sooner staff...the head coach at stephen f. austin and successful stints as an assistant coach at...

SOONER STAFF

Sooner Staff - Oklahoma Soccer Media GuideSooner Staff - Oklahoma Soccer Media Guide1010

Nicole Nelson was introduced as the head soccer coach at the University of Oklahoma on Dec. 21, 2007, following a thorough national search. After an impressive three-year run as the head coach at Stephen F. Austin and successful stints as an assistant coach at Texas and Baylor, Nelson became the third head coach in the history of the program.

Throughout the seven years of her collegiate coaching career, Nelson’s teams have built an 81-47-20 record, including a 33-19-9 mark while at the helm of the Stephen F. Austin program from 2002-2004.

Nelson, a native of Yukon, Okla., who attended Mustang High School and graduated from Oklahoma City University in 1997, expressed her joy in returning home upon her hire.

“I am excited to return home to the state of Oklahoma to coach,” Nelson said. “Having grown up playing and coaching in this state, it is with tremendous pride that I accept this position.

“I am grateful for the opportunities that I had at Texas, Baylor and Stephen F. Austin as they prepared me for the work that lies ahead here at Oklahoma. What I have learned working for the University of Texas and, more specifi cally, Chris Petrucelli, has been invaluable.”

The fi rst order of business for Nelson and, Kara Lowery and Graeme Abel, was to announce the 2008 recruiting class in February which consisted of fi ve existing signees and one they added late in the process. The staff also brought in a pair of transfers from two elite Division I programs.

During her two years as an assistant at Texas, Nelson worked with all aspects of running the program and helped coach a Longhorn team that won back-to-back postseason Big 12 Championships in 2006 and 2007.

HOMETOWN: Yukon, Okla. ALMA MATER: Oklahoma City University, 1997

COACHING HISTORY

• 2008-present, Oklahoma Head Coach • 2006-07, Texas Assistant Coach • 2005, Baylor Assistant Coach • 2002-04, Stephen F. Austin Head Coach • 2001, Stephen F. Austin Assistant Coach

COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 2007 NCAA Sweet 16 appearance (Texas) • 2007 Big 12 Tournament Championship (Texas) • 2006 NCAA Sweet 16 appearance (Texas) • 2006 Big 12 Tournament Championship (Texas) • 2004 Southland Conference Coach of the Year (SFA) • 2004 Southland Conference Championship (SFA) • 2003 NCAA Tournament appearance (SFA)• 2003 Southland Tournament Championship (SFA) • 2003 Southland Conference Coach of the Year (SFA) • Coached nine All-Big 12 honorees at Texas, including three All-Americans • Coached 25 All-SLC honorees at SFA

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

• 1999, Austin Lonestars (W-League) • 1995-97, Oklahoma City University • 1994, Texas A&M University

PLAYING HONORS

• 1997 All-Section honoree • Two-time All-Region selection • Three-time All-Sooner Athletic Conference • Two-time Academic All-American • Three-year team captain

EDUCATION

• Stephen F. Austin University - M.S. in Kinesiology and Health Science, 2005 • Oklahoma City University - B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Spanish, 1997 • Mustang High School, 1993 (Mustang, Okla.)

NICOLE NELSONHead Coach | First Year at Oklahoma

COACHING FILE

HEAD COACH

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“The commitment to excellence at Oklahoma is very

evident in the athletics administration’s support

and the quality of the new soccer facility. I am de-

termined to make winning championships a Sooner

soccer tradition.”

In addition, Texas made consecutive appearances in the NCAA Sweet 16 during Nelson’s tenure, which also featured nine All-Big 12 honorees and three All-America honors.

The postseason run in 2006 was the Longhorns’ fi rst conference tournament title and, after an appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16, Texas achieved the program’s highest fi nal ranking at No. 8.

In addition, the 18 wins in 2006 was a program best and Texas also produced two All-Americans in a single season for the second time in program history.

In 2007, Texas fi nished with a 16-4-5 overall mark and a second-place fi nish in the Big 12 standings with a 6-2-2 record. Nelson again helped lead the Longhorns into elite status as they achieved a No. 1 ranking during the season, won the Big 12 Tournament Champion-ship and appeared in the NCAA Sweet 16.

Nelson also served as the recruiting coordinator at Texas, a position she also held as an assistant coach while at Baylor University in 2005.

Prior to her stint at Baylor, Nelson directed the Stephen F. Austin program to two Southland Conference Championships. In her second year at the helm, Nelson’s Ladyjacks won the conference tournament and made the program’s fi rst NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003. In 2004, SFA won the regular season Southland Championship and Nelson was named the conference coach of the year for the second consecutive season.

Nelson tutored 25 student-athletes that were tabbed All-SLC over three seasons and left the Ladyjacks as the winningest coach in program history.

As a player, Nelson started every game and was the team captain in 1995, 1996 and 1997 at Oklahoma City University under Brian Harvey. Nelson was a three-time All-Sooner Athletic Conference member and Academic All-American.

She began her collegiate career at Texas A&M University as a freshman and concluded it at OCU as an All-American (honorable mention).

Before she started her career in coaching, Nelson played professional soccer for the Austin Lonestars (W-League). Following that stint, she worked with numerous clubs and camps before taking her fi rst position in the collegiate ranks as a volunteer assistant at her alma mater in 2000-01.

Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and as a bachelor of arts degree in Span-ish in 1997 at Oklahoma City University. She received her master’s degree in kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin in May 2005.

NELSON BY THE NUMBERS

Nelson helped lead Texas to back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16 appearances (2006 and 2007).

