South Metro Standard July 24 by SportsTalkMedia

STANDARD

New Mayor

Mark Hamm

Sooner Softball National Champions

New Westmoore Coach

David White

MOORE’S NEW MAYOR

Mayor Mark Hamm Focuses on Infrastructure, Safety and Quality of Life

Mark Hamm was elected mayor of the City of Moore on Feb. 13, succeeding Mayor Glenn Lewis, who held the position for 30 years. Hamm was sworn into office in April.

Hamm believes that municipal government offers the best opportunity to make change and has the greatest impact on everyday life. He served on the Moore City Council for 11 years, which gave him the opportunity to learn from Lewis, who Hamm said “was well liked and respected in the community.”

“One of the many things that Glenn taught me is that people just often want to have a voice,” Hamm said. “When they come with a complaint or concern, they call you or send an e-mail, take time to respond to it and listen. The agenda that I have is not an agenda for me… or a particular business, the agenda is the agenda of the people.”

Hamm’s plan for Moore is to “go back to the basics” and focus on three primary pillars including infrastructure, public safety and quality of life. While Hamm recognizes these may not be the most fun items of business, he said the growing city needs to upgrade in these areas, particularly infrastructure, to continue to keep up with growth and prevent later problems.

“Moore has always been a blue-collar community. People want to go to work and then they want to come home and they don’t want to be bothered by the municipal government,” Hamm said. “We need to perform the job, the responsibilities of the city by taking care of the streets, providing good police and fire protection, good sanitation, all of those basic things that the government is supposed to do… and we need to do it well.”

Some of the large projects that the city is looking to complete soon include an underpass on 4th Street to help better accommodate traffic; a training facility for Moore police officers and firefighters; building a new water tower and upgrading water infrastructure; and upgrading Buck Thomas Park including new softball fields.

“In the 90s and into the 2000s, Moore had incredible growth. Ultimately Moore is going to run out of space for development,” Hamm said. “The question is how we continue to have success with older retail spaces and, as some businesses close, how do we assure that new businesses move in their place and protect our identity as a community to not get lost in the metroplex.”

BY: VICTORIA STEPHENS

“The school system is so vital to the success of really any community,” Hamm added. “I would love input from students. They should have a voice in their city, too. They will be coming up right behind us.”

This year, the City of Moore opened a brand new $8.2 million state-of-the-art animal shelter and purchased two new fire trucks set to arrive in 2025. In 2016, the city opened a $26 million recreation and aquatic center. There are plans for a new library, however there is no set date on when construction will begin.

Hamm said that with a growing population, crime is expected to grow, but to get ahead of that trend, he plans to improve public safety through training.

Hamm attended Moore Public Schools and graduated from Moore High School. He worked at Del Rancho in the tenth grade, and later at Walmart, before getting into law enforcement. He also worked for Toby Keith and the district attorney’s office. Hamm is currently the police corporal at Oklahoma City Community College and has worked in law enforcement for much of his career, including serving nearly 18 years with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office as deputy sheriff.– SMS

REVIVING HISTORY

VISTA Academy to Relocate to Moore’s Old School Building

Moore Public Schools’ VISTA Academy will soon have a new home, one that is an iconic piece of the community’s history - the Old School Building.

Located at 201 North Broadway, the building was constructed in 1899 and rebuilt following a 1928 fire. It served as the original school in Moore and was last utilized by the district in 1983.

Late last year, the district purchased the facility with plans to relocate VISTA, the district’s alternative education school, to the historic building. Other programs, including Moore Night School, will also move into the building.

VISTA Academy serves students in the 7th through 12th grades from all six of MPS’ junior highs and all three high schools. It is designed for students who have not been successful in a traditional school setting or are identified as at-risk of dropping out.

“It’s typically not what a lot of people think that alternative education is,” said Jimmy Martin, assistant superintendent of Alternative Education, CareerTech, Child Nutrition and Federal Programs. “It’s usually students who don’t fit well in the traditional setting, who need a little more attention or opportunity to shine where they might get lost in the crowd otherwise. It’s a smaller setting and a different environment than in a larger school. This school is an opportunity for students to be successful who haven’t had success in school prior.”

