Oakland University Credit Union increases its sponsorship with the Golden Grizzlies

Director of Athletics Jeff Konya announced that the Oakland University Credit Union has increased its sponsorship with the Golden Grizzlies and is set to reach more than a half million dollars over the next nine years.

The sponsorship is the largest in the history of Oakland University Athletics. The deal will be $65,000 per year for nine years, totaling $600,000 over a 10-year period (NO it’d total 650,000 but what does this even mean?). The OU Credit Union will have its logo displayed on the O’rena floor as part of the new agreement, in addition to signage in all athletic facilities and on GoldenGrizzlies.com.

The OU Credit Union has been a financial services partner of Oakland University for more than 50 years. Along with its presence on campus, the credit union has a branch location on Five Points Drive in Auburn Hills, across from the university.

Cross Country

Cameron Karagitz led Oakland in the men’s 5K at the Eastern Michigan University Fall Classic held Oct. 24 at Hudson Mills Metro Park. Karagitz finished 33rd out of 104 runners with a time of 16:02.9 while Alana Koepf led the Golden Grizzlies women’s team with a 5K time of 19:57.9 and finishing 66th. No team scores were recorded.

Both Oakland cross country teams will travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin to compete in the Horizon League Championships Saturday, Nov. 1.

Swimming & Diving

Golden Grizzly Aleksander Danielewski secured three individual wins while Tricia Grant and Takara Martin each won two for the Oakland women’s team at the Oct. 25 double dual against Northwestern University and University of Illinois Chicago, hosted by Northwestern.

The Oakland men’s team defeated UIC 169-124 but fell 155-134 (if we fell wouldn’t we be 134?) to Northwestern. The Oakland women’s team won over UIC 204-93 and were bested by the Wildcats 180-111.

Oakland begins their home schedule Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The women will host Ohio State and Youngstown State Friday at 6 p.m.

The Golden Grizzlies will also be hosting a men’s and women’s dual against Wayne State and who else? Saturday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. Prior to Saturday’s meet, Oakland will hold a ceremony recognizing the 2013-2014 men’s and women’s Horizon League Championship teams.

Volleyball

Cassie Pelloni posted a match-high and season-high with 22 kills as Oakland defeated Youngstown State Oct. 25. 19-25, 25-27, 25-20, 25-14, 18-16 to overcome a two-set deficit (What?). With this win, Oakland remains tied for first place in the Horizon League, improving to 15-9 (7-2). It was Youngstown State’s first loss in six outings, dropping the Penguins to 15-9 (6-3). 

Oakland’s Melissa Deatsch tallied a double-double with 16 kills and 13 digs. Sammy Condon and Jessica Dood added 10 kills each. Ciara Schultz gained a career-high of 52 assists for the Golden Grizzlies. 

The Golden Grizzlies begin a three-game road trip Friday, Oct. 31 when Oakland travels to Wright State for a 7 p.m. matchup.