ADA, Okla. - East Central University alumnus, Brad Calip, is set to be honored at ECU’s Evening of Honors and Recognition, May 1 at 6 p.m. in the ECU Foundation Hall, located inside the Chickasaw Business & Conference Center.

A standout student-athlete at ECU, Calip was a four-year starter at quarterback, earning First-Team All-American honors and recognition as the District IX and Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference Player of the Year. As a senior, he led the Tigers to a 10-2 record and a No. 1 national ranking in the NAIA poll. He became the first player in school history to both pass and rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season, finishing with 2,320 total yards and 32 combined touchdowns.

Calip concluded his collegiate career as the program’s all-time leader in total offense with 6,670 yards and set multiple school records, including touchdowns in a game, season and career, as well as scoring records across those same categories. He was also a three-time first-team all-conference selection and a member of the 1984 OIC championship team. In recognition of his accomplishments, he was inducted into the East Central University Hall of Fame in 1991 and later into the College Football National Hall of Fame in 2003.

Following his collegiate career, Calip continued his football journey at the professional level. He was selected in the second round of the United States Football League draft by the Denver Gold and later played in the Canadian Football League with the Ottawa Roughriders. He also spent five seasons in the Arena Football League, contributing as both a receiver and defensive player while compiling nearly 1,000 receiving yards, multiple touchdowns and over 100 tackles.

Calip transitioned into coaching, where he built an extensive and successful career at both the high school and collegiate levels. He began as an assistant coach at Ada High School, contributing to three state championship teams, and later coached at Moore High School and Denton High School in Texas. He was part of additional championship-winning programs, including state title teams in 2000 and 2003.

He went on to serve as head coach at Bishop Kelley High School and later joined the Jenks High School program, where he was part of three consecutive 6A state championship teams from 2012 to 2014. Calip also coached at Tulsa Union High School, contributing to a state runner-up finish, before becoming head coach at Tulsa Booker T. Washington High School.

During his tenure at Booker T. Washington, Calip led the program to significant success, including a 6A-II state championship in 2017 and multiple deep playoff runs. He earned Region Coach of the Year honors in 2016 and has consistently demonstrated a commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the field. He has also helped numerous players advance to collegiate athletics across all levels of competition.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Calip has served in an administrative role as an athletic director, overseeing program operations, staffing, scheduling and event management. He has also gained collegiate coaching experience at the University of Tulsa, where he contributed to teams that competed in the Liberty Bowl and Armed Forces Bowl.

Calip’s football career began at Hobart High School, where he led his team to a perfect 15-0 record and a state championship as a senior. He was named the Daily Oklahoman’s Athlete of the Year and earned All-State honors while finishing his high school career with nearly 5,000 yards of total offense and 65 touchdowns.

Calip and his wife, Darlean, a head women’s basketball coach, have two children, Braden and Brice.

To purchase tickets for ECU Evening of Honors and Recognition, visit tinyurl.com/9ckajkf7 or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@ecok.edu or at 580-559-5724. Advanced tickets are recommended.

-ECU-