Hurricane Elite August 2014 by Austin Chadwick

HURRICANE ELITE

FALL 2014

HURRICANE ELITE

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8 | Dr. Derrick Gragg The head man at The University of Tulsa has been on the job now for over a year and has settled in nicely. We sit down with him in an exclusive setting.

12 | TU’s “Safety” Net Michael Mudoh and Demarco Nelson are chomping at the bit to get back on the football field, right the subpar season of 2013, and silence critics. The tandem may be one of the best in the country.

16 | Football Preview

Annual Subscription includes three publications: • ANNUAL FOOTBALL AND FALL SPORTS PREVIEW (AUGUST) • ANNUAL BASKETBALL PREVIEW (NOVEMBER) • ANNUAL RECRUITING ISSUE (FEBRUARY) For all the best in the highest quality publication covering The University of Tulsa Athletic Programs, get it all with Hurricane Elite. Go to HurricaneElite.com

The Golden Hurricane improve in all areas from a year ago and the coaching staff has improved as well. Look for a very efficient approac to the offense while the defense continues to get better and better.

32 | Frank Haith Takes Charge After a summer of staying busy, Frank Haith has had time to assess the program and he is very encouraged about where the men’s basketball team can go. Trinity Media Group, LLC 6737 S. 85th E. Ave. • Tulsa, OK 74133 All rights reserved. Publisher Austin Chadwick Managing Editor Chris Harmon Writer Ken MacLoud Writer Kyle Kendrick Feature Photographer Brandy Moton Contact Information Website: www.VYPEOK.com • Phone: 918.495.1771 • Fax: 918.495.1787 Hurricane Elite is published tri-annually by Trinity Media Group, LLC. Reproductions in whole or in part without permission are prohibited. Hurricane Elite is not responsible for the return of unsolicited artwork, photography or manuscripts and will not be responsible for holding fees or similar charges.

WHERE TULSA FANS GO FOR DAILY COVERAGE OF GOLDEN HURRICANE FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL AND RECRUITING • Daily exclusive information on Tulsa athletics and recruits, including feature articles, team and player notes, recruiting updates and video you won’t find anywhere else. • Access to the most in-depth Tulsa recruiting coverage available for football and basketball. • Hurricane Alley access, where you’ll find breaking news, team and player notes, the latest recruiting tidbits and more. Plus, a Tulsa-fans-only spot to discuss hot topics.

DON’T MISS OUT! GET A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL! Use the promo code HURRICANE30 for a 30-day free trial of all the premium information. Just go to: InsideTulsaSports.com/subscribe.asp Code expires October 31, 2014. Part of

8922 S. Memorial Drive Suite H Tulsa, OK 74133

Welcome to...

Hurricane Elite

If we want to play “Big Boy” football and “Big Boy” basketball, then we need to have “Big Boy” support.

AUSTIN CHADWICK -H U R R I C A N E E L I T E PUBLISHER

-RADIO HOST 97.1 FM T H E S P O RT S A N I M A L

It has been a long time coming. Finally we have a publication that will highlight the best of The University of Tulsa athletic programs. Allow me to introduce you to Hurricane Elite. This is the inaugural issue and we will be producing three publications throughout the school year. The football preview issue is what you are holding in your hands. The basketball preview issue will be released in November. Then the final magazine for the year will be the recruiting issue that will be released in February.

Each publication will focus on the ongoing progress and success of all Golden Hurricane athletics. In this particular issue, we will have an exclusive sit-down interview with athletic director Dr. Derrick Gragg, a full positionby-position breakdown of the upcoming football season, a look at those in and around the programs who support each sport, and much more. All sports and all facets of the athletic department will be included in every issue. We will give you an inside look at what makes the athletic department work and a look at all the great people who make things go.

With that being said, it comes with great satisfaction that we can bring you a publication of this magnitude. For those who do not know me, I am originally from Tulsa. I grew up here and had an opportunity to compete in multiple sports at Union High School. From there I was recruited by Dave Rader, played for Keith Burns, and finished in 2003 with Steve Kragthorpe as team captain. I fooled a lot of people into thinking I was a decent football player and received all-conference awards and even an honorable mention All-American award from the

Sporting News. I had a little bit of talent but with any success I had, came massive hardwork. In 2004 Since graduating I had an opportunity to work in broadcasting and somehow fell into a situation to operate a publishing company. We started a brand called High School Sports the Magazine back in 2005. We have since changed over to VYPE Oklahoma. We now publish 64 magazines each year with over 1.2m in circulation annually, by far the most widely read magazine in the state of Oklahoma.

The genesis of Hurricane Elite came with some common sense. Our university needs a product like this. Most all universities at the BCS level have a publication of this magnitude, and through my experience, buying power, and relationships in Tulsa, producing a magazine for TU was a nobrainer. We have to give some huge credit to local clients such as Lexus of Tulsa, Don Thornton Cadillac, Audi of Tulsa, Land Rover of Tulsa, EOOC and Excel PT. It is because of them that we can make this work. We have been putting in a massive amount of time and effort and with a product like this, we are showing that we are keeping up with those universities like OSU and OU as it pertains to a quality publication exclusively covering our school. I am putting my own time and money into this and I strongly encourage all business owners and individuals to put time, money and effort into our university’s athletic department. Dr. Gragg and the staff at TU is working extremely hard in raising money and advancing our athletic programs. They are competing with the “Big Boys” and in continuing to do so, we have to do everything we can to support them. Some more than others and some in different ways than others. Whatever you can do to help our athletic department, please do it. Be a fan. Be a supporter. Be a Golden Hurricane.

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THE University of Tulsa

ONE-ON-ONE WITH DR. DERRICK GRAGG

By Ken MacLeod

Long before a blown official’s call helped him save his wife’s life, Dr. Derrick Gragg knew the importance of family. As a wide receiver at Vanderbilt, he would scan visiting stadiums full of 80,000 rowdy fans and always be able to lock in on the comforting presence of his mother, Glenda Turner, who recently moved to Broken Arrow, and his stepfather, James Turner.

As a kid growing up in Huntsville, Ala., playing baseball, basketball and running track in addition to football, his parents were there to support him. His stepfather was on dialysis from the time Gragg was a sophomore, and outlived his doctor’s predictions for 17 years. During that time he saw most of Gragg’s games.

“Here’s a guy who was struggling just to live and he saw all my home games and most of my away games,” Gragg said. “If he can do that, it doesn’t make any sense for me not to be involved.” So if Gragg is not on the team plane as Tulsa goes off to visit schools in the American Athletic Conference for the first time, know he’ll be there by game time. First, he’s going to a game of equal importance to him, that of his son Avery, a wide receiver at Holland Hall with designs on following his father’s footsteps into college football and then collegiate athletic administration. Or maybe it’s a play or concert by his younger son Phillip, 13, that commands his attention. Phillip inherited his father’s love for the stage and for performing. He plays piano, sings, acts and is a good athlete to boot. Gragg and his wife Sanya recently had their second biological child, four-month old Saniyah. Avery and his daughter DeSha, currently a student at Calhoun Community College, are from a first marriage.

Tulsa fans may not know that their athletic director’s comfort level in front of crowds large and small comes from his own love of performing and a deep passion for music, particularly R&B. (He and four fellow football players at Vanderbilt formed a group called Menage, which meant family to them.) The group consisted of Corey Harris, who played 12 years as a defensive back in the NFL, James Sanders, now an attorney, Derrick Payne, now a dentist in Memphis, and Marcus Wilson, who is studying to be a physical therapist. Harris and Sanders were the lead singers, while Gragg choreographed the performances.

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“I was kind of the guy behind the scenes, the business person,” Gragg said. “But I also just loved to sing and dance. James was a major voice and Derek was a great singer. We did pretty well for a while.”

So well that the group was a headliner at a Nashville, Tenn., summer festival. When they came off the stage, they were offered a gig opening for the star-crossed R&B group LaVert. For various reasons, it didn’t happen and the five members decided soon after to get serious about their other careers. Still, they like to get together now and dream about what might have been. “Just being able to interact with extraordinary guys like that at a young age has really helped me,” Gragg said. “I’ve never lost touch with any of them.” Fortunately for TU, Gragg, after one year of law school, was offered a job in the Vanderbilt athletic department with duties including counseling football players. He was hoping to move into the coaching ranks and approached Gerry DiNardo, who had become Vandy’s coach in 1991 for Gragg’s senior season. DiNardo talked him out of the coaching career.

“He had more impact on me than any coach I’ve been around my entire life,” Gragg said. “He was the first one to tell me that he thought I could be an athletic director. I’d only been involved in an athletic department role for 18 months, but that changed my perspective.”

And his life’s course. Emboldened by DiNardo, Gragg went on to land a job in compliance at Missouri, where, at age 25, he was tutored by now Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione, whom Gragg calls “one of the best athletic directors in the country and probably recent history.”

When Castiglione left for the Sooners, Gragg went north to be the assistant AD for compliance at Michigan. He enjoyed his time and was thrilled in his third year when athletic director Tom Goss told him he was going to expand his duties beyond compliance. He raced back to his office to rewrite his job description, only he never got to hand it in. Goss resigned under pressure the next week, leaving Gragg despondent.

When one door shuts, another opens. Gragg got a call from Felicia Saine in the Arkansas athletic department, whom he had just met when the Wolverines played the Hogs in the 1999 Citrus Bowl. She alerted him that there was an opening for associate athletic director for compliance. Now

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THE University of Tulsa

Menage Front Row Sitting (l-r): James Sanders, Derrick Payne Back Row (l-r): Derrick Gragg, Corey Harris, Marcus Wilson an expert in compliance issues, Gragg asked if the role could be expanded.

It was. Soon he was overseeing Arkansas’ successful spring sports including track, baseball, golf and tennis, as well as the band and serving as a university liaison. More importantly, he was learning from another legendary athletic director in Frank Broyles, who quickly promoted him from associate athletic director to senior associate then deputy athletic director. Soon Gragg wasn’t accompanying Broyles to SEC athletic director meetings, he was going in his stead. “By the time I went to Eastern Michigan, I had probably been to 15 SEC athletic director meetings representing Arkansas,” Gragg said. “It was a great experience. Frank Broyles, Joe Castiglione and Gene Smith (who preceded him at Eastern Michigan) are the three individuals more than anybody who shaped me into the professional I am today.”

His arrival in Arkansas also brings us to the story of how Gragg possibly saved the life of his wife Sanya and his son Phillip. Gragg was in Boise, Idaho for the Razorbacks 2001 NCAA Basketball Tournament game against Georgetown. The game ended on a basket by Georgetown that with today’s technology would likely have been ruled to have HURRICANE ELITE

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been released after the buzzer. Who knows what would have happened in overtime, but if Arkansas had won, Gragg would not have been home the next night.

Sanya, eight months pregnant, became toxemic that night and had severe convulsions. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she was unresponsive when Gragg called emergency services, which arrived quickly and stabilized Sanya. The seizures returned at the hospital, however, and once doctors finally stabilized her, they delivered Phillip by cesarean section. “If I hadn’t been there, my kids would have found her dead the next morning,” Gragg said. “They were 7 and 4. The message I took from that, is that as important as we think our jobs are in college sports, and I know it’s very important to win, winning is not nearly as important as your day-to-day family life.

“If we had won that game, I’d have lost my wife. There is no more big-picture perspective than that. As a former student-athlete, as an athletic director, I want to win as much as anybody. But I understand that there are a lot of other dynamics.

“I’ve been to professional seminars and seen some of the greats in our business step up to the podium and cry while they’re talking about how athletics have consumed their

lives and hurt their families. That may have hurt me when I was younger. But I’ve made up my mind with my kids that I just refuse not to be a major part of their lives.”

With his broad background in compliance and all the experience accumulated at Arkansas, Gragg was a natural when Eastern Michigan came looking for a new athletic director in 2006. The school won 23 conference titles in his seven-year tenure, but he admits that pales compared to the 52 Tulsa won in Conference USA. Gragg’s first year has been spent partly completing a department wide Strategic Plan designed to help ease the transition for all sports into the American Conference. “It’s something that would normally take 18 months and we did it in four,” Gragg said. “We were lucky to have Dr. Jim Senese, an assistant professor of management and strategic planning expert, already on campus and he helped us build the plan. “What we wanted was a roadmap to be as competitive as we possibly can. Our budget is going to be the lowest in the American Athletic Conference. But I learned at Eastern Michigan that you don’t have to have the highest budget. There is a lot of waste and a certain amount of keeping up with the Joneses at BCS schools. You have to have

competitive salaries and facilities. But you have to learn how to be creative and get the most out of the people you have. And you have to have people who are very committed.” In his first year, Gragg has developed a reputation as an intense but hands-off boss who allows his staff to do their jobs, something they greatly appreciate.

“I’m definitely not a micro-manager,” he said. “You need the autonomy and freedom to do your job. I set a high expectation and hold people accountable. But I won’t look over their shoulders. College athletics is really built around having solid coaches and the outstanding coaches we have here have been really great to work with.”

Gragg had to hire a coach in one of the two major sports a bit sooner than he may have expected. He is convinced Frank Haith is the perfect fit. Why? It has a lot to do with Haith embracing the TU family, namely the players that were already on campus.

“He was the guy who was most excited about the guys on our team,” Gragg said. “That meant a lot to me.” The candidates who bashed TU’s current players made a fatal mistake with Gragg. It’s all in the family.

