April 26-May 2, 2022 by OU Daily

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W E E K LY E D I T I O N | A P R I L 2 6 - M AY 2 , 2 0 2 2 | O U D A I LY. C O M

OUDAILY

The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916 The return of NMF | Page 4

Headliners for the festival | Page 6

Local bands at NMF | Page 10

BAKER FOREVER IN BRONZE

Former OU quarterback Baker Mayfield is honored for his 2017 Heisman Trophy during the spring game on April 23.

Mayfield returns to OU for spring game, reveal of Heisman statue AUSTIN CURTRIGHT austincurtright@ou.edu

Baker Mayfield stood at midfield, savoring the moments that solidified him into Oklahoma lore. Mayfield gathered at the 50-yard line with his family, former coaches and fellow Heisman Trophy winners Kyler Murray, Jason White and Steve Owens during halftime of OU’s spring game on Saturday. Standing just 25 yards away from the commemorative field design honoring the former Heisman winner, Mayfield’s emotions caught up to him. First, he watched his seven-yard touchdown pass to Dimitri Flowers that helped seal his comefrom-behind victory against Baylor in 2015. Then, an 18-yard toss to Lee Morris to take the lead against Ohio State in Columbus in 2017. And finally, the board displayed Mayfield’s 59yard strike to Mark Andrews against Texas that gave OU a lead it never relinquished. After the elongated halftime celebration of his on-field play, Mayfield’s Heisman statue was undraped at Heisman Park for all to see. “Wow,” he whispered to himself as the sculpture was shown on the

video board. Saturday’s Heisman statue unveiling was a walk down memory lane for Mayfield. He congregated with the greats he grew up admiring as a young Sooners fan. He met with numerous former teammates that Oklahoma coach Brent Venables invited. And, most importantly, he relived the situations that molded him into his current persona. “It really is special what this place has done and continues to do for the people that come in here and are able to impact it and leave a footprint on it,” Mayfield said after the game. “When you’re able to be around a bunch of guys that have been through it, and some of the greats to ever do it, that’s something that, until you’re in the middle of it, it’s indescribable.” The record-breaking crowd of 75,360 screamed Mayfield’s name as he appeared from Gaylord FamilyOklahoma Memorial Stadium’s southeast tunnel with a microphone in hand. Just after Mayfield addressed the roaring crowd, he made his way to the sidelines to interact with the fans that treated the kid from Austin, home of the Longhorns, like their own. He signed the jersey of a child wearing his No. 6 and took so many pictures with other patrons that they lasted well into the third quarter of the spring game. He also met with the women’s gymnastics team, which, despite its

recent national championship, was just as starstruck as the child who met Mayfield. They handed him a signed poster before each of the gymnasts took an individual picture with him. Mayfield’s return to home was therapeutic for the now-NFL veteran who doesn’t know where his next stop will be. After the Cleveland Browns traded for and signed a new starter in Deshaun Watson, Mayfield faces uncertainty of where he’ll suit up next. The NFL draft starts on April 28, and with teams deciding whether to draft a quarterback, perhaps Mayfield will learn his next team in the coming weeks. “In the process of where I’m at right now, not knowing the next landing spot, to be able to come back, just potentially a week prior to wherever I’m going to find out, it’s pretty cool to come back to wherever it started,” Mayfield said. “It’s a good reset to be around friends, family, loved ones. Just to have that home base (and) always have that place to come back to that you can lean on is pretty cool.” While one of Mayfield’s former coaches, Bob Stoops, was in attendance for his ceremony, Lincoln Riley wasn’t, due to the now-Southern California coach regulating his own spring game. Instead of reuniting with his collegiate mentor, Mayfield spent parts

of the weekend getting to know Venables, OU’s leader for the next era. On Friday, Mayfield spent close to 30 minutes conversing with Venables inside the coach’s office. Mayfield gave Venables his stamp of approval despite just 30 minutes of talking and said he’d “run through a brick wall for the guy.” On the same day, Mayfield spoke to the current team and offered insight that he hopes sticks with the next generation of Sooners. The 27-year-old said he still doesn’t have everything figured out, according to sophomore defensive end Ethan Downs, but was honest about his recent weeks of unsteadiness surrounding his professional career. One of Mayfield’s points in his speech stuck with redshirt junior receiver Theo Wease, who has experienced his own ups and downs. Wease caught a 48-yard pass on Saturday in the first game-like atmosphere he has experienced as a fully healthy player since 2020. “When you’re at your highest, you can always go back down to your lowest,” Wease remembered Mayfield saying to the team. Mayfield’s sentiments also resonated with Venables, who spoke to the importance of building the foundation of OU’s program after the Red team defeated the White team 21-17.