Hart Brown, principal of VISTA Academy, emphasized that while some students may come to the academy because of behavioral problems, many of them simply wanted a smaller environment. He explained a variety of factors may lead to students

becoming at-risk, such as attendance, challenges at home or mental health issues, to name a few, and VISTA has a full-time licensed professional counselor to assist students.

“It’s just been a sheer joy being able to have this positive impact on students,” said Brown, who has been principal for seven years and taught at the academy for 13 years prior to moving into his current role.

Currently, VISTA Academy is housed in the former East Hills Elementary School at 224 SE 4th St. While internally it looks like a school and works well for students and staff, that is not the case on the outside as it’s a metal building connected to the MPS warehouse.

The district is anticipating being able to move into the building in two years, dependent on how long it takes to ensure the structure is sound, Martin said. He added that it is an incredible opportunity to have the Old School Building as part of the district again.

“I know here in Moore, there’s a lot of nostalgia about that building, and we’re so excited to be able to recoup it and keep the facade while making it a modern building for our students to be able to walk into and be proud of,” Martin shared.

As a former history teacher, Brown echoed that excitement around the school returning to the district. Brown shared that students have expressed their excitement to move into a building that looks more like a school on the outside, and he is also glad it has a central location.

“With us being right there downtown in Old Town, that allows us to be in the thick of things,” Brown explained. “It will feel like we are truly part of the community rather than if we were in a satellite location out on one of the edges of the district.”– SMS

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GLASS CEILING SH 4TTERED

2024 National Champions

BY: CHRIS PLANK

In keeping with their “glass ceilings” theme, the 2024 Oklahoma Sooners softball team’s historic run concluded with another National Championship, ushering in a new level of greatness within the sport.

By sweeping Texas in the Women’s College World Series Championship Series, the Sooners won their 6th National Championship title in the last eight seasons and, in doing so, is now tied for the second most titles in college softball history at eight. They accomplished what no other program has ever done in the sport beforewin four-straight National titles.

OU also took out its rival Texas in two of those four Championship series and improved to 6-0 against the Longhorns in the WCWS, with an overall record of 33-3 in their last 36 showdowns.

Sooners Jayda Coleman, Tiare Jennings, Nicole May, Kinzie Hansen and Rylie Boone ended all complete seasons they played at OU with a National Championship ring. All-American Alyssa Brito transferred in from Oregon and won three titles while Alynah Torres captured her second ring after moving in from Arizona State. Add in senior transfers Kelly Maxwell, Karlie Keeney and Riley Ludlam and you have the greatest senior class in softball history.

“This group of seniors really left their mark,” said head coach Patty Gasso. “That’s one thing you want them to do is leave the program better than you found it. They really did a good job of training and teaching these young athletes what it’s going to look like in the future.”

This senior class was a part of the four most productive seasons offensively in the history of Oklahoma softball. The ‘21, ‘22, ‘23 and ‘24 seasons are the top four for home runs hit at OU. The ‘21 team set the mark for the most home runs (161) in a single season. These four seasons also represent the top four seasons in runs scored for the Sooners and they rewrote the record book as part of the longest winning streak in the history of college softball (71).

BOYD STREET MAGAZINE

Photo by: Mark Doescher

And if a regular season winning streak is not enough, Oklahoma established the record for the longest NCAA Tournament winning streak spanning two postseasons and 20 straight tourney wins.

The senior class was also part of the largest crowd to ever witness a regular season college softball game (8,930 in a 2023 win over Texas) and smashed every attendance record in the history of Sooner softball.

“Our legacy was to show everyone that we left it all on the field every day, never take it for granted,” catcher and co-captain Kinzie Hansen said. “Rylie Boone and I came in; we played about 20 games our freshman year. It was taken away in the blink of an eye on March 13 in 2020 when we were sent home.

“To show everyone what true tenacity looks like, showing them to never give up and never give in, no matter how much your body hurts, how many Ls you take, how much you get punched in the mouth, like I said the other day, always to get back up and to always keep going.”

While the march towards history and an unprecedented fourth straight title is complete, the path was littered with pitfalls and, at times, disappointment. The Sooners lost more Big 12 games in 2024 than they had in the previous seven seasons combined. In fact, the

2024 team finished 59-7, marking the most losses in a season since 2017. The Sooners lost a 3-game series in Big 12 play for the first time ever.

“We fought all season,” Hanson said. “Everybody had something to say about us all the time. People counted us out. It was a grind… mentally, physically. We fought the entire year. It was all worth it in the end.”

