SPORTS

Women’s athletics at Rose State College is making changes on campus and beyond Oklahoma, demonstrating that the movement for women in sports is more than just a national one. 

As women’s sports gain wider recognition, Rose State’s own student-athletes are proving they belong in the spotlight and with state leaders showing new support for professional women’s sports, the path forward looks even brighter. 

The 2024–2025 seasons for women’s soccer and volleyball were filled with hard work and competitive spirit. The women’s soccer team opened its season Aug. 9, 2024, finishing strong with the Region II Tournament on Nov. 1, 2024. Meanwhile, the volleyball team, led by Head Coach Katelin Shay, played from Aug. 20-Nov. 17, 2024, ending their run at the Region II Tournament as well. 

These seasons weren’t just about scores, they were about teamwork, growth and showing what women’s athletics is 

all about. 

“For us, being a women’s sport at Rose State, we’re not really looked at as much as the men’s team because they’re overhyped,” said Jocelyn Ramirez, a second-year soccer player at Rose State College. “But this year, since we placed 13th in the nation, we’re looked at better than the men’s team and we’ve been recognized more this year compared to the others.” 

The push for women in sports is also gaining support at the legislative level. In 2024, Senator Mary Boren (D-Norman) won bipartisan Senate approval for Senate Bill 820, a measure expanding Oklahoma’s professional sports tax rebate program to include women’s leagues like the WNBA, Women’s Professional Fastpitch and the National Women’s 

Soccer League. 

“In Norman, we’ve seen how fan excitement and enthusiasm for women’s sports like softball, soccer and basketball has really exploded in recent years,” Boren said. “Any vision for professional sports in Oklahoma must include opportunities for women’s sports.” 

Boren also pointed out the rapid growth of the industry: “Media coverage of women’s sports has tripled since 2021 and by 2024, the industry was expected to generate over $1 billion for the first time in global revenue, driving investments in new teams and leagues.” 

Viola Schafer, a second-year soccer player at Rose State, understands the obstacles facing women’s sports. 

“I think it’s not good to compare men’s and women’s soccer because obviously men are faster and more athletic. We play soccer in a different way compared to them because we have different bodies, so it cannot 

be compared.” 

That reality underscores the importance of supporting women’s sports not just through visibility, but through an appreciation of their unique strengths and playing styles. 

Rose State continues to support women in athletics as a vital part of student life and success. With the foundation laid by past seasons and ongoing conversations about visibility, support and opportunity, the college is creating a space where women athletes can thrive and where the community can rally behind them. 

The 2024 season may have ended, but the movement for women in sports at Rose State is only gaining strength. 

Photo courtesy of Viola Schafer

Rose State Esports has entered competitive play at the varsity level this fall. Professor Joshua Grieshop and Dr. Matthew Czapla are guiding the program, now two game nights into the 2025 fall season.

Grieshop described the beginnings of esports at Rose State.

“It started out as a club meeting in the ET building in 2022,” he said. “For a number of years, it was only a club. We all played on Nintendo Switches, and so all we did was play 'Super Smash Bros,' and a little bit of 'Mario Kart.'”

The club held weekly tournaments until the fall of 2024, when members began competing as a team.

During that first season, the team played only at the Division III level. Grieshop compared that entry point to a community league.

“Sticking to Division III, we didn’t have to worry about student athlete eligibility,” he said. “We didn’t have to work out credit hours. It was just a show up, play every week on Monday, let’s see how we can do.”

These casual beginnings provided the structure for growth. Last fall, only three athletes could compete in Division I. Now, more than 20 athletes are playing at the highest level.

Czapla outlined the scope of this fall’s roster.

“So this semester, we are fielding 'Marvel Rivals,' chess, 'Rocket League,' 'Fortnite,' 'Super Smash Brothers. Ultimate,' 'Valorant' and 'Mario Kart 8,'” he said.

Game selection is shaped by student interest.

