Friday, Oct. 7, 2022

Brooks takes Stillwater, take two

team. OSU has been working to resched ule this opportunity for students and has set Oct. 25 as the day Garth returns.

Abby Cage Co-Editor-in-Chief

Garth Brooks has always wanted to return to Stillwa ter, and now he is.

Starting on Stillwater’s famous strip in Willies Saloon, Garth Brooks proved he had outgrown the humble town in Oklahoma and went on to be a number one recording artist in country music after his graduation in 1984.

Almost 40 years after his grad uation, he is coming back to OSU for a rescheduling of a Q&A mentorship seminar with aspir ing musicians.

This semi nar was originally scheduled for March of this year, but was canceled due to inclimate weather and travel dangers for Brooks and his

While at school, Brooks was on the track and field team throw ing javelin for OSU. Brooks started out his music career playing evening spots at Willies Saloon and Tumble weed on his nights off as a bouncer at Tumbleweed.

Brooks spent time at Willies saloon dreaming about being as big as artists like Don McLean who sings “American Pie” or Billy Joel who sings “Piano Man.”

“You ended the night at Willie’s with ‘Piano Man’ or ‘You Never Even Called Me by My Name’ or ‘Ameri can Pie’ and you think, ‘man, how cool would it be to be associated with one of these kind of songs?’” Brooks told The O’Colly

Emergency shortage

Vet hospital battles staffing issues, emergency services

Mike Schoonover, the interim director of OSU’s vet hospital, and his team are low on support. The numbers are simply not there.

The all-day service reduced to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. about a year ago, Schoonover said.

Adam Engel Co-Editor-in-Chief

Calling all veterinarians. OSU needs you. Pet owners need you.

At the Boren Veterinary Medi cal Hospital, employees can’t save a pet’s life in the middle of the night. It’s 24-hour emergency room, once a major marketing point, died.

“In order for us to make sure that we’re gonna be able to provide the best care that we can for the pa tients that we actually see, we came to the conclusion that to do that, we’re gonna have to limit the number of emergencies that we could see,” he said.

The shortages caused the hos pital to drop its oncology and small animal internal medicine depart

ments. Potential employees aren’t in terested. There’s a difference between a private practice vet and one at a teaching hospital.

Vets at a teaching hospital must balance research and teaching duties while private practice vets don’t have extra obligations.

A lot of vets jump from teach ing hospitals in favor of other oppor tunities.

“We have not cut any posi tions,” Schoonover said. “We are advertising for positions in all of

Hurricane Ian puts college life on hold

Bella Casey Staff Reporter

Hurricane Ian brought college life to a halt for students across Florida.

Ian’s 150mph winds and large rain totally destroyed homes, powerlines and trees. Campuswide power outages and flooded lecture rooms forced colleges to cancel class, and in some cases, advise students to evacuate.

For many students, this was their first face-to-face encounter with a hurricane.

“It was a crazy experience just walking outside and feel ing the wind and seeing the wind break the trees in front of my eyes,” Malik Turner, a junior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Uni versity, said.

The hurricane left EmbryRiddle campus and the city of Daytona, Florida, in disarray. Campus palm trees suffered from the high winds and one-story buildings were at risk for flooding. Campus buildings and dorms lost power.

The Daytona Speedway, located half a mile from Embry-

Riddle campus, accommodated the arrival of out of state linemen by allowing them to park their trucks at the speedway.

The parking lots and roads surrounding campus were sub merged in knee-deep water, con fining Daytona residents to their homes or apartments.

“I tried to get out but I couldn’t drive out, so I had to be brave,” Turner said. “I put some boots on and walked the streets. At one point I just put on swim trunks.”

Power outages and flooding pushed Embry-Riddle to cancel all classes starting Sept. 28 and resume classes on Oct. 3.

Not all students were satisfied with how late Embry-Riddle chose to hold class.

“I’m gonna be honest with you, Monday and Tuesday, students’ minds were not at it.” Turner said.

“People were already leaving that Tuesday.”

As an aeronautical university, Embry-Riddle is responsible for evacuating more than just students.

All Diamond DA-42 planes were flown to Georgia to avoid the hur ricane.

Karlie Boothe

Staff shortages put the OSU Boren Veterinary Medical Hospital in a position to reduce its emergency hours and drop two departments.

Courtesy of OSU Communications Garth Brooks is returning to Stillwater for a mentorship Q&A session at The McKnight Center about the music industry.

by Kendall Mcgee

Doctor Amore

In college,

amount

So let’s find love.

I’m here to help, beginning a new weekly column in The O’Colly.

purpose of the column: to help those seeking

complexity that humans

love.

to offer.

greatest

We are all seeking it in one form or another. We’ve all daydreamed about the stranger walking across the street, or sitting encapsulated from a crush’s laugh hoping they would confess mutual feelings.

Life is not like “When Harry Met Sally” or “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” People and interactions are much more complex. My job is to help you find something similar to those films, something tangible.

I wish to give you the moment of staring up at the stars with some body you love while eating Ben & Jerry’s... or slow dancing together in the kitchen to jazz music.

Those moments and feelings are my goal for you.

I’ve seen and experienced the spectrum that love has to offer. And, now it’s time to pay it forward and help you, the students of OSU.

So bring your questions, scenarios or dilemmas and I’ll offer advice.

To consult Doctor Amore, email entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Keep loving,

Assistant

Remembering Loretta Lynn

The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate the life of Loretta Lynn with a live show Saturday night, featuring visits from fellow Opry members. Lynn, a country music icon, who died on Tuesday at 90, was a member of the Opry for 60 years. The Grand Old Opry will live stream and radio broadcast the show.

The

Does dec size reduction still mean America’s Greatest Homecoming?

Kennedy Thomason Staff Reporter

The famous house decorations that teams of sororities and fraternities on Greek Row create during America’s Greatest Homecoming, presented by the OSU Alumni Association, will be reduced by about 2,500 cubic feet this year.

“The modest reduction in size, which is just barely over 10%, was done in response to ongoing concerns ex pressed by participants regarding the time and costs required to prepare a house dec while still being sensitive to creating something that the chapters and university community can be proud of,” Shelby Roberts, director of university engagement, said.

This decision was announced during the director’s training meeting on Jan. 25. The announcement was met with some pushback and a petition from some chapters to keep the original dec

size. This attempt was somewhat suc cessful and resulted in a lesser reduction in size.

“We were notified of the dec size being raised from the initial reduced size of 18,000 cubic feet to 21,000 cubic feet on March 7,” Jill Remington, the community director for the Alpha Omicron Pi and Pi Kappa Alpha house dec, said.

Roberts shared some history and facts regarding old dec sizes from previ ous years.

“For historical context, the maxi mum measurements of house decs went up 12,800 cubic feet from Homecoming 2016 to Homecoming 2017,” Roberts said. “The current maximum house dec size is significantly larger than house decs have been in recent history, and this is not the first time a house dec maximum measurement has been changed.”

The plans for house decs are cre ated months before the pomping process begins. The effects of this reduction were not clear initially.

“For us, they didn’t impact it much at all,” Remington shared. “Other chapters have pre-made concrete holes in their grounds, so it affected them way more than us. Pike doesn’t have those so we can put the dec wherever we want.”

The main concern for OSU fans with a decrease in the allotted size of the house decs was if OSU would be able to uphold its reputation as “Ameri ca’s Greatest Homecoming.”

When asked if the Greek com munity would be able to participate in Homecoming with the same magnitude as in previous years, Remington agreed.

“Absolutely,” she said. “I person ally think it will benefit us all in the long run. The decs will be smaller but our chapters will benefit from not hav ing to dedicate as much time and money into the dec.”

Another potential problem created was disappointment in the participating chapters’ ability to contribute to Home coming.

“I don’t think we were disap pointed,” Remington said. “I wished the

Greek chapters could have had more of a say on the reduction of allotted hours and dec size. But because of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs lowering pomping maximum hours, I know that it was what had to be done for us to be able to complete the dec. In addition to that, we’re now spending quite a bit less money to complete the dec so that is a huge plus.”

