Lasallian Founder's Alumni Award: Concern for the Poor and Social Justice, Shane Saunders

November 9, 2023

From the Bishop Kelley Class of 1999.

One of the five tenets of the Lasallian Charism is a dedication to the poor and social justice. Bishop Kelley gives out an award annually to an alumnus who lives out these values in a profound and meaningful way. For many years, Shane Saunders has been involved with a Tulsa non-profit called Iron Gate which has a mission of feeding the hungry of Tulsa every day. This organization feeds people in three ways, through a community meal, through a grocery pantry, and through a kids’ pantry.


For over ten years, Shane has served as a member of Iron Gate’s Board of Directors and has chaired that board. He’s proud to say that they call those who eat at Iron Gate their guests. As Shane puts it, we are all guests on this earth and guests should treat one another with courtesy, kindness and respect. 


Shane is a member of the last Bishop Kelley graduating class of the previous millennium…1999! In fact, he was the president of BK’s Student Government. For many years, he has led a life of service to others, both through public policy and direct action. His life’s work has been focused on the alleviation of poverty, a virtue Shane says he learned as a student at Bishop Kelley.


Shane remembers a very candid conversation he had as a senior with the late Brother Norman who taught here for several years. Brother encouraged Shane to really focus on what he wanted to do with his life. Not focus so much on the how, but rather on what he wanted to do with the gifts that God gave him. According to Shane, Bishop Kelley taught him several things. His time as a student here instilled a drive in him to serve others. BK also taught him how to relate, engage, and respect others regardless of their station in life.


One of the things Shane cherishes most about his Bishop Kelley experience is the great group of lifelong friends that he made while he was a student here. He says Kelley gave him the tools to continue his education at the highest levels and without this school, his life may have taken a different path.


Upon Shane’s graduation from BK, he enrolled at Washington and Lee University where he earned a BA in Politics and a BA in Classics. He later earned an MBA from the University of Tulsa. Shane is the owner and president of Trident Energy which is a Tulsa-based oil and gas exploration company. Trident is a domestic producer of American energy, holding interests in hundreds of wells located throughout the United States. Shane is also the owner of Trident Capital which invests in real estate and in other companies.


Prior to founding Trident, Shane served as Press Secretary and Campaign Manager for Congressman John Sullivan who is also a Bishop Kelley graduate. 


Shane is a member of the Church of Saint Mary and has two daughters, Bay and Maple, who attend the School of Saint Mary. Shane is a big believer in Catholic education, having served as a past chair of the Saint Francis of Assisi gala which is an effort to build a large endowment to help lower income families afford a Catholic education in the Diocese of Tulsa.


Shane is serves in a variety of roles with Washington and Lee University, including the Annual Fund Council, is president of the University’s alumni association in Tulsa, and is president of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity Housing Corporation. He is a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen, an organization that gave its most recent Community Service award to Shane. He also serves on the Oklahoma board of directors for JDRF International which is an organization dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes.


Please join me in congratulating our newest recipient of the alumni award for dedication to the poor and social justice, Mr. Shane Saunders.


Lasallian Founder’s Alumni Award

Recognizing the accomplishments of Outstanding Bishop Kelley Alumni who exemplify the five core principles of the Lasallian Mission; Faith in the Presence of God, Quality Education, Concern for the Poor & Social Justice, Respect for All Persons & Inclusive Community.


If you know a deserving BK Alumni, please nominate them here:

https://www.bishopkelley.org/alumni#LasallianFoundersAlumniAwardsNominationForm

Bishop Kelley Names Zach Postoak Head Varsity Baseball Coach

May 20, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tulsa, OK - Bishop Kelley High School has officially named Zach Postoak as Head Varsity Baseball Coach following his service as Interim Head Coach during the 2025–2026 season. Postoak joined the Bishop Kelley community during the 2024–2025 school year and has quickly become an important part of both the academic and athletic departments. He began as a full-time substitute teacher before transitioning midyear to teach computer literacy while also serving as an assistant coach for both the baseball and softball programs. Prior to arriving at Bishop Kelley from Owasso Public Schools, Postoak taught and coached in Oklahoma at Berryhill Public Schools and Cushing Public Schools. During his career, he has served in both head baseball and assistant softball coaching roles, helping lead teams to district championships and postseason appearances. He also spent time coaching at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Sports Science. During the 2025–2026 season, Postoak stepped into the Interim Head Baseball Coach role and helped guide the Comets to a runner-up finish at the OSSAA Class 5A State Baseball Championship. “Zach has done an outstanding job leading our baseball program,” said Bishop Kelley Athletic Director Lance Parks. “This team competed at a very high level throughout the season, finished undefeated in district play, and made an outstanding run to the state championship game. We are excited to officially name Zach as our head varsity baseball coach and look forward to continuing to build on the momentum and success of this season.” Postoak expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue leading the program. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue serving Bishop Kelley and leading this baseball program,” Postoak said. “This season gave our student-athletes the opportunity to grow, compete, and learn at an elite level together, and I’m excited to continue building on the foundation our players and coaching staff have established.” In addition to serving as Head Varsity Baseball Coach, Postoak was recently named Head Softball Coach for the Comets softball program. About Bishop Kelley Baseball Bishop Kelley Baseball competes in OSSAA Class 5A and is committed to developing student-athletes who pursue excellence in competition, leadership, and character. The Comets program emphasizes discipline, teamwork, and representing Bishop Kelley with pride on and off the field. About Bishop Kelley Bishop Kelley High School is Oklahoma’s largest private high school and is considered a life-preparatory institution. It offers a faith-based education that fosters academic excellence, spiritual growth and personal development. The school features a rigorous curriculum, including more than 40 honors and AP courses across a wide range of disciplines. With an average ACT score of 28 and an average SAT score of 1260, Bishop Kelley graduates are well-prepared for college, with 90% attending four-year institutions. The Blessed Stanley Rother Academic Support Program provides individualized assistance to students with diverse learning needs. Beyond the classroom, students can choose from more than 30 clubs and organizations, while athletes, academic bowl, and the speech and debate team compete in 20 OSSAA-sanctioned sports. The campus includes state-of-the-art facilities for academics, athletics, dining and the arts. Recent improvements were made possible through the successful completion of the $25 Million We Are BK capital campaign-funded entirely through private donors, not tuition dollars.

Bishop Kelley Welcomes Julia Dierker as Head Girls Golf Coach

May 20, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tulsa, Okla. - Bishop Kelley High School is pleased to announce the hiring of Julia Dierker as the school’s new Varsity Girls Golf Coach and a member of the Social Studies faculty. Dierker brings a strong combination of competitive golf experience, classroom leadership, and program development to Bishop Kelley. Most recently, she served as the Girls Varsity Golf Coach and English teacher at Broken Arrow Public Schools, where she revitalized the girls golf program and helped guide multiple student-athletes to collegiate golf opportunities. Under her leadership, the program earned back-to-back Frontier Valley Conference Runner-Up finishes, and at least one athlete committed to college golf each year. In addition to her coaching success, Dierker has experience teaching several subjects at the secondary level and will obtain her master’s degree through Northeastern State University at the end of this calendar year. She has also worked extensively in youth development and athletics programming through organizations such as First Tee-Tulsa. “Julia’s passion for mentoring young women, her competitive drive, and her commitment to helping students grow both academically and athletically make her an outstanding addition to Bishop Kelley,” said Lance Parks. “We are excited to welcome her to our community and look forward to the impact she will have on our students and golf program.” Dierker said she was drawn to Bishop Kelley because of the school’s strong academic standards, competitive culture, and mission-centered environment. “Coaching young women to lifelong improvement and success in the classroom and in sport is my passion,” Dierker said. “I admire the strong tradition of academic excellence, competitive achievement, and high standards that define Bishop Kelley, and I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of the school and its students.” A former collegiate golfer herself, Dierker competed at both Coffeyville Community College and University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, earning Academic All-American honors and serving as team captain during her collegiate career. Dierker will begin her role at Bishop Kelley for the 2026–2027 school year. About Bishop Kelley Girls Golf The Bishop Kelley Girls Golf program has a strong tradition of competitive excellence, sportsmanship, and student-athlete development within the OSSAA. Comet golfers are challenged to grow both on and off the course through discipline, integrity, and a commitment to continual improvement. The program emphasizes individual growth while fostering a team culture rooted in accountability, encouragement, and respect for the game. Bishop Kelley Girls Golf strives to develop confident young women who pursue excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and service while representing the mission and values of Bishop Kelley High School with pride. About Bishop Kelley Bishop Kelley High School is Oklahoma’s largest private high school and is considered a life-preparatory institution. It offers a faith-based education that fosters academic excellence, spiritual growth and personal development. The school features a rigorous curriculum, including more than 40 honors and AP courses across a wide range of disciplines. With an average ACT score of 28 and an average SAT score of 1260, Bishop Kelley graduates are well-prepared for college, with 90% attending four-year institutions. The Blessed Stanley Rother Academic Support Program provides individualized assistance to students with diverse learning needs. Beyond the classroom, students can choose from more than 30 clubs and organizations, while athletes, academic bowl, and the speech and debate teams compete in 20 OSSAA-sanctioned sports. The campus includes state-of-the-art facilities for academics, athletics, dining and the arts. Recent improvements were made possible through the successful completion of the $25 Million We Are BK capital campaign-funded entirely through private donors, not tuition dollars.