)
Lincoln*
Jefferson City, Mo.
10:00 a.m.
March 29 (Friday)
Fort Hays State*
Hays, Kan.
3:00 p.m.
March 30 (Saturday)
Nebraska-Kearney*
Kearney, Neb.
10:00 a.m.
Apil 5 (Friday)
Lindenwood*
Edmond
3:00 p.m.
April 6 (Saturday)
Truman State*
Edmond
10:00 a.m.
April 9 (Tuesday)
East Central
Ada, Okla.
2:00 p.m.
April 12 (Friday)
Dallas Baptist
Dallas, Texas
3:00 p.m.
TBA
TBA
April 19-21 (Fri.-Sun.) MIAA Championships
Bold-Home match *-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association match
School NickName
“Bronchos” was the nickname selected for the school in 1922 by Mrs. C.W. Wantland, the wife of football coach C.W. Wantland. It was chosen from a number of suggestions for the name of the football team and became the nickname for all athletic teams at the school. Mrs. Wantland was made an honorary member of the Letterman’s Club, becoming the first woman admitted to that organization.
School colorS
Bronze and blue were chosen as the school colors in 1895 by school president Edmund Murdaugh. The first public display of the bronze and blue was in Guthrie when a student represented UCO in the first oratorical contest ever held in Oklahoma.
oN The cover
Featured on the front cover of the 2013 UCO tennis media guide are seniors Rose Cabato (left) and Antonelli Rossini.
ProducTioN crediTS
The 2013 University of Central Oklahoma tennis media guide was written, edited and designed by Mike Kirk of the UCO Athletic Media Relations Office. Photographs were provided by Dan Smith, director of UCO Photographic Services Department. Cover design was done by UCO Art Director Craig Beuchaw. The media guide was printed at the UCO printCentral, NUC 146.
2013 UCO Tennis UCO Quick Facts
School Colors: Bronze and Blue Enrollment: 17,101
Mailing Address: 100 North University Edmond, OK 73034 Founded: Dec. 24, 1890 President: Dr. Don Betz Athletic Director: Joe Muller Senior Associate AD: Scott Williams Business Manager: Britni Brannon Director of Compliance: Darnell Smith Compliance Coordinator: Jeremy Rogers Ticket Coordinator: Gunnar Poff Head Athletic Trainer: Ed Kabrick Faculty Representative: Trey Cone National Affiliation: NCAA Division II Conference: Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Nickname: Bronchos
Tennis Facts
Head Coach: Natalya Smith Years, Record at UCO: Five, 77-54 2011 Record: 17-9 Starters Returning/Lost: 2/4
Athletic Media Relations Director of Media Relations: Mike Kirk Office: (405) 974-2142 Home: (405) 348-4897 Cell: (405) 615-2233 Email: mkirk@uco.edu Fax: (405) 974-3820
www.bronchosports.com
UCO Tennis Staff Directory
(405 Area Code) University of Central Oklahoma Switchboard.......................................974-2000 Athletic Department Fax .......................................................................974-3820 Office Athletic Department............................................................................... 974-2500 Athletic Director.................................................................................... 974-2502 Joe Muller (jmuller2@uco.edu) Senior Associate Athletic Director......................................................... 974-2137 Scott Williams (jwilliams129@uco.edu) Head Tennis Coach................................................................................ 974-2165 Natalya Nikitina-Helvey (nnikitinahelvey@uco.edu)
Table Of Contents About UCO
General Information
UCO Quick Facts/Directory................1 Head Coach..........................................2
The University................................... 10 Athletic Administration.................11-14 About Edmond................................... 15 About Oklahoma City........................ 16
Season Outlook/Players
2013 Season Outlook/Roster................4 Player Profiles ................................. 5-8 1
2013 UCO Tennis Head Coach Natalya Nikitina-Helvey In her seventh year at the helm of the Central Oklahoma tennis program is Natalya Nikitina-Helvey a former local college standout who has taken the Bronchos to new heights during her tenure. UCO has qualified for the NCAA Division II national tournament four times in the last five years under Nikitina-Helvey’s guidance and she has a 77-54 career record. The Bronchos have also been named to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association AllAcademic Team list five straight years. UCO went 5-14 in Natalya’s first year in 2006-07 and then qualified for the Division II playoffs for the time since 2000 the next year in finishing 11-9. UCO went 14-8 and made it back to the national tournament in 2008-09 while having four players earn first-team All-Lone Star Conference honors and had a pair