Christmas Wishes

Christmas is nearly here, so I guess it's time to make known my wish list for UCO athletics.

• That UCO's new football coach, whomever it may be, will be able to get the Bronchos out of the mire of mediocrity that has plagued the program recently. UCO has had only three winning seasons in the 2000s and that's unacceptable for a program with such a long history of success. Nearly 600 wins (593) more than any other Oklahoma college team besides OU. Thirty-eight seasons with seven-plus wins. Thirty-one conference/division championships. Two national titles. UCO and winning football should go hand-in-hand.

• That the UCO women's basketball team suffer no more injuries. It's downright amazing how many crucial players coach Guy Hardaker has lost this season to injury. Three, including senior starters Courtney Allen and Alyssa Fuxa, went out before the season even started. Another senior (Kasey Tweed) was lost three weeks ago. And then last week in Las Vegas, freshman stud Paiten Taylor tore her knee up. Allen, Fuxa and Tweed played in 249 combined games for the Bronchos, experience and leadership that can't be replaced. Yet, somehow, UCO is 9-4.

• That the new UCO volleyball coach, whomever it may be, will continue the winning tradition established by Mark Herrin in 1990 and continued by Jeff Boyland. The Bronchos have had 19 winning seasons since 1990 while being guided by Herrin (1990-02) and Boyland (03-11), winning 25-plus matches seven times and making four Division II national tournament appearances. The next coach will have some big shoes to fill and here's hoping they will step right into them.

• That UCO's perennial powerhouse wrestling team gets back in the championship hunt. The Bronchos have won 15 national championships in their storied history, including 12 under 30th-year head coach David James. But UCO's last title came in 2007 and the Bronchos have finished sixth, sixth, 15th and 13th in the four seasons since then. This year's squad is still a young one with only one senior starter, but there's plenty of talent and the potential is there. Helping UCO's cause this year will be hosting the Super Regional Two Tournament at Hamilton Field House on Feb. 25-26.

• That the senior trio of Shane Carroll, Brent Friday and Tyler Phillips make a second semester push in leading UCO's men to yet another national tournament berth. The threesome has played in 294 combined games, scored 2,685 points and appeared in the post-season every year of their careers. Phillips was part of the 2008 team that made it to the Elite Eight before missing the next season with injury when Carroll and Friday joined the program. That 2009 team went to the Division II playoffs again, as did the 2010 and '11 teams the trio played on together. The 8-6 Bronchos will probably need a significant second-semester rally to get back in the national tournament, but the three amigos are ready to lead the charge.

• That all the UCO teams that have yet to start enjoy successful seasons, sprinkled with many wins and - hopefully - a few championships.

• That everyone enjoy a wonderful Christmas along with a safe and prosperous New Year!