The Sooners had been dubbed the “Evil Empire” by opposing fans and coaches and that perception was magnified in some people’s eyes when standout Oklahoma State pitcher Kelly Maxwell decided to play her final season at Oklahoma.

“It wasn’t easy, this season. It’s probably the hardest coaching season that I’ve had in a while because of a lot of the naysayers,” Gasso added. “It’s heavy. It’s been exhausting. These players are exhausted, but they keep going. It’s the love for each other. It’s the love for the game. It’s the love for the university. But they’re elite athletes who have extreme passion.”

The Sooners’ success over the last eight seasons led to social media celebrations at almost every turn when something would go wrong.

“Honestly, the whole season was tough,” Jayda Coleman added. “As we went on, if we lost one game, two games, lost to Texas, everyone had an opinion about

us. It was frustrating just to see everyone on social media rooting and hoping for anybody else but us.”

The adversity that had been at almost every turn for the Sooners in 2024 seemed to have disappeared once the post season kicked off. Oklahoma swept through the Big 12 Tournament beating Texas in the Big 12 Championship game and then rolled through Regional and Super Regional play undefeated.

After run-ruling Duke in its first game of the Women’s College World series, Maxwell put together one of the greatest post season pitching performances in Sooner history. She had established herself as the Sooner ace but struggled to be her dominant self during the NCAA Tournament. That was until her 2-hit, 11-strikeout complete game shutout of UCLA.

“What stood out is her response, without question,” Gasso said. “She has been going through a lot. There are so many negatives coming. It’s everywhere. She had not pitched free. So, to see her do that was something I’ll never forget.”

True to the story of the 2024 season, the Sooners found themselves facing a challenging and difficult situation after losing to Florida in the National semi-finals. A 3-hour rain delay force the if-necessary game to the following afternoon. But, in a true showing of how the bond of Sooner softball goes beyond the players in the

locker room, a former champion stepped up to help Oklahoma get its mind right.

Shay Knighten was a star for the Sooners from 20162019. She won two National Championships and was known for being clutch in big moments during her Sooner career. Her message on that Tuesday morning before a do-or-die game was exactly what the Sooners needed to hear.

“I will never forget that meeting for the rest of my life. I have looked up to Shay Knighten since I was in the seventh grade,” Coleman said. “First off, for her to be in the same room as me was surreal. For her to just open her heart and just talk about the Lord, pretty much just telling us that we are not alone. She has been through this before.”

“I just told them what it’s like,” Knighten said. “It’s hard... But just go out there and do what you do. God is behind you. He’s all around you. So just take your abilities and be free with them.”

In a season filled with memorable moments and unforgettable plays, Coleman sent the Sooners to the Championship Series with a dramatic walk-off, 8th-inning home run. The message from Knighten resonated with Coleman even as she was rounding the bases.

“Anytime we are on the field, if we want to look up to her, she can give us 30 seconds of encouragement. I

use that very, very often, ever since she told me that,” Coleman said. “It was just a surreal moment. I remember I just started bawling, crying. Sometimes the Lord moves your heart in such a certain way. That’s just something I’ll never forget in my life.”

Arizona won eight national titles in 16 years from 19912007. UCLA, the all-time leader with 11 national titles, started in 1982 (the first recognized by the NCAA) and won their most recent one in 2019, a span of 37 years.

Oklahoma’s eight national titles under Patty Gasso — tied for second all-time with Arizona — have come in a 25-year stretch. But Gasso’s last seven championships were recorded in a 12-year stretch from 2013 to 2024, with back-to-back trophies in ‘16 and ’17 and now an unprecedented four in a row. UCLA (1988-8990) is the only other program to win three in a row. While the outside noise was loud and at times overbearing, the Sooners had high expectations of their own and sometimes that could almost be too much.

“I think the pressure we put on ourselves was immense. I think, for me, that was my biggest thing, trying to do everything I can for this team,” Tiare Jennings said. “But in reality, I didn’t have to do anything at all. I think that was when I was at my best when there were no expectations of myself. Just to be on this team, just be present, celebrate everyone’s successes. Going through this post-season, I felt so free, so much fun, no expectations, no pressure. We just did a great job

of staying within each other. We didn’t let it bother us at all. We just came out here and stuck together. This is family.”