of first-team All-LSC performers in 2009-10 during a 15-7 campaign that ended with a close loss in the first round of the South Central Regional. The Bronchos were denied a fourth consecutive national tournament berth in 2010-11 despite a 17-9 record that included a late-season eight-match winning streak. Two players earned first-team All-LSC recognition. UCO made it back to the national tournament last year, overcoming a slow start to finish 15-7 after falling in the first round of the South Central Regional. Elizabeta Abramovic was named the South Central Region Senior Player of the Year. A three-time NAIA All-American at Oklahoma Christian, Nikitina-Helvey came to UCO in 2006 after spending the previous two years as a coach at Wichita State. She spent one year as the assistant women’s head coach before taking over as the associate head coach in January 2005, helping lead the Shockers to one of their best-ever seasons in 2005-06. WSU captured the Missouri Valley Conference championship and made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division I Championships in 2006. Nikitina-Helvey enjoyed an outstanding playing career, obtaining WTA world rankings in both singles and doubles. She was a member of the Republic of Uzbekistan National Team from 1994-99 and played in the Federation Cup from 1995-99. Natalya went to Oklahoma Christian in 1999 and was the Eagles’ No. 1 singles and doubles player the next four years, earning NAIA All-America honors three times and NAIA Scholar-Athlete accolades twice. Nikitina-Helvey graduated Magna Cum Laude in business administration from OCU. She was head counselor for the Carmel Valley Tennis Camp in Carmel Valley, Calif. and was a tennis professional at KickingBird Tennis Center in Edmond before going to WSU. Natalya is married to James Helvey, the men’s and women’s tennis coach at Cameron, and has one son (Maksim) and two stepsons (Hunter and Dylan). She graduated with honors with a master’s in education from UCO in December 2011 and is now working on her PhD in Health and Human Performance at Oklahoma State.
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2013 UCO Tennis
Season Outlook/ Player Profiles
2013 UCO Tennis Season Outlook A new-look Central Oklahoma team The rest of the roster is new, though hopes to make an immediate splash in its there’s plenty of talent. new conference and make it back to the Junior transfer Petra Pesic showed in the national tournament in 2013. fall that she will be a force for the Bronchos The Bronchos have just two players and sophomore newcomer Alina Gorina back from last year’s 15-7 team that was should make a big impact after joining the ranked 28th in the final poll and made team at the semester break. its fourth NCAA Division II Junior transfer Kristin Richardson playoff appearance in five years, and freshmen Laura Klingert and but the addition of five talented Ilga Racika-Racko round out the newcomers has UCO looking to be roster and provide great depth. a top contender in its first season in “I’m really looking forward the Mid-America Intercollegiate to getting to know my new Athletics Association. players, not only as ath“Even though letes but also as individuwe have a chalals, and helping them lenging and excel on and off the very exciting court,” Nikitinaschedule set Helvey said. up with many “And we want teams that to make sure we’ve never our seniors, faced before, we Antonella Antonella Rossini will be shooting for the MIAA title and Rose, finthis year,” seventh-year head coach Natalya ish their last season at UCO on a high note.” Nikitina-Helvey said. “It will be great UCO will not only be in a new conferto make a huge impact our first year as a ence in the MIAA, but also switch regions member of this well-respected conference.” in Division II from the South Central to Set to lead the Bronchos are seniors Rose the Central. Cabato and Antonella Rossini, a pair of “We’re ready to continue building a established veterans with 150 combined long-lasting legacy in our new conference career singles and doubles wins. and region,” Nikitina-Helvey said. “After Rossini has made dramatic improvement building our confidence through match play, during the course of her career and is set to I believe we will utilize our work ethic, be at the top of the lineup, while Cabato will discipline, talent and passion as we strive to be an imposing force in the middle. become the top team in the Central Region.”
Name Rose Cabato Alina Gorina Laura Klingert Petra Pesic Ilga Racika-Racko Kristin Richardson Antonella Rossini
Ht. 5-7 5-8 5-9 5-7 5-4 5-3 5-7
Roster
Class Sr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr.
