Half a Century Supporting Moore High
Lions Superfan
October 2021 • Issue 10 • Volume 4
Moore Coaches Shows Highlight Athletes
High School Heroes
Veteran of the Month
Glenn Schaumburg
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Features
OCTOBER CONTENTS 2021
ISSUE 10– VOLUME 4 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Doescher
Lions Superfan
10 by Callie Collins
Lindsay Cuomo
Retired policeman celebrates more than 50 years cheering for Moore Lions, supporting student athletes.
City of Moore Ballot Proposals
14by Chelsey Kraft
Road and animal shelter improvements are up for vote.
Showing Support
18 by Sharla Bardin
MANAGING EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Mark Doescher
CONTRIBUTORS
14
Sharla Bardin | Callie Collins Lindsay Cuomo | Chelsey Kraft Bill Moakley | Chris Plank
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES
Haley Gauley - haley@sportstalk1400.com Trevor Laffoon - trevor@sportstalk1400.com Perry Spencer - perry@sportstalk1400.com
PUBLISHER
Casey Vinyard
In Memory of
RANDY LAFFOON
MNTC program helps equip small business owners.
Restore Behavioral Health:
24 Destigmatizing Mental Health
by Chelsey Kraft Restore Behavioral Health shares vision for community mental health.
He’s Going the Distance
30 by Chris Plank
The power of the ‘stache’ is helping the Sooners win games, from distance.
30
19th Street Magazine 2020 E. Alameda Norman, Oklahoma 73071 Phone: (405) 321-1400 E-mail: 19thstreetmagazine@gmail.com Copyright © 19th Street Magazine Any articles, artwork or graphics created by 19th Street Magazine or its contributors are sole property of 19th Street Magazine and cannot be reproduced for any reason without permission. Any opinions expressed in 19th Street are not necessarily that of 19th Street management.
Images from Moore War
42 by Mark Doescher
A 20 year streak comes to an end.
Southwest Showdown Images
46 by Mark Doescher
The Jaguars take the Showdown.
High School Heroes
50 by Lindsay Cuomo
Moore Coaches Shows focus on student-athletes.
42
Living Pain Free
55 by Lindsay Cuomo
Orthopedic surgeon using robotic technology for hip and knee replacements.
Veteran of the Month:
58 Glenn Schaumburg
by Bill Moakley Vietnam War veteran shares about his time serving.
sportstalk1400.com
46
Cover photo by: Mark Doescher
STATE of the SCHOOLS Hear educational updates from:
COMM U N I T Y
Lions Superfan
Retired policeman celebrates more than 50 years cheering for Moore Lions, supporting student athletes
D
arrel Waggoner, Moore High School class of ‘67, is known as a football superfan, with more than 50 years of attendance at Moore Lions games. The glory of the game appeals to many but few can say they have been as present and had the opportunity to get to know players from an early age who found success on or off the field. “Sports teaches self-esteem and it provides an opportunity to learn to be part of something bigger than yourself,” said Waggoner. “Students who are involved in sports are often leaders at their schools.” The value of participating in sports is clear to Waggoner, who recognizes team involvement as a way to keep students socially engaged and physically active. Players often benefit from participation on the field but also in the classroom. The National Institutes of Health report that teens involved in sports are less likely to self-report using drugs or drinking alcohol. A sideline staple, Waggoner has been a team supporter and familiar face at the games both on the field and in the locker room. He worked security at games from 1970 to 1985 and continued to attend as a fan thereafter, only missing a handful of games.
10 October 2021
The enduring connection to the Moore Lions began when Waggoner went out for football as a junior. After having foot surgery, he spent his senior year as a team manager and trainer. Waggoner got a scholarship to play football at the University of Oklahoma in the era of Hall of Famers Ken Rawlinson, Chuck Fairbanks and Barry Switzer, who was assistant coach at the time. Some of his best memories include attending the Bluebonnet Bowl and the Cotton Bowl. After two years, Waggoner became assistant manager at a Pizza Hut. Policemen frequented the restaurant and he became an officer himself. He retired after more than 38 years, including career stints as an officer in Moore and for the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department. His legacy of public service includes volunteering for decades with Moore Public Schools’ athletic programs. “Luckily, my employer believed officers had a critical role to play as being part of the community,” he explained. “I am thankful they allowed me to do that and encouraged police officers to be seen by kids in that way, letting them see a different side of a police officer.”