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THE University of Tulsa

HURRICANE “SAFETY” NET By Chris Harmon

In most team sports, there’s a last line of defense. In basketball, there’s a shot-blocking center in the middle of the lane. In soccer and hockey, a goalkeeper tends the net. And in football, the safeties secure the defensive backfield. At Tulsa, that safety net comes in the form of senior free safety Demarco Nelson and junior bandit safety Michael Mudoh. The two make up one of the top safety tandems in college football this season. “When you put Michael and Demarco back there together, I think they may be the best safety combination we’re going to see anywhere,” said Tulsa Head Coach Bill Blankenship. Nelson took a redshirt season in 2013 after garnering numerous preseason accolades, including being named to the watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Jim Thorpe Award. The 6-foot, 195 pound defensive back was a Freshman All-American in 2010 and earned All-Conference accolades in 2011 and 2012. After starting 39 of 40 games in his first three seasons, Nelson was sorely missed on defense last year. His career numbers of 239 tackles, 14 pass break-ups and eight interceptions are very impressive, and Mudoh expects his backfield mate to take it to another level. “It’s exciting having Demarco back

there with me. With him back there, it makes my job a lot easier,” said Mudoh. “Last year I had to step up and be the leader of a young defense. This year with Demarco back, I don’t have to worry about leading the entire field. I can lead my half of the field and trust that Demarco is taking care of the other half. “He’s such an asset to our defense with his speed and athleticism. I learn from him every day. Since I was a freshman watching him being a playmaker, I’ve grasped many things from him. “He’s a good leader with a lot of experience and is always willing to help the younger guys. We’re always on the field grinding, but Demarco and I are also friends off the field, and I respect him as a player, a teammate, and a person.” That respect is mutual. “It’s a lot easier to take on the other team because I know he’s going to do his job,” Nelson said of Mudoh. “He communicates very well.” Mudoh was stellar as a sophomore. He led Conference USA with 133 tackles, which was good for fourth nationally. His season stat sheet also included five pass breakups and an interception. Mudoh recorded double-figure tackles in eight games and had a

career-best 17 stops against Bowling Green in the season opener. The sturdy 5-foot-10, 205-pounder gained confidence from last season and is ready to lead the TU defense into the American Athletic Conference. “I know that I’m capable of making plays and having a successful season individually as I did last year,” he explained. “A lot of the confidence comes from knowing that we have nine starters returning. When you have Trent Martin at linebacker taking on fullbacks and you have good defensive linemen taking on two blocks, it helps me make plays. I give credit to those guys. Yes, my athletic ability plays

Michael Mudoh

The Mudoh File - 5-10, 205lbs, Junior DEFENSE G

TFL/YARDS

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a major part, but I can’t reach the height of success like I did last year without the other ten guys on the field. “I’m really excited about the move to the AAC. I’m ready to go in with my team and compete with the other schools in the conference. And plus, it’s going to be great national exposure for the team, and if we can have a successful season like UCF did last year, possibly a BCS bowl game.” In between the lines on Saturdays isn’t the only time Mudoh shines. He’s also been noticed for his philanthropic work and is a nominee for the 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® as announced by Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association. The award recognizes players whose charitable involvement and community service contributions stand out among all other football student-athletes. A member of TU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Mudoh has participated in Feed My Starving Children, helped with cancer patients and caregivers at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, packed food for various projects, mentored young adults at Transformation Church and assisted with the ministry Demarco Nelson “Chosen” for inner city youth. “The City of Tulsa is nice and I’ve met many good people here and made many is evident. These guys want to win. Everyone on friendships that will last a long time,” the defense has worked very hard this offseason and said Mudoh. “I was invited by a teammate to Transwe’re excited for this season.” formation Church the second week I was in Tulsa, and I’ve been attending it for the last three years. The people there are great and loving, and I’ve also Demarco Nelson notes that TU must remain focused made many friends there.” and be physical from the opening kickoff in the That extra-curricular involvement has just added to season opener. Coaches expect Nelson and Mudoh to the overall student-athlete experience for Mudoh. bring those attributes to every play of every game. “The reason I love The University of Tulsa so much is “Marco and Michael are a great pair,” said Blankenbecause you get the best of both worlds,” he deship. “They cover a lot of area and can make up for a scribed. “You get a football that is rich with tradition lot of problems up front because they’re so physical. and a history of championships, and you get a topMarco does a great job of covering centerfield and is notch education. You can’t beat that. It’s going to be really able to cover a lot of ground.” great when at the end of my career I can say I won a “They can get to the ball fast,” added Tulsa Safeties championship here and I earned a degree here.” Coach Jess Loepp. “They have great speed and great That championship came in 2012 when the Golden instincts, which being a safety, you’ve got to have Hurricane defeated UCF in the Conference USA good instincts. Coach (Brent) Guy’s defense allows Championship game. TU went on to defeat Iowa us to make a lot of plays, and they have great playState in the Liberty Bowl that season. It’s a recipe making ability.” that the Tulsa players would like to repeat in 2014. It could be a special season at Tulsa for many rea“We’ve made tremendous improvement this offseasons, and this talented twosome is a big one. son,” said Mudoh. “With a lot of experience gained from last season, there’s definitely an improvement in maturity and having a ‘next play’ attitude. Also, the level of focus from our defense and entire team

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Jaguar Tulsa

3905 S Memorial Dr Tulsa, OK 74145 9186654294 jaguartulsa.com

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THE University of Tulsa

IMPROVEMENT IN ALL PHASES Compiled and Written by Chris Harmon

The University of Tulsa took a step back in 2013, finishing with its fewest wins in 11 seasons. The Golden Hurricane looks to get back on track this season while beginning a new era in the American Athletic Conference, which will provide an upgrade in competition and exposure. TU head coach Bill Blankenship tweaked his offensive coaching staff in the offseason, promoting offensive line coach Denver Johnson to offensive coordinator and hiring Josh Blankenship as quarterback coach. “Josh reminded me pretty quickly, once he got in the room and started working with our guys, why I tried to hire him three years ago,” Blankenship explained. “I know what he’s done for our guys already and the confidence that he’s given them.” In the offseason, the coaching staff overhauled parts of the Hurricane attack in order to better suit the current stable of quarterbacks. “With Denver as our coordinator, one of the things he challenged us to do is -- we kind of did the eraser bit,” said Blankenship. “We’d become a hybrid of Gus (Malzahn),

Denver Johnson

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Chad (Morris), Herb (Hand) and me and all these things we had kind of pieced together over the last eight or nine years. It was a mish-mash of offenses all kind of thrown together, and so we just kind of wiped the board clean and began to unify our terminology. “We felt like one of many problems a year ago was that Brent Guy we just weren’t on the same page in terms of how we were teaching certain things, culture has changed to where we especially in the passing game. We really embrace defense around felt like it was going to be vital that here.” we get back to square one and that If Tulsa hopes to be bowl eligible we’re all on the same page, and in 2014, the Hurricane will need a get back to school sort of speak. fast start on defense. TU opens the We did as coaches, and then we season against AAC foe Tulane at brought that to our players and home on Thursday, August 28, and feel really good about the direction then hosts the Oklahoma Sooners we’re going.” on September 6. Tulsa was young and inexperi“We certainly need a fast start,” enced on defense in said Blankenship. “I think that’s 2013, giving up over just natural across the country 430 yards per game. TU that you see defenses start a little graduated its best defenfaster than offenses that are both sive playmaker in Shawn at the same experience level. But I Jackson, but improvedo think that we have the chance ment is expected in a to be a really good defense. unit that returns most of “We’re a lot more experienced its starters. than we were a year ago, and we’re “When you have great a lot healthier. I really believe we defense, you can win have some young talent that, as championships,” Blanthey play more, we’re just going kenship described. “I to be more into the playmaking. think we have great leadI think they’ll really fit (Coach ership. Coach (Brent) Guy’s) aggressive style of blitzing Guy does an awesome and getting after people and playjob of leading our guys, ing tough in the back end, because and they buy into his our back end is going to be better.” philosophy of how we play defense. I think our

UP CLOSE

Coach: Bill Blankenship 4th SEASON (22-17) Conference Championships: 2012 Bowl Record: 1-1 2011 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, L 24-21, BYU 2012 Liberty Bowl, W 31-17, Iowa State Offensive Coordinator: Denver Johnson

2014 SCHEDULE

5Golden - Year Trend Hurricane Wins 5 10

Hawai’i Bowl Hawai’i 62-35 - W Armed Forces Bowl BYU 24-21 - l

Autozone Liberty Bowl Iowa State 31-17 - W

2013

Aug. 28 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 31 Nov. 8 Nov. 14 Nov. 22 Nov. 28

vs. Tulane vs. Oklahoma at Florida Atl. vs. Texas State at Colorado St. at Temple vs. South Florida at Memphis vs. SMU at Central Florida at Houston vs. East Carolina

Defensive Coordinator: Brent Guy

VITAL STATISTICS Total Offense: (356.2 ypg) Scoring Offense: (21.1 ppg) Passing Offense: (191.4 ypg) Rushing Offense: (164.7 ypg) Total Defense: (430.5 ypg) Scoring Defense: (33.9 ppg) Passing Defense: (230.7 ypg) Rushing Defense: (199.83 ypg)

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QUARTERBACKS Sophomore Dane Evans leads the group of inexperienced quarterbacks at TU. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder made five starts last season and appeared in eight games, throwing for 898 yards with four touchdowns and 10 interceptions. While Evans had his struggles in 2013, he separated himself from the pack in the spring and continued to show progress under his new position coach, Josh Blankenship, during preseason practice. In the offseason, Tulsa retooled its offense to fit the strengths of the current quarterbacks, and that has improved the offensive efficiency with Evans under center. “That’s one of the things I think got lost in last season,” said Hurricane Head Coach Bill Blankenship. “We really tried to design our offense a year ago for a 6-4, 245 pound guy that was a runner and a pocket passer. We got under center a lot more. After we got into the last part of the season, and we needed Dane to play more, we had an offense built around another guy. We began to try to tweak it and adjust it, but things weren’t working. “It was very tough to try to make that change in midyear. I can tell you the thing we’re more encouraged by is that all the young men in the quarterback room have similar styles. So I can tell you that we’ve probably put them all at a little more comfort level and at ease because of the way we’ve tried to design what we’re doing.” Behind Evans, there has been a battle for spots on the depth chart. True freshman Jabe Burgess (6-2, 210) enrolled in January to participate in spring drills and get a jump on learning the offense. He 18

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put together a solid 15 practices, including an impressive spring game. “Even though Dane really pulled away from the pack, I would say the last week or week and a half of spring, Jabe really kind of narrowed that gap,” Blankenship explained. “It seemed like he got comfortable being here. He began to learn a little more about Josh Blankenship the speed of the game. I thought even up to the final practice at the spring game, he was still improving.” the jitters get to him.” However, in fall camp, it was junior Calcagni has seen action in five Joseph Calcagni (6-1, 207) that career contests, throwing for 106 began pushing Evans. yards and one touchdown. “Joe has moved into the number “Joe is kind of that quiet guy that at two role now,” Blankenship said the end of the practice, when you during preseason practice. “Joe’s grade the film, he had a good day, a fourth-year guy and he didn’t let executed well, made some throws and didn’t make egregious mistakes,” said TU Offensive Coordinator Denver Johnson. “Sometimes if you can just get a quarterback playing well, he doesn’t always have to be flashy.” Also in the mix at quarterback is redshirt freshman Ryan Rubley (6-3, 205), the son of former Tulsa great T.J. Rubley. The expectations are always high for this position and there’s a sense of pride to being the quarterback for TU, which includes a long list of accomplished field generals. Coach Johnson believes Evans is ready to write his own chapter in Hurricane history. “He’s growing up. He’s learning. I think the spring was huge for him. The summer was good to him, and I think he’s showing a stronger understanding of what we’re trying to do,” said Johnson. “Part of that is what we did as coaches, trying to make it a little more user friendly and trying to make our offense a little less complicated.”

Dane Evans

26TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT LaFortune Park Golf Course – October 17, 2014 Presented by Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center WHERE:

Lafortune Park Golf Course (918-496-6200)

TEE-TIMES:

7:30 AM & 1:00 PM – Check in at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled tee-time.

PRIZES:

Awarded to First, Second, and Third place for both Morning and Afternoon tee-times.

RAFFLE:

Many fabulous prizes will be raffled.

SILENT AUCTION: 7:00 PM – All Sports Reception/Oneok Club – Chapman Stadium. ENTRY FEES:

$100 per player; $400 per team of 4; Includes: Green Fee, practice balls, golf cart, food, beverages, and favors.

DEADLINE:

Friday, October 10, 2014. First 25 teams paid in full entries for either tee-time will be assured preference.

FORMAT:

Four-Man Best Ball Scramble

QUESTIONS:

Contact Mark Wojciehowski, Chairman at (918-637-7115) mwojo@mcgrawok.com

SPONSOR INFORMATION The tournament will have approximately 200 golfers comprised of alumni, former lettermen, business and civic leaders and friends of the University. Below is a list of the various levels of sponsorships. We hope you will participate in making this the most successful tournament yet. Eagle - $1,000 Company logo and/or names will be included on any materials or promotions associated with the event as entry forms, banners, signs, media contacts, etc. Logo will be the largest display of all levels. Also, your company will be allowed to have one team participate in the golf tournament.

Birdie - $500 Your company will be allowed to have one team participate in the golf tournament. The company name or your name will be displayed either on a teeing area or near a green. Hole Sponsor - $150 The company name or your name will be displayed either on a teeing area or near a green. Donor-in-kind We are seeking gifts for tournament prizes, raffle prizes, silent auction items, and items that we will share with all tournament players. For your contribution, your name will be recognized in the tournament package.

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FALL 2014

THE University of Tulsa

WIDE RECEIVERS Tulsa returns six lettermen at wide receiver and welcomes five true freshmen. It’s potentially a very deep position, and the biggest boost comes from the return of junior receiver Keyarris Garrett (6-4, 221). Garrett led the Hurricane in receiving in 2012 with 67 receptions for 845 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. He had high expectations for the 2013 campaign but suffered a season-ending injury in the second game. Now, he’s ready for a breakout year.