Nelson has coached her teams to 81 wins over the last seven years, including 33 wins during her three years as Stephen F. Austin’s head coach.

Nelson has coached 34 conference honorees during her coaching career, including three All-Americans.

Nelson has coached the last three years in the Big 12 Con-ference (2005 - Baylor and 2006-07 - Texas) and helped Texas win two conference tournament titles.

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The Yukon, Okla., native is the third head coach in the his-tory of the OU soccer program and is the fi rst state native to hold the position.

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Nelson was named the Southland Conference’s Coach of the Year in two out of her three years at Stephen F. Austin (2003 and 2004).

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NICOLE NELSON


HEAD COACH

Year School Overall Conference Home Road Neutral Conference Tourney NCAA Tourney

2002 Stephen F. Austin 7-9-4 4-4-4 4-3-2 2-6-2 1-0-0 - -2003 Stephen F. Austin 15-5-2 9-2-1 9-0-2 4-4-0 2-1-0 3-0 0-12004 Stephen F. Austin 11-5-3 9-1-2 6-1-2 5-2-1 0-2-0 1-1 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TOTAL 33-19-9 22-7-7 19-4-6 11-12-3 3-3-0 4-1 0-1

ASSISTANT COACH

Year School Overall Conference Home Road Neutral Conference Tourney NCAA Tourney

2001 Stephen F. Austin 10-8-1 6-6-0 7-1-0 2-7-1 1-0-0 0-1 -2005 Baylor 4-12-2 2-7-1 3-4-2 1-7-0 0-1-0 - -2006 Texas 18-4-3 8-1-1 8-1-1 7-2-0 3-1-2 2-0-1 1-1-12007 Texas 16-4-5 6-2-2 9-0-2 3-4-1 4-0-2 1-0-2 2-1-0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TOTAL 48-28-11 22-16-4 27-6-5 13-20-2 8-2-4 3-0-4 3-2-1

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

JOE CASTIGLIONE

- UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA VP/ATHLETICS DIRECTOR“Nicole Nelson has earned respect across the country, particularly in the Big 12 Conference, with her success. It became more and more evident that she was considered one of the rising stars in coaching and embod-ies what we need in this important leadership position. We are excited to welcome her to our Sooner family and confi dent that she will build this program into one of the nation’s most competitive and successful programs.”

CHRIS PETRUCELLI

- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEAD COACH “Oklahoma has made the perfect choice for a women’s soccer coach. Nicole’s enthusiasm and passion are unmatched. She’ll have an immediate impact on that team. We’re proud of her and wish her well as she heads home to build a powerhouse.”

ROBERT HILL

- UNIVERSITY OF STEPHEN F. AUSTIN ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

“Nicole is responsible for building the SFA soccer program into one of the best ever in the Southland Conference. Our program is strong today because of what she started here. She is a natural leader and will do the same at OU.”

NELSON COACHING RECORD

COACH NELSON


Tell us about your background in soccer. How did you get started in coaching?

“ I started coaching while I was still in college. I coached two teams during those years: a U-10 recreational team and the U-18 OKC Shockers club team. I also worked soccer camps every summer during my collegiate career. My fi rst head coaching job at the Division I level was at Stephen F. Austin State University (Southland Confer-ence).”

Why did you want to come back to the state and coach at OU? Is this a dream job being from Oklahoma?“I have had my sights set on being the head coach at OU since I got into coaching at this level. And yes - OU is my dream job. Growing up a Sooner fan and not having the opportunity to represent OU as an athlete contributed to my desire to represent this great university as a coach. My goal is to make winning soccer championships an OU tradition.”

Where have you focused your recruiting efforts in the past and where will they go now at OU?“The focus in recruiting is that we recruit the best players in the nation. Oklahoma will always be priority in recruiting. We want the best players in Oklahoma to play at OU. We will also spend a lot of time in general recruiting in the Southern region, with an emphasis on the state of Texas. I cannot emphasize enough, though, that we are willing to recruit from any part of the country, wherever we have to go to fi nd the best players.”

What are your thoughts on the facilities?“We have an incredible facility that is second to none. The commitment to success is evident when you look at our facility. Our facility is unique in that it allows the crowd to be very involved with what is happening in the game because they sit very close to the fi eld. It is the perfect soccer environment and unique in the Big 12.”

What are your thoughts on the potential of program?“This program has the potential to win Big 12 Championships and National Championships. We will focus on the development of the “whole” student-athlete on and off the fi eld by creating an environment that holds them accountable and sets the achievement bar higher than it has ever been for them. We will use the standard of excellence that currently exists in both academics and athletics at OU to leverage Sooner Soccer to the standard of success.”

Describe your fi rst recruiting class, which you helped complete in February and will compete in 2008?“I am very pleased with the overall quality of the 2008 class. This group is balanced in terms of adding depth in every position and I believe that a number of these play-ers have the ability to come in and contribute immediately. They have the physical attributes to compete at this level and played for established clubs that do a good job of teaching the game. We expect this class to help leverage our program toward a successful 2008 season.”

