SW Indiana News

OCU Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame Welcomes Trio of New Inductees

In a day filled with festivities, the Oakland City University Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame honored three newly elected members to the distinguished group of former honorees. Along with the Hall of Fame banquet, the three inductees were recognized at halftime of the women's basketball game against the Bearcats of Brescia University. Between the double header of River States Conference matchups, the Homecoming court was crowned as well.

The first inductee was 1972 Oakland City graduate Mike O'Connell. His participation during his time as a Mighty Oak included playing basketball, but his success was found mostly as a member of the Oakland City tennis team. Following his graduation, he went on to a successful tennis career, both playing and instructing, rising as high as the Master Professional level, one achieved by approximately one percent of tennis professionals. 

After being introduced by Matt Malin, the son of former Mighty Oak tennis coach Ron Malin, O'Connell stated, "I am beyond thankful for this honor. It really shook me when I found out I was being inducted into the hall of fame. I don't take it lightly."

"My career started here at OCU," continued O'Connell, "and after all this time it has come back to Oakland City. I thank my family for their support, as well as those involved in this process." 

Second to be inducted was Kate Miller Kress, a 2005 graduate of Oakland City University, where she was a standout player in women's basketball and women's volleyball, earning NCCAA All-American honors in both sports. She is the only female athlete in OCU history to receive All-American honors in two sports as a Mighty Oak. 

She was introduced by now fellow OCU Hall of Fame member Clint Weddle. "I can't say enough about the teammates I had the honor of playing with," said Kress. "It is great to be back on campus. I am humbled and honored to be joining the Hall of Fame. I am forever grateful for my time at OCU." 

The third and final inductee was 2009 women's basketball graduate Karissa Walter Spicer, who is the only Oakland City player to earn NCCAA First-Team All-American honors four times. Recruited by Coach Weddle, and finishing her playing career for Jessica Mehringer, who introduced her, Spicer remains in the top five in many statistical categories. Her number 14 jersey was retired in recognition of her outstanding career during her time as a Mighty Oak.

"Thank you for making this possible. It is something I will cherish forever," said Spicer. "It is quite an honor. When you are playing, you look at those in the hall of fame and think it will never be you. But here I am. I will proudly call OCU home forever."

Established in 1992 by the OCU Department of Athletics, in cooperation with the Alumni Association, the Oakland City University Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame's purpose is to recognize and honor those individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the achievements and the prestige of Oakland City University, in the field of athletics, and who have continued to demonstrate, in their lives, the values imported by intercollegiate athletics. 

Original source can be found here.