“Keyarris is vital to us, or someone like him, because what you want to be able to do is put that ‘X’ receiver into the boundary and make (the defense) go two over one,” said Tulsa Head Coach Bill Blankenship. “You need somebody that can win when it’s one on one and the safety wants to come down and get in the running game or he wants to cheat over to the three-receiver side. “There’s all those kinds of matchups, and when we didn’t have Keyarris a year ago, we couldn’t take advantage of that. People could just man us up on the short side, and it made it really tough. With Keyarris back, life will get much better for the quarterback and the offensive line.” Without question, Garrett will be a top target for Hurricane quarterbacks, but his absence last season allowed others to get more playing time, including sophomore Keevan Lucas (5-10, 198). He had an extremely productive freshman campaign, grabbing 32 passes for 442 yards and one score. Lucas led the team in yards per catch (13.8 yards) and had the longest reception of the year (56 yards).

“I think Keevan is a special young player. We know how to use him a little better now,” Blankenship explained. “Keevan’s a guy that you’ve just got to get the ball in his hands. He may not be the greatest route runner, but he’s so physical and strong. If you can just get it to him, he’s hard for people to tackle. We know a little more of how to utilize him in the offense, and hopefully we’ll do a better job this year.” After Garrett and Lucas, there is a drop-off in experience, but several young players have shown promise. Sophomore Joshua Atkinson (6-2, 195) has had his past two seasons cut short with injury. He played two games in 2012, catching four passes for 33 yards. In 2013, he had nine receptions for 76 yards and one touchdown in seven games. “At receiver, we were a little banged up during the spring,” said Blankenship. “We still had Keyarris coming out of his injury and held him out, letting him get well. Josh Atkinson only got to practice about three days at the very end. Both of those guys look very healthy now, but that allowed us to give a whole lot of work to other guys.” The junior trio of Derek Patterson (6-0, 190), Conner Floyd (6-0, 202) and Zach Epps (6-4, 210) got the majority of that work and are expected to have drastically larger roles this fall. All three saw action in 2013, but in very limited roles. Patterson was the most successful of the group, catching 12 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

Keevan Lucas

“Derek, Conner and Zach got a lot of work this spring to see if they can become one of the contributors in that rotation,” said

Keyarris Garrett Blankenship. “If we can get a couple of guys that will be the role players in the offense, let some other people catch the big plays. The big plays will come to you, they’ll find you if you’ll do the routine plays. “That’s been my challenge to Zach, Conner and Derek. Be the guy that we can count on, that you’re going to catch that ball and move the chains, and then watch what happens. If you make the routine plays, the great plays will find you.”

Another piece of the puzzle could come from incoming freshmen. Nigel Carter (6-3, 198) from local McLain High School enrolled in January and was impressive during spring practice.

“We’ve seen glimpses of Nigel Carter at receiver that made us think that maybe he might be able to be that guy,” Blankenship said. “I think he’s a little ways away, but if the ice breaks and he gets through there, he may begin to push for serious playing time because he can make plays with the ball once he gets there, and he’s a big guy.” Additionally, freshmen Justin Hobbs (6-4, 200), Terrance Ivery (5-8, 175), Bishop Louie (5-10, 170) and Brodrick Umblance (6-1, 180) have all shown glimpses in preseason practice. “I’m really excited about some of the young players coming in offensively,” Blankenship added. “I think there are skill players that are the kind of guys that we want to touch the ball. They are playmakers. Whether they are used at slot receiver or running back, some way they can just touch the ball, I think those guys have a chance to maybe impact this game as freshmen.”

HURRICANE ELITE

FALL 2014

THE University of Tulsa

RUNNING BACKS

James Flanders

Tulsa fans have had the luxury of watching a pair of dynamic running backs the past few years in Trey Watts and Ja’Terian Douglas, who combined to rush for 6,048 yards and 34 touchdowns in their careers. Last year, they totaled over 1,700 rushing yards. TU now looks to replace that production, and a new duo has stepped forward. Sophomore James Flanders (5-10, 190) and junior college transfer Tavarreon Dickerson (5-9, 185), also a sophomore, have taken the bulk of the carries in preseason practice. Dickerson rushed for 555 yards on just 65 carries (8.5 yards per carry) in his one season at Trinity Valley Community College. “(Dickerson) gives us a skill set that we haven’t had. He is really fast, and he’s done some things in fall camp to remind us that he’s a great change of pace back,” said TU Head Coach

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Bill Blankenship. “James has made some jump cuts, some makepeople-miss moves that we got used to with Trey Watts. But he also had some run-away ability that we got used to with Ja’Terian. He may be a better hybrid of the two than we’ve seen.” Also heavily in the mix is junior Zack Langer (6-0, 215). The Jenks (Okla.) product has produced 239 yards and two touchdowns on 63 carries in his first two seasons. “Zack Langer seems to be the workhorse,” Blankenship described. “He seems to be the guy we can just count on to hit every down, downhill. He’s not going to run away from people, but he will get the tough yardage and do the nitty-gritty.” True freshmen D’Angelo Brewer (5-9, 185) and Ramadi Warren (5-9, 175) hit campus in the fall, and Brewer made a quick impression in preseason workouts. “I really think that D’Angelo Brewer, for a young guy, he’s very mature,” said TU Running Backs Coach John Johnson. “He’s a guy that hasn’t blinked. Him playing quarterback in high school, he understands a lot of stuff and he’s been through the heat. For a freshman, I’m very excited about him and very

impressed with his knowledge of the game and what he brings to the table.” Coach Johnson feels that the core group of running backs is ready to step up and prove themselves. “I think we’ve got a lot of good talent. We’ve got speed, we’ve got power, we’ve got the ability to make guys miss in space,” said Johnson. “With James (Flanders) and (Zack) Langer, those guys have been here and know what it takes. They can help out the young guys and help coach guys up. Those guys are comfortable in what they’re doing, and they feel good about it. “(Dickerson) is coming along. He didn’t go through spring, but he’s really doing a tremendous job. He picked up the offense pretty quickly and started to get into the flow.” Additional depth at the position comes from sophomore Jeremy Brady (5-10, 205), who made the switch from safety in the spring, and walk-ons Rowdy Simon (5-8, 195) and Daelen McClendon (5-10, 222). Watts and Douglas leave big shoes to fill, but the TU coaches believe this new wave of backs can produce at the same level. “We need the group to gain 1,600, 1,800 yards, maybe 2,000, and that’s okay if it’s spread between four guys,” said Blankenship. “We think we’ll have the ability to spread the field a little more, and keep the defense honest. Certainly we’ve been looking like that in practice, and if we continue that will open up some creases for these running backs. We just need to move those chains offensively.”

THE University of Tulsa

TIGHT ENDS/H-BACK As Tulsa returns to a shotgun heavy offense, the importance of a reliable, hard-nosed H-back has increased. This hybrid fullback position has paid big dividends for TU in the past with players such as Charles Clay, who has since become a viable weapon for the Miami Dolphins.

“H-back is an interesting one for us,” Tulsa Head Coach Bill Blankenship described. “That’s kind of the hybrid fullback. We’ve gotten used to the Charles Clays and Willie Carters -- guys that can go out to receiver from the backfield and be that dual-threat. We haven’t had that for a couple of years. I believe we’re coming closer.” The next potential major weapon at the position is junior Mandel Dixon (6-2, 238), who sat out last season after transferring from Pittsburg State. He came in during goal line situations for Pitt State and scored seven touchdowns on just 18 touches. “Mandel Dixon came out of spring

Mandel Dixon

as probably the best true hybrid H-back we have,” said Blankenship. “Mandel has the size and physicality to play fullback, but he also has the speed and ability to catch the ball to play out in the slot. I’m really excited about the addition of him to the mix.”

Dixon has the frame to deal with the physically imposing linebackers in the AAC and the speed to run past them and get open. Sitting behind him on the depth chart is junior Colby Scott (6-2, 235), sophomore Chris Hall (6-0, 260) and former TU men’s basketball player, Pat Swilling Jr. (6-2, 220). “Colby Scott is a guy that’s playing, from the fullback perspective, really well for us,” Blankenship said. “He’s very physical back there, but I think you’ll see Mandel be able to move a little more in and out of the box and give us a little more.”

Chris Hall played in eight games last season, making four catches for 31 yards; however, coaches may decide to redshirt him this year. Another position that Tulsa hopes will become more of a weapon is tight end. It was not long ago that the Hurricane was known for its use of the tight end. In 2005, former TU player Garrett Mills set an NCAA record with 1,235 yards receiving (on 87 receptions) and went on to play for three NFL teams.

While Tulsa likely won’t get that type of production out of a tight end in 2014, the position is expected to be more involved in the passing game. After making eight starts and appearing in 11 games in 2013, sophomore Tyler Wilson (6-6, 248) is poised to have a much larger role in the offense this season.

“Tyler Wilson had grown into being a very effective tight end for us a year ago,” said Blankenship. “He was fighting some shoulder injuries, so in the offseason, he got those fixed. I think that’ll help him to strengthen his blocking. Tyler’s a really good route-runner and catcher.

“We don’t generally need to put tight ends in the game to just be an asset in the passing game. They need to be an asset in the running game. If they can be an asset in the running game, then the matchups happen in the passing game. So that’s the challenge to Tyler, and I think that he’s ready to have a special year.” Last season, Wilson caught nine passes for 79 yards. He’s an easy target to find, which should help in red zone situations and long thirddown conversions. Redshirt freshman Kolton Shindelar (6-6, 252) and true freshman Payton Prince (6-4, 237) provide depth. Shindelar made big strides in the spring, getting the majority of the reps with Wilson sidelined. Prince had a big senior season at Norman (Okla.) North High School with 36 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns.

“I think Kolton Shindelar’s experience in the spring is going to really help him,” added Blankenship. “Tyler Wilson had to miss the spring due to surgery, so it forced us to give nearly all the first team reps to Shindelar, and he began to grow and grow. He’s very good in the run game but needs a little work in the passing game, but he’s learning and gaining ground on it real fast. “I’m really excited about Payton Prince. He has some ability in his running of routes and catching the ball that I don’t think we’ve had at tight end when they’ve showed up here. I don’t know if that means he’ll play this year, but I think he has some skills.” HURRICANE ELITE

FALL 2014

THE University of Tulsa

OFFENSIVE LINE

Davis Walton

On offense, everything starts up front in the trenches. The offensive line creates time and space for the playmakers while protecting the quarterback. As a unit, the Tulsa line only allowed 10 sacks through 12 games last season, and the group expects to replicate that performance in 2014. “On the offensive line, I think we jelled fairly quickly in the spring,” said Tulsa Coach Bill Blankenship. “I think we’re going to have eight, maybe nine, that we can count on.” Anchoring the unit is sophomore center Dylan Foxworth (6-1, 281), who was named to the preseason Rimington Award Watch List for the best offensive center. As a redshirt freshman in 2013, he made eight starts, assuming full-time duties against UTEP on the road. “Dylan Foxworth won’t be a freshman anymore. He’ll be starting at the center spot and had a really good spring,” Blankenship said. “Fox is going to give us that little bit of experience there.” To the left of Foxworth, junior Gar24

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rett Stafford (6-5, 314) mans the left tackle spot and sophomore Chris Wallace (6-5, 311) is at left guard. Stafford is a returning starter, while Wallace saw most of his playing time on special teams last year. “Garrett Stafford at left tackle, we know what he can do. He’s just a stud,” Blankenship described. “The guy’s got two years to play and he’s already got his engineering degree and he’s going back for more. And by the way, he’s a really good football player. “Chris Wallace really began to step up at the left guard spot. We thought he might still be a year away, but he proved this spring that he’s ready to play. He’s got the starting spot over there. He’s certainly grown by leaps and bounds.” Moving to the other side, the right guard position has been a hotly contested battle between juniors Billy Lafortune (6-0, 283) and Garrett Gladd (6-4, 303). “Billy Lafortune is a guy that had worked in at center quite a bit. We did a little experiment and moved him to right guard to see if he could compete for a starting spot, and he has,” Blankenship explained. “It’s really come down early on to Billy and Garrett Gladd, who we’ve had a tackle but moved inside. Both of those guys played extremely well in the spring.” Davis Walton, the only senior in the offensive unit, is at the top of

the depth chart at right tackle. He has improved each semester since transferring from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M junior college in the spring of 2012. “Davis Walton grew a lot at right tackle,” Blankenship explained. “He was a guy that had subbed in and started at different times during the year and just didn’t ever grow into the every down guy, mainly just because of little minor injuries that he had. Davis was another one of the really pleasant surprises coming out of spring. I thought he really began to play like a senior.” Sophomore Blake Belcher (6-5, 300) and redshirt freshman Evan Plagg (6-4, 275) provide depth at offensive tackle, while redshirt freshman Rob Boyd (6-4, 319) and sophomore James Floyd (6-2, 301) shore up the guard spots. Belcher and Floyd sat out spring practices due to injury, which gave Plagg and Boyd time to shine. “Evan Plagg, we think is a pretty special walk-on offensive lineman. I think he’s a guy that can really compete, not just for playing time, but for scholarships and all those kinds of things. He’s done really, really well,” Blankenship said. “We were able to redshirt him a year ago. He’s got great feet -- he may have the best feet of any of our offensive linemen, scholarship or non-scholarship. “Rob (Boyd) has probably moved a year ahead of schedule as a real possibility of being able to earn that starting spot at right guard. He gives us some depth there. We think those eight or nine guys clearly give us some depth and athleticism.”

THE University of Tulsa

DEFENSIVE LINE As a whole, Tulsa’s two-deep along the defensive line was young and inexperienced in 2013. Fast forward a year and it’s now a seasoned group that is primed for a very productive entrance into the American Athletic Conference.

“You move up front and we have everybody back at both the end spots and the two tackle spots, plus I felt like we recruited really well on the defensive line,” said Tulsa Head Coach Bill Blankenship. “I think we’re going to have more depth up front than at any time I’ve been at the University of Tulsa.” That’s a big statement, as in the past, the Hurricane often didn’t have the depth to keep up with top teams in the trenches. However, that has changed over time.

