Terrell Lester

Sports Editor

Wren Baker is cutting his workload in half.

He announced today that he is stepping aside as men’s basketball coach at Rogers State University to concentrate on his role as director of athletics.

Baker, who turned 30 on Aug. 4, said associate head coach Lloyd Williams would be his successor.

In the dual role as head coach and as director of athletics, Baker formulated the game plan that launched the university’s entrance into the world of intercollegiate athletics.

RSU competes in men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s soccer, in addition to rodeo. In the 2007-08 academic year, RSU became a full member of the Sooner Athletic Conference and was eligible for post-season play in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Baker said today that RSU is considering the possibility of adding more sports.

When he was hired in February 2006 to put together an athletics program, Baker said he supervised a staff of three employees.

Today, Baker said that number has risen to 15.

The explosive growth, and success, of Hillcats athletics played a major role in Baker’s decision to commit full time to that department.

In addition to his coaching duties, Baker has overseen fundraising initiatives and a number of facility upgrades over the past two years.

He met with RSU President Dr. Larry Rice and expressed his desire to give up his basketball duties.

Williams, 30, was the obvious replacement choice, Baker said. Williams, who helped recruit the core of RSU’s first men’s basketball team, was Baker’s first hire. They have worked closely together, recruiting, scouting, scheduling, coaching.