A historically rich track and field program is moving forward with an eye to the past. This summer, ACU hired Miles Smith as the 22nd head coach of the program. “I didn’t choose ACU,” Smith said. "Abilene chose me." Coming from Purdue University, where he was an assistant sprint coach, Smith's teams were filled with a multitude of athletes ... [Read More…]
Wildcat basketball prepares for new season
A program defined by its toughness, grittiness and defense has yet to go to the NCAA March Madness Tournament since 2021. Head Coach Brette Tanner, however, has set the bar high for what he believes could be an exciting season in the big country. "ACU basketball is back," Tanner said. "It has been probably a decade. Every single day I wake up, ... [Read More…]
Playing in the ‘here and now’: Receiving record takes Martinez to top of FCS rankings
Wildcat wide receiver Nehemiah Martinez I has become no stranger to attention-grabbing headlines around FCS football. After an impressive game against the No. 5-ranked University of Central Arkansas, in which Martinez caught seven passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns, he catapulted into the top position in the FCS rankings in receiving ... [Read More…]
Softball starts season with fresh start, championship aspirations
Coming in from the WAC rival, the University of Texas at Arlington, Head Coach Jo Koons is not distant from the Wildcats' subpar finishing record last season. Ending the year last season, the wildcats finished the season with a 16-32 season. In Addition, while in search of new leadership, their star talent Kaydee Bennett transferred away to the ... [Read More…]
From Left turn to Legacy: Bowie takes classroom lessons to the gridiron
Rick Bowie arrived at his local rec league at 7 years old with his sights set on following his passion for playing soccer. However, there was one issue. The line for soccer on the right was drastically longer than the line for football on the left. So for this the pragmatic kid, his decision was easy. “I decided to turn left, " Bowie said. ... [Read More…]
At mid-season, soccer looks to break through
Midway through the season – with nine regular-season games left on their calendar, the ACU women's soccer team is sitting with a 2-1-5 record. Despite winning only two of their first eight games, the Wildcats' season is very much still in grasp. "We've built from each game, we've gotten better and better each game, and that's what I'm happy ... [Read More…]
Wildcats Prepare for Northern Colorado with Sights Set on Road Success
The Wildcats are set to face the University of Northern Colorado Bears on the road this weekend, and they enter the matchup fresh off receiving the first Top 25 FCS recognition in their NCAA Div. I history. After a strong start to the season, the 25th ranking and a solid performance against University of West Georgia last weekend could give ... [Read More…]
Relentless Johnson seals leadership role with Tech performance
For running back Isaiah Johnson, Saturday night’s game against Texas Tech was more than just a matchup. It was a homecoming. Although he never attended Texas Tech, the Lubbock native returned to his hometown and delivered a standout performance, scoring three touchdowns in a hard-fought 52-51 overtime loss to the Red Raiders. Despite the ... [Read More…]
Wildcats’ dynamic new offense shines despite narrow loss to Texas Tech
Nobody expected a nail-biter. ACU lost in overtime Saturday, 52-51, falling just short to the Texas Tech Red Raiders on a two-point conversion. After a rushing touchdown by Isaiah Johnson, a graduate student from Lubbock, to tie the game for the Wildcats, Head Coach Keith Patterson had one play left and a vital decision to make. A successful ... [Read More…]
Meet the freshmen: Gracie Rhodes
Football was once widely considered a game for boys, but Gracie Rhodes thought otherwise. The freshman pre-occupational therapy major from Henderson, Nevada, this past season competed at the varsity level as the starting kicker for Lake Mead Academy. Following a season in which head football coach Nate Oishi lost his starting kicker, he ... [Read More…]