by Paisley Eason
Being a student-athlete at Oklahoma Baptist University is more than a title. It requires commitment, discipline, and a promise not only to oneself but also to teammates, coaches and the OBU community.
Senior Morgan Simmons is beginning her fourth year on the OBU women’s golf team while completing the university’s demanding nursing program. She is scheduled to graduate in May 2027.
Simmons recently demonstrated her strength on the course when OBU finished fourth at a tournament and she placed first individually. She shot a 68, setting an OBU record for the lowest round in program history.
Balancing nursing classes, golf practices, and multi-day tournaments is not easy, but Simmons said both of her passions are worth the work.
“Both of those things are hard in their own, but different, ways,” Simmons said. “I have always loved golf, and as I got older, I knew I wanted to play collegiately.”
Her interest in health care was inspired by her mother’s career in the medical field. Simmons is considering becoming a flight nurse, although she also dreams of earning her professional golf card.
“I choose to balance it all because it has already been so rewarding in so many ways, and I know that will just keep growing,” Simmons said.
She credits her support system with helping her manage the demands of academics and athletics.
“I would not have been able to do this without the support system I have,” Simmons said. “My teammates, parents and coaches are always willing to help and make it as easy on me as it can be.”
That support was one of the reasons Simmons chose OBU. After speaking with the women’s golf coach, she believed the university would be the right fit.
“I loved their morals, beliefs and the way they base their classes and decisions around Christ and what his calling is for us,” Simmons said.
OBU also gave Simmons the opportunity to pursue nursing while competing in collegiate golf.
“It is one of the few schools that allows athletes to play their sport and major in nursing at the same time,” she said. “It seemed like they were supportive of it and wanted their athletes to succeed in both, and that has proven to be true.”
Simmons wants incoming student-athletes to understand that balancing college athletics and academics requires significant effort.
“I would be honest and say that it is truly a full-time job,” she said. “Balancing school and a sport — no matter your major or what sport you play — is a lot of work.”
Despite those demands, Simmons said OBU makes its athletes feel supported, valued and cared for.
“I would not trade my decision to choose OBU for the world,” she said. “It has truly become such a family for me.”
She encourages students not to overlook OBU because it is a smaller university.
“Every professor, staff member and coach is on your side and is always praying for you and supporting you,” Simmons said. “I have made lifelong friends, memories and connections in the classroom, lab, Caf, Noble and on the course that I will carry with me forever.”
Junior golfer Stella Caskey has experienced a similar sense of community. Caskey is beginning her third year with the women’s golf team and is majoring in exercise science. She plans to pursue a career in personal fitness after graduating.
Caskey originally intended to graduate early in May 2027, but the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility rule has made her uncertain about her plans.
Many of Caskey’s exercise science classmates also participate in college athletics. She said their shared experiences make the program both enjoyable and insightful.
“It is really interesting to see everyone’s different perspectives on certain subjects in our classes because we have all seen the same situations from a different view through our sports,” Caskey said.
Being surrounded by other student-athletes also gives Caskey opportunities to form relationships beyond the golf team.
“I love being able to make connections and build friendships with other athletes,” she said. “Even if we play different sports, we still relate to each other’s lifestyles.”
For Simmons and Caskey, OBU has become more than the place where they attend classes and compete. It is a community that supports them through the difficult work of being student-athletes.
No matter how demanding the season becomes, someone is there to encourage them, pray for them and cheer them on.