INSIDE: 12-page guide to Norman Music Fest

TREY YOUNG/THE DAILY

“For him to be vulnerable in front of the team and give his testimony,” Venables said, “And in front of the guys left, (he) held no punches back. It was awesome. And a great message for guys. He was a great example for guys.” Mayfield’s statue depicts his signature headband, a replica of which was handed out for free to fans at Saturday’s game. He said he was given a few options on the pose for his statue, and his answer was simple. And no, the famous flag plant wasn’t an option. Mayfield said athletic director Joe Castiglione likes to “keep it appropriate.” “I thought, no better way to keep a statue in the state of Oklahoma than for it to be a stiff arm of your little brother,” Mayfield said of his pose, which came against Oklahoma State, OU’s bitter instate rival. “Forever, they have to deal with that one.” Minutes after Mayfield signed those jerseys and took those pictures, he disappeared into the southwest tunnel. Despite not knowing what’s next in his playing career, one thing is for certain: Norman will forever be welcoming of the player who went from walk-on to Heisman winner to No. 1 pick. Or as Castiglione put it, where he became “immortalized in bronze forever.”

Details emerge on fatal shooting near OU Witness, Norman police speak on death of Shed Euwins JONATHAN KYNCL jkyncl@ou.edu

As cop cars surrounded the Elm Avenue and Lindsey Street intersection on April 9, a witness began trying to help Shed Euwins, who had just been shot. Euwins approached the driverof a red Camaro with the driver’s son in the backseat, causing a disturbance that ended in Euwins being shot, according to the police report. Mark Dixon, who was two cars behind the red Camaro as he was driving home from his grandson’s soccer game, said he saw Euwins and heard two loud bangs shortly after he went into the road. Dixon then grabbed a towel and pulled his car into the center of the road. He said he began to use the towel to put pressure on the gunshot

wound. As Dixon was helping him, he said he looked east and saw five cop cars speeding through the center of the street and turned around to see the same coming from the west. He said watching this happen on a street he has driven on for years was “surreal.” “I was the only guy that helped him,” Dixon said. “I have a son that was in the Marine Corps, and he said ‘Dad, we’ve seen a bunch of this.’ I said ‘I know you have. I’ve never really had a guy dying in my hands.’” Dixon said he turned to the driver, who was “still in shock,” and told him to pull his car to the other side of Euwins to protect him as the EMTs began to arrive. “After the EMTs came, I looked up and they had a white sheet over (him). They said ‘Hey, he’s already gone,’ and the cop said ‘Man, you did everything you could,’” Dixon said. Sarah Jensen, the public information officer for the Norman Police Department, said the driver stayed and has been cooperating with the

ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made, and he was not taken into custody. The NPD also said they do not believe Euwins had a weapon on him, but the motive behind approaching the car is unknown. During the first few days after the incident, a broken cross and shattered vase laid on the ground near the intersection, featuring a blownover memorial to Euwins with pictures of him and his five kids. According to direct messages from two of Euwins’ friends, he had been out for a run around campus. They wrote he ran into a friend and complained of cars driving too fast and almost hitting him. They wrote that Euwin was approaching the car to tell them to slow down. The friends wrote that they are now waiting for the NPD to release the investigation and are wondering why the department has been “so hush about it.”

JONATHAN KYNCL/THE DAILY

A memorial featuring photos of Shed Euwins and his family surrounded by a broken cross and a shattered vase near Elm and Lindsey Street.

NEWS

• April 26-May 2, 2022

New role to bolster tribal ties

Tana Fitzpatrick to head OU, Native American relations TAYLOR JONES taylor.p.jones-1@ou.edu

A former Norman resident returns home after a law career to take on the position of OU associate vice president of tribal relations, elevating the importance of the university’s relationship with tribal communities. A replacement to the former tribal liaison position in the department of diversity, equity and inclusion, Tana Fitzpatrick’s role as the associate vice president of tribal relations was raised to the highest level within the university that, in turn, elevates the relationships the university forms with surrounding tribal nations. Welcoming Fitzpatrick into this position is an important step for the university, Brian Burkhart, interim director of the Native Nations Center and associate professor of philosophy, said. Not only does it positively influence relations that can be formed between the university and surrounding tribal nations, but it also creates a “more dynamic interaction” between the university and tribal nations than the former tribal liaison position could offer, he said. “There are things that are changing, you know, tribes are kind of growing more economically and politically powerful within the state,”

