OUKS News

Ottawa, Kan. – Ottawa University announces that they received a $100,000 grant this week from the Lewis H. Humphreys Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee. The grant is directed to the aiding the completion of the Advancing the Experience campaign for the Mabee Center.

Janet Peters, Director of Advancement, shared “Ottawa University is so pleased to have been awarded this grant so the dream of this building can fully realized and its essential services are available to our students as soon as possible.” 

With the help of generous alumni, friends and foundations, nearly $8 million has been generated in gifts for the Advancing the Experience campaign to date. This was the first time the University received funds from the Lewis H. Humphreys Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee, but hope to work with Bank of America more in the future.

The final phase plans to begin construction in the spring/summer of 2023. Plans in this phase include replacing Mabee Center with a new indoor athletic facility constructed adjacent to the Braves Athletic Performance Center (BAPC). This Center will include basketball goals and volleyball nets and will be fully air conditioned. The completed project will provide essential courts in a flexible design with four courts for the team practice options for volleyball and basketball, as well as a one large court option for games. As it shares a wall with the BAPC, it also houses two offices, shared restrooms and more. These indoor facilities are key to the many athletic programs on campus. The new indoor multipurpose athletic center will be utilized by all students for academic classes, student activities, community engagement and as a practice facility for athletic programs.

The mission of the Ottawa University Athletic Department is to develop student-athletes for lifetimes of success, service and significance while making a major contribution to the University's broader aims and objectives. This new Braves Athletic Performance Center and the new indoor multifunctional facility will be an important enhancement to the Ottawa campus that will not only help fulfill this mission; these facilities will support and benefit academics and activities for our students and for the greater community.

Ottawa, Kan. (Sep. 2, 2022) – Ottawa University is proud to announce that they are the recipient of one of the American Eagle Outfitter Future Together Grants. This grant will provide $10,000 to Ottawa University to aid in the Technology Club’s goals for equipment, and encouraging other young people to get involved in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) programs. This grant is one of 20 Future Together grants awarded this fall.

Isidora Hrnjak, the Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kan., Tech Club President was responsible for the initial application and was also selected to be an AE Ambassador. Dayana Raygoza was added as an Ambassador to represent the Tech Club partnership with the Ottawa University, Surprise, Ariz., community.

Hrnjak, a senior from Serbia who is on the Braves tennis team, was thrilled to get involved and ecstatic to be selected. “This is such a great opportunity for our Club and University to not only get additional equipment, but to travel to OU’s residential campus in Surprise and show off our skills to engage younger students,” she said.

The science and technology equipment will be displayed at the City of Surprise SciTech Festival in December of 2022. The grant also provides the travel funds for the more established club in Ottawa to send members to help the developing club in Surprise. Both clubs hope to encourage more young people to seek STEAM programs for their ultimate education and career choice.

Raygoza, a junior from Las Vegas, Nev., and a beach and indoor Spirit volleyball player, is also excited to be selected as an Ambassador to highlight the STEAM field both in Arizona and online through the promotional opportunities. “I am glad to represent Ottawa University while highlighting STEAM fields at the SciTech event.” She also looks forward to helping her Tech Club grow and evolve, building on the knowledge the Kansas club already has. Sharing these resources is an ideal opportunity for all the students at OU and builds on the creativity they are known for as Tech Clubs. The SciTech event was already in planning, so the clubs felt it would be a great place to showcase club efforts and engage many area high school students.

Since its inception in 1865, Ottawa University has sought to live out its mission in direct ways. It began with the collaboration between two American Baptist missionaries, Jotham and Eleanor Meeker, and the Ottawa Indians of Kansas to promote education and peace in a changing world. Out of this relationship, Ottawa University was born. Ever mindful of its original commitments, Ottawa University is now a comprehensive, not-for-profit, educational institution, which serves students of traditional age and adult learners worldwide. Grounded by its mission, Ottawa University carries out its educational purposes through its liberal arts and professional studies programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Ottawa University guides learners to integrate faith, learning, and life, to gain the abilities they need to succeed and prosper, and to do so with an increased sense of the knowledge, compassion, respect, and service our world requires.

