Arnold Short

Arnold Short is the first in a now long line of sweet shooting, high scoring players who lifted Oklahoma City University into national college basketball prominence. Short would become a cornerstone for a basketball heritage as rich in tradition and pride as any in the country.

A graduate of Weatherford High School, Short enrolled at OCU in 1950 on a basketball scholarship. In 1953, he became the first All-American in OCU history and would repeat the honor in the next year. He is still ninth on the all-time OCU scoring list, piling up 1,527 points. His 27.8 points per game average as a senior is one OCU's all-time list. He still owns the school record of 23 free throws (out of 25 attempts) in one game against Baylor, at the time, established an NCAA record.

He played a major role in OCU's drive to the All-College Tournament title and scored 70 points in three games and was named as the tournament's MVP.

While at OCU, he also participated in baseball and tennis, where he won the Oklahoma State tennis championships in the Amateur Open division, Men's Singles and Men's Doubles. At one time, he was ranked number one in the Missouri Valley's Men's 35 Singles.

Post-college, Short was a two-time, first-team All-Star for the Phillips 66ers in the National Industrial Basketball League and was named All-Army twice while in the service.

In 1970, he became OCU's head tennis coach and later an assistant basketball coach under Paul Hansen. In 1975, he was hired as the manager and tennis pro at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center. He also served five years as OCU's athletic director, where he was instrumental in the introduction of women's athletics.

Short is an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church and has served churches in Oklahoma City and Tulsa as well as ministries.