Oklahoma City senior forward and Gruver graduate Brennyn Sealger added to her impressive resume by earning the Jim Wade Award on Monday. [Provided photo]
Story by Oklahoma City Athletics
Gruver graduate and Oklahoma City University senior Brennyn Seagler positioned herself for a screen at midcourt attempting to free her Oklahoma City University teammate dribbling upcourt from an opposing defender.
Seagler set the screen and ended up blindsiding the defensive player. With her teammates setting up the halfcourt offense, Seagler helped the defender back to her feet and assumed her role in the ensuing play.
The sequence assured onlookers why Seagler shared the Sooner Athletic Conference sportsmanship award. Seagler has exhibited that kind of selflessness to her teammates, and therefore, became the OCU women’s basketball team’s Jim Wade Award winner for 2019-20.
The annual Jim Wade Awards recognize those Stars who best represent OCU and reflect Wade’s spirit as the student-athletes of the year. Each OCU team chose its 2019-20 Wade Award winner, who will each be spotlighted on the OCU athletics Web site.
Gen. Jim Wade competed for Oklahoma City as a baseball, basketball and football student-athlete before becoming a trustee to the university, OCU Athletics Hall of Famer and one of the most prominent benefactors and supporters of the athletic department.
Wade attained the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force. Wade became decorated for service in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He flew 55 missions in Korea. His list of citations includes the Order of the Sword, Legion of Merit Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Palm and Combat Readiness Award. These are the first Jim Wade Awards since Wade died in November.
Seagler became OCU’s first SAC sportsmanship award winner in women’s basketball since Emily Davis in 2011-12.
“These two awards are important to me because I strive to represent the university, my team, my family and myself with integrity and positivity,” Seagler said of the Jim Wade Award and the sportsmanship award. “Gen. Wade gave his all and was selfless in everything he did, and he is a perfect model for each and every one of us to strive to emulate.”
Seagler is known as a vocal presence on the basketball court. In pursuing her broadcast journalism mass communications degree, Seagler has found her voice in the classroom and studio.
“One of my professors, Andy Gibson, has had a major impact on my OCU experience,” Seagler said. “Andy has really pushed me outside of my comfort zone and has given me confidence. He wouldn’t allow me to give him anything but my best. I will forever be thankful for all the lessons I have learned from him in the classroom.”
This season, Seagler became an honorable-mention All-SAC choice and earned an All-Tournament selection during the SAC Tournament, while averaging 11.0 points, 1.45 steals and a team-high 7.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
Seagler contributed to OCU’s 2019 NAIA Division I runner-up finish, two SAC regular-season championships, two appearances in the SAC Tournament title games with the Stars.
She also helped Seward County (Kan.) to two NJCAA national quarterfinal finishes, and conference titles. During her four years at both schools, Seagler leaves with a prestigious 126-14 overall record.
“In every huddle she was encouraging,” OCU teammate Taylor Sylvester said of Seagler. “Before every game she was the hype man. Off the court, Brennyn was the first person there if anyone needed help. If somebody was sick or down, Brennyn would be the first person to call.”
Seagler next journey is to enter coaching.
“Receiving my bachelor’s through OCU has been life-changing for me,” Seagler said. “I am also very proud to graduate from such a renowned university.”