Burkhart said. “Being able to recognize where they are and being able to intersect with them is really important for being successful.” Burkhart said he hopes this position will positively influence individuals across the university and state. He said that although there is still a lot of work to be done, this small step is rejuvenating for him as he continues to work with the university. “It was this sort of thing, sort of seeing the possibilities of the vision that was being put together, and what tribes are doing, what the university is doing — that has me excited enough to think (that) I could stay in this,” Burkhart said. “I could keep doing this for a while because this is really exciting. Personally, I really feel it, you know, directly. And I know that students and faculty and staff across the university do feel that (way) too.” Fitzpatrick said although her position is new, she hopes to utilize it to form relationships, make connections and ultimately bring ideas for networking and research between the university and tribal nations. Heather Shotton, associate professor, chair in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and director of Indigenous Education Initiatives for the OU College of Education, said the elevation of the position honors the sovereign status of tribal nations in the state. “ I t ’s i m p o r t a n t t o

understand that tribal nations are sovereign nations,” Shotton said. “We have to honor and respect that unique poTANA sition and so FITZPATRICK just the same FITZPAT as we would with, say, the governor of the state or other elected officials and how we engage with and respect and honor the positions that they hold.” Shotton also said the position speaks to how the community can better interact with neighboring tribes. Fitzpatrick’s new position exemplifies the major impact that tribes in Oklahoma have on the state in terms of economics and partnerships in health and research developments. A study produced by Kyle Dean, director of the Center for Native American and Urban Studies at Oklahoma City University, found that Oklahoma tribes employed 54,201 Oklahoma workers in 2019, paying out wages and benefits of $2.5 billion to Oklahomans. “It’s important for us to have good relationships with the state as a state institution (and) tribal nations as sovereign nations,” Shotton said. “We have 39 tribal nations within the state. Having good strong relationships with tribal nations is equally

important because those represent 39 tribal governments. It’s important because of the indigenous student population on our campus. It’s important because these are our neighbors.” When it came to choosing a person to form these important relationships, Shotton, who also chaired the search committee for the position, said the most important factors included finding someone who understood the issues of sovereignty, who could develop a strong vision for how the university might engage in the work that it’s doing and who could enhance relationships with tribes and ultimately serve indigenous communities. “I think Tana brought all of that with her vast experience both as working with various tribes, working with the National Indian Gaming Association, working with the Library of Congress and also her ties and roots in Oklahoma, I think provided her with a particular background and knowledge of the nuances of tribal relationships and in the States,” Shotton said. Fitzpatrick joined OU March 21 from the Library of Congress, where she served as a specialist in natural resources policy for the Congressional Research Service, according to an OU News release. Norman being her hometown, Fitzpatrick is excited to work close to family and on the campus she grew up on.

“Me and my sister would just, especially during summer breaks, we were just always running around in the library a lot before (it got) fancy now, but I remember it was very bare over there. So in a lot of ways, this is a homecoming for me, not just to Norman, but to the university itself,” Fitzpatrick said. Previously, Fitzpatrick has also worked in a variety of positions in the executive branch of the U.S. government, including senior counselor to the assistant secretary of Indian affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior, program examiner for the Office of Management and Budget in the Executive Office of the President and staff attorney for the National Indian Gaming Commission. She has also worked as a prosecutor and in-house counsel for tribal governments. Coming back to Norman is not only a homecoming for Fitzpatrick, it is also an opportunity to do something she has a passion for. “Whenever I saw the position description, I (could) just feel it in my heart,” Fitzpatrick said. “I was like, ‘This just totally speaks to me. This is something that I would love to do, and (it) definitely helps that I have the experience that I have, working directly with tribes.’” As a member of the Crow Tribe of Montana and a Sioux, Ponca and Chickasaw descendent herself, Fitzpatrick said the creation of this position

is incredibly personal to her, especially given the impact tribes have on the state. “I just think it’s really important to just recognize that tribes are here,” Fitzpatrick said. “They’ve always been here. And now they’re really a great part of what’s happening in the state of Oklahoma. So I think that’s important, and any way in which the university can engage with tribes on mutually beneficial subjects, let’s do it. Let’s work together.” Fitzpatrick said she is especially looking forward to the opportunities for research and connections between the tribal nations and OU faculty, students and staff. Although new to the position, Fitzpatrick said she has already been approached by individuals with ideas of how to better engage with tribes. “I am so encouraged by that, and it makes me so happy because I can’t wait to just, (though) I’ve already started in the role … know how to make those connections,” Fitzpatrick said. “I (am) very much a helper. I love to help people and that just really gets me going. So that’s the most exciting thing to me right now (and) the fact that the University of Oklahoma is elevating tribal relations, really placing an emphasis on it by creating this position, I think is just what this state needs.”

