Update from OCU Athletics

OCU athletic director addresses current situation

It has been an extraordinary time to be leading a collegiate athletic department. Oklahoma City University students are currently on spring break and have been encouraged to remain off campus until April 5 as a precautionary measure to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. During this time, classes will be offered online. Some students (including student-athletes) remain on campus because they had no way to get home for spring break. We will continue to house and feed them.

The NAIA has also made the decision to cancel all remaining spring competitions and championships. As of now, we are not holding any practices, competitions, or any other visits (recruits, etc.) on campus. I have to tell you that I hate this for our student-athletes and coaches. In the case of our cheer, dance and women's wrestling teams, they had all traveled and just arrived for their National Championship when the decision was made. For our spring sports (baseball, golf, rowing, softball, STUNT and track & field), their seasons were just getting going. As disappointing as the news is, we support the decision and are encouraging our students and staff to take the threat of the virus seriously and to use every precaution to guard their health.

Earlier today we held an athletic staff meeting to try to sort through the myriad issues that we face. Our primary concern is alleviating any challenges or anxiety for our students. Honestly, we are all still adjusting to the new reality of our lives without the sports that we love. For many of us, this is the first spring break we can remember when we didn't have a game to prepare for.

Not only are we canceling our practices and competitions, but we will also be postponing the Sports Spectacular, our largest annual fundraising event. Please stay tuned for an announcement about a rescheduled date for this event as the present circumstances mean that we will rely on the proceeds from this event more than ever. Similarly, we expect to postpone or cancel our annual Jim Wade Awards event, which is the highest honor we bestow in our department each year. If we are unable to hold this event we will still announce and recognize award winners next month.

We are more grateful than ever for the support that you provide our university and department. Please keep our students, coaches and administrators in your thoughts and prayers. We long for the day that we will resume normal activities and once again be able to do what we love. Until then, we will make every effort to ensure our health and safety and encourage you to do the same.

Best,

Jim Abbott
Oklahoma City University
Assistant Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Director of Athletics

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