Roberts reiterated that “Home coming and its policies for students who are involved, will continue to evolve and function with the goal of protecting students’ time, well-being and resources being of the utmost importance.”

Students and alumni will have the final say in if they think this year’s Homecoming will live up to its reputa tion.

For more information on Home coming and its festivities, visit orange connection.org and click on the “Home coming” dropdown tab.

Mallory

Q&A with Opportunity Orange Scholars

Rebekah Cleary

Opportunity Orange Scholars hosted its first open house this past Friday.

Students, families, faculty, donors and Pistol Pete joined in celebrating the beginning of this new chapter in OSU history. Opportunity Orange Scholars is a program dedicated to giving educa tional opportunities to those with intel lectual disability, giving them tools for an interdependent, successful life.

In her introduction to the evening, Jennifer Jones, faculty founder of the organization, spoke about her feelings toward the event.

“As I look around this room, I am filled with gratitude,” Jones said.

Gratitude is the perfect word to describe the feeling in the air during the event. Introducing this program to campus has given students, families and the entire Cowboy family reason to be grateful.

Jon Peterson, Dean of the OSU College of Education and Human Sci ences, remarked about the impact the scholars have already left in their short time on campus.

“We learn more from them than they learn from us,” he said.

The scholars said they were ex cited to share about their experience in the program and at OSU.

Q: How do your academic part ners help you throughout the week?

“They help me with my homework

and getting to the places I need to be,” Kaden said.

“Dalen helps me make sure my work is finished on time and my sen tences sound good,” Maggie said.

Q: What is your favorite class this semester?

“So far, my favorite class is Relationships 101,” Kaden said. “It has taught me how to have relationships, especially with my family.”

Q: Where is your go-to place to eat on campus? What do you order?

“I love eating at Chick-fil-A and getting the nuggets,” Kaden said.

“I like to eat at B&B, Co. and Noodle U in North Dining,” Maggie said.

“I like Road Trip Pizza,” Jasmine said. “I always get pepperoni pizza and mac-n-cheese.”

Q: What is your favorite thing you’ve done on campus?

“I loved going to Picklefest and Drag Bingo,” Maggie said.

“I love going to the football games with my friends,” Jasmine stated.

“I like going to the Colvin and playing basketball with my friends,” Kaden said. “It’s a fun place to hang out.”

Q: What is the best thing you’ve gotten to do with Opportunity Or ange Scholars?

“I got to meet Spencer Sanders and the entire football team,” Kaden stated.

“I got to hangout with President Shrum,” Maggie said.

Q: What are your dreams and goals after college? Who inspired

The soul of blues Guy to perform at McKnight Center

out,” Clapton said when inducting Guy into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “He stood out in the mix, simply by vir tue of the originality and vitality of his playing.”

Mallory Pool News Editor

This is the moment music fans have been waiting for.

American blues guitarist and singer George “Buddy” Guy plays at Stillwater’s own McKnight Center for the Performing Arts on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Guy has influenced generations of blues mu sicians including artists such as Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer and Eric Clapton.

Clapton has de scribed Guy as the “best guitar player alive” and his achievements reflect that statement.

Guy has won eight Grammy Awards, ranked 23rd in Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and many other honors such as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, National Medal of Arts and Kennedy Center Honors.

“No matter how great the song, or performance, my ear would always find him

Guy’s music style is often labeled Chicago blues, but his foundation goes deeper. His sound is more unique and separate than most tra ditional Chicago blues artists. His playing can vary from the deepest, most traditional blues music to a creative and unpredictable combina tion of blues, rock, soul and jazz that varies with his performances.

No two videos of Guy playing are alike. His sound is something that students will want to hear this Friday eve ning.

Guy’s latest album, The Blues Don’t Lie showcases his raw and unique sound. The 16-track album has a mix of styles that any blues fan, whether a new listener or seasoned veteran, can enjoy.

“I’m always trying to make an album that someone accidentally plays where some kid hears it, picks up a gui tar and helps keep the blues alive,” Guy said.

The concert is part of the McKnight Center’s pep rally event

series with ticket pack ages that Devon Energy will sponsor. Attendees can enjoy a pre perfor mance tailgate party on the outdoor plaza with food trucks such as Blue J’s Rockin’ and Rol lin’ Grill and The Spud Truck.

Special guests for the event also include OSU’s game day host Les Thomas, the OSU men’s basketball team, the Cowboy Marching Band, Pistol Pete and BB, the miniature horse.

Here’s a lineup for the evening:

5:00 p.m. - 4th Avenue Parking Garage opens for McKnight Center guests and food trucks open.

6:15 p.m. - Pep Rally entertainment begins on the Plaza.

7:00 p.m. - Perfor mance Hall doors open.

7:30 p.m. - Buddy Guy concert begins in the Performance Hall for ticketed guests, live concert simulcast begins on the Plaza.

For more informa tion regarding the pep rally series, tickets for the Buddy Guy concert and general information, please visit mcknight center.org.

you?

“I want to become a coach for my favorite football or basketball team,” Kaden told The O’Colly. “My mom and the manager of the Kansas City Chiefs

inspired me. That’s my favorite team, and I got to meet the manager.”

‘Chainsaw Man’

The next big anime

Baylor Bryant Staff Reporter

The top contender for anime of the year is coming out in a few days.

“Chainsaw Man” is an action, comedy, horror manga that is an experience unlike any thing else. In the genre itself, “Chainsaw Man” balances its horror and comedic elements well, giving all kinds of read ers a good experience. Paired along with breath taking action sequences, the manga never has a dull moment.

“Chainsaw Man” was the seventh high est selling manga series in 2021 with more than 5.2 million copies sold. This is most impres sive considering the six manga ahead of Chain saw Man have already had anime adaptations, thus boosting their sales. “Chainsaw Man” saw higher sales in 2021 than “Haikyuu,” the highest selling sports manga of

the year, which already had four seasons of an anime adapted.

So what makes “Chainsaw Man” stand out amongst other topselling manga?

Chainsaw Man’s unique twist on exist ing shounen tropes, its wacky yet sometimes horrifying cast of char acters, and the overall pretty outrageous events that occur in the manga make “Chainsaw Man” stand out.

The main gimmick of “Chainsaw Man” is that everyday fears exist in the form of devils. This could be as simple as a fear of bats creat ing the bat devil, or even deeper fears such as darkness, hunger, or even the idea of being controlled are their own sentient creatures. The characters in the manga sign contracts with certain devils to gain their powers, thus being able to fend off malicious devils.

“Chainsaw Man” follows the story of Denji, a young man who

makes a contract with a devil who grants him the ability to transform his body parts into chain saws. With these powers, Denji joins a group of devil-hunting humans to exterminate the evils of the world.

“Chainsaw Man” shares some similarities to anime such as “Tokyo Ghoul,” “Jujutsu Kaisen” and “Parasyte.” So if you are fans of any of those, “Chainsaw Man” could be the perfect anime for you.

Mappa Studios, the same company that ani mated “Jujutsu Kaisen,” is adapting the anime. “Jujutsu Kaisen” won best action in 2021. This gives high hopes for the adaptation of “Chainsaw Man,” with the trailer also looking very prom ising.

“Chainsaw Man” will have 12 episodes in its first season and the first episode will premiere Tuesday on Crunchyroll.

Courtesy of Chainsaw Man’s Instagram

“Chainsaw Man” will premiere Tuesday on Crunchyroll.

Rebekah Cleary

Scholar Kaden and Pistol Pete share in celebrating the beginning of a new chapter in OSU history.

news/Lifestyle

‘Hocus Pocus 2’ review

Unfortunately, the university did not act quickly enough to evacuate the remaining planes.

“They only took the diamonds to Georgia,” Turner said. “They waited too long to decide and couldn’t find hotel rooms for the Cessnas. Those were stored in local hangars instead. The school could have done things earlier, not just waited and waited and waited. Cancelling class earlier would have al lowed for more students and planes to evacu ate campus or prepare more adequately for the incoming hurricane.”

