“Pair of Cowboy Wide Receivers on Biletnikoff Award Watch List”
“Ollie Gordon II, No. 17 Oklahoma State see chance to grab top role in wide open, expanded Big 12”
“Ranking the 10 best offensive lines in college football: Oklahoma State beats the blue bloods for No. 1”
“Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark says conference in better shape as Texas, OU depart”
ASHTON
SLAUGHTER
@ASHTON_SLOT
The stars have seemingly aligned for OSU in 2024.
From a roster standpoint, the Cowboys return about 20 starters.
From a coaching standpoint, head coach Mike Gundy is entering his 20th season with the program, and coordinators Kasey Dunn (14th season with OSU) and Bryan Nardo (second season with OSU) are hoping to build upon last year’s success.
The two Big 12 Conference behemoths, OU and Texas, are now in the SEC.
A wide-open conference in which the Cowboys are projected frontrunners, along with Utah and Kansas State, is up for grabs.
The College Football Playoff has expanded from four teams to 12, giving OSU and Big 12 teams an improved chance at inclusion.
With all these factors, those in Stillwater and those who bleed orange believe this is the year. The year that the Cowboys make the CFP, claim the Big 12 as theirs and cement Gundy’s legacy.
Others worry about the high expectations, which, as seen in OSU’s past, sometimes aren’t met once the season concludes.
From a national standpoint, the Cowboys were ranked No.
17 in the Associated Press’ Top 25 Preseason Poll, behind only Utah and above Kansas State, Arizona and Kansas for Big 12 representation. OSU is getting its due respect. So, if not now, when?
The Cowboys’ experience, the wideopenness of the conference and an expanded postseason format are opening the curtain for an OSU fivestar showing; the Cowboys just need to remember their lines and cues, lean on their chemistry and trust their costars.
Because if they do, they feel like it can be a special year.
“We all wanted to come back to go to the College Football Playoff,” said seventh-year quarterback Alan Bowman. “... That’s the goal.”
Still hungry?
Brett McMurphy has seen the “painful times” for OSU football. He lived through them.
McMurphy, a college football insider for Action Network, is an OSU alumnus who knows what the Cowboy football program used to be — dreaded. From 1985-2004, OSU appeared in seven bowl games.
But in Gundy’s first 19 seasons, other than his first season at the helm, his teams have made a bowl game every season. Usually, fans look back years, even decades, to find the “glory days” — but those are happening now for OSU fans.
With McMurphy’s prolonged relationship with
Cowboy football, he recognizes sometimes when expectations are high, the Cowboys underperform — see 2012 and 2022 — but when expectations aren’t as high, Gundy and Co. thrive as underdogs, coming out of nowhere and surprising everyone — see 2021 and last season.
Coming off a Big 12 Championship Game appearance and being heralded as one of the crown jewels of the newlook conference, McMurphy wonders if that we’re-gonnashow-you mentality is still with this year’s team.
“Are you guys gonna be as hungry as last year? And it’s easy to say, ‘Of course we are,’ but that’s not always the case,” McMurphy said.
Yet he sees the case for the Cowboys. Although nationally ranked 17th, McMurphy slotted OSU in at No. 12 on his preseason poll. The combination of Heisman hopeful Ollie Gordon II, Bowman, a deep receiving corps and a handful of other key returners makes the Cowboys one of his Big 12 frontrunners, in his eyes.
But he also said “drawing names out of a hat” could compile a better list than some Big 12 rankings. That’s how close he believes some teams stack up against each other.
“The Big 12 is the deepest conference in the country,” McMurphy said. “I joke — it’s shorter to list the teams that can’t win the conference than it is to list the teams that can win it… I don’t think there’s a “clear-cut favorite” to win the Big 12.”
WHEN: Saturday, 1
p.m.
WHERE: Boone Pickens
ASHTON SLAUGHTER
SPORTS EDITOR
@ASHTON_SLOT
In some ways, Mike Gundy is OSU football.
Before he was hired as the Cowboys’ head coach in 2004, years — decades, even — of bleak football history were what OSU fans were used to.
Now, 20 years later, Gundy has made a bowl game 18 out of his 19 seasons, with his only miss coming in his first season at the helm of the program, and has completely changed the image and trajectory of football in Stillwater. Whether he’s been under center playing quarterback or on the sideline coaching, Gundy has spent
more than half of his life with the OSU football program.
To commemorate Gundy’s 20th season, The O’Colly will publish a story centered on his tenure at OSU every week throughout the football season. Our “Gundy’s 20th” series will go through Gundy’s career while also weaving off into other side stories to fully capture the coach and character of the man who changed OSU football.
The first story in the “Gundy’s 20th” series will publish next Friday, as every installment will release on the final weekday throughout the season.
Keep coming back to us for the series, because he’s a man, and he’s entering his 20th season and we’ll have some great stories about it.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
PARKER GERL
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
@PARKER_GERL
Not much has changed for Bryan Nardo heading into his second season as OSU’s defensive coordinator.
He’s got returnees at safety, cornerback, linebacker and defensive line — everywhere.
That’s the key to Nardo building upon his first season as the Cowboys’ DC. His 2024 defense is eerily similar to its 2023 version, with a few minor tweaks and most starters returning from last year’s 10-win team.
And players’ comfortability with Nardo has grown, which they believe can only help the defense improve.
“Especially having another year under our belts with Coach Nardo, it’s just that everybody understands the scheme a lot more,” OSU defensive tackle Justin Kirkland said. “Everybody can play a little bit more free; be more violent.” Nardo’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme remains prevalent, but depending on matchups, OSU wants to play more four-down fronts — one of the few changes the Cowboys will experiment with on defense.
See NARDO on page 4A
If you just looked at OSU’s luck rating from last year, you’d tell the Cowboys to pack their bags and leave the casino.
OSU went 5-1 in one-score games last season, as the Cowboys always seemed to find ways to pull out a 27-24 game like Bedlam. For context, TeamRankings.com has only Washington, who went 8-0 in one-score games en route to a national championship appearance, above OSU as the luckiest team from last season. Luck rating is determined when examining the difference in the winning percentage between a team’s actual record and their projected record. It’s not all about one-score games, but since those can easily flip a team’s record, it’s a portion of what makes up the rankings.
Since OSU went 10-4 and won 83.3% of their one-score games, that, among other factors, would lower its projected record compared to what it actually was. Same for 14-1 Washington. Luck rating isn’t a new thing, though, as TeamRatings’ luck rankings started in 2003-04. Because of this, prior years can be compared to OSU’s lucky season to determine if similar schools, who had high luck ratings one year, saw a fall off the next. Here are five recent times a Big 12 school (who was in the conference then and still is) was top 10 in luck rating, along with how they fared the following season.
TCU in 2022-23:
Everyone remembers the Horned Frogs’ Cinderella run to the national title game. TCU, who went 13-2 and finished first in luck rating that year behind a 6-1 record in one-score games, didn’t see the same luck the following season.
To be fair, the Horned Frogs — unlike OSU from last season to this season — lost a lot of key players. However, the Horned Frogs plummeted to 129th in the country the next year, going 5-7 and 0-4 in one-score games, giving them the fifth-worst luck rating in the country.
Baylor in 2021-22:
I don’t mean to open up a wound for Cowboy fans, but the Bears went 4-1 in one-score games — including a 21-16 victory over OSU in the Big 12 Championship Game, which earned
them the sixth-highest luck rating.
The following year, Baylor went 6-7 and 2-3 in one-score games and dropped to an 11thworst, 121st-place luck ranking.
OSU in 2021-22:
Like the Bears, OSU found itself coming out on top when it maybe always shouldn’t have in 2021-22. The Cowboys went 12-2 and 6-2 in one-score games, which clinched them a Fiesta Bowl title.
Cowboy fans remember the next year, though — a disappointing 7-6 season with a 1-4 record in one-score games — brought their luck rating down from No. 8 to No. 122, a 10th-worst ranking.
West Virginia in 2016-17:
It took a few years to find another Big 12 school, but WVU had the third-highest luck rating in its 10-3 season, which included a 4-0 one-score-game record.
The Mountaineers faired decently well the following year, only dropping to No. 41 in luck rating and having a winning record in onescore games, 3-2, to finish with a 7-6 record. This is the most encouraging example for OSU fans yet.
OSU in 2015-16:
The Cowboys’ overall 10-3 and 4-1 one-score game records landed them at No. 8 in luck rankings this year.
In 2016-17, OSU followed it up with an identical record season — 10-3 and 4-1 in onescore games. The Cowboys finished with the 38th-best luck rating. This one is the best sign for OSU fans.
Final thoughts
In three of the five examples, teams that were lucky one season didn’t receive that same fortune the following year. The last two examples are good signs for OSU.
It is interesting, though, that the most recent examples are so extreme. Maybe the talent gap between teams in recent seasons has lessened since 2015-17.
The Cowboys are leaning on a lot of returning experience and their stars this season, but it’s clear that they also need one thing: a little bit of luck. Sure, every team can say this, but as the data shows, the teams who get lucky one year (like OSU last year) can quickly bust at the college football table.
the same range, namely the SEC and ACC.
Only two Big 12 Conference teams were included in the fourteam College Football Playoff –and they now reside in the SEC.
With one current member ever qualifying for the playoff (Cincinnati), the Big 12 and its fans are among the biggest supporters of the new, and according to some, improved 12-team playoff. The days of 11-1 Baylor and TCU being excluded from playing for a national championship are seemingly a thing of the past.
Despite the expansion, some concerns still exist. Will the committee prefer the power programs of the SEC and Big Ten when filling the seven at-large spots? Will Big 12 teams on the bubble be left out like when the field was only four teams?
“I think when it all settles, the committee, within reason, is gonna try to spread the wealth with the conferences, in my opinion,” said OSU head coach Mike Gundy. “Now, if you have a (conference) where teams are beating each other up, then your conference champion’s automatically gonna be in. The other guys are not gonna have a chance. That’s part of what’s gonna be interesting — to really see what they’re looking for and how they feel about it. I do think the Big 12 has an advantage because we play nine conference games, and that is important.”
The Big 12’s nine-game conference schedule should give its teams that finish in the second to fourth an advantage over teams from conferences that play eight conference games that finish in
It’s likely that a team like Alabama, Georgia or Ole Miss, one of which may finish second in the SEC, will be perceived as being better than teams like Utah, Kansas State or Oklahoma State. But when it comes to getting teams in on the back end, the nine-game conference schedule could be a big advantage for teams outside of the SEC and ACC even if it hasn’t been throughout the history of the playoff yet.
The Big 12’s depth is a positive and a negative regarding the playoff this season. Utah, K-State, OSU and a handful of other programs are seen as legitimate threats to compete for the conference. While that depth allows for more opportunities for resume-building wins, it also allows for more teams to rack up two or three losses throughout the season.
The 12-team playoff is undeniably a positive for the Big 12 despite existing obstacles that will inevitably lead to frustration from supporters of the conference.
As the landscape of college football continues to change, more teams are sure to eventually be added to the playoff, but for now, the Big 12 will be forced to compete amongst themselves and the rest of the nation for eight spots.
“I think it’ll be beneficial for this league to be competitive on an annual basis. It’ll change. There’s teams that’ll have down years and teams that’ll have good years, so it’ll vary a little bit,” Gundy said. But if you’re competitive through the middle of the league from a strength standpoint, I think it’s gonna benefit it when it comes to the committee and they make those decisions.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
ance (89). The closest the Cowboys came was in 2021, when they were six inches and a selection committee debate away from making the fourteam bracket.
Gundy, though, is not caught up in being tabbed as the new face of the conference.
That wasn’t what he wanted when he got the job 20 years ago, and it’s still not his goal.
“It’s hard to predict how you can establish yourself… Whether we’re the face of the league, I don’t know,” Gundy said. “My goal is to put a product out there that the fans can come and enjoy your Saturday and tailgate and say, “You know what? We might win this game.”
‘Get Coach Gundy one’
When offensive lineman Dalton Cooper was asked what his goals were for the season, he said he hoped to aid Gordon in getting a Heisman and wanted to win the Big 12 title to host a home playoff game.
But it was his last goal that stood out.
“And just go all the way to win Coach Gundy one,” Wilson said. In the CFP era, OSU is No. 4 in most wins without a CFP appear-
McMurphy projects only one Big 12 team will make the playoff this year, as he believes teams in the conference will beat each other, ultimately worsening everyone’s records, resulting in a Big 12 at-large bid being out of the picture. This isn’t an unpopular theory, which means OSU, some believe, needs to win in Arlington or else it’ll have to wait for the 12th CFP next season for a chance to compete for a national championship.
