OBU Named NCAA Award of Excellence Finalist

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Oklahoma Baptist mentor program "Bison Buddies" was named a finalist for the 2020 NCAA Award of Excellence on Monday afternoon. The winner will be announced on January 25th at the NCAA Convention in Anaheim, California.

"Bison Buddies has made a major impact in our community," said Assistant Athletic Director Anna Howle. "The weekly mentorship from OBU student-athletes provides kids in Shawnee with a vision for the future and someone to believe that their future holds great thing. It is a terrific honor and a testament to our student-athletes to be considered for this award from the NCAA."

Division II honors its members each year for conducting events that promote student-athletes giving back and serving as leaders within their communities or on their campus. A committee of athletics administrators determined this year's finalists, and the national Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will select the winner, which will be announced at the Division II business session Jan. 25 at the 2020 NCAA Convention in Anaheim, California.

Each finalist will receive $500. The winner will receive $3,000, the first runner-up will receive $1,500, and the second runner-up will receive $1,250. All prize money is intended for future community engagement events.

On Mondays and Fridays, around 500 OBU student-athletes spread out across nine local schools to tutor, mentor, and play with Shawnee area students. Schools currently participating in the Bison Buddies program include Will Rogers Elementary, Horace Mann Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Sequoyah Elementary, Shawnee Early Childhood Center, Pleasant Grove School, Shawnee Middle School, Liberty Academy, and Grove School.

For more information about Mission Shawnee, visit missionshawnee.org.