W E E K LY E D I T I O N | J A N U A R Y 13 -19, 2 0 2 0 | O U D A I LY. C O M
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OU to give scooter company exclusive rights on campus
New SGA leaders discuss goals, hope to leave lasting impact on university
SPORTS
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Beloved mascot ‘Top Daug’ returns to OU basketball this week
Recently inaugurated student President Justin Norris prepares to take reigns of executive branch
OU INVESTIGATING TOM ORR Former School of Drama director placed on administrative leave JANA ALLEN @jana_allen21
JORDAN MILLER @jordanrmillerr
Tom Orr, former director of OU’s Helmerich School of Drama and current performance professor, has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation in light of “recent allegations,” according to an OU spokesperson. T h o u g h t h e n a t u re o f t h e new allegations against Orr are
unknow n, cur rent School of Drama director Seth Gordon sent a message Sunday to students and faculty within the school explaining Orr would be on leave. Upon inquiry, OU spokesperson Kesha Keith said in an email the university was investigating allegations related to Orr. In Gordon’s message, he explained Orr had chosen to withdraw from directing an upcoming production due to an “increase in research and creative activity and health issues at home.” However, the message also said he would be continuing to be involved in the production in his capacity as a producer of the Lab Theatre. Orr was previously
investigated by OU’s Title IX office in the summer of 2018 after multiple accusations of sexual harassment by students. An OU Daily investigation found at least two School of Drama alumni filed sexual harassment complaints against Orr with the university’s Title IX office that resulted in no actions taken against him. Multiple other alumni who did not file Title IX complaints spoke with The Daily in 2018 about personal experiences with Orr inside and outside the classroom, saying his behavior was sexually charged and emotionally harmful. “Due to the confidential nature of this personnel issue, this is the extent of the university’s
comment at this time,” said Kesha Keith, O U dire ctor of me dia relations in an email Sunday night. “The university’s primary concern is the welfare of its students.” Orr resigned from his post as the director of the School of Drama Aug. 16, 2018, after a Title IX investigation into the school’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against former professor emeritus and donor John Scamehorn. Orr’s resignation was “in support of necessary changes within the school,” but he remained a “valued member of the faculty,” according to a statement released after Orr’s resignation by Mary Margaret Holt, dean of the
Weitzenhoffer College of Fine Arts. A professor within the School of Drama, who asked to remain unnamed, told The Daily in 2018 they had more than a dozen students come to them over the years with complaints of verbal sexual harassment from Orr. The Daily attempted to contact Orr by phone and email Sunday night but did not receive a response by time of publication. Jana Allen
jana.r.allen-1@ou.edu
Jordan Miller
jordan.r.miller-1@ou.edu
Harroz to present strategic plan
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Interim OU president to share framework, goals with Board of Regents
We have the opportunity to define what the next generation of OU excellence is.
JORDAN MILLER @jordanrmillerr
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After two administration changes in three years, interim OU President Joseph Harroz will present a regent-requested plan for the university’s future in the coming weeks. This plan — designated as the university’s strategic framework — was initially outlined at the Sept. 11 OU Board of Regents meeting, according to an OU News press release, and will likely be presented to the board in January. The framework is intended to present the university’s goals and how it will pursue them, echoed by priorities outlined in the framework’s survey, community conversations with campus leaders and town halls held last semester. “We are at a pivotal moment,” Harroz said in an October video from the office of the president. “We have the opportunity to define what the next generation of OU excellence is.” In October, the president’s office sent an email to the OU community explaining the strategic framework, and that a committee of 11 faculty members — the President’s Academic Planning and Budget Advisory Committee — would draft the Norman campus framework. The email also asked students, faculty, staff and alumni to participate in the framework’s survey, which received over 5,000 responses and organized the priorities of these community stakeholders. It also created a word cloud of the most popular responses, with priorities like diversity, excellence and innovation being some of the most common. Alisa Fryar, an expert on higher education administration and an OU professor who has been involved with the President’s Academic Planning and Budget Advisory Committee, said surveys like these are often used in this kind of strategic planning for institutions. But she said those plans usually take about a year to draft, given the level of research they include. Fryar said the participation that went into the framework — the survey, leadership meetings with community stakeholders and town halls — may have been more than the committee could’ve asked for to have completed the framework in one semester. Strategic planning as a practice is more than just a simple
-Joseph Harroz, interim OU president
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CAITLYN EPES & CARLY OREWILER/THE DAILY
outline of steps. A study by Charles Goldman, a policy expert on strategic planning for education systems, said strategic plans consist of an institution’s vision for the future, mission statement, strategic goals, defined objectives and key performance indicators — or measurable targets — at the base of the plan.
“We’ve got a leadership team that I think genuinely wants to pivot.”
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-Alisa Fryar, OU professor
Goldman, who has consulted with institutions professionally on strategic planning, said OU’s plan to create a framework first is a good start — especially since the framework is being conducted with input by those familiar with OU internally rather than an external firm — but that he would recommend the university to eventually go through with a longer process to create a more actionable plan. Fryar previously worked on a strategic plan for the College of Arts and Sciences. As a full strategic plan rather than a strategic framework, Fryar said its creation took more time. “It was a year of collecting information, doing a ton of meetings, doing surveys — multiple surveys — more research and
benchmarking institutions, and more multiple drafts that went through a lot of different committees,” Fryar said. “And it was quite a bit longer even, too, but it was for a different purpose.” Universities typically undergo a strategic planning process for one of two reasons, according to Goldman’s study: internal pressures to increase efficiency or external pressures to increase value for community stakeholders. Goldman said external pressures can come from students, faculty, staff or alumni asking for more from the university in response to repeated university issues, such as racist incidents, investigations into upper administrators and financial disputes. It is also common for universities that go through a leadership change to engage in some type of planning process to chart a way forward, he said. “Immediate crisis may signal that there are longer-term issues that the institution needs to address in order to become effective, and so that may then lead to a strategic planning process,” Goldman said. Regional accreditors that provide accreditation to American institutions are increasingly requiring member universities to develop formal strategic plans, which is also a reason many have developed them, Goldman said. The U.S. has seven regional accreditors, including the Higher Learning Commission, of which OU is a member. The commission requires that institutions specify their missions
through systematic and integrated planning, according to the HLC’s criteria for accreditation, and also states that this planning process should include the institution as a whole — considering “the perspectives of internal and external constituent groups.” “If you want to change strategy, usually you have to reallocate resources, because a lot of the activities in the university are really directly related to where the resources are,” Goldman said. “And to the extent you need people to carry out this strategy, it tends to be very difficult if there hasn’t been some mechanism of involvement along the way.” Fryar said she felt the process of creating the framework engaged with the community through town halls and the survey, and it helped create conversations on how OU compares to peer institutions. “President Boren was a president who people really appreciated how much he was able to communicate a vision for OU,” Fryar said. “But that vision was often fairly limited by his perspective, and kind of where he was in the institution and his own history. This is a space where I feel like, if nothing else, a lot of people have been able to say out loud, in public, what they think OU should be.” Although Fryar said she does not know what the framework is going to look like or how it will be implemented, she said the process really showed upper administration what different community stakeholders aspire for OU to become. “I’ve seen the president and provost — their rhetoric around the
university, the way they talk about plans — and I’ve seen some responsiveness with that. Just small ways a lot of times, but that they are responsive to these conversations,” Fryar said. “But it certainly created a world in which it feels a little bit more like the future of OU is something we’re talking about, as opposed to something we’re told is going to happen to us.” Fryar said she believes the strategic framework would’ve been conducted regardless of who the president was, since the regents requested it, but the process is well-suited for Harroz and his leadership style. “We’ve got a leadership team that I think genuinely wants to pivot,” Fryar said. “But there are folks that have been here for a really long time. And untying the knot that has been created over decades — if they really want to pivot, it’s going to take some time.” Harroz told The Daily in a December interview that he hopes his interim administration is remembered as one that was honest about the difficult times but came together to address them and plan ahead. “What I would hope for the next increment of time is that we, as a community, came together and laid out a really bold, really honest, really clear path to accomplishing this really sacred mission that matters to the individual and matters to society,” Harroz said. “I mean, that’s why I spend my time here.” Jordan Miller
jordan.r.miller-1@ou.edu
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NEWS
• Jan. 13-19, 2020
SGA strives for inclusive future
Members hope for legacy of integrity, kindness, diversity ARI FIFE @arriifife
This semester, leaders of the OU Student Government Association plan to emphasize collaboration across organizations and the student body, along with more proactive planning for upcoming semesters. Both the executive branch and the Undergraduate Student Congress look forward to the communication between new members of SGA, and hope to increase dialogue among different campus communities like Greek life, the Graduate Student Senate and Campus Ac t i v i t i e s C o u n c i l t h i s semester.
