Wednesday, July 24, 2024
‘Twisters’ takes Oklahoma, the world by storm
Hayden Alexander Staff Reporter
Note: This article contains spoilers.
“Twisters” is the perfect summer blockbuster that brings the harrowing Oklahoma storm season to life while never forgetting its roots.
In 1996, “Twister” brought these massive tornadoes to life; now, “Twisters” builds on that legacy and adapts the thrills and terrors of storm chasing for a new generation.
Let’s be clear: This is not a sequel or a remake. It is a new take on storm chasing that feels right at home in Oklahoma.
The plot is uncomplicated, thoughtful and fun. The film does not ride or die on the tornadoes, keeping the human element present throughout. That element stands out
Joe Biden drops out of presidential race, endorses
Kamala Harris
On Sunday, President Joe Biden released a statement withdrawing from the presidential race. Following his performance in the first Presidential debate, Biden has made many claims stating he would stay in the race. Now in his written statement, he said he believes it is the “best interest” of the Democratic party and the country for him to step down.
Biden recognized the American people and claimed it was the honor of his life to serve as President. He said he plans to continue to serve the remainder of his term to focus on fulfilling his existing duties.
“I know none of this could have been done without you, the
American people,” Biden wrote. “Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.”
Biden was at the top of the Democratic ticket and was a shooin for the selection of a democratic nominee. Democratic delegates will now have to choose a new Democratic nominee, either by virtual vote or during the Democratic National Convention in August. All of the democratic delegates in support of Biden, approximately 3,800 out of 4,700, according to Politico, are now free agents with no obligation to support any specific candidate. In a post on X, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
See Biden on Page 5
among the science and thrill-seeking.
The characters are great, and you can not help but fall in love with Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones), Javi (Anthony Ramos), Tyler Owens (Glenn Powell) and the Tornado Wranglers.
Kate is a clever protagonist and can smell a tornado coming a mile away. Javi is trying to help people, but his methods are questionable. Both are driven by tragedy and loss as they try to find their way.
Tyler Ownes is a
hotshot storm chaser with a soft spot for Kate. He practically falls in love with her the moment he meets her. Their flirtatious rivalry turns into something more profound and meaningful by the film’s end.
The Tornado Wranglers crew is insanely good fun, made even more hilarious by Ben (Harry Hadden-Patton), a British journalist who travels with the group.
The tornadoes are utterly terrifying. In the theater, it feels like the tornado is barreling
towards you like a freight train. I swear the theater started shaking. The tornadoes look magnificent. The blend of special and practical effects on top of real footage is epic.
The tornadoes feel so real that watching them race towards towns makes me sick. As an Okie, watching the film hits home in a way other disaster films never have.
Speaking of personal, this film does Oklahoma justice. It shows off the beauty of the state in every scene. The 50 days they spent filming across
the state paid off. The music, the banter and the references are a love letter to the state and culture of Oklahoma, despite Luke Combs claiming that there “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma.”
Sadly, for Oklahoma State fans, there is not a single OSU T-shirt or hat in sight. I had to give the movie a 9.5/10 because a guy was decked out in OU gear in one shot. It is OK, though, because the rodeo Tyler and Kate attend is in Stillwater.
a
Spears alumnus Healey builds real estate investment firm 20 years after unique OSU experience
Courtesy of OSU News
Damon Healey found inspiration for his dream job when he watched the Detroit Tigers in his home city. Healey loved baseball, but as he sat in the stadium with his father and two older brothers,
he wasn’t daydreaming about crushing a home run or throwing a 100mph fastball. The teenager gazed beyond the outfield, studying Detroit’s bustling cityscape.
“I always said to myself, ‘I really want to own one of those buildings,’” Healey said. “I was just enamored by the downtown skyline.” Healey’s fascina-
tion with real estate and entrepreneurship started before his undergraduate years, and Oklahoma State University nourished that passion. In the midst of a fast-paced, unconventional college schedule, the 2004 general business graduate devoted extra time to learning about building an enterprise. Twenty years later, that knowledge has benefited Healey as the founder and managing principal of Eternal Companies, a commercial real estate investment firm based in Bethesda, Maryland. Healey has operated Eternal Companies, which specializes in extendedstay hospitality, since
Glen Powell (left) and Daisy Edgar-Jones in “Twisters,” directed by Lee Isaac Chung. The movie is the third in a series following the disasters of Tornado Alley.