What style of play will you bring to OU? What can fans expect?“We want to play a style of soccer that is exciting to watch, that keeps the crowd coming back for more. We will be an attack-oriented team. When we have the ball, our focus will be possession and to penetrate or create goal scoring opportunities. When we don’t have the ball, we will put a lot of pressure on teams to regain possession. “

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NELSON Q&A

What are your thoughts on the state of women’s collegiate soccer? Growing in popularity? Fading?“Without question it is growing in popularity. Just look at the number of programs that have been added in the past 10 years at both the collegiate and club levels. In 2009, the women’s professional league will be back. It is growing in popularity every day in our country and throughout the world.”8


HOMETOWN: Ponca City, Okla. ALMA MATER: Southern Nazarene University, 1997 COLLEGIATE COACHING EXPERIENCE

• 2008-present, Oklahoma Assistant Coach • 2005-07, Kansas Assistant Coach • 2004, Emporia State Head Coach • 2000-03, St. Gregory’s Head Coach • 1998-2000, Central Oklahoma Assistant Coach COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Coached on 2005 and 2006 Kansas teams that won 11 games • KU teams had three top fi ve fi nishes in the Big 12, including the 2005 season when it tied for second place in the conference standings• Coached 10 All-Big 12 honorees at Kansas, including two All-Americans • 2004 Mid America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Coach of the Year (Emporia State) PLAYING EXPERIENCE • 1993-97, Southern Nazarene University

PLAYING HONORS

• Two-time second team All-American • Two-time honorable mention All-American • Two-time All-Region fi rst team selection • Four-time All-Sooner Athletic Conference • Four-year team captain

Kara Lowery was added to the Sooners’ coaching staff on Jan. 31, 2008, after spending the last three seasons coaching within the Big 12 Conference at the University of Kansas.

In addition to being a Kansas assistant coach from 2005-2007, Lowery also has fi ve years of head coaching experience at Emporia State and St. Gregory’s University.

She is a Ponca City, Okla., native and graduated in 1997 from Southern Nazarene University.

“Kara was a tremendous addition to our staff,” said head coach Nicole Nelson. “She has experience as a head coach and in the Big 12 Conference and those things are invaluable as we begin the rebuild-ing process. Kara was considered by some of the top programs this offseason for head coaching and assistant jobs. So I feel very fortunate to have her join the Sooner soccer staff.”

Lowery joined Kansas as an assistant coach in January 2005 and primarily trained the fi eld players while serving as the camp coordinator and handling other administrative duties. The Jayhawks enjoyed three top fi ve Big 12 fi nishes during her tenure in Lawrence, including the 2005 season that saw KU tie for second place in the conference standings.

In 2007, Kansas posted a 7-10-4 overall record, but fi nished third in the standings with a 5-2-3 mark in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks won 11 games during the 2005 and 2006 seasons, and Lowery coached two All-Americans and 10 All-Big 12 honorees in her three seasons.

Prior to her stint at KU, Lowery was named the Mid America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Coach of the Year following one season at Emporia State.

In 2004, she led the Hornets to their fi rst winning season in the program’s four-year history. Emporia State fi nished the 2004 season 10-8-2 overall and third in the MIAA. The Hornets were also ranked as high as fi fth in the NSCAA/adidas Central Region rankings. Lowery’s other head coaching stop came at St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Okla., where she directed the program to four straight appearances in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament from 2000-2003.

Lowery also coached St. Gregory’s to the NAIA Tournament in 2001. During her four-year tenure, the Lady Cavs compiled a 30-38-6 overall record. In 2001, Lowery was also involved in the Oklahoma Olympic Development Program, serving as the head coach until she left for her appointment at Emporia State in 2004. She began her collegiate coaching career in 1998 as an assistant at Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla., and fi nished the stint in 2000.

On the playing fi eld at Southern Nazarene University, Lowery was tabbe an honorable mention All-American as a freshman and sophomore and was named a second team All-American as a junior and senior.

She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from SNU in 1997 and currently holds a USSF “A” Coach-ing License.

KARA LOWERYAssistant Coach | First Year at Oklahoma

LOWERY FILE

ASSISTANT COACHES


HOMETOWN: Liverpool, England ALMA MATER: Brescia University (Ky.), 2004 COLLEGIATE COACHING EXPERIENCE

• 2008-present, Oklahoma Assistant Coach • 2005-07, Nevada Assistant Coach • 2004, Brescia University Assistant Coach

COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Helped lead Nevada to program’s fi rst NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006 • Nevada made three straight WAC Tournament appearances, including program’s fi rst in 2005• Nevada set program records for wins (13), goals allowed (14), goals-against average (0.61) and shutouts (12) in 2006 • Coached 2006 WAC Tournament MVP Caitlin Holmes, the program’s career and single-season leader in shutouts and goals-against average • 2005 Wolf Pack were named the Most Improved NCAA Division I Program

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

• 2001-03, Brescia University • 1999-00, Lindsey Wilson • 1997-99, Stockport County FC • 1994-97, Everton FC

PLAYING HONORS

• Two-time NAIA All-American (1999, 2003) • Two-time Kentucky Intercollegiate Association Player of the Year (Brescia)• 1999 NAIA National Tournament MVP (Lindsey Wilson) • Led Lindsey Wilson to the NAIA National Championship in 1999

Graeme (pronounced gram) Abel was named an assistant coach on February 27, 2008, after coaching the past three years on the University of Nevada’s staff.

“Graeme is an incredible addition to our staff,” said head coach Nicole Nelson. “He has been exposed to the game at the highest level as a young professional in England, which adds a unique perspective to our program. He has also been mentored by some of the top goalkeeper coaches in both the United States and Europe. Graeme is regarded as one of the top young goalkeeper coaches in the nation.”

At Nevada, Abel worked primarily with the Wolf Pack’s goalkeepers from 2005-2007. In that span, Nevada enjoyed 30 wins and three straight trips to the Western Athletic Conference tournament, including the 2006 WAC Championship and the program’s only NCAA tournament appearance in 2006. In addition, Abel’s pupils helped anchor a Nevada defense that recorded 23 shutouts in three seasons (Nevada had three in program history prior to his arrival). He also handled aspects relating to compliance and recruiting with the Nevada soccer program.