There is one thing that is undeniable about this Sooner softball team and this senior class. They were passionate and in your face with an unmatched enthusiasm and in doing so they changed history.

“They really look forward to post-season. They’re very resilient. They feel invincible. That’s the way they play,” Gasso said. “They’re never afraid. They’re not afraid to lose. This is bigger than a game for them. It’s about life. It’s about trust. It’s about all kinds of things that they’ve changed each other’s lives with.

“This generation, they’ve taught me a lot about coaching. They taught me how to accept who they are and how it looks. I think that has a lot to do with a lot of things, that I just allowed them to be them.”

In the process of overcoming adversity and with the passion they played with, this team not only changed history but changed the way a hall of famer led and coached. They were unapologetic and undeniable.

“These guys have taught me a lot about coaching and the word is ‘unapologetic.’ They play hard,” Gasso added. “They care about this program, and they care about the past. But they really showed me that they care about each other. And we have had times where we have not gotten along really well, they will tell you that. And I’ve had some of these athletes come for-

ward and tell me straight up what we need, and I listen to them.”

“I’m so, so proud of this team, and everyone had their hand in it,” Hansen said. “It was a team effort. We fought all season. Everybody had something to say about us all the time. People counted us out. It was just a grind — all in, mentally, physically. We fought the whole year. It was all so worth it in this moment.”

As the Sooners celebrated their National Championship among their loyal and faithful fans at Loves Field, Sooner Athletic Director Joe Castiglione wrapped his speech with a surprise gift. Castiglione brough out live goats to pay tribute to the GOAT (greatest of all-time) of college softball - the 2024 Sooner senior class.

“Real recognizes real,” Castiglione said.

“They all have wonderful things ahead of them,” Gasso said. “They’ve cemented this program in history. They’ve cemented themselves in history. History can change, but these guys will never, ever be forgotten. They’ll go down in history — not just at OU — but I personally would say across the country as one of the best classes softball has ever seen. I’m proud of that. It would be easy to say we’ve had enough. This is hard and we’ve had enough. But they’re elite athletes. Whether they want to or not, they grind, they work hard.”

Through all the records and shattered glass ceilings, Oklahoma Softball maintains a central focus on a calling that goes well beyond the field. The foundation of Sooner Softball is planted in faith, and the platform through an unprecedented run has changed more than just the record books, it has changed lives.

“I never really cared about the accolades in the end, being behind the scenes and seeing others be stirred with the grace of God was the reward,” Rylie Boone stated. “I got to witness God move in ways I never could have fathomed. I learned joy in chaos, grace in obedience. It’s a relieving feeling if you make your college career worth your while. This was not a dream for me. Truth be told, it was God’s vision.”

“God brought me here to Oklahoma for a reason,” Alyssa Britto added. “More than the trophies, the rings and everything else… my life has been changed forever. Glory to God, win or lose, because the greatest victory was done on the cross. When Jesus died for me, now I get to walk in life with my friend Jesus and experience the goodness of His faithfulness every day for the rest of my life. This program is special, not just because of the greatness and rewritten history, but for the people and the foundation of faith it was built upon.” –

BSM

FROM SHOT PUT TO SOFTBALL

The Ambitious Journey of Moore Lion Libby Jaques

Photo by: Mark Doescher

LBY: CHRIS PLANK BY: TIM WILLERT

ibby Jaques showed up to Western Heights High School in Oklahoma City, picked up a metal ball weighing 8.8 pounds and heaved it 44’4” to win a Class 6A state track and field championship.

By more than two feet.

That was in early May, about two months after the Moore High School junior decided to take up the shot put.

After winning the event, Jaques (pronounced Jay-Q’s) hugged throwing coach Jared Hidlebaugh and started to cry.

Except they were not tears of joy.

“She was the first person that I ever coached who cried and was upset and was mad who won a state championship,” said Hidlebaugh, who left after 10 years at Moore High to coach in Weatherford. “Because she was pushing for a state record.”

Jaques, who also competed in the 200- and 1,600-meter relay but did not medal, had set three goals for herself that weekend: win a state title, break the school record — which she did by 3 feet —and break the state mark.

Not accomplishing all three stuck in her craw.

Jaques, who also stars for the Lions in softball and basketball, is as competitive and athletic as they come, according to her coaches.