But for Cooper, who’s setting out to win Gundy a title, and Bowman, who said the majority of the starters came back to make the expanded 12-team playoff, the desire to compete in the sport’s highest level is there.
McMurphy wonders if more players are like Cooper — doing it for Gundy.
“Do they think that Mike needs to get to the playoff to kinda validate his coaching career? He’s obviously won two of the last three Bedlams; he’s won the Big 12 championship. Oklahoma State came so close a couple of times to getting in to the four-team
playoff, but they never did,” McMurphy said.
“Now, it’s expanded, so the expectations are, ‘Well, it’s expanded, so you should be able to make it,’ but it’s not that simple. So I think it’s big… I think that would be huge for him (Gundy). Although he wouldn’t admit it to me, but I think it would mean a lot to him to finally get Oklahoma State to the playoff.”
And it’d likely mean a lot for OSU fans, who, like McMurphy, have seen Gundy’s unparalleled success compared to the program’s barren history.
They want to be the conference’s best. They think this is the year.
If it isn’t, and the experienced players are gone and the stars are NFL bound as another program grabs control of the Big 12 in this new-look season, where does that leave OSU in the college football landscape?
No need to think about it. That’s too far ahead. Because this season, presumably, is the year.
And the number of days before kickoff is lowering.
But the expectations aren’t.
“We’re trying to get to that playoff,” said wide receiver Rashod Owens. “Hopefully the national championship.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
surge as one of
DANIEL ALLEN STAFF REPORTER
De’Zhaun Stribling struggled to contain his emotions.
The moment he got word that his junior season would be cut short, he managed to keep himself levelheaded. After all, injuries happen in a physical-contact sport. Nothing new.
But the more he reflected on how the injury transpired – a broken left wrist in practice during OSU’s bye week, four weeks into the 2023 season – the heavier his intrusive thoughts weighed in his mind.
“(It was) one of those freak accidents,” Stribling said. “It happens. It’s football.”
OSU’s wide receiver room and offense managed without Stribling, as the Cowboys finished with a 10-4 record and a TaxAct Texas Bowl victory over Texas A&M.
But now, Stribling has since been cleared to return to team activities. He’s back in pads and uniform, ready to put the horrors of a season ago behind him. And perhaps most importantly, ready to “ball out,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to getting back out there playing football,” Stribling said. “It feels like I haven’t
played in a long, long time, but I’m just ready to get out there with the boys and do everything I can to help us win games.”
Through four games, Stribling was on track to emerge as one of, if not the top prospect in OSU’s wide receiver corps. He had logged 198 receiving yards and a touchdown through four games. And not to mention, his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame and elusiveness as a receiver made him a premier threat for opposing defenses.
When his season-ending injury transpired, however, all of his momentum went to the wayside.
Fast-forward, after months of rigorous rehab, he rejoined team activities. Shortly thereafter, he dazzled the offensive coaches in practice, soon rejuvenating his reputation as a playmaker.
“So, so excited for him to be back,” wide receiver Rashod Owens said. “When you add his ability to (our wide receiver room), if you look at all the talent that we have, it’s lethal.”
Stribling said he feels more explosive since his return. The nerves of joining a new team are now gone with a year already in the program. And the thrill of battling for a spot to return to the first team is an adrenaline booster, he said.
“You see everybody battling and
stepping and competing, and it is a beautiful site,” Stribling said. “Everybody getting better and better each day, not making the same mistakes twice and just getting better. It is a good little site.
“Hopefully I can be a (major) part in that.”
The Cowboys are already expected to have one of the most dynamic receiving units in the conference and college football, with the return of Brennan Presley and Owens. But adding Stribling to the mix makes the aforementioned perception all the more viable.
Stribling will be draft-eligible in the spring. A prolific redshirt-junior season could thrust him into the NFL Draft spotlight ahead of time. And head coach Mike Gundy hasn’t shied away from that likelihood.
Stribling is no longer struggling to contain his emotions. He’s just ready to make amends with himself come Saturday, when OSU opens its 2024 season.
“He’s got enough ability to play beyond this level if he continues to work, practice, take care of his body and all the things that are important to get to the next level,” Gundy said. “If he’s willing to put the work in, we’ll get him ready, we’ll train him (and) we’ll put him in that position.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
“When you add his ability to (our wide receiver room), if you look at all the talent that we have, it’s lethal.” - Rashod Owens
Continued from 1
That means Collin Oliver will play both linebacker and d-line throughout games. When OSU brings four rushers to the line, he’ll play on the edge. And when it’s three, he’ll drop back to linebacker. Former Safety Kendal Daniels is now listed as a linebacker, but OSU head coach Mike Gundy said, “There’s times where Kendal will play back and there’s times where he’ll come down.”
The other change the Cowboys’ defense saw came on the coaching side. OSU hired Paul Randolph from Indiana to coach the defensive line, which it hopes to improve after being in the bottom half of the Big 12 in sacks.
Now, with returners such as Oliver, Daniels, Nick Martin and Korie Black, among others, Nardo is positioned to help OSU’s defense take a jump and hasn’t changed much in trying to do so.
“He’s still preached a lot of the same things that he preached last year,” cornerback Cam Smith said of Nardo.
Year 1 of Nardo
“Big plays” could best describe OSU’s defense under Nardo last season. For the good and the bad.
The Cowboys were susceptible to getting burned over the top and giving up lumps of yards — OSU surrendered the most passing yards in the Big 12 last season, 3,850, and the most total yards per game in the conference, 441.8. But the Cowboys also developed a deft ability to come up with an interception or fumble recovery when it mattered most, or even just take opponents out in second halves. They held Kansas to a seven-point second half. They limited Oklahoma to 10 second-half points. And they climbed back from a 24-6 halftime deficit to beat BYU in 2OT after holding the Cougars 10 points across the second half and overtime periods.
And then there were game-breaking plays, like Trey Rucker’s forced fumble and recovery against BYU in the second overtime to clinch a Big 12 Championship Game berth, or Cameron Epps and Martin combining for three interceptions en route to defeating Kansas State.
Now that the Cowboys have experienced the good and the bad with Nardo, they believe it can help them become a more consistent product.
“I feel like it’s easier to trust (Nardo now) and to just go out there and do what he says,” Epps said. “Because we’ve been there, we played in big games and we know how to play with each other.”
On to Year 2
The question surrounding OSU’s defense heading into this season is the same one asked in 2023: How good can it be?
But it’s being asked for different reasons. Nardo is no longer making the jump from Division-II Gannon University. Now, he’s coached Big 12 games before and knows what to expect, as do the veteran players he has. That’s why the Cowboys are in position to take a leap. They have the personnel and experience to do so; they just have to take it.
“He tells me to do something one time, and I’m gonna do it,” Smith said of Nardo. “ I trust his coaching, I trust his culture, I trust his culture. When he says, ‘Do this,’ I trust it. No other questions.”
Nardo’s defense has a number of tests on its schedule. It opens conference play with Utah, followed by a game at Kansas State, and it closes its season against Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, one of the Big 12’s best quarterbacks.
And there’s a Week 1 matchup with South Dakota State University, winners of 29 straight games and back-to-back FCS championships. They’re all tests, ones that OSU thinks it’ll pass.
“We’re all bought in as a team, and coach Nardo, he’s doing his best job,” OSU defensive lineman Colin Clay said. “... When we started Day 1 of fall camp, they’re telling us, ‘This isn’t Day 1 of fall camp; this is carrying on from spring ball Day 16.’ So there’s nothing that was slowing down. They expected us to be ready from Day 1. So expect to see a lot of progress throughout the season.”
DANIEL ALLEN STAFF REPORTER @DANIELALLEN1738
In spring 2023, the Big 10 filed a request to the NCAA rules committee.
Listed were proposals for in-game experimentation with a new method of coach-to-player communication – headsets in players’ helmets – and sideline tablets.
Initially, members of the rules committee were befuddled at the sight of such a radical proposal. Why alter the makeup of a beloved sport? Why instill rules that would eliminate the core traits that make college football notably different from the professional ranks? Like the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
But the more the members congregated, the more transparent the logic of implementing such rules became.
“We saw it and we were like, ‘Hey, we love the idea, but let’s hold off on that and let’s just look at the bowl season,’” NCAA Coordinator of Officials Steve Shaw told The O’Colly. “So, we wanted to look at the (2023) bowl season. And we wanted to use the bowl season to experiment.”
Test runs were conducted in non-College Football Playoff bowl games during that postseason. The data collected and feedback from a multitude of head coaches and players were overwhelmingly positive, Shaw said.
So, in April, the NCAA approved the implementation of player headsets and sideline tablets, which were set to take effect at the commencement of the 2024 season.
“What we want to learn is how this will change an offense’s approach,” Shaw said. “Will they want to go faster? Could they want to go slower? How could this affect the flow of the game? What about the plays in the game?
“It’s way too early to tell, obviously. But our sample size is way too small at this point. But those are some of the things that we will be looking at. From a game flow and total number of plays standpoint, how does that impact flow of the game?”
But little did Shaw, or anyone in the college football realm, know, more would alter. Player headsets and sideline tablets were only a foreshadowing of what was to come.
Shortly after, the NCAA approved a two-minute stop for games, which also became effective the upcoming season – the NFL trademarked its two-minute warning, so the rules committee was forced to configure a different title.
Instantaneously, the rule changes were met with mixed views. Many fans argued on social media that the NCAA was attempting to make college football overly similar to the NFL. Others saw a silver lining.
“All sports have always adjusted to the times,” The Athletic’s Chris Vannini said. “Especially when it comes to technology. And this is no different. The NFL had helmet-player communication 30 years ago. So, this is not a new thing. None of these (rule changes) are.
“The two-minute stop, I could do without. But I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing for the sport.”
Some pundits, however, did not share parallel thoughts with Vannini, backing the argument that the NCAA is in fact trying to make college football too similar to the NFL.
“I really don’t want the NFL and college football to look the exact same because the players in college football and the NFL are not the exact same,” said CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah. “So, when I think of something like the new clock rules, the twominute warning and the lack of stoppages after first downs, I think that in some ways that makes the reality of the wackiness of college football more different.”
This past weekend, the new rules were unveiled to viewers worldwide during Week 0 of the season. A four-game sample size – beginning with Florida StateGeorgia Tech and ending with Hawaii-Delaware State – showcased them on national television. As expected, mixed reviews regarding each ensued.
On Saturday at 1 p.m., No. 17 Oklahoma State will endure the new era of college football rules when it faces off against backto-back FCS national champion
South Dakota State University – winners of 29 straight games – at Boone Pickens Stadium. Head coach Mike Gundy, a self-proclaimed college football philosopher, has spoken at large about the sport’s ever-changing landscape.
Some wonder whether the new rules will aid offenses more. Others echo the same sentiment for defenses. Gundy, however, said the changes affect both strategy and game flow, regardless. Thus, he and his coaching staff have followed suit with a surplus of other programs, adjusting to the times.
“There are a lot of different scenarios to look at,” Gundy said. “We’re actually in the process of doing it. We’re redoing all of our end-of-half and end-of-game sheets. We’ll have to be prepped for those in a lot of different ways, not just offensively but defensively as well.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
New clock rules
A two-minute stop will take effect in the second and fourth quarters of every game.
After each two-minute stop, the game clock will stop momentarily after first downs, while the chains are being moved.
The game clock will not stop after first downs prior to a twominute stop.
Headset communication
Coaches can communicate with players on the field using a radio built into their helmets.
Players with a radio helmet will have a green dot on their helmet.
Only one green dot – player with a radio headset – can be on the field.
The radio will be turned off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or on kickoffs when multiple players with green dots are on the field.
Sideline tablets
Teams can now use up to 18 active tablets on the sidelines, in the coaching booth and in the locker rooms.
They can be used to review plays, study foul calls and examine evidence before requesting reviews.
Teams can’t view previous scouting data or player analytics.
ASHTON SLAUGHTER
SPORTS EDITOR
@ASHTON_SLOT
What better way to predict OSU’s 2024 season than a video game?
In EA Sports College Football 25, I simulated the Cowboys’ season three times. I’m not saying you should believe everything my PlayStation told me (sorry, Xbox fans), but it’s the most accessible way to sim games and seasons.
So here are the three results:
First sim: 10-4 record, College Football Playoff Quarterfinal appearance Right away, things started out really strong for OSU.
The Cowboys ended the regular season 9-3 (6-3 Big 12) — with losses to West Virginia, at BYU and at TCU — and missed the Big 12 Championship Game, but snuck into the CFP since they finished as the No. 11 team in the country.