“Part of the separation in our conference and the other teams that we play is when they can roll in five or six defensive linemen, and they can keep them fresh, and we were playing two or three,” Blankenship described. “I do think we’ll have four to five defensive tackles that can play the two positions. I know we have four defensive ends right now that I feel good about. I think we may add a freshman or two there that could get in the rotation. I’m really excited about those positions.”

The returning starters at defensive tackle are sophomore Jesse Brubaker

Derrick Alexander

(6-3, 280) and junior Derrick Luetjen (6-3, 285). Luetjen started all 12 games last season, making 49 stops, 4 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. Brubaker had 20 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, in 11 games. Brubaker sustained an injury during camp but is bouncing back well and may only miss the opener against Tulane.

“I think Jesse Brubaker is special,” said Blankenship. “He had to play last year as a freshman. He looks like a grown man this year compared to nine months ago. He had a great offseason.

“I think Derrick Luetjen is going to be a much more physical player this year than two years ago when he first had to break in. And Brubaker is going to be better.” Providing depth are sophomores Jerry Uwaezuoke (6-3, 295), Lionell Phillips (6-2, 285) and Hayden Carman (6-4, 288). ‘Jerry U’ played in 11 games with two starts, and Carmen filled in when Phillips was injured after playing in four games. Redshirt freshman Zach Webb (6-2, 280) will battle three incoming freshmen for spots in the rotation: Michael Rios (6-3, 290) from Wichita, Earl Rollins (6-3, 275) from Irving and Willie Wright (6-3, 280) from Houston.

“We signed three really impressive interior tackles,” said Blankenship. “There are guys in that mix that we know can already help us, but I think there might be one or two of those incoming freshmen that could be that guy as well.” At defensive end, the depth and experience continues. Senior Chris Hummingbird (6-2, 265) and junior Derrick Alexander (6-2, 270) are returning starters, while senior Brentom Todd (6-3, 250) also has starting experience and sophomore Cory Rahmings (6-2, 245) earned time in six games last season.

“Chris Hummingbird and Derrick Alexander -- these guys played last year and I thought played pretty well, but not

Derrick Luetjen

what they’re capable of. I think you’ll see them go to another level,” Blankenship explained. “Brentom Todd has played a lot for us and is really an experienced player. He’s a backup right now, but he’s a multi-game starter. Cory Rahmings has looked really good at times.”

Alexander led the group with 32 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last year. Todd followed with 30 tackles and 2 sacks, while Hummingbird turned in 27 stops, 8.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. Redshirt freshmen Jake Hanks (6-2, 235) and Frankie Davis (6-2, 240) have shown promise, and coaches are very excited about true freshmen Jeremy Smith (6-5, 230) and Petera Wilson (6-2, 220), who was moved over from linebacker.

“Jake Hanks has looked really good, and Frankie Davis has taken some steps forward,” Blankenship added. “The two fascinating ones are the two freshmen. We’re getting a lot of work for Petera Wilson and Jeremy Smith. They’re very raw, but you see their natural ability come through, especially in pass rushing.” “Length, speed, quick-twitch pass rushers -- that’s what we’ve got to have. We think the defensive end spot is as deep as any position on the field because none of the guys we have working there are second tier guys. They’re all potentially really, really good players, and they’re all working at a really high rate.”

HURRICANE ELITE

FALL 2014

THE University of Tulsa

LINEBACKERS Linebacker Shawn Jackson was the leader of the Tulsa defensive unit for the past four years; but now that he’s moved on, that void needs to be filled. The position that everyone’s got their eye on is linebacker. There is a lot of youthfulness in terms of experience, but we really left spring feeling pretty good about it,” said Tulsa Head Coach Bill Blankenship. “I don’t think we’re going to have the experience certainly that we had with Shawn, but we may have a little more depth this year.” A possible successor to Jackson is sophomore Trent Martin (6-2, 235), who will occupy the middle linebacker spot. He missed the final seven games of the 2013 season after suffering a knee injury but still managed 29 tackles. Martin’s presence and leadership will be crucial in 2014. “One of the really key things for us

Trent Martin

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will be getting Trent Martin back,” Blankenship explained. “Trent is really an anchor for us at that middle linebacker spot. He did not go through spring, but he was out here every day coaching our guys and getting them ready. He is just the leader over there, the glue. “I don’t think Trent’s going to be the flashy guy. He’s going to be a guy that makes the tackles because he won’t miss them. I think him getting healthy and being able to get back into his old position is going to be huge for us.” Senior Donnell Hawkins (6-1, 220) is a player that has the ability to see time in the middle behind Martin or win a starting role on the outside. He made five starts last season, finishing sixth on the team with 50 tackles to go along with an interception, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. “Donnie Hawkins has the ability

to really run and play well. If he’ll play like a fifth-year senior, I think he might have the ability to break out,” Blankenship added. “He looks like he’s going to be hard to keep off the field. He’s been very active and has been hard to block.” Senior Mitchell Osborne (6-2, 210) started all 12 contests last season and racked up 83 tackles at the CANE position. Redshirt freshman Craig Suits (6-0, 220) has stepped up to challenge Osborne for that spot, while senior Luke Snider (510, 185) provides depth. “Luke Snider had been rolling in with (Osborne), and we felt pretty good about that,” Blankenship said. “Craig Suits came back after a redshirt year and really is competing for that starting spot, so I know we’ve upgraded that position. I think the fact that Craig has really jumped into the mix has made Mitch a better player. Both of those guys are playing at a really high level right now.” Redshirt freshman C.J. Gooden (6-1, 220) and sophomore Conner Sherwood (6-3, 232) are the top two at WILL linebacker. They were solid in the spring and continued to play well in preseason camp. “We’re getting real good play from Conner and C.J.,” said Blankenship. “I think we’ve again recruited well, and I’m anxious to see those guys play.” Senior Jake Sizelove (6-0, 217) and junior Zik Asiegbu (6-0, 205) also add depth to the unit. Sizelove has been a key performer on special teams with 32 tackles in 29 career games. Despite some of the inexperience in the linebacker corps, Defensive Coordinator Brent Guy is confident in the abilities of this group. “I feel very good that I have more guys to put in a game than we have ever had since I’ve been here -- that we can put in the game and execute our defense,” said Guy.

THE University of Tulsa

CORNERBACKS

Will learned it before some of our young safeties did.”

Also in the rotation are senior Austin McDaniel (5-11, 192) and sophomore Johnell Celistan (6-2, 185), who both started games last season. McDaniel played in every game and made 34 tackles and seven pass break-ups, while Celistan totaled 13 tackles and two pass break-ups. “Austin is a fifth-year guy that just finds a way to get on the field and play,” said Blankenship.

Dwight Dobbins Tulsa has a deep defensive backfield, and the cornerback group includes several players that possess a combination of experience, speed and athleticism.

“We have three or four corners back with experience. All of those guys have started at different times,” Hurricane Coach Bill Blankenship said. “Last year, we were just really beat down and got a lot of people hurt and worked a lot of folks into the rotation. That should pay off this year because now we’re not playing with guys that don’t know what’s going on. They’ve been in the heat.” Senior Dwight Dobbins (5-9, 180) and sophomore Will Barrow (5-9, 170) are the leaders of the group. While both are a bit undersized, they make up for it in instinct and athletic ability.

Dobbins missed the final three games in 2013 due to injury, as well as the spring, but he’s started multiple contests in his first three years. Playing in 36 career games, he’s collected 75 tackles, 10 pass break-ups and three interceptions. “Dwight Dobbins was a little banged up at the end of last year,” Blankenship said. “He didn’t get to do anything in the spring, but he will be

a senior at corner that started and played from his freshman year on.”

Barrow, on the other hand, transitioned back to his natural position in the spring after spending last season filling in at safety.

“Will Barrow is a special young player that played for us at safety last year because he had to, but Will’s naturally a corner,” Blankenship said. “He’s just a leader. This time of year, a year ago, our strength coach was telling me that Will Barrow was the leader of that freshman class. That kind of surprised me because I knew we had some quality young leadership type guys. I didn’t know all that about Will. He’s special.”

Barrow tallied 54 tackles and two interceptions from his free safety spot in 2013. It was an exceptional freshman season, but not just because of statistics. He also stood out due to his preparation and knowledge of the defense.

“Will’s literally the guy that gets everybody lined up and is communicating,” Blankenship described. “Will wound up moving to safety (last year) because while at corner, he knew what the safety was supposed to do. Our safeties are supposed to communicate and do all that, and

Sophomore Darrell Williams (5-10, 193) and redshirt freshman Kerwin Thomas (5-10, 160) round out the deep corps of cornerbacks. Williams missed 2013 due to a season-ending injury in preseason practice. “Darrell Williams is coming off a horrible knee injury a year ago and didn’t go through spring, but he’s out here doing everything, and I’m really hopeful he’ll be healthy and ready to go,” Blankenship said. “He looks the part. Darrell would have started for us a year ago if he hadn’t gotten injured. “Kerwin Thomas is the only rookie out of the first six, so that gives us some flexibility and being able to keep guys fresh. The young guys are very athletic and that’s what we’re excited about.” This group has shaped up nicely for Cornerbacks Coach Darnell Walker and is ready to face the offenses in the American Athletic Conference.

“The biggest thing is having guys coming back to the system, that’s a big deal,” said Walker. “Anytime you have experience, it helps with your continuity. You’ve got guys that have played. They’re mentality is a little bit different, and they’re used to the speed of the game.”

HURRICANE ELITE

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THE University of Tulsa

SAFETIES The safeties are the last line of defense, and for Tulsa, it’s a position of strength. The Golden Hurricane boasts a dynamic duo that would match up with any safety tandem in the country -- free safety Demarco Nelson (6-0, 195) and bandit safety Michael Mudoh (5-10, 205).

In his first three years on campus, Nelson became a staple in the Golden Hurricane’s back end of its secondary, including garnering Freshman All-American honors in 2010 and All-Conference accolades in 2011 and 2012. He missed last season and was forced to redshirt, but No. 20 is expected to come back with a vengeance. “How important is Marco? Well, when you take an All-American off the field, it makes a difference,” TU Coach Bill Blankenship explained. “Marco has some just unbelievable athletic ability, and the fact that he’s played for three years, you put him back there again, and we’re a different team in the secondary.”

Without a doubt, TU’s secondary felt the absence of Nelson last season, and it will be huge having him back for his senior season. He enters the year with 39 starts, 239 tackles and eight interceptions in his career. Look for him to expand those numbers and solidify himself in the record books at Tulsa.

At bandit, Michael Mudoh returns after leading Conference USA in tackles last season. The junior was a consistent playmaker in the secondary for the Hurricane, and he hopes to have a repeat performance during Tulsa’s first season in the American Athletic Conference. “I’d put them up against any other combination (in the conference), I can tell you that,” Blankenship said of his starting safeties. “I don’t know, I haven’t looked it up to see who has two of them back. Right now, I wouldn’t even venture a trade. I feel pretty good about where we are with those guys.” Behind the starters, building depth was the focus of preseason practice. 28

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“The depth is probably where we go into this with a little bit of concern,” Blankenship said.

Junior Bradley White (5-11, 180) and sophomore Matt Linscott (6-1, 212) have performed well and are ready to fill in when needed. Both have consistently contributed on special teams, and White started the first three contests in 2013 at free safety, making 26 tackles in 12 games. Sophomore cornerback Will Barrow (5-9, 170), who was forced to play safety in 2013, will be an option at either of the safety spots, and a pair of true freshmen -- Jordan Dennis (62, 175) from Fayetteville (Ark.) and Jordan Mitchell (6-2, 180) from Owasso (Okla.) -- will also get a shot as potential back-ups.

year and more specifically Marco and Mudoh,” he explained. “I feel we will have two of the better guys in the league, but our group has felt like that the past few years. They have a lot of pride in each other and understand the amount of all-conference recognition the group has had the past four years and want to keep that going. It’s about hard work and taking advantage of every rep in practice and pushing each other to be the best.”

“They have safety bodies but they have the ability to play corner. We just don’t need a corner right now as much as we need safeties,” Blankenship said of the freshmen. “We’re going to see how well they pick up on that.” The priority at safety in fall camp was making sure the reserves are prepared at the beginning of the season.

“We have several other young guys, but that’s going to be a real key for Coach (Jess) Loepp is to develop that depth as fast as possible,” Blankenship said. “We feel good about Will Barrow. We feel good about Bradley White, but just from a pure talent level, they’re not at the same level as we have with Michael and Marco. They’re going to give us some experienced play, and that will be good. I’m excited to see if we can bring one of these young guys along.” Coach Loepp, who has nine years of experience with the TU program, feels very good about his current stable of safeties. “I’m excited about my group this

Michael Mudoh

THE University of Tulsa

SPECIAL TEAMS Tulsa will have limited turnover on special teams, which is a rare occurrence. The Hurricane lost its kickoff specialist and holder, Cole Way, to professional baseball but returns starters at every other position. “It’s peaceful going into the season with a returning punter, a returning kicker and a returning snapper,” said Tulsa Head Coach Bill Blankenship. “Nearly every year, we have to replace one of those guys.”

Kicker Carl Salazar made 16-of-19 field goals last season, connecting on all eight of his attempts inside 30 yards. Redford Jones adds depth at placekicker and may get a chance to take field goals from long distances. “I love the fact that Carl returns, go-

ing into what will be his senior year. As a guy that had to find his way a year ago, he performed really well,” Blankenship explained. “I don’t think we’re going to have to deal with the nerves. I think he knows he can play. “I’m really excited; we’ve got depth behind him. People haven’t seen Redford Jones kick, Redford is really talented. We’ll have some other kickers, but Redford has that kind of a leg that we know he can play.” Dalton Parks continues to handle punting duties. He averaged 39.5 yards per punt last season and landed a third of his kicks inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. “Dalton Parks will return as our starter at punter,” Blankenship

added. “With Cole signing to play baseball, that’s a little bit of a loss for us because of the depth that it gave us at punter. Dalton had been just an unbelievable punter in fall camp a year ago and really wrestled away the spot from Cole. As we got into about game two or three or four and then he got into a freshman slump. He got through it, but he did not punt anywhere close to the ability that he has. “This guy’s got a big time leg and he can change the field. He did it some this spring, and he did it a lot last fall, and I think having gotten past that freshman year should really help him relax and really be a weapon for us. I think folks will be excited about that.” While TU remains solid at punter, the loss of Way leaves a couple other holes that need to be addressed.