“I’ve been doing this for 19 years and Libby is probably the most athletic girl I’ve ever coached or ever seen,” Hidlebaugh said. “She’s physically and mentally gifted. She’s mentally tough, focused and driven.”

Jaques was raised with two older brothers in an athletic family. Both of her parents were college athletes. Dad played football and mom played softball at Texas A&M University – Kingsville in south Texas.

It’s where oldest brother Blake, 21, is a junior defensive end for the Javelinas. Her other brother, Austin, 19, just completed his freshman year at the University of Oklahoma, where he plays tuba in the Pride of Oklahoma marching band.

“My parents always said to set goals and set them big,” she said. “My brothers did, and it worked for them.”

Growing up, Jaques learned how to compete by playing sports with her brothers who didn’t take it easy on her.

“I always wanted to be better than them,” she said. “I always tried to beat them at anything they did.”

When she was 3, she complained to her parents that her older brothers got to play sports, but she didn’t.

“So, they put me in T-ball,” she recalled. “I threw a little rant and got thrown in T-ball. And then basketball. And then soccer.”

Rachel Jaques tried to tell her daughter she was too young for sports, but Libby wasn’t buying it.

“She went out in the yard with a bat, ball and a tee and said, ‘watch me, I can do it,’” Rachel said. “And she’s been doing it ever since.”

And doing it quite well.

Jaques, a right fielder who plays some first base, starred for the Lions, who finished the softball season 32-4 and lost in the first round of the state tournament. She hit .459 with 15 home runs, 52 runs batted in, 55 runs scored, 18 stolen bases and a 1.041 slugging percentage, and was voted Oklahoma’s top fast pitch player, COAC Player of the Year, and 6A District 2 Player of the Year.

“Libby is a very athletic young lady. She carries herself with a presence. She exudes confidence,” softball coach Stephanie Riley said.

The Oklahoma State University softball commit also is a great teammate, Riley said.

“Libby not only works hard herself, but she is also there to help her teammates,” she said. “She picks people up and she puts in extra reps if her teammates ask her for help. She takes that time to be with them.”

In basketball, Jaques averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds over 26 games for Moore to earn second-team all-conference and all-district honors.

“Libby bleeds leadership and competitiveness and heart,” basketball coach Britney Kannady said. “You rarely find that all mixed together in a female athlete at the high school level.

“Not only is she an amazing athlete, but she is also an amazing person with great morals and work ethic. I would trust her babysitting my own child because she’s just a great young woman.”

For Jaques, down time is a rarity. There’s always something to do, something to accomplish.

“I feel like I put in a lot of work,” she said. “I try to work out two to three times a week and I’m always going from practice to practice.

“I love staying busy and active. It’s a lot of fun and it keeps me entertained. I don’t really get to sit around that long.”

Despite all the accolades, Jaques stays humble and remains committed to her athletic pursuits as her senior year approaches.

“She’s very confident. But at the same time, I don’t know that she lets it go to her head because she always has big goals she’s working on and towards,” Rachel Jaques said. “She sets her goals so high that she can’t possibly reach them every season, so she’s always got stuff she’s working on. She wants to be the state champ in softball, basketball and track. It doesn’t matter.”

Jaques’ favorite subject is anatomy, and she wants to be a pediatric nurse or an occupational therapist like her mom after college. For now, though, she’s working to get even better at each of her sports.

Travel softball is dominating her summer schedule through the end of July, including visits to St. Louis, Kansas City, Colorado and Indiana.

“I still have more work to do,” she said. “There’s always room to improve. I feel like if you give me some good coaches and let me put my head down and work, I can accomplish anything.” – SMS

ALL OF OUR ACCOUNTS COME WITH

Gratitude

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Gratitude helps us do so much more for you.

The Jaguars looked out of state to find the coach they wanted to lead their squad and found a gem in David White who brings a great deal of diverse experience with him.

White has been around the game of football practically his whole life starting at seven years old. After playing his college career at UNLV, White decided it was time for a break from football.

“I had a great career and had a lot of fun, but I was tired,” said White. “I had an opportunity to work in athletics after graduation, but wanted to do some stand-up comedy and have fun and just get away from the game for a minute.”

Making the transition to the comedy scene was not as difficult as you would think for White.

