Ouachita leads with 12 on GSC Winter All-Academic Honor Roll

Ouachita Baptist earned high academic honors with the release of the 2011 Gulf South Conference Winter All-Academic Team, officials announced on Thursday.

Landing a spot on the GSC All-Academic Team was senior Scott Day (Men's Basketball). Ouachita tied with Harding with the most selections on the GSC Honor Roll with 12.

Day earned his first appearance on the All-Academic Team, as the Highlands Ranch, Colo. native has produced a 3.55 grade point average as a Business major. The senior has been named to the Dean's List, while also serving as a Tiger Serve Day volunteer throughout his time on campus. While starting in all 26 games this season, Day averaged 10.9 points and 6.3 rebounds, as well as recording 49 assists, 20 steals and 17 blocks. Day finished his final collegiate season with a 43 percent overall shooting percentage, while hitting 39-of-93 three-pointers at a 41 percent mark.


Earning spots on the GSC Winter Academic Honor Roll for Men's Basketball, were: Day, junior Emmanuel Engulu (Kinesiology/Christian Studies; 3.76), sophomore Nigel Ramsey (Business; 3.8) and freshman Eric Braeuer (Undecided; 3.0), David Day (Business; 3.2) and Leith Hobbs (Undecided; 3.5).

The Winter All-Academic Team is selected by the GSC Sports Information Directors (SIDs) and Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs) in a joint vote. Nominees must meet all three of the following qualifications to appear on the ballot: 1) an overall grade point average (G.P.A.) of 3.20 or better on a 4.00 scale for their entire academic career, 2) a starter or significant contributor to the squad, and 3) leadership, academic curriculum and community service.

2011 Tiger Basketball Camp

We are very excited to announce the dates and times of our Summer Basketball Camps for 2011. The OBU basketball family is eager to work with your child again this summer as well as see some very talented teams at team camp! Please mail in your information as soon as possible to save your child or team a spot in this years camp! If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact me at: rutiglianos@obu.edu or (870)-245-5339. Look forward to another great summer of basketball camp!!!

Click here to download camp brochure!

Team Camp: July 17-19
Jr. High & Sr. High

Individual Camp: July 20-23
for boys 6 years old and up

Tigers Pay a Visit to AT&T Center!

On the road trip to invade Texas, the Tigers had the opportunity to go see the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs play in San Antonio, TX. The Tigers had a great time watching the game in front of a packed house with the home team being edge in the closing minutes of play. We would like to thank the Spurs and supporters of the program that made this trip possible!!!!

OBU Men's Basketball 2010-2011 Pictures

We would like to thank Dr. Kluck for the amazing pictures he took this weekend of the team. Just click on the link below and enjoy the pictures!!!

Click Here for Team Pictures

The True Definition of a Student-Athlete

Please join me in congratulating Emmanuel Engulu, who has just been named a University Scholar by the College Society Advisory Board. To be named a University Scholar, a student must exhibit the highest level of academic achievement with the goal of serving Christ in the university community. A student applying to become a University Scholar must have at least a 3.5 GPA, a recommendation from a faculty member, written statements describing his or her Christian faith, and a Statement of Intent to Earn a PhD. As a final step in the process, the candidate is interviewed by members of the College Society Advisory Board.

University Scholars from Ouachita have won prestigious fellowships, including a Pew Graduate Fellowship and a Fulbright Fellowship, and they have been accepted at graduate programs at Yale, Notre Dame, Duke, the University of Illinois, Emory, Oxford, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Florida, Baylor, The Eastman School of Music, The Medieval Institute at Leeds University, Wheaton College, Southern Methodist University, and Hebrew University. Emmanuel, a Christian Studies/Theology and Kinesiology double major, joins Stephanie Beck and Sarah Stark as our other University Scholars on campus this semester. PROUD OF YOU EMMANUEL KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!

TIGERS HAVE A VISITOR!

It’s really encouraging to have individuals come forward who are willing to contribute their knowledge and experiences toward the development of our team! Last night the Tigers had a visit from All- American performer at the University of Kansas and member of the 2005-2006 NBA champions Miami Heat's Wayne Simien. The guys truly enjoyed the wealth of knowledge that Wayne shared with us and know that it will help us in preparing for the upcoming year! THANK YOU WAYNE!

2010-2011 Men's Basketball Roster

Take a look at your new Ouachita Baptist Tigers!!!!

2010-2011 Roster

OBU Men's Basketball Announces Upcoming 2010-2011 Schedule

September 15, 2010

ARKADELPHIA- Ouachita Baptist Director of Athletics David Sharp and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Price announced Sept. 15 the release of the upcoming 2010-2011 men’s basketball schedule.

