Xavier University Athletics
Xavier Athletics Honors Two Individuals At All-Staff Meeting
05.25.21 | Athletic Department, Tickets
This duo went above and beyond during a challenging year.
CINCINNATI ---- Xavier University Vice President and Director of Athletics Greg Christopher announced two major award winners at the annual end of year all-staff meeting, team doctor Dr. Richard Okragly, M.D., FAMSSM, and Ticket Sales Manager Stephen Crossman.
Okragly was awarded the department's John Kucia Teammate of the Year Award, which honors Xavier employees outside of Athletics who go above and beyond to assist the athletic department. Kucia, a 1969 Xavier graduate, worked at Xavier University for 34 years, serving as the principal assistant to four university presidents. In his role as Vice President, Kucia oversaw Xavier Athletics and played a pivotal role in moving the program from the MCC to the Atlantic 10 to now the BIG EAST Conference.
"Dr. Okragly has gone above and beyond helping our student-athletes, coaches and staff during this challenging year," said Christopher. "The safety protocols seemed to change every week but he helped us navigate all of them and give us a chance to compete. We would not have gotten to this point in the Covid-19 pandemic year without his leadership."
Dr. Okragly has been in practice at TriHealth's Bethesda Family Practice in Norwood, Ohio, since July of 2004. He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine in both Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He has served as a Team Physician at Xavier University since 2005. He is Xavier's Athletics Health Care Administrator and is also the Medical Director for the Xavier University Club Sports program. Outside of Xavier, he is an Assistant Medical Director for the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon and the team physician for the Cincinnati Rollergirls.
Crossman was awarded the Greg Park All For One Award, which is given by the athletics staff to the individual who exceeds expectations throughout the department and works to improve Xavier Athletics as a whole. Greg Park, the award's namesake, was the first-ever athletic business manager at Xavier and spent 25 years in the role before retiring in July 2013.
"Stephen was hired as a ticket sales manager but has taken on much more than that during this pandemic year," said Christopher. "Suite sales and event bookings were added to his plate due to some staffing challenges. Even the annual long list of graduations took on significantly more challenges in a pandemic year since they became ticketed events out of necessity for social distancing and safety reasons. He helped us keep the building running during a very challenging time."
Crossman was hired as ticket sales manager in 2019 after previously working as an account executive for IMGL at West Virginia University from 2016-18.
Okragly was awarded the department's John Kucia Teammate of the Year Award, which honors Xavier employees outside of Athletics who go above and beyond to assist the athletic department. Kucia, a 1969 Xavier graduate, worked at Xavier University for 34 years, serving as the principal assistant to four university presidents. In his role as Vice President, Kucia oversaw Xavier Athletics and played a pivotal role in moving the program from the MCC to the Atlantic 10 to now the BIG EAST Conference.
"Dr. Okragly has gone above and beyond helping our student-athletes, coaches and staff during this challenging year," said Christopher. "The safety protocols seemed to change every week but he helped us navigate all of them and give us a chance to compete. We would not have gotten to this point in the Covid-19 pandemic year without his leadership."
Dr. Okragly has been in practice at TriHealth's Bethesda Family Practice in Norwood, Ohio, since July of 2004. He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine in both Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He has served as a Team Physician at Xavier University since 2005. He is Xavier's Athletics Health Care Administrator and is also the Medical Director for the Xavier University Club Sports program. Outside of Xavier, he is an Assistant Medical Director for the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon and the team physician for the Cincinnati Rollergirls.
Crossman was awarded the Greg Park All For One Award, which is given by the athletics staff to the individual who exceeds expectations throughout the department and works to improve Xavier Athletics as a whole. Greg Park, the award's namesake, was the first-ever athletic business manager at Xavier and spent 25 years in the role before retiring in July 2013.
"Stephen was hired as a ticket sales manager but has taken on much more than that during this pandemic year," said Christopher. "Suite sales and event bookings were added to his plate due to some staffing challenges. Even the annual long list of graduations took on significantly more challenges in a pandemic year since they became ticketed events out of necessity for social distancing and safety reasons. He helped us keep the building running during a very challenging time."
Crossman was hired as ticket sales manager in 2019 after previously working as an account executive for IMGL at West Virginia University from 2016-18.
HIGHLIGHTS | No. 23 Women's Soccer vs. SEMO
Thursday, September 18
INTERVIEW | Gabriel Kuffel vs Siena
Sunday, September 14
INTERVIEW | Coach Higgins vs Siena
Sunday, September 14
HIGHLIGHTS | Men's Soccer vs Siena
Sunday, September 14