OU sets details for graduation ceremonies University releases convocation, graduation dates KAYLIN CARPENTER kaylin.n.carpenter-1@ ou.edu

Graduates will be individually recognized, photographed and given their degree covers by their dean during their college’s convocation ceremony. Each college has an assigned location, time, and some ceremonies require tickets and specific arrival times. All ceremonies will be livestreamed. The College of Allied Health ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m., May 13 at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. For more information, contact the Office of Academic and Student Services at 405-271-6588 or alliedhealth-info@ouhsc.edu. The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., May 14 at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. For more information, contact Sr. Administrative Support Specialist Patrice Greer at 405325-1320 or patricegreer@ ou.edu. Th e D o dg e Fa m i ly College of Arts and Sciences - Humanities and Natural Sciences ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at 4 p.m. at the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information, contact Senior Academic Advisor Kristi Brooks at 405325-4303 or cas@ou.edu. The Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences Professional Programs and Social Sciences ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., May 14. For more information, contact Senior Academic Advisor Kristi Brooks at 405325-4303 or cas@ou.edu. The College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences ceremony is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., May 14 at the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall. For more information, contact Events Coordinator Claire Chastain at 405-325-1819 or cchastain@ ou.edu. The Michael F. Price College of Business ceremony is

scheduled for 8 a.m., May 14 at the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information, contact Events Coordinator Christine Frank at 405-325-2500 or cfrank@ou.edu. The College of Dentistry – Doctor of Dental Surgery ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 15 at 1 p.m. at the OCCC Visual Performing Arts Center. For more information, contact Events and Program Specialist Jaden Osborn at 405-271-2870 or jaden-osborn@ouhsc.edu. The College of Dentistry – Dental Hygiene ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 15 at 4 p.m. at the OCCC Visual Performing Arts Center. For more information, contact Events and Program Specialist Jaden Osborn at 405-271-2870 or jaden-osborn@ouhsc.edu. The Mewbourne College ofEarth and Energy ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., May 14 at the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall. For more information, contact Lead Academic Advisor Annette Moran at 405-325-4005 or brynto18@ ou.edu. The Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education ceremony is scheduled for 8 a.m., May 14 at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. Fo r m o re i n f o r mat i o n , contact Sr. Marketing and Communications Specialist Melanie Schneider at 405325-4844 or mschneider@ ou.edu. The Gallogly College of Engineering ceremony is scheduled for noon, Saturday, May 14 at the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information, contact Student Program Coordinator Jeff Biggerstaff at 405-325-4724 or jglidus@ ou.edu. The Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m., May 14 at the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall. For more information, contact Administrative Coordinator Jane Custar at 405-325-7374 or janecustar@ ou.edu. The Health Sciences Center Graduate College ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m., May 14 and is virtual only. For more information, contact Assistant to the Dean Catina Jordan at

405-271-2085 or catina-jordan@ouhsc.edu. The David L. Boren College of International Studies ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m., May 14 at the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall. For more information, contact Lead Academic Advisor Tracy Holloway at 405-325-1429 or tracyholloway@ou.edu. T h e G a y l o rd C o l l e g e of Journalism and Mass Communication ceremony is scheduled for noon, May 14 at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. For more information, contact Lead Academic Advisor Kathy Sawyer at 405-325-5226 or ksawyer@ou.edu. The College of Law – Juris Doctorate ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m., May 15 at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. For more information, contact Event and Conference Coordinator Brajhelle Covington at 405-325-2011 or bcovington@ou.edu. The College of Law – Master of Legal Studies ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 15 at 6 p.m. at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. For more information, contact Event and Conference Coordinator Brajhelle Covington at 405-325-2011 or bcovington@ou.edu. The College of Medicine ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m., May 21 at the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information, contact Director of Student Services Logan Lockhart at 405-271-2316 or logan-lockhart@ouhsc.edu. The Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m., May 15 at the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information, contact Director of Student Programs Jessica Thompson at 405-2712402, ext. 49210, or Jessicathompson@ouhsc.edu. The College of Professional and Continuing Studies ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m., May 14 at the T. Howard McCasland Field House. For more information, contact Events Coordinator Missy Mitchell at 405-325-2823 or mjmitchell@ou.edu. The College of Pharmacy ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m., May 21 at the Paul F.

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Sharp Concert Hall. For more information, contact Student Systems Coordinator Trisha Wilhelm at 405-271-6598 or patricia-wilhelm@ouhsc.edu. The Hudson College of Public Health ceremony is

scheduled for 10 a.m., May 14 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. For more information, contact Assistant Dean for Student Services Joseph Geresi at joseph-geresi@ouhsc.edu. or

joseph-geresi@ouhsc.edu. For more information, please visit https://www. ou.edu/commencement or email commencement@ ou.edu.

CULTURE

April 26-May 2, 2022 •

Colony House performs at OU MEGAN O’DONNELL/THE DAILY

Colony House performs on the South Oval courtesy of OUCAC on April 21.