“It starts as a poll; what games do people want to play. Then tryouts, then from that they figure out which kinds of teams they could field successfully,” Czapla said.

Divisions of play are set in three tiers.

Division I is varsity level competition, Division II is intermediate and Division III only requires membership in the Rose State community.

Czapla noted the shift in participation. “This semester, we are entirely Rose State students. Our goal as a program is to move as much towards a Division I as we can, because that's varsity level, right? And we want to be playing at that high level. I think that's what the athletes and the competitors want to see, is the highest level gameplay they can be seen,” he said.

Most of the current roster now competes in Division I. Czapla laid out the expectations for varsity  play. “The expectations are much higher,” he said. “The athletes are required to have exercise hours per week. They're required to attend study hall. They’re required to practice for the games they're competing in. Outside of that, these are all new expectations that we have for them. So with that being said, because the expectations are higher for them, for everything, these athletes are working their butts off.”

Scholarships are not yet tied to varsity participation. The program is in its third official season, beginning with fall 2024. Both coaches hope that the program’s rapid growth will lead to scholarship funding in the near future.

Czapla looked ahead to the rest of the fall semester. “This is our first real semester for most of these sports, competing at Division I,” he said. “So our hope is that we're establishing that foundation this semester of excellence and high competition, that they can carry our teams forward into the spring and beyond.”

Photo by Xander Strickland & Pennina Jackson.

As March unfolds, students at Rose State College are embracing the excitement of basketball season while also participating in a variety of campus events and activities. Whether through the college’s newly introduced intramural basketball league, student clubs or community engagement efforts, plenty is happening on campus to keep students active and involved. 

While Rose State doesn’t compete in NCAA March Madness, students are finding ways to engage with basketball through the Student Intramural Sports Program. The program provides an opportunity for students of all skill levels to participate in organized games, fostering a sense of camaraderie and competition. 

"Intramural basketball is a great way for students to compete, stay active and connect with others," said Joseph Dean, a cybersecurity major at Rose State College. "Whether you're playing seriously or just for fun, it's a great experience for everyone involved." 

For students interested in joining, the program is open to all and offers a way to balance academics with recreational activities. 

Even without an official team in the NCAA Tournament, many Rose State students are following March Madness closely, filling out brackets and watching games. Some student organizations host watch parties, allowing sports fans to come together and enjoy the tournament as a community. 

“I love March Madness, it’s unpredictable and always exciting,” said Lissie Simmons, a nursing major at Rose State College. “Even though I don’t play, I enjoy the energy of the tournament and watching games with friends on campus.” 

Sign up now for intramural basketball as a free agent or a team. Games are every Thursday, starting at 6 p.m. at the RSC Lead Center. Use the link located on the Instgram bio for rscengagement to sign up if you are interested. If you have questions visit the Student Engagement Office, Room 118. 

For those looking to stay active throughout the semester, Rose State’s Wellness Center offers a variety of resources, from gym facilities to fitness classes. Whether through sports, academics or campus events, students at Rose State have plenty of opportunities to stay involved and make the most of their college experience. With intramural basketball and March Madness excitement, there’s no shortage of ways to stay engaged this spring.

Photo by Praveena Jackson

Rose State Softball continued its recent hot streak Tuesday, March 4, sweeping a doubleheader against Western Oklahoma State College with an 11-1 win in the first game and a 7-4 comeback victory in the second. 

The Raiders, now 7-7 on the season, have won five of their last six games, a turnaround head coach Nickie Madden credits to the team’s growing confidence and energy. 

“Our defense has been up and down before this, so I was happy to see this today,” Madden said. “The pitchers kept them off balance, which really helps, but the defense stepped up big today and made some great plays.” 

In the first game, Rose State dominated from the start. Pitcher Keylee Beckwith set the tone, keeping Western’s batters at bay with solid control and support from her defense. 

“Defense has played tremendously and done a good job at having the pitcher’s back,” Beckwith said. “I love the outfield when it works, it relieves stress off the pitcher.” 