OSU traveled to Columbus, Ohio, and defeated No. 6 Ohio State 35-33 in overtime.
The Cowboys trailed 17-3 at halftime but came back to force OT. After both teams made a field goal, the Cowboys got a touchdown and two-point conversion before the Buckeyes failed to get the two-point conversion after their touchdown, advancing the Cowboys.
The next nail-biter, though, didn’t go OSU’s way, as No. 3 Tulane defeated the Cowboys 28-27 in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. The missing presence of star running back Ollie Gordon II — who was out due to a lower leg injury — was too much for OSU, as their first CFP appearance in school history ended in the quarterfinals.
Brennan Presley won the Jet Award, given to the best return specialist.
Second sim: 13-3 record, College Football Playoff National Championship appearance OK, the first sim went well.
But my Lord, this one went really well.
OSU entered the CFP as the No. 2 team in the country
after going 10-2 (7-2 Big 12) in the regular season and winning the Big 12 Championship Game over Texas Tech. The Cowboys got a firstround bye and faced No. 10 Notre Dame in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, winning 28-24. Next, OSU faced No. 3 Ohio State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl and took down the Buckeyes after outscoring them 21-7 in the second half, as wide receiver Rashod Owens hauled in eight catches for 164 yards and one touchdown en route to a 42-35 victory. Then the natty. OSU faced No. 1 Clemson in a 3OT (!) game that included 977 yards of combined total offense. OSU ended the first quarter up 21-7 before the Tigers cut into the lead, making it 28-21 at half. After Clemson outscored the Cowboys 21-14 in the second half, they headed to OT, where both teams settled for a field goal. In double OT, both teams scored a touchdown and got a twopoint conversion, leading to a two-point conversion only, 3OT period. The Tigers converted theirs, while an Alan Bowman pass to Presley fell incomplete. 57-55 Clemson.
Collin Oliver won the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player, and the Butkus Award, given to the best linebacker. Presley won the Jet Award again.
Third sim: 10-3 record, TaxAct Texas Bowl win OSU fans probably wished I stopped after the second sim. But still. not a bad year. The Cowboys finished the regular season 9-3 (6-3 Big 12) with losses to West Virginia (again), at Baylor and Arizona State — a Homecoming loss... sheesh.
But No. 16 OSU defeated Texas in the postseason, 24-19, behind 136 yards and a touchdown from running back Ollie Gordon II (who averaged 9.1 yards per carry) for a second straight Texas TaxAct Bowl title.
Gordon won the Doak Walker Award, given to the best running back, for the second straight season.
Well, according to EA Sports College Football 25, OSU has a 66.7% chance of making the CFP and a 100% chance of a player winning a postseason award.
OSU ball carriers will get to know Adam Bock during Saturday’s game. SDSU’s veteran linebacker was named to the Buchanan Award Watch list, which is given to the FCS’ top defensive player, and is coming off a season in which he tallied 65 total tackles in 10 games.
Bock also has more than 340 career tackles with two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Giving the football to Ollie Gordon II a lot is a good idea. But the Cowboys want to keep their star running back fresh for the rest of the season, as head coach Mike Gundy said he hopes “a couple of guys that can get in there and steal 10 or 12 carries from him to keep him fresh.”
Gordon might see 25-plus carries, depending on how the game goes, or maybe Sesi Vailahi and Trent Howland get in on the action, too.
Defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo and his defense have a tough task to open their season: stopping Mark Gronowski.
SDSU’s senior quarterback won the Walter Peyton Award last season, which is the FCS’s version of the Offensive Player of the Year, and threw 29 touchdowns with only five interceptions. He causes problems on the ground, too, as he rushed for 402 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023.
How does SDSU fare against OSU’s WR trio?
The Jackrabbits will look to stop Gordon. But they also have to contain Brennan Presley, Rashod Owens and De’Zhaun Stribling.
OSU’s trio of receivers gives SDSU a little bit of everything to worry about: Presley’s speed, Stribling’s finesse and Owens’ deep-ball, high-point catching. So, how do Jackrabbit defensive backs matchup against the Big 12’s fourthbest passing attack from a year ago?
sports.ed@ocolly.com
If OSU quarterback Alan Bowman makes an ill-advised throw, it just might end up in Dalys Beanum’s hands.
The Jackrabbits’ senior cornerback is coming off a five-interception season and is currently fifth all-time in SDSU history for career interceptions with 11. Beanum also ranked second among Jackrabbits in pass breakups and passes defended last season with seven and 12, respectively.
CALIF PONCY STAFF REPORTER @PONCYCALIF
In Naperville, Illinois, Mark Gronowski waited patiently for the offers to start rolling in – but they never did.
As a star quarterback for Neuqua Valley High School, he garnered interest from schools like Iowa, Stanford, Michigan State and Wisconsin. But they didn’t see him as anything more than a walk-on. Gronowski needed one school to believe in him, and that school was South Dakota State University. The Jackrabbits provided Gronowski with his only Division-I offer.
Since arriving at SDSU, Gronowski has led the Jackrabbits to two straight FCS championships, 29 consecutive wins, and won a Walter Payton Award (think of it as the FCS’ offensive player of the year).
Gronowski has gone from overlooked to one of the nation’s best at any level in just three seasons.
“He’s a very good football player,” said Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy. “(He’s) dangerous because he can run it, he can throw it, he can scramble out and throw it. There’s a reason why he won that (Walter Payton) Award.”
Gronowski’s game grabbed the atten-
tion of multiple FBS programs after last season. Gronowski told ESPN he received multiple offers from Big Ten and Big 12 schools that were worth as much as $1.2 million during the winter and summer but he decided to turn them down to continue to hone his abilities for the next level and potentially lead SDSU to a third consecutive championship.
“I think the thing that keeps him here is the people and how we invest in our players and making them know they are more than just a number here, the family atmosphere here,” SDSU coach Jimmy Rogers said. “I know that seems really cliche but Mark isn’t getting any type of NIL six-figure deal from the Jackrabbits. We really try and invest in our players. A lot of our players weren’t highly recruited; this was one of their only Division-I opportunities.”
Gronowski fits that description.
Now, Gronowski is a projected NFL Draft pick, and has the opportunity of true stardom staring at him if he can lead the Jackrabbits to a win against the Cowboys.
“Our conversations were don’t change the perception of they already know you as – the top FCS player in the country,” Rogers said. “You’ve got to go prove it again and if you do that, you’re going to get an opportunity.”
No, OSU fans shouldn’t be overly worried about the Cowboys’ season opener. For the record, SDSU shouldn’t be overlooked. A team doesn’t win 29 consecutive games and two straight national titles – albeit at the FCS level – for no reason.
Although the Jackrabbits are a lethal team, they are from the FCS. OSU is a Power Four FBS program with an experienced quarterback and offensive line, a prolific wide receiver room and arguably the best running back in college football, Ollie Gordon II.
The Cowboys, on paper, simply have better players. Oh, and not to mention, OSU is 17-2 in season openers under Gundy.
Should OSU be worried about opening the season against SDSU?
OSU should be worried about the Jackrabbits.
South Dakota State University may be flying under the radar of some fans. But the Jackrabbits have won two consecutive FCS national championships, have the best player in FCS — quarterback Mark Gronowski — and have produced loads of NFL talent the past few seasons. If OSU lets Gronowski and a cast certain to produce NFLlevel players get going, it could be another disastrous nonconference loss for Mike Gundy and Co.
OSU certainly has the upper hand, but the Jackrabbits will come to play and give the Cowboys a run for their money at a minimum.
What bowl games do pundits project OSU will play in?
DANIEL ALLEN STAFF REPORTER @DANIELALLEN1738
Oklahoma State has lofty expectations in 2024.
Returning roughly 20 starters, including arguably college football’s best running back in Ollie Gordon II, will make expectations high. That, and returning one of the sport’s most seasoned head coaches in Mike Gundy. Last year didn’t start in an ideal manner for Gundy and Co. The Cowboys scraped by Central Arkansas, then-Pac 12 bottom dweller Arizona State and then
got outplayed in front of a soldout home crowd in a 33-7 loss to South Alabama.
But then Gundy’s Cowboys found their identity. They established an offensive scheme around Gordon, and then they got hot.
OSU finished the season 10-4, which featured a Big 12 Championship Game appearance against Texas and a win against Texas A&M in the TaxAct Texas Bowl to end the season.
Now, the Cowboys are hopeful that they can emulate, if not elevate, that success in 2024. And Gundy has appeared optimistic of such a feat.
“Every team is different,” Gundy said. “These guys are pretty ma-
ture, so we’ve pushed them really hard, and I told them early that I was going to try to break them. I was going to see how much they could take. And we pushed them really hard, and they responded in the right way and have practiced very well for a month.”
Can the Cowboys reach new heights as a program in 2024? That remains to be seen. They are, however, in a near-polar opposite position heading into this season than they were a year ago. That said, as OSU enters Year 20 under Gundy, let’s see where some media outlets project the Cowboys to land come bowl season.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
The Athletic: Liberty Bowl vs. Florida
ESPN: Pop Tarts Bowl vs. Clemson/Alamo Bowl vs. USC
Action Network: Liberty Bowl vs. Kentucky
247Sports: Alamo Bowl vs. USC
CBS Sports: Pop Tarts Bowl vs. Notre Dame
Bleacher Report: Top-four seed in College Football Playoff vs. TBD
Ashton Slaughter: De’Zhaun Stribling leads the team in receiving yards.
Parker Gerl: Kendal Daniels makes First Team All-Big 12.
Daniel Allen: Alan Bowman throws at least 25 touchdowns and less than 10 interceptions.
Calif Poncy: Collin Oliver returns to freshman form and racks up 12 sacks.
CFP final four Teams:
Slaughter: Georgia, Oregon, Texas, Alabama
Gerl: Alabama, Oregon, Georgia, Ole Miss
Allen: Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss
Poncy: Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Alabama
*national champion in italics
OSU Record:
Slaughter: 10-2 Gerl: 9-3 Allen: 10-2 Poncy: 9-3
Heisman Pick:
Slaughter: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Gerl: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Allen: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Poncy: Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
Cowboy cross country ‘defending a title, maintaining a program’ to start 2024 season
KENZIE KRAICH STAFF REPORTER @KRAICH20
Coming off a national championship in 2023, the Cowboys are looking to build off of the previous season’s outcome.
OSU only lost one of its top seven runners from its championship team, making for a promising 2024 campaign for the men. This allows the Cowboys to remain confident and secure in their standings.
“There’s a much clearer picture to where we are and where we stand,” OSU head coach Dave Smith said. “We know we are one of the top teams in the country, and we’re pretty confident in that. There aren’t a lot of unknowns.”
Former Cowboy Alex Maier – a U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association Midwest Region Athlete of the Year – was one of OSU’s most prolific runners in school history, breaking several school and Big 12 records before his college career ended last season.
However, his athleticism is not the trait Smith says the team will miss the most.
“Where we are really going to miss him is his leadership, his confidence, his seriousness and his approach,” Smith said. “It was kind of contagious. I think I see a lot of Alex’s habits still on the team today.” Smith is looking to his redshirt freshmen from the previous season to provide
the needed support for the men’s team over the next several months. While the staff is faced with making the tough decision of who will round out the top 10 team spots, they are excited to watch the younger athletes rise to the occasion.
Two standout sophomores for the Cowboys – Denis Kipngetich and Brian Musau – are expected to be anchors for this year’s team.. Musau took eighth and Kipngetich fourth en route to the Cowboys’ NCAA Championship win.
Beginning a season after bringing home hardware the year before can make it difficult to maintain mentality, but Smith makes sure his athletes understand the goal remains the same.
“This year’s a new year,” Smith said.
“We’re going to refocus, reset and realize that everybody out there, every other team, wants to knock us off. We are the new team that people are coming for, and they’re going to try to match us man for man, so everybody’s got to do their job.”
The pressures that come with following up such a successful season might get to most athletes, but Smith’s experience with winning has made him no stranger to dealing with the pride, attitudes and consistency of his team.
“Chasing a title and building a program is much different than defending a title and maintaining a program,” Smith said.
“We’re no longer champions. Tomorrow, we’re like everybody else, and we’re trying to win the next one.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
KENZIE KRAICH STAFF REPORTER @KRAICH20
Losing athletes such as Taylor Roe, Molly Born and Gabija Galvydyte is a point of focus for OSU women’s cross country entering fall competition, as the Cowgirls will lean on younger, more inexperienced runners more than they have in the past.