Hometown (High School) Richmond, Texas (Foster) Moscow, Russia Oberbalbach, Germany Biograd na Moru, Croatia Riga, Latvia Claremore (Claremore) Cordoba, Argentina
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2013 UCO Tennis Rose Cabato 5-7 • Senior • Richmond, Texas Senior veteran ready for her fourth year of starting duty . . . Has been a consistent force in both singles and doubles throughout her career and should be an imposing presence in the middle of the lineup this spring . . . Showcases a strong net game, plays with great passion and is ready to end her career with a flourish . . . Has 72 career wins, 34 in singles and 38 in doubles. 2011-12: Started all year and ended up with a 2716 combined record . . . Was 15-7 in singles while playing mostly at No. 3 and went 12-9 in doubles, most of that at No. 2. 2010-11: Had a combined 26-19 record, going 10-10 in singles and 16-9 in doubles . . . Saw action at Nos. 4, 5 and 6 singles while seeing all her doubles duty at No. 3 . . . Won eight of her last nine doubles matches. 2009-10: Saw most of her action at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles . . . Won six straight matches during one stretch in finishing 9-5 in singles and went 10-7 in doubles . . . Was runner-up in the Lone Star Conference Doubles Championships at No. 3 . . . Earned ITA Scholar-Athlete honors. High School: Prep standout at Foster High School. Personal: Education major . . . Father (Rod) and sister (Amy) both played at UCO, with Rod an NAIA All-American in the 1980s . . . Birthdate is May 9, 1987.
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2013 UCO Tennis Alina Gorina 5-8 • Sophomore • Russia Sophomore newcomer who joined the team at the semester break . . . Talented youngster expected to have an immediate impact and should vie for a spot near the top of the ladder in singles . . . Came to UCO after spending one year at the University of Economics Plehanov in Moscow, Russia. Personal: International business major . . . Enjoys horseback riding as a hobby . . . Birthdate is Oct. 30, 1994.
Laura Klingert 5-9 • Freshman • Germany Freshman who should see plenty of playing time this season in both singles and doubles . . . Talented player with the ability to really help the Bronchos and will only get better with experience. Personal: Management major . . . Started playing tennis when she was six years old . . . Enjoys shopping and watching movies among her hobbies . . . Birthdate is Feb. 1, 1993.
Petra Pesic 5-7 • Junior • Croatia Junior transfer who already ranks as one of the top players in the NCAA Division II Central Region . . . Intense competitor with powerful ground strokes and serves and will be near the top of the order in both singles and doubles for the Bronchos . . . Had an immediate impact last fall, winning three matches in making the quarterfinals of the USTA/ITA Central Regional before falling to the No. 1 seed. 6
2013 UCO Tennis William Carey: Helped lead the Crusaders of Hattiesburg, Miss. to the second round of the NAIA National Tournament two straight years . . . Went 13-6 in singles and 12-10 in doubles as a freshman in 2010-11 . . . Came back last year to go a combined 33-14, finishing 17-6 in singles and 16-8 in doubles . . . Won 15 of 16 singles matches during one stretch. Personal: Biology/nutrition major . . . Enjoys sight seeing and going to the movies in her spare time . . . Names “Coach Carter” as her top sports movie . . . Lists John Mayer as her favorite music artist . . . Has a twin brother (Filip) . . . Birthdate is Jan. 29, 1991.
Ilga Racika-Racko 5-4 • Freshman •Latvia Rookie ready to vie for a starting berth in both singles and doubles this spring . . . Has the ability to step in and really help the Bronchos in 2013 and will just keep getting better with more playing time. Personal: Management major looking to become a coach . . . Enjoys singing and playing the piano as hobbies . . . Names “Coach Carter” as her favorite sports movie . . . Birthdate is Nov. 29, 1993.
