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Breaking down the madness: Predictions, upsets, contenders

It’s the most magical time of the year: March Madness.  A tournament highlighted by being the biggest postseason gauntlet in sports. The storylines, the drama, […]

‘Cats roll past Lions with 33 runs, take 2-of-3 in weekend series

The Wildcats earned their third series win of the season with a 22-11 victory Sunday over Loyola Marymount, taking the second and third games of […]

COBA students outperform LSU, Florida, others to win national digital marketing title

The Dukes School of Finance and the College of Business Administration competed last month at the National Collegiate Digital Marketing Championship in Nashville, Tennessee, and […]

Student body president, vice president candidates debate as elections begin

The study body’s presidential and vice presidential candidates participated in an on-campus debate on Tuesday in Hart Auditorium. Elections opened at noon, immediately following the […]

Softball secures Power Four victory, looks forward to UTA

After securing its first Power Four victory since April 20, 2022, with a win over the University of Utah, 9-4, on Thursday, the softball team […]

News

Warner, Holt nominated outstanding alumnus and young alumnus of the year

March 25, 2026 By Leslie Carrigan Leave a Comment

This year’s outstanding alumnus of the year and young alumnus of the year, Dr. John Warner (‘87) and Tim Holt (‘15), will be recognized at the alumni day luncheon on Saturday. Warner is a cardiologist and the CEO of the Ohio State University, ... [Read More…]

Hosts, hostesses rehearse for 70th Sing Song performance

March 25, 2026 By Amelie Aquino Leave a Comment

Sing Song hosts and hostesses gather to prepare for the university's 70th year of Sing Song. Each performance is about three and a half minutes, presenting months of preparation of costumes, choreography and sets.  The 2026 Sing Song's group ... [Read More…]

COBA students outperform LSU, Florida, others to win national digital marketing title

March 17, 2026 By Fermin Moreno Leave a Comment

The Dukes School of Finance and the College of Business Administration competed last month at the National Collegiate Digital Marketing Championship in Nashville, Tennessee, and won COBA's second national case competition of the academic ... [Read More…]

Sports

ACU opens spring with record class, new faces at quarterback

March 25, 2026 By Caysson Higgins Leave a Comment

ACU head football coach Keith Patterson welcomed the largest recruiting class in the program’s Div. I era this offseason, signing 40 players, including 17 transfers and 23 high school prospects, as the Wildcats begin spring practice with a rebuilt roster and renewed championship aspirations. The jump from last year’s class of 18 is significant, but […]

Wildcats out claw Panthers, advance to second consecutive Super 16

March 25, 2026 By Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

Women’s basketball is moving on to the Super 16 of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament after a 77-66 victory over Florida International University. The Wildcats hadn’t played since falling to California Baptist in the Western Athletic Conference Championship on March 13. The win improves the team and head coach Julie Goodenough to 24-10 on the […]

Wildcats return home for three-match weekend homestand

March 20, 2026 By Caysson Higgins Leave a Comment

Men’s tennis returns to its home courts this weekend for a three-match homestand, welcoming UTSA on Friday before hosting Hardin-Simmons and UT Permian Basin in a Saturday doubleheader. Friday’s match against UTSA begins at 1 p.m. at the ACU Tennis Pavilion. Saturday’s action tips off at 9 a.m. against Hardin-Simmons, followed by a 5 p.m. […]

Features

Grad students embody being ‘hands and feet of Jesus’

March 25, 2026 By Ashley Henderson Leave a Comment

For one, it was living with an autoimmune disease. For one, it was watching her brother with autism, unable to tie his shoes. For one, it was growing up with a learning disability. And for another, it ... [Read More…]

Opinion

Breaking down the madness: Predictions, upsets, contenders

March 18, 2026 By Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

Every Christian should be unabashedly pro-life

March 5, 2026 By Benjamin Peterson Leave a Comment

Prediction markets are dominating college athletics, but no one is talking about it

March 3, 2026 By Daniel Curd Leave a Comment

Abilene is more interesting than you think

February 20, 2026 By Olivia Cromis Leave a Comment

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Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
23 Mar

BREAKING NEWS: Josh Hamm is the new student body president and was elected with 90.1% of the votes. Luke Talley is the new student body vice president and was elected with 70.2% of the votes.

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
17 Mar

BREAKING NEWS: Voting is open for the 103rd student body president and vice president. The voting will close on Friday at 3 p.m.

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The Optimist is with ACU Journalism and Mass Communication.

4 days ago

The Optimist
The Optimist staff won several awards and competed at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association 2026 convention in Denton this weekend. Students participated in live contests and submitted work from the past year into the competition.Here are the results.- 1st place: Live print news writing, Ashley Henderson- 1st place: Live print sports writing, Roman Raffaeli- 2nd place: Live tv announcing, Zion Webb- 2nd place: Live news photo, Daniel Curd- 2nd place: Newscast, Optimist Staff- Honorable mention: Documentary (video), Makayla Clayton- 2nd place: Documentary, JMC documentary production class- 3rd place: General news, Callie Leverett- Honorable mention: General column, Zion Webb- Honorable mention: Sports reporting (video), Roman Raffaeli- Honorable mention: Live sports action photo, Daniel Curd- Honorable mention: General news video story, Ashley Henderson- Honorable mention: Photo illustrations (Daniel Curd & Optimist staffStudents also received awards for their work through KACU and ACUTV.- 1st place: In-depth news reporting (audio), Ashley Henderson- 1st place: General news audio story, Baylie Simon- 1st place: Live sports coverage (video), Roman Raffaeli & London Gray- 2nd place: Live sports coverage (video), Josiah Wonnell & Londyn Gray- 3rd place: General news audio story, Ashley Henderson- 2nd place: Sportscast (audio), Daisy Strine & Zion Webb- 3rd place: Sportscast (audio), Daisy Strine & Zion Webb- 3rd place: Feature reporting (audio), Baylie Simon- Honorable Mention: Feature reporting (audio), Josiah Wonnell#acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #studentmedia #tipa2026 ... See MoreSee Less

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The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Sororities and fraternities began New Member Orientation with Bid Day, officially starting the pledging process this weekend.Originally scheduled for last week, the start was delayed due to winter weather that brought snow and ice to campus. Clubs and their sponsors gathered at designated locations on and off campus to complete tasks assigned by their officers.To view the full photo gallery, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #greeklife 📸: Daniel Curdacuoptimist.com/2026/02/gallery-clubs-begin-new-member-orientation-after-weather-delay/?fbclid=PA... ... See MoreSee Less

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Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

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