BY: CALLIE COLLINS From football to basketball and pole vaulting, Waggoner continued to show up for local students in a volunteer capacity wherever he was needed. He came to be recognized at football games, a figure standing behind the goal posts, watching kickers and at certain points, keeping the public from running out on the field. Less publicly, however, players knew him for offering an encouraging word in baseball dugouts and locker rooms, being present and getting involved with kids who needed an adult to look up to in the community. While he witnessed favorite victories on Friday nights, some of his best times were watching students do better, progress that taught them life lessons. “So many kids’ parents don’t even go to the games. I still keep in touch with a lot of the kids, and now, I’m seeing players whose dads and grandpas I also knew as student athletes,” he explained. “It’s a special way to connect with the community.” Some of the students he knew have also become police officers and he was honored to get a call recently from one who made sergeant and reached out to share the good news. Waggoner started going to games at the University of Central Oklahoma too to follow Dylan Buchheit into college athletics after watching him play through high school. Many of the students he has come to know went on to play college football and a few have gone pro, including defensive lineman Greg Johnson of the Miami Dolphins. Moore War and Homecoming are the highlights of Waggoner’s year, especially as fellow fans and former players return home. “I am grateful to get to see a lot of the kids a few times a year,” he said. “I want to thank the people of Moore for supporting our students and coaches.” Waggoner also recognizes the fact that even as new coaches came into the athletic department, they were welcoming. “I was introduced as Moore’s number one fan and they always accepted me,” he said. “I also want to recognize the role of J.D. Northcutt, who has been a radio announcer for Moore’s games for 31 years.” Waggoner’s mobility is somewhat limited now at age 73. He now watches games from the press box for health reasons. During the few games he missed, Northcutt mentioned his absence with shoutouts that mattered to him. “Not everyone gets the opportunity to go to the games, but they might still be able to listen on the radio,” he explained. When Waggoner’s brother passed away, his family understood that he would feel best at the stadium he loves. Rallying around him during illness and grief, the Moore student community expresses care for Waggoner, too. Fandom has enriched Waggoner’s life, and he in turn, has made a positive impact on so many people at a critical age, living up to his role as a community role model one game at a time. -19SM sportstalk1400.com
19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 11
COMM U N I T Y
BY: CHELSEY KRAF T
City of Moore Ballot Proposals
Road and animal shelter improvements are up for vote
C
ity of Moore residents headed to the polls on Nov. 9 will vote on two propositions for general obligation bonds, with Proposition 1 intended for road improvement projects and Proposition 2 focused on the building of a new animal shelter. The proposed animal shelter would be a state-of-the-art, community-friendly facility, according to Jerry Ihler, assistant city manager. Two positives of the new shelter would be the increased size of the facility as well as its location. The current shelter is about 3,500 square feet, while the proposed building will be about 15,000 square feet, said John Fryrear, animal welfare supervisor. Additionally, he shared that right now the location is kind of hard to find and people often get lost, but the new shelter would be located right off I-35 near the 34th St. Bridge. The facility would include a variety of amenities, including separate adoption and intake vestibules to help control any disease among the animals, a medical suite where animals can receive care within the shelter, more space for volunteers and members of the public, outdoor play areas where people can interact with the animals to determine if they are compatible before adopting and more. Fryrear said that currently, the shelter has space for 29 dogs and nine cats at a time. The new space would have an adoption capacity of 47 dogs and 28 cats and an animal hold capacity of 29 dogs and 20 cats. He added that he wants the community to feel welcome at the shelter and to know that the city cares for its animals. “This facility is going to be for the citizens,” Fryrear explained. “We want them to come in and be able to be active with us, and to be able to come in for volunteer opportunities and help us serve the community they live in … I want the citizens of Moore to know that they live in a progressive city, and the pets deserve a progressive shelter too.”
14 October 2021
“Pets are part of the family, and we want to be able to provide a facility that the community will be proud of and that the community will be willing to go out and take a look at the animals and see if they want to adopt a dog or a cat,” Ihler echoed. If the voters approve the proposition, Ihler said the timeline would be to have bidding occur in the spring of 2022 with construction starting on the shelter in early summer. The tentative timeline for project completion is 12-16 months, depending on availability of material and delivery. The proposed bond amount for the project is $8,210,000. The other proposal focuses on street improvements, the majority of which are located in residential areas where the roads were damaged following the last winter freeze, Ihler explained. The City of Moore currently has a funding source for repairs and maintenance of existing residential streets through the half-cent sales tax, but this proposition would allow these repairs to be completed more quicklyand would allow for the current funding to be used to complete smaller projects. The total amount for this project would be $8,640,000. “If it gets approved, we’ll be able to go in and replace all those damaged or deteriorated streets at one time instead of having to spread it out over three years,” Ihler said. In addition to the street repairs, 25 percent of the bond issue would be used to hire a consultant to create designs of three arterial street projects. These include portions of Broadway Avenue, Eastern Avenue and Telephone Road., which would all be widened with added turn lanes. Ihler added that the City is planning to apply for grant funding from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation through an infrastructure bill to help with construction of these areas in the future. Visit cityofmoore.com/election2021 for more information about the two propositions. -19SM
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COMM U N I T Y
BY: SHARLA BARDIN
Showing Suppor t MNTC program helps equip small business owners
Amal Khairallah, of Noble, is the owner of Beck and Call Transportation LLC, which offers transportation services to senior citizens.
