East Central University Athletics

ECU Athletics Inducts Six Into Class of 2025 Hall of Fame

1/25/2025 6:58:00 PM

ADA, Okla. – On Friday night, East Central University Athletics proudly inducted its 2025 Hall of Fame Class during a captivating ceremony inside the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center.
 
The esteemed class comprises of five outstanding individuals and one remarkable national runner-up team. Included in this group are Erin Regier (Student-Athlete – Softball), Terry Babbitt (Student-Athlete - Football), Phil Johnson (Distinguished Coach – Men's Basketball), Chris Snowden (Distinguished Service), Tyler Gillum (Distinguished Athletic Alumni - Baseball), and the 1989 NAIA National Runner-Up Men's Basketball Team.
 
With these additions, ECU's Hall of Fame Class expands to 163 former student-athletes, alumni, coaches, administrators, and teams who have made significant impacts and contributions to ECU Athletics.
 
The evening commenced with a warm welcome from ECU Athletic Director Matt Cole, followed by opening remarks from ECU President Wendell Godwin.
 
After a compelling induction video showcasing a montage of close friends, teammates, coaches, and loved ones highlighting the achievements and greatness of the inductees, each member of the Class of 2025 took the stage and shared a heartfelt reflection on their time at ECU and the profound impact the university has had on their lives.
 


Erin Regier (Curry) was part of a historic season with the Tigers' softball team as East Central University began sponsorship of intercollegiate women's softball for the first time in 1995. The program, headed by Ron Miller, was one of two new women's sports, marking the beginning of a new chapter in ECU athletics.

Regier was a standout four-year starter at catcher from 1995 to 1998, helping ECU compile an 87-75-1 record during the program's early years. Throughout her career, she never posted a batting average below .302 and was consistently the team's leader in RBIs. As a two-year team captain, Regier earned well-deserved recognition for her exceptional performances both at the plate and behind the plate, earning Lone Star Conference First Team honors in 1997 and Second Team honors in 1998.

After her playing career concluded, Regier began her coaching career as a graduate assistant for ECU softball under Coach Miller, helping guide the team to the 1999 Lone Star North Division Championship. She then went on to have a successful career in both teaching and coaching. Regier coached at Allen High School, where she earned Rookie of the Year honors, before returning to her alma mater, Western Heights High School, where she served as the varsity softball coach and biology teacher for three years. At Deer Creek High School, Regier led the team to a state runner-up finish in 2013 and was named Coach of the Year. She spent ten years teaching at Yukon and, in the fall of 2024, made a return to coaching as the assistant softball coach at Bethany High School.
 


Terry Babbitt's remarkable career with the East Central University Tigers football program earned him a well-deserved spot in the Hall of Fame.

He quickly became a standout defensive player after joining the team, earning All-OIC honors in 1982 and ranking second in tackles on the defensive line. Despite sitting out in 1983, Terry came back strong in 1984, leading the defensive line in tackles. His dominance continued in 1985, where he earned First Team All-OIC and Second Team All-District IX honors while again leading the team in tackles. In 1986, Terry earned First Team All-OIC, First Team All-District IX, and Second Team All-American honors, capping off an incredible three-year streak of leading the defensive line in tackles.

Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Terry was also an academic standout, receiving the Milam Award and earning both a BBA and Master's degree from ECU, later obtaining a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration. His professional journey included impactful roles such as recruiter at ECU, Director of Recruiting at the University of Oklahoma's Tulsa office, Chief Enrollment Officer at the University of New Mexico, and eventually Chief of Staff at the University of New Mexico. Terry continues to make a significant impact at the university, overseeing student success, enrollment, and revenue while serving on the Office of University Counsel.
 


Phil Johnson has had an extraordinary nearly 40-year coaching career, marked by numerous accomplishments and significant contributions to college and professional basketball.

His journey began at East Central University in 1977, where he not only played for four seasons and was co-captain his senior year, but also began his coaching career, leading the Tigers to multiple conference championships from 1982 to 1985.
From there, Johnson climbed the coaching ranks, with key roles at institutions like Northern Oklahoma Junior College (1985), Seminole Junior College (1987), the University of Tulsa (1991), the University of New Orleans (1992-1993), and the University of Arizona (1993-1998). As an assistant at Arizona under Lute Olson, Johnson played a crucial role in developing key players and helped the Wildcats secure the 1997 NCAA National Championship. He also assisted at the University of New Orleans under Tim Floyd, helping the team reach the NCAA Tournament in 1993.