His 2007 Nevada team held nine opponents to one goal or less with three shutouts.

Under Abel’s direction in 2006, the Wolf Pack made its fi rst NCAA Tournament appearance after clinching the WAC Tournament Championship in penalty kicks. The starting goalkeeper, Caitlin Hol-mes, was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Holmes made her mark in Nevada’s record books under Abel’s tutelage, where she is the program’s career and single-season leader in shutouts and goals-against average.

In addition, the 2006 Wolf Pack recorded a school-record 13 wins and ranked second in the confer-ence in goals allowed and goals-against average. Nevada posted program bests with 12 shutouts, a 0.61 goals-against average and allowed 14 goals overall in 2006.

During his fi rst year in Reno, Abel helped lead the Wolf Pack to a then-program record 11 wins and their fi rst postseason appearance (WAC Tournament). The Wolf Pack were tabbed the nation’s most-improved NCAA Division I program and again ranked second in the Western Athletic Conference with eight shutouts.

Prior to his stint in Nevada, Abel was an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s teams at Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky., where he spent the 2004 season leading the Bearcats’ goalkeepers.The Liverpool, England, native, also has experience in other levels of the sport. He was the head goal-keeper coach for the Nevada Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program and served as an Olympic Development Program Coach with Kentucky Youth Soccer and currently assists with the Region IV ODP and NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America) Goalkeeper staffs.

Abel started his collegiate playing career at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Ky., from 1999-2000, where he led the program to a national championship, before transferring to Brescia University to complete his eligibility. He earned All-America honors during his only year at Lindsey Wilson College and was named the NAIA National Tournament MVP in 1999. At Brescia, Abel again earned All-America honors in 2003 and was named the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Association (KIAC) Conference Player of the Year in 2002 and 2003.

A 2004 graduate of Brescia University, Abel has an Advanced National Diploma and a Level II goalkeeping license, both from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA.) He also holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National “B” coaching license.

GRAEME ABELAssistant Coach | First Year at Oklahoma

ABEL FILE

ASSISTANT COACHES


NANCY DERRICKStrength and Conditioning Coach | First Year at Oklahoma

Nancy Derrick begins her fi rst year as a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Oklahoma after working in a similar capacity for the past two years at the University of Louisiana Monroe.

Derrick oversees the strength and conditioning workouts for the OU soccer team and also works with the softball and volleyball teams. Her duties extend to developing weight and conditioning programs, advising athletes on proper nutritional habits and coaching athletes in fl exibility, speed and agility.

In addition, Derrick assists with supervising a graduate assistant that works directly with the OU men’s and women’s tennis teams and the women’s rowing team.

While at Louisiana Monroe, Derrick worked with eight different sports, including women’s basketball, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, softball, baseball, women’s tennis and men’s and women’s golf.

Derrick has worked the last four years in the fi eld and began working as an undergraduate at Auburn University where she was a member of the basketball team from 2000-2004.

As a student, she worked with each of the Olympic sports before continuing her education and work in the fi eld as a graduate assistant at Auburn.

While obtaining her masters in exercise physiology, she was the head strength and conditioning coach for women’s tennis, men’s and women’s diving and men’s and women’s cross country and fi nished her time as the interim head in charge of women’s basketball and women’s soccer.

A native of Johnston, South Carolina, Derrick is a certifi ed member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). She is also a member of the CsCCa (Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association).

Derrick obtained her bachelors degree from Auburn University in health promotion while minoring in sports coaching and business.

LEE WILLIAMSVolunteer Assistant/Camp Director | First Year at Oklahoma

SUPPORT STAFF

Lee Williams began his fi rst year as the Volunteer Assistant and camp director in the spring of 2008.

Williams is responsible for the day-to-day operations off the fi eld, including team travel, serving as a liaison with the training room, equipment room, media relations, strength and conditioning, athletics administration and grounds crew. He also coordinates efforts with the program’s booster clubs and helps direct youth camps in the offseason.

The Tulsa, Okla., native worked with Nicole Nelson at the University of Texas as a Soccer Camp Coach.

Most recently, Williams was the assistant soccer coach at Broken Arrow High School where he also taught an english class.

Williams held similar positions at Jenks High School from 2005-2006 and at Mid-Del Public Schools in 2005.

Prior to receiving his masters in business administration from Oklahoma City University in 2006, Williams was a graduate assistant coach for the men’s and women’s soccer teams. From 2004-2005, he helped the OCU programs with recruiting and the organization of practices and travel schedules.

Williams also spent time from 2000-2004 with Harrah High School as the head coach of the women’s team and an assistant coach for the men’s team.

A graduate of the Oklahoma City University, Williams received his bachelor’s degree in english literature in 2004.


ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFFCasey Bookout ................................Information SystemsChristina Carter ..............................Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid Debbie Copp ...................................Publications DirectorDanny Davis ...................................Facilities DirectorLuke Davis ......................................Student TrainerAshley Gloystein .............................Assistant Marketing Director Dave Haskin ...................................Director of MarketingShelley Harmon ..............................Administrative AssistantDanny Haynor ................................Event ManagementTory Kukowski ................................Internet ServicesStacy Lemmert ...............................Food ServicesJason Matheson .............................Internet Services

Scott Matthews ..............................Graphic DesignBrandon Meier ...............................Director of Video Production - SoonerVisionNoel Mohrmann .............................DevelopmentAnnette Moran ...............................Life Skills CoordinatorDavid Payne ...................................Information SystemsLindy Roberts .................................Event ManagementMatt Schaeperkoetter ....................Ticket Offi ceDanielle Ship ..................................Student ManagerJim Weller ......................................On-Campus HousingJamie Wilcox ..................................Assistant Facilities DirectorSadiki Wilson ..................................Information Systems Linda Wyatt ....................................Director of Initial Eligibility and Admissions

DESIREE TAYLORAcademic Advisor

CONSTANTINE DEMETRIADISAthletic Trainer

ANGELA WALKEREquipment

SHEA YATESGraduate Manager

DESMOND STEPHENSGrounds Crew

ASHLEY GLOYSTEINMarketing

CRAIG MORANMedia Relations

STEVE SMITHTeam Physician

SUPPORT STAFF


UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

DAVID L. BORENUniversity President | 13th President at Oklahoma

David L. Boren, who has served Oklahoma as governor and U.S. senator, became the thirteenth president of the University of Oklahoma in November 1994. He is the fi rst person in state history to have served in all three positions.

Boren is widely respected for his academic credentials, his longtime support of education, and for his distinguished political career as a reformer of the American political system. A graduate of Yale University in 1963, Boren majored in American history, graduated in the top one percent of his class and was elected Phi Beta Kappa. He was selected as a Rhodes Scholar and earned a master’s degree in politics, philosophy and economics from Oxford University, England, in 1965.

In 1968, he received a law degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he was on the Law Review, elected to the Order of the Coif, and won the Bledsoe Prize as the outstanding graduate by a vote of the faculty.

As Oklahoma’s governor from 1974 through 1978, Boren promoted key educational initiatives that have had an enduring impact on Oklahoma. Established during his tenure were the Oklahoma Arts Institute, the Scholar-Leadership Enrichment Program, and the Oklahoma Physicians Manpower Training Program, which provides scholarships for medical students and medical personnel who commit to practice in underserved rural areas. Also, the fi rst state funding for Gifted and Talented classes was provided in 1976 and, from 1976 through 1978, Oklahoma ranked fi rst among all states in the percentage increases of funding for higher education.

One of Boren’s most far-reaching projects in promoting quality education at all levels is the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, which he founded in 1985. The foundation recognizes outstanding public school students and teachers and helps establish private local foundations to help give academic endowment grants to local public schools. As a senator, he was the author of the National Se-curity Education Act in 1992, which provides scholarships for study abroad and for learning additional languages, as well as legislation to restore the tax deductibility of gifts of appreciated property to universities in 1993.

Boren, also a former state legislator, spent nearly three decades in elective politics before becoming the president of the University of Oklahoma. Boren was the youngest governor in the nation when he served from 1974 to 1978. Known as a reformer, Boren campaigned with a broom as his symbol. During his term, he instituted many progressive programs, including confl ict-of-interest rules, cam-paign-fi nancing disclosure, stronger open meeting laws for public bodies, more competitive bidding on state government contracts, and reform of the state’s prison system, including expanded educa-tion programs for fi rst-time offenders and the largest expansion of the work-release program in state history.

During his time in the U.S. Senate from 1979 to 1994, Boren served on the Senate Finance and Agriculture Committees and was the longest-serving chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. From his days as a state legislator and governor of Oklahoma to Washington, Boren carried a commitment to reform, leading numerous efforts to make government work better for American citizens. As chairman of the Senate Intelligence Commit-

tee, he strengthened oversight of secret government programs and reformed the procedures for Presidential notice of such programs to Congress.

For more than 10 years, he led the fi ght for congressional campaign fi nance reform and for legislation discouraging administration and congressional staff from cashing in on government experience and contacts by becoming lobbyists. In addition, he introduced legislation seeking to limit gifts and travel subsidies that govern-ment workers, including members of Congress, can receive from lobbyists. Boren also chaired the special 1992-93 Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress, which produced proposals to make Congress more effi cient and responsive by streamlining congres-sional bureaucracy, reducing staff sizes and reforming procedures to end legislative gridlock.

Boren left the U.S. Senate in 1994 with an approval rating of 9l percent after being reelected with 83 percent of the vote in 1990, the highest percentage in the nation in a U.S. Senate contest in that election year.

Boren served from 1988 to 1997 as a member of the Yale University Board of Trustees. His university experience also includes four years on the faculty of Oklahoma Baptist University, where he was chairman of the Department of Political Science and chairman of the Division of Social Sciences. In 1993, the American Association of University Professors presented Boren with the Henry Yost Award as Education Advocate of the Year. In April 2004, Boren received the Mory’s Cup from the Mory’s Association at Yale University. In making the presentation to Boren it was noted that he was the fi rst Yale graduate in the university’s history extending over three centuries to have served as a Governor, U.S. Senator and President of a major university.

Under Boren’s leadership, the University of Oklahoma has developed and emerged as a “pacesetter university in American public higher education,” with 20 major new programs initiated since his inauguration. They include establishment of the Honors College, the Charles M. Russell Center for the Study of Art of the American West, a new expository writing program for freshmen modeled on the program at Harvard, an interdisciplinary religious studies program, the Artist-in-Residence Program, the International Programs Center, and the Faculty-in-Residence Program putting faculty family apart-ments in student residence halls. The Retired Professors Program has been started, bringing 50 retired full professors back to the University to teach freshmen.

