G
OLDEN CLUB
E
AGLE MONTHLY
THE OFFICAL NEWSLETTER OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE CLUB
Champions Begin with You
October 2015 Celebrate
AD’s Corner
the 50 Golden Years of ORU!
Dear Golden Eagle Friend, It’s hard to believe the semester is flying by so fast! I know many of you have attended events and have cheered on our Golden Eagle student-athletes. We cannot thank you enough. The crowds for both soccer programs and volleyball have been tremendous and if you have not had a chance to make it to a game yet – there is still time! Our golf and cross country teams continue to get strong results and look to build off every finish. It’s an exciting time for our basketball teams as well. As the start of the season quickly approaches, both the men’s and women’s teams have been working hard behind the scenes to compete for the Summit League crown. Obi Emegano has also been named the Summit League preseason Player of the Year! I hope many of you have had the chance to renew your basketball season tickets
Athletic Anniversary Events Oct. 22 W. Soccer v. SDSU
3:00 pm
Oct. 24 Blue & White Scrimmage
10:00 am
50th Anniversary Parade
4:00 pm
Track & Tennis Facility Groundbreaking
4:45 pm
Oct. 25 W. Soccer v. Omaha
1:00 pm
October 29 Call (918) 495-6424 for tickets
Basketball Season Tickets on Sale Now! CALL (918) 495-7546
or become a season ticket holder as this looks to be a very exciting year for our Golden Eagles. Looking for a way to kick off the basketball year? The Courtside Countdown is October 29th and is a great way to get connected to this year’s teams. The event will feature ORU student-athletes and coaches, as well as a dinner and silent/live auctions. The program has been altered to showcase our teams and coaches. It is shaping up to be our best yet and we hope to see you there! We continue our Golden Eagle Club renewal process for this year and I want to encourage your continued support of our student-athletes. Please consider renewing your gift or making a gift and thank you to those who have already renewed! I have taken the time recently to visit with some of our student-athletes to get a feel for just how appreciative they are of your generous gifts. Many have volunteered to give their time in the future to say thank you to our supporters and continue to ask how they can show their appreciation. You may also give online now, making giving and supporting your Golden Eagles a breeze. Visit www.oruathletics.com/givenow to make a difference in their lives 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Keep in mind that while you may not see it every day, your support gives opportunities that our studentathletes are taking full advantage of. Whether it’s Obi being tabbed as a preseason player of the year, Kaily Cox being named an Academic AllAmerican, or our basketball team spreading the gospel on a Dominican mission trip, your support isn’t just making a difference, it is the difference. May God continue to bless you and go Golden Eagles!
Men’s Basketball
UPCOMING GOLDEN
EAGLE EVENTS
Oct. 24 BlueWhite Nov. 2 vs. Rogers State Nov. 7 vs. Central Okla. Nov. 13 vs. Missouri St. Nov. 16 at South Carolina Women’s Basketball Nov. 7 vs. Rockhurst Nov. 14 vs. Evangel Nov. 16 vs. Grand Canyon Nov. 20 at Tulsa Cross Country Oct. 31 Summit League Nov. 13 NCAA Regional Nov. 21 NCAA Champs Men’s Soccer Oct. 24 at Omaha Oct. 27 vs. Central Arkansas Oct. 31 vs. IPFW Nov. 2 vs. Missouri State
Nov. 7 at IUPUI Nov. 12-14 Summit League Tournament Women’s Soccer Oct. 22 vs. South Dakota St. Oct. 25 vs. Omaha Nov. 1 vs. Denver Nov. 5-7 Summit League Tournament Volleyball Oct. 23 vs. South Dakota Oct. 25 vs. South Dakota St. Oct. 30 at IPFW Nov. 1 vs. Missouri State Nov. 8 at IUPUI Nov. 10 at Omaha Nov. 13 vs. Denver Nov. 15 vs. North Dakota St. Nov. 20-22 Summit League Tournament
Golden Eagle Performances
Saladino Making His Mark in MLB Featured Article by Russell Dorsey Former ORU infielder Tyler Saladino emerges from the dugout at Wrigley Field for his first major-league plate appearance. He got called up to the Chicago White Sox roster less than 24 hours ago.
“You know at Oral Roberts there’s no fooling around; there’s rules that are very valuable for a journey like this, as I got to pro ball,” Saladino said. “Being out there in Oklahoma and having the responsibilities we had as student athletes at ORU, there were a lot of lessons that I learned from that. I was really fortunate to play there.”
background of a kid, and he’s always been on our radar.” Saladino’s journey to the major leagues has been a success so far, but the future did not always look so bright. After playing in the minor leagues for five years, Saladino suffered a severe elbow injury last season that required Tommy John Surgery forcing him to miss the rest of the season and his shot of being called-up.