A
mal Khairallah’s inspiration for a new business grew from her interactions with her Bible study group. The group includes senior citizens, and Khairallah said she appreciates the wisdom she’s gained from the seniors and hearing about their experiences. “I just love being around them,” said Khairallah. “To me, they’re living history books.” That admiration, plus a drive to help others, motivated Khairallah to start Beck and Call Transportation LLC, which caters to senior citizens with services that include transportation to appointments, prescription pick-ups and grocery shopping. Khairallah said starting a new business is exciting and daunting but she’s navigating the experience with advice and coaching from Gina Bertoletti, small business management consultant at Moore Norman Technology Center. The center offers a Small Business Management program that provides professional support and coaching to entrepreneurs who want to stabilize and build their business. Services include one-on-one business coaching, professional learning opportunities and a network of resources. Bertoletti works with business owners from the start-up phase to three years in operation, and Henry Dumas, business coach and small business management coordinator, works with mature businesses in operation for about five years and longer, Bertoletti explained.
18 October 2021
Bertoletti said she and Dumas work one-on-one with business owners to focus on their specific needs and help guide them through issues that impact their business. “As we walk with them step-by-step through the twisty road of owning a business, we are looking to ensure forward movement, best use of time and talents and alignment with their personal goals for the business,” she said. Another incentive for a business owner to work with the coaches is that the services are free. “If you live in Moore, Norman or south Oklahoma City, your ad valorem tax dollars have contributed to the services we provide,” Bertoletti said, adding that helping small business owners succeed not only benefits that company, but also the community as a whole. “Small businesses are essential to our economy,” she said. “They contribute to employment and the vibrancy of the economy. They generate wealth in the local community and provide services that are needed by that community.” Along with coaching, Bertoletti said the center also offers business courses that can provide additional education and training and, they “also work with established organizations and provide custom solutions that help the business grow.” “Our resources are vast and we want nothing more than to see Oklahoma businesses succeed,” Bertoletti said. For more information about the Small Business Management program at Moore Norman Technology Center, visit mntc.edu. -19SM
MNTC’S SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Moore Norman Technology Center’s Small Business Management program offers professional support and coaching to entrepreneurs who want to stabilize and build their businesses. Learn to develop plans and processes to: • Find a work/life balance • Increase sales using effective strategies • Work successfully with business partners • Hire and train the right employees
• Determine how to transition to new leadership
mntc.edu/sbm | 405.801.5000 FRANKLIN ROAD CAMPUS: 4701 12th Ave. NW, Norman, OK 73069
SOUTH PENN CAMPUS:
13301 S. Penn Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73170
MNTC’S BASIC PEACE OFFICER CERTIFICATION
Pursue a career in law enforcement, security, or corrections with training from Moore Norman Technology Center’s Basic Peace Officer Certification Academy. As a CLEET-authorized technology center, MNTC provides a new route to becoming a certified basic peace officer. Our curriculum meets all CLEET-mandated basic peace officer requirements. mntc.edu/BPOC | 405.801.5000 FRANKLIN ROAD CAMPUS: 4701 12th Ave. NW, Norman, OK 73069
SOUTH PENN CAMPUS:
13301 S. Penn Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73170
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Restore Behavioral Health: Destigmatizing Mental Health
Mic h a el L a mke , t h e rap i s t
Restore Behavioral Health shares vision for community mental health
S
ince its establishment in 2016, Restore Behavioral Health, a private counseling clinic providing mental health and relationship care, has experienced significant growth. This year, the practice moved into a new location at 1008 24th Ave NW in Norman, with distinct areas for their adult and children’s departments. Gina Dixon, a licensed professional counselotr who co-founded Restore with Kelly Lashar, explained that even 20 years ago, the two shared a similar vision. Dixon said she envisioned that seeing a counselor would be viewed similarly to going to the dentist or the chiropractor. The duo wanted Restore to offer a variety of services for people of all ages and to be a place where people felt comfortable. Restore provides faith and non-faith-based therapy for children, adults, couples and families. Their large team of professionals includes licensed professional counselors, social workers and marital and family therapists, as well as certified life coaches and biblical counselors. They are also a training location for master-level student interns and therapists in candidacy for licensure. They all have a wide range of education, training and specializations to treat mood, adjustment and personality disorders, anxiety, ADHD, grief, trauma, divorce and other issues in life and relationships.
