Tag: professional contract

Michael Saladin signs with Swedish basketball club Hammarby Basket

Former guard Michael Saladin has signed a professional contract to play with Hammarby Basket in Stockholm, Sweden.

Hammarby competes in the Basketettan Södra, which is a league comprised of 23 teams. The program exercises and plays training games throughout the year.

Saladin looks to the future saying, “It’s crazy to see where basketball can take you. I’m thankful God has allowed me to have this great opportunity to continue my career and experience a different part of the world!” He originally planned to play overseas following his career at OLLU in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed his departure.

Saladin penciled his name in the record books both on and off the court for the Saints from 2018-2020. He ranks first among all Saints players with a career .464 three-point percentage and second in free-throw percentage at .839. Saladin was honored as Top Saint for the men’s basketball team following his junior season in 2018-2019.

Head Coach Chris Dial joined the Saints coaching staff the same year Saladin started. Dial said, “We are really proud of Mike and all that he’s accomplished. I am especially proud of the patience and resilience he has shown as the pandemic halted the overseas professional markets. I have had friends in the Hammarby Club for years, so seeing Mike go there to compete is like watching one family member join another. This opportunity is a testimony to the work he’s put in and the manner in which he did it. Our program is behind him and we wish him continued success.”

Jose Diaz signs professional contract with Florence Y’alls of the Frontier League

Former baseball player, OLLU alumnus, and current graduate student Jose Diaz has signed a professional contract with the Florence Y’alls of the Frontier League.

The Frontier League is a professional independent baseball league with 16 teams spread throughout the Northeastern and Midwestern United States, as well as Eastern Canada. The Y’alls play in Florence, Ky., just south of Cincinnati.

Diaz holds multiple Saints records. He totaled 231 games played, 175 runs scored, 260 hits, 54 doubles and more. During his fifth year at OLLU in 2021, Diaz was recognized as Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Player of the Year. Diaz also helped lead the Saints to their first NAIA World Series opening round appearance last season. He was awarded Big Blue Top Saint in 2020 and 2021, which recognizes male and female athletes for their dedication to academics and athletics.

Head Coach Bryan Aughney commented, “This is a big-time accomplishment for Jose, and everyone associated with our program past and present is pulling for him to have great success. With all the turmoil that comes with professional baseball, signing any type of contract is much harder these days than in comparison to past years. The Frontier League is one of the most premier Indy leagues in the country. Now he just has to go excel and continue to get opportunities. Jose was a great player for us. He was a great teammate and leader, so we are all very proud to see him continue in his career.”