Opportunities Through Athletics, inc. (Oi)

09/07/2022

04/01/2021

Congratulations Ashley Stevens from Valencia, CA on her commitment and signing to play softball at Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA while pursuing veterinarian medicine. Ashley is an extremely talented catcher carrying a 4.2 GPA and batting .465 for her travel team, the California Waves 18U Gold. Best of luck Ashley!

03/09/2021

Why Oi?!

Because thirty-four years ago today, 3/8, a WALK-ON broke and set a Division I school record of 9.9 on Floor X! A good, not great, multi-sport athlete coming out of high school (football, basketball, gymnastics, and pole vaulting) with very good grades, minimal sleep, and no knowledge of the recruiting process, he naturally had a handful of schools expressing interest for football and another handful for gymnastics (even after enduring a broken leg his senior year). Lack of visibility, not knowing what to do and when to do it, led him to attend the same university as his brother. Fate, not an exhaustive search with expert knowledge about how to play “recruiting” was his guide. Through humble beginnings (a minimal academic scholarship, student loans and an embarrassing performance in his singular opportunity to compete as a freshman), he learned, persevered, trained diligently, endured, and by the grace of the ultimate COACH who is still, and will always be, undefeated, he began to evolve and eventually experience ultimate success as a collegiate student athlete. Had someone told him back in high school that he would become a DI national champion, win multiple conference championships, become a two-year team captain, earn a full ride scholarship his senior year, and become a DI coach all of which would segue into performing in five world tours professionally, including a special documentary on ESPN, he would have thought you had him mistaken for someone else! Had the alarmist (“playing sports in college is too demanding” or “too much work”) or fear-mongering souls (“you’re not going to make a living playing sports” or “your grades are more important than sports” or “what if you get injured?”) got into his head and somehow derailed his providential destiny, he would not be where he is today helping and sharing his knowledge about the “road ahead” to future college bound student athletes. That young man is now a grown adult still coaching multiple sports, a father of five of his own student athletes and has helped hundreds of high school athletes write their own success stories because of the company he started named Oi – Opportunities Through Athletics, inc. But the question was “Why Oi?” Because, to know the road ahead of you, you must ask those coming back. Life’s lessons must be experienced in order to be authentically passed along and that will always differentiate his mentorship and give you the edge over your competition! Call Oi and ask for the “founder”. Try Oi and you’ll see why! To get to the top you want to work with the top.

02/29/2020

Congratulations from Oi to Mason Kearney for being named the Big South conference Freshman of the Week! He earned his first collegiate save, as a True Freshman, in High Point University's 3-1 victory over Lafayette. He entered the game to face the 3-4-5 hitters, struck out a pair and allowed just one single in the ninth inning to record the save. Continued success Mason!
, , , , ,

02/29/2020

Oi would like to congratulate Claire Haklik on being named the ECAC Specialist of the Week after winning the 2020 Ivy Classic on Floor with a score of 9.925! This is her second year in a row to win the Floor title at the Ivy Classic!!
, , ,

02/14/2020

Oi would like to congratulate David McDowell (seated, right hand side), women's head soccer coach at Truett McConnell University on successfully recruiting and landing JK Hughes! We were honored to have you at the Oi national headquarters for the signing ceremony! And congratulations to JK's coaches and trainer; Karina Clarke, Jean Destin and Julian Amedee (SFX Fitness) Best of luck coach McDowell!
, , , , , , , , ,
, , ,

02/14/2020

One of the fiercest competitors you'll ever meet right here; JK Hughes! Congratulations on your diligence, tencity and servant spirit! You are the epitome of a scholar athlete and deserve the distinguished honor of a scholarship to Truett McConnell University to continue your soccer career while using that 4.0 GPA foundation to continue your pursuit of excellence academically! A highly decorated playmaker (ECNL, SRPL, ODP, All-State, Captain) that will be a value add immediately! Best of luck JK!
, , , , , , ,

02/14/2020

Scholar athlete Kelli Bostick with her father Keith and Mike Gilliam of Opportunities Through Athletics, inc. (Oi) culminating an outstanding career with her signing of a NLI to play soccer for Appalachian State University. Kelli is a Goalkeeper with a decorated career (ECNL, SRPL, ODP, 2X All-Region, MVP and Captain) and outstanding grades that have prepared her for the next chapter in her journey. Wishing you all the best Kelli and you earned this!
, , , , , , , , , ,