24 October 2021
“Restore is a place where you can find what you need with one phone call. That’s our dream that you have this one safe space where you can go and get a variety of services,” Dixon said, adding that she wants the community to know the heart the counselors have for helping others. A new addition to the practice is The Center at Restore, which is focused on professional development and education. Currently, this includes classes for counselors to learn new skills, but Dixon said, long term, the goal is to also provide classes to the public to aid in the vision of normalizing mental health. As part of The Center at Restore, we mentor candidates for licensing and masters level interns,” said Beth Sparks, Restore’s chief operating officer. “We do lots of testing and we are always looking for great practitioners and therapists to join our team from all over Oklahoma and encourage anyone looking for an internship in candidacy, psychology, counseling and behavior health services to contact us.” Dixon shared that Restore is in the process of opening a second location in the Midtown area of Oklahoma City, and they hope to open more satellite offices in the future. Additionally, Restore is beginning to establish community partnerships and team up with other medical professionals and employers to help provide holistic services.
BY: CHELSEY KRAF T “Another trend we are seeing is that employers are adding mental health services to the benefits packages offered to their staff and families,” said Sparks. “We are the providers for many local churches and companies.” Landyce Smith and Michael Lamke are two members of the Restore team. Smith, a licensed master social worker, works with clients ages 6-20 years old. She first started with Restore part-time in May 2020, seeing a couple of clients a week as there was an increased need for services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith fell in love with the job and decided to join the Restore team full time in January 2021. Smith said she thinks Restore has done a good job including people with different expertise on staff, which is helpful if someone is in need of a specific service, such as testing for an Individualized Education Plan for school. Smith may be able to refer them to someone within the office. Another plus of having such a large team is that if someone doesn’t connect with the first counselor they meet with, it is easy for them to make an appointment with someone else at Restore. “There’s a wide variety of people here who can help you with anything you have going on,” Smith said. “We want to make this a safe space for the community to come … We want to help you find the best person who meets your needs.” Michael Lamke, a licensed marital and family therapist, has been with Restore since February 2017. He was drawn to the practice after hearing the vision that Dixon and Lashar had, and he’s seen this vision play out as the team has grown. “From the start, they’ve really talked a lot about having a group of therapists where we can each have kind of our own thing that we do, and that we do best,” Lamke explained. “We’ve seen that come into place in some really great ways. A lot of us have our special areas or niches that we work in, but collectively, it makes a really nice whole.” Restore accepts most major insurances and private pay and has options for reduced rates with some of their providers. When people call for help, they try to get them scheduled as soon as possible. If needed, they will even refer out to other professionals in the community. “Covid protocols certainly taught us that telehealth is beneficial in some settings and we continue to incorporate that option in our practices,” said Sparks. Visit restore-bh.com to learn more about the team at Restore and the services offered. – 19SM sportstalk1400.com
L a n d a ce Smith , th era pist a n d L ayl a , Restore’s cer tified th e rapy d o g 19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 25
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T
he joke about kickers is that they have one job. That one job is easily defined: make your kicks and put points on the board for your team when called upon.
Oklahoma junior kicker Gabe Brkic has excelled at his “one job” with an added swagger and confidence that is rare for his position. His rocket leg, along with his handlebar mustache and mini mullet, has made him a fan favorite and his popularity is not slowing down. As the Sooner football team roll through the 2021 season, expectations remain sky high. But without the heroics of Gabe Brkic, the Sooners may have started the season 0-1. Against the Tulane, Brkic nailed four of his five field goals to help secure the Sooner win over the Green Wave and avoid a disastrous upset. He finished the day with makes from 26, 51, 55 and 56 yards out. The 56-yard Brkic bomb set the record for the longest made field goal without a tee in OU history, as OU narrowly avoided a season imploding Week 1 loss and held on for a 40-35 win. “He’s a great weapon,” sophomore wide receiver Marvin Mims said of Brkic. “We’ve known that… Basically, we just have to cross the 40-yard line and he can put it in there.” Standout linebacker Nik Bonitto took it one step further, crediting the kicker for saving the Sooners. “Brkic saved us today,” Bonitto said after the game. “This is stuff that we see in practice all the time. It was nothing new to him and no surprise when he made those.” His success on the field only told part of the story for Brkic in the Sooner opener. His postgame press conference, which was only four minutes long, and his postgame radio interview caught the attention of everyone as his personality took over. It started with Brkic crediting his good pregame meal for his in-game success. “I had a good breakfast this morning,” Brkic said after the game. “I had chicken and pasta. I went out there, took my mind off football and booted it... It’s not too tough.” He also gave credit to his mustache for his ability. “That’s where my power comes from, the ‘stache,” Brkic said. “I’m going to let that thing grow out.” He compared kicking to parallel parking.
