Oral Roberts University Athletics Partners with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma

Oral Roberts University Athletics Partners with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma | Oral Roberts University

By Press release submission

Feb 27, 2023

The Oral Roberts University athletic department announced a historic partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) for student-athlete scholarships, it was announced Wednesday.

BCBSOK has made a commitment of $25,000 to ORU Athletics to provide funding for athletic scholarships through the Golden Eagle Club. Five, $5,000 scholarships will be awarded for the 2022-23 academic year to five student-athletes, particularly those in the field of health sciences and/or nursing.

"We are thrilled to partner with a first-class organization in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma," ORU Athletic Director Tim Johnson said. "Their investment in our student-athletes is a game changer and we could not be more thankful! These young women are excellent representatives of what it means to be a student-athlete. We are incredibly grateful to BCBSOK and President Stephania Grober for their fantastic support!"

BCBSOK is a top supporter of ORU Athletics. They have made an investment at the AD's Cabinet Gold giving level through the Golden Eagle Club that directly impact scholarships of all student-athletes. The five student-athletes to be recognized for this contribution are: Samantha Guzman, women's soccer, Patricia Mazzei, women's soccer, Reagan Miley, women's tennis, Sophie Nash, women's soccer, and Lauren Ramey, women's basketball.

Samantha Guzman just finished her sophomore season and has played a total of 37 matches in her ORU career. Guzman has recorded six goals during her career and in 2022 was named All-Summit League Honorable Mention. She helped guide her team to qualify for the Summit League Tournament and advance to the championship match for the first time since 2016. She currently holds a 3.65 GPA and is a nursing major. She also was named Academic All-Summit League.

Patricia Mazzei is a freshman and is currently in her first Indoor Track and Field campaign of her career. In the fall, she finished 18th overall in the Summit League Cross-Country championship. It was the highest finish by an ORU woman since 2016 and she had three top-10 finishes throughout the season. She represented ORU in the NCAA Midwest regional championships, marking the first female to represent the Golden Eagles since 2016. She has a GPA of 3.46 and is majoring in Health and Exercise Science and is the track representative for the Student Athlete Advisory Council.

Reagan Miley is a senior on the women's tennis team who helped lead her squad to a second place finish in the Summit League in 2022. She led her team to a 5-2 finish in league play including a win over South Dakota. In singles play, Miley defeated USD, 6-0, 6-4. The 2022 season was the best season for the Golden Eagles since 2016, which was the last time ORU earned 12 victories in a season. Miley is a nursing major with a 3.76 GPA. She is involved with her Church that has helped with tennis clinics for kids with special needs.

Sophie Nash completed her second season as a Golden Eagle in 2022 for the Women's Soccer team. Nash was selected Preseason All-Summit League. She has played 33 career games at ORU and made 24 starts. She's scored four goals including the game winner at Western Illinois this season. She has a 3.85 GPA and is a nursing major.

Lauren Ramey is newcomer to the women's basketball team for the 2022-23 season, helping the team garner their highest preseason ranking since 2011. Ramey has appeared in 24 games. She holds a career high of 13 points in Division One. She is a nursing major with a 3.62 GPA and is involved with the Student Nursing Association.

ORU's student-athletes feel the support from our community at the highest level through the impact of wonderful corporations like BCBSOK.

ORU Athletics thanks BCBSOK President Stephania Grober and her team for this scholarship support of these five superb student-athletes. The funding will help fulfill the ORU Athletics mission statement for these student-athletes to have a diploma in one hand, championship ring on the other, and a spirit-empowered heart ready to lead and impact the world for Jesus.

President Grober will be joined on the court during a media timeout with Patricia, Samantha, Sophie and Reagan during the first half of Thursday's men's basketball game at the Mabee Center.

To learn more about the Golden Eagle Club and the impact it is making on ORU student-athletes click here for more details or contact Deputy Athletic Director Paul Kabbes at 918-495-7951.