‘If you don’t see them, who will?’ Cardinals Love for the Homeless helps Stillwater unhoused community one dinner at a time
BY BELLA CASEY I STAFF REPORTER I @BELLACASEYYY
As Stephanie Gallion scoops a heaping portion of pulled pork onto a plate, she sees herself in the unhoused woman she is serving.
Gallion spent many years unhoused, bouncing from city to city with her husband and four children. She lived a lot of lives during that time — restaurant owner, cook, addict. Yet she felt invisible.
“I literally would walk up to somebody and say, ‘Hey, can you see me? Hi,’” Gallion said. “And they’d look at me like I was drugged out.”
Gallion is housed now, but unlike those who shunned her while she was on the streets, she couldn’t look away from the Stillwater unhoused population. Despite barely having any money to spare, Gallion began helping the unhoused people she saw in her community.
It began with bringing Ziploc bags of chili to people in a park, and it grew into a weekly lunch at Christian Missionary Alliance Church. She named it Cardinals Love for the Homeless.
Who she’s helped Tammy McKinney’s feet burned
Trump administration pauses federal grants, impact for OSU’s research currently unknown
fect 5 p.m. ET Tuesday, though much confusion remained over the order’s exclusions and a federal judge’s block on it.
with every step she took on the hot pavement. She couldn’t take it anymore.
“I went to Grand Lake (Grand Lake Mental Health Assistance) and told them, ‘I’m ready to stick my jugular,’” McKinney said. “I can’t take another night. I can’t do it. I’m dying of heat. I need something to drink.’ You know, food stamps only last two weeks to be practical of what they offer you.”
McKinney’s house burned down in a fire, and she received housing assistance afterward but said she had the wrong roommates, which led to her becoming unhoused. She said there is
no help for those who have lost their homes to fires in Stillwater, and many suggested she turn to churches for help.
“And I felt like that’s all we did was knock on doors of churches, and they get tired of hearing it,” McKinney said. “It’s a revolving door with them.” McKinney’s Red Cross assistance money stretched thinner each time she rapped her knuckles on a church door. It eventually ran out, and she found herself living in a tent.
The federal Office of Management and Budget has ordered all federal grants, loans and assistance programs be paused.
The office distributed a memorandum Monday, which has since been rescinded, citing President Donald Trump’s “policies and requirements” as its reasoning. The pause took ef-
OSU Vice President for Research Kenneth Sewell said in an email Thursday that a “lack of clarity in the communications coming from the federal government thus far” has made it impossible to predict how many projects the order could affect at OSU. Sewell, who said he was traveling internationally, was not available for an interview.
its
Stan Clark lay on the couch watching reruns of “Star Trek.” It was the summer of 1975, and Clark had just graduated from OSU with a business degree. Suddenly, Clark’s friend, Steve File, burst into the room, declaring loudly he wanted to open a bar. Clark was all for the idea and had a location in mind. The friends hopped in File’s 1953 Chevy and cruised to 501 W. Elm Ave.
Less than an hour later, Clark and File were the proud owners of a two-
story building on Elm.
“Within a half hour of Steve coming up with this idea, we shook hands and agreed on it,” Clark said.
They had acquired the property, but what about a name? As Clark and File began remodeling, they brainstormed ideas for what to call their fledgling business. File suggested Eskimo Joe’s, and the crazy name took hold quickly. Clark said his friends would chant “Eskimo Joe’s.” Their shouts sold him on the idea. The 22-year-old self-proclaimed marketing guru knew they needed a logo worthy of the name.
“We needed a logo and a symbol that would conjure up our business in the hearts and minds of our customers,” Clark said.
Bella Casey
Stephanie Gallion embraced Donnie Wallace after Wallace announced he was one month sober.
Courtesy Creative Commons
The federal Office of Management and budget paused all federal grants Tuesday.
Payton Little
Eskimo Joe’s is celebrating
50th anniversary July 14-20.
Eskimo Joe’s celebrates 50 years
City Council approves $260,000 upgrade toward ERP software
KENNEDY THOMASON STAFF REPORTER @_KENNEDYPAGE
The City of Stillwater will have an improved software system to the tune of $260,000.
The City Council approved a contract with BerryDunn for enterprise resource planning (ERP) software Monday night. This will allow the city to update its public administration systems. The public safety software, which the city’s police and fire department use, was not included. The contract’s approval comes with BerryDunn’s 15-month, five-phase plan.
Stillwater’s Information Technology Director Brad Stewart said the systems include modules for accounting, community development, fleet payroll, purchasing, land management, utility, building and work orders. Although some of the systems have been updated from the original 1998 installation, others have not, Stewart said.
“The committee believes the city is not taking advantage of more modern software and technology that could help staff be more productive and efficient, help reduce operational costs and provide a better experience for our residents,” Stewart said.
Areas with the biggest problems include the “HR payroll system, work management and asset management systems,” Stewart said.
Councilor Tim Hardin said some of the city’s systems are behind the times.
“I have noticed that we have a few systems that are still running on Excel spreadsheets instead of an enterprise system,” Hardin said. “It’s time.”
Despite some of the technological challenges the city’s outdated systems have created, Stewart said his team has done its best to keep the systems running to the best of its ability.
“I have a great staff that is able to do some in-house patching and put some applications to help (keep it) running along,” Stewart said.
news.ed@ocolly.com
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Ashton Slaughter editorinchief@ocolly.com
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Parker Gerl sports.ed@ocolly.com
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Hayden Alexander news.ed@ocolly.com
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editor Raynee Howell news.ed@ocolly.com
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Adviser Brett Dawson brett.dawson@okstate.edu
Ask the Pokes
Who
do you think will win the 2025 Grammy Award for Album of
the Year?
“I think Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” album. I feel like this year she’s gotten so, so much better, and I feel like she probably deserves it the most.”
- Katelin Simons
“I think Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” album will win this year. She’s a good artist. I think she’s got good potential, and she’s got a good voice.”
- Evan Bohannon
“I think Taylor Swift should win for “The Tortured Poets Department” because I love her music, and I think she made a big impact with her tour this year.”
- Michaela Cain
News & Lifestyle reporters:
Bella Casey
Sungjoo Chung
Luisa Clausen
Cody Garcia
Jackson Johns
Audie Martin
MJ Nyamdavaa
Richard Robertson
Megan Roy
Kennedy Thomason
Alli Themer
Ava Whistler
Aliyah Young
108 Paul Miller Stillwater, OK 74078 (405)-744-6365
Sports reporters: Photographers & Designers:
Daniel Allen Dalton Arrendondo
Baylor Bryant
Cayden Cox
Timothy Christensen
Gina Foster
Allyn Orndorff
Kaitlyn Robertson
Wyatt Tessier
Will Thorogood
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Weston Wertzberger
The O’Colly Staff Newsroom
Jose Brito
Maya Blanks
Mykalyn Daidone
Catherine Dzanski
Lillian Easter
Andon Freitas
Connor Fuxa
Kaytlyn Hayes
Ethan Hilbert
Jonathan Jackson
Michael Jane‘t
Benjamin Perry
Bryson Thadhani
Kennedy Thomason
The City of Stillwater’s Information Technology Director Brad Stewart asked the City Council for $260,000 in upgrades for the city’s technology systems.
Trump signs multiple executive orders after taking office earlier this month
HAYDEN ALEXANDER NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
After nearly two weeks in office, President Donald Trump has signed multiple executive orders covering everything from immigration to education.
The Trump administration rescinded 78 executive orders signed by former President Joe Biden concerning DEI and racial and gender equality. There is a lot to digest between daily headlines, reports and social media commentary. Here is a list of some of the executive orders Trump has signed since he took office Jan. 20.
Ending birthright citizenship
Trump signed an executive order ending birthright citizenship — a right granted to anyone born on U.S. soil through the 14th Amendment. The order applies to those whose parents are not U.S. citizens or whose mother were “lawfully” but “temporarily” present.
National border emergency
Among his many orders intended to curb immigration, Trump declared a national border emergency. The order halted immigration and sent U.S. troops to the border, and it was part of Trump’s larger goal to conduct a massive deportation initiative across the country.
The order points out crime rates and terror-related activities as reasons for halting immigration.
Trump signed another border-related order designating all cartels as foreign terrorist groups.
Pause on refugee admittance
The refugee resettlement program has been paused and is moving to a case-bycase policy.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Trump signed an order effectively ending support for “wasteful” and “radical” federally funded DEI programs.
Leaving international organizations
Trump signed an order ending the U.S.’s World Health Organization (WHO) role. The U.S. will leave in 12 months and pull all financial contributions.
Another order will withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement.
Gender-affirming care
Trump signed multiple orders concerning gender. One order is an attempt at preventing gender-affirming care for people under 19.
The order reads, “(It) is the policy of the United States that it will not fund,
sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called “transition” of a child from one sex to another.”
Two genders
Trump created a policy that only recognizes two genders, male and female, and removes “gender ideology guidance” from federal policy.
Department of Government Efficiency
Trump signed an order establishing the Department of Government Efficiency to cut down on government waste and revaluate federal agencies.
The military
Trump signed multiple orders aiming to end DEI within the military, eliminate “gender radicalism” and rehire those fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
As of this article’s publication, transgender service members have not been banned.
Declassifying Assassination files
Trump signed an order declassifying thousands of files surrounding the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy.
Electric vehicles and AI
To further AI innovation, Trump ordered a review of several Biden-era AI policies and commissioned a group to develop regulations for cryptocurrency.
Unleashing energy
Trump declared a national energy emergency to promote fossil fuels and remove drilling restrictions in Alaska. Trump also introduced a second, broader order focused on promoting energy production to “encourage energy exploration and production.”
Gulf of America
Trump signed an order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and renaming Mt. Denali to Mt. McKinley. The order does not affect how names are used internationally.
FEMA review
Trump called for a review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after its handling of the areas devastated by Hurricane Helene. His review specifically targets claims that FEMA refused help to Trump supporters.
America First and censorship
The order states that American foreign policy will “champion core American interests,” focusing the country’s policy on benefiting America.
Another order aims to end federal censorship and protect free speech.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Social media users claim TikTok, Meta changed platform algorithms, both deny
sharing, which is harder for traditional media to regulate,” Strunk said. “In my view, the ban is a move to regain control over media consumption and shape narratives.”
Connor Jordan is among many TikTok users who have noticed changes since the app returned after a 14-hour ban in the U.S.
From claims of the app automatically unfollowing Democrat content creators to following Meta accounts, many conspiracies are looming. Jordan, a senior, claimed his app unfollowed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, when he returned to it after it went dark.
Jordan also noticed content with certain phrases was shown less on his for-you page.
“There’s been a very clear change in the amount of censorship on the platform,” Jordan said. “People on my for-you page are having to talk in code in order to talk about the ban, the ongoing ICE raids, Palestine and pretty much anything to do with the current administration.”