Photos by: Mark Doescher
“My dad’s best friend, when we were younger, he told me that kicking a football is like parallel parking,” Brkic said. “So, every kick I just think, ‘I’m going to parallel park this football through the goalpost.’ That’s it. “I’m basically waiting for Coach Riley to shake his head in frustration and say we gotta kick it,” he said. His laid-back demeanor and relaxed almost nonchalant approach was a hit with the fans and the media.
30 October 2021
HE’S GOING
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THE DISTANCE
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19TH BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 31
“His postgame press conference… Coach (Bob) Stoops sent it to me and said I had to watch it,” said head coach Lincoln Riley. “He’s a funny guy. He doesn’t take anything too serious. ... I think he’s made that an advantage in his game. I think the guys really like (and) respect him. He’s got a good balance and perspective on things. And he’s a lot of fun to have around when it’s fourth down and we’re on the 35-yard line, too.” In addition to the power that comes from his mustache, Brkic does a lot of work that goes unnoticed. Beyond just weight training and workouts, Brkic works a lot on his focus and mindset as well. “I do a lot of strength training, speed training and, honestly, a lot of it is just a lot of mind exercises,” Brkic said during OU’s fall camp. “Not specific mind exercises, but when we work out — am I focused on every workout? It will translate to a game, almost exactly.” In fact, most of the work for special teamers goes unnoticed. In addition to an actual kick: the snap must be perfect…the blocking must be perfect… the hold must be perfect… and, of course, the kick must be perfect. “A lot of our work goes unnoticed,” Sooner long snapper Kasey Kelleher said. “That is where the best work gets in. Every day we have our own little routines of warming up and practicing. We’ll have our special team periods throughout the practice and that’s our time to shine, a lot of unnoticed work goes into it.” 32 October 2021
Kelleher has been the Sooner long snapper for every single Gabe Brkic field goal and extra point attempt and understands the personality of Brkic maybe better than anyone on the Sooner roster. He knows when the time is right to have fun and he knows when the time is right to buckle down and focus. “Gabe is a really goofy guy… that’s always the word I use,” Kelleher joked. “We always keep it light, but you have to have that turn-on switch that gets you mentally focused on the game and mentally focused on the task at hand and he definitely has that.” For Brkic, the support of his long snapper has gone a long way in developing him into the consistent performer he has become since stepping on campus in 2018. The Sooners found Brkic in Ohio and he immediately caught the eye of Sooner coaches. “Recruiting kickers is different,” Brkic said. “Colleges will pick up a kicker every four years. They aren’t bringing two guys on scholarship at the same time. Thankfully Oklahoma was looking, and it was Jay Boulware at the time. He flew up to Ohio and Lincoln Riley later flew up. It was done after that. It was a no brainer.” Brkic was redshirted during the 2018 season and the start to the 2019 season was not necessarily smooth. Prior to the start of his redshirt freshman season, Brkic lost out on the kicking job to Calum Sutherland but never lost his confidence.
34 October 2021
When Sutherland was removed from the roster, Brkic pounced at the opportunity and has never looked back. Brkic took over the starting kicking duties in 2019 and instantly showed his worth. After taking over the full-time job entering the 4th game of the season, Brkic proceeded to make every field goal he attempted and was named a first-team All-American by CBS Sports. “I wasn’t the starter coming in but when I took it over it became my thing,” Brkic said. “When you’re doing well, you can ride off the momentum.” Brkic provided several memorable moments for the Sooners during his freshman year. He came up huge for Oklahoma in the incredible come-from-behind win against Baylor in Waco. That night, Oklahoma found themselves in a 25-point hole in the first half before rallying for the largest comeback in Oklahoma Sooner football history to beat the Bears. With 1:45 left in the game, the Sooners had rallied to tie Baylor at 31 apiece when the freshman was called upon to try and give the Sooners the win. Brkic strutted onto the field in a hostile environment and drilled the go-ahead 31-yard field goal that gave the Sooners the lead. Oklahoma won the game 34-31 and without the clutch kick from Brkic the comeback might have stalled. “Baylor… that was a fun game,” Brkic recalled. “Our biggest comeback in the history of OU as a football team. That was cool to see Jalen (Hurts) take control and pull us through after halftime. “When I went out there to kick, I didn’t really care. It was like every other kick. It didn’t go to my head at all. It was definitely fun after the game. I wish it was a last-play walk off.” The walk-off was provided by Sooner linebacker Nik Bonitto who intercepted a Charlie Brewer pass but the legacy of Brkic was cemented. His holder at the time was 2017 Holder of the Year (commonly called the HOTY) Connor McGinnis. Neither McGinnis nor Kelleher were surprised to see Brkic project confidence, certainty and calm in his most critical, challenging and biggest moment so far as a Sooner.