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collaboration with. During his campaign, Norris said the Greek Inclusivity Officer initiative would establish an inclusivity officer in each Greek organization on campus to be more proactive in handling racism and other common problematic behaviors. Norris said many new leaders are slated to take leadership positions in the five Greek councils, so getting acquainted with them will help facilitate the initiative. “Just ... hearing their opinions, working it out and then working on implementing the tangible solution (is important),” Norris said. “Now it’s just a matter of really sitting here and saying, ‘So we want this to happen. How can we make it the most beneficial for everyone involved in Greek life at the university?’”
If we say that we’re for students, or that we’re for promoting diversity, if we’re for listening to people and creating a safe campus, then we’re going to be for it.
Recently inaugurated SGA President Justin Norris said he wants to focus on creating a cabinet for the new SGA presidential administration, with applications open until Jan. 16 on the SGA executive branch portal on OrgSync. Norris said he will also be planning for his Greek Inclusivity Officer initiative and Diversity & Inclusion Action Week in the coming months — the first platform points he wants to encourage
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-Justin Norris, SGA president
Norris said his administration will include offices across campus in planning for Diversity & Inclusion Action Week events as well. The Diversity & Inclusion Action Week — a new series of programmed events for students — was a major platform point during Dalton Gau and Norris’ campaign, and Norris said they continue to prioritize it. “(We want to focus on) just really communicating
TREY YOUNG/THE DAILY
Student Government Association President Justin Norris speaks at the OU SGA inauguration Dec. 3, 2019.
with the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, the Gender + E q u a l i t y C e n t e r, Mu l t i c u l t u r a l S t u d e n t Program, just starting those conversations, so that way … we can really get the programming set up now, so it can be implemented at the beginning of next semester, if not the end of this semester,” Norris said. Nor r is’ chief of staff, Renata Emini, said her goal is to coordinate projects across the administration’s cabinet, which will first meet Jan. 20. Emini said she looks forward to working closely with the other cabinet members. “One of the big things that I’m looking forward to is just having a group of people in our cabinet that I can go to when Justin and Dalton need something,” Emini said. “I can go to anyone else in the cabinet and ask them and get their input on it. And … I want to be there for them and get things done for them.” Norris said creating working relationships with
leaders in other branches of SGA and across campus is also a big priority. “(We want to make sure) that we have a good relationship with everybody,” Norris said. “So that way, as the term goes on, whenever we need to get something done, it’s not a matter of reacquainting ourselves with people, but more so just making it more casual.” Norris said he also wants to foster a collaborative relationship with the student body. “If (students) feel like something should be added to the agenda, or something should be brought to light, then we want to hear it,” Norris said. “So, again, reestablishing that (conversational) style of leadership now that everyone’s back on campus.” Norris said he already has a good relationship with SGA Chair Emma DeAngeli, and SGA Vice President Gau’s connection to congress will be an asset in collaboration with other congressional
leaders. “I’m pretty confident in (DeAngeli’s and my) ability to really make sure that it’s a smooth line of communication between the (executive) branch and congress, and also (Gau) — having been a committee chair in congress — he also has that connection to a lot of the members,” Norris said. “So I think that it’ll be a very easy transition into a respectable communication stream.” DeAngeli said one of her main priorities for her final semester in congress is laying the groundwork for future semesters. She said she hopes to increase open communication with other SGA groups, like the Graduate Student Senate, the SGA presidential administration, and the Campus Activities Council. “I have a unique perspective on seeing how the (executive) branch functioned last semester, so (I plan on) mostly helping (Norris) see what his goals are and helping him accomplish that
within the SGA framework,” DeAngeli said. DeAngeli plans to continue joint resolutions with GSS and continue conversations between the two groups. She also said congress involved CAC in the planning of its events last semester, and hopes to continue to work with them this semester. “I hope to continue with that and ... maybe codify it since it’s not in the code anywhere, and it’s sort of a new program,” DeAngeli said. DeAngeli also looks forward to seeing how the newest members of congress impact the body’s priorities in the next few months. “It’s always really great getting new members because they come with a lot of different ideas and a lot of new passion, so that’s going to be really cool,” DeAngeli said. “And we also have a couple of new committee chairs … but I think in general … it’s going to be about their ideas and what they’re passionate about.” Overall, Norris said he hopes the OU community will remember his upcoming administration for its integrity and kindness. “If we say that we’re for students, or that we’re for promoting diversity, if we’re for listening to people and creating a safe campus, then we’re going to be for it,” Norris said. “That’s the same kind of ideology that I really want to carry through our entire time as president and vice president, so that way, whenever we leave office, everyone can kind of look back and say, ‘Wow, they really put their money where their mouth is.’” Ari Fife
ariani.s.fife-1@ou.edu
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CULTURE
Jan. 13-19, 2020 •
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VeoRide vrooms into Norman OU partners with e-scooter brand for on-campus rides ABIGAIL HALL @abigail_wah
N o r m a n ’s n e w e s t e-scooter is rolling into town, and this one seems to be here to stay. Beginning Jan. 13, OU’s official scooter and bike partner VeoRide launches a one-year contract in Norman, and it will be the exclusive e-scooter comp a n y a l l o w e d t o o p e rate on the Norman campus, said Kris Glenn, director of OU Parking and Transportation Services. The Chicago-based company is the fifth company to release scooters in town since Bird scooters launched in August 2018 — which no longer operates in Norman according to its app — followed by Lime; Gotcha, also no longer operational in Norman, according to its app; and Slidr, which launched on campus at the end of last semester. While VeoRide’s contract with the university is for one year, VeoRide regional manager Spencer Dickerson said in an email that all parties expect it to be a long-term partnership.
