Amanda Knapp
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies are the athletic teams that represent Oakland University (OU) in the Horizon League and Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). OU sponsors teams in 8 men's and 10 women's NCAA-sanctioned sports, including men's and women's basketball. The men's basketball team is coached by Greg Kampe, while the women's basketball team is coached by Jeff Tungate. Both teams host games at the Athletics Center O'rena. The Oakland Golden Grizzlies have won 10 NCAA national championships and were runners-up 16 times.
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Oakland Golden Grizzlies
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies are the athletic teams representing Oakland University (OU) in the Horizon League and Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). OU fields 16 athletic teams, including baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming and diving, women's tennis, men's and women's track, and women's volleyball.
The Golden Grizzlies have won 10 NCAA national championships and have been runners-up 16 times. OU's baseball team is currently led by interim coach Brian Nelson, who replaced former head coach Jordon Banfield. During Banfield's tenure, the Golden Grizzlies advanced to the Horizon League Championships in 2022 and 2023, clinching a number-two seed in the 2023 Championships. The baseball program has produced several players who have gone on to play professional baseball, including Don Kirkwood and Mike Brosseau, who made it to the Major League.
The OU men's basketball team is coached by Greg Kampe, one of the longest-serving coaches in NCAA Division I. OU first qualified for the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship tournament in 2005, defeating Alabama A&M University in the opening round before being eliminated by the eventual National Champions, North Carolina Tar Heels. In 2010, Oakland made its second trip to the tournament after winning the Summit League Tournament. They have continued to perform well, placing first in their league during the 2016-17 season and earning a trip to the National Invitation Tournament. OU's men's team has won five NCAA Division II national championships and been runners-up ten times.
The OU women's basketball team is coached by Jeff Tungate. In 2006, the team defeated Western Illinois University to capture the Mid-Continent title but lost to Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Golden Grizzlies women's team has also been very successful, winning five consecutive NCAA Division II national championships from 1990 to 1994 and being runners-up for the next three years.
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OU's baseball team
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies are the athletic teams that represent Oakland University (OU) in the Horizon League and Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). OU sponsors teams in 16 sports, including baseball.
The Golden Grizzlies baseball team has enjoyed recent success, thanks to the coaching expertise of both Nelson and Banfield. Advancing to the Horizon League Championships in consecutive years highlights the team's consistent performance and competitive spirit. The team's success has also translated to individual achievements, with players like Kirkwood and Brosseau making it to the major leagues.
OU's baseball program has a strong track record of developing talented players and preparing them for professional baseball careers. With a history of producing nearly two dozen professional players, the program has established itself as a pipeline to the higher levels of the sport. The team's recent appearances in the Horizon League Championships further emphasize the program's commitment to excellence and its ability to nurture and showcase talented athletes.
The Golden Grizzlies' baseball team also contributes to the university's athletic legacy. With 10 NCAA national championships and 16 runner-up titles across various sports, OU has a rich history of athletic achievement. The baseball team's recent successes add to this legacy, fostering a culture of intercollegiate athletic excellence alongside academic prowess, which the university has long been known for.
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OU men's basketball team
The OU men's basketball team, also known as the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, is a Division I team in the Horizon League of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The team is coached by Greg Kampe, who is currently one of the longest-serving coaches in the NCAA Division I ranks.
The Golden Grizzlies have a history of success, with 10 NCAA national championships under their belt and 16 runner-up placements. In 2010, the team made their second trip to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship tournament after winning the Summit League Tournament. They've had notable wins against top-ranked teams, such as the University of Tennessee in back-to-back seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012), showcasing their competitiveness.
The OU men's basketball team has produced players who have gone on to play professionally, including in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Rawle Marshall, for instance, led the team to its first NCAA tournament berth in 2005 and became the first OU player to make an NBA roster, playing for the Dallas Mavericks and the Indiana Pacers. Another notable player, Keith Benson, was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the 2011 NBA draft.