American Eagle Outfitters® (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices under its American Eagle® and Aerie® brands. We are an inclusive, optimistic and empowering company that celebrates the individuality of our customers and associates. Our purpose is to show the world that there’s REAL power in the optimism of youth. The Future Together campaign hopes to create positive change in the community and Ottawa University know it will be successful in that endeavor as it relates to Ottawa Kansas and Surprise Arizona.

OTTAWA, Kan. – Ottawa University announced on Thursday, June 30, the establishment of the Kevin and Marylin Eichner Scholarship, in honor of the transformative impact the Eichner's have had on the University. The scholarship, a $3 million endowed fund, will support undergraduates at both the Ottawa, Kan., and the Surprise, Ariz., residential campuses.

“Kevin and Marylin have been the face of Ottawa University for many years,” said Dr. Bill Tsutsui, OU President and CEO. “Kevin’s leadership and vision as President and Chancellor from 2008 to 2021 and Marylin’s warmth and commitment to the OU community as First Lady laid the groundwork for the University’s ongoing growth and dynamism.”

The Kevin and Marylin Eichner Scholarship will support students of promise with demonstrated financial need. In addition to the newly endowed scholarship, the original building at Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ), Founders Hall, will be renamed the Kevin and Marylin Eichner Hall. The OUAZ campus was a vision of Eichner’s early in his tenure at OU and through his leadership and persistence, the highly successful second residential campus opened in 2017. A ceremonial rededication of the building will take place in early October.

Leadership gifts to the Eichner Scholarship were made by Jim ’57 and Jeanne ’56 O’Dell, Jeff Hull ’88, Hank Scherich ’60, and John ’79 and Marny Sherman. Other major gifts were provided by Tim ’80 and Karla ’79 Dye, Kevin ’73 and Marylin ’00 Eichner, Ron and Peggy Guziak, Michael ’68 and Martha ’68 Hetrick, and Anne Mills.  Dozens of additional donors – alumni, current and former Board of Trustees and Chancellor’s Advisory Council members, faculty and staff – have also made meaningful contributions towards the endowment.

Gifts and pledges toward the Kevin and Marylin Eichner Scholarship are still being gratefully accepted and may be made online at http://Support.ottawa.edu/Eichner.

“The creation of this scholarship not only celebrates the legacy of the Eichner's, but also represents a historic investment in the long-term future of the University,” said Dr. Tsutsui. “The Eichner Scholarship, along with the many other sources of financial support available to our students, underlines Ottawa University’s commitment to keeping our life-changing education affordable and accessible to all. Generations of Ottawa students will benefit from the generosity of the donors to this scholarship.”

The scholarship is the largest endowed fund in the University’s history and will increase the University’s endowment by more than 15 percent. While June 30 marks Kevin’s last day as Chancellor Emeritus, his involvement in the OU community will continue for years to come as he was voted a Life Trustee during the University’s June Board of Trustees meeting.

OTTAWA, Kan. – Ottawa University President and CEO Dr. Bill Tsutsui is proud to announce that Geoff Poston has been named as the University Director of Bowling Operations. In this newly created, unique role, Poston will assist both the campus in Ottawa, Kan., as well as the residential campus in Surprise, Ariz. (OUAZ) to grow not just the individual teams but the sport as a whole.

“This position will leverage Geoff Poston’s proven talents as a coach, recruiter, and program-builder,” Tsutsui said.  “Geoff will bring the skills he has honed with the outstanding Braves varsity bowling team to the growing club team at OUAZ.  As we seek innovative ways to build collaborations and better serve students across our campuses and programs, the creation of the University Director of Bowling Operations is an important step forward for the entire institution.”

Poston is entering his sixth year as the head coach for men’s and women’s bowling at Ottawa University. Both teams are nationally ranked and have qualified for the NAIA National Championship Tournament each of the last two seasons.

Focused on the student-athlete, the Braves teams’ graduation and retention rates are high, with many student-athletes entering a graduate program after completion of their undergraduate degree. Since the bowling program began in 2017, no student-athletes have transferred to bowl for another school.

"I am excited for this opportunity as the University Director of Bowling Operations over both residential campuses, said Poston. “I remain committed to growing our nationally ranked men’s and women’s programs as the Head Coach here in Kansas, while assisting OUAZ Head Coach Jen Bullard with recruiting, fundraising and mentoring the OUAZ student-athletes down in Arizona. In addition, I have worked with our colleagues at MOTIV and secured a bowling ball contract for the OUAZ team. I look forward to having an impact in the growth of the sport and providing more opportunities for students to bowl at the collegiate level."

With Poston at the helm, the Braves bowling team qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in 2020, upsetting the no. 1 seed Midland University to earn the trip. The 2017-18 team won its first tournament championship and had eight top 15 finishing, including a 14^th place finish at the Intercollegiate Team Sectional Championship.

Poston has been involved in bowling for more than 35 years and coaching for more than 20 years. He has also spent time on the PBA Regional Tour, winning the Gardner Master’s Floor Covering Championship in 1999. From 2011 to 2015, he was President of the Kansas Bowling Coaches Association. Poston was named to the 2019 Kansas State USBC Hall of Fame and the 2018 USBC Kaw Valley Topeka Bowling Association Hall of Fame.

Ottawa, Kan. (Dec. 8, 2021) – Ottawa University is pleased to announce the hiring of Wynndee Lee ’89 as the Director of Major Gifts for the Office of University Advancement. Lee will begin her duties on January 3, 2022.

“I have loved working for the city and community, but the opportunity to work for another love of mine, Ottawa University, could not be any more perfect for my post public service life,” said Lee.

In her new role, Lee will develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate and solicit new major gifts prospects for the University. In addition, she will manage the existing portfolio of nearly 100 major gift prospects. Lee will be taking a leave of absence from her position as Life Trustee on the OU Board of Trustees while employed by the University.

“We could not be more excited to welcome Wynndee to the Ottawa University Advancement team,” said Janet Peters, Vice President for Advancement. “She has so many OU connections and relationships, a strong work ethic and an amazing positive attitude. She will be able to hit the ground running to help Ottawa University raise funds for several important projects and to build relationships with even more alumni.”

Lee has spent the past 19 years with the City of Ottawa, most recently as the Director of Community Development where she oversaw planning, zoning, subdivision codes and economic development negotiations for the city. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from OU in 1989 and a Master in Public Administration from the University of Kansas in 1997.

“The City is appreciative of Wynndee’s many of years of service to our community,” said Richard Nienstedt, City Manager of the City of Ottawa. “We are a better community because of Wynndee’s leadership and passion for especially quality of life improvement. Not only is Wynndee a friend but she is also a consummate public professional, and I will miss the day-to-day interaction of working with her. I am pleased that she is excited with taking the next step in her life at Ottawa University. OU will be served very well and I look forward to working with Wynndee in her new capacity.”

OTTAWA, Kan. – Ottawa University has received approval from its institutional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, to offer a Doctor of Business Administration degree. The degree will initially be offered at its residential campus in Ottawa, Kan., beginning in the fall of 2022. This is Ottawa University’s first doctoral program.

“Ottawa University has an extraordinary Business, Education, and Arts & Sciences faculty, all with outstanding credentials and experience within the professions and the academy,” said Dr. Terry Haines, University Provost. “Our graduate-level business program has served thousands of students from around the world and our new doctorate in business administration will expand that transformational impact to an ever-growing number of future business and organizational leaders. I look forward to Ottawa’s work in providing this dynamic curriculum and in further serving our diverse business communities”

The Doctor of Business Administration degree was designed for those seeking to advance their careers in management, strategic and executive leadership, and consulting. The delivery for the 56 credit-hour degree coursework will include six, two-day, on-campus residencies each year of enrollment. Students will be able to continue their current employment while working on their doctorate. Graduates of this program will be expected to be at the forefront of strategic evidence-based management, an increasingly important skill for knowledge generation, and executives and scholar-practitioners expected to make significant contributions in business, leadership and the advancement of management practice and science.