The exclusive partnership brings 200 e-scooters and 50 pedal bikes to campus. The bikes are available to all students for free unlimited use by signing up on the VeoRide app, while the e-scooters cost $1 to unlock and 50 cents a minute — the most affordable e-scooter on the market, Glenn said. With the new partnership, Crimson Cruisers will no longer be available on campus and were collected at the end of December 2019, said Kesha Keith, director of media relations, in an email. VeoRide is per mitted to operate throughout campus and in Norman, as the company received the proper permit from the city of Norman. From Boyd Street to the research campus at South Jenkins Avenue and Gt Blankenship Boulevard, VeoRide will be the only scooter allowed to operate, Glenn said. In fall 2019, the university launched a competitive bid process to bring a then-undecided exclusive scooter and bike company to campus and Norman for students’ use, Keith said. The bid process lasted six weeks, and the final decision was decided by a team of university employees from parking services, risk management, OUPD and
A VeoRide customer rides a scooter.
student affairs, Glenn said. “ VeoRide was chosen through that process because of its low cost to students, revenue sharing with the university and more robust, safer scooters,” Keith
VIA VEORIDE INC. WEBSITE
said. Around the same time, Sooner Sports Properties partnered with Slidr scooters to bring the OUbranded scooters to campus. While Slidr partnered
with athletics, Glenn said VeoRide is the official partnership of the university, and Slidr is no longer allowed to operate on campus. Glenn said Sooner Sports Properties and the university were aware of each other ’s plans to bring different scooters to campus. The VeoRide scooters have a lower center of gravity, larger base and 10-inch vacuum tire wheels instead of the seven-inch hard rubber tires like many scooters on the market, as well as front and rear mechanical brakes instead of a decelerator and a step brake, among other safety features, Dickerson said. “Safety is always a huge c o n c e r n . It ’s t h e m a i n reason we built a better scooter,” Dickerson said. “According to the CDC, 50 (percent) of scooter accidents were attributed to poor road conditions. By building a scooter that can better handle conditions, we’re building a safer scooter.” Additionally, VeoRide scooters are the only e-scooter brand with replaceable batteries, so they don’t have to be charged, Keith said. VeoRide’s build isn’t the only thing that’s different. Instead of hiring contractors to charge its scooters
— which often results in scooters being left around town, disrupting walkways — the company hires fulltime employees to collect the scooters ever y evening and rebalance them so they are charged and ready for use the next day before placing them at one of 10 VeoRide hubs, located in place of the former Crimson Cruiser bike hubs, Dickerson said. While students are using the scooters during the day, the VeoRide app will inform them of nearby temporary parking spots where VeoRide employees will pick them up later in the day, Glenn said. Two to four VeoRide staff will be present on campus all day Monday through Friday to help maintain the scooters, Dickerson said. The company is currently hiring, and students can apply to be VeoRide employees on VeoRide’s website by clicking “careers” in the top right corner. T h e Ve o R i d e a p p i s downloadable from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Abigail Hall ahall@ou.edu
Catholic church embraces Hispanic culture JOSIE LOGSDON
Though Norman has always been a predominantly white city, the Hispanic population has more than doubled in the past two decades, according to census data. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church is home to many of these Hispanic families, celebrating the Spanish Mass for 25 years at the parish and integrating the white and Hispanic communities. The church, which was 5 percent Hispanic only two decades ago, is more than half Hispanic today, even though the number of parishioners, or members
Hispanic. Deacon Angelo Lombardo of St. Joseph’s recognized the need to b e g i n o f f e r i n g Ma s s i n Spanish, so he and his wife, Annie Lombardo, inquired about starting one. At the time, the current priest was getting ready to be reassigned, so he suggested going directly to Bishop Beltran to see if they could make it happen. The Lombardos carried petitions requesting the Spanish Mass, asking fellow parishioners and community members to sign. They collected nearly 400 signatures. The archbishop responded promptly; he would consider the petition in his decision for reassigning a priest. St. Jos eph’s celebrated the first Spanish Mass in Norman in November
COOPER LEE/THE DAILY
A bilingual sign showing the entrance to a parking lot at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Dec. 3, 2019.
who attend St. Joseph’s, has not changed. The percentage of Hispanic students in the religious education program has gone from 50 to 95 percent in just 5 years. The parish unites the Hispanic and non-Hispanic communities, especially during a divisive political era. From leadership programs that tackle tough conversations, to the Blessed Stanley Rother Hispanic Institute that sparks positive dialogue on Hispanic culture and history, St. Joseph’s is no stranger to integrating diverse communities.
BRIDGING THE COMMUNITIES I n 1 9 9 4 , S t . J o s e p h’s had 1,000 registered families — ab out 950 w ere non-Hispanic and 50 were
1 9 9 4 . Ab o u t 6 0 p e o p l e came. 25 years later, about 600 attend one of the two Spanish Masses St. Joseph’s holds every Sunday. The parish kept the Hispanic and non-Hispanic communities parallel at first. The priority was to fulfill the basic needs of the Hispanic community through the sacraments, which are religious ceremonies performed in the Catholic Church. “ It ’s easy to do thes e changes in a way that doesn’t affect the other groups,” Angelo said. But there was a ne e d to realize the parish as one family, bring the two groups together and celebrate things in common. In 2008, Maria Ruiz, former Spanish professor at OU, Ignacio Ruiz Sr., OU Spanish profess or Luis
Cortest and the Lombardos talked about what they could do to bring the two groups together. The stage was set to create the Hispanic Cultural Institute, now known as the Blessed Stanley Rother Hispanic Institute, and was approved by the archdiocese. The institute’s mission is to “present a more positive and well-informed picture of the Spanish-speaking world.” They achieve this through a cultural teaching component and Spanish classes. Ev e r y Tu e s d a y e v e ning, with the exception of summer and holiday recess, the Blessed Stanley Rother Hispanic Institute meets for two-and-a-half hours for the s ole purpose of learning about the Hispanic community. At 6:50 p.m. ever y Tuesday, members of the institute file in to a meeting room at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Maria Ruiz, her son Ignacio Ruiz Jr. and Cortest stand by the tables of food. They encourage the students to overload their plates. Familiar faces greet one another. Some have been attending these meetings for a decade, others started last month. Not all are Catholic — in fact, non-religious and Jewish people also gather around the tables to learn. The institute doesn’t just serve the church — it serves the Norman community. By 7:15 p.m. everyone has settled in one of three rows of tables adjacent to a large screen. When Cortest walks to the front of the room, the crowd takes out their pens, notepads and binders packed with handouts. Then they stand for “Padre Nuestro.” Cortest begins his lecture. Ever y week for 11 years he, or someone at the institute, has given a unique lecture. He may talk about the history of Mexico City, or invite a guest speaker to share their experiences about growing up in Venezuela. Maybe the group will be treated to Peruvian music. At t h e e n d , m e mb e r s compare notes to make sure they got every detail of the lecture. They have a 10-minute break before they divide into groups for Spanish classes.