ball, every little finger that I put on the ball when I’m snapping. He’s thinking about it. So, you really want to lighten the mood because the less he’s thinking about it, the less that can go wrong.” After an All-American freshman season where Brkic never missed a kick, he backed it up with a solid sophomore campaign. Brkic finished as a Lou Groza Award semifinalist and was voted a first-team All-Big 12 performer by both head coaches and media. Brkic finished his sophomore season with 20 made field goals and finished with the second most multifield goal games in school history with eight. Kelleher has seen the confidence of Brkic continue to grow. “Every specialist has their own tick and reset button,” Kelleher said. “That’s what you need to have. You go in there and you have one shot. You have 10 reps as a specialist in practice but, in the game, it’s very mental. He has a ton of confidence, and it continues to grow.” For Brkic, the comradery between the specialists is a key in building confidence, especially away from the field. Time spent away from football has been huge for building trust and, more importantly, having fun. “We get along really well, we hang out a lot,” Brkic said. “We play a lot of golf with each other, a lot Sundays playing golf. We’ve got a good group and we’ve got a good connection between all of us.” But are there lessons from the links that can carry over to the gridiron and improve his ability on game day? “You can translate some things from golf into kicking field goals and punting,” Brkic said. “Your leg swing and your golf swing can be similar. This past summer, I improved my golf game a lot and I think that improved my kicking game too. “In golf, I’ll pick a target line and make sure my club swing goes through my target line, same with field goals. I’ll pick a target in the stands and as long as my leg swings straight through that I’ll hit a good ball.” Heading into his third season, Brkic was named to the watch list for the Lou Groza Award again. The award is annually given to the country’s best placekicker.
“That’s just kind of his personality, whether it’s a practice kick on a Tuesday or if it’s a go-ahead kick against Baylor,” McGinnis said. “He’s a guy who isn’t fazed by the moment and it’s really cool to see a young guy stepping into a role like that and being able to produce and perform.”
In that season-opening win against Tulane, Brkic captured the early lead for the award when he tied a national record by connecting on three field goals of 50 yards or longer. An Oklahoma Sooner kicker had never connected on more than one from such distance.
In 2019, at Kansas State in late October, Brkic came on for a 50-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.
He also tied a program record by putting four through the uprights. It’s happened 11 times and he’s now done it three times.
“This is for the Super Bowl,” Brkic said to McGinnis as he set up the kick. “A specialist’s game is so mental that you think about everything,” Kelleher said. “You think of every little step to the sportstalk1400.com
“I’ve learned through the years that you can’t be thinking about the kick at that moment,” Brkic said. “It’s all muscle memory at that point… But I take my mind completely off football.” 19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 35
In the relatively short history of the Lou Groza award, the first winner was in 1992. A Sooner has never taken home the trophy, but now this fan favorite is a legit candidate to make even more Sooner history. Brkic is not at all shy about the excitement he feels knowing the fans are behind him. “I like meeting the fans and seeing the support of the fans. It’s great to see that support,” Brkic said. “I love that we’re playing for a big organization and a major brand like the University of Oklahoma.” Brkic has also learned to grow from times when he is not at his best. During the 2020 season, while maintaining a perfect mark, he did miss six field goal attempts including a potential game winner that would have beaten Texas in the third overtime. “After that, I kind of learned not to get complacent and make sure I’m locked in and engaged with every situation,” Brkic said. “I just stay focused. I can’t have a lack of focus at any time.” Brkic understands his role. He knows in most instances he is the last person anyone wants to see on the field, outside of the punter or when he is kicking an extra point. But his strong leg, accurate kicks and his casual personality are exactly what Oklahoma needs in a kicker who could end up being the most important player on the roster. If the mustache stays and the mullet keeps growing, will the superpowers always be there for the standout Sooner kicker?– 19SM
36 October 2021
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42 October 2021
BY: MARK DOESCHER
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19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 43
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46 October 2021
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HI G H S C H O O L S P ORTS
H ig h S cho o l H ero e s Moore Coaches Shows focus on student-athletes
A
t SportsTalk Media, talking sports is a passion. The hosts on The Ref 94.7FM and 1400AM spend every day hashing and rehashing the latest games and talking to athletes about their sport. While a lot of the focus is spent on athletes at higher levels, the hosts at MooreSports.tv, a streaming broadcast focused on the Moore school district, are taking a deeper dive into high school athletics. New this season, MooreSports.tv is hosting Coaches Shows operated by SportsTalk Media, that gives Moore sports fans another avenue to support their favorite teams. Westmoore host Danny Henderson enjoys spending time with coaches and student-athletes because he has the opportunity to learn more about their goals and accomplishments beyond what their record might say. “We talk about how the season is going, what’s going good and where they need improvements, but I also enjoy talking about what these coaches are teaching beyond the X’s and O’s. “These coaches have an awesome responsibility to influence students. I ask about what these students will take with them after they walk across the stage at graduation after the play is over.” Perry Spencer, director of streaming with SportsTalk, says he enjoys getting to know the coaches and players on a more personal level.
