POSSE POKES

Posse Magazine Staff

VICE PRESIDENT OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT / MARKETING KYLE WRAY

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR KEVIN KLINTWORTH

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR / EXTERNAL AFFAIRS JESSE MARTIN

ART DIRECTOR / LEAD DESIGNER PAUL V. FLEMING

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR / DESIGNER ROSS MAUTE

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT / PHOTOGRAPHER BRUCE WATERFIELD

ASSISTANT EDITORS CLAY BILLMAN, MICHAEL BAKER

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS BRUCE WATERFIELD, PHIL SHOCKLEY, GARY LAWSON

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS KEVIN KLINTWORTH, WADE M cWHORTER, RYAN CAMERON, CONTRIBUTING WRITERS GENE JOHNSON, CLAY BILLMAN, AUSTIN CHAPPELL, BLAKE ZIMMERMAN

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS MARK PENNIE, MICHAEL ORR

ATHLETICS ANNUAL GIVING (POSSE) DEVELOPMENT STAFF

POSSE DIRECTOR ELLEN AYRES

PREMIUM SERVICES DIRECTOR KARYL HENRY

PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR CLAY BILLMAN

PROGRAMS COORDINATOR / BENEFITS MARY LEWIS

EVENT COORDINATOR / GAME DAY PARKING MANAGER JOE NELSON

ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT STEPHANIE BOESE

ATHLETICS MAJOR GIFT DEVELOPMENT STAFF

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR / DEVELOPMENT LARRY REECE

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT / ATHLETICS MATT GRANTHAM

PROJECT MANAGER SHAWN TAYLOR

OSU POSSE

102 ATHLETICS CENTER STILLWATER, OK 74078-5070 405.744.7301

Donations received may be transferred to Cowboy Athletics, Inc. in accordance with the Joint Resolution among Oklahoma State University, the Oklahoma State University Foundation, and Cowboy Athletics, Inc.

POSSE magazine is published four times a year by Oklahoma State University Athletic Department and the POSSE, and is mailed to current members of the POSSE. Magazine subscriptions available by membership in the POSSE only. Membership is $150 annually. Postage paid at Stillwater, OK, and additional mailing offices. Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. Title IX of the Education Amendments and Oklahoma State University policy prohibit discrimination in the provision of services or benefits offered by the University based on gender. Any person (student, faculty or staff) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based upon gender may discuss their concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with the OSU Title IX Coordinator, Mackenzie Wilfong, J.D., Director of Affirmative Action, 408 Whitehurst, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, (405) 744-5371 or (405) 744-5576 (fax).

This publication, issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Associate Athletic Director, POSSE, was printed by Royal Printing Company at a cost of $1.115 per issue. 8.175M/August 2014/#5586.

POSSE magazine is published four times a year by Oklahoma State University, 121 Cordell North Stillwater, OK 74078. The magazine is produced by OSU Athletics and University Marketing, and is mailed to current members of the POSSE Association. Membership starts at $150/year and includes benefits such as the POSSE Magazine and member auto decals. POSSE annual funds contribute to student-athlete scholarships and operating expenses, which are critical to helping our teams stay competitive. Gifts of all sizes impact all areas of athletics. Postage paid at Stillwater, OK, and additional mailing offices.

In The Quietest Corner

of the OSU Athletics

Center, far away from the bright lights of competition and television cameras, the student portion of the student-athlete becomes reality with the help and guidance of dedicated professionals. Like many of the moving parts on the inside of a power conference athletic department, the sta in academic support faces challenges that are hard to fathom from the outside.

Degree progression, retention and eligibility represent the tangible measurements of the academic support unit. However, Oklahoma State’s student-athletes utilize Dr. Marilyn Middlebrook’s staff of advisors and counselors for far more than reading and writing.

Inside the walls of JOE AND CONNIE MITCHELL ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT CENTER, located just o the memorial lobby of the athletics center, a good many dramas can take place. Middlebrook is referred to as “mom” by the student-athletes and in many ways the academic support sta becomes the personal confidantes of many of the Cowboys and Cowgirls.

By connecting the dots of the personal trials and tribulations faced by student-athletes with the demands and challenges of competing in the Big 12, the academic sta often resolves academic, and at times personal issues, before they morph into roadblocks.

Perhaps the greatest connection OSU Athletics has to its former student-athletes is the ACADEMIC SUPPORT UNIT. Middlebrook’s tenure as the department head for the academic support unit far exceeds that of any current head coach. And unlike coaches, the academic sta is connected to every student-athlete on campus, regardless of their sport.

The academic support unit plays a critical role for student-athletes, serving as a critical sounding board in making life decisions and even as a family away from home.

JUST ASK MOM.