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You are here: Home / Sports / Columnists

ACU’s next athletics move needs to take some time – and winning

December 13, 2024 by Joseph Chapa

After ACU won the United Athletic Conference championship, some fans are wondering if this is the university’s chance to break into the FBS. Not just yet. Instant gratification is non-existent in college athletics - unless you are Texas or Oklahoma. ACU will need to complete several tasks before joining an FBS conference. The first is to keep ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columnists, Sports

Season signals ACU’s D1 football dream has arrived

November 7, 2024 by Joseph Chapa

From inaugural coach A.B. Morris’ 17-year tenure to the 1973 and ‘77 NAIA national titles to the development of 37 NFL athletes, Abilene Christian has a rich football history. The 105-year-old football program that has earned success at all levels has now found its groove in Division I FCS football. Dr. Phil Schubert’s decision to become a D1 ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columnists

The college football playoffs need to be expanded

November 7, 2019 by Tavian Miles

As of right now the college football playoffs only allow for four teams to compete in this post-season showdown, which means there are about two to four teams that find themselves left out in the competition for the National Championship. So far this year the top eight teams in the country are LSU, Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Penn State, ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columnists

Miracle worker or not, Tebow strives for more

October 16, 2016 by Jonathan Raitz

If you've followed the minor league baseball world recently you might have come to a similar conclusion as myself, like football, baseball probably won't work out in the long run for Tim Tebow. Tebow was signed to a minor league contract by the Mets and in his debut went 0-for-3 and ran into the outfield wall chasing a pop fly. However, it pains me ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columnists, Sports

Fantasy football simpler than you think: The three types of owners to know heading into the season

September 7, 2016 by Jonathan Raitz

With many league’s draft days in the past and opening Sunday just two days away, the fantasy buzz is at its peak. Over 75 million people are expected to start this NFL season as a fantasy owner, which means there will be plenty of good, bad and just plain awful strategies. But despite the sheer masses that will flock to their devices when Antonio ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columnists, Sports

Athletics release of Barnier raises several eyebrows, and it should

April 12, 2016 by Shera Niemirowski

Less than 48 hours after our track and field team dominated at its annual Wes Kittley Invitational, head coach Keith Barnier was relieved of his duties, effective immediately, according to director of athletics Lee De Leon. Three years ago, when Barnier arrived at Abilene, he was tasked with carrying a legendary track and field team through a ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columnists, Opinion, Sports Tagged With: Track & Field

Peyton Manning’s retirement marks beginning of the end

March 31, 2016 by Collin Wieder

Peyton Manning retired on Monday beginning the end of the "golden era" of NFL quarterbacking. Manning along with Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger became the faces of the NFL for almost two decades. Now, one of those face will no longer be on the field. I'm saying this not from a negative standpoint. Or someone that thinks ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columnists, Columns, Editorials, Opinion, Sports Tagged With: Editorial, Opinion, Sports

New on-campus stadium should increase attendance

January 28, 2016 by Collin Wieder

The fan base for the Wildcat faithful should increase as the university finally brings all its sports to on-campus facilities. ACU athletics reached its original goal of $30 million for a new football stadium last week. The university will break ground on the new stadium during sing song. Shotwell Stadium definitely holds a lot of ACU tradition, ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columnists, Sports Tagged With: Football

Wildcats take on SFA in biggest game since Div. I move

October 27, 2015 by Daniel Zepeda

Women's soccer welcomes conference powerhouse Stephen F. Austin to town on Tuesday afternoon. The game is arguably one of the biggest in the program's nine-year history, as you'd need to go back to the historic 2011 season where the Wildcats went 20-2-1 and an undefeated 13-0-1 in the Lone Star Conference, to find a game of equal value. A case ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columnists, Sports Tagged With: Women's Soccer

Wildcats eye trophy in conference championships

October 26, 2015 by Savanah Silva

The Southland Conference championships are this weekend for ACU's cross country teams, with both the men and women traveling to Huntsville to face off against the 13 other universities in the Southland. This time last year, several factors were weighing against both teams. But what a difference a year can make. The women's team has dominated ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columnists, Sports Tagged With: Cross Country

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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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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
29 Mar

Sing Song 2026 Awards Women’s Division:

Overall Award:
1. Ko Jo Kai
2. Sigma Theta Chi
3. Tri Kappa Gamma

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Happy April Fools’ Day! From Willie the Wildcat being drafted to Sub T-16 replacing the cheer team, we are giving you all of the latest and totally real news happening on campus! You can find more of the Pessimist stories in the newspapers around campus or by visiting acuoptimist.com. #acupessimist #abilenechristianuniversity #aprilfoolsday ... See MoreSee Less

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