50 October 2021
“The coaches shows are great because they allow the coaches and the kids to be interviewed, and show people in the community the kids’ personalities,” Spencer shared. “If you go back and you watch the Moore Lions Volleyball team in the first show we did, you can see how much they supported their teammates and the great time they had being interviewed. That’s what the shows do, they give these kids a stage to feel important, no matter the sport or activity.” So far Coaches Shows have interviewed coaches and athletes from sports such as fast-pitch softball, volleyball, football and cross country. Upcoming shows will highlight the band and cheer and Pom squads too. “As we all know, there are other facets of a school than just sports and we are going to bring them on too,” Henderson said. “The band and cheerleaders, they work hard and add to the all-around game experience. “The first house my wife and I bought was right behind Westmoore High School and I would hear the band practicing in early August, even before my alarm went off. They work hard to be the best they can be. The cheer squads work hard too. My daughter was in dance, and it was probably one of the most intense sports. It is very demanding.” The shows are hosted at local restaurants and the community is invited to stop in and watch a show live. Owner of Jet’s
BY: LINDSAY CUOMO
NY Slice, Sandro Osmani, the location for the Moore High School shows, said he is enjoying all the excitement and looks forward to even more this season. “The shows have been a lot of fun so far,” he said. “We encourage the booster clubs, players, coaches and families to come out and watch the shows,” Spencer said. “We have the shows on the speaker at each of the restaurants so
you can hear our host and the students up there talking about their sport or event.” Coaches Shows can also be watched on-demand at Mooresports.tv, where an archive of all the shows is available. Westmoore High School coaches shows are recorded at Raisin Cane’s and Southmoore’s is at Schlotzsky’s, both on 19th Street. -19SM
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M O O R E • M U S TA N G • N O R T H E D M O N D • S O U T H E D M O N D • WA R R A C R E S • D E L C I T Y • N O R M A N • C H O C TAW • Y U K O N • N O R T H O K C • S O U T H O K C
Say Boo to the Flu! Join Norman Regional and Moore Pediatrics for a free family flu clinic Saturday, October 30, 9 a.m. to noon (while supplies last). This walk-in clinic will offer free flu shots for both adults and children (ages 6 months and up). Presented by: Norman Regional Health Foundation Free Family Flu Clinic Saturday, October 30 // 9 a.m. – Noon* Norman Regional Moore Conference Center 700 S. Telephone Road *While supplies last.
For Your Safety: • Masks are required on all people over 2 years old. • The event will be held in the Conference Center • Only those receiving the vaccine and one support person (if needed for assistance) are allowed inside. • If you do not feel well, have a fever, or signs of respiratory illness, do not attend this event. NormanRegional.com
BY: LINDSAY CUOMO
H EA LT H
LIVING Pa in Free Orthopedic surgeon uses robotic technology for hip and knee replacements
J
oint pain can be debilitating, keeping us from living our fullest life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 15 million people experience severe joint pain and nearly half of adults with arthritis have persistent pain.
ments. Mako allows a surgeon to know more about the patient’s anatomy, tailoring procedures to the specific needs of each patient.
“Osteoarthritis is a multi-factorial issue,” said Dr. Jeremiah Maupin, a new orthopedic surgeon with Ortho Central. “There are factors we can control and some we can’t.
“I am really excited to be in Norman and bring the robotic aspect of surgery to the hospital,” Maupin shared. “We are able to map the patient’s anatomy and see what is going on in real time. It allows us to determine the best placement with an increased degree of accuracy.”