Kristin Richardson 5-3 • Junior • Claremore Experienced junior transfer who should provide immediate help to the Bronchos . . . Enjoyed stellar two-year career at Cowley County (Kan.) Community College and definitely has the ability to be a mainstay in the lineup this spring in both singles and doubles . . . Won one match at the USTA/ITA Central Regional singles tournament last fall. Juco: Helped lead the Tigers to back-to-back regional championships the past two seasons . . . Regional runner-up at No. 3 singles as a freshman before winning regional titles at No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles last year . . . Advanced to the singles semifinals in the national tournament as Cowley placed fourth in the team race. 7
2013 UCO Tennis High School: Prep standout at Claremore High School, earning All-State honors as a senior . . . Three-time regional champion and three-time state runner-up. Personal: Psychology major . . . Names the Oklahoma City Thunder as her favorite team . . . Lists “The Rookie” as her top sports movie . . . Birthdate is Aug. 8, 1992.
Antonella Rossini 5-7 • Senior • Argentina Senior standout and team leader back for her fourth year of starting duty . . . Is set to fill a spot at or near the top of the lineup in both singles and doubles, with this proven veteran ready for a big final season . . . Has made remarkable improvement during the course of her career and has been a consistent presence throughout, having piled up 78 wins . . . Had an impressive performance at the USTA/ITA Central Regional last fall, winning three singles matches to make the quarterfinals before being eliminated by the No. 4 seed. 2011-12: Had 23 combined wins in helping the Bronchos back to the national tournament . . . Went 12-10 while playing mostly No. 3 singles and was 11-10 at No. 2 and 3 doubles . . . Was an ITA Division II Scholar-Athlete pick. 2010-11: Saw action mainly at No. 4 singles and finished with a 16-9 record while also going 17-9 at No. 2 doubles . . . Won seven of her last eight singles matches, with six of those in straight sets . . . Was an ITA Division II Scholar-Athlete selection. 2009-10: Played four different positions in the singles lineup and finished with a 9-9 record, going 8-3 down the stretch to overcome a 1-6 start . . . Had three different teammates in doubles and went 13-7 while playing at No. 2 and 3, winning six straight matches during one stretch . . . Was named to the ITA Scholar-Athlete team. High School: Fourth-place state finisher at Midwest City High School as a senior. Personal: Hotel and food administration major . . . A native of Argentina, where her family still lives . . . Tabs the L.A. Lakers as her top team . . . Birthdate is Aug. 3, 1991. 8
2013 UCO Tennis
About UCO
2013 UCO Tennis The University The University of Central Oklahoma prepares future leaders in an opportunity-rich environment, ideally located in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Central offers an innovative learning community where teaching comes first and students develop personal relationships with faculty and staff who are committed to transforming lives. With 114 undergraduate majors and 54 graduate programs, Central is a smart investment for students dedicated to their future success. Central is home to students from throughout Oklahoma, as well as all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Among Central’s many unique and notable academic programs are Forensic Science, Accounting, Music Theater, Professional Golf Management, Jazz Studies, Mass Communication, Nursing, and Funeral Science. Central is: • Home to the world-renown Forensic Science Institute, which attracts experts from throughout the world to teach students and law enforcement professionals the latest techniques in crime fighting. • Rated by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the “2010 Great Colleges to Work For.” • Winner of multiple national and statewide awards for sustainability efforts • An official Olympic and Paralympic Training Site, as designated by the U.S. Olympic Committee. • Home to the Academy of Contemporary Music at UCO, located in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown district. • Partnered with Chesapeake Energy to build the CHK-Central Boathouse on the Oklahoma River, which will house Central’s rowing team as well as an entertainment venue and an art gallery. • Home to 2008 Carnegie Foundation Professor of the Year, Dr. Wei Chen. • Ranked among the top universities nationally in residence life. In Fall 2010, Central opened the new state-of-the-art Center for Transformative Learning, a classroom building designed intentionally to encourage collaboration and creativity in its learning spaces. In addition, Central’s appealing 210-acre campus is on track to become a certified botanical garden, offering both a pleasing learning and living environment and a source of pride for students, employees and alumni. Founded in 1890, the University of Central Oklahoma is the state’s first public institution of higher learning, and continues to cultivate creativity and innovation in every corner of campus, bringing to life its core values of Character, Community and Civility each day.