ByteDance, the Chinese-owned company that owns TikTok, failed to comply with a law requiring the company to sell TikTok or be banned in U.S. app stores and websites. A ban went into effect on Jan. 19 for users in the U.S.
President Donald Trump, who originally introduced the concept of banning American companies from having “transactions” with TikTok in 2020, issued an executive order on his first day in office, the next day, delaying the ban for another 75 days. Trump said the app is worth a trillion dollars with a permit to operate in the U.S.
“So what I’m thinking about saying to somebody is buy it and give half to the United States of America — half — and we’ll give you the permit,” Trump said.
With X owner Elon Musk leading Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency and several billionaires in the technology industry sitting in the front row at the inauguration, students like Jordan have concerns for the future of social media platforms.
“It was the only commonly used social media platform, other than YouTube, not owned by Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg,” Jordan said. “The whole ban feels like watching a favor for favor between people who have too much money to care about the American people.”
There is currently no confirmation of any deal taking place between ByteDance and any American company despite TikTok CEO Shou Chew also attending the inauguration. Student Kalen Strunk also believes the changes to TikTok’s algorithm are potentially a way to control the flow of information Americans are receiving.
“The platform offers a more dynamic and unfiltered space for information
Both Jordan and Strunk credit TikTok for information on Palenstine initially reaching the U.S. But, now when Jordan attempts to type “Palestine” or “LQBTQ rights,” those exact terms won’t pop up, Jordan said.
Strunk also noticed certain content creators she followed were unfollowed without her knowledge. She said she noticed this change at the end of last year.
“I noticed that I had unfollowed a few influencers whose content leaned more toward liberal views,” Strunk said. “Given that I typically align more left-leaning on social policy and reform, I was surprised when I realized their content wasn’t appearing on my feed.”
Yet neither Strunk nor Jordan noticed themselves following Meta accounts, which has been a major claim from TikTok users since the ban was delayed. But that’s not to say they don’t have their concerns for the future of Meta applications.
“While Meta may not be directly involved, it’s clear that American corporations with ties to the current administration might have a stake in this,” Strunk said.
Meta, the company that owns Instagram and Twitter, also had users claiming certain politicians were being followed automatically on the platforms. Communications director Andy Stone posted on Threads, a text-based app on Instagram, refuting this claim. He also emphasized that the accounts @potus and @vp (president of the United States and vice president) were the same accounts former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris used before the new administration took over.
TikTok has a different claim. In a statement released to Rolling Stone, TikTok claims that no changes to algorithms or community policies have changed, and that the temporary blackout of the app could be causing the issues.
“We’re working hard to restore our U.S. operations back to normal and expect some temporary instability as we restore our services, which could impact TikTok features or users’ access to the app,” the statement read.
The spokesperson also said the company is still investigating the cause of the issues.
Regardless of the fate of TikTok and its algorithms in the future, students like Jordan feel the loss of a platform allowing the spread of free speech.
“It’s one of the most blatant violations of the first amendment I’ve seen in my lifetime,” Jordan said. “It was the easiest and most direct way to share information to anyone in the world.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
Bryson Thadhani
Students claim TikTok’s algorithim has changed since a ban of the app was delayed an additional 75 days.
Courtesy @democracynow
Protests in Washington D.C. on the day of the Presidential Inauguration.
RAYNEE HOWELL
Stillwater’s Flores heads Calf Fry Music Festival
Treaty Oak Revival originally formed as a cover band from Odessa, Texas. Most recently, the band was one of the rotating special guests for Koe Wetzel’s “Damn Near Normal Tour.” Wetzel played at Calf Fry from 2017-19.
There’s an official lineup for Stillwater’s three-day party.
The lineup for the 33rd annual Calf Fry Music Festival, a red-dirt country music festival from May 1-3, was announced Tuesday morning.
Treaty Oak Revival, Ian Munsick and Wyatt Flores are set to headline at Tumbleweed Dancehall & Concert Venue, where the festival has held since 1991. All ages are welcome to attend. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Flores is a Stillwater native. His debut studio album, “Welcome to the Plains,” released Oct. 18, 2024. That same day, he performed on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
Munsick is from Sheridan, Wyoming, and along with releasing two studio albums and doing his own tours, he’s toured with Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and Cody Johnson.
Other acts include: Ole 60, Tanner Usrey, Ty Myers, Vincent Mason, William Clark Green, Hudson Westbrook, Taylor Hunnicutt, Noah Bowman, the Battle of the Bands winners and a performer that will be announced on Feb. 8
Tickets are on sale at calffry.com
Students debate expectations for 2025 Grammy Awards
praising Lamar’s music. Veatch said he looked forward to Lamar receiving any awards before his upcoming Super Bowl LIX performance.
How to protect, maintain your car during the winter
SUNGJOO CHUNG STAFF REPORTER
Winter can be tough on your car, especially in a place like Oklahoma, where the weather can swing from mild to icy in a matter of hours
Whether you’re dealing with freezing rain, sleet or the occasional snowstorm, taking a few steps to prepare your car for the colder months can save you from headaches and costly repairs down the road. Here’s a guide to keeping your car in top shape this winter (and for the winters to come).
Cold weather is notorious for draining car batteries, so it’s crucial to give yours some attention before winter arrives. Start by having your battery tested to ensure it’s in good condition.
Most car batteries last 3 to 5 years, though this can vary depending on the climate and how well they’re maintained.
Don’t forget to check your alternator, too, which charges the battery while the engine is running and powers your car’s electrical systems. It’s important to check both the battery and alternator because they work together. This extra strain can ultimately damage the healthy component, leading to a more costly repair down the line.
it works: Place a penny between two tread ribs on your tire, with Lincoln’s head pointing down into the tread. Crouch down so your eyes are level with the tread, and check if you can see all of Lincoln’s head. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, your tread is 2/32 inches deep or less, and it’s time to replace your tires. If you can’t see Lincoln’s head, your tread is still above 2/32 inches and in better shape.
Tread depth is critical because it affects your car’s ability to grip the road, especially in wet, icy or snowy conditions. Shallow tread can make your tires more likely to slip, increasing the risk of accidents for you and other drivers.
While Oklahoma doesn’t typically get heavy snowfall, icy roads and freezing rain are common, so ensuring your tires are in good condition is a must.
While on the topic of tires, regularly checking your tire pressure and adjusting them for winter is also crucial. Cold temperatures cause the air in the tires to contract, lowering their pressure, which leads to more wear and worse gas mileage
The 67th Grammy Awards will air the Sunday evening, and students across campus have mixed reviews on the upcoming show.
Streaming live on CBS and Paramount+ at 7 p.m. CST, the annual show will feature performances from nominees, including Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Benson Boone, Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter. Kayla Bacon, an Oklahoma State University junior and Grammys viewer, said she enjoys having the show playing in the background until an artist she cares about is up for an award.
“Normally I’m pretty invested,” Bacon said. “I enjoy the Grammys, and I believe they make good decisions on the artists and performers they pick.”
Bacon said she was impressed with the “revamping” of country and pop genres in the past year. She said current artists have brought back the genres in a “new light.”
“We had a lot of revival in 2024 in certain genres,” Bacon said. “Tate McRae isn’t on there this year; I see her being on next year’s because she (has) brought back early 2000s Britney (Spears). They have Chappell Roan, who has completely revamped music in general; she has changed music. (The same) goes with Charli XCX.”
Bacon said she is excited to watch the upcoming Grammys performances of Roan and Carpenter. She admired the work of various artists, particularly emphasizing her passion for Roan.
“I think she’s a really good performer,” Bacon said. “She’s also a really good singer. Taylor Swift has improved her performance quality over the past few years, same with Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter.” Bacon continued in her praise for various artists, saying she would like to see Kendrick Lamar receive an award.
“He’s honestly a poet,” Bacon said. “He would be someone I want to win. He’s quick. You don’t see anyone of his caliber in the rap genre.”
William Veatch, OSU senior and lead guitarist for the “CowTippers,” agreed with Bacon’s sentiment in
“He is going to be good to see,” Veatch said. “Especially since he is headlining the Super Bowl in February, so it’s kind of a precursor for him.”
However, Veatch expressed his disdain for Swift’s nomination in Album of the Year in “The Tortured Poets Department,” stating he believes it is the popstar’s “weakest album yet.” Veatch said he would also not be rooting for Roan in her nominations for Album of the Year (with “The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess”) or Record Of The Year (with “Good Luck, Babe!”).
“She’s kind of a self-entitled person in my opinion,” Veatch said. “I don’t think she has much of a career going for her beside her most recent album.”
While Bacon and Veatch expressed passionate opinions for nominated artists, freshman mechanical engineering major Lance Myer said he had little interest in the Grammy Awards. Primarily listening to “1980s rock and a bit of metal,” Myer claimed he wasn’t sure of the exact atmosphere for current artists.
However, he said artists he frequently hears in public would likely win.
“You mention Taylor Swift anywhere and there’s instantly like a billion fans that are going to support (her),” Myer said. “Other than that, I think for my top picks for the Grammys (will be) ‘Birds of a Feather,’ ‘Not Like Us’ and ‘Espresso.’”
Myer said Swift’s methods of attracting audiences will likely give her a boost in winning Record of the Year (with “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone) and Album of the Year. Despite not listening to Swift, Myer said he could understand her success in her nominated categories.
“She knows how to get an audience and get them to like her,” Myer said. “That’s not connected to how I personally feel about her. I just know she knows how to do this and gain popularity. So, I feel like she definitely has good potential that she may win at least an award, if not the whole thing.”
Myles Towry contributed to this report.
While Oklahoma’s winters aren’t as harsh as those in northern states, a sudden cold snap can still leave you stranded. To be safe, keep a set of jumper cables in your trunk.
Your car’s fluids need special attention during winter. Switch to a windshield washer fluid with antifreeze properties to prevent it from freezing on your windshield. Also, check your coolant levels to protect your engine from freezing.
Traction is key when roads are slick, and your tire tread depth plays a huge role in keeping you safe. A simple way to check your tread depth is by using the penny test. Here’s how
There’s a free digital tire pressure checker and air compressor at OnCue gas stations around Stilwater, which comes in handy, especially before a trip to neighboring cities in winter road conditions.
Always keep your gas tank half full, as condensation can form in a nearempty tank, causing fuel line issues. Winter weather requires more fuel than usual to keep the car warm, so you should always have enough gas if you’re stuck in traffic during a winter storm.
Winter car maintenance might seem like a chore, but it’s worth the effort to keep you safe and your car running smoothly. By taking these steps, you’ll be ready to tackle whatever Oklahoma’s winter throws your way.
news.ed@ocolly.com
K-Pop female solo scene taking off in 2025
Going into 2025, the K-pop landscape is experiencing a transformation, with a particular focus on powerful solo debuts and comebacks. This year promises to be groundbreaking for female artists who are stepping into the spotlight on their own terms.
K-pop’s rise in global popularity was largely driven by groups making their mark in the U.S., but lately, individual members have been branching out and following their own paths.