“We’ll miss Cole for the kickoff,” Blankenship described. “Cole had been very consistent getting us good deep kicks that helped our coverage. That’s probably the biggest challenge we have from a specialist standpoint is that we’ve got to figure out who is going to be the consistent kickoff man for us.” Way was also the holder on field goals and extra points, but tight end Tyler Wilson has experience with those duties and is expected to step up.

One special teams player that doesn’t get much notoriety is deep snapper Rey Higuera, and he prefers it that way.

“Rey gets it,” said Blankenship. “He told me that one of his goals is to graduate from college and nobody that’s a TU fan know his name. That means as a snapper that you did your job. Most people won’t figure out who you are unless they’re hollering at you because you snapped one over somebody’s head or rolled it back to him. The reason most people don’t know Rey Higuera is because he’s done his job really well for two years.

Carl Salazar

“I feel good about those guys, but I do know that we’ve got some walkons coming in, and the depth that we already have will help us.” HURRICANE ELITE

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THE University of Tulsa

2014 TEAM ROSTER

NO. PLAYER POS. HT. WT. CL/EXP HOMETOWN PREVIOUS SCHOOL 1 Keyarris Garrett WR 6-4 221 Jr-2L Daingerfield, Texas Daingerfield 1 Michael Mudoh DB 5-10 205 Jr-2L Houston, Texas Bush 2 Keevan Lucas WR 5-10 198 So-1L Abilene, Texas Abilene 2 Kerwin Thomas DB 5-10 160 Fr-RS Wagoner, Okla. Wagoner 3 Donnell Hawkins LB 6-1 226 Sr-3L Copperas Cove, Texas Copperas Cove 4 Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Angelo Brewer RB 5-9 185 Fr-HS Tulsa, Okla. Central 4 Jordan Dennis DB 6-2 175 Fr-HS Fayetteville, Ark. Fayetteville 5 Jabe Burgess QB 6-2 210 Fr-HS Greenwood, Ark. Greenwood 5 Tim Quickel LB 6-2 215 Fr-HS Little Rock, Ark. North Little Rock 6 Darrell Williams DB 5-10 193 Jr-1L Houston, Texas Westfield 6 Chris Showels WR 5-6 160 Jr-RS Round Rock, Texas Vista Ridge 7 Johnell Celistan DB 6-2 185 So-1L Avondale, La. Hahnville 7 Pat Swilling Jr. H-B 6-2 220 Sr-RS New Orleans, La. Brother Martin 8 Jesse Brubaker DT 6-3 285 So-1L Wylie, Texas Wylie East 8 Terrance Ivery WR 5-8 175 Fr-HS Mansfield, Texas Mansfield Legacy 9 Dwight Dobbins DB 5-9 180 Sr-3L Midwest City, Okla. Carl Albert 9 Dane Evans QB 6-1 215 So-1L Sanger, Texas Sanger 10 Shawn Norman DB 5-11 194 So-1L Freeman, Mo. Belton 10 Brodrick Umblance WR 6-1 180 Fr-HS Arlington, Texas The Oakridge School 11 Jake Hanks DE 6-2 235 Fr-RS Fort Collins, Colo. Fort Collins 11 Derek Patterson WR 6-0 190 Jr-2L Kingfisher, Okla. Kingfisher 12 Ryan Rubley QB 6-3 205 Fr-RS Highlands Ranch, Colo. Mountain Vista 12 Micheal Thomas LB 6-0 225 So-SQ Lawton, Okla. MacArthur 13 Jordan Mitchell DB 6-2 180 Fr-HS Owasso, Okla. Owasso 13 Brad Valentino QB 6-0 215 Jr-RS Norman, Okla. Butler CC 15 Justyn Bell DB 5-9 195 Fr-RS Little Elm, Texas Missouri Valley College 15 Sam Gottsch DB 6-2 190 Fr-HS Jenks, Okla. Sapulpa 16 Mandel Dixon Jr. H-B 6-2 238 Jr-TR Dallas, Texas Pittsburg State 18 Joseph Calcagni QB 6-1 207 Jr-1L Springdale, Ark. Springdale 18 Rey Higuera DS 5-11 210 Jr-2L Gilbert, Ariz. Perry 19 Robert Hightower QB 6-3 198 Fr-RS Cushing, Okla. Cushing 19 Redford Jones PK/P 5-10 172 Fr-RS Norman, Okla. Norman North 20 James Flanders RB 5-10 190 So-1L Midwest City, Okla. Midwest City 20 Demarco Nelson DB 6-0 195 Sr-3L Glenpool, Okla. Glenpool 21 Rowdy Simon RB 5-8 195 Fr-RS Vian, Okla. Vian 22 Jeremy Brady RB 5-10 205 So-1L North Little Rock, Ark. Pulaski Academy 23 Will Barrow DB 5-9 170 So-1L Dallas, Texas Skyline 24 Matt Hickman LB 6-0 220 So-SQ Edmond, Okla. Edmond Memorial 24 Zack Langer RB 6-0 215 Jr-2L Jenks, Okla. Jenks 25 Ramadi Warren RB 5-9 175 Fr-HS Memphis, Tenn. Whitehaven 26 Haden Kolmer LB 6-1 195 Fr-RS Fort Gibson, Okla. Muskogee 26 Dalton Parks P 6-3 202 So-1L Kansas City, Mo. Staley 27 Bishop Louie WR 5-10 170 Fr-HS Tulsa, Okla. McLain 28 Tavarreon Dickerson RB 5-9 185 So-JC Arlington, Texas Trinity Valley CC 28 Craig Suits LB 6-0 220 Fr-RS Sunnyvale, Texas Poteet 29 Justin Hobbs WR 6-4 200 Fr-HS Overland Park, Kan. Shawnee Mission West 29 Carl Salazar PK 5-8 172 Sr-1L Broken Arrow, Okla. U. of Oklahoma 30 Matt Luetjen RB 6-0 217 Sr-SQ Hennessey, Okla. Army 30 Luke Snider LB 5-10 185 Sr-3L Tulsa, Okla. Union 32 Mitchell Osborne LB 6-2 210 Sr-3L Southlake, Texas Southlake Carroll 33 Rob Riederer LB 6-0 217 Fr-RS Holton, Kan. Holton 34 Chris Hall H-B 6-0 260 So-1L Tulsa, Okla. Union 35 Zach Downing DS 5-11 215 Fr-RS Greeley, Colo. Greeley West 37 Austin McDaniel DB 5-11 192 Sr-3L Waco, Texas Midway 38 Matt Linscott DB 6-1 212 So-1L Tulsa, Okla. Jenks

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THE University of Tulsa 38 39 39 40 41 42 42 44 46 46 47 48 48 49 50 51 52 52 53 53 54 54 56 57 59 60 61 62 63 65 66 68 70 71 72 73 74 75 75 76 77 78 79 80 82 84 85 86 87 88 88 89 89 90 94 95 96 97 98 99

Randall Smith Gage Murphy Michel Soper Trent Martin Danny Williams Zik Asiegbu Daelen McClendon Petera Wilson Joey Byron Chris Hummingbird Blake Abbott Colby Scott Conner Sherwood Bradley White Nick George Marty Garcia Billy Lafortune Willie Wright Jake Sizelove Zac Uhles Derrick Alexander James Floyd Earl Rollins Dylan Foxworth C.J. Gooden Ty Lott Josh Bencke Michael McCombs Chris Wallace Zach Webb Evan Plagg Garrett Gladd Jerry Uwaezuoke Mildren Montgomery Tyler Bowling Rob Boyd Chandler Miller Lionell Phillips Davis Walton Garrett Stafford Isaac Johnson Blake Belcher Jackson Fuselier Conner Floyd Tyler Wilson Nigel Carter Kolton Shindelar Zach Epps Blake Kitrell Josh Atkinson Cory Rahmings Payton Prince Thomas Shamet Frankie Davis Michael Rios Hayden Carman Myles Mouton Brentom Todd Jeremy Smith Derrick Luetjen

WR DB PK LB WR LB RB DE TE DE H-B H-B LB DB LB LB OG/C DT LB C DE OG DT C LB DS OG OG OG OG OT OG DT OG OT OG C DT OT OT OT OT OT WR TE WR TE WR WR WR DE TE DT DE DT DT DE DE DE DT

6-1 6-0 6-0 6-2 5-10 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-3 5-11 6-1 5-9 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-0 6-2 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-5 6-5 6-7 6-5 6-3 6-0 6-6 6-3 6-6 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-3

195 195 210 235 180 205 222 220 220 265 213 235 232 180 220 210 283 280 217 265 270 301 275 281 220 215 293 270 311 280 275 303 295 285 295 319 293 285 285 314 275 300 293 202 248 198 252 210 200 195 245 237 265 240 290 288 235 250 230 285

Fr-RS Fr-RS So-TR So-1L Fr-HS Jr-2L Fr-RS Fr-HS So-SQ Sr-3L Jr-SQ Jr-1L So-1L Jr-2L Fr-RS Fr-RS Jr-1L Fr-HS Sr-3L Fr-RS Jr-2L So-1L Fr-HS So-1L Fr-RS Fr-RS Jr-SQ Fr-HS So-1L Fr-RS Fr-RS Jr-2L So-1L Fr-HS Fr-HS Fr-RS Fr-HS So-SQ Sr-1L Jr-2L Fr-HS So-1L Fr-RS Jr-2L So-1L Fr-HS Fr-RS Jr-2L So-SQ So-1L So-1L Fr-HS So-SQ Fr-RS Fr-HS So-1L Fr-HS Sr-3L Fr-HS Jr-2L

Coweta, Okla. May, Okla. Muskogee, Okla. Jenks, Okla. Tulsa, Okla. Grand Prairie, Texas Prague, Okla. Memphis, Tenn. Hopkins, Minn. Tahlequah, Okla. Liberal, Kan. Enid, Okla. Tulsa, Okla. Tyler, Texas Tulsa, Okla. Arlington, Texas Tulsa, Okla. Houston, Texas Argyle, Texas Norman, Okla. Tulsa, Okla. Fort Worth, Texas Irving, Texas Claremore, Okla. Ashdown, Ark. Sand Springs, Okla. Rio Rancho, NM Metairie, La. Sperry, Okla. Tulsa, Okla. Guthrie, Okla. Sallisaw, Okla. Houston, Texas Oklahoma City, Okla. Yukon, Okla. Vian, Okla. Bixby, Okla. Garland, Texas Tulsa, Okla. Tulsa, Okla. Springdale, Ark. Guthrie, Okla. Tulsa, Okla. Austin, Texas Ponca City, Okla. Tulsa, Okla. Liberty, Mo. Overland Park, Kan. Ashland, Neb. Carrollton, Texas Broken Bow, Okla. Norman, Okla. Fairway. Kan. Broken Arrow, Okla. Wichita, Kan. Little Rock, Ark. Beaumont, Texas Tulsa, Okla. Tulsa, Okla. Hennessey, Okla.

Coweta Laverne U. of Missouri Jenks BT Washington Bowie Prague White Hall Bethany Academy Tahlequah Sequoyah U. of Kansas Enid Cascia Hall Grace Community Victory Christian Seguin Holland Hall Cypress Ridge Argyle North BT Washington Paschal MacArthur Claremore Ashdown Charles Page Cleveland Jesuit Sperry Metro Christian Guthrie Sallisaw Westbury Douglass Yukon Vian Bixby Naaman Forest Bishop Kelley/NEO A&M Memorial Har-ber Guthrie BT Washington Lake Travis Ponca City McLain Liberty Blue Valley West Ashland-Greenwood The Oakridge School Broken Bow Norman North Bishop Miege Broken Arrow West Catholic Ozen Union Berryhill Hennessey

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THE University of Tulsa

HAITH HAS HIGH HOPES FOR TULSA By Kyle Kendrick The path for Frank Haith to find his way into the eye of the Hurricane was filled with numerous indications of a forecast for success. When Haith agreed to leave the University of Missouri to take the job as head basketball coach at The University of Tulsa, it was a decision that came down to several key factors. “Well first of all when I was contacted by Tulsa and they talked to me about the job the things that attracted me was number one administration,” Haith recalled. “Just the conversations with Dr. Gragg and Stead (Dr. Steadman Upham, University of Tulsa President) and their visions matched up with my vision and something I wanted to be a part of.” An energy filled Haith went on to add the tradition at Tulsa, as well as joining the American Athletic Conference as other things that quickly drew him to Tulsa. “We still had three years left in Columbia but I felt really comfortable with the idea being part of a program transitioning into this new league and just a vision of the leadership of this university was very attractive to me,” Haith confirmed. At Missouri, Haith racked up wins and accolades in bunches. Going 76-28 in his three years as the head coach of the Tigers, Haith led the Tigers to the NCAA tournament in each of his first two seasons in Columbia. Haith was also recognized as the Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2012 after guiding Missouri to a 30-5 record, a second place finish in the Big 12 during the regular season and winning the Big 12 conference tournament. Now at Tulsa, Haith is tasked with helping the Golden Hurricane transition smoothly into a new powerhouse conference after winning a Conference USA title in 2014. Haith 32

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is undaunted by the challenge and in fact welcomes it. “Let’s stick to the word transition first. I have been a part of transitions several times. My first year at Miami we were transitioning from the Big East to the ACC, during my time at Missouri we were in the Big 12 and transitioning to the SEC, so I have been a part of transitions before,” Haith said. Frank Haith “I think obviously the perception of Tulsa being a midmajor and transitioning to a high“We were able to keep Shea Seals major conference or from a one-bid on our staff and Shea obviously is league to a multiple-bid league, and a Tulsa great. It was a no-brainer that is what the American Conferfor me to encourage him to stay ence is a multiple-bid league, will on with us. He is staying on in the be a familiar step.” same role he was in with Danny’s Haith added that he believes staff and I’m excited about him. several characteristics of the team We also kept the two graduate aswill be what ultimately makes the sistants from last year’s staff, Will Golden Hurricane successful this Martin and Baba Diallo, and those year. guys have really helped with our transition,” Haith said. “Being around these guys I think we have a team that has been sucHaith completed his star-studded cessful, even if it was in Conference staff with coaches familiar to his USA. With most of those guys back style of play, not only from Missouri this year, it gives us a chance bebut also the NBA and other college cause of their chemistry and their programs. experience in winning. Now obvi“David Leitao was with me at Misously we are playing up a level but souri. He has a tremendous amount I have been apart of teams where I of experience including his success think we have won and not necesas the head coach at DePaul and sarily were as talented as the other Virginia University, where he was guys we played against but we won the coach of the year with both of because of our togetherness and those teams and won conference great chemistry,” Haith said. championships with both of those While a good portion of the players teams. Dennis Felton was with the from last year’s roster return, Haith Spurs last prior to coming back to also kept several members of the college and was a very successprevious coaching staff to enhance ful head coach himself at Western the overall team chemistry. Kentucky and Georgia,” Haith said.