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2013 UCO Tennis Administration President Dr. Don Betz Dr. Don Betz became Central Oklahoma’s 20th president in August 2011 after having previously served as UCO’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs from 1999-2005, when he developed several initiatives and programs that have helped transform Central into one of the leading metropolitan universities in the nation. President Betz has enjoyed a distinguished career in higher education that spans more than 40 years, developing a reputation for teaching and encouraging students, leadership development and diplomacy through his international activities, most notably with the United Nations and its affiliated non-government organizations. Prior to returning to UCO, he served as president of Northeastern State, a post he held since July 2008. He also served as Chancellor at the University of WisconsinRiver Falls from 2005 until his appointment at NSU and as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Palmer College (Iowa) from 1994-1999. In the 23 years prior, he fulfilled various capacities at NSU, including the Vice President of University Relations and Professor of Political Science. While at NSU, he also was the Executive Director of the Educational Foundation, Assistant to the President, Dean of Continuing Education and Special Programs, Director of the Sequoyah Institute/Center for Tribal Studies, the founder and advisor of the university’s President’s Leadership Class and its Model United Nations program. From 1982 through 2003, President Betz worked for and with the United Nations on Middle East issues. He founded and chaired the International Coordinating Committee on the Question of Palestine (ICCP), a UN-affiliated non-governmental organization (NGO) network pursuing peace in the Middle East based on UN resolutions. A frequent writer and speaker, Dr. Betz has addressed international, educational, motivational topics, and has worked with newspapers, radio and television. His life-long interest in global issues and his passion for promoting cross-cultural understanding has led him to more than 80 countries. While president at NSU, he served as the chair of the Northeast Oklahoma Public Facility Authority, board member for BancFirst in Tahlequah, the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce, Creative Oklahoma, Inc., and chair of the Regional University System of Oklahoma Council of Presidents. He is a member of the Oklahoma Academy, Leadership Oklahoma, Universities and Colleges President’s Climate Commitment, International Association of University Presidents and has served as Chairman of AASCU’s International Education Committee. President Betz received his B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of San Francisco and his M.A. and Ph.D. in International Studies from the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver. He completed Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management. 11
2013 UCO Tennis Athletic Administration Athletic Director Joe Muller Now in his fifth year as athletic director at Central Oklahoma is Joe Muller, who has helped return the Bronchos to national prominence in NCAA Division II. UCO finished 32nd among more than 300 Division II schools in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Standings for 2011-12, the highest finish in nearly 15 years for the Bronchos, and the athletic department’s fund-raising efforts have reached new heights. Muller brought a wealth of Division I experience when he became just the seventh athletic director in school history in July of 2008 after previous stints at Oklahoma State and Purdue. Joe served as senior associate athletic director for external relations at Purdue for two years before coming to UCO. He oversaw all facets of external relations while at Purdue, including development, marketing and promotions and the John Purdue Club. A graduate of Stillwater High School, Joe earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from OSU. He served as director of athletic marketing and promotions at OSU from 1985-90 and then was involved in the television industry for more than a decade. Muller returned to Oklahoma State in 2002 as associate athletic director, serving in that capacity until going to Purdue. His duties included all development activities of the athletic department and under Muller’s watch, OSU raised over $90 million to renovate its football stadium, set football attendance records in 2003, ’04 and ’05 and had all-sport ticket revenues increase more than 115 percent. Joe is married (Julie) and has three sons (Jaxon, Brandon and Matthew).
Senior Associate AD Scott Williams Scott Williams is in his fourth year as Central Oklahoma’s senior associate athletic director after a five-year stint at Oklahoma State. UCO has hosted a number of conference and NCAA Division II regional tournaments under Williams’ guidance, including the South Central Men’s Basketball South Central Regional in 2011 and the Super Regional Two Wrestling Tournament in 2012. Scott was associate athletic director for compliance at OSU for three years, overseeing the entire compliance program while also serving as tournament director for the 2008 NCAA Division I baseball regional and 2009 NCAA Division I men’s golf regional. He spent the previous two years at OSU as assistant athletic director for compliance, with the responsibility of seven varsity programs. Williams went to OSU after seven years as assistant athletic director for compliance at Oral Roberts. While at ORU, he was responsible for all compliance-related matters in addition to supervising eight varsity programs and coordinating all event management activities for home athletic events. A 1995 graduate of OSU, Williams earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1998 and worked in the University of Kansas athletic department before going to ORU. Scott, a product of Deer Creek High School outside Edmond, is married (Tammy) and has four children (J.R., Matthew, Hannah and Luke).
