North by Northwest (NxNW) - University of Central Oklahoma

North by Northwest - A preview of the other schools of the MIAA Conference - University of Central Oklahoma

Location - Edmond, Oklahoma
Founded - 1890
Enrollment - 17,101
Colors - Bronze and Blue
Nickname - Bronchos

Why the Bronchos?

Bronchos was selected for UCO in 1922 by Mrs. Wantland, wife of long-time UCO football coach C.W. Wantland.  The name was chosen from several suggestions for UCO football which was adopted for all varsity athletic teams at the university.  Mrs. Wantland was named an honorary member of UCO's Letterman's Club for her selection of the school's mascot and nickname being the first female selected to the distinquished organization.

First season of baseball at UCO - 1896
Conference/Division Championships - 14 - 1929, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1947, 1948, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006.
NCAA Regional Appearances - 7 - 1994, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006.

Head Coach - Dax Leone (3rd Season)(68-79 overall record - 31-17 record though in 2012).  Leone is in his first head coaching job having spent 2 years as an Assistant Coach for Oklahoma State and 3 years as an Assistant Coach at Louisiana-Monroe.  As a player, Leone spent two years at Seminole State College and two years at Texas.

With that note aside, Leone had a break-out year at UCO in 2012 and finished with an overall record of 31-17.  I didn't see a Conference Tournament referenced in the school's website, or a NCAA Regional for that matter, but a 31-17 record is a remarkable season.  Leone is a fiery competitor.  I attended the 2012 season opener where NWMSU played at UCO.  With UCO down late in the game and Northwest's closer on the mound, Leone stormed onto the field and went nuts over non-called balks by the Bearcat pitcher.  Leone got tossed, and with a performance worthy of an Emmy, the Bronchos got fired-up, rallied and won the game, then swept the series.  Another note from the 2012 series - Kretzer went deep on a UCO pitcher which went foul.  Kretzer was then hit in the head in the same at-bat.  The UCO pitcher was pulled immediately thereafter.  Leone was a remarkable 19-5 in Edmond and a stellar 12-12 on the road.

Leone's recruits his roster heavy in the State of Oklahoma with 25 of 32 players on the 2013 roster from OK.  Of the 7 other players - 2 are from outside the country, 2 are from Arizona, 2 are from Texas, and 1 is from California.

Go Cats!!
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