“Whenever you play in the Gulf South Conference, your schedule is challenging by default and the GSC will once again be one of the nation’s strongest leagues, if not the strongest,” Price said. “The non conference portion of the schedule offers its share of excitement as well as it includes three teams that participated in last season’s NCAA tournament along with a pair of early exhibition games against well-coached NCAA division I opponents.”

The Tigers will open with three-straight home non-conference games, including GSC Crossover games against Alabama-Huntsville on Nov. 18 and North Alabama (Nov. 19), then playing Baptist Bible on Nov. 23. Ouachita will then take road trips to San Antonio, Texas and Dallas, Texas to face Incarnate Word and Dallas Baptist on Nov. 27 and 29.

In the month of December, Ouachita returns to Bill Vining Arena for a pair of matchups with Ecclesia on Dec. 2 and College of the Ozarks on Dec. 9. The Tigers then hit the road to Florence, Ala. to face North Alabama for a second time on Dec. 11, then come back to campus to defend their home court against Lambuth (Dec. 18).

Intriguing Gulf South Conference cross-over matchups with West Georgia and West Alabama on Dec. 30-31 are also among the final stretch of non-conference competition for the Tigers.

To begin GSC play, Ouachita hits the road to kick off the new year, traveling to Harding on Jan. 8 and Delta State (Jan. 13). Ouachita then returns home to face Southern Arkansas and Christian Brothers on Jan. 15 and 20, followed by trips to Monticello to face Arkansas-Monticello (Jan. 22) and across the street for the first installment of the Battle of the Ravine series with Henderson State on Jan. 27. The final game of January matches Ouachita with defending GSC Champion Arkansas Tech at home on Jan. 29.

For the month of February, the Tigers begin the second rotation of GSC play, swapping the locations of each conference opponent from earlier in the season. The season finale puts Ouachita on the road to Russellville to face the Wonder Boys on Feb. 26 to close out the regular season schedule.

“As it is early in our preseason activities, I feel good about the character and energy level of our team. We emphasize effort level with them, and I don’t have to fight with these guys much on that particular issue. They are an extremely good group of young men from very good backgrounds.”

In his first season on campus, Head Coach Mark Price guided the Tigers to an 8-19 record overall, including a 7-9 record at Bill Vining Arena. Among the returners for Ouachita will be senior Scott Day, who averaged 9.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 27 games. Junior Julian LaDay rarely left the court for the Tigers last season, averaging a team-high 31.1 minutes/game, while scoring 7.7 points, while also recording team-highs in assists (75) and steals (45). Junior Austin Mitchell provided three-point range for the Tigers off the bench last season, averaging 8 points and shooting 44 percent behind the arc.

The incoming recruiting class undoubtedly filled a major need for Ouachita last season: size. Of the six newcomers, five have heights of 6′4 and above. Among the recruits, are freshman Jaron Vierra (6′6, 195; Forward) of Georgetown, Texas (Georgetown High School), David Day (6′7, 200; Forward) of Highlands Ranch, Col. (Thunder Ridge High School), John Kornet (6′9, 205; Forward) of Lantana, Texas (Liberty Christian Academy), Leith Hobbs (6′8, 200; Forward) of Crown Point, Ind. (Lake Central High School) and sophomore transfer Nigel Ramsey (6′4, 190; Guard) of Birmingham Ala. (Shelton State).

“We have a group of six talented newcomers,” Price believes. “I am strongly encouraged that each of our seven returning players are guys that were playing significant roles on our team as we were playing our best basketball down the stretch. Five of those guys were freshmen last year. Hopefully that experience will translate into significant improvement for our program.”

-By Alan Greenwood, OBU Sports Information Director

2010-2011 Basketball Schedule

Summer Thoughts From Coach Price…

This is always an exciting time of the year for me. I love the anticipation of the beginning of the school year and preseason basketball workouts. I have finished watching a lot of potential future tigers on the AAU circuit during July, and anxiously await the arrival of our current team to campus. I am more excited this August as many improvements have been and are being made to our campus and athletic facilities. Two of the oldest dormitories on our campus have been torn down and replaced with two brand new ones. We have renovated our weight training facility in Bill Vining Arena with new, state-of-the-art flooring and equipment. It is a great time to be at OBU and especially to be a part of the men’s basketball program. Having completed the first season of a new era of Tiger basketball, we look forward to building on the foundation laid by last season’s team. All seven of our returning lettermen from 2009-10 played a crucial role in our progress. It is equally exciting to welcome six new faces to the program.