The biggest story right now is Jennie’s upcoming album “Ruby.” The former BLACKPINK member has been dropping songs randomly throughout the last few months, and fans are both thrilled and confused. The three pre-release tracks — “Woman Up,” “Mantra,” and “Zen” — couldn’t be more different from each other, leaving everyone guessing about what the full 15-track album will sound like.
Jennie has been teasing fans in interviews about how much work she’s putting into this project, and the feature list is absolutely stacked including Childish Gambino, Dua Lipa, Doechii, FKJ and Kali Uchis. But Jennie isn’t the only one making moves. ROSÉ finally blessed fans with her first full-length album, and it’s everything we hoped for. As she develops her individual style, fans can expect her distinctive voice to continue evolving in new directions. Jan. 21 saw the release of (G) I-DLE’s Minnie’s mini album “Her,” with the lead single “Blind Eyes Red.” The release shows us that while (G) I-DLE’s group dynamics are powerful, individual members can shine brilliantly on their own. from (G) I-DLE-associated projects.
The K-pop industry is set for an exciting year with numerous anticipated releases. Notable upcoming albums include: Babymonster, Le Sserafim, T.O.P (formerly Big Bang), TREASURE (full-length album), BTS and more.
File Photo
The lineup for the 2025 Calf Fry festival was announced Tuesday morning.
Photo
As temperatures drop, don’t forget to give your car a quick check-up.
Courtesy Creative Commons
K-pop artist Kim Jennie is preparing for the release of her solo album “Ruby.”
Community
Some mornings, she awoke to icicles forming in her nostrils. Not only was she scared to live in a tent, she was scared of what was outside the tent — there was only a layer of mesh separating her and anyone or anything passing by.
She turned toward drugs during her struggles.
“Because the more you try to do the right thing, or you try to get and have a job, stay with a job… I’m not going to go somewhere where I can’t dress,” McKinney said. “I need to be able to take a shower. I need to be able to look presentable for the place. I’m not going to go smelling or looking crazy.”
But by July 28, 2024, she’d had enough. She decided to go to rehab on that hot summer day when her body could no longer handle it. Neither could her relationships — she noticed she became a burden to those who cared about her during her addiction.
Gallion stuck with her through it all, though. She brought her hand warmers and blankets, and McKinney said Gallion even put her and other unhoused people in motels the night before they had job interviews so they could rest and take showers.
McKinney celebrated six months clean from drug usage at Cardinals Love for the Homeless’ weekly dinner Jan. 28. The room erupted in cheers after she announced it. Then, McKinney opened her arms. She knew Gallion would go in for a hug. “I owe her (Gallion) everything because of that,” McKinney said. “People don’t understand unless they know what it’s like to actually be out there in a tent, and as cold as it is, and people turn their nose to you, and we’re not all because of drugs. It’s because of the way they’re treating us. Locking us up in jail and fining us for being homeless is not a solution. Stillwater needs to figure out something.”
A family of misfits
Before the church fills with dinner attendees, Gallion and her team fill it with laughter, banter and food.
Samantha Cantrell, a 15-year-old who volunteers at Cardinals Love for the Homeless, sorts donations into the black cartons that line the walls of the church. Each box is full of clothes and hygiene products dinner attendees are welcome to take. Sandy Cantrell, who was homeless as a teen, wipes down tables as Gallion prepares food in the kitchen.
Donnie Wallace, who was formerly unhoused and now helps with security, helps set tables. Crystal Johnson, a former correctional officer, unpacks nail polish and makeup her daughters sent for donation.
They joke with each other in between their duties, with Johnson offering Wallace a glue stick, suggesting he use it as chapstick. Once the work is done, they gather in the kitchen and wait for guests to arrive. But on Jan. 28, there was something special about their pre-dinner meet-up. Wallace had an announcement: He was one month sober. Gallion embraced him immediately as the others clapped.
That’s how most celebrations go with the Cardinals Love for the Homeless crew. Gallion said once a person walks through the doors of the church, they are loved.
Daughter from ‘8 Passengers’ releases memoir about heartbreaking childhood
Review
Small, vulnerable childhood moments broadcast for millions to see.
That was the reality for the children of “8 Passengers.”
family could be enduring at home consumed her.
Shari uses journal entries and text messages to showcase her communication with her family and the thoughts she was having at the time. It shows an unfiltered, raw array of emotions that lacked the hindsight Shari now has talking about it. The memoir overall features many metaphors and moments of reflection, that show the damage abuse can have on the psyche.
“I don’t care how dirty or clean you are, you’re getting a hug when you walk through my door,” Gallion said. But Wallace didn’t have to walk through the doors of the church for the Cardinals Love for the Homeless team to show him love. They have
helped him off the streets in October and helped him navigate overcoming drug addiction since.
Wallace wears a symbol of their support each day: a dog tag that says, “Keep going forward! We believe in you!”
Sandy Cantrell made it for him, as well as bags and cups that feature the words of encouragement. Gallion, Johnson and the Cantrells all pitch in where they can to help, whether it’s through money, time or skills.
“People think they can’t help because of whatever situation they’re in,” Johnson said. “And let me tell you, we’re on the bottom tier when it comes to finances, all of us.”
Yet they give.
“People don’t understand that a lot of people nowadays, in this economy, is literally a missed month or two away from living out of their car or their car being repossessed and then being homeless too,” Johnson said. “There’s no compassion when it comes to money.”
Johnson said anybody can help the unhoused if they are willing to put in a little time. She said to donate the clothes you’ve outgrown or possessions you no longer want to shelters.
Cardinals Love for the Homeless accepts volunteers as well, and they’ll treat you like family.
“This is us,” Gallion said. “We’re a mess. We’re full of love. We love everybody. You come, we don’t care, we don’t judge, we don’t care who you are. Come through that door, you’re loved.”
Tuesday tradition
Now, Tuesdays are when Gallion feeds the unhoused community in Stillwater. Then, it meant a meal for her unhoused children.
She would search the dumpster behind her local donut shop on Tuesdays and bring home what she found to her children when they were unhoused and living in Houston. She said donuts might be the only thing they ate that day, but at least they had a meal.
Like many of the people she helps feed, Gallion has spent time in homeless shelters, lived in her car and overcome addiction.
“(I’ve) done the drug life,” Gallion said. “You know, being homeless in El Reno, being on drugs, hiding in fields to sleep.”
When she got to Stillwater, she didn’t know what to do. So she went to Mission of Hope.
“And I walked in, that was five years ago, and told them either let me in the door, or I’m walking out in front of a semi,’” Gallion said. “And I was just done with life. I just didn’t see any help in the future. God knows, I never thought I’d be here, not at all.”
So when she was housed, she wanted to help. She’s never without food in her car, and if she sees an unhoused person, she gives them money.
She joined a group that helps unhoused people, but the woman running it stopped doing it. She told Gallion if she didn’t like it, she should do it herself.
So she did, but she questioned if she could pull it off.
She started with Thanksgiving. She asked for volunteers, offering to do the cooking herself. They ended up with two turkeys and two hams, and the pastor at Christian Missionary Alliance Church offered them a room to host the dinner. The Oklahoma Pork Council donated two trays of pulled pork.
She also hosted a Christmas dinner, and somewhere in between she named the operation: Cardinals Love for the Homeless. Continued from 1
Shari Franke, the eldest of six siblings, grew up in the spotlight with a microscope on the darkest moments of her life. She is now taking back her voice in a new memoir, “The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom,” in which she tells the story of her monetized childhood.
Before we begin, I need to address the elephant in the room.
In her book, Shari talks about how media outlets across the U.S. ran with the story of her and her siblings’ abuse greedily and with excitement. She called it a “true-crime circus.” But it was painful and it was real for family.
I don’t intend to add to this media circus or focus on the details her family cannot escape but instead to talk about Shari’s perspectives and her well-written piece of literary work.
Shari was a pre-teen when her mother Ruby Franke decided to turn her hobby of mommy-blogging into a family vlogging channel. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recordkeeping was ingrained into the Franke family. Shari explained that family vlogging is an LDS-aligned pursuit as it is a natural extension of traditional practices while it also incorporates passive missionary work.
It just made sense for her family. Ruby — the Franke’s harsh, drill sergeant mom — became rooted in generating content, brand deals and income. Faith was still at the forefront, and Ruby showcased the way she incorporated faith into the family’s life on the channel.
As Shari explored new teenage experiences — including a crush on a boy — she was forced to transfer to a new school; this example in the book was one of many showing the control Ruby would exercise over her children. Another one worth mentioning: Chad, the eldest brother, spent six months sleeping on a bean bag in the basement as he was grounded from his bed. This punishment was crafted by Jodi Hidebrant, Chad’s lousy therapist and founder of “Connexions Classroom.”
Once Ruby introduced Hildebrant and Connexions to her family, the family disintegrated. Shari was kicked out of her room for Hildebrant to move in and further spread her harsh ideologies. As it got worse, Shari was able to move away to college, but the guilt of what her
Chad and Kevin, Shari’s dad, were asked to leave the house to work on themselves. During this time, Shari was fully cut off from Ruby after trying to reach out to her estranged family members. Ruby became a higher-up in Connexions and taught many classes with Hildebrant, focusing on the “Truth,” while manipulating several vulnerable LDS families into distinct, harmful practices.
Connexions has now been described as a “cult” by multiple Franke family members.
A school teacher took Shari under his wing. Thanks to the Haymond family and Ruby’s aunts, Shari was able to receive some support during those hard years away from home when she was in a constant state of worry. The hard years that finally ended the way they began years earlier: on the internet.
Shari posted an Instagram story of police and SWAT cars in front of the house with one word: “FINALLY.” It was the day Ruby and Hildebrant were arrested after one of the younger Franke siblings ran to the next door neighbor yelling for help; he was in terrible condition, and the neighbor called 911. Shari describes this moment as surreal.
“This moment, this climax of my family’s descent into madness, needed to be documented, preserved and shared on social media,” the book read. “Just like every forced smile, every staged perfection had been, too.”
Shari has now testified in favor of laws protecting child influencers but is hoping to live her life in private. This book serves as a beautifully-written answer to any and all questions.
As for the perpetrators, Hildebrant and Ruby were charged with four counts of aggravated child abuse. Ruby alleged she was brainwashed by Hildebrant, and Hildebrant claimed she loved the children in a statement that according to Shari showed no remorse or accountability.
Ruby and Hildebrandt were sentenced to serve four to 30 years in the Utah State Prison. It’s a sentence that any person who knows the full story — depicted through videos, photos and the pages of Shari’s book — hopes is closer to 30.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Bella Casey
Stephanie Gallion serves up a hot meal during Cardnial’s Love for the Homeless weekly Tuesday lunches.
Joe’s
File enlisted the help of his younger brother, and they found an OSU student willing to sketch up a design: freshman Bill Thompson. Armed with an art pad and magic marker, Thompson threw together a logo. Clark instantly fell in love with the drawing of a boy and his dog.