The team's success can also be attributed to the coaching staff. Coach Kampe's tenure has included notable achievements, and one of his players, Brian Gregory, went on to become a successful coach himself. Gregory was Oakland's career assist leader and later became the head coach for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball team, showcasing the program's ability to develop talented basketball minds.
The OU men's basketball team continues to strive for excellence, representing Oakland University with pride and showcasing their skills in the highly competitive Horizon League.
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OU women's basketball team
The OU women's basketball team, officially known as the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, represents Oakland University in the Horizon League and Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The team is led by head coach Jeff Tungate, who replaced former coach Beckie Francis in June 2013. During her tenure, Francis led the team to victory in the 2006 Mid-Continent title, defeating Western Illinois University. However, she was dismissed due to allegations of intimidation and emotional abuse, stemming from her fixation on players' weight and imposition of her religious views on the team.
The Golden Grizzlies share a home court, the Athletics Center O'rena, with the men's basketball team. The women's basketball programme at Oakland University began in the 1974-75 academic year, and the team has since established itself as a competitive force, winning 10 NCAA national championships and finishing as runners-up 16 times. The university's commitment to intercollegiate athletics has grown over time, complementing its longstanding emphasis on academic excellence.
In the 2005-06 season, the OU women's basketball team achieved notable success under the guidance of coach Sherri Coale and standout players Courtney and Ashley Paris, identical twin sisters who were sophomores at the time. The team advanced to the third round of the national tournament, showcasing their talent and determination. This success built upon a strong foundation, as the Sooners had previously established themselves as leaders in attendance, setting records for their high attendance numbers.
The 2012-13 season witnessed the departure of graduating senior Jelena Serena, but the team retained a strong core of players. The addition of highly touted recruits Maddie Manning and Nicole Kornet bolstered the roster, along with the return of Jasmine Hartman and Lyndsey Cloman, who had previously been sidelined with injuries. The OU women's basketball team continues to strive for excellence, representing the university with pride and dedication.
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Oakland University
The Golden Grizzlies have produced several notable basketball players. Mike Helms, for example, was among the top ten scorers in NCAA Division I basketball in 2003 and 2004. He was drafted into the Continental Basketball Association and played for the Michigan Mayhem, as well as in the National Basketball League of Australia. Rawle Marshall became the first player from Oakland University to make an NBA roster, playing for the Dallas Mavericks and the Indiana Pacers. Kelly Williams, a Filipino-American, was the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2006 Philippine Basketball Association draft. Keith Benson, an All-American and Lou Henson Award winner, was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2011 NBA draft.
In 2010, the men's basketball team made their second trip to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship tournament after winning the Summit League Tournament. They have also had several notable wins, such as beating the University of Tennessee in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. In the 2016-17 season, the team placed first in their league and earned a trip to the National Invitation Tournament. More recently, in 2025, Oakland's Jack Gohlke helped the Golden Grizzlies advance to the semifinals and finals of the conference tournament, upsetting the Kentucky Wildcats in the first round.
Overall, Oakland University has a strong athletics program with a history of success in various sports, including basketball. The university has produced notable athletes and continues to compete at a high level in NCAA Division I.
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Frequently asked questions
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies are the athletic teams that represent Oakland University (OU) in the Horizon League and Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
OU fields 16 teams, including baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, and men's and women's soccer, among others.
Notable Oakland Golden Grizzlies basketball players include Brian Gregory, Mike Helms, Kelly Williams, Rawle Marshall, and Keith Benson.
Greg Kampe is the coach of the OU men's basketball team and is among the top ten longest-serving coaches in the NCAA Division I ranks.
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies have won 10 NCAA national championships and have been runners-up 16 times. In 2010, the men's basketball team made their second trip to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship tournament. The team has also had success in the Summit League, winning the regular season and tournament in back-to-back years (2011 and 2012).