The number of new facilities started or completed on the campus during the Boren years has matched the explosion in new programs. Since 1994, almost $1 billion in construction projects have been completed or are under way on OU’s three campuses. Among the largest of the recent projects are the $18.7 million renovation and expansion of historic Holmberg Hall, home of music and dance programs; the $67 million National Weather Center; the $19 million addition to the Michael F. Price College of Business; the $17 million Gaylord Hall for journalism and mass communication; the $27 million Stephenson Research and Technology Center; and the $83.5 million stadium project. The Health Sciences Center has a new Student Union, and the new $24 million Stanton L. Young Biomedi-cal Research Center.

Presidential Travel Scholarships, students from 111 countries on campus, more reciprocal international exchange agreements than any other university and the new International Programs Center are all making OU more international. The new Honors College helps to assure that no students need to leave Oklahoma to fi nd an educa-tional experience to match their potential.

In 1995, Boren launched the “Reach for Excellence” fundraising campaign with a fi ve-year goal of $200 million, which was twice as large as any fundraising drive in Oklahoma history. The drive exceeded $500 million, raising OU into the top 15 public universities in the United States in private endowment per capita. Since 1994, endowed professorships have more than quadrupled and the OU donor base has grown from 18,000 to more than 107,000 friends and alumni. During the fi rst 10 years of Boren’s tenure over $1 billion in private gifts were donated to the university.

Above all, the Boren years have been marked by an emphasis on putting students fi rst. There is not a university president in the country that is more committed to students as his number one priority. He teaches a freshman-level course in political science each semester and is one of the few presidents of major universities to teach.

Boren is married to Molly Shi Boren, a former judge and English teacher. Mrs. Boren is President Emeritus of the Oklahoma Arts Institute, which provides education programs in nine arts disciplines for high school students from across the state who are gifted in the arts. Molly Boren has two degrees from the University of Oklahoma, a master’s degree in English and a Juris Doctorate from the OU College of Law. A native of Seminole, Boren has two children, Carrie Christine Boren, an Episcopal minister, and David Daniel Boren, a member of the United States Congress from Oklahoma. Devoting much of his life to public service, Boren drew from the example of his parents, the late Congressman Lyle H. Boren and Christine Boren.


VP/ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

JOE CASTIGLIONEVP/Athletics Director | 11th Director at Oklahoma

Principle Centered Leader …Visionary ... Passionate Advocate for Student-Athletes ... Establishes Standards of Excellence & Cultural Values ... Builder of Championship Programs

Each of those characteristics, standing alone, describes the 11th director of athletics in University of Oklahoma history. However, just as he has brought together different groups who are committed to one goal, you must combine those traits to get the complete picture of the person who has led the OU athletics department since 1998.

Joe Castiglione has established a pattern of excellence that few in his profession can match. In an environment where every decision is made refl ecting the department’s mission statement “Inspiring champions today … Preparing leaders for tomorrow,” forming the background, Castiglione is leading the department that has written one of the most successful eras in school history.

Quick to give credit to the student-athletes and coaches, the staff and the university administration, the donors and the fans, Castiglione was the one who implemented the changes that led to success. When he was hired in 1998, the search committee believed they had found a rising star in the fi eld of intercollegiate athletics administration. Everything that has happened since his arrival at OU has cemented that reputation.

The accomplishments of the department and its student-athletes, coaches and staff have earned national recognition for the univer-sity and the department. Recognized as the 2007 PRISM Award winner by the School of Sports Management at the University of Massachusetts, OU was just the second Division I winner and all of the programs recognized by the selection panel were started under Castiglione’s leadership. The PRISM Award annually recognizes one Division I intercollegiate athletics department that demonstrates industry-leading excellence and innovation in sports management.

His commitment to the success of student-athletes led NCAA President Dr. Myles Brand to appoint him as chair of the Football Academic Progress Rate (APR) Working Group in June of 2008. This group, which includes presidents, chancellors, conference commissioners, faculty athletics representatives, athletics directors and head football coaches, has been given the charge to review the APR as it pertains to Division I football student-athletes. When the study is complete, the group will report back to Dr. Brand and the NCAA Board of Directors with their fi ndings, evaluations and recom-mendations for improvement.

His peers have honored him for the department’s achievements as well. In October 2004, the Bobby Dodd Foundation named him Ath-letics Director of the Year. In 2003, he was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators Hall of Fame. In June 2001, he received the General Robert R. Neyland Athletic Direc-tor Award for lifetime achievement from the All-American Football Foundation. The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) named him Central Region AD of the Year in 2000.

Perhaps his most unique achievement over the last 10 years for Castiglione, though, came when he received his master’s of education degree from OU in May 2007. To understand the need for education and lifelong learning, OU’s student-athletes just have to look at their AD who started and completed his master’s degree while running the department and maintaining his priorities to his

family. He quickly put his experience to use as an adjunct professor in the College of Education teaching a graduate class in Marketing & Development.

The 11th director of athletics at the University of Oklahoma has cel-ebrated seven national team championships and over 40 conference team titles; record numbers of graduating student-athletes and record-setting grade point averages for Sooner teams; dramatically increased donor giving; huge increases in ticket sales for all sports; major facility improvements, and development and construction of new facilities. And, as aggressive as the push to improve, expand and excel has been, he has produced a balanced budget in every year of his tenure, a fi rst since the early 1980s.

Credited with energizing OU’s fund-raising efforts, Castiglione was instrumental in the athletics department’s major campaign, Great Expectations: The Campaign For Sooner Sports. The campaign ended in November of 2003 with more than $125 million raised. The fi gure has grown to almost $200 million since then as the department continues its approach, and largest fund-raising effort in OU athlet-ics history including projects that impact each of OU’s nearly 500 student-athletes and has become a national model.

Castiglione has cultivated over 20 multi-million dollar gifts, including the largest capital gifts in history for athletics at OU, and some of the largest ever for the university as a whole. He has driven dramatic facilities projects, including a $70 million renovation and expansion of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Others include a $17.2 million renovation of Lloyd Noble Center; phase I of The Headington Family Tennis Complex; John Jacobs Track and Field Complex; the Everest Training Facility, one of the largest indoor practice areas in the country; and construction of the Gregg & Betsy Wadley Indoor Tennis Center. Other projects completed in his tenure have included the redesign of the Sooner football practice fi elds; the Port Robertson Wrestling Facility; phase I & II of the Sooner Soccer Complex, expansion of the Viersen Gymnastics Pavilion as well as additional renovations to the McCasland Field House; L. Dale Mitchell Park, the Charlie Coe Golf Learning Center, the OU Softball Complex and Barry Switzer Center. His administrative work, which has seen signifi cant reorganization and the hiring of 12 head coaches, also included the negotiation of multi-million dollar multi-media rights contract that produces more than $8 million in annual revenue for the athletics department. His leadership was instrumental as well as the Sooners added their 21st athletics team to the OU family, women’s rowing (which will begin competition in the fall of 2008) and the design and construction of the new McClendon Boathouse on the Oklahoma River.

Castiglione was hired on April 30, 1998, after serving as athletics di-rector at Missouri. In his 17-year career with the Tigers, Castiglione, who was named director of athletics at Missouri on Dec. 15, 1993, was credited with rebuilding sports programs, hiring outstanding coaches, implementing an innovative master plan for facilities, inspiring record-setting increases in fund-raising and balancing the budget in each of his fi ve years as athletics director.

A 1979 Maryland graduate, Castiglione received the University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in April 2007. He began his career as the sports promotions director at Rice. He then worked a year as director of athletic fund-raising at Georgetown before being hired in 1981 at Missouri as director of communications and marketing.

Active on the national and conference level, he is currently serving on the Gatorade Collegiate Advisory Board and the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Board of Directors. He served two terms as chair of the Big 12 Board of Athletics Directors and is a past president of the Division I-A Athletic Directors Association and NACDA. He served a four-year term on the NCAA Championship/Competition Cabinet and the NCAA Baseball Com-mittee and is a past member of the NCAA Football Special Events Certifi cation Committee. He recently agreed to serve on the NCAA Diversity Leadership Strategic Planning Committee and the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Discussion Group. In 2007, he was named to the Phi Delta Theta Foundation Board of Trustees. He is a highly requested speaker at annual conventions and continuing education institutes.

A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Castiglione was born Oct. 8, 1957. He is married to the former Kristen Bartel, a 1990 graduate of the University of Missouri. They are the parents of two sons, Joseph Robert, Jr., (12) and Jonathan Edmund (8).

Other highlights of Castiglione’s tenure include:• An annual fi nish among the top 25 in the standings for the Director’s Cup which measures overall athletics success in eight of the last nine years, including an all-time program best of 15th in 2003-2004. OU ranked 23rd in the 2007-08 standings.• A total of 29 OU teams that have ranked among the top 10 in season-ending polls.• A school-record and Big 12-best graduation rate of 74% in 2003.• Three appearances in the BCS National Championship Game and the college football national championship in 2000.• Appearances by the men’s and women’s basketball teams in their respective Final Fours in 2002.• A Division I record of 74 combined victories produced by the foot-ball team and both basketball squads in the 2001-02 school year.• An average of more than 17 out of 20 OU teams per year repre-sented in postseason play. A total of 18 of OU’s 20 teams advanced to NCAA competition in 2007-08 and conference titles were produced by football, men’s gymnastics and women’s gymnastics.


ADMINISTRATION

DR. GERALD GURNEYSenior Associate A.D. for Academics and Student Life

KENNY MOSSMANSenior Associate A.D. for Communications

GREG PHILLIPSSenior Associate A.D./Chief Financial Offi cer

DR. NICKI MOOREAssistant A.D. for Psychological Resources

MERV JOHNSONSpecial Assistant to the Athletics Director

CONNIE DILLONFaculty Athletics Representative

LARRY NAIFEHExecutive Associate Director of Athletics

JASON LEONARDExecutive Director of Compliance

GLORIA NEVAREZSenior Associate A.D./Administration

STEPHANIE REMPESenior Associate A.D./Senior Woman Administrator

DEREN BOYDAssistant A.D. for Development

BILLY RAY JOHNSONAssistant A.D. for Ticket Operations

GREG TIPTONAssistant A.D./Lloyd Noble Center General Manager

JOE WASHINGTONSpecial Assistant to the Athletics Director,

Executive Director, Varsity O Association

OU ATHLETICS DEPARTMENTThe mission of the University of Oklahoma Athletics Department is to inspire champions today and prepare leaders for tomorrow by providing an excellent environment to enable student-athletes to achieve their highest academic, athletic and personal aspirations.

Core Values

• Integrity • Passion for Excellence • Commitment • Respect & Responsibility for Self & Others• Appreciation for and Encouragement of Gender & Cultural Diversity

Philosophy

The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department promotes excellence in athletics without compromising excellence in academics or integrity in its commitment to rules or conduct. Student-athletes are encouraged by the coaching and administrative staff to maintain a balance between athletics, academics, and the social aspects of college.