“I lived in the entertainment capital of the world and when I graduated, I signed with an agent for the next level of football, but I knew I didn’t fit the mold as an NFL tight end,” said White. “I got dared by a coaching staff to enter a (comedy) competition in Las Vegas and won my night then came back for the finals and finished second.”

White’s success at the amateur comedy competition landed him an agent in Steve Schirripa, who shared a similar mindset. Football was something that never fully left as White would spend the next two years playing in both Paris and Switzerland while doing comedy between seasons.

White also spent time working for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as a commercial PPV account manager. The relationship between White and former UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta grew into something more. White was training Fertitta’s two sons who were about to begin high school and Dana White, current CEO and president of the UFC, had two young boys who were looking to play football as well.

“That was an interesting time, and I was able to travel a lot,” said White. “Both of them called me in for a meeting and I was worried at first because it was just us three. They told me they wanted to start a little league.”

White has coached at the high school level in several places but is best known for his time at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. Bishop Gorman is known for its excellence in sports except football. But that was before White arrived. White coached a couple of notable Sooners, DeMarco Murray and Ryan Reynolds, during his time there. Bishop Gorman would go on to win three consecutive league titles and make the playoffs all four years.

The well-versed White made his way to coaching in the college ranks. After Bishop Gorman, White went to OU as a graduate assistant and ended as the recruiting coordinator. White was able to be a part of the staff that won back-to-back Big 12 championships and an appearance in the BCS National Championship. White made the trip back to Nevada years later for the running backs coach position at the University of Nevada.

Everywhere White has been, success has followed. Whether it be football titles, kids playing at the next level or simply at life, White has pushed himself to learn and evolve after each stop.

Now, White said he is focused on the well-being of his student-athletes at Westmoore.

“Change is tough, I don’t care where you are,” said White. “I think I had to fill some voids and reassure people that the program is going to move on. Early on it was tough for sure, but now we have a great staff put together and have built trust with the kids. We have come a long way from where we were in January.”

White has confidence in his coaching staff.

“It’s not about me, it’s about getting a bunch of guys around me that care about the kids,” White explained. “They didn’t miss a beat because everyone is respected, it was a great feeling knowing that we invested in a staff that has the kids’ best interests at heart.”

Photo by: Mark Doescher

The Jaguars have worked hard this offseason to build a culture that will last for years to come.

“We’ve got a strong foundation of kids who want to be on time and want to be here,” said White. “Everyone wants to come back, work and compete every day.” – SMS

NEW HEAD COACH

Sooner Bowling Center Hosts PWBA Oklahoma Regionals PRO BOWL

Sooner Bowling Center will host a Professional Women’s Bowling Association regional tournament on Sunday, July 14. More than 50 professional bowlers from the region will compete in an eight-game block to qualify for a spot in the finals.

The event is open to the public with no admission fee.

“Come grab a drink and a burger and watch some great bowling,” said Sooner Bowling Center General Manager Mandy Haws.

This is the first time Sooner Bowling Center has hosted a professional regional tournament, and Haws said she is excited to help “elevate the sport of bowling in Norman.”

“Norman is a sports town, and we are excited to bring in some really great female bowlers, to show off Norman and the sport of bowling,” Haws said.

Organizing a tournament of this level has been a labor of love for Haws, and she expressed her appreciation to VisitNorman’s Sports Commission for their support of the tournament.

Haws invites the community to a “Bowl with the Pros” event on Saturday, July 13, beginning at 5 p.m. Those interested in participating in the Pro-Am should call 405-360-3634 to sign up.

“While we hope many of our youth league participants take advantage of this unique opportunity, everyone is welcome to bowl alongside these elite female bowlers,” Haws said.

Sooner Bowling Center, located at 550 24th Ave NW, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The center offers summer and fall bowling leagues open to anyone interested. Fall leagues start in August and continue until early spring.

“Bowling is a great way to stay active and social,” Haws said. “It is a lifetime sport. We have people of all ages participating in our leagues. You can bowl with your friends or make new friends.”

Learn more about the PWBA regional tournament and leagues at Sooner Bowling Center by visiting soonerbowl.com or following Sooner Bowling Center on Facebook or Instagram. – SMS

A NEW ERA

Norman Regional Prepares to Open Expansion of New Flagship Location

Norman Regional Hospital will open a major expansion, marking a significant milestone in providing enhanced healthcare services to Norman and south-central Oklahoma residents.