“I thought it was the greatest thing I’d ever seen,” Clark said. “It draws you in. It’s welcoming, and it’s a boy and his dog; it’s a universal theme.”
The now-iconic logo featuring Joe and Buffy was hit, and eventually, with artist Mike Staubus’ help, the pair made its way out of the confines of the classic logo.
“Joe is a renaissance man,” Clark said. “He can do it all, and the one thing we’ve always done is portray Eskimo Joe’s in a heroic fashion.”
Staubus, who took over as creative director of Eskimo Joe’s in 1985, brought Joe and Buffy to life. His love of the screen-printing process inspired him to explore different artistic ideas for Joe and Buffy and raise the stakes.
“I usually set a fairly high standard for it,” Staubus said. “I always like to try to do better than the last piece.”
Staubus has grown used to seeing his designs around town and takes great care to ensure that each new design captures the essence of Eskimo Joe’s.
“That’s my Joe’s clothes,” Staubus said. “That part of it has always been challenging and very interesting to me because those techniques have kind of evolved through the years.”
Eskimo Joe’s famous slogan hit the scene after a friend of Clark’s friend asked to spin a record. One needle drop later and Elvin Bishop’s “Juke Joint Jump” blared and the opening line, “There’s a jumpin’ little juke joint out in the sticks,” struck a chord.
“I said, ‘That’s it. We’re Stillwater’s Jumpin’ Little Juke Joint,’” Clark said. “It was just one of those moments in time.” Clark and File had everything: a logo, slogan and booming business. In 1984, they added a restaurant after the Oklahoma legislature raised the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 in 1983.
In 1992, Eskimo Joe’s added its
famous dome to the building, and it has grown in popularity and familiarity since.
Stillwater’s Jumping Little Juke Joint is a home away from home. Alumni bring their families in and students stop in for cheese fries. Clark said he had no clue how much Eskimo Joe’s would grow.
“I never envisioned all this,” Clark said. “Hopefully we earned all that, and we live up to it when people honor us with the chance to serve them again, OSU and Eskimo Joe’s team up often for sporting events, and OSU ensures that Joe’s is a stop on the student tours.
Clark said he credits the university for its role in bringing Joe’s to life.
“In all modesty, I think OSU is the main thing,” Clark said. “I never would have come to Stillwater except to come to college.”
As a new graduate in the ‘70s, Clark knew he would see Eskimo Joe’s through no matter the result.
“I always viewed it (Eskimo Joe’s) as a long-term play,” Clark said. “I love what I do, and hopefully that comes through to every guest that comes through the door.”
Eskimo Joe’s turns 50 in July, and after five decades of memories ,Clark is ready to take on the next chapter at Joe’s.
“I can’t believe it’s been 50 years,” Clark said. “It sure doesn’t feel like 50 years.”
Staubus is excited to see how Buffy and Joe change over the next 50 years, but he is taking a step back. Staubus is ready to use his knowledge to help others promote their artwork while continuing to help at Eskimo Joe’s.
Staubus said Joe’s has played a pivotal role in his life.
“I feel totally fortunate, you know, to have been able to have a job that was interesting, fun,” Staubus said. “I was able to raise a family, you know, doing this job, so it made it worthwhile to be involved in it.”
Eskimo Joe’s is celebrating its 50th anniversary in July with a massive street party, but Clark is focused on continuing to serve up good times.
“It’s just a place that people can have a good time at,” Clark said. “I mean, at the end of the day, that’s all we’re for. We’re here to show you a good time.”
A new Miss OSU crowned
an essential part in determining the winner.
A new Miss Oklahoma State University has been crowned.
Jaselyn Rossman, a junior majoring in accounting with a minor in finance, took home the crown Saturday. Rossman is a member of the OSU Pom squad as well as the Pi Beta Phi sorority, and also holds the title of Miss Oklahoma Teen USA 2023.
Seven contestants competed alongside Rossman, including Justice Mosier, Kenzie Dietiz, Tegan Burchfield, Abi Wallace, Sophia La Paglia, Morgan Burchfield and Brooklyn Barnett.
Rossman won a $1,000 scholarship. The other scholarship recipients were Barnett, winning $750, and secondrunner up, Birchfield, winning $500.
The Miss OSU scholarship competition consists of five categories: personal interview, health and fitness, talent, evening gown and an on-stage interview.
“In the talent phase of the competition, judges look for each delegate’s interpretive ability, her preparedness, technical skill, stage presence and entertainment value,” emcee Amanda Kimmy said.
Talent performances included various dance performances, baton twirling and monologues. Rossman performed a jazz routine to “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James.
“I’m very thankful to have dance in my background,” Rossman said. “Growing up a dancer, I’m used to being on stage, as well as acknowledging and using my facial expressions, which helped me in this phase of the competition.”
Rossman will now serve as a representative in a variety of settings by appearing in parades, competing in Miss Oklahoma, and implementing her community service initiative, “Get Up and Move.”
Cristin Sherin, a judge of the competition, said finding someone who is genuinely passionate about serving OSU and the community plays
“I just want to encourage people of all ages to get up and move their bodies more, to increase and better their mental and physical health,” Rossman said, “not only for themselves now but for their future selves, with heart disease being the number one leading cause of death for men and women in America.”
Rossman will implement her community service initiative on campus through hosting a fitness event at Library Lawn, where members of the Stillwater community will have an opportunity to move their bodies. Rossman also intends to speak at and implement physical activity in elementary schools.
For Rossman, the highlight of the night wasn’t winning the Miss OSU title or scholarship money — it was hearing the support from her sorority sisters and Pom squad in the crowd.
“I texted them and said, ‘I don’t even care if I win, I’ve already won, because I have you guys behind me no matter what,’” Rossman said. They made me glow internally, and I am so happy to have them in my corner at all times.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
Payton Little
Eskimo Joe’s is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a line of merchandise designed by Mike Staubus.
Kaytlyn Hayes
Miss OSU Jaselyn Rossman performed a jazz routine to “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James.
Kaytlyn Hayes
Jaselyn Rossman in the evening gown portion of Miss OSU on Jan. 25. at the Student Union Theater.
As January ends, National Stalking Awareness Month comes to a
MEGAN ROY STAFF REPORTER
Oklahoma State’s 1 is 2 Many program shines a light on the shadowy subject of stalking.
January is National Stalking Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness, educating and empowering those on campus about the dangerous nature of stalking.
There were 17 reported cases of stalking in the 2023-24 school year at OSU. In 2018, The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found that 18- to 24-year-olds experience the highest rates of stalking among adults. This makes college campuses a hotspot for stalking behavior.
One is 2 Many aims to reduce sexual violence at OSU through campus collaborations, prevention education opportunities, victim support and more. Full-time coordinator Claire Leffingwell and her graduate assistant Claire Prather work in tandem to fulfill the program’s mission.
“Stalking is most commonly defined as a pattern of unwanted contact or behavior that leads someone to feel upset, anxious or afraid for their safety,” Prather said.
Stalking can take many forms. Some may include sending repeated calls or texts, showing up at a person’s location unannounced, delivering unwanted gifts or threatening someone’s family. There is often a misconception that stalking occurs between strangers,
close
but in reality, “the majority of stalking occurs between two people that know each other,” Prather said.
In recent years, technology has been a major concern for stalking. Through live location apps and location descriptions on Instagram and Snapchat it is easier than ever to access someone’s whereabouts. Prather says a simple solution would be to keep your socials private. However, it is often more complicated than that, since stalking is more likely done by someone a person knows. Often a hard choice must be made.
“Evaluate who makes you feel safe knowing that they have your location,”
Leffingwell said.
One is 2 Many has numerous resources for students at OSU should they need it. At its website, you can find resources for those seeking immediate safety, medical attention and reporting. One can also find education tools and information regarding stalking as well as other forms of violence. One is 2 Many encourages students to become active against the threats of sexual violence.
Leffingwell said the lack of education and awareness is the biggest challenge facing stalking at OSU.
“You cannot prevent or take action against what you don’t know,” Leffingwell said.
Though this awareness campaign is only for the month of January, it doesn’t stop the year-round battle to better educate and support those afflicted by violence.
Grants
“The federal government is a critical partner to universities in advancing scientific research for the benefit of society at large,” Sewell said. “Anything that disrupts that partnership can have negative impacts on scientific knowledge and on the additional role that universities play in training the next generation of scientists and innovators.”
The move leaves universities and research institutions, such as OSU, with questions about how the pause will impact ongoing and planned projects.
“This temporary pause will provide the administration time to review agency programs and determine the best uses of the funding for those programs consistent with the law and the President’s priorities,” the memorandum stated.
The original memo stated programs “including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology and the green new deal” would be affected. The White House on Tuesday afternoon issued a new memo, The Washington Post reported, indicating only programs involving those areas would be impacted.
The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday morning the funding freeze would not impact federal student loans or Pell grants, according to The New York Times. U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan’s temporary block on the order will remain until 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 3. Despite this, and following the OMB’s rescission of the memorandum, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the order remains.
“The President’s EO’s (executive orders) on federal funding remain in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented,” Leavitt said in a post on X.
For OSU and its research programs, effects of the order are yet to be seen. In a statement, the university said it is continuing to follow the situation.
“The university closely monitors and engages on issues related to student success, including the impacts and effects of government actions at all levels,” the statement read. “We are closely
following the recent announcements from the federal administration regarding pauses in federal aid and grant funding. Financial aid for the Spring 2025 semester has already been issued to OSU students. We continue to analyze and closely monitor the impacts a pause in grant funding may have on the university’s educational, research and operational activities.”
The university sent an email to students Tuesday evening, reassuring them that financial aid for the semester is secured. It did not, however, make assurances past that.
“Any future changes that might affect financial aid beyond the Spring 2025 semester will be communicated as soon as the university becomes aware,” the email read.
Student Government Association Senator Christian Jimenez, who depends on federal grants and loans to attend OSU, said he is concerned about the impact the executive order will have on the fall semester.
“If that (funding) goes away, then obviously I’d have to pay out of pocket, and that would just be a crazy amount of money that I don’t have right now,” Jimenez said.
OSU is an R1 Research University, which the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education classifies as an institution with “very high research activity.” The university has more than 990 faculty and staff conducting research and 30 affiliated research centers and institutions, according to OSU Research’s website. Six of the 30 are classified as “core research facilities,” including Animal Resources and the High Performance Computing Center.
Sewell said OSU’s status is “a reflection of our longstanding investment in research as a core mission component and in our partnerships with federal funding agencies.”
“I anticipate those investments will continue, ensuring that OSU remains among the nation’s top-tier research universities,” he said.
All agencies are required to submit detailed information on “any programs, project or activities subject to this pause,” by Feb. 10.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Bryson Thadhani
Students can join the efforts of 1 is 2 Many as a prevention ambassador or as a student victim advocate.
2025 Academy Awards predictions
Actor in A Supporting Role: Kieran Culkin ‘A Real Pain’ “Succession” star Culkin is gaining popularity in the film world and picking up more roles, so it would not be surprising to see him pick up an Oscar.
