The East Central Tigers (also ECU Tigers) are the athletic teams that represent East Central University, located in Ada, Oklahoma, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Tigers compete as members of the Great American Conference for all 11 varsity sports.
Sports sponsored
Men's sports Women's sports Baseball Basketball Basketball Cross Country Cross Country Golf Football Soccer Golf Softball Track and Field Track and Field Volleyball In March 2016, the school announced that it was suspending golf and tennis due to budget cuts by the state of Oklahoma.
National championships Team Football (1) NAIA Division I 1993 Glenville State 49–35
Individual sports Football
In 1993, the Tigers won the NAIA national football championship against Glenville State 49-35 at ECU's Norris Field. In 2011women's soccer the Tigers won the inaugural GAC regular season championship and the Conference tournament championship.
Basketball
For three seasons — from 1928 through 1931, when the school was known as Ada Teachers College — the Tigers men's basketball team played at a major competitive level comparable to what since 1973 would be considered NCAA Division I. During these years, Tigers guard Bart Carlton was a two-time All-American in 1930 and 1931.NCAA Record Book - Award Winners p.137. Retrieved October 3, 2010. In 1944, the Helms Athletic Foundation retroactively selected him as the Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year for the 1930–31 NCAA men's basketball season.
On November 20, 2008, the Tigers men's basketball team and Texas Tech set school records for points scored in a game in a 167–115 Tigers loss to the Red Raiders.167-115 loss to Red Raiders
Esports East Central University relaunched a new sport program in 2024. In Fall 2024, the Tigers won the NECC Division VII national League of Legends championship.
Alumni Harry "The Cat" Brecheen, former baseball player Bart Carlton, Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year and DX-Oilers national championship Amateur Athletic Union basketball player Mark Gastineau, professional football player Todd Graham, former University of Hawaii head football coach Christopher Lane, baseball player Dewey McClain, football player and congressman Gil Morgan, professional golfer Red Phillips Brad Calip, college football hall-of-famer Cliff Thrift, former San Diego Chargers, Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams professional football player Lloyd Waner, baseball hall-of-famer Paul Waner, baseball hall-of-famer Armonty Bryant, professional football player Caleb Holley, professional football player David Moore, professional football player
References
External links