Owens Community College Athletics has earned the 2022-23 OCCAC All-Sports Award, its eighth such accolade all-time, on the strength of three league championships this past season. The Express finished as runner-up in 2021-22 after claiming the top spot in seven of the previous 10 seasons.
“This recognition speaks volumes to the quality of student-athletes in our programs and coaches we have on staff,” said Shelley Whittaker, Owens Athletic Director. “Their continued dedication to raising the bar and striving for success is an honor to be a part of.”
Since the award’s inception in 2008-09, Owens has placed first or second in every season with just two exceptions: a third-place showing in 2018-19 and a 2020-21 campaign in which the school did not sponsor the minimum number of sports to qualify.
“I’d like to thank our administrative leadership and President Dione Somerville for their continued support of Express Athletics, and thank the many alumni who have blazed the trail for our tradition of success.”
Express Volleyball got the ball rolling in the fall, rattling off a 13-1 league mark to claim the outright OCCAC championship. The women’s basketball program kept it going in the winter, winning nine of 10 conference clashes to earn a share of the OCCAC crown. The OCCAC Baseball Coach of the Year, John Parisho, and his team then added a spring season championship by not only going 13-1 in OCCAC play but also posting an incredible 48-4 overall record.
In total, Owens garnered nine All-OCCAC selections and saw 15 player or pitcher of the week recognitions go to Express representatives.
The award is tallied by issuing points to schools based on their place of finish in each OCCAC-sponsored sport and dividing by the total number of sports at each respective school. Conference champions earn 10 points, second place earns nine and so on. Ties are divided (i.e. – a two-way tie for second place would result in both schools receiving 8.5 points; a three-way tie would give each team 8.0 points). A three-sport minimum is required to win the OCCAC All-Sports Award.
| PLACE | SCHOOL | POINTS | SPORTS | AVERAGE |
| 1 | Owens Community College | 37.5 | 5 | 7.50 |
| 2 | Cuyahoga Community College | 37 | 5 | 7.40 |
| 3 | Terra State Community College | 28 | 4 | 7.00 |
| 4 | Bryant & Stratton College (OH) | 20 | 3 | 6.67 |
| t-5 | Edison State Community College | 32.5 | 5 | 6.50 |
| t-5 | Lakeland Community College | 32.5 | 5 | 6.50 |
| 7 | Hocking Community College | 25 | 4 | 6.25 |
| 8 | Clark State College | 27 | 5 | 5.40 |
| 9 | Lorain County Community College | 14.5 | 3 | 4.83 |
List of the OCCAC All-Sports Award standings dating back to 2008-09