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2013 UCO Tennis Athletic Administration Media Relations Mike Kirk
Mike Kirk is in his 26th year as the director of athletic media relations at Central Oklahoma. Kirk is in charge of publicity for all 14 of UCO’s varsity sports teams while also handling the day-to-day duties of maintaining the athletic department’s website (www.bronchosports.com). Mike was a student assistant in the sports information office at Oklahoma State for four years before graduating in 1982 with a journalism degree. He was a sports writer at newspapers in McAlester and Lawton for five years before coming to UCO career on Nov. 2, 1987. A member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) who has served on several committees during his career, Kirk worked as the Press Information Manager for wrestling at the 1996 Olympic Games. He is in his third year as a member of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships Committee, serving as the chair in 2012-13. Kirk was inducted into the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement in the fall of 2012. Kirk has received 58 CoSIDA publication awards at UCO, including 27 Best in the Nation citations. Mike is married (Debbie) and has two children (Alex and Jessica).
Media Specialist David Garrett
New to the Central Oklahoma Athletic Department is veteran broadcaster David Garrett, who serves as the Media Specialist for the Bronchos. Garrett oversees future creation and production of UCO Athletics’ enhanced presence on the internet, radio, and television. He has been UCO’s football radio play-by-play announcer since 2007, adding men’s and women’s basketball in recent years. A native of Henryetta, Garrett began his play-by-play career in high school and through a 37-year career called college games in various sports for Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and others in addition to doing dozens of high school championships and all-star games. Garrett also served as the voice of the New Orleans Saints in 1992 and the Dallas Cowboys in 1995, winning the 1996 KATIE Award from the Dallas Press Club for his broadcast of the Cowboys’ 27-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. Garrett also won “Best Play-By-Play/Large Market” from the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters for his UCO football broadcasts in 2008, ’09, and ’10. David, who is working to complete his bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership at UCO, is married (Rajeana) and has two daughters (Allison and Alicia).
Business Manager Britni Brannon
New to the Central Oklahoma Athletic Department is Britni Brannon, who took over as business manager in the fall of 2012. An Oklahoma native, Brannon graduated from UCO in 2002 and spent the next five years working for an audio/visual company doing marketing, advertising and materials management. A Certified Procurement Officer with the State of Oklahoma, Brannon returned to UCO in 2007 as a Buyer II in the Purchasing, Payment Services & Travel department and was in that capacity until moving to the athletic department. Britni is married (Todd) and has one son (Alex).
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2013 UCO Tennis Athletic Administration Athletic Compliance Darnell Smith
Serving as Central Oklahoma’s Director of Athletic Compliance is Darnell Smith, who took over the position in June of 2010 after serving in the same capacity at the University of New Mexico. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Smith was a four-year member of the Oklahoma State football team from 2002-06 at defensive end. He was a three-time recipient of the Arthur Ashe Scholar award at OSU and also earned second-team honors on the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Team. Darnell was named OSU’s Outstanding Senior and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from there. He served as a graduate assistant in the OSU compliance office in 2007-08 and worked as a management development trainee for the U.S. Olympic Committee from June 2008-February 2009. Smith went to New Mexico in February of 2009 and was there until coming to UCO. He is married (Candace).
Athletic Marketing Brandon Baker
while at OU.
Jeremy Rogers joined the Central Oklahoma Athletic Department in November of 2012 as Compliance Coordinator. A native of Medford, Rogers played football for four years at Southern Nazarene and earned all-conference honors at tight end as a senior. He graduated SNU in 2007 with a degee in sports managment. Jeremy went on to law school at Oklahoma, earning his juris doctor degree there. He worked as an intern in the compliance department and Office of Legal Counsel
Athletic Tickets Gunner Poff
Gunnar Poff is in his third year with the Central Oklahoma Athletic Department, coordinating ticket sales for the Bronchos while also assisting in a host of other roles related to game-day operations and facilities. A native of Sayre, Poff earned his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Southwestern Oklahoma in 2007. Gunnar was a pitcher on the baseball team while at SWOSU. He went on to earn a master’s of education in intercollegiate athletics administration in 2009 from the University of Oklahoma, working in the office of event management during his tenure with the Sooners. Poff is married (Tessa) and has two daughters (Presley and Piper).