See Twisters’ on Page 3
Raynee Howell Staff Reporter
Healey...
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January 2023. Before starting his own venture, Healey facilitated successful expansion projects for Brookfield Asset Management and Lidl US, a European grocery giant that branched across the East Coast of the United States.
As he advanced in the business world, Healey sometimes looked at his materials from OSU business courses, reminding himself of the guest speakers and professors who fed his interests.
“It was that realization of, ‘Wow, people will help you out,’” Healey said. “You can make things happen if you sort of have an insatiable appetite to learn and to grow, and that level of motivation motivates other people. That was my big takeaway from OSU.”
One of those mentors was Vance Fried, then an OSU professor of management who holds a juris doctorate from the University of Michigan. In the early 2000s, OSU’s business school didn’t yet have an entrepreneurship major or the Riata Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, but MBA students could delve into entrepreneurship in a course instructed by Fried.
Healey, who bonded with Fried over their Michigan connections, was eager to enroll in the graduate-level course as an undergraduate student. Although the professor couldn’t promise Healey would receive credit for the class, they agreed he could audit it.
“He was curious and hardworking and obviously willing to not go a standard path,” said Fried, the founding director of OSU’s Institute for the Study of Free Enterprise.
Healey’s journey was more unusual than Fried realized.
On a daily basis, the busy student rode the Big Orange Bus between Tulsa and Stillwater, sometimes not returning home until after midnight.
Healey and his wife, Raven, were newlyweds who lived in Tulsa with their baby daughter, so he commuted to OSU’s main campus. While working toward his degree at OSU, Healey studied at Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, trying to figure out if he had a future in ministry or business. With so much on his plate, Healey could have given up an entrepreneurship class that wasn’t guaranteed to earn him credit, but his itch for knowledge persisted. While Fried taught,
Healey sat among MBA students as the sole undergraduate.
“It was very intimidating,” Healey said. “That first quarter of the semester I was kind of like a fly on the wall because you’re in there with students with professional work experience. Then after a while, I got comfortable.”
Healey said he thinks he ended up receiving credit for the course, but an A on his transcript wasn’t what mattered most. Nearly 1,000 miles from home, he had found a new environment where he could channel his love for entrepreneurship. Back in Detroit, the local skyscrapers weren’t the only reasons business and real estate appealed to him. In a city known for industry, Healey saw examples all around him. Family members owned
businesses. His father, the Rev. Henry Healey, worked in the automotive industry before starting a church.
“My dad is my biggest hero in life,” Healey said. “Just seeing where he came from in his life in very, very humble beginnings to being able to build something that he truly believed in — for me, that really stuck.”
When Healey pursued ministry, he was following not only his father but also his younger sister, Erika Healey Walker, who studied at Rhema and influenced him to move to Oklahoma for college. Although Healey continues to lean on family and faith, he realized he was gravitating toward a different career path — one that also involves investing in communities.
Healey obtained his
master’s degree in urban planning and real estate from the University of Michigan. With his passion for vitalizing cities through real estate, he worked for various businesses in Detroit and Washington, D.C., before founding Eternal Companies.
Extended-stay hospitality, his firm’s primary niche, offers a happy medium between a short stay at a vacation rental and the longer commitment of an apartment lease, Healey said. Eternal Companies also focuses on a range of multifamily, retail, and mixeduse projects, including the conversion of office spaces that remain vacant because of increases in remote workers.
“We want to build a sustainable portfolio of real estate assets that
can stand the test of time and really have a positive impact on communities,” Healey said. “It’s about the investors we serve, employees, the communities we serve and doing things for the right reasons and for sustainable outcomes into the future.”
A few months ago, Fried unexpectedly learned about Healey’s recent successes. The professor emeritus was scrolling on LinkedIn when he recognized Healey as the featured guest on a podcast episode of “Real Estate Investing Demystified.” Twenty years after Fried taught Healey, the podcast prompted Fried to reach out and catch up with his former student.
Healey said the world has changed in the two decades since he graduated from OSU, but his
entrepreneurship foundation continues to guide him through his relatively young career. His advice for current Spears School of Business students is the same guidance he would share with his college self.
“I’d just say, ‘Go for it,’” Healey said. “Getting an education is still important. Hard work is still incredibly important. Pursuing your interests, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, is incredibly important.
“I probably took the road a little bit less traveled because I just pursued things that I was highly interested in. Figuring out what I was good at, though, is kind of the second layer within those interests. That’s what really helped me shape my entrepreneurial journey.”
