OCU has narrowed down its prospects for a new athletic director to three candidates: Corey Bray, Lindy Roberts Ivy, and Daniel Garrett.
“I have full confidence that the AD search committee’s final selection will possess the character and values that Oklahoma City University takes pride in exhibiting. With our long history of athletic success, I’m sure all of the candidates will bring diverse backgrounds and great plans and ideas to further the mission of OCU athletics,” said Christ Maxon the OCU Associate Athletic Director.
Candidates for OCU’s athletic director say they are interested in the job for a number of reasons.
“I am interested in the opportunity at OCU for personal and professional reasons. Professionally, I am attracted to OCU because it is a small, private institution with a great academic profile… Personally, my wife and I are excited about the prospect of raising our two boys in Oklahoma City and putting down roots in this great community,” said Bray.
“I’m from Oklahoma, so I know the prestige of Oklahoma City University… in academics, arts, and athletics. What an amazing opportunity to become part of the family and continue the legacy,” said Roberts Ivy.
Each candidate has different qualifications and experience in the athletic field.
Roberts Ivy says that she graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Kinesiology and Education from UCO. She played college softball and basketball, then moved on to become the softball team’s student assistant coach.
Then Roberts Ivy became the women’s basketball graduate assistant coach at UCO. After that, she worked at OU in Woman’s Basketball and then worked for the Senior Associate AD in Administration.
Bray says that he graduated with honors, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a minor in coaching from Pacific Lutheran University. He played college football, ran track, and got a master’s degree in sports psychology from the University of Oregon.
Bray then worked for the NCAA national office and later as the Associate Athletic Director for Administration at Eastern Kentucky University. From there he served as an Associate Athletics Director for Compliance at the University of Alabama in Birmingham before moving to his current position as Director of Athletics at Drury University.
When asked what she hopes to bring to the job if selected, Roberts Ivy said “working together to shepherd our student-athletes through college and prepare them for life after college” was what she was most looking forward to.
“For most, their college years are their best memories. My hope is they graduate with a degree in one hand and a championship trophy in the other and are ready to go out and tackle the world! As for our staff, I want them to play a huge role in making this happen,” said Roberts Ivy.
When asked the same question, Bray said “OCU athletics under my leadership will be more than champions: in the classroom, in the community, and in competition. More than champions in the classroom means that graduation is not the goal. Graduation is the expectation; graduation with honors is the goal. More than champions in the community means that we will not just count community service hours. We will make those community service hours count so our department makes an impact on our community while respecting the time demands of our student-athletes. More than champions in competition means that we will not just win championships. We will win championships with sportsmanship, class, and respect.”
Leave a Reply