Billie Ellick (Quapaw): Resilient Offensive Lineman for the Oklahoma Panhandle State University Aggies Football Team

By Dan Ninham

The Oklahoma Panhandle State University Aggies football team plays in the Sooner Athletic Conference of the NAIA.

Billie Ellick is a 6-5, 320 lb. offensive lineman for the OPSU Aggies football team.

“I’m married to Kathryn Ellick and we have a beautiful little daughter Blakelynn,” said Billie Ellick. “My hometown is Stroud, Oklahoma. I am 21 years old, I went to Stroud HS in Stroud, OK, and will be a junior at Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU). I will be graduating in the spring of 2021.” 

“I am a member of the Quapaw Nation and a member of the Elk clan,” said Billie. 

“My tribal core values start with my family,” said Billie. “I play for my Quapaw people who came before me. Without the Quapaw tribe, I wouldn’t be who I am in the classroom and on the field.” 

“My parents Shawn and Lana Ellick are the people who influenced me in countless ways,” said Billie. “They have always told me that the sky is the limit for me and that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. They have always been in my corner when it comes to sports or the classroom work.”

“Billie had a rough go his senior year due to injuries,” said dad Shawn Ellick. “Although he only played a few games he didn’t let his injuries keep him from being at practices or games. He helped the younger O-linemen out during practices and answered any questions that they had. This also carried over into basketball where he played a couple of games and then had a knee injury. And yet again here he was helping out during practices and helping anyway he could.”

“Off the field he has been involved with the Quapaw Nation during our annual powwow.  He has helped our gravediggers dig graves at funerals for tribal members. He sings out around the drum with his uncles and friends and me when he has time,” added Shawn.

“Between football at Oklahoma Panhandle State University I believe he is doing his biggest leadership role as a husband and father to a beautiful little girl,” said Shawn. “I couldn’t be any more happier and proud of him as I am right now.” 

“The summer before Billie’s senior year of high school he attended five different O-line football camps,” said mom Lana Ellick. “He had his mind set on a football scholarship. He worked hard and received his first offer from Butler Community College. Then his school year began he had a rough high school football season between having his appendix out and breaking his ankle and he only played a few football games. With all his injuries he kept his head up and supported his teammates at practice and at games. In my eyes that is leadership.”

“Billie went on to Butler Community College and became a red shirt freshman. He played in the spring game and received his second offer from Oklahoma Panhandle State,” added Lana.

“My son has a big heart and he loves to help the young boys on the football field,” said Lana. “Billie had people he looked up to and he always loved teaching his craft to the younger boys. Billie’s leadership off the football field leads him to powwows. He has helped with the Quapaw Powwow for five years and he has been a water boy. He had three younger guys under him. He directed the young guys where they needed to be and what they needed to do. He was in charge of getting water and ice to the dancers, arena directors, singers, and head staff.”

“Billie has made me so proud,” said Lana. “He is not only my son but he is also a great dad and brother. He has a bright future for himself.”

“My high school coach Chris Elerick took me in like I was one of his when I first moved to Stroud in 2014,” said Billie. “He taught me so much about the game of football. To play the game of football he always said ‘you have to be mentally tougher than the dude across from you’. I think the main thing he teaches all of his players is how to be mentally tough.”

“My little brother Chayton Ellic is at NEO in Miami Oklahoma playing football,” said Billie. He always pushed me everyday to be the best I can be!”

The holistic components of being physically, mentally, socially and spiritually strong need to be balanced for optimum performance.

“The team here at OPSU started summer workouts in the middle of July,” said Billie. “We have been going hard every day since then. We have had some ups and downs due to people on campus getting sick and having to miss a couple days, but it feels good to be back on the field. We officially started fall camp on August 18th to get ready for our fall schedule of games. Due to COVID our football season has been split up to fall and spring.” 

“Mentally during this time I’m just trying to do what I can to help my team,” said Billie. “I’m trying to stay safe since there is still a pandemic going on, because I’m not trying to put my teammates at risk and having to miss a couple of weeks of practice. Mental toughness isn’t easy. During the four years I was at Stroud HS, Coach Elerick always put that into my head everyday at practice. Never show your opponent that you’re tired. Mental toughness sets you apart as an athlete as well in the real world.” 

“Spiritually, I do things for the people in my family before me,” said Billie. “I know that they are looking down on me and smiling knowing I am making them proud in the classroom on the field and in the world.” 

“I’m glad to be where I am today, even though a lot of things have happened to me,” said Billie. “My senior year I thought playing in college was over. In the midst of my senior year I ended up having four surgeries. At that time I had one offer to Butler Community College. I was scared that they were going to pull my offer. But I’m glad they didn’t. I pushed myself to get back and be able to play football again. Many players quit after having four surgeries in one year.”

“I want people to have no doubt in what they can do and push themselves to get back to doing what they love,” said Billie.

Photo Credit: Kathryn Ellick and Davina McGee