THE University of Tulsa “Tommy Abatemarco was previously at Loyola Marymount. He has coached everywhere including his role on the 1983 national championship staff as an assistant to Jimmy Valvano. My video coordinator is a guy by the name of Toby Lane who was with me at Missouri. Brett Burman is our director of basketball ops and was with me at Miami in some capacity but comes to us from the Detroit Pistons. And then Todor Pandov, our strength coach, was with me at Missouri and is probably one of the best strength coaches in the country. “ Upon their arrival on the Tulsa campus, Haith and his staff hit the ground running, working in the weight room and on the court but also hitting the recruiting trail. “This summer the NCAA has allowed us to be able to work with our kids in the summertime. It’s a really great thing because three years ago you couldn’t do that. Now we have the ability to have contact with our kids and work them out this summer allowing us to start implementing our offensive system,” Haith said. “In the weight room the guys have been great. The one positive thing I think I have really noticed is how their bod-

ies have changed. Another great sign is that once summer school is over they can go home, but we have six guys who stayed here and are still working, and that has been impressive to me, their commitment to wanting to be really, really good.” On the recruiting front, Haith and his staff want to recruit on a national level, but Haith added everything must begin with a strong foundation here in Oklahoma. “I think recruiting starts for us in the state of Oklahoma and then we branch out. I think we have a lot of really good players in our region and our state and we want to establish a foundation here in Oklahoma,” Haith said. “I do think we have a brand that will allow us to obviously get down to the southwest region and Texas to recruit because Texas is a huge state in terms of talent. I do think we can recruit nationally but I think our foundation starts here within the state of Oklahoma.” Haith also said he doesn’t feel like the academic standards of the University of Tulsa will hamper his recruiting in any way. “No, I think we are on the same page. We want guys who want to get a degree. We want guys who want to be studentathletes and I think that’s extremely important. If you look at our track record we graduated 36 out of 38 guys in my time as a head coach,” Haith said. “We want the same things and that doesn’t curtail us at all in recruiting because we want guys who have

the same focus and vision and all the core values that the University of Tulsa is all about. Guys that have that commitment to excellence on the court but off the court as well.” When asked about his goals for the program and continuing the tradition established by coaches such as Nolan Richardson, Bill Self and Tubby Smith, Haith was very open about what he hopes to accomplish. “I think the Tulsa job is different now than it was then in terms of when those guys were here. I think Tulsa was seen as a stepping stone and all three guys did go on to win national titles, which is amazing; but all three of those guys won national championships somewhere else. We want to win a national title here at Tulsa. I really believe with the vision and commitment from our administration and with joining this new league Tulsa could be that kind of place, and we are excited about the future of Tulsa basketball. I can see myself building a foundation of this is where I want to be, and hopefully as long as Tulsa wants Frank Haith here we will be here,” Haith said. Haith also had a charge for the Tulsa fan base and especially the student body when asked about how he hoped to pack the seats in the Reynolds Center. “I think obviously our schedule is one way to do that. Let’s forget our conference schedule for awhile with UCONN coming in and Cincinnati and Memphis coming into our building during conference play. We are going to beef up our non-league schedule and that will help. In nonconference we are playing Oklahoma at home, we have Creighton coming in here, and we are going to continue our series with Wichita State,” Haith said. “We also want our fan base and particularly our student body to understand that this is their team. I want them to take ownership of their program and the only way you take ownership is by being here; and we are going to show that we are playing for you by how we compete on the floor.” HURRICANE ELITE

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THE University of Tulsa

TU CROSS COUNTRY By Kyle Kendrick The Tulsa Golden Hurricane men’s and women’s cross country teams are setting their sights high according to head coach Steve Gulley. “The goals are definitely to win the conference for both the men and women. Then for the men, we want to finish in the top 25 teams at the NCAA championships, and for the girls’ team, we are definitely looking to get back to the big dance,” Gulley said. For the men’s team, there are several keys to success. “We return some guys, so we will have some key experience,” said Gulley. “They have been in a lot of battles, so that will help a lot. The other thing is that we will have to keep them healthy.” In order to accomplish the goal of staying healthy, Gulley explained that shuffling the lineup around a bit for some races and keeping an eye on training, with the knowledge of when to push and when to let off the gas, will be the key. According to Coach Gulley, the

Natasha Cockram

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men’s team does have four key returners coming back this season in the form of Dennis Hodapp, Danny Thater, Tim Rackers and Marc Scott, who should all provide a great deal of leadership this year along with performing at Adam Palamar a high level. Gulley also added that Adam Palamar is a talented in the country there, and it is reathlete that ally our first true test of the year.” could have a very good year but will need to transition from more Other than the Tulsa meet to of a track mindset to a cross open the year and the trip to country mentality. South Bend, the Golden Hurricane will also compete at the On the women’s side of things, Missouri Southern Stampede Gulley pointed out that depth before attending Pre-Nationals at will be a major strength with Terre Haute Ind. Oct. 18. returners Brandi Krieg, Stacie Taylor and Natasha Cockram leading the way. Both Krieg and Cockram have multiple conference titles under their belts while Taylor, a sophomore from Glasgow Scotland, has just one from last year. The Golden Hurricane teams will begin their season Aug. 30 when they host the Hurricane Cross Country Festival, but according to Gulley, the meet he is looking forward to is the Notre Dame Invitational on Oct. 3. “When we go to South Bend it kind of always tells us where we Steve Gulley are at,” he said. “There are usually 10 to 15 of the top 30 teams

THE University of Tulsa

TU VOLLEYBALL By Kyle Kendrick Coming into the 2014 season, the University of Tulsa volleyball team is under new leadership as Ryan Wills, a University of Tulsa alum, takes the reigns as the team’s head coach. “I believe that Tulsa stands for excellence, and that is why I came back,” Wills said. When asked how his team is shaping up, Wills focused more on what the team is working on everyday and what he has already been able to gleam from his squad as a whole. “We are going into a new conference and we have a new coaching staff, so how we are shaping up is a little difficult to determine right now. What I do know is that without a doubt this team is buying into everything we say and are asking them to do, 100 percent,” said Wills. “There are just a lot of unknowns with the new conference, so all we can do is focus on getting better each day.” Wills went on to say that, as always, there is an expectation to win a conference championship for the Golden Hurricane, and he and the rest of the coaching staff are working to establish a culture in which that always remains the expecta-

Ryan Wills

Valerie El Houssine, CarlyBoatwright, Bailey Clampitt

tion, something that starts with a strong work ethic. Wills outlined several key players that he is looking toward to help the team achieve all of their goals. “I think Valerie El Houssine is a kid who is a key component,” said Wills. “She does so many small things really well and as a fan, if you aren’t really paying attention, you may not realize just how important to us she is.” Other players that Wills said will play key roles this year are sophomore outside hitter Erica Bohannon, junior middle blocker Ashley Hooper and sophomore libero Brooke Berryhill, who was an allconference performer last season as a freshman.

Wills described Hooper as a great athlete that should score a lot of points and be exciting for fans to watch, while Bohannon is a player with a lot of length who hits the ball very hard and will help the Golden Hurricane stay aggressive when attacking. Also look for Carly Boatwright and Bailey Clampitt to be key members this year. Overall, Wills said he believes his team’s biggest strength is their serving ability. “I think we can really pressure some teams from the service line, and serving and passing correlate so much to winning, so I’m glad we have that in place already as we work to improve in some other areas.” HURRICANE ELITE

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THE University of Tulsa

TU WOMEN’S SOCCER

By Chris Harmon

In 2013, the Tulsa women’s soccer team had double-digit wins, a winning record and advanced to the Conference USA Championship all for the third-straight year. The Golden Hurricane also set a new school record for shutouts in a season with 12, as they finished with an 11-6-4 record. Of Tulsa’s 27 goals last season, 19 were scored by seniors. That talented group of outgoing seniors remained with the team for an international tour in the spring. “It was an incredible trip and something we decided several years ago that we wanted to implement into our program and take international tours,” said Head Coach Kyle Cussen. “It’s something the NCAA allows every four years. Five years ago, we went to Spain and played there, and now we went to the UK. We did (play well), that’s what was neat about the trip. “We took all our seniors and that’s where they got to end their career, but with graduating those guys out and replacing them this spring, we got extra games and practices for a young team coming in to the fall. It was a win-win, definitely. Each team was different that we played against, so there were a lot of different memories.” In 2014, TU must replace talented

players such as Bradi Hinch, who scored six goals last season, and goalkeeper Hayley Harryman, who played 1,964:37 minutes in goal with 11 shutouts a year ago. “We graduated six starters from last year, so there’s some big shoes to fill,” said Cussen. “The work ethic and character that they brought to our team is something Katelynn Duncan we’re continuing in traditions that are passed on. Those guys helped us get goals and is one of five returning to the conference championship. starters for the Hurricane. That’s something that we’re really “I thought we had a very good going to have to push towards in spring, but I did think some of our the new conference. younger players took big steps “It’s an exciting time. It’s going to forward while we were in the UK,” be different not having those kids Cussen explained. “Those extra six in our program, but I’m confident games and the extra practice time in the players that are coming up are invaluable. We got to see some and excited about the challenge of our younger players really step ahead.” forward, so I’m excited.” The 2014 roster contains only one TU will begin the season on August senior, Katelynn Duncan from local 22nd against Abilene Christian. Coweta High School. The 5-footPreseason camp began on August 5 defender has started in 26 of 5, and the team hopes to continue 38 games but has had her career its momentum from a busy offseahampered by injuries. son. Nine juniors and “We had 21 of our 27 young eight sopholadies that were here over summores return mer school and had not only been and are joined going to summer school but also by nine incomworking out with Coach Ryder ing freshmen. (Weischedel), which really shows Sophomore their work ethic and dedication to midfielder Lana this program,” Cussen described. Bermel was “Coach Ryder has done a great named to the job with them, so we felt like our Conference USA fitness level was at a premium this All-Freshman year. We’re very excited about Roman Edwards, Katelynn Duncan, Alexa Sidorakis team last season that.” after scoring two 36

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Roman Edwards

HURRICANE ELITE

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THE University of Tulsa

TU MEN’S SOCCER

By Chris Harmon

The Tulsa men’s soccer team turned in another strong year in 2013 with an 11-6-3 overall record and an appearance in the Conference USA Championship. TU returns 11 lettermen and eight starters, including senior forward Akeil Barrett, who scored seven times last year and led the team with eight assists. “He’s a guy that we believe has the ability to score 10 goals and get 10 assists. Those are lofty numbers, but he’s certainly capable of producing those types of numbers,” said Head Coach Tom McIntosh, who begins his 20th year leading the program. The squad was excited to start camp in August and make another run at a conference championship game. “This is what we train all year for, so this is the most enjoyable four months of the year, and it was great to get the guys back,” McIntosh described. “The overall fitness level is good from the players, so I think we have a good fitness base to work from. I think a lot of that is due to having some really good returning guys who understand what it takes. Everyone’s

Akeil Barrett

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obviously energetic and wanting to get started.” While the Hurricane has experience with six seniors on the squad, it’s also a very young team with 14 new players, including 13 true freshmen. “I think it’s a little bit unique to have so many incoming guys. Getting the team balanced and playing together, sort out everyone’s roles on the field and off -- that’s part of the preseason,” McIntosh said. “But I think we’re fortunate that we have a strong group of returning players that can provide an excellent example for those young guys. “It’s going to be very competitive. You want the young guys to try to compete to start, and it’s up to the returning guys to continue to grow as players. That’s the expectation we have here.” TU has a talented back line anchored by senior Tony Rocha and junior Bradley Bourgeois. Rocha has started 55 of his 56 games played, tallying six goals and nine assists. Bourgeois has started all 40 games of his career with one goal and one assist. TU will begin the season at Saint Louis on August 29th and will play its home opener against Virginia on September 5th. The Hurricane will participate in three preseason games beginning with a match in Milwaukee against Marquette on August 17th. Tulsa will also host Rogers State on August 22nd and Central Arkansas the following night.