It is believed that athletic participation gives an added dimension to the student’s overall college experience and provides an opportunity for social, moral, emotional, and cultural growth and development. The athletic programs strive to create traits that once acquired will carry over and benefi t student-athletes in their personal and professional endeavors. The University of Oklahoma maintains a tradition of excellence in intercollegiate sports.

The Athletics Department continues to uphold this tradition by striving to make each athletic team and individual of championship caliber. Its staff members work to instill in student-athletes an appreciation for hard work, perseverance, and pride in accomplishment. It is believed these attributes will be utilized throughout the student-athlete’s life.

ATHLETIC PHONE DIRECTORYUnless otherwise noted, numbers are (405) 325 + four-digit extension

Academics & Student Life ................. 8265Administration .................................. 8200Baseball ............................................ 8354Basketball, Men’s ............................... 4732Basketball, Women’s .......................... 8322Business & Finance ............................ 8440Compliance ...................................... 8561 24 Hour Hotline ........................... 6479Development & Sooner Club ............. 8000 Toll Free....................... (866) 766-6372Equipment ........................................ 8379Events & Operations .......................... 8235Facilities ............................................ 8290Football ............................................. 2345Graphic Design .................................. 8223Golf, Men’s ......................................... 8342Golf, Women’s .................................... 8343Gymnastics, Men’s ............................. 8341Gymnastics, Women’s ........................ 8333Marketing ........................................ 7811Media Relations ................................ 8231Medical Training ................................ 8332O-Club ............................................... 8224

Publications ...................................... 8367Soccer ............................................... 8296Softball ............................................. 8361SoonerSports.com ............................. 4274Sooner Sports Properties ................... 2148SoonerVision ..................................... 8261Spirit ................................................. 8366Strength & Conditioning ................... 8330Tennis, Men’s ..................................... 8362Tennis, Women’s ................................ 8325Ticket Offi ce ...................................... 2424 Toll Free...................... (800) 456-4668Track & Field ...................................... 8212Volleyball .......................................... 8364Wrestling .......................................... 8209


COACHES

SUNNY GOLLOWAYBaseball - Fifth year

SHERRI COALEWomen’s Basketball - 13th year

BOB STOOPSFootball - 10th year

CAROL LUDVIGSONWomen’s Golf - 24th year

K.J. KINDLERWomen’s Gymnastics - Third year

JEFF CAPELMen’s Basketball - Third year

MARTIN SMITHCross Country/Track & Field - Fourth year

JIM RAGANMen’s Golf - Ninth year

MARK WILLIAMSMen’s Gymnastics - 10th year

NICOLE NELSONSoccer - First year

PAUL LOCKWOODMen’s Tennis - 22nd year

PATTY GASSOSoftball - 15th year

DAVID MULLINSWomen’s Tennis - First year

SANTIAGO RESTREPOVolleyball - Sixth year

JACK SPATESWrestling - 16th year

LEANNE CRAINEWomen’s Rowing - First year


CAMP STAFFThe Sooner Soccer Camp Staff will consist of top collegiate and youth soccer coaches. Combined, they will create an environment that is bothenjoyable yet challenging for all levels of youth soccer players.

OKLAHOMA SOCCER CAMPSWELCOME TO SOONER SOCCERIt is a new and exciting era for the Sooner Soccer Program. It is with great enthusiasm and passion, that our staff and team have embraced the challenge of building a national powerhouse. The aca-demic and athletic success that already exist at the University of Oklahoma are the keys to making championships an Oklahoma Soccer tradition. We invite you and your teammates to join us for a fi rst-class soccer education - soccer the Sooner way. We have put together a tremendous staff consisting of top collegiate coaches and youth coaches. Sooner Soccer counselors and dorm administrators will consist of former and current collegiate players. Combined, they will create an environment that is enjoyable yet challenging for soccer players of all levels. Our staff and OU players will interact with you, both on and off the fi eld, to ensure that you gain the maximum benefi ts that our camp environment has to offer.

Our goal is to make you a better player and introduce you to the opportunities that exist concerning your future in soccer. We will share with you our philosophy and the style we believe will leverage us to success. We look forward to you joining us next summer.

For more information on the University of Oklahoma Soccer Camps, please visit SoonerSoccer.com. Below is a closer look at some of the camps we offer:

ADVANCED RESIDENTIAL CAMP

Our coaching staff will put campers through technical and tactical exercises that will refl ect a game environment. Both the technical and tactical applications are taught at the highest level to ensure the player gets the maximum from this training environment.

DAY CAMP

The day camp will be an environment where our coaching staff will develop the player with individual technical work and small sided games. This environment will ensure that the soccer player gets the maximum entertainment from the camp experience while also becoming a better soccer player.

TEAM CAMP

If you want to attend Sooner Soccer Camps as a team, you must have 10 or more people. By request, the camp staff will cater to each team’s training needs with a challenging program that will cover technical and tactical areas of the game. Each team member will also receive a free Sooner Soccer string bag.

SOONER GOALKEEPER ACADEMY

Goalkeepers are trained on both the technical and tactical elements of the position. The training is game specifi c and is designed to give goalkeepers the ability to impact their game immediately. Goalkeepers will be integrated into small sided and full sided games to help enhance their development at camp.

NICOLE NELSON

- Camp Director -Oklahoma Head Coach

KARA LOWERYCamp Assistant Director

OU Assistant Coach

GRAEME ABELCamp Assistant Director

OU Assistant Coach

LEE WILLIAMSCamp Assistant Director

Volunteer Assistant

sooner staff...the head coach at stephen f. austin and successful stints as an assistant coach at...

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