Though classes resumed, some students are still struggling to return to class because of flight cancellations. Many professors have moved exams to weeks later in the semester to provide students with extra time to readjust after the hurricane.

“It was crazy to see how the wind and Mother Nature can affect a city like that,” said Turner.

As Florida heals from the affects of Hur ricane Ian, students must pursue a new state of normalcy, too. Whether it’s returning to class or simply regaining power, students, and Florida, will find a way to get through this.

The lovable Sand erson sisters are back on our screens.

About 30 years ago, “Hocus Pocus” gave us the trio of the memorable Salem witches who created chaos all throughout Halloween night after the Black Flame Candle resurrected them. With “Hocus Pocus 2,” the candle does its magic once more in the sequel. “Hocus Pocus 2” is a sequel that has taken long enough to introduce an entire new generation to the wonderful wacky world of Halloween Witchery.

Director Anne Fletcher does a good job with the film. It has a great blend of the 1993 framework while still having a modern feel to the film. There’s no doubt that this movie is one that takes place in the modern time. The screenplay from Jen

D’Angelo blends the nostalgia with a story the younger and new generation viewers can enjoy. There are several parts of the story that bring back the origi nal movie in new and creative ways while still giving the three sisters some more ground to cover in their arcs.

Becca, who Whit ney Peak plays, goes to the local witchcraft store to pick up some supplies and ultimately get the story going. Like any regular teenage child, Becca decides to cel ebrate her 16th birthday in the only way she knows how. Heading to the woods with her best friend Izzy, who Belissa Escobedo plays. Hijinks and Witchcraft ensue as Becca and Izzy summon the Sanderson sisters after an honest mistake which, allows them to escape onto the town.

This time is differ ent for the sisters. Given that it has been about 30 years since they were last seen, the sisters have become more than

a tale but more Hallow een legends. When you blend that new twist and the technology aspect of it for them, “Hocus Po cus” becomes an inter esting and funny story that definitely benefits being set in 2022.

Ultimately, this is a story about sisterhood and with the new trio of characters, Becca, Izzy and Cassie the parallel between them and the witches may be a bit too obvious. Still, it works well and helps the heart of the film. The stakes in the film aren’t high even when they may want to be given the kid friendly nature. Howev er, the Halloween spirit is all there and will have the film being rewatched near Oct. 30.

“Hocus Pocus 2” is a good sequel that builds upon the original in clever ways while making interesting new characters and expand ing on the titular ones.

His alma mater pays tribute to him during each football game mak ing his dream come true, as “Friends in Low Places” echoes through Boone Pickens Stadium at the end of each third quarter. His songs are also popular on the playlists at each bar on The Strip each night.

Brooks will once again grace the stage at OSU as he shares his mu sic industry knowledge in the McK night Center.

“The things that I’m proudest of, other than my children and being married to the love of my life, would have to be that I’m an Oklahoma State Cowboy,” Brooks said.

Brooks will be doing three different sessions in this Industry Insights Seminar. The first is “The Three Steps of Artistry: Songwriting,

Recording, and Entertaining.”

Session two is titled “Beyond the Performance: Social Media in the Entertainment Industry.”

The final session is “Music as a Business: From Record Labels to Management.”

Registration is open to currently enrolled OSU students. Students must bring a valid student ID and ticket for admission into the session they wish to attend. To register online, go to slate.okstate.edu/register/industry-

insights_garth-brooks

“If you think there is any want to be in this business, that is a class you want to be in,” Brooks said in a video announcing the kick off this se ries originally in March of this year. “And why Oklahoma State Univer sity? Because it’s the greatest damn university on this planet.”

Disney Enterprises

From left, Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy reprise their roles as the Sanderson Sisters in “Hocus Pocus 2.”

Courtesy of Tribune

Scenes of the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Florida.

Jaden Besteda Staff Reporter

Cowboys United campaign shows importance of mental health

Jaycee Hampton Staff Reporter

Cowboys United is OSU’s new online fundraising campaign that ad dresses student’s pressing needs.

The online fundraising event fo cus will change annually, but this year is putting a spotlight on mental health.

Funds raised will be used to strengthen and expand existing mental health services such as free counsel ing sessions and other new resources for the Cowboy community on each OSU campus. Every donation will be matched dollar for dollar up to $60,000.

Robert Owens, one of the vice presidents of campaigns for OSU Stu

dent Foundation, spoke about the pur pose of Cowboys United and an event taking place to raise awareness.

“We at the foundation has cre ated an initiative called Cowboys United,” Owens told The O’Colly. “We have partnered with SGA and Active Minds on this initiative. Here we are fundraising money to support various mental health resources around cam pus. We will be doing this from Oct. 8-12, where there will be a ‘walk the block’ celebration the evening of Oct. 12, open to everyone. This is to cel ebrate the time period of money raised for mental health and all the hard work everyone has done to help make this a success.”

Corrin Conner, a junior at OSU majoring in psychology, said she’s pas sionate about the importance of mental well-being and having available resources for everyone.

“As a college stu dent, I think that mental health is important be cause it determines how we live our lives and, in some cases, how well we perform in college classes,” she said. “It is important to keep our selves mentally healthy so we can be the best versions of ourselves for ourself.”

Being a college student can be challeng ing, and there are many factors that can cause difficulties in everyday life. Everybody de serves to receive help without judgement or ridicule.

“I think there is a huge negative stereo

type around those who treat their men tal health and seek support,” Conner said. “I think this plays a monumental role in determining whether or not a person would want to get help and risk being placed within that stereotype. I believe that if mental health services and help was more widely offered, ac cepted and sought after, I think more people would feel encouraged to try it.”

OSU is working to better its sup port systems and break these negative stereotypes surrounding mental health, and the community should know about these opportunities to receive help.

“If a person were to come to me and ask advice about seeking mental health help, I would highly recommend therapy and other services,” Conner said. “They have been very beneficial

to me and worth considering. I had not heard of Cowboys United until now, but I will consider using these resources. I am thankful Oklahoma State is taking mental health seriously and giving us students a chance to better ourselves mentally.”

Mental health services are an increasing priority nationwide, espe cially on OSU campuses. OSU wants to make sure students are protected and are able to receive the help they need and deserve.

Cowboys United will be tak ing donations until Wednesday. If you would like to donate or read additional information about Cowboys United, visit giveorange.osugiving.com.

“ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be stead fast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

(1 Co.15:58 NKJ)

Just about everything in this life is tempo rary. Yet, most people work very hard to have a pleasant few years in their lifetime. I would like to remind the true Christians that God is offering us an eternity of bless ing as we serve him and his purposes now.

In 1 Co.15 the Apostle Paul is reminding these believers of Christ’s resurrection and how true and real it was. He continues by emphasizing the sure promise of God that we are going to share in that resurrec tion one day. We will have a new, eternal body like Jesus has now. As we help in the work of God, furthering his kingdom;

demonstrating the love of God in blessing and serving others; as you and I get involved with helping missionary work, even going to help in short term mission trips or providing finances for others to go, we are laying up treasure in heaven “where moths cannot corrupt and thieves cannot steal.”

Actually, this kingdom of God, with forgive ness of all our sins and a new relationship with God as our Father, is offered to all mankind. If you have never opened your heart to Christ, asking for a clean heart and a new life; the door is open wide for you to come. You will not be turned away. Then you too can begin to live for the eternal: laying up treasure in Heaven. I en courage all to consider these words, no matter your age, and choose the best and most satisfying life. It is a life following Christ as your Lord, and going for God’s best in eternity. It is a great and sure future!

Courtesy of OSU Foundation

Mental

Shortage...

our specialties where we’re short team members. We just don’t have the candidates applying that we need.”

Schoonover said that with the proper workforce, the 24-hour emer gency room along with the oncology and internal medicine departments can return.

This leaves customers taking their pets to Oklahoma City and Tulsa if Stillwater private practices cannot provide the service. Potential business missed.

Nathan Montgomery, a junior pre vet student at Langston University, said he sees the impact in Edmond.