In the past, the institute has invited lecturers from Venezuela, to share the culture and history despite the turmoil in the country today. Professors from the University of Oklahoma have come to speak about topics ranging from the Cuban medical system, poet Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz and flamenco dance. “The presentations from Dr. Cortest are incredible,” Angelo said. “I learn things about my own culture that I never knew.” As the Hispanic community in Oklahoma continues to grow, Angelo encourages clergy — deacons, priests and bishops — from around the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City to come to the institute so they can better serve their parishes. Angelo and Annie continued to find other ways to integrate the two communities. They said they started hosting dinners and invited families from both communities. Annie worked with groups of leaders in the parish, selecting six English-speaking and six Spanish-speaking parishioners per group. They met once a month to
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It’s important to realize the roots of behavior so you can be aware of issues (and) conflicts in multicultural communities.
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St. Joseph’s aims to foster appreciation for community
-Annie Lombardo, parishioner
learn about one another’s cultures. In the meetings, they would discuss controversial — and often divisive — topics. “It’s important to realize the roots of behavior,” Annie said, “so you can be aware of issues (and) conflicts in multicultural communities.” After a few years, Annie and Angelo said they wanted to further their outreach and look beyond the walls of the parish and the borders of the United States. They started a missionary
outreach in Saltillo, Mexico. “People here think that missionar y work is getting a hammer and nails and building something,” Angelo said, shaking his head. For St. Joseph’s, missionary work is getting to know people, praying with them and eating with them. Several members of the missionary group attend the Blessed Stanley Rother Hispanic Institute so they can better serve the community in Mexico. Members of the Saltillo community in Mexico come to Norman for the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe in December. On the feast day, everyone gets up early for mañanitas: early morning sung prayers. Parishioners and the ministers from Saltillo meet at St. Joseph’s for prayer and breakfast. After everyone goes to work and school, all return in the evening to pack the church for the Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Before the Mass begins, Matachines dancers fill the aisles of the church. Their f e a t h e re d h e a d d re s s e s sport a rainbow of colors and their skirts ebb and flow with their movements. At the end of the celebration, they lead the congregation out of the church and continue dancing at the fiesta that follows.
THE FUTURE OF ST. JOSEPH’S
is growing at St Joseph’s. Ir w in said he per for ms seven baptisms in Spanish per one baptism in English. Annie, who teaches religious education, said 95 percent of the 400 kids in the program are Hispanic, compared to 50 percent only 5 years ago. “It’s obvious who the future of the parish is,” Irwin said. But Angelo hopes that St. Joseph’s remains multicultural, despite some backlash from the Anglo community. “There are people who don’t feel comfortable around other cultures,” he said. “They make the decision to move elsewhere.” The need for the second Mass in Spanish required moving the times of other Masses. This led to tension and resistance with some members of the community, especially in the current political climate of the U.S. “It’s amazing how that can create havoc in a parish community,” Angelo said. Irwin remembers both communities eventually coming together for a bilingual celebration of St. Joseph’s feast day. The Mass had music that spoke to both languages and cultures, he said. Parishioners participated in a potluck a n d b ro u g h t f o o d t h e y liked. “We had over 300 people (who) came and it was the first time I saw a balance in the community,” Irwin said. “Typically it leans one way or the other, but that was one of the first events where w e w ere looking around and going, ‘There are as many of our Hispanic community as there are Anglo.’” St. Joseph’s continues to be a very diverse community, all rooted in the integration of the communities initiated by Angelo Lombardo. “There is always the opportunity to experience different cultures through the fiestas, food and celebrations,” Angelo said.
Joseph Irwin has been the pastor at St. Joseph’s for about a year. Before arriving, he served the Hispanic community across Oklahoma for 13 years as a priest. Irwin said he worked to understand the culture and the needs of the Hispanic people and their different expectations from their church and priest. “I feel blessed to be here because a lot of work was done before I got here to minister to the Hispanic community,” Irwin said. Irwin said Hispanic immigrants come from a Editor’s note: This story Catholic culture — it’s emwas edited for length and bedded in their daily lives. clarity. They bring that with them, Ir win said, and want to raise their children to reJosie Logsdon ceive all the sacraments. The Hispanic community Josie.E.Logsdon-1@ou.edu
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CULTURE
• Jan. 13-19, 2020
Back to the grind: Local cafes to visit this spring With the closure of Campus Corner’s Crimson & Whipped Cream, here are a few other coffee shops to study, hang out at near OU Molly Kruse | molly.kruse@ou.edu | @mollykruse98 STARBUCKS ON CAMPUS CORNER
2. The Diner FIELD PARSONS/THE DAILY
Stella Nova on Jan. 17, 2018. The coffee shop opened near the corner of Main and Berry on Jan. 8, 2018.
sizes, while blended drinks are just over p.m. Friday through Saturday. There is also a location in Oklahoma City. Hours: Michelangelo’s is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 ALL ABOUT CHA a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. Although technically more of a tea shop than a coffee shop, this spot made GRAY OWL COFFEE the list because of its cozy study environment and yummy drinks. “Cha� is Why are there so many vintage bikes the Chinese word for tea and, true to its hanging in Gray Owl? The owner of name, All About Cha has an extensive Buchanan Bicycles on Campus Corner tea selection. If you are not a tea enthuis married to Gray Owl’s owner. This siast, no worries — the shop also offers artsy coffee shop located off Gray Street some coffee drinks. has long tables, gluten-free snack opWiFi connection: Yes. tions and interesting music that will Seating: All About Cha is the size of keep students awake during a long study a restaurant, ensuring there are always session. available seats. WiFi connection: Yes. Prices: Teas range from $4 to $5, Seating: There are lots of tables, while coffee drinks start at $2.95. couches and a bar. Hours: All About Cha in Norman is Prices: A small brewed coffee is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through under $2, while the smallest lattes are Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on $3.75. Sundays. Hours: Gray Owl is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. COOL BEANS
This nonprofit coffee shop brands itself as “the living room on Campus Corner� and is filled with windmill motifs, comfy furniture and plenty of power outlets. The coffee shop is run by student volunteers and operates on a donation system, meaning you determine the price of your drink. Second Wind also hosts open mic events and poetry slams throughout the semester. WiFi connection: Yes, there are two WiFi networks in case one doesn’t work. Seating: Seating is abundant here and there are also metal tables outside. Students often share tables during busy times of day. Prices: The suggested donations hover around $3 for most drinks, but the customer can determine how much they are willing to pay. Hours: During the academic year, Second Wind is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m, with the exception of Tuesdays. Tuesdays, it is open 9 a.m. to STELLA NOVA 10 p.m. and it is closed on Saturdays.
MICHELANGELO’S COFFEE AND WINE BAR If you’re in the mood to venture out to downtown Norman, Michelangelo’s offers a relaxed environment, classy wall art and a selection of wine in addition to coffee. This coffee shop is a hangout for both college students and adult Normanites alike. WiFi connection: Yes. Seating: Most of the time, there is a table or couch open. Prices: Most coffee items on the menu are under $4 for small or medium
If you don’t have time to sit around, Cool Beans is a locally owned coffee drive-thru. The little hut in a parking lot is easy to miss at first glance, perhaps why the shop describes itself on its website as “East Norman’s best-kept secret.� WiFi connection: No. Seating: There is no seating here. Prices: A small drip coffee is $2.75, while specialty drinks are around $4. Hours: Cool Beans is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Stella Nova is a standard, hip, coffee joint with lots of natural light, power outlets near almost every seat and friendly service. This is the place to go when you need to concentrate with minimal distractions. WiFi connection: Yes. Seating: There are always plenty of spots to sit here. Prices: Stella Nova drinks are comparable to Starbucks drinks but slightly more expensive, because the company uses locally sourced coffee. Hours: The Stella Nova in Norman is open from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday Editor’s note: The reporter is a current through Thursday and 5:30 a.m. to 11 volunteer at Second Wind Coffeehouse.
HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last
Copyright 2015, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- You can find a workable solution to a thorny situation. If you step into the spotlight, it will help you drum up interest in your pursuits. A meeting will bring promising results.
Sam Tonkins | samantha.tonkins@ou.edu @samanthatonkins
Tea Cafe is an Asian fusion restaurant that serves dishes like fried rice, miso soup and Kung-Pao chicken, as well as a wide variety of boba and milk teas. Located on Campus Corner, the cafe is a short walk from campus and is a good place to hang out with friends in between study sessions. The restaurant has been a local favorite for years, and former OU quarterback Kyler Murray even mentioned it in his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech in 2018. Tea Cafe is located at 788 Asp Ave. and is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
SECOND WIND COFFEEHOUSE $4.
Your dance card will be full this year. Prioritize what you want to do most to avoid falling short or being disappointed with your performance. Traveling and engaging in new enterprises will inspire you to expand your mind and interests. Romance is favored.
Classic Norman eateries offer awardwinning food, flexible hours, daily deals
1. Tea Cafe
This corner shop on Boyd has indoor and outdoor seating and a little more leg-room than its Union counterpart. Studying here puts you in the center of the action on Campus Corner, so don’t be surprised if you bump into someone you know. WiFi connection: Yes (Starbucks WiFi). Seating: Outdoor seating is often open, but if you want to sit inside it might involve standing around and waiting for someone to leave the table. Prices: You can get a simple coffee drink for under $3, but fancy Frappuccinos are more expensive. Hours: This Starbucks is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sundays.
MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2020 ASTROGRAPH by Eugenia Last
Top 5 eats within 5 minutes of class
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Your restlessness should be alleviated by getting involved in a challenging physical activity. Don’t make unnecessary changes. Moderation is in your best interest when money is involved. CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Say what’s on your mind and find out where you stand. It’s time to put a misconception someone has about you to rest. A partnership opportunity will change the way you do things. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You might have trouble seeing eye-to-eye with a partner. Arguing will not solve the problem, but compromise will. Offer common sense, not chaos.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Concentrate on moneymaking opportunities. Consider what will bring the highest returns before you make VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You may not have your usual practical outlook a decision. Impulsive actions will not today. Proceed with caution. You might bear fruit. Biggest will not be best. want to reconsider your professional situation. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Don’t fret over what someone else thinks LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Details or does. Start moving in a direction that feels comfortable and offers less matter. Look at every aspect of an agreement before you sign on the stress. Personal improvements are dotted line. It’s best to be precise in your best interest. Moderation is regarding what’s acceptable. Handle a encouraged. personal change or matter with care. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Reach out to someone who can help you get SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Keep your emotions out of professional ahead. Look at job prospects, set up matters. Think about what’s a good an interview or focus on honing the deal and what isn’t, and take action skills required to head in a different based on facts and long-term results. direction. Romance should be on your mind. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Love Dec. 21) -- Be cautious about how you and romance are on the rise, along handle relationships. You are best off with personal growth. Shift creative being honest, not vague, if someone is projects to the forefront. Physical asking questions about your intentions improvement will bring the results or feelings. you desire.
The Diner is a family-owned Tex-Mex and homestyle restaurant on Main Street. It serves tamales, burgers and pancakes, but it’s most famous for its chili. The local restaurant has been featured on shows such as “Uncovering Oklahoma,� “American Diner Revival� and “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives with Guy Fieri.� With extended hours on Thursdays and Fridays, it is now a great spot to grab dinner. The Diner is located at 213 E. Main St. and is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, 5-10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
3. The Library Bar & Grill After a long day of studying, the Library is a good place to relax and eat. It serves traditional bar food like burgers, nachos and pretzels, as well as pizza and pot roast. The restaurant has happy hour every day from 3-6 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to close with discounts on food and drinks. The Library is located at 607 W. Boyd St. and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
4. The Mont The Mont serves Mexican dishes like enchiladas and guacamole and American food like burgers and fried pickles. The restaurant is known for its open air patio, queso and colorful drinks. The Mont is located at 1300 Classen Blvd. and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
5. Cate Restaurants Students don’t have to leave campus to find local favorites. Cate Restaurants, which reopened last semester, is located at the heart of campus and has five different restaurants. Whether it’s all-day breakfast at Oliver’s, a burger from Ruthie’s, a sandwich from O’Henry’s, ramen from Sushi with Gusto or a burrito from Taco Mayo, Cate has something for everyone. Cate Restaurants are open every day, and the hours of each eatery can be found on the OU campus dining website.
Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg January 13, 2020
ACROSS 1 Crunchy deli sandwich, briefly 4 ___ Jones 7 Pothole filler 14 Scuba gear attachment 16 Certain clam 17 Picked up from a field trip? 18 Tightly packed fish 19 Person from Jaipur 20 “True ___!� (slangy “Indeed!�) 21 Rice or Sexton 22 Bible book whose title anagrams to “raze� 23 Votes in favor 25 Kvetching cries 26 Beyonce, to Jay-Z 28 Fish-fowl link 30 Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch,� e.g. 32 Notable period 33 Cowboys quarterback Prescott 34 Wavy corn chips 38 Stir up 40 Get the show on the road 42 Fully cooked 43 Fortify 45 “Uh-uh� 46 Legume Mendel studied
1/13
47 Hump day follower: Abbr. 48 “How about that!� 49 ___ prof. 50 Key often pressed after Ctrl 53 To be, in Le Havre 55 ___ Reader 57 Silver controller? 59 Former POTUS Coolidge 60 Sisters’ daughters 63 Eco-friendly holder of groceries 65 Word sung in ads featuring LiMu Emu 66 Set free 67 Johns 68 Confirm, as a password 69 Stuff edited by CRISPR 70 Famed boy king DOWN 1 Indonesia’s “Island of the Gods� 2 Property right 3 *Expo 4 Tunisian money 5 *Sure thing in a courtroom 6 Married 7 Test for purity 8 *Annual speech that a designated survivor doesn’t attend
9 Part of WPM 10 “Mary ___ little lamb ...� 11 Acid type in proteins 12 1974 biopic about comedian Bruce 13 Arboretum sights 15 Tournament award 20 *2000s Jessica Alba series with gothic themes 24 Address for a knight 26 Used to be 27 Wrinkle remover 29 Muffin grain 31 Pot-draining aid 35 Hush-hush, and a hint to the starred answers’ starts
36 Two in 11? 37 Pew, for one 39 Like a glowing jacko’-lantern 41 Singer Carly ___ Jepsen 44 Revolutionary Guevara 49 Slippery as ___ 50 Pianist Rubinstein 51 Sierra ___ (Guinea neighbor) 52 Duke or earl 54 Wild party, slangily 56 It’s thicker than the fibula 58 Gas for signs 61 Question to Brutus 62 The “S� of iOS: Abbr. 64 Spam producer 65 British Inc.