As I watched high school seniors-to-be during July, I thought a lot about the two most significant elements of our program: Attitude and Effort. These happen to be the only two factors in life that we execute control over. Coincidentally, they will also have the greatest impact on our personal and collective success. Rarely, will I become upset or impatient with a player’s shortcomings when his attitude and effort have been adequate.

Effort is not merely physical. Some players think that they are giving sufficient effort if they are running as hard, cutting as hard, or jumping as high as possible. Maximum physical exertion is certainly non-negotiable in terms of effort, but satisfactory effort also requires concentration. It is important to never mistake activity for accomplishment. Mental focus coupled with maximum physical exertion is our standard for effort.

We also have full control of our attitude. Similarly, many players mistake their attitude for whether or not they react verbally in a negative way or talk back to a coach. Our attitude about anything is a direct result of what is in our heart. A poor attitude can be demonstrated by simple things such as poor or disinterested body language, or lack of eye contact. Some of the worst attitude and behavior that is most detrimental to teams is NOT what is said in the presence of the coach or teammates, but what is said about them in the locker room, behind their backs, or even to members of the media. When placed in adverse situations, what is in our heart usually surfaces. Adversity WILL come, and this is why a winning attitude comes from the status of our heart. A player with a winning heart and attitude will put the success of the program in front of personal achievement and statistics. He will allow himself to be coached and mentored.

Attitude and Effort are at the core of a True Tiger!

In Christ,

Coach Price
Galatians 6:7-8

Tiger Strength!

With all of the amazing campus improvements happening all over OBU's beautiful campus it was only fitting that the athletic department got a upgrade as well. This Monday the athletic department came one step closer to the completion of the athletic weight room with the arrival of the new equipment. Everything is really starting to come together and we can't wait for the athletes to get back on campus so they can enjoy the new facility. I would like to thank everyone that has put long hard hours into making this project a reality and look forward to the first basketball workout in the new weight room. If you can't wait to get back on campus here are some pictures of the new weight room. Enjoy! GO TIGERS!!!

OBU Weight Room Pictures

Individual Camp

OBU Individual Camp was a great success and I would like to thank everyone that took part in it! I hope that all of the participants had a good time as I know all of the OBU basketball staff really enjoyed working with all of you! Keep working hard this summer on your game as it will pay off this upcoming season. Many of the skills that were learned over the 4-day camp can really help you in developing important skills. Everyone enjoy the remainder of the summer and have a amazing 2010-2011 basketball season. We hope to see you all next year in camp. GO TIGERS!!!

Tiger Team Camp UPDATE!!

We would like to thank all of the players and coaches that made the Tiger Team Camp a great success! It was a great 3-days of basketball filled with a lot of great plays and talented players. I look forward to following all of your team's this coming year. I hope that the rest of your summer is filled with even more basketball and additional opportunities for your team to improve. REMEMBER: There comes a time when winter asks what you've done all summer....what will your answer be?

OBU Men’s Basketball announces summer camp schedule

ARKADELPHIA- Ouachita Baptist Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Price announced the summer dates for the Individual Camp and OBU Team Camp on Tuesday.The OBU Team Camp will take place on June 13-16 for junior high, junior varsity and high school teams on campus at Bill Vining Arena. The resident cost for individuals is $145 and $70 for commuters. The camp cost will include housing, meals, a camp t-shirt and instruction from the Ouachita Baptist Men’s Basketball coaching staff. Deadline for applications will be May 31.

The Individual Camp will take place on July 18-21 and will be for boys six years old through 12th grade. The individual camp will take place on campus at Bill Vining Arena and the cost will be $210 for residents and $115 for commuters with a $50 deposit. The camp cost will include housing, meals, a camp t-shirt and instruction from the Ouachita Baptist Men’s Basketball coaching staff. Deadline for applications will be July 12.

For more information, contact Ouachita Baptist Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Sean Rutigliano at rutiglianos@obu.edu or at 870-245-5339.

OBU Men’s Basketball signs six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.- Ouachita Baptist Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Price has announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent in preparation for the 2010-2011 season.

Joining the team will be Eric Braeuer of Belton, Texas; Dave Day of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Leith Hobbs of Gary, Indiana; John Kornet of Argyle, Texas; Nigel Ramsey of Birmingham, Ala.; and Jaron Vierra of Georgetown, Texas.

“This recruiting class is full of high character young men from solid backgrounds that will represent OBU on the court as well as across campus,” Ouachita Head Coach Mark Price said.

Braeuer (5’11; guard) will join the Tigers from Belton High School in Belton, Texas, after averaging 15.6 points and 4.3 assists as a senior. The senior played for Coach John Osborn and earned First Team All-District honors after recording nine All-Tournament selections.

“For three years, Eric has been the backbone of Belton Basketball,” Osborn said. “He will be truly missed.”