“The establishment of our first doctoral degree is an important milestone in the evolution and growth of Ottawa University,” said William M. Tsutsui, President and CEO. “We owe thanks and congratulations to the team of faculty who collaborated to develop this timely program, and to President Reggies Wenyika and Provost Terry Haines, who spearheaded and supported the effort all along the way.”

“Ottawa University has a long innovative tradition of reaching and serving students with relevant degrees offered in accessible and flexible modalities,” said Dr. Marylou DeWald, Dean of the Angell Snyder School of Business. “Delivering the DBA in an executive format from the Ottawa, Kansas, residential campus will reinforce that innovative history while supporting our mission of preparing students for a lifetime of significance. With a storied 156-year history, moving the institution into the ranks of universities offering doctoral programming is not only logical, but quite simply, thrilling.”

An obvious next step for a university that has seen more than 1,300 graduate with their MBA degrees in the last 10 years, including a current enrollment of more than 600 in its business graduate programs, OU will begin the process of preparing to accept its first cohort of doctoral students. Prospective students will be expected to hold an MBA or an equivalent qualification in addition to relevant work experience. Details, announcements, and advertisements soliciting applications will be forthcoming.

DBA Program Details

Ottawa, Kan. – Ottawa University has announced the festivities scheduled for its annual Homecoming weekend, Oct. 21-24 at the residential campus, 1001 S. Cedar Street, Ottawa. This year’s celebration features the Braves Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, the OU Alumni Association Awards Banquet, Inauguration of President and CEO Dr. William M. Tsutsui and the Homecoming football game.

On Thursday, Oct. 21, six individuals will be inducted into the Braves Athletic Hall of Fame: Richard (Dick) Maack ’59, Paul Wheaton ’52, Birch Roybal ’06, Brittany Broyles ’07, Kevin Eichner ’73, and Corkie Hedlund. The Ottawa University Alumni Association Awards Banquet will take place Friday, Oct. 22, honoring Harold Popp ’59, Mitch Barnhart ’81, Michael ’16 and Regan (Aeschliman) ’16 Jones, and Dr. John Holzhuter. On Saturday, Oct. 23, President and CEO Dr. William M. Tsutsui will be installed as the 22nd President of Ottawa University; and the Braves will battle the Friends University in the homecoming football game at AdventHealth Field at Ottawa University at 1 p.m.

While several events are free and open to the public, some require a ticket or advance registration. For more information on ticketed events, please contact Susan Trendel at 785-248-2331 or susan.trendel@ottawa.edu.

Thursday, October 21
8 a.m.    Chamber Coffee, Gangwish Library, Schendel Conference Center
8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.    Braves Fan Shop Open
6:30 p.m.    Braves Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet*, Schendel Conference Center; Inductees: Richard (Dick) Maack ’59, Paul Wheaton ’52, Birch Roybal ’06, Brittany Broyles ’07, Kevin Eichner ’73, and Corkie Hedlund.

Friday, October 22
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.    Alumni Check-In, Gangwish Library, Scherich Atrium
8 a.m. - 6 p.m.    Braves Fan Shop Open
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.    Class ’70 and ’71 – 50th Year Class Reception*, University Lawn
11:30 a.m.    Celebration Luncheon*, Gangwish Library, Schendel Conference Center
5 p.m.    Women’s Soccer vs. Southwestern College, AdventHealth Field at Ottawa University
6 p.m.    Women’s Basketball Scrimmage at Coffeyville Community College, Coffeyville, Kan.
6 - 8:30 p.m.    Ottawa University Alumni Association Banquet*, Schendel Conference Center; Recipients: Harold Popp ’59, Mitch Barnhart ’81, Michael ’16 and Regan (Aeschliman) ’16 Jones, and Dr. John Holzhuter
6:30 p.m.    Men’s Basketball Alumni Scrimmage, Wilson Field House
7:30 p.m.    Men’s Soccer vs. Southwestern College, AdventHealth Field at Ottawa University
8 p.m.    Late Night Bonfire, 11th & Mulberry St.
8:30 p.m.    Class & Affinity Socials*
    Class of ’70, The Historic Post Office
    Class of ’71, Smoked Creations BBQ