He works at the The Visiting Veterinarian in Edmond with hopes of attending the OSU vet school for his graduate studies. The business used to refer afterhours patients to the OSU vet hospital in case of emergencies.

Now, that’s gone. Instead, the Visiting Veterinarian refers patients to BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital, an Oklahoma City location of a chain operation. Montgomery said he noticed a major decrease in the number of referrals.

Some referrals still go to the OSU vet hospital for special surgeries. Emer gencies are different.

“The referral happens for after hours things,” Montgomery said. “So anytime a dog gets hit by a car after we’re closed and they call the clinic

phone, they would get a message that says, ‘Here’s the number for Blue Pearl.’”

Still, the situation isn’t isolated to OSU.

“Some of our other non-academic specialty hospitals are not taking cases simply because they don’t have the staff and the resources to provide that care,” Schoonover said. “It is very frustrating for all of us to sometimes not know and not be able to know where to send them or what kind of care they’re gonna get.”

At Colorado State University, the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital does not accept small animal and urgent care 24-hour emergency patients because of “extreme staffing shortages.” Ohio State’s vet hospital is only open from 8 a.m. to midnight for emergencies.

Schoonover said he didn’t have an exact number of potential cases that his hospital missed because of the shortage.

“We don’t feel like it’s fair to be open to see emergencies if we’re not gonna be able to a good job and have appropriate care for those patients based on the shortages we have,” he said.

The definition of an emergency can also be subjective. Some cases aren’t true emergencies.

“There are a lot of those that probably do wait until the following morning to bring them in so we’re not necessarily missing out on that case,” Schoonover said. “Maybe it does give a little anxiety to that client wondering what is gonna happen between midnight and 8 a.m.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

HIMALAYAN GROCERY STORE

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s has deep meaning with OSU students

Abby Cage Co-Editor-in-Chief

More than 600 com munities with hundreds of participants join in a national walk to fund raise finding a cure for Alzheimer’s yearly.

The largest fund raiser for Alzheimer’s care has a group walking in Couch Park here in Stillwater Saturday.

One of the par ticipants, OSU student Jonathan Foster, spoke with The O’Colly about his reasoning for joining the walk.

“My dad was diag nosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2010 at the age of 50,” Foster said. “I was in the 5th grade, my older brother Nicholas was a freshman in high school and my little sister Victoria was in the 3rd grade.”

With this diagnosis, Jonathan’s father, also a graduate of OSU, lost his job years before he was to retire, along with insur ance and the families income.

“Our lives were im mediately turned upside down with no real direc tion as to how to begin to put the pieces back together,” Foster said.

Human Develop ment and Family Science Club president MacKen zie Jones is also partici pating in the walk, for the fourth time. MacKenzie has had multiple family members die from Al

zheimer’s disease.

“Two of my uncles and my great grandmoth er all had Alzheimer’s disease and ultimately died due to complications from the disease, so I have always been driven to help this organization,” Jones said.

According to Mayo Clinic, Alzheimer’s disease is a “progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to die.”

Symptoms include memo ry loss, difficulty organiz ing thoughts and thinking they are living in a differ ent reality of their life. It affects between 60-70% of the nearly six million Americans living with dementia, and is the most severe memory impair ment.

“I remember how strange I felt when I started to learn to drive at age 15 but my dad could no longer drive because of Alzheimer’s,” Foster said. “It was the first major thing that made me realize that my dad’s mind was functioning be low that of a high school student, and it was only going to get worse.”

“I only truly saw my Uncle Bob go through the entire process,” Jones said. “He quickly became non-verbal and would easily become fixated on something to the point that he would pull my aunt around to try to get to it. After he began wan

dering off, she put him in a long -term care facility, where he lived for nearly seven years.”

Jonathan and his family lost their dad in March of 2020. They have been participating in the walk in Oklahoma City for over six years. This is Jonathan’s second time in the Stillwater walk.

“I missed the fatherson relationship we once had,” Foster said. “I longed for the security of his guidance and support. However, in caring for my dad I learned the value of patience, tenderness, humor, and unconditional love.

“I learned the importance of just being together even if you never say a word and that God’s love can be found in all circumstances. I realize that while I missed who my dad had been, he still taught me some of life’s most important lessons.”

The walk has been important to Jonathan as a reminder he and his family are not alone as a caretaker of some one with Alzheimer’s. MacKenzie hopes to see a strong support from vari ous community members to bring support in this Alzheimer’s Association Mission.

“I just hope to see joy in knowing that no one is ever alone in their struggle,” Jones said.

Karlie Boothe

The OSU Boren Veterinary Medical Hospital no longer boasts a small animal internal medicine depart ment, an oncology department and a 24-hour emergency service.

Patching food needs

Volunteer at the pumpkin patch to get in the Halloween spirit

Isaac Terry Staff Reporter

For the seventh year in a row, volunteers helped unload truck loads filled with thou sands of pumpkins into the front lawn of Highland Park United Methodist Church.

This year, more than 30 volunteers unloaded and set up the wide variety of pumpkins and gourds the church and the Stillwater Noon Lions Club had ordered. They teamed up to help bring money to the local church, school and food pantries.

Among the list of those they wanted to help included Our Daily Bread, vision screenings for children in need, Highland Park Elemen tary School and much more. They sourced their pumpkins from Pumpkins USA, a dis tributor that gets pumpkins from a Navajo Reservation in Farmington, New Mexico, and distributes them to fundraisers all across the U.S.

The High land Park United Church and Stillwater Noon Li ons Club sup plied some of their own vol unteers to help but knew that they would need more help than they had to get through the season. That’s when Richard Dawkins, the coordinator of volunteers at the Stillwater Noon Lions

Club, sought help from OSU’s student population.

Quickly, the Oklahoma State University Student Vol unteering Center took up the job. The center was able to make and publish a volunteer ing event for the pumpkin patch, being one of the first events students saw at the beginning of the year.

Many students at OSU have scholarships that require varying amounts of volunteer hours throughout the semester or school year. One student volunteer, Kaisha, spoke with The O’Colly as she worked the past two Saturdays at the pumpkin patch.

“I needed hours for my Cherokee scholarship,” Kaisha said. “And me and my friend Mercedez decided to both work at this patch to geth er.”

Kai sha and Mer cedez weren’t part of the volunteers that helped unload the pumpkins, but they did work around the

patch, inspecting the pumpkins, helping mea sure and transport the pump kins for certain customers and answer and assist those who needed help across the patch.

Just from working the two Saturdays, they were both able to get 16 volunteer hours. Dawkins spoke with The O’Colly about how he has seen more OSU students volunteer ing this year than in the previ ous years.

“It has been a real big help for us,” he said.

The pumpkin patch is not over yet and expects another refill on Oct. 14. The patch is

open every day up to and in cluding Halloween. The hours are Mondays to Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

They are hosting various events throughout the month as well, such as a cornhole tournament Sunday at 2 p.m., vision screenings, a kid’s carnival and carriage rides on Oct. 23 until 5 p.m., a pumpkin catapult Oct. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. and a trick or treat event, as well as a raffle drawing on Halloween. The patch is lo cated at 524 N. Stallard St.

The patch is also still

in need of volunteers and is happy to accept more OSU students to help out. If you are interested in volunteering, not only for the patch but for any thing around campus, please visit the Oklahoma State University Student Volunteer Center online at campuslink. okstate.edu/organization/stu dentvolunteercenter or visit lcl.okstate.edu/volunteer and clicking on ‘volunteer oppor tunities.’

All photos by Isaac Terry

The pumpkin patch always welcomes new volunteers. You can learn more on OSU’s CampusLink page or on OSU’s main website under volunteering.

Night of the crickets When insects invaded Lewis Field

thought maybe it was the end of the world.

Ben Hutchens Assistant Sports Editor

When Kenyatta Wright saw the crick ets, he thought they were a plague sent to punish a player not liv ing right.

Jamaal Fobbs

“We thought it was a curse or some thing that happened over Oklahoma,” Fobbs said. “Millions of them just every where.”

