Affiliations
Ohio Valley University is a part of the NAIA River State Conference. The SAAC on campus is the location in which the basketball, volleyball, and wrestling teams compete. The OVU softball team has a partnership with the Jackson Park development for the use of one of the softball fields at the park. The OVU baseball team has a partnership with the City of Parkersburg for the use of the baseball field at Parkersburg City Park.
Mission and Values
As can be found on the OVU Athletics website, the mission of the Ohio Valley University athletic department and all other departments of the university is "to transform lives in a Christ-centered academic community that integrates higher learning, biblical faith, and service to God and humanity". The OVU athletic department has an additional philosophy in addition to the universities mission. "The Ohio Valley University intercollegiate athletic program will provide the opportunity for each student-athlete to develop self-discipline through the setting and achievement of goals based on Christian principles". The following are the objectives listed for the OVU athletic department.
- Providing equal opportunity for intercollegiate participation for both male and female student-athletes without regard to race or religion.
- Encouraging academic progress of each student-athlete.
- Appropriately representing OVU by maintaining sportsmanship and by displaying Christian character in competition.
- Holding student-athletes to a standard of personal behavior that is equal to or greater than those standards required by the University's Code of Conduct.
- Complying with the policies of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC).
- Provide equal access to financial assistance for qualified student-athletes.
- Ensuring the physical, emotional, and spiritual welfare of each student-athlete.
- To provide equal opportunity for intercollegiate participation by both male and female student-athletes.
- Fostering holistic growth through varied co-curricular activities.
Bullets, Mission and Philosophy all found via Ohio Valley University - Official Athletics Website (ovu.edu)
Supervisor Profile
Name: Brian Hesson
Tittle: Head Cross-Country & Track Coach Brian Hesson has been a coach for OVU Cross-Country for nine years and started the track and field team in 2016. I competed in cross country and track at Caldwell Highschool and continued his career by competing at Alabama University. Brian Hesson made the U.S. Junior National Team in 1994 and continued on to attain All-SEC honors while competing at Alabama. At the completion of his career at Alabama he was awarded the Career Achievement Award. Coach Hesson was inducted into the Mid-Ohio Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, the Ohio Association of Track and Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2015. Brian Hesson's core responsibilities at Ohio Valley include, but are not limited to, facilitating practices, developing offseason running plans, budgeting, adhering to NAIA guidelines, recruiting, mentoring students, and provide input and assist in development of the athletic department. When discussing how to best move forward in my career in sports Brian Hesson stressed the importance of making connections and seeking out any opportunities that would increase my knowledge in the field of sports. |
Brian Hesson Info & Accolades8 years coaching at OVU
Caldwell Highschool: 8xState Champion, 3xAll American, University of Alabama: 3xAll SEC, 4XAll Disctrict Member of Mid-Ohio Vally, Ohio Association of Track/Cross Country, and Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fames |
About OVU
In 1956, many alumni of Harding University came together with the dream of opening a Christian institution in Ohio Valley. The framework was laid for the foundation of the institution in the following four years and in September 1960 the first classes were held for Ohio Valley College. In 1993, Ohio Valley College consolidated with Northeastern Christian Junio College. The following year in 1994 Ohio Valley College acquired a 134-acre plot of land which would hold the four-story education building, gymnasium, dining hall, and would be the sight of two new residential halls. In June of 2005, Ohio Valley College's Board of Trustees voted to change to university status, thereby changing the name to Ohio Valley University. In December of 2021, after several years of struggle the Board of Trustees chose not to offer classes for spring semester 2021, implementing a teach out plan for graduating seniors. Additionally, the WVHEPC terminated the school's ability to confer degrees after June 30 of 2022, effectively closing the school.
*Information gathered from the OVU 2021-2022 catalog |