Saturday, October 23
8 a.m.    Men’s and Women’s Cross County at Mid-States Classic, Winfield, Kan.
10 a.m.    Baseball Inner-squad Scrimmage, Dick Peters Sports Complex
9 a.m.    Creed Family Greenhouse Dedication, Creed Family Greenhouse
9 a.m.    Braves Visit Day; Gangwish Library
9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.    Alumni Check-In, Gangwish Library, Scherich Atrium
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.    Braves Fan Shop Open
10 a.m.    Softball Alumni Scrimmage, Dick Peters Sports Complex
10:30 a.m.    Inauguration Ceremony for William M. Tsutsui, Fredrikson Chapel
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.    Alumni Tailgate Lunch at Food Trucks*, University Mall
12:45 p.m.    Homecoming Coronation, AdventHealth Field at Ottawa University
1 p.m.    Football vs. Friends University, AdventHealth Field at Ottawa University
6 p.m.    Class Dinners* (Golden Club, Class of ’60, Class of ’61, Class of ’70, Class of ’71)
7 p.m.    Women’s Volleyball vs. Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Wilson Field House

Sunday, October 22
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.    Community Worship Service, First Baptist Church, Ottawa, Kan.

*Denotes event that requires advanced registration or a ticket.

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About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity as a Christ-inspired community of grace and opening inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution, serving more than 4,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix and Queen Creek, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; and online. Visit www.ottawa.edu for more information.

Ottawa University (OU) has earned the prestigious designation as a national College of Distinction for 2021-22, the ninth consecutive year it has been honored as such. OU is one of six higher education institutions in the state of Kansas to meet the rigorous standards required to be named a Colleges of Distinction cohort school.

Colleges of Distinction’s longstanding support for student-centered schools highlight those that traditional rankings often overlook. Founder Wes Creel created Colleges of Distinction to draw more attention to schools like Ottawa University, whose student-centered education prevails in applying theory to practice, while fostering a dynamic learning community.

“Every student has their own unique set of abilities, their own goals, and their own ideal settings in which they would thrive,” said Creel. “That’s why we don’t rank our schools. It’s about finding the best opportunities for each individual’s needs and desires. Ottawa University’s inclusion is informed by the unique ways it commits to achieving success. It’s inspiring to see Ottawa’s commitment to the learning styles,  and community involvement that will best allow their students to succeed in and beyond their college years.”

The Colleges of Distinction selection process consists of detailed interviews and research for each institution’s freshman experience and retention efforts alongside its general education programs, career development, strategic plan, student satisfaction, and more. Schools are accepted on the basis that they adhere to the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. This differs from other popular college rankings systems that, according to Creel and his colleagues, rely on non-student-centric related metrics, such as peer reputation, endowment size and alumni salaries.

Ottawa University’s designation was borne out of its blend of liberal arts education, program-specific training and abundant student-centered programs, including flex-term scheduling, personal growth days, first-year seminars, service-learning programs, intensive writing courses, interdisciplinary programs, collaborative assignments and projects, undergraduate research, capstone projects, study abroad programs career development and placement services and internships. This ensures that OU students graduate equipped to find better solutions in the workplace, their community and the world at large.

“Ottawa University is extremely honored to have once again met the rigorous standards set forth by the Colleges of Distinction program,” said Dr. Terry Haines, OU’s provost and chief academic officer. “Aligning with the University’s missions and values, this recognition for the delivery of a well-rounded liberal arts education to our students is a testament to the excellence of our students, faculty, staff and administrators. We are proud to be among the elite group of colleges and universities nationwide to receive this designation.”

As part of its 2021-22 designation, OU also received three programmatic “Field of Study” distinctions for its Angell Snyder School of Business, its School of Education and its Nursing program. Visit Ottawa’s profile at www.collegesofdistinction.com/school/ottawa-university-kansas/ to learn more about the honor and the innovative learning experiences the university offers.

Ottawa University is pleased to announce that it has been designated a 2021-22 Military Friendly School by Victory Media, the leader in connecting the military and civilian worlds. Institutions earning the Military Friendly​ ​School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey with OU being one of the 747 earning the designation, the sixth year overall it has received the honor. Ottawa was also named a Military Friendly Spouse School for the second-consecutive year.