Fortunately for OSU, it returns graduate students Sivan Auerbach and Lilly Lavier to pull the weight of being leaders on the team.
“You want the ones that are in the foxhole, in the trenches with you, kind of serving as leaders, and I think Savannah and Lily are both more than ready for that role,” Smith said. “They’re great human beings who are developing rapidly right now as athletes.”
Third place at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, second place at the Big 12 Cross Country Championships and first place at the Midwest Regional Championships were all accomplished by the Cowgirls.
But this year could look different, as they are returning only three of their top 10 runners from last year. A reconstruction year is what some might call it, but OSU head coach Dave Smith and his staff believe the team will rise to the occasion.
“We’re starting over, and in a way, that’s stressful and nerve-wracking, and you start to worry about what’s going to happen,” Smith said. “On the other hand, it’s really exciting and fun
to watch.”
The Cowgirls have also added assistant coach Abbie Fredrick to the staff for the Cowgirls, but in a short time, she believes the remaining leadership opportunities are up for grabs.
“I think anyone – freshmen up to seniors — can fill that role,” Frederick said.”They haven’t had someone step into that role in a while. It’s kind of been a natural leader for the past five years that has taken that role.”
While some might believe the pressure has risen for the Cowgirls this season, they are excited to allow room for growth and mistakes as the season progresses. Smith has intentionally reminded his athletes that every year is a clean slate, and despite the adversity being thrown at them, there are positives to look forward to.
“I think they’re in the position where we’re chasing greatness again, and because we have a massive turnover like that, the expectations from outside sources might drop,” Smith said. “It’s a nice place to be when maybe you’re off the radar a little bit.”
This year’s team may bring less statistical experience, but according to Smith, it is one that has come together better than those in previous seasons, melding on a multitude of aspects. He speaks highly of those who shadowed the greats that came before them and is looking forward to seeing how they shine the next several months.
“When you prune the top branches, the lower branches get some light, and all of a sudden they flourish,” Smith said. “I think some of them are gonna step up and do big things for us.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
KENZIE KRAICH STAFF REPORTER @KRAICH20
A new season comes with a new foundation for OSU cross country this fall. The team is returning two faces to its coaching staff while adding three, making for a strong core of five experienced, well-rounded mentors for both the men and women. OSU head coach Dave Smith will be returning for his 15th season, and alongside him returns distance coach John Oliver.
Going through an offseason with only two coaches on staff made sleep come second for Smith, but he now stands firm in his decisions for who would fill in.
“I was very stressed out a month ago,” Smith said. “Really stressed out about how this was going to go and how it’s going to look, but I’m really confident now.”
New additions to the staff include Abbie Fredrick and Ryun Godfrey along with Mason Harbour, who served as a graduate assistant for the team in previous seasons. Former athletes Tamara Woodley and Wyatt Landis were signed on as graduate assistants for the program after graduating from OSU last spring.
Fredrick and Godfrey come from two highly competitive programs in Baylor and Nebraska, bringing their experience and passion with them. Smith talks highly of the new hires, reiterating his confidence in the foundation of his program.
“I think we did a really, really good job filling those roles,” Smith said. “I feel really comfortable.”
Smith and Godfrey are no strangers to one another, as they have faced off on multiple occasions throughout the years. Regardless of their competitive nature, the pair always made room for the idea of one day coaching together.
“I was always nervous going up against
his athletes because he was so good,” Smith said. ”Many times he and I would sit and chat at meets and say, ‘Man, someday you and I should work together. We would rule the world.’”
While Fredrick may not have as much history with Smith, she has been credited with bringing a multitude of strengths to the staff.
“I love her energy, and I love her passion,” Smith said. “I think the women on the team and the men on the team will immediately feel comfortable with her and feel like she’s someone they can go to when they need an ear to listen.”
Fredrick is looking to take on the female assistant position with pride, as she hopes to fill shoes she never had as an athlete.
“I want to be the coach that I didn’t have,” Fredrick said. “I didn’t feel like I really had another female coach that really took me under her wing and kind of helped guide me through and kind of
show me the ways of the world.”
OSU is called home for few, but Fredrick bought in early. Her love for the community in Stillwater solidified her reasoning for being here, and she remains confident in her decision to sport the orange and black.
“You’re not what you run; you’re not the placement that you get, but you’re how hard you work,” Frederick said, crediting the mentality of the Cowboy Code. “You’re how you show up, and everyone shows up in a different way and has their own role. Whether you’re number one on the team, number 10 on the team or anywhere in between, you can contribute no matter where you’re at.”
Not only did the women’s team see a reconstruction, but the staff at OSU ran into one of its own. This serves as a blessing in disguise for Smith and the rest of the team as they gained not one but three strong mentors to guide their athletes down the road to a championship.
Before 2008, Dave Hudson gauged how OSU fans felt about the school’s athletic programs by talking to his friends or making office small talk.
But when someone posted on a message board asking for OSU football record predictions, Hudson didn’t think that was good enough. He didn’t believe a thread of a couple of numbers and a hyphen was the best way to understand the temperature of Cowboy and Cowgirl fans.
“I found that to be a very unsatisfying way to digest everyone’s opinions — just a thread of 12-0 or 9-3,” Hudson said. “So I was like, let’s make this a little more sophisticated.”
So he made a survey. And he did it again the next year. And the next year. And 17 annual surveys later, he’s still going strong, as Hudson posted the 2024 OSU fan survey results on his X account last Thursday.
This year, Hudson received 1,419 submissions, a few hundred short of his record of “around 2,000,” but he said any number greater than 1,000 makes him satisfied. Hudson and his wife also had a baby girl in July, so he didn’t have as much spare time to think about or work on the survey, causing him to be “not as proud” this year compared to past year’s.
But still, even with the newborn, Hudson put out a survey. Something he said he’d do until people seemed disinterested in it.
Maybe it’s because he’s addicted to the data. Or maybe it’s because it’s his “love letter” to OSU fans; either way, it’s an annual passion project of his.
“It is quite a bit of work, but this is how I express my love for OSU,” Hudson said.
The results
Year-after-year questions like guessing how many games the football team will win or ranking the OSU coaches and administration are mainstays in Hudson’s survey. But he also mixes it up every year, making questions that are specific to the year. For example, this year, Hudson asked OSU fans if they’d rather see the football team win a national championship or see their preferred presidential candidate win the election (56.9% voted for a title, 43.1% voted for their candidate).
Hudson is consistently surprised by some of the responses he receives. For example, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders was rated last in the “Aside from Gundy, I would most/least want my son to play for” category. Kansas State’s Chris Klieman
(31.4%) and Utah’s Kyle Wittingham (31.0%) had the two highest net percentage’s, while Sanders finished with a -62.2% rating — 57.8% less than Cincinnati’s Scott Satterfield, whose net rating was the closest to Sanders’.
However, Sanders was listed as the 12th-best Big 12 Conference coach out of 16, so maybe he isn’t the worst coach, but Hudson believes his loud and controversial entrance to Colorado and revamping the roster may have turned OSU fans off about the idea of their son playing for Prime Time.
Something else that stood out to Hudson was how high OSU fans are on the current administration, particularly Dr. Kayse Shrum and Athletic Director Chad Weiberg. Shrum and Weiberg’s approval ratings, 4.2 and 4.1, respectfully, are higher than
every OSU coach other than softball coach Kenny Gajewski (4.7) and Gundy (4.5). With Gajewski, in particular, only Gundy in 2017 and baseball coach Josh Holliday in 2016 scored higher — both 4.8s.
New wrestling coach David Taylor is the next highest at 4.0. This is higher than John Smith’s 3.6 rating last year and the same as Smith’s 2022 ranking. However, the other newcomer, men’s basketball coach Steve Lutz, is sitting at a 3.3, with only football defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo (3.2) and offense coordinator Kasey Dunn (3.0) behind him.
Lastly, OSU fans anticipate 8.5 wins from the football team, which is just above the average from the 17 surveys (8.4).
Hudson called OSU fans “humble” and “realistic,” as even
in seasons where there were lofty expectations — much like this fall — Cowboy fans usually don’t get too ahead of themselves. He used the 2011 11-win season as a prime example.
“When we had Weeden and Blackmon coming back, the projected win total was 9.5 — or rounding up, let’s just say 10 — which obviously turned out to be on the low side,” Hudson said. Cowboy fans ranked the game at Tulsa as the most likely win (88.3) and the game at Kansas State as the least likely win (50.4%).
And since Hudson’s survey is out, fans know football season is nearing.
“I get a lot of great feedback from people who say, ‘Oh, now I know it’s football season cause it’s time for the survey,’” Hudson said.
Friday, August 30, 2024
KENNEDY THOMASON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @_KENNEDYPAGE
The Pedestrian Safety Task Force has launched a new initiative.
“Pay Attention Pokes” is the task force’s latest attempt to improve pedestrian safety on campus. The initiative is a series of public service announcements, which will be distributed through A-frames, bus stops, emails and OSU’s social media.
Steve Spradling, director of parking and transportation services and head of the task force, said OSU implemented a similar awareness campaign for bicyclists after an accident.
“We’re kind of taking that same approach of public awareness, trying to spread the word about pedestrian safety, as well as not just vehicle and bicycle,” Spradling said. “Hopefully anything we do can help.”
The task force was formed the day after Gabrielle Long, 19, was killed in a hit-and-run on campus in February. It announced a reduction in speed limit to 20 mph on Monroe Street, where the hit-and-run occurred, along with a four-way stop added.
It also hired Traffic Engineering Consultants, Inc., based in Tulsa, to survey the campus to suggest areas of improvements for safety. The university paid the firm $22,000 for its analysis, according to an open records request.
A survey was sent out to students over the summer, and it continues to collect data, Spradling said.
See PEDESTRIAN on page 3B
OSU’s gameday emcee delivering more than hype
KENNEDY THOMASON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @_KENNEDYPAGE
The first time Les Thomas Sr. stepped onto the field of Boone Pickens Stadium, he had enough adrenaline to “feed an army.”
That’s the same electric energy he brings to his hometown.
Hailing from northeast Oklahoma City, Thomas is not only OSU’s hype man.
He’s a “hope man.”
“That’s why I smile so much, that’s why I have so much energy,” Thomas said. “That’s why I have so much joy. Because it’s not a job to me.”
Before he landed a job as OSU’s emcee and became a mentor to his community, Thomas’ life was headed down another path. Defying the odds of generational poverty and broken families, Thomas is now working to deliver his message of H.O.P.E., or heal ing, opportunity, potential and empowerment to OSU’s fans and his hometown.
An episode of “Cops” was filmed in his neighborhood. There were gangs and drugs. His underserved commu nity was plagued with brokenness, father lessness and a lack of resources, Thomas said.
The examples Thomas saw around him set the standard, landing him in front of a judge at
12 years old. With his mom by his side, it turned out to be a lifedefining moment.
“She grabbed my face, got about six inches from my cheeks, from my face, and she said, ‘Les, this moment will not define you, you will go on to do great things,’” Thomas said. “‘God has called you to do great things. Do not allow these people to make you think that you’re a bad person. You are called to greatness.’”
Thomas was able to turn his challenges into a source of inspiration for others, mentoring students at Millwood High School in Oklahoma City. He joined in on the endeavor with his friend, Marcus Jackson, CEO and co-founder of Urban Bridge. The organization provides programming to Oklahoma City’s inner-city youth.
Similar to Thomas’ goals, Urban Bridge’s mis hope.”
Thomas, director of community engagement for Urban Bridge, leads the Hope Culture Leadership program at Millwood High School, which “challenges young people in the lane of leadership,” Jackson said.
“They get to be in the presence of someone that’s been through a lot of different things in life and overcome a lot, that come from a lot of what the young people that we work with… he has experience in life to say, ‘I’ve been through hard things as a kid, as a young man, and all of these things. But, you know, the story’s not over. (There’s) still hope,’” Jackson said.
Urban Bridge connects with about 120 youth daily, Jackson said.
The pair grew up in the same area of Oklahoma City, but connected through music. Thomas was a Christian rapper, Jackson a music producer, songwriter and performer. Their more than 20-year friendship evolved into a partnership when Thomas joined
“He (Thomas) wakes up, and he’s told me multiple times he’s the most blessed person that he knows because he just can do what he loves to do, his favorite team, his favorite school, and then he’s also able to give back in the community,” Jackson
Thomas connects with youth, through large or small group settings, with the message being they are capable of more than their circumstances. It’s about shifting their mindset, Thomas said.
After a visit to the Oklahoma History Museum with a large group, Thomas took two seventh graders to Starbucks.
