The East Central Tigers (also ECU Tigers) are the athletic teams that represent East Central University, located in Ada, Oklahoma, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Tigers compete as members of the Great American Conference for all 11 varsity sports.
| East Central Tigers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | East Central University |
| Conference | GAC |
| NCAA | Division II |
| Athletic director | Matt Cole |
| Location | Ada, Oklahoma |
| Varsity teams | 13 (6 men's, 7 women's) |
| Football stadium | Koi Ishto Stadium |
| Basketball arena | Kerr Activities Center |
| Baseball stadium | Ken Turner Field |
| Soccer stadium | Tiger Field |
| Mascot | Roary the Tiger |
| Nickname | Tigers |
| Colors | Black and orange[1] |
| Website | ecutigers |
Varsity teams
List of teams
In March 2016, the school announced that it was suspending golf and tennis due to budget cuts by the state of Oklahoma.[2]
Individual sports
Football
In 1993, the Tigers won the NAIA national football championship against Glenville State 35–4 at ECU's Norris Field. In 2011[3] the Tigers won the inaugural GAC regular season championship and the Conference tournament championship.
Basketball
For three seasons — from 1928 through 1931, when the school was known as Ada Teachers College — the Tigers men's basketball team played at a major competitive level comparable to what since 1973 would be considered NCAA Division I.[4] During these years, Tigers guard Bart Carlton was a two-time All-American in 1930 and 1931.[5] In 1944, the Helms Athletic Foundation retroactively selected him as the Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year for the 1930–31 NCAA men's basketball season.[6]
On November 20, 2008, the Tigers men's basketball team and Texas Tech set school records for points scored in a game in a 167–115 Tigers loss to the Red Raiders.[7][8]
Alumni
- Harry "The Cat" Brecheen, former baseball player
- Bart Carlton, Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year and DX-Oilers national championship Amateur Athletic Union basketball player
- Mark Gastineau, professional football player[9]
- Todd Graham, University of Hawaii head football coach
- Christopher Lane, baseball player[10]
- Dewey McClain, football player and congressman[11]
- Gil Morgan, professional golfer
- Red Phillips[12]
- Brad Calip, college football hall-of-famer
- Cliff Thrift, former San Diego Chargers, Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams professional football player
- Lloyd Waner, baseball hall-of-famer[13]
- Paul Waner, baseball hall-of-famer
- Armonty Bryant, professional football player
- Caleb Holley, professional football player
- David Moore, professional football player