Costume Design: Paul Tazewell ‘Wicked’
The costumes in “Wicked” are so much fun. Each scene is an explosion of color and a testament to the detail that went into translating the Broadway play from stage to screen.
list? Yes. However, I believe “Wicked” is going to be popular at the awards and take home the award for best original score.
Roll out the red carpet; the nominations are in.
The nominees for the 97th Academy Awards boast an impressive lineup of films and creativity. “Wicked” inspired sing-alongs, “Dune: Part Two” wowed audiences with out-of-this-universe visuals and “Nosferatu” retold a classic in a horrifically fantastical way.
Here are my picks for the winners of each of the categories.
Best Picture: ‘The Brutalist’
“The Brutalist,” like “Oppenheimer” in 2024, is winning over critics for its wellthoughtout story, directing and phenomenal acting and deserves Best Picture.
Actor in a Leading Role: Adrien Brody, ‘The Brutalist’ Brody recently won a Golden Globe for his performance in “The Brutalist,” and while the other nominees are strong contenders, I think Brody will add another Oscar to his awards list.
Actress in a Leading Role: Demi Moore, ‘The Substance’ Moore stole the show as Elisabeth Sparkle, and her performance elevated the body horror film into a powerful commentary on beauty standards.
Actress in A Supporting Role: Zoe Saldaña, ‘Emilia Pérez’
Saldaña already won a Golden Globe for her role in “Emilia Pérez” and she is rapping her way to an Oscar.
Animated Feature Film: ‘The Wild Robot’ Yes, “Flow” won at the Golden Globes, but the score, art style and heartwarming story makes “The Wild Robot” a heavyweight.
Cinematography: ‘Dune: Part Two’
I am a sucker for a good space opera, and “Dune: Part Two” melds practical and digital to bring Arrakis and the universe of Dune to the big screen perfectly.
Directing: Brady Corbet, ‘The Brutalist’
Again, there are a lot of powerful contenders in this category, but I am giving it to “The Brutalist” director Corbet. The film is sweeping at the awards, so I feel safe naming Corbet as my pick.
International Feature Film: ‘Emilia Pérez’
“Emilia Pérez” is cleaning up the awards with 13 Oscar nominations. I would be surprised if the film doesn’t win this award.
Makeup and Hairstyling: ‘Wicked’ “Wicked” is the only choice. The hair, costumes, make-up and Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel’s gorgeous, scene stealing outfits are dead ringers for the award.
Music (Original Score): ‘Wicked’ Should “Dune: Part Two” be on this
Production Design: ‘Nosferatu’ “Nosferatu’s” practical sets and facades perfectly recapture the original’s look and feel, transporting the viewer back to 1922.
Sound: ‘Dune: Part Two’
To make a space opera you need a lot of impressive sound and “Dune: Part Two” utilizes more than 3,000 sound effects so for sheer quantity, the award goes to “Dune: Part Two.”
Writing (Adapted Screenplay): ‘Conclave’
Based off the 2016 novel, “Conclave” is a stylistic look at the power of religious leaders, secrets and power structure within the Roman Catholic Church. I feel pretty confident with this pick.
Writing (Original Screenplay): ‘The Brutalist’
It’s typical for one film to sweep at the awards, and I already gave “The Brutalist” Best Picture, Director and Lead Actor, so I am playing it safe with this pick.
Courtesy Creative Commons
“The Brutalist” and “Emilia Pérez” are dominating the Academy Awards nominations list, among other productions of the last year.
WHEN: Saturday, 2 p.m.
How Hoyt, Heflin are balancing roles with OSU as new parents
DBY
aniel Heflin, Jacie Hoyt’s husband and the associate athletic director of development at Oklahoma State is often seen sitting courtside, making his way from seat to seat and talking to fans and donors.
Since Hoyt was hired, Heflin hasn’t missed a game. For years, Heflin could typically be seen in khakis and an OSU quarterzip traversing the sideline with a smile, but now, he has another accessory: a stroller
On Dec. 11, 2024, Heflin and Hoyt welcomed their daughter, Harlow, to the world.
Now, whenever Heflin makes his way onto the court, he can be seen pushing the stroller toward his set of four reserved courtside seats with family members following closely behind him. As the game nears tip-off, Heflin makes his rounds, visiting with the usual fans and donors who have grown accustomed to his presence.
“It’s been great combining not only supporting my wife but being able to do my job as well,” Heflin said. “(I’ve been) taking some of our high-level donors on road trips with us, and now my baby girl.”
Heflin’s role has always taken him on the road.
Adapt or fall behind: What Weiberg meant in his message to OSU fans about the future Chad
DANIEL ALLEN
REPORTER
fourth academic year as Oklahoma State’s athletic director, rarely glanced
at the paper sheets as if his sentiment was so vital, he had to speak from the heart. And he did. Weiberg shed light on the latter stages of World War II, when college football stars who had been sent overseas to fight were returning to America, hoping to resume their normal lives. Some programs took advantage of the times, surging into giants within the sport. Others didn’t and fell behind.
A newborn hasn’t changed that.
Whether it be home or the road, Heflin, Hoyt and Harlow have been at every game outside of OSU’s home win over McNeese State. The Cowgirls have traveled to Baylor, Cincinnati, Houston, UCF and Texas Tech — and so has Harlow.
“We’re a family right?” Heflin said. “Every single one of those girls, I try and take care of like my own. Now I have my own and it’s cool to see them hold her. She will be at seven weeks, and on Wednesday she’ll have been to seven different states.”
Traveling is a joint effort for a pair of new parents trying to navigate raising a
daughter for the first time.
But on game day, Hoyt still has to fulfill her coaching duties, and Heflin can be seen with Harlow in his arms or her stroller as he makes his way to his seat, all while still maintaining his responsibilities as associate AD of development.
On the court, Hoyt has the Cowgirls competing for a Big 12 championship, have a player in the running for Big 12 Player of the Year and are on pace to return to the NCAA Tournament.
Depth, bullpen headline OSU softball’s ‘most talented’ team in Gajewski’s
10 seasons as coach
EDITOR
Oklahoma State softball has the right cards in place.
The Cowgirls were picked to win the Big 12 Conference for the first time, and they have what coach Kenny Gajewski thinks is “the best” and “most talented” team he’s had.
Despite that, Gajewski and Co. aren’t anointing themselves the big dog of the conference. They know wins and losses — not rosters on paper — are the deciding factor, and don’t expect a cakewalk in the revamped Big 12.
“I don’t think it’s a given whatsoever that we’re just gonna walk out there and win this league,” Gajewski said Monday at OSU softball media day. “There’s too many good teams and good players and good coaches.”
Although Oklahoma and Texas now reside in the SEC, Arizona — a softball blueblood — Arizona State and Utah are Big 12 members. Utah made the Women’s College World Series two seasons ago, and Arizona lost to OSU in the Stillwater Super Regional last season.
Texas Tech added reigning Player of the Year NiJaree Canady, and teams such as Baylor, Iowa State and Kansas can present challenges.
See GAJEWSKI on page 4B
Payton Little
Daniel Heflin, the husband of OSU women’s basketball coach Jacie Hoyt, has only missed one game since their daughter Harlow was born Dec. 11
Payton Little
Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg said falling behind could set OSU athletics back.
Connor Fuxa
Oklahoma State coach Kenny Gajewski said the Big 12 Conference is “open” despite his Cowgirls being picked to win it for the first time in program history.
Heflin
return to the NCAA Tournament.
These duties alone are more of a time commitment than anyone on the outside could realize, but Hoyt and Heflin have been sure to take time to pause and enjoy their moments as first-time parents despite Hoyt’s strenuous schedule as coach at a place like OSU.
“After each road win, we’ll go take a picture,” Heflin said. “I try and go to every single one of her postgame interviews. Just support, win or lose. But to be able to show Harlow, when she gets older, those moments. ‘Hey, here’s your mom on Baylor’s floor after we beat them by 30, here’s your mom after we beat, X, Y and Z.’”
As the season goes on, there are no plans for Heflin to stay home. Part of the reason for that is how Hoyt was raised.
Hoyt, the daughter of Kansas high school basketball legend Shelly Hoyt, was in the gym with her mom from the time she could dribble a ball. She has credited her mom with igniting her love for the game, having an influence on her coaching style and being the reason why she is determined to make her locker room a family more than a team. Now, with a chance to raise their own daughter, Hoyt and Heflin plan to do the same thing.
“It’s one of those things where it’s baptism by fire,” Heflin said. “She’s going to grow up with a basketball in her hand. Sports is what molded me and molded Jacie, and you learn so many things through athletics. I believe it’s a microcosm of society. So she’s going to grow up in that gym.”
Heflin is already proving his words
are more than just talk.
There are pictures on social media of Harlow donning a “mama’s biggest fan” onesie on courts in Stillwater, Orlando and Cincinnati.
“I have pictures of all of our girls holding her. I have a picture of Stailee (Heard) holding her at Baylor,” Hoyt said. “All that stuff is just so special. That’s what’s really making the season click so much.”
“They (babies) just bring a different element that kind of softens everything up and lightens everything up. It’s really fun. It speaks volumes to the family that makes up this program.”
With Harlow in his arms, Heflin posed for pictures with incoming OSU signee Lena Girardi during the Cowgirls’ trip to UCF. For the next few iterations of Cowgirls, she will be a constant. Wherever the team goes, she goes.
Meanwhile, Heflin’s professional duties remain the same. He is still going to be seen talking with donors, coaching the Cowgirls from courtside and telling players to remember their postgame ice baths.
All the while, his eyes, the ones that used to be transfixed on the court at all times, will occasionally dart back toward Harlow, sleeping in her stroller by the end of the baseline, and whatever family member is watching her at that moment.
After all, he’s more than an associate AD of development now — he’s a dad.
“It’s so incredibly special to have him along for the ride with me,” Hoyt said. “It’s been neat seeing him be the best girl dad. I’ve seen the best version of him being a father.”
Asi’s versatility, maturity being showcased in off-ball role for OSU
Asi has been able to play a supporting role on a team centered around the offensive brilliance of Heard, allowing her to return to the role she played so well at the end of her and Jacie Hoyt’s first season in Stillwater.
As the final buzzer sounded in Lubbock, Texas, Anna Gret Asi walked off the floor smiling, clapping and highfiving teammates.
The Oklahoma State women’s basketball team had just beaten Texas Tech 81-78 in a thrilling finish behind 32 points from Stailee Heard. Just a season after going 14-16, the Cowgirls were on the verge of breaking into the AP Top 25 with Asi as a consistent starter.
Asi’s eyes were on her coach and teammates, even though the scoreboard above her had a zero next to her name in the scoring column.
A season earlier, it was hard for OSU to come by a win under any circumstances, and escaping a road game in conference play victorious with Asi scoring zero points was unthinkable.