AVA WHISTLER STAFF REPORTER
The air is electric during gamedays in Stillwater.
The tailgating, the anticipation and the fans are essential to this exhilarating atmosphere. But there is a group of students that embody the very definition of “get rowdy,” and bring the ultimate energy to Oklahoma State football.
The Paddle People are known to Cowboy fans as the “heartbeat of Boone Pickens Stadium.” What started as a few students sneaking orange paddles into a game one Saturday in the ‘90s, has turned into an OSU trademark.
The fierce repeated hammering of the paddles against the stadium walls works double time: as a constant distraction to the opponents, creating a home-field advantage and to rally the fans and motivate the Cowboys.
“Wherever you’re at in the stadium, you
power, noise to gameday
can hear us,” said Gabe Taylor, equipment manager for Paddle People. “The whole point is to be loud enough that we get into the opponents’ heads and mess with them.”
In an interview with the “Unnecessary Roughness” podcast in 2022, TCU football quarterback Max Duggans was asked where the loudest place he had ever played was. His immediate answer: Oklahoma State.
“Stillwater gets pretty loud,” he said. “And Oklahoma State’s got the paddles, like those things are annoying.”
Paddle People Vice President Haly Bollinger said the power behind the noise makes it effective.
“It just changes the experience entirely,” Bollinger.
Although they make their debut every game day, there is more happening behind the scenes.
The official OSU club hand makes its paddles every year.
“We cut the wood, sand them down and make sure they’re ready to go for game day,” Paddle People member Kareem Sawan said.
See PADDLE on page 3B
RAYNEE HOWELL
ASSISTANT NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
@RAYNEEHOWELL
Now that both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions have wrapped up, the final leg of the election year is nearing.
From President Joe Biden stepping down from the race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, to former President Donald Trump surviving an assassination attempt days before the RNC, the national conventions for both parties could not be ignored.
Here’s your chance to catch up on both sides.
RNC recap:
The RNC occurred before Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential election, which gave Republicans the chance to show solidarity in their nomination of Trump. To show up at the RNC was a triumphant move for Trump and his supporters, as it was his first public appearance since the assassination attempt; he was wearing a white bandage over his ear.
By the second day of the convention, Trump supporters across the arena were sporting their own white bandages. A few of the bandages had messages like “Trump 2024” and “Make America Great Again” written on them.
Republicans also offered support for Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, a senator from Ohio. Vance delivered a speech, introducing himself to the crowd. Republicans welcomed him with open arms and chants relating to his home state, his “mamaw” and his mom.
Trump addressed the crowd at the convention after being named the Republican nominee. Much like Biden’s address at the DNC, he criticized who he thought would remain his opponent, Biden.
“The damage that he’s done to this country is unthinkable, it’s unthinkable,” Trump said. “Together, we will restore vision, strength, competence, and we’re going to have a thing called common sense making most of our decisions actually. It’s all common sense.”
Trump spoke about a vision of unity needed among citizens of the country, regardless of “race, religion,
color and creed.” In his address, he also spoke about inflation, crime and issues stemming from security at the southern U.S. border; topics most have heard Trump speak on over the course of his campaign.
As for family endorsements, Melania Trump was not among the speakers, which is out of the ordinary because she spoke at the previous two RNCs. Trump’s granddaughter took the stage instead.
Kai Trump, Donald Trump Jr.’s daughter, made her political debut in a speech endorsing her grandfather. She spoke of her grandfather with compassion detailing their relationship in an attempt to address the differences between Trump according to “the media” and Trump as the person she said he really is.
Endorsements from others were spread throughout the convention. Nikki Haley, who campaigned against Trump, and a bulldog named Babydog stood out among the speakers. Haley, former U.S. ambassador for the United Nations, was added to the program the weekend before the RNC. She said during her speech she is strongly endorsing Trump, which came as a shock after their rivalry in the Republican primary election.
Babydog, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s bulldog, took the stage on a couch seat while Justice gave his endorsement for Trump. Justice spoke of his past support of the Democratic party before he decided to support the Republican party under Trump’s influence. He spoke to a specific demographic, voters who previously voted for Democrats.
The surprises did not end at the RNC, as the DNC had a few tricks up its sleeves as well.
DNC recap: The stream of celebrity and surprise appearances were never ending at the DNC. With flashy appearances from rappers, influencers and staple names, it seemed like another tactic from Harris looking to appeal to the youth. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Kenan Thompson and Lil Jon spoke and performed at the convention.
A huge theme throughout the convention focused on women in politics. On the first night of the convention, a lineup of mostly women took the stage to talk of the more than potential future under Harris.
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Adviser Brett Dawson brett.dawson@okstate.edu
Biden also took the stage on the first night but as the keynote speaker. He spoke of his career in politics, his animosity for how Trump handled his presidency and his support for Harris. The crowd chanted “We love Joe” and cheered warmly throughout his entire speech.
Former President Barack Obama was the keynote speaker on the second day of the convention. His speech, similar to Biden’s, was about the future and passing the torch to Harris. Obama also spoke of his disdain for Trump.
“As we gather here tonight, the people who will decide this election are asking a very simple question. Who will fight for me? Who’s thinking about my future, about my children’s future? About our future together?” Obama said. “One thing is for certain, Donald Trump is not losing sleep over that question.”
Stephanie Grisham, a previous White House official during the Trump administration, also spoke out against Trump. Her speech went viral, and stuck to the theme of former Republicans backing Democrats, a strategy the RNC used a month earlier.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ pick for vice president, took the stage the next day honing in on his midwestern identity, in an attempt to appeal to the average American. He spoke of common sense rooted from midwestern ideals.
On the last day of the convention, Harris took the stage to accept her ceremonious party nomination. She drew distinctions between herself and Trump stating her clientele has always been the people, from her time as a prosecutor, senator and state attorney general, while Trump’s has always been himself.
Overall, her speech spoke of her journey to get to this point and her goals for the future, and of course, how her version of a successful future differs from Trump’s.
What are you most excited about for the first game of the season?
“Honestly, the atmosphere, we’re watching the game of course, but really just the people around me.”
— Keyon’Dre Penny
“Definitely hearing the band.”
— Jakob Hisaw
“I’m most excited about seeing Bullet right on the field. I like doing the ‘OSU,’ ‘OSU,’ ‘USO,’ ‘USO’ (chant).”
— Emma Hatch
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Continued from 1
To prepare for the new school year, Spradling said crosswalks were repainted just before students arrived and several pedestrian signs have been placed in them.
However, a hit-and-run and another pedestrian-vehicle accident occurred Friday. Although minor injuries were the only result of the collisions, it highlights the need for pedestrians and drivers to pay attention to one another, OSUPD Captain Colt Chandler said.
After the fatal hit-and-run, senators in the Student Government Association proposed legislation to improve pedestrian safety on campus.
Cannon Mitchell, one of the bill’s authors and SGA Senate Speaker, said the group conducted a survey that found students want more traffic control devices, such as speed bumps or arm gates like the ones on Hester or Monroe streets.
“I think they’ve (the Pedestrian Safety Task Force) done a pretty good job lowering speed, getting those signs up,” Mitchell said. “And then providing students with resources related; they’ve done pretty much everything we said, ‘Hey, we want,’ they’ve already done, and they’ve done really well.” Mitchell said because of the frequent pedestrian-vehicle accidents, he hopes pedestrians will double-and triple-check before entering a roadway.
Despite pedestrian safety errors, Mitchell said it is also up to enforcement agencies, like OSUPD, to be strict with distracted driving.
“Posting speed limits lower is nice, but you can’t go that fast if there’s a speed bump that will, at least, like, require people to actually slow down or risk damaging their car,” he said. “And then, just honestly, like, OSUPD, has to be stricter on it. Like, if you see someone on their phone, give them a ticket. Because how many times (do) they have to happen before people actually start noticing that it’s a problem?”
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RAYNEE HOWELL ASSISTANT NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR @RAYNEEHOWELL
Around 3 p.m. Friday, OSU student Iris Borunda was walking southbound on a Farm Road sidewalk when she was hit by a car.
Borunda, according to a police report from OSUPD, entered the roadway on foot and was not in the crosswalk. She entered the intersection of Farm Road and McFarland Street when a car turning eastbound on Farm Road hit her.
Birch Harvey, facilities operation specialist at the Colvin Recreation Center, witnessed the entire accident.
He was working on the intramural fields for an upcoming tournament when he heard a car screech to a stop and a
girl scream. “I turned around and she was on the ground with the car right next to her,” Harvey said. “The driver got out and was seemingly distraught and apologizing to her.”
The driver, according to witness accounts in the police report, was a hispanic male in his early 20’s. The police report states the driver had a mustache and dark long hair. The driver was wearing a tan short-sleeve shirt and lightwash denim jeans.
All of the witnesses recall the man stepping out of his vehicle, checking on Borunda, and then re-entering his vehicle and driving off, heading southbound on McFarland.
“At first I thought he might be trying to clear the intersection, but he backed up five to 10 feet, and then drove off going southbound on McFar-
land,” Harvey said. “Pretty bold move with three or four other pedestrian witnesses right there, and directly in front of the campus police station.”
The incident reminded him of the hit-and-run that occurred earlier this year, resulting in the death of student Gabrielle Long, 19. Harvey said he sprung into action Friday to help the victim in any way he could.
“My first thought after the accident and once he got back in the car was to note the time and pay attention and get an accurate description of the car and hopefully, a plate number,” Harvey said. “The other guy I was with immediately called 911. We both walked down from where we were to the scene to check on the girl and to be there for when police arrived.”
Borunda had minor injuries to her body. She had scrapes, a laceration by her eye and a sore left wrist. After the accident, Harvey recalls the first officer arriving at the scene in plainclothes, asking the witnesses the direction the vehicle went. Shortly after, several other OSUPD officers arrived, as well as an ambulance and firetruck.
“She was obviously visibly very shaken and crying, but thankfully other than a limp and a scraped leg, she actually seemed in good shape all things considered,” Harvey said.
Borunda declined entering the ambulance and was able to walk away from the scene.
The driver has not been identified, and OSUPD is still investigating the incident. If you have any information, call (405)744-6523.
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One of Stillwater’s newest family entertainment centers is on track with construction.
The HUB, which is estimated to be completed in July 2025, is a partnership between the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and the Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma. It is planned to have family-friendly amenities to the north side of Stillwater along Perkins Road.
Alane Zannotti, president and CEO of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, said Stillwater’s version is “more of a family-fun environment.”
“One of the things that’s
lacking in our community is kind of that all inclusive family venue where you can go bowling, you can go to the movie, mom and dad can sit in the restaurant while the young ones are in the arcade,” Zannotti said. “Pickleball courts – that is the big thing in Stillwater right now. So indoor, outdoor pickleball courts. So, the look is more tailored to simplicity yet friendly.”
The Tonkawa Tribe also operates another location of The HUB in Tonkawa, connected to its casino. However, Zannotti said Stillwater’s version will not
have a hotel or casino.
The HUB is planned to have a 16-lane bowling alley, movie theater, arcade, eight outdoor pickleball courts, a restaurant and an interior and exterior sports bar. It will be a 63,000 foot indoor complex with a 20,000 foot outdoor open-air complex.
Lambert Construction Co., based in Stillwater, is building the new entertainment center and could not be reached for comment. Zannotti said concrete, plumbing and foundation will be going in over the next few weeks.
Tulsa-based Studio 45 Architects designed The HUB to “tailor” it to Stillwater, Zannotti said. The renderings took longer than expected, but because the chamber owned the land
The HUB will sit on, the project is off to a faster start than most.
Although The HUB will be one of the city’s family-entertainment centers, it is not the only project Stillwater residents will see.
Block 34, which broke ground in February, is a community gathering space that will feature a music stage, 4,000 square foot pavilion, musician’s
walk to honor dead musicians, water feature and play area for children.
Zannotti said The HUB will be an extension of Stillwater and attract nearly the quarter of visitors that enter from the northeast side of the city.
“I think for all of the projects that are happening, I think are a check off point, if you will, of what our community has been asking for,” Zannotti said. “You know, they want a vibrant downtown that has like that Block 34 green space amenity that is happening.”
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ALLI THEMER STAFF REPORTER
As the school year begins, fraternity and sorority recruitment ends, but not entirely.
OSU’s Greek community comprises 51 chapters and four governing councils: the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Panhellenic Council and Panhellenic Council.
“Becoming a member offers students a unique opportunity to have a balanced college life with a focus on academic excellence, brotherhood and sisterhood, leadership development, community service and responsible social interaction,”according to Campus Life.