“It was a roller coaster ride, for sure. I had never hurt my arm like that or had any injury that took me Saladino has become the away from everyday third baseman for baseball the the White Sox. He’s way it did,” Saladino said. currently hitting .255 with “Fortunately, I came back three homers and 11 RBI as healthy. Being able to be out of August 21. His stellar here after an injury like that, I defense at third base has “You could very easily get can’t even describe how much been a boost to the White nervous, but you just show that means to me.” Sox who had struggled up,” said Saladino with a defensively chuckle recalling his first day. this season. Ventura has “It goes by real fast. I got to confidence that his the park, saw I was playing 26-year-old rookie third base and batting two“We were in a will continue to imhole. It was an unbelievable spot where we prove every day and feeling. You hear the anthem were struggling his experience will and the crowd roar, and, after at third base, help his transithat, it’s just about playing hitting, and we tion. baseball.” needed to improve our defense, and he “When [prospects] Saladino’s journey began at was a guy that get here, they’re goORU back in 2009. He stood out even though he ing to have struggles,” transferred to ORU for his played shortstop in AAA,” said Ventura. “Sometimes you junior year after going to said White Sox Manager can bring guys up who are Palomar Junior College in Robin Ventura. “We’re younger and it can overwhelm California for two years. pretty comfortable putting them, but he’s confident in his him anywhere on the game, and that’s half the infield. Just knowing the battle.” He takes a deep breath. The eyes of 41,580 screaming fans are on him. Walking to the plate, every step is closer to the dream he’s had since Little League. Once Saladino steps into the batter’s box, it’s just him and the pitcher. The crowd goes silent. The butterflies in his stomach settle. This is familiar. This is home.
Saladino doesn’t regret the decision he made almost six years ago. ORU Baseball Head Coach Ryan Folmar and the baseball program had a lasting impression on his career. “Playing for Coach Folmar, even when he was an assistant coach at ORU, I learned so much from him,” Saladino said. “Every day we’d get after it. That’s part
of the pride I have in my game today, the ability to get after it just like he used to teach us.” Saladino realizes this opportunity he has this season with the White Sox and is focused on capitalizing on it, just as he capitalized on his opportunity to play at ORU five years ago. “I just wanna be able to show that I can play with these guys. It’s not easy coming out here with 40,000 people screaming at you and not be nervous, but that’s why we love this game, that’s what we’re playing for.”
Getting To Know Your Golden Eagles Aaron Young
Sadie Schaffner
Men’s Basketball
Volleyball
Edmond, Okla.
Bartlesville, Okla.
What is the most rewarding part of being an ORU basketball player? Being able to represent ORU, the alumni, faculty, staff, and students are the reason why I am here. Seeing the passion and enjoyment from the fans after a game is rewarding. Most importantly, being able to play in front of my family means so much to me. What are you expecting for this season? The team’s goal is to get better each day with the mindset in every practice we are going to be better than yesterday. We want to continue this mentality, when March comes around we want to continue playing our best. I think we can go as far as we want to, if we continue playing at a high level of performance. What are your long-term goals? I would love to make it to the NCAA tournament, I believe that is the goal for each of my teammates. Personally, my goals are family oriented. I have always wanted to get married and develop a family. I want to be a great father by providing my family with support and love. What does your scholarship mean to you? My scholarship means everything to me. If it was not for the support of the donors, alumni, and season ticket holders I do not know where I would be without the scholarship from ORU. What would you say to the donors who provide you with your scholarship if you could thank them? I do not even know what to say. In a way it means so much to my family and me. I know that as student-athletes we do not really think about the opportunity that we have to go to school for free. I probably would just expound upon that. Tell them how much it means. I cannot really tell them how much it means to me. It would be hard for me to find the words to thank them. Support Student-Athletes Join the GEC Today
918-495-6424 www.oruathletics.com/givenow
Has there been a defining moment in your life that made you pursue volleyball? When I was about four years old, there are memories of me following my father and watching him play sand volleyball with his friends. He was the inspiration for me to play the game of volleyball. Interestingly, volleyball is not your typical contact sport, being separated by a net makes the team work together. What are your long-term goals? I hope to coach a team someday. Encourage younger girls to become the best at their sport and fall in love with it. I also want to raise a family.
What is the most rewarding part of being an ORU volleyball player? ORU is a unique place that embraces the students to share their faith openly and being able to be an example for my teammates is rewarding. One of my roles before each volleyball match is picking a bible verse and sharing the passage with our team. What does your scholarship mean to you? Understandably, it is the biggest reasons why I am here. The opportunity to attend a university and play the sport I deeply care about means a lot to me. My scholarship is a blessing, I continually work hard each day to represent the people who gave me my scholarship.
What would you say to the donors who provide you with your scholarship if you thank them. Thank you immensely, this means so much to me and I will always continually give 100% every time ORU volleyball plays.
ORU Development Staff Tim Johnson 918-495-7951
Assistant Athletic Director for Development tjohnson@oru.edu
Nelson Pouliot 918-495-6668
Executive Director of The Golden Eagle Club npouliot@oru.edu
Debbie Gimlin 918-495-6424
Development Coordinator - Golden Eagle Club dgimlin@oru.edu