Courtesy of OSU News
Damon Healey’s interest in entrepreneurship grew when he audited Vance Fried’s graduate-level course at OSU.
Twisters’...
Continued from page 1
The film is excellent. It is emotional, a good time and an action-packed ride. If you have yet to see it, stop reading and buy tickets. Go wrangle a few tornadoes and then come back for the spoilers.
I love this movie. The plot is simple but works well, and the emotional payoff at the end elevates the film.
Edgar-Jones’s performance as Kate is amazing. She brilliantly plays Kate’s internal struggle between her passion for storm chasing and her traumatic past.
Kate is a science nerd at heart, entrapped by the wonders of storms, but after a failed attempt to stop
a tornado, she loses two of her best friends and her boyfriend to a massive EF-5. The loss lands her in New York five years later, as far away from tornadoes as you can get. She is done with chasing, but then Javi brings her home with the promise of finally mapping out a tornado.
Javi dealt with losing his three best friends differently, opting to join the military and get his hands on radars. Javi is also crushing hard on Kate. After making it back to Oklahoma, the pair run into storm chaser and YouTube tornado wrangling sensation Tyler Ownes. This cowboy is sassy, but the second he sees Kate, that sass dissipates—well, not entirely.
He falls first and definitely harder, and the chemistry between Tyler and Kate is more power-
ful than an EF-5. Their rivalry-turned-love story is a highlight of the film. Their love of science and his understanding of her fascination with tornadoes allow Kate to slowly return to loving chasing.
She does not fall immediately. No, at first, she attempts to beat Tyler at his own game, but her lingering fear and trauma pull her away from the heart of the storm at the last minute. Tyler teases her but recognizes that she is struggling.
Javi does not get the memo. He pushes Kate too far and ultimately away. After discovering that Javi is funded by a wealthy real estate tycoon looking to buy up land after storms demolish everything, she ditches him.
Tyler sees that Kate needs to get away from storms for a minute and takes her to the rodeo. But
a tornado strikes out of nowhere. The two survive, but Kate returns home to Saplupa, opting out of storm chasing.
Tyler is falling in love with Kate and refuses to give up on her. He finds her, and the pair discover her old notes. Tyler and Kate’s mom both help her control her fears. After seeing the genius in her original idea for stopping tornadoes, Tyler offers to help her make it happen, and she accepts.
This leads to a third and final act, in which Tyler, Kate and the Tornado Wranglers chase after a massive tornado. After it switches course, heading straight for El Reno, the Wranglers turn back to warn the town.
Javi ditches his corporate storm-chasing friends to help.
This is the human element I mentioned earlier.
Several scenes in this film show storm chasers, first responders and others dropping everything to help people first. One of my favorite moments is when the journalist, Ben, puts down his camera to help. We are human first, storm chasers and journalists second.
Our heroes are able to get everyone inside, but it is not enough. Kate manages to make it to Tyler’s truck and meets the raging tornado head-on. She succeeds in launching the barrels of polymers into the tornado, effectively dissipating the storm.
The film ends with Kate preparing to board a plane back to New York. She says goodbye to Javi and Tyler, and then she walks away. Tyler goes after her and can catch her. The airport reports a delay due to inclement weather, and the two
smile at each other as the film fades to black.
This movie is not trying to overshadow the original. Its goal is not to break the internet with a crazy, thought-provoking plot. It keeps it straightforward fun, and the tornadoes are colossal. It is the type of movie you watch over and over again — the kind that packs out a theater and gets the audience on their feet by the end.
“Twisters” is fixing to be one of the biggest releases of the summer and is taking Oklahoma by storm. If you can catch a showing, do not be surprised if you walk out of there looking for the nearest tornado to chase.
From left, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos and Glen Powell in “Twisters,” chasing epic storms. The three chase an EF-5 tornado, the most dangerous storm on the scale.
OSU wrestling coach
David Taylor’s contract details released this week
Ashton Slaughter Sports Editor
When Oklahoma State hired David Taylor, it made him the highest-paid wrestling coach in the country.
The O’Colly obtained Taylor’s six-year contract, which begins with a base salary this season of $1 million. During each season, Taylor’s salary will increase by $30,000 a year, which will make his salary in his final season $1.15 million. In the contact is a one-time payment of $1 million too.