“With joint health, people often wait before seeing a doctor. They make concessions, little decisions that add up, and they end up not doing the things they want to do.”
While long term impacts are still being studied, he shared that many patients are experiencing better short-term outcomes.
Maupin said he is seeing patients with life-impacting pain seeking treatment at earlier ages.
“Traditional joint replacement is a highly successful surgery,” he said. “But the robot gives me invaluable information about each patient and allows me to tailor the implant specifically and measures in millimeter increments.”
“Previously, my patients used to be over 60,” he shared. “But now we have been seeing the age bracket for total joint replacement changing. Patients are pursuing options sooner. “60 is the new 50, 50 is the new 40 and people are wanting to stay active in their later years.” “If your pain is stopping you from doing what you want to do, it is worth getting it evaluated. There are a lot of treatment options available,” he shared. “Many of my patients tell me they wished they had done this sooner.” Maupin became an orthopedic surgeon because of the solutions he can offer people in pain, being able “to see an acute problem and fix it.” Maupin is bringing new technology in joint replacements to Ortho Central. He is specially trained in robot-assisted surgery utilizing the Mako robot for knee and hip replacesportstalk1400.com
Patient care has been a part of Maupin’s life from a very early age when he helped his father care for animals at a veterinary clinic growing up in Idaho. “I grew up helping him on the various farms,” he remembered. “I always knew I wanted to work in some medical capacity. I loved science and knew it was my passion to help people.” In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, grilling outdoors for family gatherings and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Nicole, recently welcomed their third child. To learn more about Mako robotic surgery and other joint pain treatment options, visit orthocentralok.com or call 405360-6764. – 19SM 19TH STREET MAGAZINE | 55
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V ETE R A N
BY: BILL MOAKLEY PRESENTED BY
CENTURIONCG.NET
Veteran of the Month: Glenn Schaumburg
I
Vietnam War veteran shares about his time serving
f it wasn’t for an agreement between the states of Nebraska and Kansas, Glenn Schaumburg might have been a dentist instead of a pilot.
“I was in pre-dental school at Nebraska and they only had a limited number of openings for dental students,” Schaumburg explained about his undergraduate days at the University of Nebraska. “They were trading spaces with Kansas for veterinary school, so the number of people getting in dental college in Nebraska was limited. I didn’t make the cut.” Dentistry’s loss was the U.S. Air Force’s gain, and that of aviation more broadly. A member of the ROTC program at Nebraska, Schaumburg graduated from Nebraska in 1965 and earned his commission as an officer before heading for aviation training at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas. He finished pilot training in 1966 and after having their names thrown in a hat and drawn for duty assignment, Schaumburg ended up on the B-52 bomber. Assignments to bases in California and Arkansas would follow. In Arkansas, Schaumburg and his wife, Nancy, a high school sweetheart and fellow Nebraska grad, would welcome twin daughters, Sarah and Marci, and later a third daughter, Amy, on a return assignment in California. With the Vietnam War ramping up and Schaumburg expecting to be deployed, he was assigned to a base in New Hampshire while his family went to Wichita, Kansas where Nancy’s mom lived. He would head back to California with his family before heading into combat. Schaumburg recalled B-52 crews, including his, being stationed in Guam and Thailand in December 1971 when crews were called to a mass briefing. Schaumburg said he knew something was about to change.
58 October 2021
“The feeling that it was to be big was buoyed by the fact that there had been a large deployment of ‘G’ model B-52 aircraft and crews from the states, a model which had not been used in-theater,” he said. His suspicions were confirmed when B-52’s headed to Hanoi en masse. Schaumburg’s crew flew as part of Operation Linebacker II, an effort that would include the largest bomber attack force assembled since World War II. When Operation Linebacker II ended, Air Force losses would total 15 B-52s and 92 crew members. The remains of 26 soldiers were recovered, while 25 went missing in action, 33 were captured as prisoners of war and eight were killed in action or later died of battle wounds. Schaumburg himself spent about 750 days deployed to action in Vietnam and flew 259 combat missions. He is most proud of one thing that happened, at least in part, because the work he and his crew did. “Because of the bombing, the North Vietnamese capitulated,” Schaumburg pointed out. “The thing I’m most proud of is the release the POWs. That that was the best thing that could happen. Of course, things didn’t last long. The communists took over Vietnam shortly thereafter, after we were all gone.” Upon returning from Vietnam, Schaumburg came back to California, then on to Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and back to California before he decided to retire after 23 years of service. Schaumburg took a job for a short while with McDonnell Douglas in Norman before becoming the head of the Aviation Department at the University of Oklahoma, and as recent as last year taught an online aviation course. –19SM
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