The mission of Greek Life is to enhance student experience through intentional opportunities that promote belonging, engagement and support.
The Interfraternity Council recruits new members through informal recruitment by meeting with potential new members through the spring semester and summer.
As recruitment chair for the
FarmHouse fraternity, Levi Balthrop works hard to recruit potential new members.
“I had the opportunity to spend the summer traveling the state of Oklahoma and Texas meeting with potential new members,” Balthrop said. “The goal was to get to know them, their background and reasoning for rushing. The purpose was to see if they would be a good fit for FarmHouse, and if FarmHouse would be a good fit for them.”
On the other hand, the Panhellenic Council recruits new members through Formal recruitment and Continuous Open Bidding (COB). Primary fall recruitment is a mutual selection process with multiple rounds.
After a rough first day, Erin Stevenson considered dropping out of formal recruitment.
“I almost dropped the first day. However, I stayed in, and the preconceived notions I had about recruitment went out the window,” Stevenson said. “It’s all about your mindset, and if you’re optimistic, you’ll end up where you’re supposed to be.”
Stevenson is now a member of the Kappa Delta sorority.
COB is an informal recruit-
ment process that begins after formal recruitment and continues until the end of the spring semester. Students registered are entered into the COB process and may receive a bid from participating sororities.
“I would absolutely encourage someone who is considering COB to do it,” said Madison Land, a student who went through COB recruitment. “OSU is so lucky to have a great COB program.”
Freshman Carly Jo Janac ran home to Chi Omega on bid day and said she encourages those going through the COB and recruitment process to stay true to themselves.
“The advice I would give to students wanting to go through recruitment next year is to be genuine and authentically yourself,” Janac said. “If you aren’t yourself during recruitment, you won’t end up with a group of people you feel comfortable around. Something I reminded myself every day of recruitment was to find people who would better me, not change the person I am.”
Students interested in fall COB recruitment can find more information on the campus life website.
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JACKSON JOHNS STAFF REPORTER
At 7:30 p.m. Friday, a crowd of around 40 people gathered outside on the University Commons lawn.
A screen was set up, popcorn was popping and a very large Jenga game was underway. This was all arranged by the Multicultural Greek Council (MCGC) with the help of the Student Union Activities Board (SUAB). The night’s movie was Disney/Pixar’s 2013 film “Monsters University.”
Junior Anthony Acevedo, who assisted in organizing the event
was pleasantly surprised at the turnout.
“Honestly, this is way more than I expected,” Anthony said. That sentiment was shared by many of the people in the crowd. The main complaint was the wait between the announced start time and the actual start. It was supposed to start at 7:00, but it wasn’t dark yet,” freshman Lizzie Bobcien said.
She also suggested that if this event was to happen again, they should perhaps start after dark. Many had trouble seeing the screen in the darker-toned scenes.
Despite the issues, there
seemed to be an interest in “Movie Night on the Lawn” becoming a regular event. While there are no formal plans from the MCGC or SUAB at this time, Acevedo did say that if there was enough interest, they may do this again next year.
Sage Hermes, a senior on the Multicultural Greek Council, said she would love to see this become a more frequent event, without the timing issues.
Hermes hopes more events like this hosted by Greek Life organizations will boost membership.
When customers arrive at Our Daily Bread, Rachael Condley greets them with a smile. She knows it makes a difference.
Condley has been the executive director at Our Daily Bread since 2021, and after all these years, her goal remains the same: decrease food insecurity in the Payne County area.
“I think there’s been an increase in awareness and people pitching in,” Condley said. “Because of the way Our Daily Bread is organized, we have the capacity for so many volunteers and so many people to come in. So once people see how it works and how we’re responding to the need, I think that they’re much more aware of the issue.”
Our Daily Bread is an organization focused on providing free groceries for the Payne County area, neighboring towns and the OSU community. Over the years, it has grown into more than one specific store, offering services such as a mobile market, a supplemental grocery program at different towns for people who cannot make it to Our Daily Bread, satelite sites at Ripley and Lincoln Alternative Academy and Pete’s Pantry at the Student Union. In addition, Our Daily Bread has a partnership with OSU’s student farm, in an attempt to deliver high quantity and high quality produces.
Despite the growth over the past few years, Condley said it is still common for people to feel unsure or scared to use the resources. When that is the case, she has an offer: tour the facility with a staff member before grocery shopping for the first time. Condley said the process is welcoming and fairly easy, and people usually leave wanting to come back.
“People don’t want to come to the food pantry,” Condley said. “They don’t want to need groceries from a place like ours, but when they come and we’re able to provide an experience where they don’t have to be embarrassed, they’re given dignity and they’re treated with respect, I can just see the difference being made.”
Elisa Gois agrees. She is an intern at OSU’s Plant and Soil Sciences Department and an international student from Brazil. Gois went to Our Daily Bread for the first time last year. She learned about them through a community of Brazilians in Stillwater, and was relieved to know she had options other than regular grocery stores.
“As an international student, we do not make a lot of money and it makes it harder to have the same quality of life as national students,” Gois said. “Our Daily Bread helps so much with our having a better diet and decreasing our expenses. They truly help the community and supply people with healthy produce that will help them get through the month.”
Just like Condley, Gois has noticed people may feel hesitant to take the first step and learn about Our Daily Bread. From day one, Gois said the volunteers were always happy to help, and said she knows they will do the same for every customer.
Codley said the partnership between the organization and volunteers enhances the quality of of their service, watching OSU students take interest in it is something she is proud of.
“It can be intimidating to people who have never done it before because it’s a different type of partnership,” Codley said. “But this connects our community. I feel like now more than ever, OSU students who are facing food insecurity have a lot of different avenues to make sure they have food they need to thrive.”
HAYDEN ALEXANDER NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
After an 18-year hiatus, the new Larry & Kay Ferguson Dairy Bar is open in the new Agricultural Hall.
The Dairy Bar opened on campus in 1928. Located in the Dairy Building, it became a part of daily life on campus. The Dairy Building was demolished in 2006, and the Dairy Bar with it.
During the initial planning stages for the new Ferguson School of Agriculture building, the Larry & Kay Ferguson Dairy Bar entered the conversation.
“The Dairy Bar is something we wanted to bring back to our new building because it is something that our alumni remember from back in their day when they were in school,” Senior Manager of Strategic Communications and Special Projects for OSU Agriculture Mandy Gross said.
The Dairy Bar’s namesakes, Larry and Kay Ferguson, are champions of the agriculture school and avid donors. The husband and wife duo lea d the charge to raise funds for the new building.
“We named it after Larry and Kay Ferguson, who helped launch our fundraising campaign for the New Frontiers fundraising campaign for the new Agricultural Hall,” Gross said.
Rick Jackson, the dining manager for Bennett Hall, said that the Fergusons share a history with the Dairy Bar.
“They actually met there at the original Dairy Bar and eventually got married, and so they wanted a Dairy Bar here,” Jackson said.
The original Dairy Bar is responsible for many long-lasting connections, and Gross said the school wanted to recreate the friendships the original nurtured amongst students.
“Our new building was designed to foster more collaboration within our students and even within our faculty and staff,” Gross said. “The Dairy Bar is just one of those things that we wanted to bring back and offer so students could enjoy the food and hang out with their friends.”
An on-campus eatery is one thing, but putting one in a classroom-building setting is another. Ferguson worked with University Dining Services to ensure the Dairy Bar’s success.
Director of University Dining Vedda Hsu said her team designed the Dairy Bar to accommodate a smaller space.
“It’s an academic building, so it’s hard to implement a dining facility inside,” Hsu said. “We designed the concept based on the coffee concept.”
The grab-and-go style limits University Dining’s resources, but it is adapting. Merrychef ovens and a single custard machine allow them to serve customers efficiently while utilizing space.
“We didn’t have any freezer space there, so we had to think outside the box,” Hsu said.
Compromises are being made, such as one ice cream flavor, but Hsu said University Dining’s goal is to keep the concept of the original Dairy Bar front and center.
“We want to keep the uniqueness of the Dairy Bar concept because the name is the Larry and Kay Ferguson Dairy Bar,
so we really want to keep their memory there.”
Dairy Bar classics such as the famous custard and cinnamon roll are staples on the menu.
Johnson said about 450 students visit the Dairy Bar daily, making it a popular spot on campus. Hsu sees the high foot traffic as a positive but reminds everyone to be mindful as UDS adapts to the high demand.
“I think it’s a good problem and challenge, and hopefully we can overcome it,” Hsu said. “I want the students to be patient with us because, like I said, it’s a huge success.”
The Dairy Bar is a success, and students enjoy its convenience.
“It’s very handy,” sophomore Luke Tate said. “This way, I don’t have to go to Nancy Randolph or all the way to the Student Union.”
Tate’s favorite afternoon treat is ice cream with caramel topping.
The Dairy Bar’s menu offers more than cinnamon rolls and custard. Students can find a variety of items from hot
sandwiches to grab-and-go and Starbucks coffee.
“I’ll come in and grab a pop or something and sit down and work on homework for 45 minutes to an hour about every day. So it’s really nice for everyday life,” junior Blaine Silka said.
“I go pretty much every morning for coffee, and then whenever I get hungry, about lunchtime, I go and get a ham and swiss melt,” senior Emma Farmer said.
Farmer remembers her parents discussing the Dairy Bar when recounting their memories of OSU.
“It honestly brings a lot of tradition and legacy back into the Ferguson College of Agriculture because I know that’s something that my parents talked about,” Farmer said. “Whenever they heard it was coming back, there was a lot of excitement.”
Farmer’s parents are not the only alumni excited about the Dairy Bar’s return. Many are voicing their support and sharing memories. Erica Irlbeck, a professor of Agriculture Education and
Communications at Texas Tech, graduated from OSU in 1998 with a bachelor’s in Agricultural Communications. When she was not working for SUNUP TV, she was at the Dairy Bar.
“It was one of those things if I had some extra time, or if a class was canceled, then I would go in there and hang out.”
Irlbeck still remembers her favorite snack, frito pie, and the community the Dairy Bar created.
“The Dairy Bar was a place where we could go, and we had a place to hang out and socialize and study. Some people played cards or dominoes in between classes or before classes,” Irlbeck said. “A lot of friendships were made or maintained through hanging out at the Dairy Bar.”
Irlbeck also serves as the associate dean for outreach and engagement at the Davis College of Agriculture Sciences & Natural Resources at Texas Tech University and understands the importance of having a space, like the Diary Bar, on campus.
“To know that the Dairy Bar is coming back and it’s going to be in the new Ag Hall just makes me so proud to know that it’s coming back and that these students will get to experience it,” Irlbec said.
Gross graduated in 2000 and remembers hanging out with friends and playing card games.
“What I remember most about being there, is just the camaraderie between students and to just be able to chill in between classes,” Gross said. She is ready to try the cinnamon rolls.
“The cinnamon rolls are my favorite, which they have decided to bring back the cinnamon rolls for our new Dairy Bar, which I am really excited about.”
Agriculture is a part of our daily lives, and the Dairy Bar is one more way that the Ferguson ignites interest in the field while reaching students from every side of campus.
“I think that all of OSU as a whole is excited about having the Dairy Bar back,” Gross said.
Continued from 1
The process is intentional, to ensure no splinters to harm the handlers or cut the padded stadium walls. But making the paddles only kick-starts the Paddle Peoples’ game day preparation. The night before every home game, the members take part in an activity rooted in the traditions and lore of the founders.
Before OSU recognized the Paddle People as an official club, members would camp outside the stadium every night before game days to be sure and get front row seats. In recent years, the club has worked with the Athletic Department to secure its front row seats and early access.
“Now we camp outside the stadium to sort of continue that tradition,” Taylor said. “We bring our cars, sleeping bags, games and food – everything you need for a campout. And we sleep outside the stadium every night before every home game.”
Cole Comeau, wall leader and three year Paddle People member, recalls a memorable night during campout. “Around 2 a.m. it started pouring down rain. I was in my sleeping bag, woke up, then hopped to the awning like I was in a sack potato race.”
During the many hours of preparation, camping and game days, the members become, naturally, very tight-knit.
RAYNEE HOWELL ASSISTANT NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR @RAYNEEHOWELL
Parking and traffic during the school week can be a hassle, but on gamedays, it’s a whole ‘nother beast.
Safely navigating parking and traffic can be the difference between a fun gameday experience, and an inconvenience or tragedy. OSUPD Operations Patrol Captain William Colt Chandler said being aware of your surroundings is an important tactic to practice ahead of game day.