Johnson transitioned to the professional ranks as an assistant coach with the Chicago Bulls, working under Floyd and later Bill Cartwright from 1999 to 2002. He later became the head coach at San Jose State University in two separate stints, first in 1999 and again from 2002 to 2004. During his 1999 season, he achieved a remarkable program turnaround, leading the Spartans to 12 wins, including upsets over major programs like UNLV and UTEP. After stints at USC (2005-2010) and UTEP (2010-2017), Johnson's coaching legacy continued to grow. His time at USC saw the Trojans make multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, while his tenure at UTEP included key roles on Tim Floyd's staff, contributing to the team's success in national postseason tournaments. In 2017, Johnson was named interim head coach at UTEP following Floyd's sudden retirement. Coach Johnson's vast experience, from leading college programs to working at the highest levels of professional basketball, has shaped his unique coaching philosophy, making him a standout figure in the world of basketball coaching.
 


Chris Snowden's 36 years of dedicated service to ECU Athletics make him a truly deserving inductee into the ECU Athletics Hall of Fame in the distinguished service category.

From 1989 to now, Chris impacted countless student-athletes, coaches, and administrators as a volunteer, with his service beginning shortly after he arrived in 1988. Chris played a key role in building one of the largest Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapters in Oklahoma and became the ECU Football Chaplain in 1991, later evolving into the Character Coach in 2020. Over the years, he provided weekly devotions for football, basketball, cross country, baseball, and softball teams, offering support during both everyday challenges and crises. His influence extended beyond athletics, as he also supported ECU's student-athletes through his ministry at Trinity Baptist Church, which became a central hub for the community. Throughout his time at ECU, Chris worked closely with multiple Athletic Directors, including Dr. Tim Green, Dr. Jeff Williams, and Matt Cole, always offering his guidance and mentorship.

Chris's steadfast volunteer service, commitment to student-athletes, and impact on the ECU community are a testament to his selflessness, making his induction into the Hall of Fame a well-earned honor.
 


Tyler Gillum's journey from a small-town athlete in Ada, to a transformative figure in the world of baseball is a true testament to his dedication, passion, and roots.

Gillum's own baseball career flourished at Latta before he continued his education and playing career at Seminole State Junior College and East Central University from 2006 to 2009. It was at ECU where Gillum not only developed his skills on the field but also embraced the values of perseverance, teamwork, and servant leadership that continue to shape his career. After earning a degree in Kinesiology and a Master's in Education, he began his coaching career at ECU as a graduate assistant coach in 2010.

Gillum's coaching path then led him to a successful college coaching career, including an 11-year tenure at South Mountain Community College before taking on the role of head coach for the Savannah Bananas in 2018. Under his leadership, the Bananas have revolutionized the sport, attracting millions of fans and creating the one-of-a-kind Banana Ball format. With back-to-back Coastal Plain League championships and over 30 players drafted into Major League Baseball, Gillum's impact on the game is undeniable. His motto, "Bet On Yourself," embodies the perseverance and belief that have fueled his success, and he continues to inspire as he strives to positively impact a million people. Recently named Chickasaw Nation Person of the Year, Gillum's achievements reflect the core values instilled in him by his Chickasaw heritage.

Tyler Gillum's story is one of homegrown talent, deep community roots, and a lasting impact on the game of baseball. His remarkable journey from a small town in Oklahoma to shaping the future of baseball makes him a deserving inductee into the ECU Athletics Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Athletic Alumni.
 
 

The 1989 NAIA National Runner-Up Men's Basketball Team made history by advancing to the NAIA National Championship game, a remarkable accomplishment that only three teams in the university's history have achieved.

After a tough start to the season, with a 5-4 record at the Christmas break, the Tigers turned things around in the new year, embarking on an 11-game winning streak that included an Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (OIC) championship. This momentum carried them through the NAIA national tournament, where they stunned fans by defeating high-ranked teams like BYU-Hawaii, Wayland Baptist, and Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Their impressive tournament run led them to the championship game, where they faced St. Mary's in a nail-biting contest. Despite their best efforts, the Tigers fell just short, losing 61-58. Throughout the tournament, senior center Vernell Kemp was nothing short of spectacular, earning NAIA Tournament Most Valuable Player honors after scoring 120 points and leading the team to the finals. His performance, along with key contributions from players like Bobby Shelton, Rod Warren, and Duane Godwin, helped propel ECU to its first trip to Kansas City since 1975. This achievement was a huge moment for the ECU athletic program, drawing tremendous support from the university and the community.

The Tigers' run to the national championship showcased the power of teamwork, perseverance, and leadership, and remains one of the most celebrated accomplishments in the history of East Central University basketball.