In 2023-24, Asi was the hub of the OSU offense. She averaged nearly 13 points, led the team in assists and was second in shot attempts, all while playing on the ball for most of the game. The Cowgirls went as Asi went, and in the end, they went to the second round of the Big 12 Tournament.
Asi’s on-ball role was necessary for OSU to sustain an offense last season, but with the emergence of Heard and the additions of Alexia Smith and Jadyn Wooten, Asi has been able to play her style.
“I prefer to play off the ball way more than on the ball,” Asi said.
Although her scoring and assists have dropped and she is third on the Cowgirls in shot attempts, her impact on winning has never been higher.
“Her body language on the bench, her body language on the court (against TTU) was perfect,” Hoyt said. “She never started pressing. She never got really low after the game.”
With the Cowgirls on the path back to the NCAA Tournament, Asi has remained a double-figure scorer. The passing ability she developed during her one season as a point guard still shines through, and she has continued to develop that ability, even if it is in a more connective context. She has cut her turnovers from three to two per game.
Due to her decreased offensive load, Asi has become a bigger factor on defense. She is second on the Cowgirls in steals and regularly jumps in the mix for loose rebounds.
A season after being the focal point of a struggling team, Asi has become a valuable role player on a team that appears to be headed to the NCAA Tournament. While some may become dissatisfied with a decreased role, Asi is thriving in it.
“I think that speaks volumes of her maturity and her selflessness,” Hoyt said. “We talked after the Texas Tech game and she had such a great attitude about it.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy OSU Athletics
OSU coach Jacie Hoyt said Daniel Heflin (pictured) is “the best girl dad.”
Connor Fuxa
OSU women’s basketball guard Anna Gret Asi has impacted the Cowgirls’ winning, even though she isn’t putting up the same offensive numbers as last season.
No. 24 Cowgirls
looking for first Big 12 road win against No. 21 West Virginia
KENZIE KRAICH ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @KRAICH20
A simple equation has summed up the Oklahoma State women’s basketball team since starting Big 12 Conference play. Play at home, win games. Compete on the road, squeak by.
When the No. 24 Cowgirls take to the court at No. 21 West Virginia on Saturday, they’ll be presented with a task they haven’t seen this season –beat a ranked team on the road.
WVU is undefeated on its home court and averages nearly double the number of fans OSU sees on any given night in Stillwater.
The Mountaineers post nearly 80 points a game, similar to the Cowgirls, but they are second in the nation in turnovers forced (25). Last time out, WVU caused OSU to turn the ball over 24 times – nine more than its season average.
WVU standout guard Ja’Naiya Quinerly is largely responsible for the steals the Mountaineers force. The preseason Naismith Player of the Year candidate averages three steals, putting her ninth nationally and first in the Big 12.
Similar to the last time these two teams faced off, how OSU reacts to Quinerly will influence the Cowgirls’ chance at taking home a win.
The Mountaineers and Cowgirls have each defeated UCF, Texas Tech, Iowa State and Arizona State. But WVU beat those opponents by a combined 72 points, while OSU beat them by 35. And the Mountaineers competed with No. 5 Texas in December, only losing by a five-point margin.
Despite having similar wins against similar teams, OSU beat the Mountaineers in its last matchup to put them in the Top-25 for the first time since 2017. In the Jan. 11 contest, Quinerly posted a season-low 10 points, shooting 4 for 16 from the
field. Holding the competition’s best athletes to below-average performances has been a domineering trait of OSU’s defense, but many doubt that the Cowgirls will be able to complete the feat twice.
OSU head coach Jaycie Hoyt is fighting this doubtful narrative with her team following suit.
“Something that we really talked about was taking out other teams’ best players,” Hoyt said. “Some of the games that haven’t gone well for us, we have not done a good job with that, so it’s really easy to see on paper what we need to do to get where we want to go.”
Shooting on the road hasn’t come easy for OSU as the team shoots 29% from 3-point range when playing on opposing courts. That’s abnormal for the Cowgirls, ranked 16th nationally in 3-point percentage.
The lid on the basket paired with 17.8 turnovers per game on the road makes traveling a hurdle. OSU’s first ranked opponent since climbing into the polls, WVU will serve as a measuring stick for where the team stands on a national and conference level.
To secure a win in an environment like the one in Morgantown, OSU will need to rely on its dominant force in Stailee Heard and playmaking abilities of Jadyn Wooten. This duo has been unstoppable in recent matchups, making them key components to a Cowgirl win.
OSU leads the Mountaineers in every statistical category aside from steals; however, statistics only tell the story on paper. What happens on the court will be up to which Cowgirl team shows up Saturday afternoon. Simply put, the Cowgirls need a win. Stealing a Big 12 game on the road against a ranked opponent would make up for the disappointing loss against Houston and help to avoid losing a Top-25 ranking for a second time.
Oklahoma State tennis headed into ‘tough’ top-10 matchup against Auburn
and eligibility.
“We’ll continue to have those conversations about what’s the right decision,” Young said. “We want to do right by every player and their health and their situation.”
After a successful weekend at home, Oklahoma State women’s tennis will make its road debut Saturday when it takes on Auburn.
The Cowgirls and the Tigers are undefeated and are heading to the ITA Indoor Championship next week. OSU head coach Chris Young said matching up with Auburn will be a test, but that’s what he wanted to give the Cowgirls.
“We know it’s gonna be a really tough match,” Young said. “When I did the schedule, I wanted us to go on the road against a good team before we went to the Indoors [Championship].”
Young said he thinks the top-10 matchup will be good for OSU’s confidence. Even if the Cowgirls play well but don’t come out on top, it will be a learning experience the team can use to improve.
The Cowgirls have battled consistent setbacks throughout the spring thus far.
Ange Oby Kajuru hasn’t been active for personal reasons, but she should eventually return.
After battling a knee injury in the postseason last year, Lucia Peyre is making her way through recovery well. Young said they’ve had many conversations relating to her return
Whether facing something significant or just not feeling 100%, these challenges have brought many new faces to the court that fans can expect to see more against Auburn.
Freshman Melisa Ercan is the newest addition and could make her Cowgirl debut at the ITA Indoor Championship.
Freshmen Rose Marie Nijkamp and Alian Zack have made a quick impact on the team, finding their places in the singles and doubles lineup.
“They [Nijkamp and Zack] bring a good energy; they’re excited to be here,” Young said. “I think all of the new players, whether it’s Gracie and Marcela being transfers, to Rose and Alian, then Kylie with her experience, everyone just likes to be here. I think they’re proud to be Cowgirls already.”
With the increased depth, Young said OSU is working on the lineup for the weekend. Nijkamp and Anastasiya Komar have clicked well at Court 1 for doubles. However, the other two courts could see a few changes.
The Cowgirls and Tigers face off in Auburn, Alabama, at noon Saturday.
Catherine Dzanski
OSU women’s tennis coach Chris Young wanted a good test on the road for his team.
Connor Fuxa
OSU women’s basketball coach Jacie Hoyt and her squad are facing a WVU team they already beat.
too focused on the growth of analytics in softball, though her position is at the center of its growth.
OSU softball leaning more into — but not solely relying on — pitching analytics
“I don’t want to be a robot that’s just pressing a button because it says it’s time to press it.”
Although Kenny Gajewski is planning to experiment further with analytics this season, he doesn’t want to lose it It being the thing all coaches have — especially the great ones, like the Oklahoma State softball coach — a gut instinct. And a trustworthy one.
Because as he and his staff continue to lean into trusting “the book,” he still wants to maintain a level of authentic, trust-your-gut coaching while putting his squad in the best position to succeed.
“I still want to coach,” Gajewski said.
Gajewski entered the “newer age” of pitching analytics last season, as he and then-new pitching coach Carrie Eberle decided to operate on a pitch-by-committe basis. Although star pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl — a top-three finalist for 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year — was undoubtedly the Cowgirls’ best pitcher last season, a pitcher like Ivy Rossenberry, who had a breakout final season, was able to throw more innings with this strategy.
Rosenberry, too, was an example of “the book” and analytics being wrong. Gajewski said, analytically, Rosenberry was thought of as a “six-to-eightout arm.” But as her career-best season went along, she became what he called a “15-to-18 out arm.”
Tough ending to last season has OSU motivated for 2025
Kenny Gajewski said it, and then he felt it.
Oklahoma State’s 10th-year head coach was asked if the Cowgirls could take any lessons from their 0-2 showing at the Women’s College World Series last season, when they scored zero runs in losses to Florida and Stanford.
“Last year hurt,” Gajewski said before going silent, adding after more than 10 seconds of hard thinking, “it just hurt because we didn’t play our best at the end.”
The pain Gajewski and OSU have felt since May is what’s driving them in 2025. The Cowgirls went from winning series’ against Oklahoma and Texas to leaving the WCWS empty-handed. But now, with two-thirds of its roster back, OSU can use what Gajewski called a “learning curve” to get back to Oklahoma City and chase a national championship.
“(Completing) the last steps are the hardest, and they hurt the most,” Gajewski said. “And so I think that’s been our goal as we go through this with these guys, like, accountability.
“... I don’t think we need a wholesale change. We’re not broke. It’s just that when you get close, it just hurts more.”
The entire infield that helped OSU go 49-12, beat OU in a series for the
first time since 1997 and shut out the Longhorns twice will take the field together again. Star pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl exhausted her eligibility, but Gajewski landed former All-American Ruby Meylan (Washington) and RyLee Crandall (Baylor) to keep pitching as a strong suit for OSU.
Now, the Cowgirls have to take those “last steps” Gajewski referred to.
They showed they can beat the best, but in the postseason they looked like a different team in their WCWS losses and a 7-2 Big 12 Tournament loss to BYU.
“I felt like it slipped some (at the end),” Gajewski said. “I felt like (it slipped) after we went to OU and (won). It’s part of this learning curve.”
First baseman Karli Godwin, coming off a freshman All-American season, said the Cowgirls went into OKC “knowing we had what it took to win it all,” which was the “hardest part” about the early exit.
But Godwin is also confident about this season’s Cowgirls, who ESPN and Softball America have ranked No. 4 and picked to win the Big 12 Conference for the first time in program history.
“What I took from (the World Series) is that it’s the same game,” Godwin said. “... We kind of tried to do more than (we) needed and just let it get in our head that we were in OKC.
“... Being in that position last year, I think we know we’re not going to let that happen again.”
So, with star transfers Ruby Meylan from Washington and RyLee Crandall from Baylor, along with returnees Kyra Aycock — who Gajewski said is in “her Year 1” form after a down sophomore season last year — and Katie Kutz, OSU has options. Gajewski’s on record saying he believes Meylan could be the best pitcher OSU’s ever had, and Monday at the team’s media day, among other times, he’s spoken highly of his other three arms, too.
With this amount of talent in the bullpen, competition will be high. Ebbs and flows, ups and downs throughout the season will come. Crandall isn’t too focused on the numbers, though she believes the analytical aspect of softball is “interesting.”