Incentive wise, Taylor has performance incentive bonuses for an NCAA championship ($125,000), team runnerup ($80,000), thirdplace finish ($60,000) and each individual champion ($10,000). Along with the bonuses, Taylor gets a golf course membership, four suite tickets to OSU football games at Boone Pickens Stadium, use of Gallagher-Iba Arena’s luxury suite for wrestling duels and more.
Here’s an annual breakdown of Taylor’s salary:
2024-25: $1,000,000
2025-26: $1,030,000
2026-27: $1,060,000
2027-28: $1,090,000
2028-29: $1,120,000
2029-30: $1,150,000
Taylor takes over the Cowboy wrestling program for legendary coach John Smith, who retired in April after 33 years at the helm of the program. Taylor, who had an extensive college and international wrestling career, takes over the Cowboy program for his first coaching gig.
“Oklahoma State is the place to wrestle,” Taylor said at his introductory press conference. “And I’m excited to be part of that. I’m excited and thankful for the people that have made this happen. And I’m excited for the student-athletes that are part of this program right now. And I am excited for the studentathletes that choose to wrestle here in the future. And we’re gonna build something special here.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
sports/NEWS
Singing their praises
Cantamus Camerata places first in international choir competition
Courtesy of OSU News
Oklahoma State University Greenwood School of Music choral group Cantamus Camerata competed in the invitationonly International Musical Eisteddfod — or the Choir of the World Competition — in Llangollen, Wales, on July 5 and 6.
The group placed first in both the Chamber Choir category and the Female Voice SSAA category.
These first-place wins earned the group a chance to perform in the world finals.
“I could not be prouder of how the group performed and represented OSU and the GSM,” said Dr. Christopher Haygood, GSM associate professor and interim director of choral and vocal studies. “Cantamus Camerata is the first all-women’s choral ensemble to represent OSU and the GSM internationally and was invited to compete in each category they submitted to the jury.”
Beyond the group’s first-place awards, Haygood received the Jayne Davies Award for the Most Inspirational Conductor of the Choir of the World Competition. He was presented the award by Davies’s daughter, Dr. Rhian Davies.
“I am elated and humbled; the moment was admittedly a bit emotional,” Haygood said. “The award belongs to my students. They are my joy and inspiration.”
GSM director Dr. Lucia Unrau said that Haygood’s commitment to his students is what sets
TIME OF GOD’S FAVOR!
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Is.55:6 NIV)
It is worthwhile to take the time; to stop and consider your way of life and make resolutions; new steps to take to make your life more meaningful or productive. Maybe you are doing this, or maybe you have just given up on the whole idea.
Can you remember when you were a child, how time went by so slowly? It seemed like it took forever for the holidays to arrive. Now time passes so swiftly; the years seem to rush by. The turn of the century seemed so far away when I was younger. Now we are nearly twenty years into the 21st century.
I want to encourage you to stop and consider your life; especially the remainder. None of us know when our life may end. Jesus spoke of those who
would come into their purposes in the “eleventh hour;” right at the end of life’s work day.(Mt.20) You may think that it is too late to turn your life over to Christ; there is such little time left on “your calendar.” Yet, those who come in at the “eleventh hour” will receive the same wages as those who labored the whole day. We need to work in God’s purpose for our lives while we still have time. The Bible tells us the time is coming when “no man can work.” (Jn.9:4)
As you set your heart and get definite about trusting God with your life and serving him, you will find wonderful opportunities will open for you. You see God has his purposes for you planned out, and he will begin to open doors that you know nothing about. There will be such great satisfaction in serving and finishing what he has for you to accomplish. When your life does end, and it will, you will be so glad you have followed Christ. The Bible tells us that your labor for him is not in vain. (1 Co.15:58)
him apart.
“Dr. Haygood approaches his teaching and conducting from a holistic perspective,” Unrau said. “He creates a safe place where the students are accepted and valued. Concurrently with that, he expects their full commitment to being responsible and giving their absolute best in rehearsal, performance and in any social interactions.
“His approach to programming and creating a supportive environment in the group results in young adults who are openminded, respectful and supportive, and committed to excellence in everything they do. He is developing not only excellent musicians, but also excellent citizens who will make the world a better place.”
Before competing on the international stage in Wales, the ensemble performed in the Canterbury Cathedral in England and was in residence with Vox Anima of London, both solo and alongside 10 choirs from seven countries.