As part of the Inspire Health plan, the Porter campus, located at 901 N. Porter Ave., will close its doors to patients in late July, consolidating acute care services into the newly expanded Norman Regional HealthPlex, located at 3300 HealthPlex Parkway, which will now be known as Norman Regional Hospital.

The first patient day for the expanded Emergency Department at Norman Regional Hospital will be Sunday, July 28. On Monday, July 29, the new Ambulatory Care Center and Critical Care Tower will open for patients.

“I am filled with immense pride and anticipation as we stand on the cusp of a monumental transformation. The expansion of our HealthPlex campus marks the beginning of a new chapter in our 77-year legacy of delivering exceptional healthcare to the Norman community and beyond,” said Norman Regional President and CEO Richie Splitt.

“This facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology, advanced medical equipment and a design that prioritizes patient comfort and safety. Our healers, armed with their expertise and dedication, are poised to deliver care that is not only life-saving, but also compassionate and respectful.”

Norman Regional will celebrate the official ribbon cutting with Chambers of Commerce from Norman, Moore and South Oklahoma City on Friday, July 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 3300 HealthPlex Parkway in Norman.

Speakers will include Splitt, Norman Mayor Larry Heikkila, Chief Operating Officer John Manfredo, Norman Regional Board Chairman Doug Cubberley and Chief Medical Officer Aaron Boyd, MD. The community is also invited to enjoy an open house celebration on Saturday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Family Fun Fest event promises a day of funfilled activities, including free food, games, facility tours, Hotrods for Healthcare and pet adoptions at 3300 HealthPlex Parkway in Norman.

The expansion will feature an updated Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) focusing on easily accessible outpatient care and services, updated Critical Care Towers and five new heart Cath labs to meet the needs of cardiovascular patients. – BSM

EXPANSION CELEBRATION EVENTS

Ribbon Cutting

July 19, 2-4 p.m.

Norman Regional Hospital, 3300 HealthPlex Parkway, Norman

Open House & Family Fun Fest

July 20, 9 a.m.-noon

Norman Regional Hospital, 3300 HealthPlex Parkway, Norman

EQUIPPED FOR TOMORROW

Norman Regional Health Foundation Raises $4 Million for Healthcare Technology

Norman Regional Health Foundation announced in June during their annual Ambassador Ball that local donors raised more than $4 million for healthcare technology as part of the Equipped for Tomorrow campaign. Former University of Oklahoma women’s basketball head coach Sherri Coale, who served as chair of the campaign since its inception two years ago, was in attendance to announce the news.

“Norman Regional Health System is such a hub for our community. Not only is it an entity for health and wellness but it’s intertwined with our schools. It’s a hub that has spokes that affects so many,” Coale said.

Campaign funds will purchase state-of-the-art equipment for specific service areas within the Norman Regional Health System and will partially fund a $1.8 million renovation of the Education Center at the Porter Health Village. The renovation is a result of a partnership between the Foundation and Norman Regional Auxiliary, and the new Education Center is slated to open in August.

“More than 300 donors contributed to Equipped for Tomorrow to raise $4,024,079,” shared Erin Barnhart, the Foundation’s executive director. “The Foundation would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to these generous donors. This campaign is an investment in our healers, our patients and our community.”

The campaign focused on cardiovascular care, cancer care, perinatal care, physical rehabilitation and education.

“This campaign will transform healthcare in our region and ensure lifesaving equipment is available throughout the communities we serve,” said Richie Splitt, president and CEO of Norman Regional Health System.

As a result of the campaign, Norman Regional will become home to a new ZeroG® Gait and Balance System from Aretech® this summer, making this cutting-edge physical rehabilitation equipment available to patients in Oklahoma for the first time. This critical piece of equipment utilizes a robotic body-weight support system to empower those injured and with neurological deficiencies to relearn how to walk.

The Clarix Imaging system, another piece of lifesaving equipment purchased through the campaign, helps breast cancer surgeons identify tumors more easily during lumpectomy procedures by creating 3D images of the tissue. The images allow doctors to see in more detail which aids in making decisions with increased accuracy during surgery, reducing the risk of complications and additional surgeries.

Other equipment funded by the campaign includes Isolette incubators and warmers for newborns, equipment for cardiovascular procedures and labor beds. Learn more about the funded projects at nrhfoundation.org.