Athletic Marketing Brandon Baker
In his second year with the Central Oklahoma athletic department is Brandon Baker, who is responsible for corporate sponsorships and marketing for athletic events on the UCO campus, working with local, regional and national businesses to create memorable experiences for both fans and sponsors. Baker was at the Oklahoma City RedHawks for 10 years before coming to UCO, working with corporate sponsorships, baseball operations, game-day experience and ticket office manager. He spent two years prior to that with the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. A native of Fulton, Mo., Baker is a University of Missouri graduate and was involved with the Mizzou chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Baker is married (Erin) and has two sons (Benjamin and Evan).
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2013 UCO Tennis About Edmond Edmond is located in the heart of Oklahoma, just north of the state capital in Oklahoma City, and has a population of over 80,000 as one of the fastest growing cities in the state. Edmond has the best of both worlds including easy access to the city with just enough distance to maintain a close-knit community atmosphere. The city offers outstanding hotels, nostalgic shopping areas and conveniently located attractions for your enjoyment. Known for its outstanding golf courses, Edmond has hosted some of the most exciting PGA and celebrity events in the past two decades at worldfamous Oak Tree Golf Club. Edmond is the fastest growing, most economically dynamic city in Oklahoma. Thriving technology firms, diverse retail and commercial opportunities, and small corporate office headquarters have enhanced our reputation as the affluent residential suburb to the metropolitan area. The local economy is booming. Retail trade has doubled just since 1990, commercial building permits continue at a record pace, and national retailers are building Edmond locations at an unparalleled rate. Home values have appreciated significantly, with MultiList average sales prices increasing 19.5% since 1994. Home sales are brisk, with average time on the market of close to 90 days for most price ranges. New home and commercial construction have contributed more than a billion dollars to the economy since 1994 alone. There are many more activities in Edmond, with a variety of music, art, theatre, water and sporting events that make for spectacular family fun. Edmond is also just minutes south of historic Guthrie, which offers a variety of cozy bed-and-breakfast establishments along with the Lazy-E-Arena that is home to a number of rodeo events every year. 15
2013 uco TeNNiS The miaa Central Oklahoma is in its first year as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The MIAA, a 15-member conference of NCAA Division II institutions in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma, was first organized in 1912 as the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Over the past 100 years, the MIAA has gained the reputation of being one of the top NCAA Division II conferences in the nation. MIAA schools have won 15 NCAA team championships and, since 1964, over 160 individual national titles. The MIAA currently conducts championships in eight sports for men and nine for women. For the men, champions are crowned in football, cross country, basketball, indoor and outdoor track & field, baseball, tennis and golf. The women compete for titles in volleyball, cross country, soccer, basketball, indoor and outdoor track & field, softball, golf and tennis. The MIAA turned a new page on July 1, 1992, when the NCAA Division II conference changed its name from the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The decision to make the change originated in 1989, when Pittsburg State and Washburn became the first schools outside the state of Missouri to gain membership in the MIAA. The conference was first organized in 1912 with 14 member institutions. The first change in membership came in 1924, when the MIAA reorganized to include
only the five regional Missouri state colleges: Central Missouri, Truman State (at the time known as Northeast Missouri State), Northwest Missouri, Southeast Missouri State and Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State). Over the next 56 years, three schools joined the membership: Missouri School of Mines (later Missouri-Rolla) in 1935, Lincoln in 1970 and the Missouri-St. Louis in 1980. Ken Jones became the first full-time commissioner of the MIAA in 1981 served until 1997. Ralph McFillen succeeded Jones, serving 10 years before his retirement in 2007. Jim Johnson succeeded McFillen in July of that year and served as commissioner until September of 2010, when Dr. Bob Boerigter took over. Southwest Baptist brought membership back to eight schools in 1986, before the major expansion of the conference in 1989. Pittsburg State, Washburn, Missouri Southern and Missouri Western began competition in the 1989-90 season. Southeast Missouri State left the MIAA following the 1990-91 season and was replaced by Emporia State in the 1991-92 season. Missouri-St. Louis departed the MIAA in 1996, Missouri-Rolla left in 2005 and Lincoln forfeited its membership in 1999. Fort Hays State joined the MIAA in 2006, NebraskaOmaha entered the league in 2008 and Lincoln re-joined the conference in 2010. In 2010, the MIAA voted to extend invitations to UCO, Northeastern State, NebraskaKearney and Lindenwood. Nebraska-Omaha left the league in 2011 and Truman State will do the same next year, which will leave 14 schools in the MIAA.