In 1999, Fobbs and Wright, members of the OSU football team, played one of the most memorable

games of their lives. It wasn’t memorable for the score, a 41-21 win against Texas Tech, but rather for the scores of crickets that invaded Lewis Field that night.

Tom Royer, an extension entomologist at OSU since 1997, re members the day well. He wasn’t at the game to see Cowboy quarter back B.J. Tiger outduel

TTU quarterback Kliff Kingsbury, but still recalled why the swarm whipped up.

“We just had a huge buildup of crickets that year,” Royer said. “In 1999-2000 at that point in time, grass hoppers were really exploding too around the state.”

See Crickets on page 4

Food run

Sanders bulked up for rushing role

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter

The fried rice and sesame chicken helped. Well, not at first.

Senior OSU quarterback Spen cer Sanders has been a focal point in the Cowboy rushing attack. And he needed to be.

In 2021, OSU had three senior running backs who all factored into the game plan along with then-soph omore Dominic Richardson.

This season, a

considerably less experienced group surrounds Richardson. Aside from Richard son and Sanders, freshmen Ollie Gordon and Jaden Nixon are the only running backs with more than three carries.

Ahead of this season, Sand ers prepared for his critical rush ing role at some Stillwater staples: Golden Dragon Café and Whata burger.

“I put on 12 pounds,” Sand ers said. “I just wanted to get bigger and basi cally hold myself accountable to stay in the game.

(My teammates) trusted in me and I’m trusting in them.”

He said the fried rice and

sesame chicken at Golden Dragon Café is “a banger.”

Ramping up trips to restaurants and the gym helped him bulk up.

“I just started eating,” Sanders said.

“Kind of got fat, then we started working out so it transitioned to good weight.” Sanders av erage, more than 10 carries a game this season; an impressive num ber considering OSU has played backups steadily through the non conference slate.

His 41 carries are more than the rest of the roster aside from Dominic Richardson has combined (39).

Not in Kansas anymore

Etienne feels adjusted to Division I game

Gabriel Trevino Sports Editor

to trash talk his opposition while engaging in physical combat with edge rushers on every down.

He lets his hands do the talking.

Etienne, a gar gantuan 6-foot-7 left tackle, is part of an almost entirely-new OSU offensive line which has protected Spencer Sanders bet ter than other years.

Through the first four of Sanders’ starts in 2021, he was sacked eight times. Through the same number of starts this season, he’s only hit the ground twice.

On Saturday,

during OSU’s game vs Texas Tech, Etienne, Sanders’ blind-side protector, will have a tough task dealing with Red Raider edge rusher Tyree Wilson’s powerful, yet quick, 6-foot-6, 275-pound frame.

“He’s similar to Collin Oliver,” Etienne said. “I just have to keep my feet moving.”

Facing Oliver and Trace Ford in practice every day, the best the Big 12 has to offer on Satur days, is far different from the beginnings of his collegiate career.

Etienne spent two seasons in JUCO, with Fort Scott C.C. and Butler C.C. in Kansas, but after the cancellation of the entire 2020 junior college season, Eti enne transferred to OSU, where he found himself overweight and unprepared for the Division I game

after a year off from football.

“In JUCO we worked out, but it wasn’t as intense as Division I,” Etienne said. “I was heavy, I had a lot of weight on me. So I had to stay humble and trust the process. I feel bet ter, and faster on my feet.”

Throughout his first year at OSU in 2021, Etienne saw some action on the field, but was focused on losing weight and learning the play book. Etienne took advantage of a large Power Five program’s nutrition and health services available to student-athletes, and the notorious work outs from Rob Glass, OSU’s strength and conditioning coach.

The result for the 21-year-old’s body was a deduction from 380, to 330 pounds in one year.

Brody Schmidt (Courtesy Stillwater News Press)

Crickets

Stillwater,

See

Caleb Etienne doesn’t

Mackenzie Janish

OSU quarterback Spencer Sanders used the gym and Stillwater chinese food to bulk over the summer.

Special appearances

Freshmen making vital plays on special teams

than it looks, but the two executed the play as if they’d done it a thou sand times.

Braden Bush Staff Reporter

Mike Gundy is cautious to talk about freshmen or to expect much from them in a game.

Playbooks are still being learned, bodies are being trans formed, and minds are adjusting to the college level.

But an area where young players get a shot at proving them selves is on special teams. And so far this season, especially against Baylor in a hostile road environ ment, freshmen on special teams have provided a spark.

“I’m comfortable with our special teams,” Gundy, OSU’s football coach, said. “And we have quite a few young guys that are out there, but they’re showing ma turity beyond their years, so far.”

Before the OSU defense forced Baylor into a safety in the second quarter, it was the handi work of freshman Braylin Pres ley and redshirt freshman Jaden Nixon, who downed a Tom Hutton punt just outside the goal line.

Hutton’s punt spiraled down near the 10-yard line, where Nixon had to make the decision: catch it or let it bounce. A tough call for even a veteran.

Nixon let it bounce, and Pre sley worked with his teammate, backing toward the end zone to prevent a touchback.

Gundy said it’s more complicated to pull off

“For (Nixon) to have that experience just starting, because he didn’t do it last year, and then (Braylin) just was playing at Bixby last year, so it was pretty good for those guys to have that maturity at that time,” Gundy said.

Hutton and the punt unit work together two or three times a week to prepare for such scenari os. The Cowboy punter focuses on predictability and consistency, so that teammates can anticipate punt placements.

The youth on the special teams unit doesn’t bother Hut ton. He and his teammates have learned what to expect from each other, and the trust among the unit is high.

“I think it’s hard not to be confident in them when you see the results that they’ve got,” Hut ton said. “Even when I don’t make their job easy, they make plays and they do what they have to do.”

The kick return unit has been equally impressive, ranking sixth nationally in kickoff returns. Headlining that unit is Nixon, who has averaged 35 return yards on his six attempts, which leads the team.

Nixon’s 98-yard kick return for a touchdown to start the sec ond half against Baylor gave the Cowboys a boost, and it presented a potential future threat OSU hasn’t recently had in the return game. It was the first OSU kick re turn touchdown on the road since Tyreek Hill at Kansas in October 2014.

freshman.

“Just seeing a dude like that that’s waited his turn, grind through the offseason, have those explosive plays, and we saw it last year in the TCU game when he had a couple breakoff touchdown runs, it was just great to see,” wide receiver Bryson Green said.

Freshmen, such as Presley and Nixon, figure to be important pieces of the offense in the future, and the special teams reps allow them to adapt to the speed and physicality of the college game, while showcasing ability.

Those reps are important. Players such as walk-on defensive end Ben Kopenski – who made a key block during Nixon’s kick return touchdown – have used special teams to earn playing time and improve their game.

“Getting that experience is very, very needed, because I know they’re gonna be ready when we need them on the field,” Green said.

Earlier in the season, Gundy addressed special teams, saying it is one of the biggest difference makers in a game. That certainly held true in Waco.

What maybe wasn’t as ex pected are the freshmen on special teams making that difference.

“They’re studs,” Hutton said, about the freshmen on special teams. “And to be honest, no one in the organization is surprised. They came in day one, and we knew that they were gonna be good players.

“They’re just showing what we already knew.”

3 players to watch OSU vs Texas Tech

Mason Cobb, OSU linebacker:

Although Cobb made a touchdown-sav ing tackle on fourth down vs Baylor, the Bears com pleted many big throws over the middle of the field. With Texas Tech’s pass heavy offense com ing to Stillwater, expect the Red Raiders to test the OSU linebackers over the middle.

Jason Taylor, OSU safety:

The playmaker was back at it again last week against Baylor. Taylor, a savvy veteran, secured the win in Waco with an

interception where he baited Baylor quarter back Blake Shapen into a poor decision. Taylor also misplayed a deep ball for a big Baylor play in the game.

Tyree Wilson, TTU defensive lineman: Wilson is second on the Red Raiders with 33 tackles this season. Where he does his dam age is behind the line of scrimmage, where eight of those tackles have oc curred. At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, Wilson will be impossible to miss, especially when he starts showing up in the Cow boy backfield.

