All Chickasaw citizens, as well as Chickasaw Nation employees and their families, are invited to the Chickasaw Appreciation Night basketball game hosted by East Central University, Jan. 22, at the ECU Kerr Dome, Ada, Oklahoma. Entry is complimentary with a Chickasaw Nation citizenship card or employee badge.
The gates open at 4:30 p.m., and citizens and employees will be treated to pizza. The Chickasaw Honor Guard will arrive at 5 p.m., with the national anthem performed around 5:25 p.m.
The ECU Tigers will play the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Savage Storm, with the women’s game beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s game beginning at 7:30 p.m.
There will also be special features during both halftime shows, which is ECU Athletic Director Matt Cole’s favorite part of the event.
“I look forward to the special features and being able to showcase a lot of the things that the Chickasaw Nation provides for their youth,” Cole said. “It gives them a chance to perform what they have been practicing in front of a crowd.”
During women’s halftime, Cole will make a presentation to Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, followed by the 2025-2026 Chickasaw Princesses performing “The Lord’s Prayer” in sign language.
Men’s halftime will feature students from the Chickasaw Nation Martial Arts Program.
In honor of the Chickasaw Nation, the ECU basketball players will wear their special Nike N7 shoes and uniforms which feature First American inspired color palettes. The uniforms are emblazoned with the words “Koi Ishto,” which means “big cat” in the Chickasaw language.
Cole said he is happy to honor the Chickasaw Nation with a special night of appreciation.
“On a lot of levels, I don’t think East Central University would be here if it wasn’t for the Chickasaw Nation,” Cole said. “Not only the land donated by Daniel Hays to start the school, but everything that the citizens and the (Chickasaw) Nation contribute across the board. A night of basketball is a very small thank you for everything that the Chickasaw Nation has done for this university.”