Day (6’7; forward) earned First Team All-Conference honors as a senior under Coach Joe Ortiz, after averaging 18.6 points and 8.3 rebounds a game, including 42 blocks at Thunder Ridge High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo. The senior earned Honorable Mention All-State honors and was named the team’s Most Outstading Player. Dave is the younger brother of current Ouachita Tiger Scott Day.

“Dave is one of the most coachable and incredibly loyal kids I’ve ever coached,” Ortiz said. “He will be a great fit at OBU.”

Hobbs (6’8; Center) helped lead Lake Central High School in Gary, Ind. to a second place conference finish under the direction of Coach Dave Milausnic.

“After not playing much as a junior, Leith really has improved and has a huge upside with his size and ability,” Coach Milausnic said.

Kornet (6’9; Center/Forward) averaged 11 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks a game during his senior season at Liberty Christian School under the direction of the late Richard Scofield and father Frank Kornet. The senior earned First Team All-District and Second Team All-State honors during his final season, including Academic All-State and team Defensive Player of the Year honors. John is the son of former NBA player Frank Kornet, who played for the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I see John’s best years as a player ahead of him,” Coach Kornet said. “He’s getting bigger and stronger every day and has a great understanding of the game.”

Ramsey (6’4; Guard) comes to Ouachita after transferring from Shelton State Community College. Ramsey averaged 8.4 points and 4.8 rebounds during the 2009-2010 season at Shelton State, after earning First Team All-Metro and All-State Honorable Mention honors as a senior at Gardendale High School under the direction of Coach Mark Cornelius.

“Nigel is one of the smartest and most skilled players I’ve ever coached,” Cornelius said.

Vierra (6’7; Wing/Forward) averaged 18.1 points and 7.3 rebounds as a senior at Georgetown High School under the direction of Coach Russell Miller.

“Jaron is the type of kid that you know what level of intensity you get every day,” Coach Miller said. “He loves the game and brings tremendous energy.”

Hobbs also was a District Most Valuable Player selection, while also earning TABC All-Region and TABC All-Star game honors.

“I am really looking forward to adding these six young men to our family,” Price said. “They will be tremendous contributors to the growth of our program.”

Eric Braeuer

- 5’11, Guard
- Belton High School (Belton, TX)
- Averaged 15.6 PPG & 4.3 APG for
- Coached by John Osborn
- All District Selection (1st Team)
- 9 time All-Tournament Selection
- Older Brother Matt Played at Wichita State

“For 3 years Eric has been the backbone of Belton Basketball …he will be truly missed here.” -Coach John Osborn

Dave Day

- 6’7, Forward
- Thunder Ridge High School (Highlands Ranch, CO)

- Coached by Joe Ortiz
- Averaged 18.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG and 42 block as a senior
- 1st Team All-Conference
- Honorable Mention All-State
- Team’s Most Outstanding Player
- Brother of Current OBU Tiger Scott Day

“Dave is one of the most coachable and incredibly loyal kids I’ve ever coached… he will be a great fit at OBU.” – Coach Joe Ortiz

Leith Hobbs

- 6’8 Center

- Lake Central High School (Gary, IN)
- Coached by Dave Milausnic
- Helped Lake Central to a 2nd Place Conference Finish

“After not playing much as a junior, Leith really has improved and has a huge upside with his size and ability.” - Coach Milausnic

John Kornet

- 6’9, Center/ Forward
- Liberty Christian School (Argyle, TX)
- Coached by the late Richard Scofield & Frank Kornet (father)
- Averaged 11.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, & 2.1 BPG
- 1st Team All-District, 2nd Team All-State
- Academic All-State
- Team Defensive Player of Year
- Father Frank played 3-seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA

“I see John’s best years as a player ahead of him…he’s getting bigger and stronger everyday and has a great understanding of the game.” – Coach Frank Kornet

Nigel Ramsey

- 6’4, Guard
- Birmingham, AL
- Shelton State CC (Tuscaloosa, AL)
- Played in High School for Mark Cornelius at Gardendale H.S.
- Averaged 8.4 PPG & 4.8 RPG in 2009-2010 at SSCC
- Birmingham 1st Team Selection, All-Metro Selection, & Honorable Mention All-State.

“Nigel is one of the smartest and most skilled players I have ever coached.” -- Coach Mark Cornelius

Jaron Vierra

- 6’7 Wing\Forward
- Georgetown High School (Georgetown, TX)
- Coached by Russell Miller
- District MVP
- TABC All-Region
- TABC All-Star Game Participant

“Jaron is the type of kid that you know what level of intensity you get every day,” Coach Miller said. “He loves the game and brings tremendous energy.”