Once upon a time almost 30 years ago, Ford Mastin thought he might be on OBU’s last track team. Now, as the head coach of the men’s and women’s track and cross country squads, his teams are not only surviving, but thriving.

“Reactions varied among the 30 students on the 1974 track team when OBU made plans to drop track because of tough financial times,” Ford says. “My response was to do something to change this terrible event. Every time I thought about losing the sport, I remembered the many pictures that had become larger than life – from the old OBU Yahnseh yearbooks of my grandparents (1924- 1927) and my parents (1949-1952).

“Many times I had carefully studied the pages that described the men who had worked so hard to bring dignity and quality to the teams that always seemed to win at everything. Their old-style fashions and serious looks added an air that seemed to portray that what they did was important and valuable, that molded them to be disciplined and dependable.”

Those images proved inspiring. “Pride and class seemed to radiate from the pages. With images of those legends and their winning aura providing a deep motivation, a few of us worked to preserve the program,” Ford continues. “We were delighted to find the sport given new life after a few months. Even though the 1970s brought competitive challenges, the program steadily grew and developed into something that would make proud those original, dedicated athletes from years ago. Little did I know that one day I would be given the responsibility to maintain and build on that success.”

Ford knew his life would consist of ministry, and discovered this to be an integral part of his coaching.

“I loved the time I spent as an athlete on the Bison team. We worked hard and cared about each other. Our relationships and common goals matured us,” Ford says. “As graduation came, I knew my life would be involved in a ministry. While at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, I also spent time training with the TCU track team. I eventually became a coach. This helped form a desire to see coaching and athletics as a way to be involved in a great mission field – education
and sports.”

The minister-turned-mission-minded-coach thought his music degree from OBU might be a hindrance. Instead, he says God used it.

“Since my degree at OBU was in Music Education, it was somewhat miraculous to see God’s hand in providing a job for a coach and vocal music teacher. Prague High School in Oklahoma took the chance. Living in a small town allowed me to have close relationships with students in many sports. Prague was also close to the church I attended as an OBU student, Draper Lake Baptist Church in Midwest City. Draper Lake is responsible for my continued spiritual growth and maturity. They have also given me the privilege of serving as song director.” But it was more than a job that Ford found at Prague High School… much more.

“At Prague I became impressed with a particular teacher, her ability to control a huge number of kids with a quiet spirit,” says Ford. “The teacher, Terri, became my wife and the mother of our three children.” The town of Prague, just minutes from Shawnee, also allowed Ford to keep close ties with his alma mater and the track program he helped keep alive.

“Prague was close enough to Shawnee to enjoy watching the OBU track program grow. With each passing year, the dream of possibly serving at OBU grew,” he says. “I loved working with students, being a help to them as God directed and observing changed lives. After 14 years in public schools, I came to OBU. Ever since, I have enjoyed watching and helping student athletes grow in their desire to serve and be people God can use to lead families, commit to churches, and be ‘givers.’”

After the 1996 season, Glen Stone retired from OBU as track coach. He left a strong legacy, and the search began for a successful coach to carry the program forward. The university didn’t have to look far.

“It was difficult to follow Glen Stone, the coaching legend,” Ford says. “Most of the team felt cheated to end up with me. However, a few special athletes, through their great effort, helped give my ‘turn at the wheel’ some credibility. Specifically, two talented foreign athletes, Desire Pierre-Louis, ’98, (National Record Holder) and Gabriel Hnilkova, ex ’98, joined with some wonderful American kids: Zac Johnson, ex ’99, Justin Klein, ’01, Andrew Grein, ’01, Sueanna Hilton, ’00, and Jamaal Jackson, ’01. Together, they became multi-All-Americans, great students, and successful OBU alumni. I owe much to Jamaal’s leadership, his winning example, and his great competitive ability and spirit.”

The strong start continued into a healthy tradition.

“Soon, many great athletes like Brandy Bratton, ’02, Sarah Phillips ’03, Aaron Talton, ’03, and current students Pat Brown and Landon Willets, along with others, chose OBU as the place to contribute their skills and become part of our community. They will all build on the very special past that those great men of character began over 90 years ago.”

The road has produced some hurdles, but God’s leadership has remained visible. “I must admit that there have been challenging team members; there are stories of failure,” Ford says. “Yet, God has provided an atmosphere of team pride and purpose that has brought enjoyable successes including 29 National Champions, two third-place national team finishes, four fourth-place finishes, 24 Sooner Athletic Conference team championships, and more than 170 All-America Awards.”

Those awards are accompanied with nearly as many Conference Coach of the Year Awards. In addition, Ford received the NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year Award in 1998. But more than plaques and banners, is the call of purpose.

“It is my desire to see the athletes take what they develop at OBU and grow,” Ford says, “grow to be individuals with a sense of mission for their workplace and neighborhoods, faithful to their family and committed to their church.”