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SPORTS
Jan. 13-19, 2020 •
5
Beloved mascot returns to OU GEORGE STOIA @GeorgeStoia
Hanging in Mark Rose’s Oklahoma City office is his 1992-93 white, double-zero Oklahoma men’s basketball jersey, the name “Top Daug” written across the back in crimson lettering. The former mascot, who is now a financial adviser, will never forget his lone season as the famous OU basketball mascot, Top Daug. The belly slides. The yanking of his ears from side to side. The taunting of the referees and opposing coaches. The climbing on the top of the rim, rappelling from the scoreboard. And, of course, the games themselves. “It was one of the best years of my life,” Rose said. “I’ll never forget my time as Top Daug.” Now, 16 years after his retirement, Top Daug is making a comeback after the team announced in a social media campaign Monday that he would appear at the Sooners' next home game on Tuesday, Jan. 14 against Kansas. Rose is one of more than a dozen people to have been graced w ith the opportunity of being Top Daug during its over 30 years of existence. The former OU mascot was an icon in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s before being replaced by Boomer and Sooner — costumed versions of the two horses that pull the Sooner Schooner — in 2004. Top Daug was beloved by Sooner Nation, becoming one of the most popular mascots in the university’s 129-year existence. “I love it. I love the idea. When they first took him away — I didn’t want it to change. These stupid horse things, I didn’t even know what that was. It was disappointing,” said Rose, who graduated from OU in 1997. “But now that they’re bringing Top Daug back, I think it’s cool. It’s nostalgia. People came to games year after year, and that was such a representation of school spirit and all the things that went into that. I think it’s great to have him come back and combine the old with the new. There are parents out there that have told their kids about Top Daug, and now they can show them.” Top Daug has become an old campus legend over the years. Many current students, unless they grew up in Norman, don’t know who Top Daug is. But for many longtime OU fans, Top Daug will live in Sooner lore forever. The mascot is associated with some of the most successful years in Oklahoma basketball history. Many
of OU’s fondest basketball memories are paired with Top Daug’s legacy. To f a n s, p l a y e r s a n d coaches alike, Top Daug was more than just a mascot — he was a charismatic character that reflected the personality of an energetic and growing program. “He was different than Boomer and Sooner,” said Doug Kennon, who was a student trainer from 1984 to 1988 and still owns one of the former Top Daug costumes. “He was iconic. We were so great during those years in basketball. There was just a lot of passion around the team and program. “You look back at it now, and it was Billy Tubbs, Wayman Tisdale and Top Daug.” When Tubbs arrived at OU in 1980, the basketball team didn’t have a mascot. But before the 1983 season, that changed. “You couldn’t really put a wagon on the floor,” said Tubbs, now 84 and widely considered OU’s greatest basketball coach in school history. “So it was brought to my attention that we were going to have a dog as a mascot ... And I said, ‘I don’t think it should be named Top Daug because right now we are the underdogs.’ We were really just starting to build up the basketball program.” But “Under Daug” q u i c k l y b e c a m e “ To p Daug” after a few seasons under Tubbs’ leadership, as he turned Oklahoma into one of the best college basketball programs in the country in the late ‘80s. “ I t h ou g ht To p Dau g was a big part of the program while I was at OU,” said Tubbs, now retired and living in Norman. “I thought he added a lot of excitement to the game.
“
It’s no coincidence that the 1987-88 season was also Kenny Evans’ first season as Top Daug. Evans, a mascot aficionado, is regarded as the greatest to ever don the dog’s head. “I still answer to Top Daug more than I answer to Kenny,” Evans said. “I’ll put it that way.” Evans took Top Daug to new heights. He planned skits, dressing up like Elvis and Michael Jacks on while also showing up to campus events unannounced, turning the mascot into an OU celebrity. “For me, I just created a lot of stuff before, during and after the game,” said Evans, who went on to be a mascot for 19 years, most notably as Globie for the Harlem Globetrotters. “I just made it to where children were always being entertained while parents were watching the game, or even parents watching me. People have told me so many times over the years that they were watching me perform when, say, Stacey King made a monster dunk — ‘I missed that dunk because I was watching you.’ I was just out there entertaining, whatever it took.” A f t e r Eva n s’ g ra d u a tion in 1992, Rose took his place. Much like Evans, Rose was a mascot enthusiast. In 1991, dur ing his senior year of high school, he won a national mascot competition, which led him to wanting to continue his mascot career in college. A native of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Rose chose between the two big in-state schools. It was a clear choice in his mind. “I chose to go to OU because of Top Daug. I fig-
You get inside the costume, and you’re a completely different person. Making people laugh has always been a medicine. Laughter has no dialect. You can entertain people all over the world, everyone laughs the same.
-Kenny Evans, former mascot
Of course, I never really watched him because I was coaching, but I know he did a lot of tricks and a lot of fun stuff. He was a part of our team. Everyone really seemed to like and be impressed with Top Daug.” In his 14 seasons at O U, Tu b b s h e l d a 3 3 3 132 re cord and helpe d the Sooners to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four and national championship appearance in 1987-88.
“
Costumed canine will appear in next basketball game
ured Pistol Pete, with the big cowboy head, all you did was stand around and shoot guns,” Rose said. “I figured, well, I could get more crazy with Top Daug. So my college decision was literally the mascot.” Rose has been inspired by Evans’ time as Top Daug and eventually introduced one of the mascot’s most famous tricks: rappelling from the scoreboard. Unfortunately for Rose, due to how much time he spent being a great Top
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KENNY EVANS
Kenny Evans, Top Daug, stands on the rim during an OU basketball game. Evans was Top Daug from 1987 to 1992.