“Getting to perform in iconic venues like Canterbury Cathedral and Cadogan Hall is an enormous honor,” said vocal education senior Alyssa Warren. “It is a dream to be able to say I have sung in Canterbury. We were incredibly honored to represent Oklahoma State University at an international competition.”
The GSM promotes experiential learning for students through programs like the Cowboy Marching Band, Battle of the Bands and various ensembles — both choral and instrumental.
“Experiential learn-
ing incapsulates the very essence of a performing art, particularly when the process reaches culminative maturation,” Haygood said. “Experiences like this, both through preparation and performance, provide our students the opportunity to engage in problem-solving and collaboration through the creative process.
“The process and product benefit from the different contributions each person adds to the composite. These are life lessons regardless of academic discipline, and I am proud that OSU encourages and facilitates these opportunities for our students.”
The choral group is open to students of all majors and classifications. Warren described Cantamus Camerata as a “sisterhood” that is a safe space to prepare for her future.
“The Greenwood School of Music is a second home to many of us, and we are lucky to have such an amazing facility and incredible music faculty in Stillwater,” Warren said. “Our mission is to spread light to the world through music, and
the Greenwood School of Music enables us to do just that. My dream is to become a choir director, and Dr. Haygood has always been a huge inspiration of mine. I hope that I can be a guiding light for my future students as he has been for me.”
As the group returns from their travels and prepares for classes to resume in August, Haygood emphasized the importance of the program in preparing the ideal graduate.
“Traveling internationally, exploring the beauty of difference and uplifting others through the arts offer opportunities for growth that leave an indelible positive impact,” Haygood said. “I hope that our students carry each memory with them, allow those memories and lessons to shape their interactions with others and their global perspective and always choose to be a light in the world. This speaks to a person’s character, which is integral both to our Cowboy Code and the journey towards seeing beyond ourselves and helping others.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
Payton Little
Oklahoma State’s David Taylor is the highest-paid wrestling coach in the country.
Courtesy of OSU News
OSU’s Greenwood School of Music choral group Cantamus Camerata competed in the invitation-only International Musical Eisteddfod — or the Choir of the World Competition — in Llangollen, Wales, on July 5 and 6.
Biden...
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“My very first decision as party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President, and it’s been the best decision I’ve made,” Biden wrote. “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.”
Close politicians and friends of Biden, including former President Barack Obama, voiced their support of his statement.
“For him to look at the political landscape and decide he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest
of his life, but I know he wouldn’t make the decision unless he believed it was right for America,” Obama wrote. “It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow.”
THURSDAYS IN JULY
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In Obama’s statement, he mentioned a new nominee being selected but did not mention Harris or any endorsements. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton released a statement honoring Biden and endorsing Harris.
“Now it is time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect her,”
Bill Clinton said on X. “America’s future depends on it.”
Beyond endorsements, small grassroots supporters have shown support through an abundance of donations to ActBlue to donate to Harris’ campaign. Within seven hours of the announcement of Harris’ campaign launch, $46.7 million was raised.
“We’re all in on stopping Donald Trump; We’re all in on electing democrats up and down the ballot, and keeping the White House Blue,” the statement read. “That means we are behind VP Kamala Harris 100%.”
Here in Oklahoma, the state’s pledged Democrats released a statement in support of her campaign.
SATURDAYS IN JULY
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Stop in for fresh Fried Mushrooms or Pizza made to your liking!
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the APIA Vote Presidential Town Hall at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia on July 13. President Joe Biden supported her for November’s presidential ticket after dropping out of the race Sunday.
Oklahoma State hires Sean Snyder as new punters, kickers coach Wednesday
Daniel Allen Staff Reporter
Oklahoma State has hired Sean Snyder as its new punters and kickers coach, the university announced in a press release Wednesday morning. Snyder is the son of legendary Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder. He comes to Stillwater after most recently serving as the special assistant to the head coach at Kansas
for the 2023 season.
Prior to his stint with the Jayhawks, Snyder was the special teams coordinator and specialist coach at Illinois in 2022. He served the prior two seasons as the special teams coordinator at Southern California.
“Sean brings years of experience with kickers
and punters and special teams concepts,” OSU head coach Mike Gundy said in a statement.
“We’re really excited about what he brings to our coaching staff.” Snyder played at Kansas State under his father from 1990-92. He spent nearly 30 seasons in Manhattan, Kansas,
serving as the Wildcats’ part-time assistant coach in 1994 and 1995, director of football operations from 1996-98, assistant athletic director for football operations in 1999 and 2000, associate athletic director in 2001 and senior associate athletic director from 2002–2010. He then moved into his role, working with KState’s special teams as the special teams coordinator and associate head coach from 2011-18 and as a special teams analyst in 2019.