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg April 26, 2022

Blake Douglas Editor-in-Chief Jillian Taylor News Managing Editor Mason Young Sports Editor Trey Young Visual Editor Justin Jayne Video Editor

Chandler Engelbrecht Enterprise Editor Jazz Wolfe Culture Editor Makenna Buckskin Engagement Editor Francisco Gutierrez Copy Chief Seth Prince Staff Adviser

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One free copy of The Daily is available to members of the OU community. Additional copies may be purchased for 25 cents by at 405-325-2521. Corrections: The Daily is committed to accuracy in its publications. If dailynews@ou.edu or visit oudaily. com/site/corrections.html to submit a correction form.

Previous Solution

6 8 1 9 8 2

1 9

4 5 1 4 6

2 9 5 3 2 8 9 3 7 4 4 5 3 6 Instructions: Fill in the grid so7that every row, 3 every column 1 8and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that V. EASY in any row, column or box. no number is repeated

By Eugenia Last

TUESDAY, APRIL 26 2022 ASTROGRAPH by Eugenia Last TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Don’t wait until it’s too late. Pitch in and do your part. An enthusiastic attitude will put you in a leadership position. The feedback you receive and the results you get will boost your ego.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Take care of responsibilities before moving on to enjoyable pastimes. Indulge in something that puts a smile on your face or gives you purpose. Spend time developing your talents.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Be careful around people trying to entice you with colorful anecdotes that make you feel like you are missing out. Be practical and strong enough to resist temptation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Distance yourself from pushy, demonstrative people using emotional tactics to win favors. A handout will come with hidden costs. Until you know what you want and what’s best for you, sit tight.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Trust in what you know and can do, and move forward with confidence. Share your ideas, and you’ll gain respect and support. A personal or financial gain is within reach.

2 6 7

HOROSCOPE

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Keep a close watch on what others do, but don’t be a copycat. Take your time and protect your reputation and cash. Run a tight ship, budget wisely and refuse to make an unwise move.

6 4

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You’ll come up with or be offered unique ideas or ways to use your attributes. Open your doors to people who can help you make progress or improve your home, position or direction. Be attentive. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Be careful around people who are trying to change you. Don’t feel obligated to participate in something that doesn’t interest you. Be honest, and head in a direction that feels comfortable.

7 2 9 2 4 5 1 PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) 2 3Be observant,8and it6will help you make better decisions. If you want freedom, 7 5 8you must grant freedom. Keeping the peace and maintaining equality are in LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct.1 23) 6 your best5 interest. 4 Map out what you want to achieve, then proceed. Hard work, dedication and 9ARIES (March321-April 19)2 practicality will be the way to go. Don’t Go over every detail with a microscope. lose sight of your goal5 or let 8 anyone give anyone a chance7 to prove you 6Don’t lead you astray. wrong or meddle in your business. Your 4 7 5determination 8 and thoroughness 9 will be your redeeming features. 2 3 1 8 VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Your timing is impeccable, and the opportunities that come your way will change your life. Jump into action, take care of business and get on with things. Ask for what you want.

V. EASY

ACROSS 1 Knock the socks off 4 Butter and lard 8 Breakfast bread 13 Sheet in a diary 15 Between ports 16 Rolls with rice 17 Smudge 18 Camping “trip” in the backyard, perhaps 20 “Are you good with this?” 22 Lead-in to “Gaga” or “Godiva” 23 “It could be worse” 24 Maui’s ___ Highway 26 “Let me check” 29 Indigenous 33 Lion’s lair 35 TV studio status 37 Sorceress who was Circe’s niece 38 Took off 39 Nose or mouth 41 Drop the ball 42 “Must you do that ___ time?” 44 “Fine, stay angry” 45 Situp muscles 46 “It’s our turn!” 48 Shape of a stretched Slinky

4/26

50 Pairs 52 Like a temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit 55 Fancyschmancy 58 Stress-free retreat 61 Making mischief 63 “At Last” singer James 64 Like some sauces or roles 65 “M*A*S*H” actor hidden in “historical data” 66 Mark from surgery 67 Existential uneasiness 68 Too interested 69 QVC alternative DOWN 1 H.S. class where students study their cells 2 Kate of “Grey’s Anatomy” 3 John Legend or Audrey Hepburn, in terms of awards 4 Life in it can be hectic 5 Regarding 6 Tropical wood 7 Request during a checkup 8 LAX ID checkers

9 Partying until the club closes, maybe 10 Where about 60% of people live 11 Not barefoot 12 Wee 14 “I Love Lucy” neighbor 19 Printer ink hue 21 “Everyone!” 25 Casually mention dinner with Oprah, e.g. 27 Bygone Volvo rival 28 Toys with tails 30 Perfect partner 31 “Eat” or “drink,” perhaps 32 “I’m all ___!” (“Tell me!”) 33 Sketched 34 Roof projection

36 Rear beef cut 40 Saving time? 43 Candies with a “powerful cinnamon kaboom” 47 NYC neighborhood once home to Andy Warhol 49 French city that inspired Van Gogh 51 “Pale Blue Dot” author Carl 53 Stand in for 54 Memorize, like lines 55 Cougar 56 Word on a shop sign 57 Solo, at the prom 59 Collared shirt 60 Sci-fi escape vehicles 62 Wordle’s publisher: Abbr.

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

4/19

Universal Freestyle 13 by Catherine Cetta

SPORTS

• April 26-May2, 2022

Sooners march into new era Venables reveals vision of excellence for program future MASON YOUNG masyoung@ou.edu

B r e n t Ve n a b l e s a n d every player suited up on Oklahoma’s roster locked arms and marched. Literally, the members of the 128th team in OU history strode into the south end zone of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium moments before Saturday’s spring game kicked off. Metaphorically, the program began its first public strides toward the Southeastern Conference, where Venables will lead a united new era of Sooners football. From March 21, the day before spring practices began, all the way to the last practice on April 21, Venables emphasized the spring game and its importance to the foundation he’s building in his first season as head coach. Social promotions featuring “#PackThePalace” reinforced his statements that “everything matters” in the culture he’s cultivating. When halftime rolled around Saturday, just ahead of the unveiling ceremony for former Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield’s Heisman Trophy statue, Venables stared up at 75,360 fans, over 20,000 more than had ever attended an Oklahoma spring game. His vision was coming to life right before his eyes. “This is what family looks like and this is how we go from good to great,” he said. “This is taking everything that matters to a whole ‘nother level. To be great, every little inch takes excellence. This is what it’s supposed to look like in the palace.” For one former Sooner, it was the manifestation of four words that embody the foundation being installed under Venables: Love, trust, honor and respect. Love Just under three weeks ago, Dan Cody made his way back to Norman. The former Sooners defensive end was taking a break from training high schoolers in Ada to reunite with his former teammate, OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby. During his April 4 visit, Cody wound up in Venables’ office, as he had when his football career ended and he grappled with what he called a psychological breakdown more than a decade ago. When Venables became a frontrunner to replace the departed Lincoln Riley in December, Cody noticed a picture in The Oklahoman of the Sooners’ then-defensive coordinator speaking to him on the sideline during his college days. Now, sitting in his old coach’s office on a Monday morning, Cody couldn’t get a word in edgewise for 25 minutes as Venables outlined his vision. Venables wasn’t yammering about X’s and O’s, but a revamped way of doing things founded on love and family. “Listening to him talk about his vision now and all these things, that’s who he was (back) then and now he’s really putting it together,” Cody

Redshirt junior quarterback Dillon Gabriel during the spring game on April 23.

said. “It was like God was speaking to me, man. I knew that when I would come and see him, something special was gonna happen.” That evening, Lebby reached out and said Venables wanted him, alongside former teammates Teddy Lehman and Dusty Dvoracek, to address the team two days later. Cody’s subsequent speech centered on those four words, sentiments that permeated his conversation with Venables and that Sooner Nation saw on full display at large Saturday. With his current team still sitting in the locker room, Venables emerged from the southeast tunnel of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium alone, holding a microphone and barking orders like regulars on campus have heard echoing off nearby buildings the past few weeks. Venables called all former OU players present in the stadium — from stars like Adrian Peterson and Kyler Murray to those whose names never glimmered as brightly but whose contributions built today’s legacy — to a huddle at midfield. It harkened to former Sooners coach Bob Stoops’ remarks in wake of Riley’s shocking exit that “Sooner football is not defined by one individual,” but rather by all who have played on Owen Field. “I’m standing before you because of you,” Venables said to the assembled alumni, and the crowd at large. “And your work, your commitment, your dedication and your love for this great university. This is Oklahoma, the winningest team in the modern era. This place always has been, and always will be about the players. “This is the home that y’all have built. I want to show them the love and the appreciation of these guys, their work, their belief, their commitment to making this the model program in all of college football.” Jeremiah Hall won’t ever play for Venables, but the former OU H-back still took to heart the message while standing among the generations gathered at midfield. “He made a big point on bringing the family back,” Hall told The Daily. “Making sure that former players and former staff feel welcome here at OU, and (the spring game weekend) is part of a first step of many to come of former Sooners coming back, showing love to the team and helping guys out off the field as needed.” Venables’ love shined throughout spring practice in various ways. Dinners at The Ranch steakhouse for

