Time to get caught up on some news and notes:

University of Tulsa Athletic Hall of Famer and baseball All-American Les Rogers died on January 10, at the age of 73. Rogers was a third baseman on the TU baseball teams (1968-70) that won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship in 1969 and 1970. He was named All-American in 1969, and helped lead Tulsa to a runner-up finish at the 1969 College World Series.

Rogers was drafted in the 23rd round of the 1970 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and played two seasons in the Dodgers’ farm system. He was a life-long Tulsa resident and after his playing career, Rogers returned to Tulsa where he joined the Tulsa Fire Department in 1972 and served with the TFD for 21 years (1972-93).

There will be a celebration of life service in April in which details will be announced when available. In lieu of flowers, individuals wishing to do so can make a donation to the Tulsa Fire Department, Animal Rescue or the Porte Caeli House Hospice Facility (2440 North Harvard Ave.) in the name of Les Rogers.

TU LEGENDS DAY

The Annual Basketball Legends Day at TU will be Feb. 12, at the Donald W. Reynolds Center. Both the women and men will celebrate Legends Day. The women play host to Temple with a 1:00 p.m. tipoff, while the men’s team hosts the Cincinnati Bearcats in a 7:00 p.m. contest.

The 1981 and 1982 men’s teams will especially be recognized on the 40th anniversaries of an NIT Championship in 1981 and the school’s second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1982. Due to the pandemic wiping out last year’s Legends Day, the 1981 team will be honored one season after its 40th anniversary.

ORU DIAMOND DINNER

Last year, the ORU Diamond Dinner fundraiser for the baseball program was held virtually. This year, it returns to an in-person gala event at the Glenpool Event Center, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m.

Former ORU standout and current Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jordan Romano will be the guest speaker. There will be both a silent auction of dozens of items, and a live auction. Individual tickets to attend are $60, and can be purchased by calling the ORU Athletic Department; 918-495-7150.

ORU HALL OF FAME

ORU will induct three new members to the Athletics Hall of Fame and they will be honored at halftime of the men’s basketball game on Feb. 5. Jaci (Bigham) Inman (women’s basketball), Mark Serrano (baseball) and the late Eddie Woods (men’s basketball) make up the 2022 class of inductees.

“We are thrilled to welcome three great student-athletes into the ORU Athletics Hall of Fame,” said Athletic Director Tim Johnson. “Jaci, Mark and Eddie excelled at their sports and we can’t wait to celebrate with them and their families February 5th. They join an illustrious group of men and women who have represented Oral Roberts University in a first-class manner.”