“Just know there is going to be a large concentration or visible presence of humans navigating the campus in all modes of transportation,” Chandler said. “Just slow down, and take the time to be more careful, maintain your situational awareness and understand what is going on around you.”
Chandler said paying attention is the first defense against dangerous situations as a driver or pedestrian. As a member of the Pedestrian Safety Task Force, he said the basic premise of its next campaign is to encourage vigilance.
“The majority of the issue when it comes to pedestrian safety is just the lack of awareness, lack of attentive behavior, on both sides” Chandler said. “I think that’s what we’re trying to do next through a messaging campaign, it’s like ‘Hey, pay attention. What’s going on around you is important.’”
Traffic on game day can increase the risk of accidents. OSUPD coordinates with Stillwater Police Depart-
ment, Payne County and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol on gamedays to control traffic around Stillwater, from the highways to the campus streets. On campus, roadblocks are one of main safety measures for eliminating traffic concerns altogether.
The primary area of Washington Street and Hall of Fame Avenue are blocked off, Chandler said. A section of Hall of Fame Avenue, from the Wes Watkins Center to Knoblock Street will close the Friday before gameday at 6 p.m. Athletic Avenue will be blocked off an hour before kickoff for pedestrians walking from tailgating events.
Crowd control is also important as large crowds accumulate for tailgating events and “The Walk” before the game. OSUPD staff are all hands on deck, alongside Allied Security, a company the university hired, to maintain the large crowds before and after the event.
“Officers go out, and start engaging with the patrons of ‘The Walk’ helping skirt that line, and then as it comes toward the stadium, our officers will continue to pre-event checks,” Chandler said.
These checks include working with Stillwater Emergency Management to sweep the stadium for bomb threats and working with Oklahoma Aerospace Institute of Research and Education to monitor drone and airspace activity.
OSUPD also works with campus parking services to mitigate additional traffic concerns. The parking list of rules for game days is long, but it has the similar purpose of creating order and direction for visitors and
students alike.
To avoid a tow or a fine, students who live on campus may need to move their cars for the OSU Posse members or the State Ranger RV club before gameday.
All RV lots, including Lot 74, located west of University Commons and south of the Cowgirls Soccer Stadium, closes the night before the game at 4 p.m. The lot was previously an RV lot with power pedestals installed years before the University Commons were built, said Steve Spradling, the OSU director of parking and transportation services.
Lot 74, and the other RV lots will open for the RVs to enter at 5:30 p.m.
Students can park in any maroon, commuter silver, staff or overflow lot not being used for the football game. University Commons students can move to parking lots nearby including lots 75, 76, 72, 78 and several others.
The gameday parking map shows each OSU Posse lot, and each lot available for free public parking, paid parking and ADA-accessible parking. It will also show any road closures.
With several agencies working together to create a more safe environment, the safety of each individual comes down to paying attention, reporting issues and trusting officials.
“What we’re trying to do is produce a family-fun environment on Saturdays,” Chandler said. “It’s not about the traditional college experience of becoming intoxicated to the point of no control and creating a dangerous situation for yourself or others.”
“Some people might think we just show up to the game then go home,” said Comeau. “But we’re at campouts all night, getting to the game hours early. There’s a lot of time we spend together, and we get connected really fast.”
The morning of every game day, members are required to show up three hours early. When the stadium is hushed, moments before the players run to the field, the rest is history for the Paddle People.
They paddle on defense, after first downs, touchdowns, kickoffs and punt returns. They rally for and with the cowboys. And, win or lose, they stay until the very last moments of every game, proving to be some of the most passionate and diehard OSU fans around. news.ed@ocolly.com
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
Jesus had just told his disciples of his betrayal. He also told to them of his leaving and they could not go with him. I am sure that it seemed to the disciples that everything was “caving in, falling apart.” The future seemed so uncertain. Then Jesus speaks these words; DON’T BE TROUBLED; TRUST ME!
Jesus tells them that he is going to the Father (God) and in his house there is plenty of room. He tells them that he is going to make a place for them all and he will return to take them there. As we look around us there is much uncertainty about this planet that we live on; safety is a premium, and what about when death comes? What is going to happen to you and me? Many are betting on losing consciousness and never
awakening. They live on that assumption. However, Jesus tells us all are going to experience a resurrection from the dead; some to everlasting life and others to be condemned . (Jn.5:28-29, Dan.12:2)
Again, the Lord Jesus makes things clear to his followers: “I am going to my Father’s house to prepare a place for you. I will return to get you and take you to be with me.” when asked about the way to this wonderful place, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6) No wonder he declares plainly; don’t be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.
Jesus has prepared a place and is the way to God’s wonderful place. Let’s trust and follow him, and lay up treasure there. It is a sure place promised by the Lord Jesus himself. He will not fail us; so shall we ever be with the Lord! (1 Thess.4:17-18)
BELLA CASEY STAFF REPORTER
Two students began their first week of school by making a few TikToks, and they ended it at OSU President Dr. Kayse Shrum’s house.
Peyton Baxter and Lauren Pursley are members of the OSU Cowgirl Equestrian team, and they’re taking TikTok by storm with their requests for Snoop Dogg, an American rapper, to attend one of their meets. Sunday marked Day 11 of their requests, but it wasn’t Baxter or Pursley inviting him this time. It was OSU running back Ollie Gordon II.
The girls used their OSU connections and social media savviness to gain thousands of views and hundreds of reposts on their videos on Baxter’s TikTok account, @pb.lp.1.
“I saw on the Olympics that he (Snoop Dogg) was like, ‘Wow, equestrian is my favorite sport,’” Baxter said. “So we came up with the idea. We’re like, ‘Well, no one really knows about our sport. If we could get him here, it’d be great for awareness. It couldn’t hurt to try.’”
Snoop Dogg’s support for the sport first went viral in 2021 when he and comedian Kevin Hart commented on a dressage routine for NBC’s Peacock, and clips of their hilarious commentary and enthusiasm earned millions of views. Snoop Dogg attended the 2024 Paris Olympics as a torchbearer and special NBC Olympics correspondent, and he and fellow celebrity Martha Stewart attended equestrian events in matching riding outfits.
Baxter and Pursley extended their invite to Stewart on Saturday. Technically, Shrum invited her.
The girls were shocked to receive a text Friday that Shrum and her husband were interested in helping them get their message to Snoop Dogg. The equestrian team was at Shrum’s house the next morning.
She served them donuts and helped sing “Happy Birthday” to two teammates Saturday. She gave them a tour of her house, and of course, helped them make a TikTok for Day 10.
“She said that she is in full support of the movement and
will fly him out and help with whatever she can,” Pursley said.
The team’s first home meet of the season is Oct. 25 against Baylor. Baxter and Pursley also recommended Snoop Dogg attend their Nov. 1 home meet against Auburn, another school with a big equestrian team.
Pursley and Baxter are on the horsemanship side of the team, and they are both strategic communications majors. They put the skills they learned in class to the test, and it worked.
“We’re taking classes now that tell us exactly how to reach an audience, and I think being athletes helps us, because we have so many connections,” Baxter said.
Baxter and Pursley said they hope to collaborate with other sports in the future for their TikToks, and they don’t plan to stop posting until they receive a response, or at least until Nationals.
Pursley’s message to Snoop Dogg: “I think that collegiate equestrian could be a good thing for you to see. I think the collegiate equestrian world needs you.”
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Just a few miles from the campus bustle is a little slice (pun intended) of a New York style pizzeria for anyone willing to venture the walk.
It is an ambitious walk in the late summer heat, sure, but it’s entirely worth it.
Empire Slice House is positioned as the hip Hideaway alternative with a fully-stocked bar including offerings from Stillwater’s own Iron Monk and Stonecloud breweries. With enough seating for a few buses full of people, there’s a laid back atmosphere that welcomes conversation and larger groups.
The pizza takes center stage with both a full menu of pies accessed through a QR code and a slip of paper showing the daily slices. The service is great, but takes some getting used to with a somewhat uncommon “please-wait-to-be-seated” approach. One of Monday’s slices, the M.C.A, is a personal favorite of mine and goes great with any variety of soft drinks (or stout for those so inclined).
It is not a perfect score though. As in any college town, lunch rushes can be a detractor for
those with less of an appetite for sensory overload. Swing by in the afternoon or early evening to avoid the crowds, but be aware it gets packed on the weekends. Also, do not expect to be in and out between classes. It is a good 10-minute wait before being served, and that is a minimum. The servers move fast, but it is not set up for speed. Empire Slice is not a great choice to wind down a night on The Strip either, as it closes at 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 p.m. the rest of the week.
Empire Slice is not only for pizza lovers, but also for people who want to share the love of pizza and pop culture. The walls are covered in posters and photos of icons from the past and present. Every visit feels like a trip to the 1980s with neon lights and reruns of classic movies and shows playing on the TVs. The only giveaway tying it to the present is the music with a selection of modern indie and pop. I asked for a playlist, but the staff get to pick from Spotify artist radio stations.
With impeccable vibes provided free of charge, Empire Slice is a great way to escape the breakneck pace of real life for a few slices of pizza, a few beers and some good company. It does not feel like it’ll be toppling the Hideaway legacy anytime soon, but for a less traditional dine in experience, it’s hard to do better.
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Sabrina Carpenter released her sixth studio album, “Short n’ Sweet,” Friday. The release was highly anticipated following the release of the first two singles “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” In addition to the singles, the music videos and teaser marketing for the album have displayed a vibrant summer ‘50s feel.
Carpenter has released music since her days on Disney Channel, with her debut album, “Eyes Wide Open,” released in 2015.
But the singer has reached a new high level of streams after opening for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour.
Julia Micheals and John Ryan had a hand in making the album with production and songwriting.
Jack Antonoff, pop producer, also helped produce the lead single “Espresso” as well as “Sharpest Tool” and “Lie to Girls.”
“Short n’ Sweet” begins the journey with “Taste” and reminds us what we already knew about Carpenter: she’s known to share. The pop singer has no problem taking the public’s opinions and making it a part of her brand, no matter how nasty the opinion is.
In fact, Carpenter seems to relish in the negativity thrown toward her and her past relationships. “Short n’ Sweet” appears to be an “I’m over men” attitude on
tracks like “Good Graces,” but a softer, vulnerable side of Carpenter is also brought into the limelight with “Sharpest Tool.”
While in press interviews and on stage, Carpenter takes on an unbothered attitude covered with vocal vulgarity.
“Sharpest Tool” bares the overthinking and heartbreak Carpenter’s stage presence seems to mask.
As “Short ‘n Sweet” fights its way to the top of the charts, Carpenter will tour the album in the United States and have a European leg.
Carpenter joins the list of album releases of the year. With releases from artists like Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Dua Lipa, Charli XCX and now, Carpenter, the Recording Academy will have its hands full with award season.
into the early mindset of what gamedays will really be like, working with all of them for each game of the season.”
On Wednesday, members of the Cowboy Marching Band laced up their shoes and ran from the tunnels of Boone Pickens Stadium chanting “Go State,” in preparation for the first pregame performance of the season.
The annual pregame practice gave the band and other spirit groups and teams the opportunity to fine tune the routine before the first OSU football game Saturday.
Hannah Johnson, an alto saxophone player, has attended the pregame practice for the past two years. She said she looks forward to experiencing another year of the unique gameday energy OSU fans bring to BPS.
“It’s always fun being up in the stands or out on the field marching, and everyone is constantly yelling,” Johnson said.
Johnson is a third-generation Cowboy who said she wanted to be a part of the band since fifth grade. Now as a junior, she will begin her third go-around in supporting the Cowboys through music.
Johnson said the practice not only prepares the band for the performance, but also the other groups who perform alongside them.
“I really like having everyone around to practice like the Pom, cheer, Paddle People and everyone,” Johnson said. “It gets us
The CMB filled the stadium with band and marching, but it was not the only spirit-filled group bringing the energy. The Paddle People, the OSU cheer team, the OSU Pom team, Pistol Pete and Bullet, the infamous horse ridden by the spirit rider, were in attendance.
Maci Marckx, a senior who has spent all four years in Paddle People, said the practice helps new members of the group tremendously. Each year, members of the Paddle People get the opportunity to purchase new paddles. The practice gives the members a chance to adjust to new gloves, new paddles and for some, the aspect of timing.
“It’s really helpful just so people understand how much physicality it does take, because it’s hard swinging a paddle against a wall and trying to keep time, so it gives everybody a chance to kind of understand what they’re going into come the first game,” Marchx said.
Marckx said her sister is a former president of the group and encouraged her to become a part of the tradition. She is most looking forward to energizing the players and the crowd with the full group of Paddle People, including the ones not attending the practice.