In preparation for 2014, Tulsa played five games in the spring against teams such as SMU and Creighton. The Hurricane tied three of those contests while also picking up one win and suffering one loss. “I thought our performances were pretty good throughout the five spring games,” said McIntosh. “You’re without your seniors (from last season), and you don’t have you’re incoming players yet, so it was an opportunity for guys to step up and take a little more leadership. It’s an opportunity for guys to maybe cement their role. I thought our guys did a great job. “I was really proud of how we progressed throughout the spring. Individually, I thought Ray Saari had a big spring for us. He’s a guy that is a sophomore and we felt needed to step up and have more influence in games, and he certainly did that. I thought Akeil did a good job. (Senior) Austin Neil started to get his feet under him, and our back line was really solid. We have a lot of good pieces as we head into the fall.”

Tony Rocha, Bradley Bourgeois

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THE University of Tulsa

21 YEARS AS THE VOICE OF THE GOLDEN HURRICANE By Chris Harmon

If you’ve listened to a Tulsa Golden Hurricane radio broadcast in the past two decades, then you’ve heard his voice. And he’s used his words to help you imagine every play as if you were in the stands. Bruce Howard, Tulsa’s Director of Sports Broadcasting, enters his 22nd year calling plays for TU football and men’s basketball. During that time, he’s worked all but two Hurricane broadcasts. “There are a number of folks that have been here for a very long time,” said Howard. “Probably like myself, they enjoy being here, they enjoy the University, they enjoy the atmosphere around a small university that thinks big athletically. I think that’s why people stay. People like Tulsa; it’s a great town -- a great town to raise kids. Then you have a first class university that has high academic standards and plays on the largest stage in college athletics.

“It’s a pretty good mix of different things to be proud of -- to be working at a place that has the aspirations of trying to be what college athletics should be. Trying to be that good academic school but also is involved in a very high level of competition. That goes for all the sports.” During Howard’s time at TU, he’s witnessed several great NCAA tournament runs by men’s basketball and the resurgence of football, but he’s quick to point out the success of other Tulsa programs.

“Think about all the sports that are competitive at TU,” he said. “It’s not only football and basketball. Both of them have had great moments, but when you think about the last nine years in Conference USA and the domination Tulsa’s had in soccer, softball, tennis and all the other sports. That’s remarkable, and I think that’s something else everybody here is very proud of, the way we’ve been able to be successful across a broad range of athletic fields.” Howard first came to the City of Tulsa in 1989 to call baseball games for the Tulsa Drillers. His talent was quickly recognized by others, and he landed additional 40

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Bruce Howard

broadcasting gigs with the Tulsa Fast Breakers of the Continental Basketball Association as well as Oral Roberts University.

It was in 1993 when The University of Tulsa came calling. Howard handled broadcasts part time for just two seasons before TU decided to bring him on full time as the Voice of the Golden Hurricane.

“When you like what you’re doing and you look forward to every season, they just kind of pile on top of each other and you end up at 22,” he said with a smile. “When you think back to 1993 when I started, I don’t think I could imagine going 21 years, but when you enjoy what you’re doing, it never seems like work to you.

THE University of Tulsa “There are some times that I’m here late at night banging away trying to get ready for a game, but to me, that’s not work. When you enjoy doing it, you never really feel like you work a day in your life.”

One of the joys of Howard’s job is dealing with the Tulsa studentathletes on a regular basis. Hurricane players provide quality interviews, which make his task more enjoyable. “It’s a pleasure to interview kids that are really intelligent and can piece together some pretty cogent statements that mean something,” Howard described. “It’s not all coach speak or prepared statements that guys are supposed to say at certain points. These kids think for themselves. In fact, it makes my job a lot easier when I’m able to interview guys that can put together neat statements that actually make good radio.” It’s those student-athletes that provide a deeper glimpse into the academic side of TU for Howard, who has two children attending the school.

“Produce students who behave ethically, think critically and have an appetite for life-long learning -that’s part of the University mission statement,” he explained. “I think we do a pretty good job of getting student-athletes who are able to master time management, because it’s so important to be able to do the things you have to do to be an athlete and then also take 12 or 15 hours. I think TU does a pretty good job of not only helping students along in that way, but helping them learn and understand and get to that point, because not many of them are going to make a living playing that sport when they get out of school.

HOWARD’S TOP 5 CALLS 1) MARCH 20, 1994 NCAA Tournament Second Round, Myriad, OKC. Lou Dawkins three point shot from the corner helps seal an 82-80 win over OSU and sends TU to their first Sweet 16. HOWARD’S COMMENT: Gary Collier made a great assist on the play that turned a one point lead into four with 8.6 seconds left. A special moment for all TU

HOWARD’S COMMENT: A sweet moment in the Sweet 16. It was surreal seeing TU “join the ranks of the Elite” and get a chance to play for the Final Four, the NCAA tournament’s Holy Grail. 4) OCTOBER 20, 2012, Tulsa OK. Ja’Terian Douglas goes on a winding, weaving 75 yard run with 2:37 left to set up TU’s game winning TD in a 28-24 win over Rice on the way to a C-USA West Division title and overall championship.

HOWARD’S COMMENT: Just when it looked like Tulsa was dead, Ja’Terian came up with an unbelievable effort breaking several tackles. It didn’t win the championship, but it was a game saving play.

fans.

2) SEPT. 28, 1996, Norman OK. Wes Caswell hauls in a pass from Troy DeGar at the OU 30 and goes the distance to complete a 99 yard TD pass, the longest in TU history. TU goes on to win 31-24. HOWARD’S COMMENT: A gutsy call on second and ten from their own one yard line gave TU a 17-7 lead. Great protection, a perfect throw, good catch and great run. An epic TU play.

3) MARCH 24, 2000, Austin TX. TU advances to the Elite Eight with a South Regional Semi-Final win over Miami. Tulsa took control in the second half and made their free throws down the stretch winning 80-71.

5) MARCH 17, 1995, NCAA Tournament First Round, Albany NY. Alvin “Pooh” Williamson makes a clutch three point play and gets fouled, completing a rare four point play that takes TU from one point down to three points up on Illinois with 43.5 seconds to play. TU would win 68-62 and beat Old Dominion two days later for their second straight Sweet 16.

HOWARD’S COMMENT: One of the most underappreciated plays in TU history. Tulsa had struggled from behind the whole game, and Pooh’s shot totally turned the game. Cordell Love had attempted a three pointer that was blocked, but Ray Poindexter got the loose ball and pitched it to Pooh. Great play by one of TU’s all time clutch basketball players.

“I think our kids, based on their time management skills, are really equipped to take on the world when they get out of school.”

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THE University of Tulsa

DAVE POLANSKI: 15 YEARS OF CALLING TULSA HOME

By Austin Chadwick

Throughout the ever-growing concerns of injury and safety in collegiate athletics, you will not find a better crew of athletic trainers, staff and physicians than you will find at the University of Tulsa.

Dave Polanski has been the Golden Hurricane head athletic trainer for 15 years. His tenure has seen five football coaches, eight basketball coaches, and numerous coaches in all other sports. Regardless of the turnover in coaching staff, one of the constants you will always find in the athletic training department is Polanski and his exceptional staff. Dave heads up a team of five full-time trainers, two graduate assistants, and numerous student trainers. “What makes TU so unique is that our staff is very committed and works extremely efficiently,” said Polanski. “ We have a very special group of staff and students who take on a large amount of responsibility. The students put in the academic work and their willingness to take on their responsibilities is a great thing.”

Tulsa has always been a unique university as the smallest D-1 school in terms of enrollment. With this, Polanski and his staff always receive rave reviews in how they go about their business.

Polanski’s full-time staff includes Meredith Hart, who handles the women’s basketball team and the tennis program, Ben Anderson, who handles men’s basketball, cross country and track, Mallory Kelsay works with women’s soccer, cross country and track, and Scott Brooks, who works with the rowing team and men’s soccer. “I couldn’t ask for a better staff,” explained Polanski. “The level of specific care that we can provide each athlete is a huge benefit to those competing every day at a high level.”

Dave Polanski

On the gridiron side of things, Polanski relies heavily on Chris Nerio in heading up the abundant amount of athletes in the TU football program. Nerio was a graduate assistant for two years under Polanski and after a stint away from Tulsa, he returned nine years ago and has been on staff since. “Chris has great experience in our program. He is a Booker T. Washington alum and has been in Tulsa for a very long time. Since he and I have worked together for so long now, Chris is able to handle so much responsibility.”

EOOC’s Dr. Brett Boone has also been a fantastic physician for the teams at TU. Odds are if a student-athlete has required surgery during their time at TU over the past 30 years, there is a strong chance Dr. Mauerman or Dr. Boone were the surgeons who repaired the injury. If not those two, then perhaps another EOOC physician. This efficient workflow with all the moving pieces allows Polanski to continue to head up one of the best athletic training staffs in the country.

Polanski highlights Dr. George Mauerman and his relentless service within the TU athletic department for so many years. “Dr. Mauerman set a great example of the kind of care that our athletes have received for so many years,” said Polanski.

A Purdue graduate who met his wife Krista in grad school in Arizona, the couple have raised their two daughters in Tulsa and love calling Tulsa their home. Oldest daughter Aileen will start classes this fall at TU after graduating from Sand Springs last May and 10-year-old Naomi is growing up through the Sand Springs school system.

For athletes who put themselves through so much physical strain, having the care to overcome injuries is paramount. Perhaps the ace in the hole for Polanski and his staff is the 46-year relationship that the university has had with Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center in Tulsa. “Each university works with an orthopedic group and we like to think there is none better than EOOC. The physicians they provide us are unmatched in their dedication to our athletes and teams.”

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In his 16th year, Polanski continues to appreciate the kind of support he receives from the athletic department and the university itself. “I couldn’t ask for a better situation,” said Polanski. “If I ever assess or compare the same type of job at another university, there is simply no comparison. I couldn’t be happier and I anticipate many more years to come.”

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TULSA FOOTBALL RESURGENCE SINCE 2003. 11 YEARS LATER. Two 11-Win Seasons, Two C-USA Championships, Eight Bowl Appearances Highlight 11 Years of Success. leader with 10,936 yards while Bunting earned WAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2003 and ranks 10th in career tackles with 327.

James Kilian ('04) By Lynn Jacobsen

Coming off back-to-back one-win seasons in 2001-02, new head coach Steve Kragthorpe was greeted with a clear message – win and win big or the football program could be dropped.

The former Buffalo Bills quarterbacks coach answered the bell and then some, guiding Tulsa to winning seasons in three of his four years before passing the torch to Todd Graham and current head coach Bill Blankenship.

From 2003-12, Tulsa was 84-47 with five bowl victories in eight appearances, captured the school's two Conference USA football championships (2005, 2012), posted two 11-win seasons and two 10win years. All of which helped erase the bad taste of the previous decade in which the Golden Hurricane were 30-80 with no more than five victories in any season. The previous decade was highlighted by a 20-0 victory that ended a 17-game losing streak and prompted Tulsa fans to tear down the north goal post - not exactly the foundation to build a successful recruiting base. But that is exactly what Kragthorpe did.

His first recruiting class included nine local players, two destined to be future TU Hall of Famers in quarterback Paul Smith and linebacker Nick Bunting. Smith, the 2007 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year, is the school’s career passing 44

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In the last decade Tulsa turned in four of the Top 10 career passing performances. Joining Smith is G.J. Kinne (2009-11) second with 9,477 passing yards, James Kilian (2001-04) seventh overall with 4,865 yards and David Johnson (2005-08) ninth with 4,531. Additionally, current running backs Trey Watts and Ja’Terian Douglas also rank in the Top 10 in career rushing. It all started with the 2003 team, which was honored at the North Texas-Tulsa game last year. Kragthorpe, currently the football administrator at Louisiana State University, attended the game with over 60 of his former players. “That ’03 team hasn’t gotten the recognition they deserve,” said Kragthorpe. “They didn’t win a championship, they didn’t win a bowl game. But what they did was change the direction of Tulsa football forever. “That first (fouryear) class we had went to three bowl games (2003, ’05, ’06) won a C-USA championship (’05) and really saved Tulsa football. In all likelihood if it wasn’t saved at that point in time, it was probably not going to be resuscitated.”

Kragthorpe’s first season was filled with over 200 speaking engagements, but it was his first encounter with the team that remains

the most vivid.

“The players wouldn’t even look up at me,” Kragthorpe said. “They looked like they were a bunch of dogs that had been whipped with a newspaper. They were downtrodden. They didn’t have a lot of confidence, hadn’t won a lot of games and they weren’t sure the direction the program was going. I’m sure they had heard rumors and wondered what was going to happen with TU football.

“The biggest thing I tried to do was instill confidence in them right away that we would find a way to get it done. I used the percentages to the coaches, that in our day if 95 percent went bad and five percent good that we accentuate that five percent. We had to do it a few times. What we did have was senior leadership. Guys like Austin Chadwick, Jorma Bailey, Jeremy Davis, Max Kraus, and Romby Bryant. They were really good leaders, who wanted to be good, wanted to finish their careers on a positive note.” Ironically, Tulsa’s first game in 2003 took the Golden Hurricane to Minnesota, the site of one of Kragthorpe’s biggest wins as an assistant with the Bills 10 months earlier against the Vikings.

“We trailed 35-0 at the half,” Kragthorpe said. “I’m walking up the ramp at halftime and I’m thinking what the hell did I get myself involved in with this deal. I remember thinking what am I going to tell these guys to get them to play hard in the second half. But they did.

Steve Kragthorpe

“Then the next week we go to Fayetteville to play

a really good Arkansas team. Even though the scoreboard didn’t indicate it, I thought we played them tooth and nail for a long, long time.”

