Basketball tourney expands fun at OIMC Youth Day

Participants enjoy a game in the Freede Center. The little ones were ready to play basketball, too.

Approximately 250 people from the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference convened on the OCU campus Feb. 19 for the annual OIMC Youth Day.

For many years, the University-Church Relations team at OCU has welcomed youths and their families for a day filled with activities and worship. This cooperative event is planned by OIMC youths and students from the Wesley Center at OCU.

The Saturday got off to a fast start this year. Registration was moved to the Freede Wellness Center, so participants had immediate access to three basketball courts. This facilitated the ever-popular free-throw contest and enabled a new event.

A three-on-three basketball tournament had been requested. The planning team turned to Jonathan Triplett, director of Intramural and Recreational Sports at OCU, who has years of experience organizing such tournaments for students. His leadership, along with a team of student referees, made the tournament a highlight of the day.

After lunch in the cafeteria, everyone moved to Watson Lounge in the chapel building for a presentation by Christina Mallory, OCU Admissions counselor. She paid special attention to the American Indian Scholarship program.

Each year, OCU awards 15 scholarships to qualifying American Indian students. Several of those scholarship students were on hand to help with the event. OCU Bishop’s Scholars assisted with games and led tours of the campus.

Youth Day always ends with worship at the chapel sanctuary. Native hymns were led by participants from across the conference. We were pleased to welcome Conference Superintendent David Wilson of OIMC as preacher.

Special gratitude for coordinating Youth Day goes to pastor Josephine Deere, OIMC director of Interpretations, and OCU senior Erin Floyd, a religion major.