And it came from a redshirt

Abby Cage

Jaden Nixon (23), a redshirt freshman, leads the team in kick return yards and helps field punts, as well.

Chase Davis

OSU linebacker Mason Cobb leads the Cowboys in tackles (30).

Though Richardson has been effective leading the backfield, Sand ers is OSU’s home run threat on the ground. Despite racking up 2,839 pass ing yards in 2021, his signature play of the year was a 37-yard touchdown run against Oklahoma where Sanders deftly weaved through the Sooners defensive front and stiff armed the only defensive

back fast enough to catch him.

Sanders ran 14 times against Baylor this past week. He scrambled for big chunks of yardage and used design plays such as read options. With the way coach Mike Gundy raves about Sanders’ ability, don’t expect the Cow boys to back off running their star.

“He converts a lot of plays with his legs,” Gundy said. “And you see that in college football now. You’re see ing it in the NFL too. What (Sanders) brings to the table is is he can convert first downs and keep the chains moving with his legs.”

Running comes with a risk for injury, which have plagued Sanders’ career.

A backup quarterback cannot re place was Sanders offers, but it doesn’t mean backups haven’t had to try. Sand ers has missed starts in each of the previous three seasons. A right thumb injury in 2019 and a right ankle sprain in 2020 both cost him time.

Bulking up serves Sanders, whom multiple Cowboys label as the most competitive player on the team. It provides him a little protection while running with reckless abandon.

Sanders is listed at 210 pounds.

Even if his weight is still not exactly in line with how he plays, the 12 pounds have helped elevate OSU’s rushing game.

“Y’all see the highlights,” senior defensive tackle Brendon Evers said. “This man lowers his shoulder every week. There’s not a lot of quarterbacks in this league that do that that aren’t 6-foot-5. He plays like he’s a 300-pound defensive lineman sometimes running the ball.”

Etienne...

from 1B

“Once I hopped on the scale for the first time, I lost 30 pounds,” Etienne said. “Then I kept losing, and it be came 50. I was so happy.

I didn’t realize how fat I was until I looked at old pictures. I was like, ‘I really did that.’ It was uncomfortable in my stance with my weight.”

Mental motivation Cowboys push for mental health awareness

colleges, participating in College Football Mental Health Week.

Each OSU player wore a small teal decal on the back of their helmet against Baylor. Coach Mike Gundy also donned a teal pin on his shirt.

Adam Engel Co-Editor-in-Chief

A giant tribal tattoo and other designs cover nearly every inch of Mason Cobb’s left arm.

Nothing on his right arm. Until you look at his wrist.

After football practice Tues day, Cobb, an OSU linebacker, fidgeted with a blue wristband above his right hand.

Two words, in all caps and white, spread across the band. HILINSKI’S HOPE.

On the other side: No. 3.

Each member of the Cow boys roster received the wrist band in their lockers. A mark of participation in College Football Mental Health Awareness Week and the Big 12’s push for mental health among student athletes.

The inspiration for the wristband has nothing to do with OSU. It doesn’t matter. Tyler Hilinksi, Washington State’s quarterback, committed suicide in January 2018. The death smashed all pre-conceived notions of the supposedly luxurious lives quar terbacks live. It rocked college football.

Since then, his family started Hilinksi’s Hope Founda tion, a nonprofit aimed to promote student-athlete mental health and suicide prevention awareness.

The Cowboys are one of 123 teams from all NCAA divisions, NAIA and a few community

Even the Cowboys can struggle with stress and anxiety.

“Mental health has been an issue since we’ve walked the face of the earth,” Gundy said. “It’s just never been talked about. People discard it and act like it’s gonna go away.”

Gundy said the team re cently hired a full team of mental health professionals from the OSU Center for Health Services in Tulsa. This includes a psy chologist, psychiatrist, licensed counselor and a clinical social worker. Anytime a player or a coach needs to speak with some one, they can.

Football players often receive tough guy stereotypes. On Tuesday, defensive end Brendon Evers, with blood dripping from his nose, talked to reporters. The result of a physical practice.

He’s struggled with mental health at times, too.

“Some of these guys in pro ball and then guys in my position and me included,” he said. “I’ve dealt with my own mental health issues wondering if I could juggle everything in life that a student athlete has to go through. I’m really thankful that our school takes it upon themselves to really take this week seriously.”

Over time, mental health treatment evolved into a priority. Much different than Gundy’s play ing days.

“When you look in the 80s, if somebody acted like they had

anxiety or were depressed, people just said, ‘OK, send them off to a padded room,’” he said. “The public frowned upon it.

“We knew it but nobody wanted to admit it. We didn’t ac cept things were much better than that.”

The football team isn’t the only squad embracing Mental Health Awareness Week.

On Wednesday morning, the OSU pom squad and various stu dent-athletes handed out candy in green wrappers — the color sym bolizing mental health awareness. Tia Harring, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee supervisor, organized the week full of student athlete outreach.

“They’re just out here spreading positive vibes and kinda yelling positive affirma tions at people,” she said. “It’s a community service effort. They get points for doing these types of events. It’s just really pushed by the Big 12 a lot to student athletes involved in mental health.”

Harring said the OSU SAAC organization competes against other Big 12 SAAC orga nization for the Big 12 Cup — a yearlong event promoting mental health awareness, community service and career development.

OSU president Kayse Shrum also participated in the push for mental health with the intro duction of Cowboys United for Mental Health.

“A majority of students have reported they needed help with some sort of mental health issue,” she said. “As a member of the Cowboy family, we are here to lend a helping hand.”

Now, as a starter in 2022, Etienne can focus on protecting his quarterback and creating holes for runners to get through. To improve his own technique, Etienne watches film on NFL offensive linemen, such as Trent Williams and Jedrick Wills, with OSU offensive line grad as sistant Brayden Kearsley. While preparing to face other teams’ edge rusher, he watches their tape to find tendencies and ways

to use his strengths in battle.

“I get ahead on them early,” Etienne said. “I watch to see what they like doing, what moves they use the most and stunts. I have to think about what I’m going to do when I face them. I have length, so I try to put my arms on them first. A lot of rush ers try to use a longarm, but I’m long too.”

Through a month of the 2022 season, Eti enne said he is far better than he was when he first step foot on campus last year. By going against the offensive line in prac tice, OSU defensive line man Brendon Evers can see the change Etienne, and the line as a whole, has made with each turn of the calendar.

“The offensive line took a lot of criticism last year,” Evers said. “But pressure makes diamonds.”

Mackenzie Janish

File Photo

Oklahoma State Athletics and the Big 12 are pushing for mental health awareness this week.

Caleb Etienne’s massive 6-foot-7 frame allows him to maul smaller rushers.sports.ed@ocolly.com

Royer said it was possible the crickets swarmed in early October to lay eggs for their mating season. He guessed a downturn in diseases and parasites that normally keep insect numbers controlled allowed for a scene he has never heard of seeing in Stillwa ter since.

A sky thick with Orthoptera.

When the lights at Lewis Field flicked on on for the 7 p.m. kickoff, it was the best light competition in the city. The crickets converged to the fluores cent bulbs.

Tom Dirato was the radio voice of the Cowboys calling the game. He said the crickets started out a few here and there but even before halftime he noticed a bunch on the field.

“It was eerie,” Dirato said. “It’s not a good analogy, but it kind of looked like it snowed crickets on the ground, there were that many.”

Fans in the stands brushed crick ets from their hair and watched them fall into their drinks. The scene from Exodus caused a sort of an exodus, as some squeamish fans couldn’t take it.

“I remember the (crickets) in the stands, people freaking out cause they saw the crickets and you had to walk down the stairs with a lot of crickets, they were in the parking lot, around the car,” Dirato said.

Nowhere at Lewis Field was im mune. The stadium was mostly open to the elements, nothing like Boone Pickens Stadium today, and the crickets even infiltrated the press box, concession stands and rest rooms.

On the field, players have different memories of the crick ets.

Wright, a linebacker for the Cowboys, didn’t allow the crickets to bother him when he stepped between the sidelines.

