Optimist Sports

Official sports desk of The Optimist. Follow us on Instagram @optimistsports. For more campus news, follow us at @acuoptimist.

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Wildcat Football’s Sept. 5 road matchup against the Texas Tech Red Raiders will be broadcast on FS1.

This will be the first nationally televised ACU football game since 2014 against Georgia State, which aired on ESPNU.

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Update:

Airion Simmons has been permanently banned by the NCAA after investigators said he violated sports betting rules during the 2024 season.

Simmons faces up to 20 years in prison on a federal wire fraud conspiracy charge and up to five years on a bribery charge.

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Breaking: ACU Men’s Basketball was mentioned in a federal indictment Thursday alleging a widespread college basketball point-shaving scheme. Developing story, more details to come.

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Tom Shaw is out as head men’s golf coach after 12 seasons leading the Wildcats.

Shaw guided the program through its transition to Division I and led the team to a WAC championship in 2022.

A national search for the Wildcats’ next head coach has begun.

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According to Overtime Sports Management Group, Wildcats wide receiver Javon Gipson was invited to the New Orleans Saints training camp.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound redshirt senior had six touchdowns and 1,022 yards for the Wildcats on 64 receptions this past season.

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ACU redshirt senior running back Jordon Vaughn, from Manvel, signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound power back rushed for 1,000-plus yards and 11 touchdowns as a Wildcat.

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Wildcat women’s tennis swept Utah Tech 4-0 in the Western Athletic Conference semifinals, the program’s first Division I semifinal win.

Now ACU heads to the championship match against Tarleton State on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Arlington Tennis Center.

[The Western Athletic Conference @WACsports]

The Wildcats brought out the brooms and are heading to the championship! @ACU_WTEN

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The baseball home game against Texas Tech has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 22, at 5 p.m.

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Softball against North Texas postponed as well.

That game is rescheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m.

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Softball against North Texas postponed as well.

That game is rescheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m.

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Due to anticipated inclement weather in the Big Country tonight, ACU baseball vs. Texas Tech has been postponed.

The makeup date is TBD.

[Optimist Sports @OptimistSports]

Due to anticipated inclement weather in the Big Country tonight, ACU baseball vs. Texas Tech has been postponed.

The makeup date is TBD.

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Head coach Brette Tanner adds former Wildcat Reggie Miller to his staff as an assistant coach.

Miller was part of the 2020-21 team that beat Texas in the NCAA Tournament and ranks third all-time in season assists (127).

Most recently, he coached for UTEP men’s basketball.

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Wildcat football adds another home game to its 2026 schedule, with West Florida set to visit Abilene on Oct. 3 after recently joining the UAC.

ACU will now host six games at Wildcat Stadium, matching a program high against FCS talent.

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Women’s basketball ended its season in the WNIT, falling to Illinois State 55-59 in the Super 16.

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Ryann Honea finished second at the PING/ASU Invitational hosted by Arizona State.

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With the win in the WNIT over Florida International, ACU will travel to Illinois to play Illinois State on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

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WBB gets opponent:

The Wildcats will host FIU in the WNIT on Thursday at 6 p.m. in Hardin-Simmons Mabee Complex.

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ACU sophomore guard Christian Alston enters the portal.

[Sam Lance @slancehoops]

Abilene Christian’s Christian Alston intends to enter the transfer portal, his agent @zlucchesi of @SportsNetLLC told @TheFieldOf68.

The 6-7 sophomore forward averaged 4.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg. Scored a season-high 18 points w/six rebounds vs. Utah Valley.

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ACU assistant coach Doug Karleskint was named UT Tyler’s next head men’s basketball coach.

Karleskint has been with the Wildcats since April 2023.

[UT Tyler Patriots @uttylerpatriots]

Got our guy!!!

UT Tyler names Doug Karleskint next head coach of @uttylermbb

https://t.co/8AGlkYnWf5

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Update:

ACU WBB will get a first-round bye in the WNIT and will host the winner of FIU and Stetson in the second round, taking place March 22-24.

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Just in:

The Wildcats women’s basketball team will continue its 2025-26 campaign with a bid to the WNIT, marking its second straight appearance in the postseason tournament.

The bracket will be announced Monday, and first-round games are set for March 19-21.

[Optimist Sports @OptimistSports]

Just in:

The Wildcats women’s basketball team will continue its 2025-26 campaign with a bid to the WNIT, marking its second straight appearance in the postseason tournament.

The bracket will be announced Monday, and first-round games are set for March 19-21.

[Optimist Sports @OptimistSports]

Wildcats end their season with a 74-58 loss to No. 1-seeded California Baptist in the WAC Tournament championship game.

ACU ends the season 23-10 overall and 13-6 in conference play.

E. Woodson: 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
P. Hull: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists