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You are here: Home / Hayden DeLand

Men’s basketball starts 3-0 for first time in five years

November 13, 2025 by Hayden DeLand

With Tuesday's win over Southwestern Adventist University 104-63, the Wildcats have moved to 3-0 to start the season for the first time since the 2020-21 season–one that resulted in an NCAA tournament berth. “We’ve done a good job at home,” Head Coach Brette Tanner said. “That’s one of the things we talked about in the off-season. I think that ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Showcase, Sports

Friendships lost, lessons learned

November 6, 2025 by Hayden DeLand

Two years ago, when I arrived on campus on move-in day at the beginning of Wildcat Week, I only really knew a handful of people at ACU, my high school girlfriend at the time and a couple of people who had gone to high school with us. On move-in day, I walked into “old” Mabee Hall, where I was given the keys to room 343. After I moved all my ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Men’s basketball opens season with win over McMurry

November 4, 2025 by Hayden DeLand

In the men’s basketball season opener, the Wildcats defeated the McMurry University Warhawks 92-55 at Moody Coliseum on Monday. The win extends Head Coach Brette Tanner’s opening game winning streak to four in a row. Despite the score being 41-22 at the half, the Wildcat offense was not performing to its full capacity. The team shot 44.1% ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Sports

Soccer makes history, secures WAC tournament berth

November 4, 2025 by Hayden DeLand

The soccer team clinched its first postseason tournament berth since 2021 by securing the fourth and final spot in the Western Athletic Conference tournament with a win against California Baptist University on Sunday, 2-1. “They’re building the foundation,” Head Coach Stephen Salas said. “They’re leaving the legacy for the current teams and ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Showcase, Sports

Tanner to begin fifth season as head basketball coach

October 29, 2025 by Hayden DeLand

After a 16-16 record last season, the men’s basketball team will begin its season on Monday against the McMurry University Warhawks in Moody Coliseum. The Wildcats’ 16 wins earned them the fourth seed in the Western Athletic Conference tournament, where they lost in the first round to Seattle University. In its exhibition game on Oct. 25, the ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Sports

Look around, appreciate the small things

October 17, 2025 by Hayden DeLand

The phrase “Stop and smell the roses” encourages people to slow down and appreciate everything in life since it’s easy for us to lose sight of things in the rush of life. This is especially true for college students worrying about when their next assignment is due, figuring out which internship is the right fit, and wondering what their friends’ ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Editorials, Opinion

Soccer looks to ‘score first’ on road trip

October 15, 2025 by Hayden DeLand

After playing their last three games in Texas, the Wildcats will travel to Utah for their final two road games of the season to face Southern Utah University on Thursday and Utah Tech University on Sunday. ACU has played both opponents previously this season at home, tying Utah Tech 1-1 and defeating Southern Utah 4-0. “We’ve played both of ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Sports

Softball looks to capitalize on fall season

October 9, 2025 by Hayden DeLand

The softball team began its fall season with a 17-2 win over Vernon College after a 15-38 record in the spring and a first-round exit of the Western Athletic Conference tournament. In Head Coach Jo Koons’ second season, she recruited nine freshmen, her first recruiting class at ACU, to join her team. Koons also brought in six transfers in ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Sports

Wildcats remain unbeaten at home with tie

October 3, 2025 by Hayden DeLand

With a late game-tying goal, the soccer team tied the Utah Tech University Trailblazers 1-1 in the Wildcats' conference home opener to move to 4-7-1 overall and 0-2-1 in conference. In the previous three games, the Wildcats' defense struggled as they were outscored 9-2, with five of those goals coming against Utah Valley. In Thursday’s game, ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Sports

Women’s tennis to host home tournament

September 26, 2025 by Hayden DeLand

The women’s tennis team will host its yearly ACU Invite tournament starting on Friday and going through Sunday at the Judi and Cecil Eager Tennis Pavilion. It will be the second tournament of the year for the Wildcats after traveling to San Angelo earlier this month for the ASU Slamfest. Head Coach Bryan Rainwater described the Angelo State ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Sports

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
22 Apr

NEWS: Students can now vote for the 2026 Mr. ACU and Miss ACU. The link to vote can be found through an email sent out by the Student Government Association.

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
29 Mar

Sing Song 2026 Awards Class Division:

Overall Award:
1. Mixed
2. Seniors
3. Freshman White

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