Leading the program will be Coach Adam Nichols, a longtime advocate for the sport and an active leader within Oklahoma’s disc golf community. Nichols serves as a professional disc golfer, is a member of the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), president of the LeFlore County Disc Golf Association, and a board member of the Oklahoma City Disc Golf Association.

Vice President for Student Life Kelly Vongnarath said the new program reflects the College’s continued commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students.  “The addition of disc golf is another way we’re investing in the student experience by creating opportunities for students to get involved, stay active, and build connections on campus,” Vongnarath said.

Disc golf has experienced tremendous growth nationwide over the past several years, with increasing participation among young adults and the expansion of collegiate competition across the country. Carl Albert is also home to a world-class disc golf course, making the addition of a competitive program a natural next step. By adding the sport, CASC is providing students another avenue to compete while pursuing an affordable, high-quality education.  Assistant Athletic Director Chelsie Barnes said the timing is ideal for launching the program.  “As disc golf continues to grow in popularity, we’re excited to establish a competitive collegiate program at Carl Albert State College,” Barnes said. “We look forward to developing student-athletes who will represent our institution both on and off the course.”

Nichols brings not only competitive experience but also a passion for mentoring others. A husband, father, and outdoor enthusiast, he has dedicated himself to growing the sport throughout eastern Oklahoma while encouraging athletes to pursue excellence both personally and professionally. His philosophy centers on intentional living, servant leadership, and his personal motto, “Just be about it!”

Athletic Director Paul Pulley said Nichols’ passion made him the right choice to build the program.  “We are excited to bring disc golf to our campus at CASC,” Pulley said. “Coach Nichols has shown passion for the sport and also for the development of our students as individuals. It is exciting to have someone with his experience in the sport leading our program.”

The addition of disc golf continues CASC’s mission of providing affordable, accessible, and exceptional education while creating opportunities for students to thrive inside and outside the classroom. Students participating in the program will have the opportunity to compete collegiately, develop leadership skills, and become part of a growing athletic community.

More information about the Carl Albert State College Disc Golf program, including recruiting information, will be announced in the coming months.

###rogram, including recruiting information, will be announced in the coming months.

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Bormann, who has served on the OCPRA Board for the past five years, will now lead the statewide organization that supports marketing and communications professionals at colleges and universities across Oklahoma. OCPRA provides professional development, networking opportunities, and a competitive awards program recognizing excellence in higher education marketing and communications.

“I am honored to serve as President of OCPRA and represent both Carl Albert State College and higher education communicators across Oklahoma,” Bormann said. “Our profession plays an important role in connecting students with opportunities, telling the stories that matter, and supporting the missions of our colleges and universities. I look forward to working alongside such a talented group of professionals as we continue to strengthen higher education communications across our state.”

“We are incredibly proud of Holly and this well-deserved recognition,” said CASC President Jay Falkner. “She has elevated the Carl Albert State College brand through her creativity, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to telling our story. Her leadership has not only benefited our institution but has also strengthened higher education communications across Oklahoma. I know she will serve OCPRA with the same professionalism, innovation, and passion she demonstrates every day at CASC.”

Bormann brings a diverse background in strategic marketing and communications, with experience spanning higher education, healthcare, radio, property management, and marketing consulting. She has served at Carl Albert State College for nearly seven years, where she leads the College’s marketing and communications strategy, spanning branding, media relations, digital communications, and advertising.

In addition to her service with OCPRA, Bormann is an active member of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Communicators Council. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from Ole Miss, along with professional certifications in communications and design.

Bormann resides in Sallisaw with her husband, George. Together they have four children and a daughter-in-law. The family actively serves at Life.Church Fort Smith, where Bormann is a member of the worship team, and they also raise and exhibit show goats.

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A native of Estherville, Iowa, Diaz joins CASC after serving the past two seasons as assistant wrestling coach at Iowa Lakes Community College. During his tenure, he helped lead the program to a Top 10 finish at the NJCAA National Duals, 18 national qualifiers, multiple All-Americans, and two Top 25 finishes at the NJCAA National Championships. Off the mat, Diaz played a key role in the program’s academic success, helping the team earn a Top 10 NJCAA Scholar Team finish while producing eight Scholar All-Americans.

Before beginning his coaching career, Diaz competed at Wartburg College under Head Coach Eric Keller, where he was part of two NCAA Division III National Runner-Up teams. Prior to Wartburg, he wrestled at Iowa Lakes Community College, qualifying for the NJCAA National Tournament.