Daug, his grades suffered and forced him to give up the gig after just one season. “ Yo u ’ r e a g r e a t To p Daug,” his parents told him, “but we need you to get your grades up.” Rose went on to graduate with a business degree and continued his mascot career with the Oklahoma C i t y Cav a l r y , a f o r m e r semi-pro basketball team. But not every Top Daug grew up or became a mascot connoisseur. For Zac Stevens, he was just a normal student who loved basketball. Before the 1997-98 season, Stevens had joined the student group “Kelvin’s Crew” named after then-head coach Kelvin Sampson. During one of the preseason exhibitions, Stevens and his friends were approached by then-spirit coordinator Lori Kemmet, who asked if any of them wanted to be Top Daug. Stevens, who grew up a diehard Sooner fan, couldn’t pass up the opp or tunity despite having zero experience as a mascot. He went on to be Top Daug for three straight years before graduating in 2000. Stevens said being Top Daug changed his life, literally, because he met his wife while washing the costume in the bottom of Couch Tower in the spring of 1999. “Being Top Daug has a much bigger impact on my life than I could have ever expected,” said Stevens, who is now an assistant s e n i o r f e l l o w f o r O U ’s Dunham College. “I think
Top Daug was just really energetic. There was just this level of energy. And it really started with Kenny. Back then you had ‘Billy Ball’ and I think Top Daug kind of added to that, and it just left a lasting imprint o n p e o p l e. D u r i n g m y time, we weren’t as highflying or high-scoring, but our football team wasn’t as good, and basketball season kind of served as a rallying point for a lot of our students and fans. It was fun to be a part of that energy in that arena. And we still have it today when we get those big games, you still feel that electricity. “But I think Top Daug, for so many people, is so closely associated with those memories from the '80s and '90s and those games and that intensity.” Stevens returned to OU in 2002 to pursue his master’s. Of course, one of the first people to contact him was Kemmet, who asked him to be Top Daug once again. But this time, he’d be working alongside Evans, the legend himself. B e f o re t h e 2 0 0 2 s e a son, Sampson and his team were coming off a Final Four appearance and hoped to ke ep the m o m e n t u m g o i n g . S o, he and athletic director Joe Castiglione personally asked Evans to return. At 38, Evans came back to Norman and was Top Daug for the mascot’s final two years alongside Stevens, who would do the women’s games while Evans did men’s. “That was neat for me because he was probably the guy I was taking pictures with when I was a
kid,” Stevens said. “He’s the best of them all.” Evans, Rose and Stevens have their favorite moments as Top Daug. For Evans, he’ll never forget being at the national championship game at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, nailing half-court s h o t s a t h a l f t i m e . Fo r Rose, he’ll never forget famous NCAA official Ed Hightower yelling at him during a game at the Lloyd Noble Center for taunting him on the floor. And for Stevens, he’ll never forget OU, a 13 seed, upsetting Arizona, a four seed, in the 1999 NCAA Tournament at Marquette University in Milwaukee. “Everyone remembers a ‘ To p Dau g ’ m o m e nt. Ever yone,” Evans said. “You get inside that costume, and you’re a completely different person. Making people laugh has always been medicine. Laughter has no dialect. You can entertain people all over the world, everyone laughs the same.” The 2003-04 season would be Top Daug’s last. The university wanted a universal mascot for all sports, naming Boomer and Sooner as the school’s official mascots in 2004. Come next Tuesday, Top Daug will make his glorious return. Evans, who now resides in Phoenix and works in sales for a nonprofit, will not be able to make the game. But the Tubbs family, along with Rose and Stevens, all hope to be in attendance at the Lloyd Noble Center. They won’t be alone, as many fans are excited for Top Daug’s return. “I think it’s great. I think they’ve seen how much people care about him,” Stevens said. “There will probably be people who come to the game primarily to see Top Daug. For me, it’s cool. It’s the Kansas game — I was going to go anyways. But I can bring my kid and have him meet Top Daug.” A n d t h i s ye a r ’s t e a m might just need a little Top Daug come Tuesday night, facing No. 3 Kansas. While Top Daug can’t guarantee a big upset for the Sooners on Tuesday, he can help provide energetic and electric crowd at the LNC. “He was as great a mascot as I’ve ever been a r o u n d ,” Tu b b s s a i d . “Everybody loved him. He really became a member of our team and a staple of the program. “I’m glad he’s back. I hope he stays back.” George Stoia
georgestoia@ou.edu
Looking ahead: OU football in 2020 season Riley replaces Hurts, looks to returning talent VIC REYNOLDS @vicareynolds
CALEB MCCOURRY @CalebMac21
After No. 4 Oklahoma’s 63-28 loss to No. 1 LSU in the College Football Playoff, the Sooners’ coaches, players and fans are already gearing up for 2020. The Sooners had a healthy balance of young talent and experienced superstars
this season, and now coach Lincoln Riley will be tasked with replacing some of his best players on offense and defense. Here is a breakdown of what every position may look like to start the new decade:
are freshman Spencer Rattler and redshirt freshman Tanner Mordecai, who Riley said will battle for the starting job in the offseason. Although Mordecai was the second string this year, the general consensus is that Rattler — Rivals.com’s No. 1 ranked quarterback in the class of 2019 — will be Hurts’ OFFENSE heir apparent next year. QUARTERBACK Along with Rattler and Mordecai, Riley signed threeFor the third straight year, star recruit Chandler Morris Riley will have to replace from Dallas. Morris will likely a Heisman Trophy finalist fill the third string role for 2020. under center, as Jalen Hurts finished his final collegiate RUNNING BACK season. The Sooners’ only two returning quarterbacks The running back position
is a bit of a gray area for next season, as the Sooners don’t know exactly what they have coming back right now. Former All-Big 12 selections Kennedy Brooks and Trey Sermon were both eligible to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft, but Brooks has announced he will return to the Sooners. Sermon has not revealed his decision yet. The deadline for players to make their decisions is Jan. 17. Junior Rhamondre Stevenson became the Sooners’ second leading back after Sermon went see BREAKDOWN page 6
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
Freshman tight end Austin Stogner catches a pass during the game against Texas Tech Sept. 28, 2019.
6
SPORTS
• Jan. 13-19, 2020
Grinch could be one-and-done Defensive head linked to job at Washington State CALEB MCCOURRY @CalebMac21
B a c k i n O c t o b e r, Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley addressed first-year defensive coordinator Alex Grinch's success, but he couldn't do it without talking about what's obvious about young, up-andcoming coaches: Grinch would be able to take the helm of a team one day. "There's no doubt in my mind that if that is what he wants to do, then he'd be a very good head coach," Riley said. Grinch would say a few hours later that, at that point in his career, he's just happy to be at Oklahoma. But with M=ike Leach officially becomi n g Mi s s i s s i p p i S t a t e' s head coach on Thursday, Washington State — where Grinch was defensive coordinator from 2015 to 2017 — is up for grabs, and Grinch's name may come into consideration. "(Being a head coach is) something I've always thought about, and I think a l o t o f c o a c h e s have, " Grinch said on the subject in October. "I think at this stage, I'm just thrilled to be at Oklahoma, to run a defense, to run a room. To have a title next to your
BREAKDOWN: continued from page 5
down with a season-ending injury in November. Stevenson was suspended for the Peach Bowl loss and may be suspended into next season, as Riley gave no clear timetable for his return. If Sermon bolts for the NFL, Stevenson would be presumed the second back when he returns from suspension. Sophomore T.J. Pledger and freshman Marcus Major will both return in the backfield, along with four-star recruit Seth McG owan. If Sermon leaves and Stevenson’s suspension lasts through five games as speculated, those three may see opportunities to step up for Riley.
name or a seat at the head of the table doesn't really interest me." Grinch, 39, already has a strong resume for being a one-and-done at Oklahoma. He led the Sooners' defense from No. 101 in total defense in the nation in 2018 to No. 38 at the end of the 2019 season — even reaching as high at No. 21 — in the span of
a year. He's created a new culture on Riley's defensive side of the ball, implementing "Speed D," a type of aggressive attack that focuses on going for the ball and creating turnovers. He had a similar amount of success at Washington State, where he led Leach's defense from a No. 97 total defense ranking all the way to No. 16 in three seasons.
Grinch is part of blue blood coaching trees, coaching under Leach, former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and now Riley. If he were to part ways with the Sooners to go to Pullman, Washington, Riley has already made the case for his capability. "He's a really good leader. He's very passionate about the game. I think
he's continuing to grow as a coach and has done well at several different stops," Riley said back in October. "He does a good job communicating with the kids and with our defensive staff." Grinch signed a contract with the Sooners that guaranteed him $1.4 million in his first season. If Grinch were to stay, he'd receive a
$100,000 stay bonus on May 1. He is set to receive a 5 percent bonus for winning the Big 12 Championship, an 8 percent bonus for competing in the College Football Playoff and a 3 percent bonus for the Sooners winning at least seven games.
set the Texas high school record for career receiving yards, and he has the potential to be an immediate contributor.
