General | 7/15/2025 12:00:00 PM
OXFORD, Ohio- The River States Conference is pleased to announce the selection of the men's tennis team at Oakland City University as the 2024-25 recipient of the River States Conference Men's Team of Character Award. The Mighty Oaks were selected after a vote from the athletic directors of the River States Conference.
The RSC Team of Character awards honor one men's and one women's team each year for their exemplary character and sportsmanship on the field, on campus and in the community. A deserving team demonstrates the NAIA's five core character values of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership. The award is patterned after the national team of character award presented by the NAIA.
The men's tennis program at Oakland City ran and helped with multiple clinics and classes at the Evansville Tennis Center throughout the season. They orchestrated a group called Potters Wheel, which is made up of low-income families. After school they were bussed to the tennis courts in Evansville where the OCU Tennis team was there ready to lead drills, games and other activities. They often spoke about good opportunities for these children and how they can be successful regardless of their socioeconomical status.
The Mighty Oaks assisted with the set up of Pigtails and Cowlicks kids consignment sale, a sale of kids clothing, apparel, and accessories. It takes place in Evansville and Owensboro in the fall and spring. The teams help set up hundreds of clothing racks, tables, and other items around the convention center that needed to be helped with and set it up in record time.
Lastly, the team donated all of their extra tennis balls to the Pike County Animal Shelter, a lower income shelter that is overfilled with animals. The Mighty Oaks donated over 300 used tennis balls to the animals at the shelter.
The Mighty Oaks will now be considered for the national Team of Character award, given out annually by the NAIA and sponsored by the NAIA's Conference Commissioners Association.