The mid-america iNTercollegiaTe aThleTicS aSSociaTioN Address: 114 West 11th Street (Suite 105), Kansas City, Mo. 64105 Phone: (816) 421-MIAA (6422) Media Relations Fax: (816) 421-6429 Web: www.themiaa.com Commissioner: Dr. Bob Boerigter Assistant Commissioner for Championships/Business Development: Larry House Assistant Commissioner for Compliance/Internal Operations: Amber Feldman Director of Communications: Josh Slaughter
2013 broncho TEnnIS Feb. 8
at Newman
Wichita, Kan.
1:00 p.m.
Feb. 11
Southeastern oklahoma EDMonD
2:00 p.m.
Feb. 16
Arkansas Tech
EDMonD
12:00 p.m.
Feb. 22
cowley college
EDMonD
2:00 p.m.
Feb. 26
Southern nazarene
EDMonD
2:00 p.m.
Mar. 5
at Northeastern State*
Tahlequah, Okla.
2:00 p.m.
Mar. 8
Emporia State*
EDMonD
3:00 p.m.
Mar. 9
Washburn*
EDMonD
12:00 p.m.
Mar. 14
at Northwest Missouri*
Maryville, Mo.
3:00 p.m.
Mar. 15
at Missouri Western*
St. Joseph, Mo.
10:00 a.m.
Mar. 22
at Southwest Baptist*
Bolivar, Mo.
11:00 a.m.
Mar. 23
at Lincoln*
Jefferson City, Mo.
10:00 a.m.
Mar. 29
at Fort Hays*
Hays, Kan.
3:00 p.m.
Mar. 30
at Nebraska-Kearney*
Kearney, Neb.
10:00 a.m.
Apr. 5
Lindenwood*
EDMonD
3:00 p.m.
Apr. 6
Truman State*
EDMonD
10:00 a.m.
Apr. 9
at East Central
Ada, Okla.
2:00 p.m.
Apr. 12
at Dallas Baptist
Dallas, Texas
3:00 p.m.
Apr. 19-21
MIAA Championships
Springfield, Mo.
*– Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association match
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2013 UCO Tennis About Oklahoma City The largest city in the state, Oklahoma City is located just minutes from Edmond at the crossroads of I-35, I-40 and I-44 in the heart of Oklahoma. The second largest city in the continental United States based on geographical size, more than 1.1 million people call metro Oklahoma City area home. Oklahoma City is surrounded by more than a dozen communities and offers a diverse landscape of hip, urban culture and charming, old-fashioned neighborhoods for visitors and residents alike. Oklahoma City’s climate is mild, with four distinct seasons and an average temperature of 60 degrees. With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, outdoor recreation and activities are plentiful in Oklahoma City. As a city that redefines itself, Oklahoma City’s hip, spirited environment blends with its deep western heritage to create a place where culture and commerce thrive. With renowned festivals, national sporting events, treasure-filled museums and a variety of districts highlighting arts and entertainment, the possibilities for adventure and fun in Oklahoma City are endless. One of the main attractions in Oklahoma City is Bricktown, an area filled with shops, restaurants and clubs in the middle of downtown. Also located in downtown is the Oklahoma City Arena, home of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.
The UCO Stampede Club The Stampede Club is the athletic booster club for all UCO sports. Membership in the Stampede Club ensures you will be among the first to be invited to special UCO athletic department activities, you will receive gear not offered to the public, you will meet coaches and staff and you will experience UCO athletics up close and personal. Help keep UCO’s athletic teams remain among the finest in NCAA Division II by becoming a member of the Stampede Club at www.bronchosports.com or by contacting Dave Lewis, manager of athletic development, at 974-3553 or dlewis22@uco.edu. Join today!
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