“Showing up to practice and doing what I need to do to be my best whenever my number is called… that’s the
Gajewski
Gajewski said he views the Big 12 as “open” and that preseason polls and chatter “doesn’t matter.”
“If we win the whole thing, (people will) say, ‘Well, of course you did,’” Gajewski said. “If we don’t, they’ll say, ‘Man, what a failure.’ It’s a no-win situation, and so why worry about it? Just be where your feet are and keep these guys focused on the most important thing — that’s to play our best in May and June.”
Depth, lineups
At last season’s media day, Gajewski wasn’t settled on lineups as several new freshmen entered the fold.
But only a couple of tweaks have been made with two-thirds of last season’s team back.
Gajewski said the infield is expected to be the same as 2024 — Karli Godwin at first base, Rosie Davis at second, Megan Bloodworth at shortstop and Tallen Edwards at third.
In the outfield, junior Claire Timm will return to right field, while transfers Megan Delgadillo (Cal State Fullerton) and Rachel Hathoot (New Mexico) take center and left.
Lexi McDonald — who played in the outfield last season — will serve as the designated player, Gajewski said, while Micaela Wark — last season’s designated player — works her way back from surgery on both knees.
“(Wark is) as good as we’ve ever had here (right now),” Gajewski said. “... (But) I may not want to play her on doubleheaders (in) the second game or the first game. I may have to be very smart about how we make this happen.
“... We just got a lot of good things that are rolling along. And so, that’s where we’re gonna be. Like, if (someone struggles), I got options.”
Timm said the depth and competition make this the best team she’s been on in her three seasons in Stillwater.
thing I think about the most,” Crandall said.
For Gajewski, the focus on analytics boils down to one thing: trying to get better.
He wore the burden Monday for the Cowgirls’ underwhelming Women’s College World Series performance. He took that blame.
But with OSU on the cusp of a sixth straight trip to Oklahoma City in June, the thirst for improvement isn’t surprising. Hence Gajewski’s strategy moving forward about whom to pitch against what teams is always going to be with OKC on his mind.
“I think it depends on who we play,” Gajewski said. “I think we’re at a point now where we’re looking at things on who we’re gonna play and who we could face later in the year.”
“Playing against each other in scrimmages is really hard because of how good we are,” Timm said. “Once we get to actually play together, it’s gonna be amazing.”
Pitching rotation
The Cowgirls are set up for another year in which their pitching could be elite.
Ruby Meylan — an All-American in 2023 with Washington— and RyLee Crandall from Baylor transferred in last summer and were key pieces to what Softball America tabbed as the second-best transfer class. On paper, they’re OSU’s top two arms.
Meylan spent the first two years of her career in Seattle and helped lead the Huskies to the Women’s College World Series in 2023. Gajewski said as things currently stand, Meylan is the Cowgirls’ ace and holds “the number one spot.”
During her All-American season, Meylan went 27-17 with a 2.31 ERA. OSU’s 10th-year head coach has said Meylan “has the potential” to be the best pitcher the Cowgirls have had. Crandall will have a big role too. She went 33-15 in two seasons as a Bear and put together several highlight outings — including two complete-game five-hitters against Texas and a complete-game shutout win against OSU.
The two transfers join returnees Kyra Aycock and Katie Kutz, who have flashed in their own right. Aycock, a junior, was on the Big 12 All-Freshman team, and Kutz is a former top-10 recruit.
Gajewski said Aycock has shown flashes of “Year 1 Kyra,” when she recorded a 9-2 record with a 2.51 ERA and struck out 65 batters. Aycock also pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings against No. 1 Oklahoma as a freshman.
“We have kids that are very capable… that have already beat elite teams,” Gajewski said. “I feel really good about where (pitching coach) Carrie (Eberle) has these guys.
“... We’re going to get them all work, and we’re going to put them all out there and going to coach them up.”
OSU transfer pitcher RyLee Crandall isn’t
Bryson Thadhani
Weiberg
Continued from 1
“I think that was a transformational time in college sports, college football in particular, and there were certain programs I think that took advantage of those opportunities,” Weiberg said. “There’s other programs that didn’t, and they’ve spent the last several decades trying to play catch-up.”
Now, college football has reached another transformational era.
If the modern age of college athletics has been telltale of anything, it’s the importance of being ahead of the curve. Win and you stay afloat. Adapt and invest in the game of paying to win — name, image and likeness and the transfer portal — and you remain atop the totem pole.
But take a backseat, and you fall into oblivion.
Weiberg said in this era, he wants OSU to evade the latter.
“If we think that’s where this is all stopping, then I think we’re sticking our heads in the sand and not being very realistic,” Weiberg said. “So, there is a lot at stake in us moving forward in the right way with this.”
That’s why Weiberg issued a statement to OSU fans on Jan. 18, asking for an investment of $20.5 million annually.
A pricey request, sure. But it is one Weiberg said he believes is necessary for OSU to compete in major sports, particularly football.
Under head coach Mike Gundy, OSU football has been among the most successful programs in the sport. But that was before the inception of the transfer portal (2018) and NIL (2021).
This past season, the Cowboys’ streak of 18 consecutive bowl game appearances ended with a 3-9 campaign — the worst under Gundy. Baseball, wrestling, softball, women’s basketball, golf and other scholarship sports have enjoyed immense success for OSU in recent years. But football is the most lucrative. And with revenue sharing expected to be approved in April, schools are preparing for a $20.5 million cap that can be shared with all NCAA-sanctioned athletes in 2025-26. It is expected that cap will increase annually, according to Weiberg’s email.
Under the new rules, schools would be allowed to share revenue directly with student-athletes.
Premier recruits aren’t often attracted to programs with losing pedigrees. Nowadays, they aren’t compelled by programs with NIL limits, either. OSU was insufficient in both facets a season ago.
“Religion, politics, portal and NIL; I have no interest in talking about it because nobody knows,” Gundy said.
“(With) revenue sharing, I think we all feel like we have an idea of what it’s going to be, but we still don’t.”
In August, Gundy told reporters OSU spent $2.7 million on NIL deals during the 2023 season — far less than what rival programs are distributing to land top athletes. That is a likely result of a lack of NIL funding. The revenue sharing element will only make that more difficult to navigate.
Thus, finding new ways to generate funding for the athletic department becomes all the more vital.
In December, Weiberg initiated such efforts when Gundy and OSU went through a public contract dispute. That led to Gundy agreeing on an amended contract, reducing $1 million from his salary in 2025, according to reports. One of the primary reasons for it: increasing available revenue.
But when asked if firing Gundy was in consideration after the 2024 season, Weiberg backed his coach.
“We have to look at the bigger picture — look at the last almost two decades we’ve had and how far we’ve come in those two decades,” Weiberg said. “Talk about having to play catchup, thanks to a lot of people — (Boone) Pickens, Coach Gundy, all of our donors, our fans, our suiteholders, everyone — being aligned and coming together we’ve made up a lot of ground in the past couple of decades. We don’t want to give that up now because of one down year.”
If Weiberg intends to keep OSU afloat, winning is needed. Keeping Gundy — the program’s winningest head coach — was the first step. Now, revenue becomes even more essential.
The university has acted upon that, starting with the announcement of “The Boys From Oklahoma” four-day concert event at Boone Pickens Stadium in April. But it can’t stop there. Otherwise, OSU will fall behind in the modern age of college sports. Fans will reminisce about the glory days of OSU athletics rather than embracing the modern day, and Weiberg’s sentiment will become a distant memory.
“We’re going to try and be competitive in the sports we have here, and we have been,” Weiberg said. “We have (53 team) national championship banners hanging in (GallagherIba Arena).
“Athletics has never been a straight business. It’s an enterprise with business principles. If athletics were straight business, thinking of the corporate world, most of us would have one or two sports. That’s just not what we’re here for. That’s not what it was designed to be. We’re going to try and compete.”
Knowles’ absence has hurt OSU football; the Cowboys need Grantham to succeed
Dunn in December.
Column
ASHTON SLAUGHTER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @ASHTON_SLOT
If Oklahoma State football fans heard after the Cowboys’ 2022 Fiesta Bowl win that defensive coordinator Jim Knowles would be the highest-ever-paid man in that position in three years, they probably would have been pretty happy.
At the time of OSU’s Jan. 1, 2022 victory over Notre Dame, the trajectory of the program pointed upward, upward and a little more upward.
But Knowles left after that win for Columbus, Ohio, where he led Ohio State’s defense for three seasons and was in all sorts of job conversations leading up to the Buckeyes’ College Football Playoff National Championship Game earlier this month. They, of course, won, and Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Penn State were reportedly all in the mix for the former Cowboy.
But PSU landed Knowles for a reported three-year, $9.3 million deal.
That might have been too much pocket change for Stillwater in 2025.
And as Knowles settles in Happy Valley — 192 miles away from his hometown of Philadelphia — he has the largest contract any coordinator has gotten and his importance and value in college football have never been higher. Since Knowles left his fourth-ranked Cowboy defense in 2021-22, OSU has followed that up with 118th-, 122nd- and 132ndranked units.
As for PSU, the rich get richer; the Nittany Lions had the 14th-, secondand fifth-ranked defense the past three seasons, Adding Knowles — who turned the Buckeyes into the 12th, third and best defense in the country the past three seasons — makes the Big Ten giant even more of a force.
While the Nattany Lions get better and the OSU up north loses a coordinator but has a national championship trophy to keep it company, the OSU down south is on its third defensive coordinator since Knowles left.
Derek Mason lasted one season, and his 118th-ranked defense was the best of the Knowles-less years. He seemed like a real in-between hire.
But Mason must not have been an in-between hire after all, because Bryan Nardo, whom coach Mike Gundy brought from Division II Gannon University, didn’t come close to filling the void Knowles left. He guided defenses ranked 122nd and 132nd before being fired along with offensive coordinator Kasey
Now, it’s up to newly-hired Todd Grantham, who most recently coached New Orleans Saints defensive linemen but has coached at various top schools (Alabama, Georgia, Florida and others) and other NFL teams (Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts), to turn the Cowboys’ defensive misfortunes around.
OSU has been putting out talented players — linebackers Nick Martin and Collin Oliver are currently at the Reese’s Senior Bowl trying to impress NFL draft scouts — but the dominance since Knowles left is gone. The Malcom Rodriguez-led 2021-22 OSU squad won games with its defense; since then, the Cowboy defense has at times bended but not broken or shattered on Saturdays.
In his first interaction with the media last Thursday, though, Grantham looked and spoke the part. Standing on a stage and getting to talk about what you learned from Nick Saban must be pretty cool. It surely wore off on most of OSU media.
“When you look at Coach Gundy, he’s the winningest coach in this school’s history, and just two years ago, they were in the Big 12 Championship Game,” Grantham said. “So, I always look at the history (being) the best indicator of the future. “... “This is the place we wanna be.”
If Grantham can take OSU back to Arlington, then bravo. Heck, he could have a Knowles-type upgrade waiting for him.