incoming players. Hyperice gear to care for sore arms and legs as well as dapper suits he purchased for the entire team. On the final day of practice, an ice cream truck rolled onto the field to treat the players. But Venables has also sought to feed players’ souls. His first team meeting consisted of a message from the Bible about unity. From there, his S.O.U.L. Mission team has taken over, providing opportunities for holistic development. That’ll continue this summer, Venables said Saturday, as S.O.U.L. director Caleb Kelly helped organize competitive internship interviews for the team. In the next two weeks, 30 players will be awarded 10-day micro internships of post-football business interests with their travel and lodging paid by OU. Just under 40 additional players will participate in a service trip during that time. The opportunities Venables has put before his players in such a short time hasn’t gone unnoticed by Hall. “That just goes to show that he cares about you not only as a football player,” Hall said, “But as a person, and when you get better as a person, you can actually get better as a football player and in all areas of life.” Trust Before shaking Venables’ hand Saturday, Brian Bosworth hadn’t reconnected with the Sooners’ coach beyond a few text messages. Bosworth has mostly been out of Oklahoma recently given his acting career. Still, the legendary former Sooners linebacker can see the trust OU’s new leader is building with players past and present. “I’m glad that we brought back somebody that has his tenacity,” Bosworth told The Daily. “I’m more encouraged that we’re bringing back a coach that has a strong sense of faith, because I think with faith you’re gonna have a different kind of commitment to family. Earning player buy-in has been a focus for Venables and the trust he’s forging shined on Saturday. On their own, the players led a morning walkthrough to prepare for the red-white contest. Come game time, quarterback Dillon Gabriel, playing for both sides, ran Lebby’s tempo offense with the speed that has been fawned about all spring. In the end, Venables saw his Red team beat his White team 21-17, an effort that demonstrated a work in progress worthy of excitement.

“Mission accomplished,” Venables said afterward as the trust he put in his players, his players put in themselves and the fans put into the program bore fruit. “And the No. 1 reason why is when we showed up today, the mindset was right. Our attitude was right. Our focus and intensity was right. That’s what has me fired up and excited, knowing we’re going in the right direction.” It was a striking pivot from four and a half months ago, when the Sooners’ fan base was demoralized after Riley — who’d led OU to five Big 12 Championships and three College Football Playoff berths — bailed seemingly overnight for Southern California. Saturday was an opportunity to rebuild the trust Riley squandered, and Sooner Nation responded. O U r a d i o h o s t To b y Rowland said Friday that 60,000 tickets had been sold and the athletic department expected numerous walk-up purchases on Saturday. Fans did exactly that, filing in even after kickoff, forcing the opening of the upper decks on the east and west sides. Meanwhile, USC played its spring game at the same time, in a contest aired on ESPN. Entry at what Riley has called “the mecca of college football” was free, and the Trojans set a record with 33,427 in attendance — 41,933 fewer than packed the Palace on the Prairie. Speaking directly to the fans, Venables thanked the crowd for the trust it put in the program, and doubled down on what he expects as the SEC jump looms. For Bosworth, a mainstay of some of the greatest teams in OU history, the message resonated. “I’m looking forward to his first-year campaign, and if he struggles the first year it wouldn’t surprise me, but I know what his long-term goal and vision is and that’s what’s most important,” Bosworth said. “I think what he’s really trying to impart to the Sooner faithful is if you wanna be part of something great, you gotta get in at the beginning and really believe that the work that goes in will pay off eventually. So, you gotta bring that brand along with the loyalty and get that loyalty to trust the message and I think that’s really what he’s trying to do, by being consistent with both his words and his actions.” Honor Much of the spring game weekend was dedicated to honoring Mayfield, whose

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Heisman recognition was thwarted by COVID-19 in 2020. From the private celebration at the Everest Training Center that revealed his stiff-arming silhouette to the halftime ceremony that saw the installed statue uncloaked in Jenkins Avenue’s Heisman Park, Mayfield received all the respect OU fans had to give. “It’s pretty special to have a place packed like this for a moment like this,” Mayfield said, choking up as he spoke at midfield minutes before his statue was revealed to the masses. “I know it’s very rare. Thank you guys so much for coming out and letting me live out my dream. …This place is special.” Later, Mayfield briefly complimented Riley, whose tutelage helped him win the Heisman and become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Yet, the player known for harnessing his emotion to dig deep and reach new heights was candid about his admiration for the equally animated Venables. “I would’ve loved to have played for him,” said Mayfield, who indicated he was ready to run through a wall for OU’s new leader after meeting with him Friday. “Not that I had bad coaches by any means. He just gets you fired up. We talked for 30 minutes and we didn’t even talk about football once. “He talks about building character, building the foundation for what he’s trying to build at this place. In this transition period to when the conference change does happen, being strong, all in together, and just developing young men and caring about them off the field, because they’ll fight for him on the field when that happens.” Venables made a point of noting during his halftime speech his first team is the 128th in OU’s storied history. However, for it to produce the honors bestowed on Heisman winners like Mayfield, Murray, Steve Owens and Jason White or national champions like Jamelle Holieway and Bosworth — all present Saturday — there’s still much to be unlocked. “Team 128, you get to write your own story,” Venables said. “But y’all ain’t done nothing yet. Four and a half months, we got spring ball done, but we got a lot of work to do, and you’re gonna get exactly what you earn. Nothing more, nothing less.” Respect Venables has said before he’s looking to nurture “the

