PEARCY -- A special player had a special day.
On her 18th birthday, Lake Hamilton senior Kori Bullard signed NCAA letters of intent Wednesday to play two sports -- basketball and volleyball -- at Ouachita Baptist University. Bullard said she chose OBU's offer over "10 to 15" others, committing verbally to the University of Arkansas before coach Tom Collen was fired and replaced by Jimmy Dykes.
At OBU, Bullard joins her sister and former Lady Wolf teammate Kayla Bullard, a freshman on the Tigers' softball team.
"I'm really excited about that," Kori Bullard said. "Ever since we were babies we've played together, so being (athletes at the same college) is going to be great."
OBU coach Garry Crowder considers landing the younger Bullard great for his program.
"First of all she's an outstanding talent," the former Jessieville High coach said. "At 6-2 and with her athletic ability and skill level, we think she'll have a chance to be an outstanding player for us. Obviously, she had a chance to play at a higher level if she so desired, and she chose Ouachita Baptist.
"Kori's an outstanding student. She's going into the medical field, and she has an opportunity to be succeed in that career. I think she will. When you put all those things together you have the type of person we want at OBU."
Crowder expects Bullard to play either power forward or post, putting her versatility to work.
"She's going to be one of the taller players on the floor on our level," he said. "We play the Princeton offense, so we expect our big kids to step out on the floor. She can shoot the three. We want all of our players to be a threat outside, and she's also an excellent passer. I think she should fit well into our program."
Playing fall and winter sports will be a balancing act, but Bullard is undaunted.
"I definitely know it's going to be tough," she said. "My major is going to be medical (studies), and that's going to be tough, too. It's a challenge, but I'm up for it."
The volleyball and basketball seasons don't overlap, but practice time will be an issue. Bullard said Crowder and volleyball coach Danny Prescott will work to accommodate her needs.
"There are times (both teams) practice the same day, but they've talked about doing some individual work with me."
Of the lost chance to play at Arkansas, "the new coach said he wasn't ready to make a decision, and I was needing to make a decision," Bullard said. "The University of Arkansas is a great school, so there was pressure to make a decision. OBU was a blessing in disguise. When I went to visit I loved my (future) teammates and the coaches. I think it's going to be great there."
Crowder said he also signed Kesha Broussard, a guard from Huntsville,Texas, and expects to add two signees. In November, he signed Little Rock Central's Jasmine Cashaw and Texas high-school guard Taylor Bowles.
"I feel very good about the class," Crowder said. "I feel like it's a recruiting class with a lot of potential, but that's all lit is until they get here and learn the college game."
OBU's roster includes former Jessieville guard Macey Burr.
Sports on 04/17/2014