“Whenever I see a ball and I see a guy carrying it, I mean, it’s laserfocused to get that guy on the ground and punish him and so crickets didn’t bother me at that point,” Wright said.

Former OSU defensive lineman Zac Akin remembers hitting TTU quarterback Rob Peters low and knock ing him out of the game. He said he didn’t think about the crickets during the game, but when he watched film the next day, he was shocked at how many there were.

“You’d roll across the ground, and you’d be like, ‘I just rolled over 2,000 crickets, just smashed every one of them,’” Akin said.

Like a Northeastern blizzard, attempts to slow the inevitable were useless.

“They tried to stop the game and try to clean stuff and I mean, it didn’t work at all,” Wright said.

Fobbs, a former OSU running back, carried the ball four times that day. He said the visor he wore on his helmet was a nice layer of protection from the bug guts pressed into his face after being tackled.

It was even ickier when players got to the sideline, where the footsteps of 22 players were not present to police the crickets.

“On the bench area they were trying to brush them off and stuff like that and you brush one off and 10 might come back,” Wright said.

Wright said he didn’t remove his helmet, something he would only do in hostile road environments like Texas A&M or Oklahoma.

“I’m not taking my helmet off so a cricket can crawl on my face or something like that,” Wright said. “You’re sitting down and you’re just trying to figure out stuff and then you got one crawling on your shoulder pads or trying to crawl up in your helmet or fly on your face when coaches are try ing to make adjustments. I mean, that stuff gets annoying.”

Wright said the Cowboys handled the insects well. The only thing they cared about that night was getting a win.

“A lot of our guys I mean, they relished (it),” Wright said.

“There’s probably a couple of guys on our team that probably ate those crickets just to show how tough they are. That’s just the type of guys we rolled around with.”

After the game, Fobbs said Texas Tech players came up to him asking

about the insects. Was it always this bad in Oklahoma?

“Bro I’m sorry, I don’t know. I ain’t got nothing to do with that,” Fobbs said he told his astonished oppo nents. “They were probably glad to get out of there, probably mad cause they lost, but probably glad they got out of there without having swallowed a bug.”

Dirato said bugs don’t make his skin crawl. Walking through the stands to conduct the postgame locker room show, however, sent a fiber of doubt through his mind.

“It is eerie to be walking through things that hop in the air when you step,” Dirato said. “I don’t get creeped out by bugs, but that night, if you’re going to get creeped out that would be the night to get creeped out. It’s some thing like out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.”

Just because the game ended, didn’t mean the bugs went home like the fans.

Normally after games, play ers will stay on the field visiting with their family and friends. Wright said he just wanted to get back home as fast as he could that day.

Cricket carcasses awaited the victorious Cowboys when they re turned to Lewis Field the next day for workouts.

“I think where it became real for me is when we resumed workouts the next week,” Akin said. “We did a

lot of conditioning inside the stadium back then. Running stadium steps and I just remember that the stadium, I would liken it to snow drifts. It was like snow drifts of dead crickets just absolutely everywhere all over the sta dium.”

Twentythree years later, Akin remembers exactly how many stadium steps led to the top of the Lewis Field stands.

Each of the 163 concrete levels offered a different view of the cricket carnage left over from the game.

His footsteps went crunch, crunch, crunch all the way to the top.

“I vividly remember the postapocalyptic cricket drifts everywhere,” Akin said.

Akin saw men going aisle to aisle with air blowers pushing dead crickets toward trash cans where others would shovel them into the receptacle.

Lewis Field, one of the most un attractive stadiums in the Big 12, was even less appealing than normal.

“I think it took them two or three days to get them all out of there because it’s like they came in, landed, did whatever they’re doing and then they died. I mean they all died right in the middle of ‘Rustoleum stadium,’ Lewis Field,” Akin said.

The crickets lingered even longer in harder-to-reach places.

Lewis Field housed one eleva

tor that led to an enclosed area with a press box, donor seats and coaches’ boxes. The elevator shaft and vents were perfect hiding spots for cricket stragglers.

“For a week later that place stunk because the crickets went to die and rotted,” Dirato said.

Despite administration’s best ef forts to purge the area, a stench lin gered. Jenni Carlson covered the 1999 OSU football team for The Daily Okla homan and described the smell similar to that of garbage rotting in the bottom of a trash bin on the street curb.

“It was horrendous,” Carlson said. “I grew up on a pig farm and I don’t think I’ve ever smelled anything quite that bad.”

Everyone at Lewis Field that early October day in 1999 remembers something unique. Some remember the plays made on the field, others the crickets that landed in their drink.

Wright said today every time he sees a cricket on the sidewalk or in his house he thinks of the game. In September, when current OSU running back Deondre Jackson, a Texas A&M transfer, tweeted he had never seen so many crickets in his life until he got to Stillwater, Wright just cracked a smile.

“I was like, ‘If you only knew about this game and the crickets that took over Stillwater,’” Wright said.

Tulsa World file photo

Crickets gradually gathered on the Lewis Field turf, becoming a real nuisance to players and fans later in the game.

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Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (10/07/22). Partnership amplifies luck this year. Practice skills to take creativity, arts and passions to the next level. Get your message out this autumn, before winter educational or travel opportunities invite exploration. Reap shared springtime profits, leading to changes with summer news and communica tions. Rise together.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most chal lenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — Review priorities. Don’t push against locked doors. Look around and discover new opportunities in alternate directions. Dreams come true with planning and preparation.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Discuss dreams and possibilities with friends. Unexpected opportunities offer tempting potential. Wait for develop ments. Traffic or complications could delay social connections. Patiently plan. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Work complications and distractions abound. Avoid gossip, scandal or rumors. Keep a low profile to complete tasks as planned. Consider long-term goals. Take charge. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Deviations and distractions line the road. Put blinders on if you want to get your homework done. Deadlines require focus. Continue your investigation despite complications.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Stash away resources for the future. Heed an older person’s financial advice. Make a wise move. Solve a challenge. Collaborate to grow shared finances.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Patience with unexpected events and interruptions saves time, overall. Don’t push your partner beyond their capacities. Share the load and avoid big surprises.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Prioritize health. Avoid sharp corners or obstacles. Keep a steady pace. Don’t push limitations or barriers. Meditate on beauty and love. Rest and recharge.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Follow romantic and creative dreams. One door closes but you can find another. Gentle pressure works better than force. Love and beauty inspire you.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Domestic projects could take an unexpected twist. With resistance or complications at home, listen more than speaking. Let chaos or confusion pass. Patience is golden.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Solve an intellectual challenge. Draw upon hidden resources. Find a new purpose for something old. Imagine a creative dream realized. What would it take?

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Profits are available but could in clude challenges. Adapt around unscheduled expenses. Find clever ways to reduce waste. Follow rules carefully. Plug financial leaks.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Give yourself a break. Pursue personal priorities. A little pampering helps recharge weary bones. Imagine how you’d like things to go. Envision and dream.

Solution to Thursday’s puzzle

the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

Cobb, OSU defense confident before facing Texas Tech offense

Parker Gerl Staff Reporter

With Baylor pinned on its own 2-yard line, the OSU Cowboys defense looked like it was shot out of a can

Safety Kendal Daniels and linebacker Mason Cobb swarmed Baylor’s Richard Reese in his own endzone to give OSU its second safety of the season.

Something the Cowboys haven’t done since 1991.

Cobb says anytime a team is pinned near its own endzone, it’s go time for the OSU de fense.

“We’re trying to get a safety, you know, we’re all fired up,” said Cobb. “I’m stepping forward like, yeah, bring it on, let’s go.”

The defensive side of the ball is where things started off shaky for OSU in its season opener against Central Michigan. Since then, the Cowboys have found ways to improve on that side of the ball week-byweek. In the past eight quarters of play, the de fense has only given up more than 10 points in a

single quarter one time.

The OSU defense will now face another task when Texas Tech’s high powered passing of fense comes to Stillwater on Saturday.

The Red Raiders currently average the fourth most total yards per game in the Big 12, and are first in the conference in passing yards per game. With OSU giving up the most passing yards per game in the conference, Texas Tech will surely present a challenge for the OSU defense.