Diaz earned both his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Leadership from Wartburg College. His coaching philosophy emphasizes developing well-rounded student-athletes through accountability, academic excellence, servant leadership, and competitive success.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to be named the next Head Wrestling Coach at Carl Albert State College,” Diaz said. “I want to thank the athletic department and administration for believing in my vision and trusting me with the opportunity to lead this program. Wrestling has had a tremendous impact on my life, and I am passionate about using this sport to help student-athletes become the best version of themselves. My goal is to build a championship culture where our athletes compete at the highest level, graduate with purpose, and develop the character and leadership skills needed to succeed long after their wrestling careers end. I look forward to meeting our student-athletes, connecting with our staff and community, and continuing the tradition of excellence at Carl Albert State College.”

Carl Albert State College Athletic Director Paul Pulley said Diaz’s commitment to developing student-athletes both athletically and academically made him an outstanding choice to lead the program.

“Juan brings an impressive combination of competitive experience, coaching success, and a genuine passion for mentoring young people,” Pulley said. “His vision aligns perfectly with our mission of developing student-athletes who excel not only in competition, but also in the classroom and in their communities. We are excited to welcome him to the Viking family and look forward to the future of our wrestling program under his leadership.”

Diaz inherits a program that has established itself as one of the premier NJCAA wrestling programs in the country. The Vikings have consistently produced national qualifiers, All-Americans, and scholar-athletes while competing at the highest level of junior college wrestling.

Carl Albert State College welcomes Coach Diaz to eastern Oklahoma as he begins leading the next chapter of Viking wrestling.

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The annual OCPRA Awards Competition recognizes excellence in higher education communications and marketing and celebrates the work of professionals in public relations, marketing, photography, publications, alumni relations, development, athletics, and multimedia. Entries are judged by independent industry experts from outside the association, with awards presented for the state’s best work in a variety of communications categories.

Carl Albert State College received the following honors:

* Promotional or Feature Photo (Small Team) for “First Generation Pride,” a graduation ceremony photograph celebrating first-generation college graduates, taken by Holly Bormann, Director of Marketing & Communications.

* Publication (Small Team) for the college’s CASC View Book, which showcases the student experience, academic opportunities, and campus community for prospective students, created by Caleb Dolan, Director of Recruitment.

These awards recognize the creativity, storytelling, and strategic communications that help share Carl Albert State College’s mission with prospective students, families, alumni, and the communities it serves.

Established in 1992, the OCPRA Awards Competition encourages excellence and innovation in higher education communications among Oklahoma’s public and private colleges and universities. Projects submitted for the 2026 competition represented work produced between June 2025 and May 2026 and were evaluated by independent judges with expertise in their respective fields.

These statewide honors reflect Carl Albert State College’s ongoing commitment to producing high-quality communications that inspire, inform, and connect with current and future Vikings.

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As college costs continue to be a concern for many families, CASC leaders have intentionally prioritized keeping education within reach while maintaining the high-quality academic experience students expect.

“Our mission has always been to remove barriers to higher education whenever possible,” said CASC President Dr. Jay Falkner. “Holding tuition and fees steady for a third straight year reflects our commitment to our students and our communities. When considering the total cost students are required to pay- including tuition and mandatory fees- Carl Albert State College remains the most affordable community college in the state.  We understand the financial pressures many families are facing, and we’re committed to doing our part to ensure that earning a college degree remains an attainable goal.”

Carl Albert State College continues to be among the most affordable community colleges in Oklahoma, offering students an exceptional educational value without compromising quality. 

In addition to affordable tuition, CASC provides a wide range of scholarship opportunities, financial aid resources, and flexible degree options designed to help students graduate with less debt and greater opportunity.

“Our students deserve an education that prepares them for successful careers and future academic pursuits while providing an outstanding return on their investment,” Falkner said. “Whether students plan to enter the workforce after earning an associate degree or transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree, a CASC education is an investment that pays dividends for years to come.”

CASC graduates benefit from nationally recognized academic programs, strong university transfer partnerships, and career-focused degrees that lead to in-demand professions throughout Oklahoma and beyond. The College’s consistently high licensure pass rates, workforce-focused programs, and student success outcomes demonstrate that affordability and excellence can go hand in hand.

By freezing tuition and fees for a third consecutive year, Carl Albert State College continues its longstanding commitment to serving students first and ensuring that cost is not a barrier to achieving educational and career goals.

Students interested in enrolling can learn more about admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and academic programs by visiting carlalbert.edu.

About Carl Albert State College

Carl Albert State College is a public community college serving eastern Oklahoma with campuses in Poteau and Sallisaw, as well as a growing Online Campus. The College offers associate degrees, certificate programs, workforce training, and university transfer pathways designed to prepare students for career success and lifelong learning. With a focus on affordability, academic excellence, and student support, CASC empowers students to achieve their goals while remaining one of the best values in higher education.

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