Because since Knowles left, Cowboy defenses have made Big 12 teams play like early 2010s, high-scoring offenses. And though Grantham has some ups and downs on his resume, he looks far and away like the best candidate since Knowles to bring OSU up to even an average defense.
That, and he seems more poised for success right away than new OSU offensive coordinator Doug Meachem. Both men are starting basically from scratch. Some returning players, sure, but a bunch are new, and the coaches need to install their systems.
If OSU wants to make it back to Arlington, it needs Grantham to come through. He doesn’t need to be the complete defensive mastermind Knowles is — because he’s A1 of all coordinators now, if you let the finances tell you — but he needs to take what he’s learned in his many stops before Stillwater and make it right.
Because if he does, OSU fans will love him. And if he wants to look beyond Stillwater after excelling with OSU, Knowles is a perfect — and rich — blueprint.
Payton Little
OSU athletic director Chad Weiberg said fans “have to look at the bigger picture” for OSU football.
Taylor relishing Oklahoma State’s Senior Day dual against No. 20 Missouri in ‘an exciting time’
DANIEL ALLEN STAFF REPORTER
In his first season in Stillwater, David Taylor has grown accustomed to the ins and outs of being a head coach.
Despite Oklahoma State’s 11-0 start, the Cowboy wrestling coach has been forced to learn on the fly — the logistics behind piecing together a lineup, how to balance recruiting and roster management. He told reporters Wednesday the process has been challenging yet “fun.”
Now, Taylor is learning about the magnitude of Senior Day.
On Sunday at 2 p.m., No. 3 OSU hosts No. 20 Missouri in Gallagher-Iba Arena. Seven starters will be honored before the dual, along with other senior wrestlers on the roster. The Cowboys’ Nov. 15 season opener at Utah Valley might have been more than two months ago, but Taylor spent a portion of Wednesday reminiscing over the memories made with OSU’s senior class.
“I kind of joke (about) how I feel like since we’ve been down here, since May, I feel like we’ve lived multiple lives, multiple lifespans,” Taylor said. “It’s been so many things changing and it’s an exciting time here and it’s gone by fast.”
After being hired, Taylor used the transfer portal to patch holes left by OSU’s exiting seniors a year ago.
In came 157-pounder Caleb Fish from Michigan State, 165-pounder Cam Amine from Michigan, 174-pounder Dean Hamiti Jr. from Wisconsin and heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson from Air Force. Each has found their way into OSU’s lineup and made a profound impact on OSU’s undefeated start to the season.
Then there were the returning veterans. At 133, sixth-year senior Reece Witcraft has been efficient as a rotating starter with redshirt freshman Cael Hughes. Witcraft could have transferred out after waiting behind five-time AllAmerican wrestler Daton Fix. Instead, he waited his turn and is reaping his rewards.
At 184, three-time All-American Dustin Plott is hoping for a storybook ending to his college wrestling career after a second-place finish a year ago at nationals. And at 197, Luke Surber is statistically having his most efficient
season at OSU after being sidelined for most of last season due to injury.
“I feel like just yesterday was my freshman year here,” Plott said. “Now (I’m) about to wrestle my last match in Gallagher. (I’m) really grateful just to have been a part of this program and to get to compete in Gallagher. It’s definitely something that I’ve never taken lightly.”
Plott said he plans to remain in Stillwater after the season to train with the Cowboy RTC for his professional career. He said he never considered leaving OSU post-college because of its impact on his development.
Even with a career in the United States Air Force lingering, Hendrickson said he isn’t ready to leave Stillwater either.
“I’ve definitely enjoyed the experience of wrestling here at Oklahoma State for one year,” Hendrickson said. “It’s going to be a little upsetting — of course it’s always going to be a bittersweet moment. But it’s also going to be stepping out on the mat (in Gallagher-Iba Arena) wearing Oklahoma State wrestling (gear). But (we’ve) still got Big 12 Championships, still got nationals, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Each wrestler has their unique story.
But in Taylor’s inaugural season at the helm, this senior class aided in a swift turnaround that has returned OSU, winner of an NCAA-record 34 team national championships to among the sport’s elite.
Now, the group has one last hurrah together in GIA. One final opportunity to wrestle in front of a wall-to-wall crowd in one of college wrestling’s premier venues.
In the days leading in, Taylor said he is relishing each moment. And he’s sharing advice with this senior class that once helped him transform his career.
“The advice that I got was, ‘Hey, don’t wish the days away. Enjoy this process and enjoy this moment,’” Taylor said. “Then I just feel like my mindset shifted, and I really appreciated that time. And that’s just what I try to tell these guys — don’t wish the days away. These are awesome times. You’re gonna look back on your life and love this time. So, enjoy it.
“This group has been a great group. It’s part of history and it’s part of (my) first season. We’re just thankful to have done it with them.”
Hendrickson said a wrestler’s size and other factors can impact individual and team results.
In last weekend’s duals against Northern Iowa and Iowa State, Oklahoma State wrestling had to ask the second half of its lineup to overcome deficits.
The Cowboys’ front-end lineup had three straight losses to UNI and four to ISU. The front five went a combined 3-7 over the weekend, with fourth-ranked 125-pounder Troy Spratley earning two of the three wins.
The back end of the lineup was the opposite, as it helped the Cowboys switch the momentum in both duals and take advantage immediately.
The five-person crew handled business with a combined 9-1 record against both opponents. Its only loss came from third-ranked 184-pounder Dustin Plott in a 15-4 major decision against UNI’s second-ranked Parker Keckeisen.
Seven of those wins earned bonus points from three major decisions, three tech falls, and one win by injury default.
Coach David Taylor said if the Cowboys start slow, he has a lot of belief in his team’s ability and experience to turn the momentum around.
“I feel really confident every time we step out there,” Taylor said. “I feel confident (in) all 10 of our guys. I think our second-half lineup is, you know, they’re veterans. They’ve been around the ups and downs, and I think they wrestle with a lot of clarity.”
OSU’s duals at UNI and ISU were the first two of the season in which the bottom five entered the match with the Cowboys trailing. Whether OSU is leading or not, the bottomhalf lineup has been an unstoppable force.
The 165, 174, 184, 197 and heavyweight groups have a combined record of 51-4 in 11 duals. Thirdranked 174-pounder Dean Hamiti Jr., seventh-ranked 197-pounder Luke Surber and third-ranked heavyweight wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson have won all their dual bouts, and have a 35-0 combined record this season.
“I think from start to finish, we’re stacked,” Hendrickson said. “I think sometimes, for the smaller weights, the factors are a lot more (based on) inches and ounces.
“For example, for Troy (Spratley), if we don’t get him the exact food we need at this time and the right time cutting weights, just the smallest stuff can change the whole outcome of a match.
“From start to finish” Hendrickson said, the Cowboys are “stacked.” He didn’t want to say the back-end of the lineup was more “consistent,” but recent duals suggest the heavier weights have been.
Once Hendrickson is up to the mat to close out every dual, OSU will have already clinched the win where it occurred in 10 of the 11 duals — the only exception was last Friday against Northern Iowa.
“It is kind of nice having that back half of (the lineup). We got DJ (Hamiti), we got Cam (Amine), and (Luke) Surber,” Hendrickson said. “I like finishing off the match because I know that I’m going to go out there and most likely try to pin the guy. The other guys know that, too. It feels good, but I still think from head to toe, we’re going to put 10 really good wrestlers on the map—Big 12s and NCAAs.”
UNI and ISU challenged OSU more than any opponent. But maybe having a tough challenge is a good experience moving ahead when the postseason arrives.
“I think it’s definitely best to feel that now versus at the NCAA Tournament because you learn from every single experience,” Hendrickson said.
“It’s okay to learn from losses, but also you can learn a lot from wins, too. So having some of those matches that test you a little bit more and take you the distance (is) good because we want to have those experiences now so we can learn from them because we don’t want to peak right now.
“We don’t want to be wresting our best right now. We want to wrestle the best when we step on the mat at NCAAs.”
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Payton Little
OSU 184-pound wrestler Dustin Plott was the only back-end Cowboy to lose agaainst UNI.
Payton Little
OSU wrestling coach David Taylor said the year has “gone by fast.”
Oklahoma State golf preparing for Amer Ari Invitational in Hawaii
Last season, Oklahoma State men’s golfer Preston Stout shot a 62 at the Amer Ari Invitational as a freshman.
This time, as a sophomore, he’s looking to match what he did and for the Cowboys to follow suit on Feb. 6-8 in their time on the course in 2025 in Waikoloa, Hawaii
“I played really good that first round… so trying to come out strong again, like I did last year, but keeping that going throughout the whole tournament,” Stout said. “We’ve been playing well with our rounds; we’ve been playing well here at home, so hopefully we can pick up right where we left off at the Stephens cup.” In the offseason, Stout worked on
his short game with his swing coach Josh Gregory, who coached PGA tour pro Austin Eckroat. Stout said he has learned a lot from Gregory and is going to apply his insights for the second half of the season.
“He gave me some good insights and good things I needed to work on and technique with my chipping, and also just some other little tips and tricks around the green setup,” Stout said. “I think it has helped me already, so I’m excited to put them to use this spring.”
The Cowboys will play rounds at a couple different courses and play a practice round before the tournament begins. The field plays 54 holes, and one round each day. The Cowboys started the season at No. 20 on the Golf Coaches Association of America Poll. After winning the Jackson T. Stephens Cup, they shot up the rankings and are No. 9 on the GCAA.
After a few months of offseason, the team is rested and prepared for the spring season. Assistant coach Stratton Nolan said the team is eager to get back into action for the tournament in Hawaii.
“I know their chemistry has been good, Nolan said. “Everyone’s thoughts are pretty high right now. It’s just one of those things (where) it’s a fun trip, but it is business, and then at the end of the day, I know our guys want to prove something and get another trophy.”
The Cowboys are going into a tough fieldm taking on top five teams such as Auburn, Arizona State and Texas. With the Cowboys in the top 10, it’s an opportunity to go up in the rankings. Assistant coach Derek Ernst said competing against top teams OSU may see in the NCAA championships gives the team more motivation.
“I think it makes them work harder, because they’re playing some teams that we’re probably going to see come May,” Ernst said. “If these guys are some of the best players in college golf, then you know our boys are going to give it all they got.”
Joining Stout in Hawaii are Eric Lee, Ethan Fang, Filip Fahlberg-Johnsson and Gaven Lane. Sophomore Johnnie Clark will compete individually. Head coach Alan Bratton said with the course being resort-style, it gives a lot of opportunities to put up a low score.
“You need to score the par fives; take care of your chipping, pitching, wedging; be efficient that way, so you get a lot of looks,” Bratton said. “Then it always helps to have a hot putter. So just getting a mindset of scoring your ball, that’ll be the main focus.”
golfweek division I coaches poll
Courtesy OSU Athletics
OSU sophomore golfer Preston Stout is trying to build upon his impressive outing at the Amer Ari Invitational from last season.