Cobb acknowl edged the task ahead for OSU against the Red Raiders, specifically with how much Texas Tech throws the ball. The third year lineback er still wants to have an impact on this game, even if it’s in a different fashion.

“Hopefully I can get my hands on a couple of balls, Cobb said. “You know, kind of expand, I guess from what you guys have seen.”

OSU coach Mike Gundy also expects Texas Tech to present a challenge for his young defense.

“This will be a different challenge this week, this team is

throwing it around 60 times a game and so it’s a different look for our defense,” Gundy said.

The Cowboys say they are ready for another challenge. The defense is starting to gel more and more as the season goes on, especial ly at the linebacker spots with Cobb and Xavier Benson.

Cobb leads the team in tackles, and has been a key part of the OSU defense. Benson has also been a bigtime player for OSU this season, being third on the team in tackles, and has had seven or more tackles in three of the four games that OSU has played this season. The amount of confidence that this group has in each other, specifi cally between Cobb and Benson, has played a big part in the improvement week by week.

“I don’t gotta worry about you know, what’s going on at his side. I know he’ll handle it.” Cobb said. “There’s a lot of trust between me and him, it’s a blessing to have someone who knows the game like that.”

After injury, Ford happy to be back in uniform

watching everything transpire, it messes with you mentally for sure.”

As the 2021 season progressed, Ford felt empty.

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

He had been uneasy yet anticipant about the results re garding his left leg. But hearing the words in person was another level of a heartbreak for Ford.

Ford was in formed that he would be out for eight months due to a torn left ACL, and would undergo a heavy load of rehab treatment.

“From that point on I was in a bit of a dark place,” Ford said. “I know this sounds vague but when you’re out for the season, and you know you could be contributing to your team rather than sitting on the sidelines and

Watching his teammates grind and battle week-after-week, jumping out to an undefeated start to the season pleased him. In spite of being on the roster, not being able to contribute to his team’s fast start to the year made him feel desperate to be part of the team once again.

Now, he’s re turned, picking up right where he left off as a pest for opposing quar terbacks. He believes the time he spent in rehab and the surplus of free time his recovery process gave him made him a better athlete allaround. He said he feels fresh and rejuvenated. The recovery process for Ford was difficult for him last season, both mentally and physically.

“I just encour age people to use their resources,” Ford said. “People are there to help you, just like my teammates did with me… Looking back on my injuries, it stung in the short term, but in hindsight I’m a stronger person now than I was back then.”

While it was hard on Ford for the time be ing, as he reflects on the time it took to get back, he credits nobody more than his teammates and his mother for being in his corner when he may have felt like not many people were.

“From the mo ment he could walk, you could tell the type of kid he was,” said Desirae Ford, Trace’s mother. “He’s just always wanted to go, go, go. As soon as he started playing tee ball, he was literally all over the field. I’m so happy to watch him bounce back the way he has this year.”

Abby

Trace Ford couldn’t believe the news.

Mackenzie Janish

Nytes using USWNT rejection as motivation for collegiate career

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

Jordan Nytes was infatuated with the United States Women’s National Soccer Team.

Her mother, Kelli, recalls a hand ful of instances where a young Jordan would practically claim the living room for the time being so she could watch the team play in peace.

As time progressed, her love for soccer grew exponentially, causing her love with the USWNT to also increase. She idolized a number of players on the roster, most notably Hope Solo, a goal keeper for the United States from 200016, even going as far as to even buying her jersey. Kelli recalls instances where she would enter the basement, and walk in on Jordan setting up pictures of Solo in-uniform.

Around that same time, with the advice of Kelli, Jordan began to nar row in on the goalkeeper spot, settling in and claiming that as her primary position.

“As a mother, you know your child’s strengths and weaknesses, and I would never tell Jordy she could be a singer or songwriter because, quite frankly her voice sucks,” Kelli said with a laugh. “But I’ve always known what she has been capable of on the soccer field. Her potential is off the charts, and I’ve just always sensed that.”

The moment of truth for Jor dan came when she was 14, when she received an invitation to be a part of the U.S. U-15 Girls National Team.

“I was just speechless,” Jordan said. “I know that sounds cliche but it’s the truth. Just being able to be a part of something that I’d grown up watching as a little girl was pretty satisfying.”

It was a chance to prove herself on one of the biggest stages a soccer

player could dream of, a chance to compete with the top players of her age in the nation. It was an opportunity

Jordan fantasized about for years.

“I still see some of (those players) now, like when I play against them in the Big 12,” Jordan said. “Looking back on it, getting to go up against that type of talent, that definitely helped me grow as a player for sure.”

Her summer with the USWNT U15 team went as she had ex pected it to. When she received her post-sum mer feedback, the main point of emphasis was her kicking and vocal ness in the box. Noth ing negative seemed to come to light. That was, until Jordan didn’t receive an invitation back the following year.

Things went downhill.

To her mother, Jordan’s in-game per formance seemed off, in

spite of the numbers and statistics say ing otherwise. She didn’t seem nearly as motivated during matches, which was an oddity when taking into consid eration how rampantly enthusiastic she had always been towards soccer.

“It just felt and seemed like it was tearing her down for a good year,” Kelli said. “She was still always on the top teams and what not, but a lot felt off about Jordy.”

When her personal soccer trainer, Clint Baumstark, got word of this, he had a heart-to-heart discussion with Jordan. He gave her two options — she could continue to allow grief and disbelief to wear her down and affect her play, or she could take time to find herself mentally and learn from her past mistakes.

“I think it took her a while to experience that self-realization,” Baumstark said. “But when she did, it gave her a bit of a chip on her shoulder. I think she wanted to prove a lot of people wrong, and I think the results moving forward speak for themselves.”

Her senior season of high school, she pieced together a 17-1-2 record as a starter, became the No. 129 overall ranked prospect in her class, and the Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year award.

“I don’t think the accolades or no toriety she garnered in high school re

ally got to her head like it did or like it would for most girls,” Baumstark said. “It just speaks volumes to who she is as a kid, both on and off the soccer field. She’s so humble and doesn’t seek nega tive attention, and I was so proud of her when she earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors in the state of Colorado.”

Through 12 matches her true freshman season, Jordan has allowed just five goals, pitching a total of eight shutouts and allowing more than one goal only once in a road loss to Miami. Looking back on her soccer career, Jordan can’t point out anything in spe cific that prepped her to play on such a paramount stage at an early part in her college career.

Her and Baumstark do highlight the events that transpired with the US WNT U15 group as a drastic moment of growth. In spite of the raw taste it left with her, she doesn’t regret a single bit of it.

“She’s a goof but she’s awesome to be around,” OSU coach Colin Car michael said. “She’s a spark to our team, and an anchor for our defense and even though she’s so young she’s still one of our leaders. Like I’ve said, she’s fun to be around and I look for ward to watching her grow during her time here at OSU.”

Mackenzie Janish

Through 12 games in 2022, Nytes has only allowed five goals.

Chase Davis

Jordan Nytes, the former Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year, is using her rejection from the USWNT as inspiration.

Picking

TCU (34-32)

Kansas (30-22)

Kansas (38-33)

(45-14)

(37-20)

OSU (36-24)

OSU (44-27)

TCU (31-23)

Kansas (31-16)

(and

(33-10)

LSU (40-34) Tennessee (37-31) Tennessee (28-27)

Tennessee (32-14)

TCU (38-24)

LSU (24-21)

Utah (26-24)

Utah (30-27)

Utah (37-34)

Utah (35-24)

NIU (30-29)

Toledo (45-10)

Toledo (31-14)

Toledo (27-23)

Utah (24-21)

Utah (38-13)

Toledo (27-23)

NIU (31-30)

Picker leader board

About the guest picker: Joyce has served as Stillwater mayor since April 2018. He is a Stillwater native and graduated from OSU in 2001. He is an avid sports fan who likes to connect with OSU supporters via Twitter, @stillwaterwill.

Darren

Michael

Mayor Will Joyce