Paul BabbaPaul Babba is leaving Delta State University in Mississippi to become the women's soccer coach at Bryan College. He is the third head coach for the Lady Lions program that was started in 1997. Babba, a native of Nigeria and the second leading scorer in Belhaven University men's history, has been the DSU women's coach for five seasons after four years assisting Darryl Longabaugh at Mississippi College, which went 53-20-5 in that time. He earned a master's degree there in intercollegiate athletic administration. He also has been a club coach with the Mississippi Fire Juniors since 2010. He played two years with the Mississippi Brilla FC in the Professional Development League. "Coach Babba is a great fit for us, and we are excited he has decided to lead our women's program," Bryan athletic director Taylor Hasty said in Tuesday's hiring release. "His love for the Lord and heart for discipleship, as well as his passion for soccer, will help our players grow both on and off the field." Babba and his wife have three children.
Baseball
* Cleveland High School senior baseball standout Hunter Oliver was one of only 15 position players named this week to the 17u Perfect Game Tournament All-American Team for his play for the Chattanooga Cyclones in Perfect Game's 2015 spring, summer and fall events. A Troy University signee considered a potential MLB high draft pick next June, Oliver had a .553 batting average with a .574 on-base percentage in 54 Perfect Game plate appearances in 2015, and his 1.022 slugging percentage was the highest of anyone on the All-American team. He has been in the Cyclones program since age 14.