Humphrey. The undisputed best player and leader of the unit was eligible to head to the NFL, but he announced he was returning to the Sooners on Jan. 10. The only guaranteed key contributor to be leaving is senior R.J. Proctor, who appeared in 12 of Oklahoma’s games this year. The rest of the line will look largely the same, as right tackle Adrian Ealy, right guard Tyrese Robinson, left guard Marquise Hayes and left tackle Erik Swenson will all be back. Along with them are younger players like Brey Walker and Stacey
big part of OU’s pressure up front. The good news for Sooner fans is there’s a good amount of talent returning — veteran and young. Names like defensive end Ronnie Perkins and defensive tackle Jalen Redmond will not be draft-eligible yet, and if LaRon Stokes stays another year, he’ll be another familiar face on OU’s pass rush. But what makes next season interesting for the defensive line is that Perkins was suspended along with Stevenson and Bridges. The official timetable for his
of Houston — played in all 14 games as a true freshman. He could especially be a big part of next season’s pass rush effort.
season, and Chanse Sylvie, who is entering his redshirt senior season. Freshman Jamal Morris could possibly get some snaps, along with the Sooners bringing in two safeties from the 2020 recruit class. One of those recruits is Bryson Washington, a four-star who is ranked the No. 14 safety on Rivals.com. Junior Brendan “Bookie” Radley-Hiles, a former fivestar corner coming out of high school, played a big role in the nickelback position for Grinch, and will be a seasoned vet going into the 2020 season for that position.
TIGHT END Riley didn’t use the tight end in 2019 as much as he did in his first few years in Norman, as starter Grant Calcaterra retired from football midseason due to repeated concussions. With Calcaterra gone, the only tight end on the roster is freshman Austin Stogner, who was one of the most highly recruited at the po-
WIDE RECEIVER Maybe the biggest loss on the Sooners’ offense going into 2020 will be wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Although just a junior, Lamb will likely be a first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft. Along with Lamb’s departure, Nick Basquine and Lee Morris will graduate and Mykel Jones entered the transfer portal in December. Fortunately, Riley has an array of young talent waiting in the wings at wide receiver. Redshirt sophomore Charleston Rambo flashed the potential to be a legitimate go-to guy in early parts of the season, and he is the leading candidate to be the Sooners’ top target next year. Freshmen Theo Wease Jr., Jadon Haselwood and Trejan Bridges — all former five-star recruits — also showed promise at various points early in their first year. However, Bridges is in the same boat as Stevenson with a suspension, so it is unclear as to when he’ll be available in 2020. Along with Rambo and the returning freshmen, Riley landed graduate transfer Theo Howard from UCLA, who reeled in 119 passes and nine touchdowns for the Bruins in his career. Also watch out for fourstar recruit Marvin Mims out of Frisco, Texas. Mims
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
OU defensive coordinator Alex Grinch during the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 28, 2019.
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
The OU defense tackles the ball carrier during the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 28, 2019.
Wilkins, both highly touted prospects who saw snaps this year. Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh also landed four four-star 2020 prospects in Andrew Raym, Anton Harrison, Noah Nelson and FULLBACK Nate Anderson, but he rareR e d s h i r t s o p h o m o r e ly plays true freshmen, so Jeremiah Hall and sopho- don’t expect any of them to more Brayden Willis split play significantly next year. time at fullback throughout 2019, and both were DEFENSE productive all season. With both returning in 2020, DEFENSIVE LINE Sooner fans can expect the duo to continue to split fullThis unit is probably the back duties going forward. most up in the air on the defense, but it also has a lot of OFFENSIVE LINE potential. Redshirt senior tackles Neville Gallimore T h e b i g g e s t q u e s - a n d Ma rq u i s e O v e r t o n tion on the offensive line played their last college was the status of redshirt football game in the Peach sophomore center Creed Bowl, and the two were a sition in the class of 2019. Stogner’s 6-foot-7 frame and ball skills give him unlimited potential, and this position is likely his going forward.
suspension has not been confirmed, but should he miss five games as speculated, it would be a blow to the Sooner pass rush. Those first five games also include Texas on Oct. 10. Luckily for the Sooners, in his absence there are a few names that can fill in. Isaiah Thomas, who will be going into his redshirt junior season, has been under the radar this season. He’s played in 11 games and has tallied seven tackles — two in the Peach Bowl. The Sooners also landed a big signature from the No. 1 JUCO recruit per Rivals. com, Perrion Winfrey, from Iowa Western Community College. Sophomore defensive end Marcus Stripling — a former four-star recruit out
LINEBACKERS With Kenneth Murray leaving for the NFL Draft a n d C a l e b Ke l l y b e i n g healthy, next season’s linebacker squad is going to look a little different. Murray has been a leader on OU’s defense for three years, and he was a tremendous part of changing the culture of the defense under first-year defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. Murray’s absence will be felt. But the future is bright for this unit, and linebackers coach Brian Odom has a lot to work with. Since Kelly hasn’t played in more than four matches, he’ll be able to take the redshirt and pick up where he left off after suffering a torn ACL before the 2019 season. There’s a silver lining to not making the national championship, because imagine how hard it would be to decide between either burning your redshirt eligibility by playing your fifth game of the season or sitting out to have another season. Sooner fans should be happy he’s getting a fresh start. Nik Bonitto will likely compete with Kelly for the outside linebacker position. He’s had a big year with his 43 tackles, 3.5 sacks and an interception. DaShaun White is another critical part of the defense returning next season. He’s tallied 51 tackles and a sack.
SAFETIES
Caleb McCourry
caleb.a.mccourry-1@ou.edu
CORNERBACKS For the corners, all eyes will be on who replaces Parnell Motley, one of OU’s most trusted cornerbacks for four years. Tre Brown will be entering his senior season, and he has 40 tackles while also having 411 yards on kick returns. As of right now, it’s safe to say Jaden Davis is the lead candidate. He’s tallied 26 total tackles and an interception, and he has shown ability to make big plays in various points throughout the season. Another young name is Woodi Washington, a former four-star and the No. 7 corner of the 2019 class, per Rivals.com. In five games this season, Washington has tallied 16 tackles, which includes 10 in the Peach Bowl.
SPECIAL TEAMS Gabe Brkic is perfect. He made all 69 of his place kick attempts — 52 PATs and 17 field goals — this season, while also making six field goals that are 32 yards or longer. His season-long is from 50 yards. He is, and will continue to be, one of Riley’s most reliable weapons. Reeves Mundschau will be going into his redshirt junior season after completing his first season as OU’s starting punter.
The biggest thing here is that Patrick Fields and Delarrin Turner-Yell will be returning, and they’ve been making big plays all year. The two have a combined 139 tackles and already have veteran experience, which is huge for the second year of OU’s new defense under Grinch. T h e r e ’s a l s o a g o o d amount of depth, both coming in and already being developed. Sooner fans will Vic Reynolds victor.reynolds@ou.edu most likely get to see more of Jeremiah Criddell, a former four-star recruit who played Caleb McCourry in only three games this caleb.a.mccourry-1@ou.edu