Deion Sanders hoping NFL-seasoned coaching staff can put Colorado over the hump in 2024
Daniel Allen Staff Reporter
Deion Sanders is the first to say NFL experience pays dividends. He did that Wednesday during Day 2 of the 2024 Big 12 Football Media Days at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Sanders, a former NFL standout now serving as Colorado’s head coach, raved about the surplus of professional experience his revamped coaching staff withholds.
“I’m a pro, man,” Sanders said. “That’s nothing against the college coaches, because we have some phenomenal college coaches, especially in (the Big 12). But I’m a pro. So, I like the relationships and the thought process of a pro.”
But will it be enough to get the Buffs over the hump in 2024?
That will be a tall task, considering all that went wrong for Colorado in 2023. Recurrent injuries, a weak offensive line that was second-to-last in Division I in sacks allowed (56) and a defense that ranked 115th nationally in yards per play allowed (6.27), 127th in total defense and 121st in points per game allowed (34.83). All of it put a damper on a promising
3-0 start, highlighted by a 45-42 season-opening upset against 17th-ranked TCU in Fort Worth. After a 42-6 blowout loss to Oregon, the Buffs were exploited and stumbled to a 4-8 finish. Not to mention, they emulated one facet of the 2022 Colorado team, which logged a dreadful 1-11 record – a dead-last placing in the last-ever Pac-12 Conference standings.
So, where does Sanders’ team go from there? The second-year head coach believes upward. And in his mind, with good reason.
Sanders raved about new defensive coordinator Rob Livingston, most recently the Cincinnati Bengals secondary coach. Why? NFL experience.
“I feel like we’re going to kick butt, we’re going to win,” Sanders said. “And he’s going to be a head coach in college or pros or whatever he endeavors because he’s that good.
“He is awesome. When I tell you awesome, he is totally awesome.”
Sanders was also complimentary toward offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, who took over play-calling duties for the Buffs midseason last year after Sanders demoted former offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, now the head coach at San Diego State.
Why? NFL experience.
“(Shurmur) is pretty darn good as well. I mean, really good,” Sanders
said. “His compatibility and his relationship with (quarterback) Shedeur (Sanders) is amazing. And what they plan to do this season, I can’t wait to see it myself.”
As for Shurmur, he’s a former NFL head coach, serving two seasons at the helm with the New York Giants (2018-19) and the Cleveland Browns (2011-12) each. He most recently served as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos from 2020-21.
New offensive line coach Phil Loadholt, who played with the Minnesota Vikings from 2009-15, reeled in nine offensive line transfers to patch the holes of a depleted unit from a season ago. Sanders hopes new defensive line coach Sal Sunseri, a Nick Saban product, can enhance the unit’s production, or lack thereof, in 2023.
“The way these young men are working and the athletes that they are, and the bodies that they have and they developed right now,” Sanders said. “It’s remarkable to watch.”
But then there’s the caveats.
Livingston has never been a true play caller. Shurmer’s offenses don’t necessarily have the best track record, albeit the art of being an NFL play caller is far more complex than one at the college level. Sunseri held an offfield coaching roach with Alabama before Sanders hired him.
That’s where Sanders comes in. The NFL and
College Football Hall of Famer. The splash hire surged Jackson State into the college football spotlight by out-recruiting brand-name programs for several premier recruits and brought life to HBCU football. The prominent figure took college football by storm after Colorado’s upset win against the 2023 national runner-up Horned Frogs, proclaiming, “Do you believe?” and “We keep receipts,” postgame.
But as the old saying goes, with great power comes great responsibil-
ity. And in this case, lofty expectations. Sanders noted that Wednesday.
“I’m judged on a different scale,” said Sanders. “My wins are totally different than your wins.”
He’s not wrong.
Sure, a 4-8 campaign last year is progress from a 1-11 season. But given the likely departures of star quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way Heisman contender Travis Hunter, progress likely won’t do for Buffs fans this season. A nine-win season might be the expectation, if not better.
Will that happen? Time will tell. But one thing remains certain: the Buffs have enough professional experience in their coaching staff to guide another transfer-heavy roster – 42 to be exact – to a bowl-eligible season, or better. Otherwise, Sanders and Co. might enter a win-or-go-home mode in the coming years.