The Raiders’ bats were equally effective, piling on 11 runs to end the game early by run-rule. The second game proved to be a tougher battle. Rose State took an early 3-0 lead by the top of the fifth inning, but Western Oklahoma State responded in the top of the frame with four runs to seize a 4-3 advantage. 

Instead of folding, the Raiders roared back. In the bottom of the fifth, they answered with four runs of their own, reclaiming the lead at 7-4. From there, the defense clamped down, with both the left and right fielders making crucial catches in the final inning to secure the victory. 

“It’s awesome to see both of them commit to those plays and go get them because they are both freshmen,” Madden said. “We have a small ball field, so we say anything on the green they have to go catch.” 

Madden acknowledged the team’s slow start in the second game, attributing it in part to struggles with bunting and small ball execution. 

“Their pitcher did a good job,” Madden said. “I’m usually a big running person, so yeah, we’ve got to get better at getting those bunts down.” 

The recent string of wins has brought Rose State back to .500, and Madden is hopeful the momentum will carry over as the team pushes for a winning record. 

“We opened the season against nationally ranked teams, but I wanted us to get the feel for it,” Madden said. “We knew it was going to be a challenge, so we are seeing it’s paying off and hopefully we can keep going with it.” 

Beckwith, who started the first game, echoed her coach’s optimism. 

“When we have high energy, we get on a roll, and Coach Madden really loves high energy,” Beckwith said. “I love this team, we work really well together and when we are clicking you can’t stop us.” 

Madden hopes that the team’s success will draw more fans to their games. 

“They are fun to watch,” Madden said. “I just hope more people come out to watch them — softball is just so fun.”

Photo courtesy of Ken Beachler

Entertainment is a way for friends and family to have fun. But if popular enough, certain activities like sports can transform cities, not only in population but also in terms of economic growth and overall size. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder is proof of how certain forms of entertainment transform the heart of a city. With Oklahoma having an NBA team, students who have a dream of making it into the NBA will have a team to watch and learn from while going through their journey playing the game of basketball. 

In 2008, the Seattle SuperSonics would announce the relocation of the franchise to Oklahoma City. A move not many people saw, but for the basketball fans of Oklahoma City, it was a dream come true. 

“The Thunder are the only pro sports team in Oklahoma," according to Landon Ingram of the Thunder Fan Zone Instagram page. "But that doesn’t change the fact that folks from Oklahoma City, people from other states and even fans across the globe cheer for them through the highs, the lows and everything in between. Back in the early days of the franchise, the crowd went wild with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant on the team. That’s when Oklahoma City picked up the nickname Loud City.” 

Oklahoma City even had a stadium for the Thunder already set, though it went through some major name changes like the Ford Center, Oklahoma City Arena, Chesapeake Energy Arena and lastly Paycom Center. 

With an NBA team, comes many opportunities for jobs. The Oklahoma City Thunder employs around 550 people. Imagine being a citizen looking for a job in the downtown area and out of nowhere your city announces you’re getting an NBA team. 

Even college students, like health trainers, could benefit from this. At the end of the day, every single NBA team needs them and their help with players’ health. 

On top of bringing in jobs, we must remember the way an NBA team makes money is fan attendance, meaning how many people show up to each Thunder game. 

“It brings in more fans and increases revenue for future stadiums and facilities,” said Elijah Ezell, a sports enthusiast and student at Rose State College. 

Winning is one of the most important things when it comes to attendance for NBA games because for the casual fan, no one wants to see a team lose. 

This isn’t the case for the Thunder, as throughout their time in Oklahoma they have over a 55% winning percentage. On top of that, the Thunder also have an 80% or higher attendance rate for each of their games since that time as well. 

The Thunder has truly changed entertainment for downtown for years to come. In fact, there was a vote by the citizens of Oklahoma City in late 2023 to approve a $900 million stadium that would keep the Thunder in the city until 2050. 

This shows that when done right, entertainment can impact not only a sports team but a community as well.

Photo by Praveena Jackson