ORU Women’s Basketball: It’s a Family Legacy for Senior Tori Ware
Hometown: Houston, TX
Sports Management and Marketing
People who inspire, they often lay down footsteps for us to follow. In choosing ORU, senior Tori Ware followed in the footsteps of her mother who attended ORU in the ‘90s. But for Tori, these footsteps went beyond choosing a university. By following her mother, Tori found more at ORU; she found a sense of purpose, a family, and, potentially, a career in basketball.
“My mom,” Tori said, “was the Women's Basketball manager all four of her years at
ORU. When she arrived on campus, she walked into the Athletic Department and said
‘I’m gonna be the manager, and I’m here for a scholarship.’ While she was waiting,
she actually met Oral Roberts. Eventually, the University gave her the position, and
she was provided with a full scholarship. She’s always talked about it, and when I
got here, I thought ‘Well, I have to do that too.’”
More Than Basketball: It’s Family
During her first year with ORU Women’s Basketball, Tori accepted a non-scholarship position as basketball manager, sharing responsibilities with her sister. Tori’s plan was to volunteer for a year and see what would happen. When Kelsi Musick assumed the role of head coach, the new coaching staff prioritized the well-being and development of both Ware sisters.
“At the time,” Tori said, “we were struggling with a family situation, and Coach Musick said she’d be there to help. We were dealing with some emotional things, and the basketball staff was always available to us. It was a hard time, but Coach Musick walked us through it all. Her staff continually prayed for us when we needed it most.”
This is Tori’s third year working for Coach Musick and the ORU Women’s Basketball
team. Tori says she can’t imagine her ORU experience without the players and staff.
At the same time, it’s the team that can’t imagine a game or practice without Tori.
With the mentorship of Coach Musick and her staff, Tori has become an integral part
of the Women’s Basketball program. For her ongoing contributions, Tori was recognized
during the 2024 Eli Athletic Awards, where she was surprised with a scholarship.
“The coaches and staff,” Tori said, “have been my biggest role models. They’ve taught me to love basketball and to practice Godly character in any situation. I remember something that was said by one of Coach Musick’s players. She called the ORU staff ‘unicorns’ because you’re not gonna find other coaches like them. They make you feel important. They make you feel heard. They make you feel seen. As coaches, they’re Godly people, and they refuse to compromise their character.”
"The coaches and staff have been my biggest role models. They’ve taught me to love basketball and to practice Godly character in any situation...As coaches, they’re Godly people, and they refuse to compromise their character.”"
Loving Something So Much You Don’t Want to Leave
“I feel like I rushed my credits,” Tori said, “so along with marketing, I added a sports management major. I did it to slow down my graduation because I love being at ORU. I love being part of the basketball staff, and I love being on campus. This university is so spiritual. It's difficult to find a place like ORU where any place you go you’ll be comfortable talking about your relationship with the Lord.”
In May, Tori will graduate from ORU. This will be a family celebration as she’ll be crossing the stage with both her sister and her brother. However, Tori isn’t going anywhere yet as she plans to pursue a master’s degree at ORU. And as expected, Tori’s plans after graduation include more than just her education; they also include the Women’s Basketball team.
“I want to be a graduate assistant and continue working with Coach Musick,” Tori said. “I love the atmosphere of college basketball, and Coach Musick’s staffmakes it so fun. Ultimately, I want to stay with this staff or find an opening in the Athletic Department. If I have to ask somebody to make a position for me, I will. There’s a quote that says it best: ‘Ask for what you want. Or settle for what you get.’”
UNIVERSITY BRIEF
ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 16 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 160 nations from 2019 to 2024 to be whole leaders for the whole world.
The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #8 university in the nation for student experience and one of America's Best Colleges (2025). This new category rates the best colleges in the U.S. to have a great experience while attending. This ranking is powered by one of the largest-ever independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates in the United States. Niche has recognized ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America, the # 1 best Christian college in Oklahoma, and the # 1 in Oklahoma for diversity. Princeton Review ranked ORU as the best regional college, and College Raptor ranked ORU as a Hidden Gem in the Southwest. Heritage.org classified ORU as a great option for families prioritizing freedom, opportunity, and civil society.
ORU has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as:
- #1 in Undergraduate Teaching
- #2 in Most International Students
- #3 in Best Value
- #6 in Best College for Veterans
- #7 in Best Regional Colleges in the West
For more information, visit www.oru.edu.