Cougar Connection
January/February 2007
Alumni Spotlight
Written by Ruth Cain (Women’s Basketball 2002-2004)
Not too long ago, I was lonely and weak, searching for something to fill the despairing void in my life. I was outside of regular community with other Christians, living by a very worldly standard and constantly without the peace, love, and wholeness that I yearned for but could not find. In the midst of darkness God showed Himself intensely faithful, despite my waywardness, through His followers and the lives of some young people halfway across the world.
After graduating from CCU, I served on a mission trip to Pisek in the Czech Republic. There I attended a two-week outreach program with Crossover Ministries, an organization that uses basketball as a platform to share the Gospel. While many unsaved people might hesitate when asked to attend church, the local Czech youth eagerly flocked to the gym to play or watch the basketball games. Interacting with them, sharing God's gift of salvation, and experiencing His hand in my life and the lives of those who came to know Christ was extraordinary and life changing. It was the beginning of a transformation process God was affecting in me; one that I was just starting to understand.
The experience in Pisek left that community and the Czech people heavy on my heart, and I felt God encouraging me to return on a full-time basis to water seeds that had been planted. Although I felt highly unworthy, God opened doors for me to return with Crossover Ministries for a new term. Once again in the Czech Republic, I began to realize on deeper levels how much my purpose in being overseas was rooted in expanding the kingdom of Christ. Basketball was just a vehicle to help attain the goal. Perhaps that’s what God had always intended it to be. At day’s end, my mission in Pisek is to develop relationships with children and their parents and to create open doors for Christ to enter the homes of families living in lost and dark times.
God has always walked alongside me during my struggles. Sometimes I don’t sense His presence, but He is there. My experiences in the Czech Republic have simply been the iceberg’s tip in regard to my life purpose. I look forward to the many challenges and blessings that Christ has for my future and can’t wait to share His love with others. I also encourage each one of you to constantly draw nearer to God and continually align yourself with His purpose for your life. As CCU students, many of you have unlimited resources toward your growth and success both now and beyond college: teachers, mentors, and friends who care for you. Share your struggles with others. Live in community as God designed. For those of you who are alumni, the world is before you and God is beside. May you embrace challenge and spread joy as you partner in God’s plan.
I want to personally thank those at CCU who helped me on the spiritual journey to where I stand today.
In Christ,
Ruth
Ephesians 3:14-21
Athlete of the Month
Sara Davis - Women's Basketball
During the month of December, junior forward Sara Davis recorded three double-doubles for the Cougars, while averaging 13.5 points and a team high 9.6 rebounds per game. Davis finished the month in style, leading CCU to a 61-47 dismantling of Bethany College, while posting a game high14 points and 16 rebounds in the victory.
Sara has continued her excellence in January, helping the Cougars to their first conference win over New Mexico Highlands and capping off the month with an RMAC All-Academic First Team nod.
Cougar Basketball Sizzles in January
Coming off of some disappointing conference outings in December, the Cougar men’s and women’s basketball teams were determined to get back on the winning track in the New Year.
Opening up 2007 at Johnson and Wales, the CCU men cruised to an easy 77-61 victory behind Brian 
Stamer’s 21 points and 11 rebounds. A few days later, the women’s basketball team played host to local Johnson and Wales, and thrilled the home fans by surpassing the century mark for the first time this season, and hanging a 104-37 drubbing on the bewildered Wildcats.
Back in conference play, the men continued their success by outlasting Western New Mexico 71-68 and New Mexico Highlands 87-75 in overtime, on a weekend that featured Brian Stamer breaking loose for a combined 45 points and 32 rebounds.
The Lady Cougars grabbed their first conference win of the year that same weekend. Four players scored in double figures, led by Talmai Aguirre’s game-high 18 points, as CCU sailed to an 80-67 dismantling of the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls.
While both teams found themselves on the wrong end of a double-digit loss at nationally ranked Metro
State on January 16, the men recovered quickly and hammered Colorado Mines by a score of 67-51, January 20 at the Cougar Event Center.
For the women, Talmai Aguirre has continued her impressive freshman campaign. In her first season as a college athlete, she is leading the team and the RMAC with 17.6 points per game, while shooting 90% from the charity stripe.
On the men’s side, Brian Stamer has backed up his unanimous First Team All-RMAC preseason selection. Over the past four games, Stamer has notched 3 double-double performances, and is averaging 17.9 points per game and a conference best 10 rebounds per game.
A Letter From the Athletic Director
I am happy to announce that CCU Athletics is starting a new tradition this semester. Typically, we
have hosted only one major alumni event each year: Homecoming Weekend. Due to busy schedules and other commitments, we understand that many of you are unable to attend events scheduled during the fall. So this year we are launching a spring alumni event called Athletics Alumni Weekend.
Our first Athletics Alumni Weekend will be held on February 9-10 here at the CCU Event Center. Since CCU basketball games have traditionally been a special time for all of our heritage schools as well as CCU, we have built this year’s alumni weekend events around a great weekend of RMAC hoops competition. Below is a schedule for that weekend:
Friday, February 9
6:00 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs. Regis University
8:00p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Regis University
Saturday, February 10
1:00 p.m. Women’s Basketball Alumni Game
2:00 p.m. Men’s Basketball Alumni Game
5:00 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs. UCCS
7:00 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. UCCS
All contests during the Athletics Alumni Weekend are free of charge for CCU and our heritage school athletics alumni and their families. Just make sure to check in at the ticket counter in the Event Center when you arrive.
The main alumni event takes place during the UCCS games on Saturday. The Cougar Clubhouse, located upstairs in the Event Center will be available to CCU and heritage school athletics alumni and their families during both games (men’s and women’s). You and your family can enjoy a buffet dinner and soft drinks free of charge. Additionally, this gathering will be a time to socialize with former teammates and friends you haven’t seen in a while. You can also meet current members of the CCU Athletics staff and watch the games from a bird's-eye view. For more details, feel free to contact me directly at dyager@ccu.edu.
I hope to see you there.