uncommon man,” so it’s fitting that the back wall of OU’s team meeting room boasts a picture of Mayfield featuring that phrase. And when anyone speaks to current Sooners from the podium in that venue, they stand next to additional messages Venables has plastered on the walls that uphold expectations within the program. “Best is the standard.” “Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.” “Right is right even when nobody’s doing it.” On Saturday, as their teammates headed out for the second half, Gabriel and junior Marvin Mims saw an opportunity to do right and uphold the standard. They stayed in the locker room gathering trash before returning to the game, heeding Venables’ admonitions that no one else should pick up after the Sooners. The quarterback-wide receiver duo was also rooting out what the team has come to define as “insidious” behavior within its ranks. Back in February, Venables had entered a meeting with that word scribbled on a notecard and asked players to define it. Freshman wide receiver Jayden Gibson asked if it was comparable to cancer. “It’s like cancer,” Venables said Saturday. “What does cancer do? If you don’t get it out, it multiplies. And so for us, just guarding against the cancers (is important), and it’s the little things, being desperate and fundamental to doing the little things right. Character matters. What you do in the dark is gonna come to light. Who you are when nobody’s watching, that matters.” In particular, sophomore defensive end Ethan Downs was drawn to Venables’ message. “It’s common to have insidious behavior in a locker room,” Downs said. “Normal teams will let insidious behavior happen in the background and not expect it to come out in front, but in a game it always shows up. So, we are a team that completely eliminates insidious behavior.” That tracks with his coach’s belief that everything matters, even things that would seem small, or unnoticeable to others. In the case of the trash, most players didn’t notice it was around their locker room, much less that two of their best teammates and leaders were not on the field with them as the start of the second half neared. “Young people, that’s just what they do, they lose their way, they lose their focus,” Venables said. “And our job is to guide them and nurture them and take them where they can’t go on their own. But hopefully, you’re planting the right seeds and then next thing you know, you’ve got guys that are late coming out of halftime because they’re in there cleaning the locker room. “That’s what it looks like. That’s a good problem to have, right? If we’re going to be a championship program, that matters, to keep the insidious behavior out of our locker room and out of this program.”

Gabriel exemplifies standard of excellence OU quarterback leads on, off field during spring game COLTON SULLEY colton.m.sulley-1@ou.edu

Dillon Gabriel nearly missed the start of the second half of Oklahoma’s spring game on Saturday. While most of his teammates had already sprinted onto Owen Field, he was still in the locker room picking up trash. OU coach Brent Venables made it clear he expects his players to pick up

after themselves and Gabriel took the opportunity to lead by example, even if it almost cost him snaps. Ultimately, Gabriel played possibly more than any other quarterback ever has in a spring game and made a sterling Sooners debut in front of former Heismanwinning quarterbacks Jason White, Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield. Before the largest crowd he has played before in his career, and an OU spring game record of 75,360 inside Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Gabriel combined for 250 yards on

19-of-28 passing. He also connected with junior wide receiver Marvin Mims across the middle of the field for a touchdown as the first quarter wound down. “I loved his command,” Venables said of Gabriel. “(He’s) such a selfless guy, the game is easy for him in so many ways.” The Sooners’ red team defeated its white team 21-17 in a return to the annual red-white game format after switching to offense versus defense last spring under former coach Lincoln Riley. Gabriel didn’t seem flustered by the immense

attendance at his first exhibition in Norman. The Hawaii native was extremely poised and didn’t force many balls into traffic, excluding his interception with 1:13 left in the first quarter, which was picked off by redshirt sophomore cornerback Kendall Dennis. In fact, Gabriel was more so enamored with all the former Sooners greats in attendance, including Mayfield, whose Heisman Trophy statue was unveiled during halftime. “I think it just shows how much love they have for this university and their

experience here,” Gabriel said. In turn, Gabriel showed his commitment to the expectations of excellence at Oklahoma by cleaning up the locker room during his break. Mayfield, who was once in Gabriel’s shoes, spoke with the younger quarterback over the weekend, and offered up some high praise for what he sees the future of the program becoming. There are even some similarities between the two field generals, including that they weren’t heavily recruited out of high school and that

they’re both “undersized.” “I think (Gabriel) truly grasps that he’s in a place where expectations are high, but he can be the best version of himself,” Mayfield said. “And this place is going to skyrocket with Venables coming back, bringing that passion.” Asked if he desires to win the Heisman like Mayfield did in 2017, Gabriel said it’s never been a priority to him. “It has never been a goal of mine. But man, if it happens it happens. You know what I mean?”