02/14/2020

A trio of talent right here! Oi would like to congratulate Kelli Bostick (Appalachian State University), JK Hughes (Truett McConnell University) and Kayla Faraca (Millsaps College) on their outstanding High school careers and commitments and offers to play soccer collegiately while earning their degrees! They are pictured along with JJ Hughes, Mike Gilliam, Oi founder and Keith Bostick. Best of luck to all of you!
, , , , , , ,
, , , , ,

02/14/2020

Congratulations to Kaitlyn James on her commitment and signing to pursue her degree while playing soccer at Oglethorpe University! Best of luck Kaitlyn!

01/15/2020

Congratulations from Oi to Evan Conley on a great season at the University of Louisville as a True Freshman! Evan received ACC Player of the Week honors, was named to the Davey O'Brien Award Great Eight and honored for the Manning Award as one of eight quarterbacks as its "Stars of the Week" all for his performance against Wake Forest this past season. He came off the bench and helped the Cardinals stop a 10-game losing streak to nationally ranked opponents. He accounted for 275 total yards, lead his team in rushing while throwing two touchdowns and ran 41 yards for another one to seal a 62-59 win.

01/15/2020

Oi would like to congratulate Cole Thompson on his stellar career at Norman High school culminating in his commitment and signing to play football for Oklahoma State University! Best of luck Cole!

12/20/2017

12/15/2017

Thinking your child might be eligible for an athletic scholarship? So was I.... Now I want to thank Mike Gilliam and his amazing team at "OI- Opportunities Through Athletics" for opening so many doors for Nick, that otherwise would have been out of our reach.
A year ago We were thinking about athletic scholarships, and if it was a possibility for Nick. Then we met with Mike and the OI team, and started on a journey that resulted in Nick receiving a full ride scholarship (part athletic/ part academic) to a prestigious Devision 1 university in Tennessee-Austin Peay. OI and the representation they offer, give your athlete a relationship with schools that you would never be able to cultivate on your own. They have already established connections and good relationships with head coaches, coaching staff, and administration with universities and colleges all around the country, helping to propel your child onto the radar of those who make the scholarship and team roaster decisions. They spend a great deal of time and effort marketing your athlete as someone who will be an asset to both their athletic program, and their school. By being represented by a prestigious organization that is well established and respected, Nick was contacted directly by head coaches and athletic department heads of many schools nation wide, including (listing but a few) NC State, U of Tennessee, U of Delaware, U of Kentucky, U of West Georgia, Virginia Tech, James Madison U, De Paul, Jackson State, Missouri, Kansas State, Sacred Heart, and many more. They walk you through the process from start to finish, and create a profile/fact sheet about achievements and awards, GPA stats and athletic history, and send it to each and every school that is a fit for your child. They even teach these young adults how to speak to perspective schools and coaches. Their help was truly unbelievable, and I would highly recommend OI to anyone! Soon it will be time for Connor to be applying to schools and I will definitely use their services to help him find the best fit, and potential scholarships as well!!!

08/25/2017

Congratulations from Oi to Carson Gilliam on her commitment to play soccer for Berry College and earning an academic scholarship to pursue her degree!! Carson played RPL for NTH and helped lead her High school team, Lassiter, to the 6A State Championship her Junior year. She was a 3X Coach's Award recipient, 4X Scholar-Athlete winner maintaining a 3.5+ GPA all four years and team Captain. She is pictured her with her parents Mike and Linda, twin siblings Delaney and Kipton, uncle Mark Gilliam, coach Robbie Galvin and principal Chris Ritchie. Best of luck #2!

08/25/2017

Oi would like to congratulate River Smith on earning a DI soccer scholarship to play for Belmont University! River was a three year outstanding Development Academy player at the midfield position. He received very high individual national and regional rankings by Top Draw Soccer. He helped lead his teams to national, regional and state appearances winning several. He is shown here at his signing with his parents Dave and Kathy, SRPL coach Dan Pietro, Boys' DOC Ray Tomlin and Oi founder Mike Gilliam. Best of luck #19!