“We have over 100 people ready to go, this is just part of the people here tonight,” Marckx said. “I am excited to see everybody and have our sound be crisp and clear throughout the stadium, and be
able to cheer on our Cowboys.”
Pom senior Mikayla Curlee said she looks forward to the pregame performances at each game, and the annual practice is a good reminder of what’s to come.
“My favorite part is the first part when we walk out for the ‘Go State’ and just seeing all the people in band out in front of us,” Curlee said. “It’s just the most incredible feeling ever.”
For many like Curlee, feeling the energy of the crowd and the other performers feeds her energy. Her teammates, especially, have played a role in the performer and person she is today.
“My favorite part about being in Pom is just being with all of my best friends,” Curlee said. “We are all so close and encouraging, and we lift each other up and push each other to be the best that we possibly can be in practice and also in the real world.”
The most bittersweet feeling for Curlee and the seniors involved in the pregame performance is seeing the last one on the horizon. With Cowboy fans returning the energy at each game, it’s a feeling that is hard to let go of. Curlee hopes to take in every moment this football season.
“I’m looking forward to mostly just being out there, taking everything in for the last time,” Curlee said. “I would love to stay and get my master’s (degree) and be on the team again, but I don’t think I’ll be able to, so I’m taking in every moment, soaking it all in.”
It is time to bring the rowdy for OSU’s first game of the season, which kicks off Saturday.
Cheer the Cowboys on to victory, but do not leave your health and safety on the sidelines. Here are a few tips to make your game day experience memorable for all the right reasons.
Drink water Oklahoma is hot. The start of football season is toasty, especially those 11 a.m. games, so stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during and after the game.
Eat Do not forget to eat on game day. Grab a snack before or use your meal plan during the game. Meal plans work at all OSU athletic events to purchase non-alcoholic food and drink.
Dress to impress Oklahoma weather is unpredictable, so check your weather apps. Be prepared to take on the heat in a light, breathable fit, or layer up for those cold November games.
Cowboy Boots
These boots were made for walking, and you will walk a lot on gameday. A football game is not the day to break in your brand-new boots. Pick a pair of shoes you know you will be comfortable in. Be prepared for your shoes to get dirty.
Rowdy crowds It is easy to get swallowed up in the chaos of the game-day crowd. The student section can be wild and fun, but be aware of your surroundings and patient when moving through the stadium.
Exits
Be aware of all possible stadium exits and know your way out if you need to leave the stadium for any reason.
Alcohol Be smart if you decide to drink on gameday. Underage drinking is illegal so, be aware that you can get kicked out of the game, fined and arrested. Sneaking in alcohol is not allowed.
For those of age, the Oklahoma heat and copious amounts of alcohol do not mix. Try to limit or regulate your alcohol, eat and drink plenty of water.
Post game
After the game ends, establish a meeting place outside the stadium in case you are not near your friends or family after the game’s conclusion.
A way home
If you did not drive to the game or enjoy a drink or two during the game, secure a way home or plan to walk home with trusted friends.
Drive safe Traffic is crazy on gameday. Stay aware while driving and practice patience during the dreaded post-game traffic.
OSU is kicking off the 2024 football season against South Dakota State Saturday. It is the team’s job to win the games, but they cannot do it without the fans. A rowdy crowd that bleeds orange and black can make or break a game.
Whether you are a freshman attending your first game or a senior lacing up your boots for one final season, and need a refresher, here are OSU’s gameday traditions.
Alright Cowboys, it is time to get rowdy!
The Walk ‘The Walk’ started during Les Miles’ time as head coach and continues today. About two hours before the game, the team exits the Student Union, after staying in the Atherton Hotel, for a celebration.
The Cowboy Marching Band, Pistol Pete and the Student Union Activities Board lead
the team to Boone Pickens Stadium.
This OSU tradition is a fan favorite. Cowboys and Cowgirls line Hester Street to cheer on the team.
Look closely, and you might spot OSU President Dr. Kayse Shrum riding with OSU’s resident hype man, Les Thomas, at the front of the walk.
Tailgating College gameday is made for tailgates, and OSU tailgates feel like home. Fans start setting up the night before and transform the university overnight.
The pop-up tents bring food, fun and community to the university grounds.
Pregame
Get to Boone Pickens Stadium early for the best seats and to see the Pregame Show.
The opener features the band, Paddle People, OSU Pom, OSU Cheer, Pistol Pete and Bullet as they welcome the team to BPS.
The mash-up of music and chants gets the fans on their feet and strikes fear in the hearts of OSU’s opponents.
Bullet and Spirit Riders
In 1984, the game changed, and Bullet rode onto the scene. This gameday tradition, first introduced by the late Dr. Eddy Finley, sees a Spirit Rider fly across the field on the black mare every time OSU scores a touchdown.
As Bullet races through the end zone, fans chant OSU and switch to USO as Bullet rounds the student section.
Fun fact: The name “Bullet” comes from a naming contest printed in The O’Colly.
Pistol Pete
The man, the myth, the legend — Pistol Pete! He is large and in charge. The spurs-clad cowboy rode onto the scene in 1923, but back then he was known as Frank Eaton.
A group of Oklahoma A&M students asked Eaton to be the inspiration for a new mascot. He agreed and, today, Pistol Pete is a staple of the OSU brand.
If Pete fires off his shotgun during the game there is only one correct response, “O-S-U Cowboys!”
Fight songs
Known as the “Trilogy,” OSU’s fight songs are the “Waving Song,” “Ride ’em Cowboys” and “The OSU Chant.” Typically, during a game, you only hear the “Trilogy” if OSU scores a touchdown.
Orange Friday
The Friday before each game is known as ‘Orange Friday.’ Everyone on campus is encouraged to wear orange to support the team and get excited for game day.
Orange Power
That other school down the road shouts a more annoying version of this chant, but do not worry OSU keeps it classy. After getting started up by a
surprise guest, one side of the stadium shouts “orange” and the other responds “power.”
“Friends in Low Places” Blame it all on my roots and get on your feet for famous Cowboy Garth Brook’s tune “Friends in Low Places.”
The song plays during the third quarter and everyone sways to the beat and sings along.
Alma Mater
Ever the loyal and true at the conclusion of every game, win or lose, the crowd quiets down and sings the Alma Mater.
The duo, who had never been to a Starbucks, stumbled over what to order. After Thomas bought them two decaf coffees, he said their attitudes shifted. One held his pinky out, claiming to be “the boss.” Both repeated “We rich, we rich” over and over, Thomas said.
“So imagine if a Starbucks coffee cup make them feel like they have value,” he said. “Imagine how they really feel about themselves.”
In addition to his community mentorship, Thomas serves on the Oklahoma State Board of Juvenile Affairs. Before he became a governor-appointed member, Thomas worked in juvenile prisons for about 10 years, running “Man Up,” a program to teach boys about the principles of being a man.
“Many of them are just a product of their environment, and they need to know that maybe they did what they said they did, but they not who they say they are. They’re not animals, they’re not a menace to society, they’re not a throwaway person. They have potential.”
The same potential Thomas’ mom saw in him at 12.
Thomas’ larger-than-life personality fires up thousands of OSU fans during home games. His passion for OSU has always shined through, which created a friendly officer rivalry between Thomas and Daniel Swanson, a former first sergeant in the Oklahoma Air National Guard.
The two met during Thomas’ service with the guard, bonding over their Bedlam rivalry. Swanson, a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, said Thomas has lived through a lot of moments that would have derailed others, but it didn’t
derail him.
“So he is a very happy, very inspirational person because he’s able to process the trauma and the grief that he’s had in his life, but also managed to turn that into something productive and inspirational for everybody else and himself,” Swanson said.
That source of inspiration is what drew Marcus Black to Thomas.
Although the two first met when Thomas performed Christian rap at a church Black was working at, they reconnected years later at a gym.
Like Swanson, Black developed a deep friendship with Thomas, eventually working alongside him mentoring inner-city youth through Youth for Christ.
“People are tired of faking the world, they’re tired of the masks, they’re tired of salesmen,” Black said. “And the fact that he comes in as himself full of heart, full of passion, full of compassion and just caring to another level, really helps people like lean in, drop their guards and just trust that this human being has my best interest at heart.”
SINCE 1957,
Thomas comes with authenticity, Black said, which helps youth drop their guard and trust him.
Black said Thomas’ largerthan-life personality is “hope personified.”
“Man, the kids react to him just like everybody else does, no different than 60 plus thousand, in Boone Pickens on a Saturday, screaming to the top of their lungs because of the excitement that his aura generates, right? It’s the same when we walk into a classroom, whether it’s 6, 60, 600 or 60,000, the effect is the same.”
As Thomas suits up with bright orange glasses and microphone for OSU’s football and basketball seasons, he plans to continue to deliver his message of hope, even if OSU fans don’t see it on the surface. Behind the orange glasses and bravado, Thomas said there is “deepness” to his well.
“I understand that I get the privilege for four hours to help them have a mental break,” Thomas said. “They get to have a break from all the pressures of life… and so when they see the hype man, I’m really a hope man, right?”
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KENNEDY THOMASON
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Stillwater’s community parks will not see major fixes anytime soon.
The City Council met Monday for a special meeting study session to discuss Parks & Community Resources and its budget, the 2022 Stillwater Parks Master Plan and other various community gathering spaces. As planned, action was not taken. Councilors discussed fine-tuning the current master plan to include more specific action items for the shortstaffed department, along with the budgetary challenges of paying for maintenance and improvements.
“The sheer volume of properties and amenities that our city owns, staffs and maintains is daunting,” Assistant City Manager Christy Driskel said. “It is difficult to prioritize funding and staffing so that all receive the care needed for true public enjoyment.”
Projects such as Block 34, Rails to Trails and restoration of Washington School, which are underway, will add extra strain onto the existing system, Driskel said.
Parks & Community Resources manages 15 parks and open spaces, trails at three locations and the municipal swimming pool, which did not open during the summer because of safety and budget restraints.
The department’s draft master plan, which proposes that the city reduce parks, consoli-
date amenities to reduce maintenance and operational costs, needs more detailed revisions, Vice Mayor Amy Dzialowski said. The leftover money from consolidations would be reallocated to finance improvements to “highly used and highly valued” parks, Driskel said.
Maintenance and safety improvements for the municipal pool would cost about $1.5 million for the large pool and about $300,000 for the kids’ pool. Myers Park, located on the west side of the city, needs about $30-35,000 for turf replacement.
The draft master plan has three priority levels: high, medium and low. High priority items are slated to cost $8 million. Medium and low priority items are estimated to cost $7 million and $2 million, respectively. In total, $17 million in maintenance. It excludes items that community members have expressed interest in, such as a
new aquatic facility or pickleball courts.
Barbara Bliss, director of Parks & Community Resources, said her department has taken $125,000 from Public Works to track the types of maintenance it performs.
“That’s not doing any new facilities at any of our places,” she said. “That’s just pretty much maintaining what we have.”
Some of the maintenance items include painting park facilities, specifically park bathrooms. It also includes items like laying gravel or installing dog waste disposal bags.
About 20 community members attended the meeting, which is much more than the typical crowd for an average city council meeting, Mayor Will Joyce said, demonstrating the value Stillwater’s citizens place on their parks.
Jeremy Upshaw, president of the Stillwater Canoe and Kayak
Club, said that during COVID, parks were the “last vestige that we could come together (in).”
His club does an annual clean-up day, and he said the city could provide resources through Keep Oklahoma Beautiful or Blue Thumb to have volunteers do work that Parks & Community Resources doesn’t have the staff for.
He said providing OSU’s students with the opportunity to gain community service hours through volunteering with the department could help alleviate some of its strain.
“I think there’s a lot of people in the community that are willing to do that, put the hours down, put the effort out,” Upshaw said. “We just need that help, that connectivity, and maybe an ambassador to kind of reach out and work with some of these community ambassadors.”
Although community members showed public support for
park maintenance and improvements Monday, Joyce said taxpayers have previously had the opportunity to finance a recreation bond, which did not pass. Stillwater citizens recently passed a bond to finance the fire station, which was the first bond to pass in 20 years, he said.
That is why, compared with other cities or towns, Stillwater’s park maintenance issues can seem exaggerated, he said.
“If you look at what is done in (other) communities with parks, they are funded through taxpayer voted and funded sources that people come and say, ‘This is something we want to pay for,’ and we’re going to have to figure out ways in this community to make sure that we’re willing to put our money where our mouth is and say, ‘We want these kinds of facilities. We’ve got to figure out a way to fund them,’” Joyce said.
