June 13, 2003

Soccer is coming to Oklahoma Baptist University as a varsity sport, beginning in the 2004-05 academic year.

The university has unveiled plans to add its 15th and 16th sport when the Bison and Lady Bison begin soccer action in the Fall of 2004. A search will begin soon for a full-time coach who will direct both programs. The university hopes to have the new coach in place Jan. 1, 2004.

"I am excited to be adding men's and women's soccer as varsity sports at OBU," said Dr. Norris Russell, the university’s director of athletics. "Our only fall sports have been men’s and women’s cross country, so this gives us additional fall sports which should be very popular with the students. And, the Sooner Athletic Conference has typically been very strong in men’s and women’s soccer, so we are anxious to have a soccer program that can compete at that level."

OBU Men's Soccer Firsts
First Game: Sept. 1, 2004, vs. Southwestern Christian University
First Win: Sept. 1, 2004, vs. Southwestern Christian, 20-0
First Goal: Thiago Silva, second minute, Sept. 1, 2004, vs. SCU
First Assist: Fabio Pires, second minute, Sept. 1, 2004, vs. SCU
First Save: Quinn Will, Sept. 1, 2004, vs. SCU
First Hat Trick: Marcos Silva, Sept. 1, 2004, vs. SCU (4 goals)
---------------(Amaury Nunes and Patrick Little also had 3goals each)
First Assist Hat Trick: Amaury Nunes, Sept. 1, 2004, vs. SCU (3 assists)
First Shutout: Quinn Will, Sept. 1, 2004, vs. SCU