“We are proud to serve the men and women of our armed forces,” said University Provost Dr. Terry Haines. “Ottawa University has numerous graduates currently serving in the military and military personnel studying in our diverse array of programs. We are honored to be a university of choice for active duty and veterans. It’s a special relationship we will always sustain and hold in the highest regard.”

Now in its 12th year, the Military Friendly Schools designation and list by Victory Media recognizes those higher education institutions with leading programs for veterans, members of the Armed Forces leaving military service and military spouses. The Military Friendly Schools rating program has been instrumental in the development of college military recruiting programs.

Colleges and universities competed for the designation by completing an extensive survey covering 10 indicators of success including support for student veterans on campus, graduation and employment outcomes and military spouse policies. Methodology, criteria, and weightings are set forth by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey response set and government/agency public data sources, within a logic-based scoring assessment.

“Military Friendly​ ​is committed to transparency and providing consistent data driven standards in our designation process,” said Kayla Lopez, national director of military partnerships. “This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges and universities to consistently evolve and invest in their programs. Schools who achieve designation show true commitment and dedication in their efforts. Our standards assist schools by providing a benchmark that promotes positive educational outcomes, resources, and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community.”

OU will be showcased along with other 2021 Military Friendly Schools in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools, the special education issues of G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse Magazine, and on militaryfriendly.com. For more information about Ottawa University’s commitment to supporting military students, visit www.militaryfriendly.com/ottawa-university/.

The Ottawa University Braves women's flag football team beat the Keiser University (Fla.) Seahawks, 7-6, to win the inaugural NAIA Women's Flag (WFLAG) Football Championship Tournament at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on May 8. The win came a year after OU signed on as one of the first 15 NAIA insitutions nationwide to offer the emerging sport. The Braves finished their historic first season with a 14-1 overall record, a perfect 6-0 conference mark as KCAC champions and the NAIA national title.

Ottawa’s one-point victory over Keiser in the championship game came after the same Seahawks team had handed the Braves their only loss of the season in week 3 on March 17. OU lost that game in the final minute by one point, 26-25.

"I knew that early loss would be the best thing that could happen to us, and I knew that we would see them again very likely in the championship," Head Coach Liz Sowers said. "That's what football is – flag football or tackle football – it's a game of momentum, a game of inches, and, literally, a game of points, like the one point that decided both our games with Keiser this season."

The national championship capped off a magical, storybook season written by a group of young women from seven U.S. states and Canada, who love the game of football and were hungry for an opportunity to play it on the collegiate level. At Ottawa, they found a home and became a family.

"From day one when they were strangers to now becoming sisters and lifting a trophy, it's like you've gone through so much together and for them I wanted nothing more than for us to walk out as the first-ever NAIA national champions," Coach Sowers said.

The torch they carry as champions, and pioneers, of this emerging sport is not taken lightly. To a person, the Braves coaches and players are both vigilant and passionate about the significance of the path they are trailblazing, and the impact it will have on the future of the sport and the young girls and women who will play it.

“I’ve been saying from the beginning that women’s flag football is going to be huge, and I hope everyone knows it,” Coach Sowers said. “It is coming up fast, and I think what we’ve started with the NAIA, NFL Flag and others is going to have everybody jumping on board.”

Braves freshman defensive back Abby Brown is keenly aware of the message she and her teammates and coaches are sending every time they step on the field.

“It’s been really important for me to see strong women in the sport of football, and I think that’s really important for other younger girls to see as well,” Brown said.

On the season, the Braves outscored their opponents 586-107 or by an average score of 39-7. The team finished undefeated at 6-0 in the KCAC to win the conference championship. They swept the KCAC postseason awards with Head Coach Liz Sowers winning Coach of the Year honors. Freshman quarterback Madysen Carrera was named overall Player of the Year, Alyssa Linkous earned Offensive Player of the Year honors, and Brown was selected Defensive Player of the Year.

OU had 15 players named to the All-KCAC teams, including 10 first-team, two second-team and three honorable-mention selections.