What the scoreboard revealed after two weeks was a Tulsa team that had been outscored by a combined 94-13. Next on the schedule was Texas State. Tulsa led 7-3 against what many considered a mediocre team. “You could feel the tension in the locker room at halftime,” Kragthorpe said. “We played so tentatively. I told the guys to play hard and don’t worry about what will happen. I said I will take the blame if

Jeremy Davis ('03) Austin Chadwick ('03)

TU Records 1998-2013 1998 David Rader

4-7

1999 David Rader

2-9

2000 Keith Burns

5-7

2001 Keith Burns

1-10

2002 Keith Burns

1-11

2003 Steve Kragthorpe -(Humanitarian Bowl)

8-5

2004 Steve Kragthorpe

4-8

2005 Steve Kragthorpe 9-4 -C-USA Champs (Liberty Bowl) 2006 Steve Kragthorpe -(Armed Forces Bowl)

8-5

2007 Todd Graham -(GMAC Bowl)

10-4

2008 Todd Graham -(GMAC Bowl)

11-3

2009 Todd Graham

5-7

2010 Todd Graham -(Hawaii Bowl) 2011 Bill Blankenship -(Armed Forces Bowl)

10-3 8-5

2012 Bill Blankenship 11-3 -C-USA Champs (Liberty Bowl) 2013 Bill Blankenship

3-9

things don’t go right and if they do, I will give them all the credit.”

Tulsa responded with a 41-15 victory, which started a three-game win streak, which was followed by a five-game win streak en route to an 8-5 season and an invite to the Humanitarian Bowl. It was the first winning season and bowl bid in over a decade. But the season wasn’t without its share of drama. The team needed a win at San Jose State to secure its first bowl bid since 1991. Kilian was injured in the first half of the game, forcing Tulsa to turn to a true freshman at quarterback in Smith.

“I had played a couple of insignificant snaps at Arkansas and in some other games,” Smith said. “They were trying to redshirt me. James breaks his collarbone in the first half. The coaches are thinking about their bowl game bonuses, the seniors are thinking about our great season of turning around a 1-11 program and it all going down the drain (without James) and I’m thinking about getting to be the hero.

“It was a shaky start. My first pass attempt went backward. From that point on, it went pretty well for me.” Smith rallied the team from a 12-point deficit for a 34-32 victory.

Kragthorpe also recalled the Kilian injury.

“We were running a speed option play and James gets hit on the goal line,” Kragthorpe said. “He got up shaking his arm. I called timeout to see if he was okay. He said he might have broken his collarbone. I said you think or you did. There’s a difference. I asked if he could throw the pass and he said yes. We got the touchdown. He jogs over to the sideline and said it’s broken. “It happened a couple of minutes before halftime. Paul went in for a series. I told the trainer do not take off James’ shoulder pads; do not ice his shoulder on

sidelines. I didn’t want to give them time to dial a lot of blitz packages on Paul. We lost three guys that game.”

Even with the success, recruiting continued to be a tricky proposition for Tulsa. Facilities were in desperate Paul Smith ('07) need of an upgrade, which caused Kragthorpe and his staff to get a little creative, Smith said. “There was seven or eight of us on that trip,” Smith said. “They knew our high school numbers and had printed our names on the back of (TU) game jerseys. They had us put on the jersey; they took us to the old ramp on the northwest corner of the stadium and told us we could run down the ramp just like in a game. “Of course it was at night, which was a very strategic move.

“They told us they wanted us to have that kind of cool game day experience of running out on the field. They tricked us into thinking it was a cool deal that we got to run out on the field with our names on the (scoreboard). For that night all the light bulbs were working on the scoreboard. We all thought it was cool. That was just a small piece of how Steve Kragthorpe was going to do things right and have fun.”

Garrett Mills ('05) the

Eric Richardson ('03)

Said Kragthorpe, “We called it the ‘Cover of Darkness.’ We never showed (recruits) Skelly Stadium in the daylight and never, ever showed them the offices. We would come in the backside of the campus by the law school, go by the business school, the fitness center, the new tennis courts then circle back around to the Reynolds Center and the new weight room. On Saturday night, as soon as it was dark, we would bring the recruits into the stadium.” In 2004, Tulsa took a step back with a five-win

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Hawai'i Bowl Champions 2010

Liberty Bowl Champions 2005

staff for the resurrection.

season but rebounded with a nine-win season in 2005 and an eight-win campaign in ’06, signaling the end of the Kragthorpe era as he would go on to coach Louisville.

“It was just a right time, right place, right guy, right setting situation,” Blankenship said. “But also the thing that can’t get lost in this is the changing of the administration. When President Steadman Upham arrived here there was a commitment to athletics.

“That was such a huge win for the program,” said Blankenship, an assistant to Graham. “We bounced back from a five-win season the year before, went to the Hawaii’ Bowl and finished the season ranked in the Top 25. All of sudden, we were thinking okay we’re here. We’re back.”

Smith said he has a hard time putting his thoughts into words all these years later.

Todd Graham followed as head coach from 2007-10 and guided the Golden Hurricane to a 36-17 record and three bowl victories. Highlighting the Graham years was a 2827 upset of Notre Dame in South Bend in 2010.

Under Blankenship, Tulsa was 8-5 the first year and 11-3 the second, winning the program’s second C-USA title. Blankenship credits Kragthorpe and his

Charles Clay ('10)

“We’ve continued to catch the wave but the real beginning was coach Kragthorpe’s staff and the 2003 team that went to the Humanitarian Bowl. That was the tipping point that started the ball rolling. We were fortunate with coach Graham to build on some success. We are still rising.”

“A lot of it is how I dreamed it would go,” he said. “Then my senior year, I probably could have never dreamed of getting to do what Gus, our offense and I did that year. I go from throwing for 2,847 yards in 2005 to 5,065 yards my senior year. That’s the stuff you dream about when you’re at recess in fourth grade. On the heels of every good thing happening with Kragthorpe was Gus Malzahn showing up.”

G.J Kinne ('11)

Added Blankenship, “No question I’m living the dream Steve started. Absolutely I am. Steve tells the story – a little bit tongue in cheek – that he was told he would either turn the program or he would be the last one. Whether it was tongue in cheek or not, there was at least some truth to it.”

Corey Dorris ('12)

And through all the success the last decade, the goalposts have remained intact. “I don’t know that as the quarterback I would have allowed fans to tear down the goal post after one victory,” said Smith. “But that’s how bad it had gotten. It was sort of the humor in the misery.”

Liberty Bowl Champions 2012 46

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Bill Blankenship ('79)

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HURRICANE

Hurricane Elite gives TU fans a quick look at the current list of high school athletes who have given their verbal commitment to the Golden Hurricane. By Chris Harmon

Jarion Anderson, Texas High School, Texarkana (TX) 5-9, 167 pounds Athlete Committed on June 8, 2014 Why he chose Tulsa: “They showed me a lot of love and made me feel comfortable. I had a talk with God, and I feel that’s where he wants me. My family was behind me through it all with my decision, and that’s where I want to play college football.”

Michael Anderson, Owasso High School, Owasso (OK) 6-3, 230 pounds Defensive End Committed on July 2, 2014 Why he chose Tulsa: “Academics were a major factor. I think Tulsa has a great recruiting class already this year, and I wanted to be a part of it. I think it’s just a great fit for me academically and definitely in football. The football facilities are great, and I’ve heard rumors of a new indoor facility coming, which would be awesome. I’m also excited about the new conference.”

Blake Browning, Hendrickson High School, Pflugerville (TX) 6-0, 281 Offensive Lineman Committed on June 14, 2014

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Why he chose Tulsa: “There was absolutely no reason for me to be anywhere else but Tulsa. It just kind of feels like I fit in there because it’s small. I like how small the campus is and the enrollment is. It’s almost as small as my high school. I really like that, and it just feels right when I’m there.”

Will Hefley, Pulaski Academy, Little Rock (AR) 6-4, 205 pounds Quarterback Committed on June 10, 2014 Why he chose Tulsa: “It has everything I’m looking for in a school. Great coaches, good academics, a nice campus, and it’s close to home. Academics played a big role in my decision. I plan to go pre-med, so I wanted to be at a good academic school to help me with that.”

David Richardson II, Rockwall-Heath High School, Heath (TX) 5-11, 170 pounds Defensive Back Committed on July 19, 2014 Why he chose Tulsa: “The coaching staff, I have a good relationship with all of them. They treated me like family. I will always have respect for them. They gave me an opportunity to play college football. They believed in me when nobody else did. I’m also going to get an education, and on top of that, be coached by Coach (Darnell) Walker who played beside Deion Sanders.”

RECRUITING Javon Thomas, Texas High School, Texarkana (TX) 6-2, 210 pounds Running Back Committed on June 11, 2014 Why he chose Tulsa: “I decided on Tulsa because I feel that it is a great fit for me. Me and the coaches get along very well already, and they made it feel like home to me when I went to their football camp. Also, their campus is nice, and one of my high school coaches went there, and he enjoyed it.”

Tristan Wyatt, Shawnee High School, Shawnee (OK) 6-4, 292 Offensive Lineman Committed on June 25, 2014 Why he chose Tulsa: “The campus and the coaching staff. I felt like it was a really good fit since the first visit and meeting all the coaches. The Tulsa campus has an Ivy League feel. It has great scenery, it’s close together and looks brand new. TU football facilities are awesome -- great weight room and football offices. Everything about the campus is appealing to me.”

Shola Ayinde, George Ranch High School, Richmond (TX) 6-0, 168 pounds Defensive Back Committed on August 14, 2014 Why he chose Tulsa: “The great education and my love for the school, football team and coaches. We had a great relationship from the start of my recruitment, and it only got better when I went up there for camp. The campus was beautiful, and I really enjoyed it up there.”

Verbal commitments are non-binding. High school football recruits may sign national letters of intent in February. Recruiting information provided by InsideTulsaSports.com.

Basketball

Frank Haith and his Tulsa basketball coaching staff got big news in the middle of July when Dashawn McDowell, arguably the top prospect in the state of Oklahoma’s class of 2016, gave a verbal pledge to the Golden Hurricane.

“The relationship I grew with the staff and everyone else was just unbreakable,” McDowell said. “Coach Haith is a heck of a coach and runs the best offense in college basketball.”

The Oklahoma City (Okla.) Southeast star visited the Tulsa campus and toured the basketball facilities shortly before announcing his commitment. “Everything is perfect,” he described.

The 6-foot-5, 183 pound point guard also held offers from SMU and Weber State, as well as strong interest from a large number of schools including Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Arkansas, Kansas State, Wake Forest, Baylor, Houston and others. “(Dashawn) had several high interest programs that would have offered,” said McDowell’s AAU coach, Avery West. “He just loved everything about Tulsa.”

McDowell lists his strengths as his size, speed, leadership and court vision, and his coach agreed. “I feel he has incredible vision and speed for a 6-5 point guard,” said Coach West. “He’s a big guard who can defend as well as post-up smaller opponents.” Coach West said the Tulsa coaching staff did a fantastic job of recruiting McDowell. “They are collectively a group of men that I feel can continue to build on the rich history of the Tulsa basketball program,” West added. “They are strong recruiters and have a fun system that top players would want to play in.” McDowell said he averaged 29 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds in his sophomore campaign last season. As a freshman, he averaged 12.3 points, 6.9 assists and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 65-percent from the field, 44-percent from beyond the arc and 88-percent from the charity stripe.

McDowell is the first commitment for Tulsa in the class of 2016. Verbal commitments are non-binding. High school basketball recruits may sign national letters of intent during an early period in November of their senior year or during the regular period the following April. HURRICANE ELITE

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RECRUITING SPOTLIGHT Tristan Wyatt - Shawnee High School Tulsa was the only school to offer Shawnee (Okla.) offensive lineman Tristan Wyatt up through the summer before his senior season, but it was the only offer he needed before making a commitment.

In late June, the 6-foot-4 and 292-pound offensive tackle gave a verbal pledge to the Golden Hurricane after visiting the campus. Along for the visit was former Shawnee and TU lineman Walter Boyd, who has been coaching Wyatt at Boyd’s Hog Molly O-Line Academy.

“The campus and the coaching staff,” said Wyatt, listing the main reasons he chose Tulsa. “I felt like it was a really good fit since the first visit and meeting all the coaches. I just visited the campus again today with Walter Boyd, and he really helped me identify what I was looking for in the place I am going to be spending my life for the next four to five years. “The Tulsa campus has an Ivy League feel. It has great scenery, it’s close together and looks brand new. TU football facilities are awesome -- great weight room and football offices. Everything about the campus is appealing to me.” Wyatt credits Boyd in his development as a player and a person. “(Coach Boyd) has helped me a whole lot,” he described. “He has taught me patience, mental and physical toughness, and confidence. He has really helped me develop a foundation of good technique and built onto it. He also taught me to watch film. “ Coach Boyd says Wyatt has a good mental approach and a strong work ethic.

“Tristan has really good feet, really good technique, and he’s good on point of attack,” said Boyd. “He could be stronger, but that will come with maturity. He’s a 300-plus pound bencher. He will get stronger because of his body frame.

“He’s going to be an excellent fit at Tulsa. He’s very humble, tremendously raw, and he’s going into only his fourth year of organized football ever.”

Coach Boyd, who was a three-year starter for Tulsa between 2004 and 2007, noted that Wyatt is “one of the most hardworking, trustworthy, humble individuals I have ever met. I wish I was more like him coming out of high school.” Wyatt noted that Tulsa Offensive Coordinator Denver Johnson was his main contact at TU, while Memphis and Arkansas were also providing serious interest.

“Memphis, Arkansas and a couple smaller D-1 schools were talking to me, but Memphis and 50

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Arkansas were the most notable ones,” he added.

With his college decision behind him, Wyatt is focused on improving as a player in order to help Shawnee compete for a state championship next season.

“We look really strong,” he explained. “We have a big offensive line, a great quarterback in John Jacobs. Our defense is a little young, but they have a great leader in Coach Sawyer and our safety, Josh Morgan.” Wyatt is one of eight commitments for Tulsa in the class of 2015 through the middle of August and one of two from the Sooner State. The Hurricane also has verbal commitments from five prospects in Texas and one in Arkansas. Verbal commitments are non-binding. High school football recruits may sign national letters of intent in February.

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