RSU begins its final stages of Sooner Athletic Conference play this week with a road date at USAO in Chickasha Thursday and the league home-opener Saturday against Mid-America Christian. It's a come-to-grips moment after being a member of one of the best small college basketball conferences for the last six years. Once again, if you didn't hear the news, the 'Cats are leaving the NAIA for NCAA Division 2 beginning next school year as a provisional member of the Heartland Conference.
Many solid memories have been earmarked for future discussions...the lighter times, the sad stories, the glorious achievements in such a short tenure in the league. The lasting imprint for me, though, is how much all of us involved since day one have grown. Six years doesn't seem like all that long ago, but then I think about those who sat courtside at the Expo who no longer do so. I think about the rapid ascent in terms of quality of play, not just at RSU but throughout the conference. I had some knowledge and respect for the SAC as a basketball league going into this back in 2007, but it grew by leaps and bounds as each new season passed. The statement "any team at the bottom of the standings could beat any team at the top on any given night" is more true now than ever before. That's positive growth. That's competitive clarity. That's all a fan, an administrator, or even a broadcaster could ever ask for in college athletics at this level.
As the 'Cats start their final 16 games of the regular season this Thursday night against the Drovers, I hope you'll take a moment to realize what's transpired for this university, and how it wouldn't be headed where it is today without the Sooner Athletic Conference as a commendable partner. Don't forget to tune in as well, the final voyage could provide the most exciting thrill of all!
