Southern Arkansas University Athletics

A 1991 graduate of Hope High School, Steven Ogden joined legendary head coach Dan Veach’s (SAUSHOF C/O 2010) Mulerider Track & Field program in 1992. Known as an extremely hard worker, Ogden’s efforts paid off handsomely as he became a three-time All-AIC sprinter and a three-time NAIA National Qualifier, which included NAIA All-American honors in 1995.
 
In 1993, Ogden claimed the 400m individual crown at the AIC Championships with a time of 48.69 and also ran the anchor leg of Southern Arkansas’s first-place 4x400 relay team (3:23.06) as the Muleriders finished second.
 
That season, Ogden and his 4x100 teammates Kevin Sutton, Greg Hampton, Marius Allen, and SAU Sports Hall of Famer Marcus Murphy (C/O 2015) broke a then-27-year-old school record in the event with a blazing time of 40.38 at the NAIA National Championships; a record which still stands as a program best to this day.
 
The following season, Ogden defended his 400m title as he bettered his previous year’s championship time to 48.04 and again ran anchor on the Muleriders’ 4x400 relay team which captured its second-consecutive AIC title in the event. Additionally, Ogden took over the third leg of SAU’s 4x100 relay team and helped the squad to a first-place showing in a time of 41.14. For the second-consecutive year, Ogden qualified for the NAIA National Championships.
 
As a senior in 1995, Ogden won his third-consecutive 400m title at the AIC Championships and was once again an instrumental part of an SAU 4x400 relay team that won the AIC title for the third-straight season. At one point during the ’95 campaign, that 4x400 team, which consisted of Arthur Courtney, Brian Mays, and Omar Best, held the fastest such time in the country and their efforts were rewarded in the end as the group posted a time of 3:13.44 to place fifth at the NAIA National Championships and earn All-American honors.
 
Steven is currently employed with the University of Arkansas Hope/Texarkana as the Director of Testing & Disabilities and volunteers each year with the Special Olympics as a mentor to young males in both junior high and high school.