“Winning is important,” Sanders said. “We know that.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Andy Cross/The Denver Post/TNS
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders before a game against Nebraska at Folsom Field Sept. 9, 2023, in Boulder, Colorado. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post/TNS)
by Patti Varol
Join The O’Colly Team!
Cowboy Calendar
Wednesday, July 24
2024 State Roundup @ 9 a.m.
Location: Oklahoma State University
Admission: Must Register
https://4h.okstate.edu/events/state-4-h-roundup/ Bingo Wednesdays @ 8 p.m.
Location: Louie’s Grill & Bar
https://louiesgrillandbar.com/locations/stillwater/ Louie’s Kids Night @ 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Location: Louie’s Grill & Bar
https://www.facebook.com/LouiesStillwater
Mini Canvas Art @ 2 - 4 p.m.
Location: OSU Museum of Art
https://www.stillwaterok.gov/LibrarySummer
SASA Tennis Lessons (Session 3) @ 11 - 17 yrs old @ 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. & 5-9 years old 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Admission: $75
https://www.stillwaterareasports.com/registration
Showstoppers Dance Studio Summer Classes: Ladies Only @ 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
Location: 724 E Krayler Ave Stillwater, OK 74075
http://showstoppersdancestudio.com/index.php
Stillwater Children’s Theatre Camp Enrollment: “Broadway boot Camp” Grades 1-12 @ 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: 315 W. 8th Street Stillwater, OK 74074
Admission: $250 per child (payment plans available)
https://www.stillwaterchildrenstheatre.org/ payment/p/broadway-bootcamp-grades-1-12
Singo Wednesdays @ 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Baker & Gambill’s EM
https://curatorsofcraft.co/pages/weekly-events
Team Trivia Live @ 10 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Location: College Bar
Wednesday Bingo Night @ 9:30 p.m.
Location: The Union Beverage Co
https://linktr.ee/theunionstilly
Wednesday Weaving @ 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: OSU Museum of Art
https://museum.okstate.edu/learn/programming.
html Live Trivia @ 7 - 9 p.m.
Location: Iron Monk Brewing Company
https://www.ironmonkbeer.com/
Bingo Night @ 8 p.m.
Location: Louie’s Grill & Bar
https://www.facebook.com/LouiesStillwater
Open Mic Night 2024 Competition @ 7 - 9 p.m.
Location: Bad Brad’s Bar-B-Q
https://badbrads.com/
By Michael Schlossberg
Daily Horoscope
Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency
Linda Black Horoscopes
Today’s Birthday (07/24/24). Share this year with beloved friends. Joint resources and savings grow with steady contribution. Summer investigations take a new tack, leading to a lucrative and collaborative autumn. Resolve story challenges with creative projects this winter, before harvesting springtime bounty. Teamwork gets extra results.
To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.
Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Relax and rest. Slow to consider plans and itineraries. Anticipate future challenges. Use what you’ve kept hidden. Organization provides the backbone of your next adventure.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — You can’t do everything. Delegate what you can. Proceed with caution to avoid breakage. Organize and coordinate carefully. Take charge with help from friends.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Revise professional plans. Provide excellent service despite a potential hurdle. Make sure that everyone is on the same page. Draw upon hidden resources.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Venture farther out. You don’t need to spend a fortune. Enjoy a frugal exploration without suffering. Hunt for the perfect route and landing spots.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Two heads are better than one with a financial decision. Contribute to a shared effort. You’re building for the future. Wear practical shoes.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Resolve an issue with your partner. What seems like a breakdown now could grow in time to become a blessing. Adjust plans and preparations.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Practice your physical moves to grow skills. Play by the rules. Expand your influence. Concur with an expert to raise your game. Rest well.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Don’t worry about money and don’t spend much either. Plan some fun with family and friends. Cook up something wonderful. Invent a fine romance.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Fix up your place. The best laid plans can have gaps or holes. You can see what wasn’t working. Collaborate to find cost-effective solutions.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Reinforce the basic foundations of a creative project. Adapt with changes. Provide stability to grow your elaborations and details. Plan to launch later.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Keep generating positive cash flow. Watch your step to avoid mistakes. Make plans for growth and expansion while maintaining a tight budget. Stash it.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Gain options with strength. Don’t divulge a secret source. Guard your energy. Practice to grow it. Refine plans to
