Tuesday morning update
Funeral services will be held today in Norman for former University of Oklahoma quarterback and Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Jack Mildren. A service will be held at 1 p.m. at McFarlin Methodist Church. The 58-year-old died Thursday after a battle with stomach cancer.
Storms that forecasters said featured hail the size of tennis and golf balls produced damaging winds early this morning in western Oklahoma. There were unconfirmed reports of at least two tornadoes, one about four miles east of Elk City and another north of Cordell in Washita County. The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for western Washita County and southern Custer County.
Academy Award-winning director Sydney Pollack, who achieved commercial and critical success with the gender-bending comedy “Tootsie” and the period drama “Out of Africa,” has died. He was 73.
Oklahoma State and Oral Roberts knew they would be a part of the 64-team NCAA baseball tournament field. Oklahoma’s selection on Monday wasn’t quite as predictable, although the Sooners maintain it shouldn’t have been a surprise. All three teams learned their destinations for the tournament, which will begin on Friday at 16 regional sites across the country.
In OKC today: Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 80s. Southwesterly winds 10 to 15 mph, gusting to about 30 mph. Slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning. Thirty percent chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
3 Things about Jack Mildren
Jack Mildren, who quarterbacked the Oklahoma Sooners to great glory and then became the state’s lieutenant governor, died Thursday night after a bout with cancer. He was 58.
The Oklahoman’s Berry Tramel reports Mildren was diagnosed two years ago with cancer but had continued to serve as a vice chairman for Arvest Bank and host a daily sports radio show on WKY 930-AM.
Here are 3 Things You Should Know about Jack Mildren.
1. Mildren was considered by many the greatest quarterback in OU history. The godfather of the wishbone. He arrived in 1968 out of Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas, as one of the most ballyhooed Sooner recruits ever.
As a sophomore, Mildren set passing records. As a junior in 1970, when the Sooners got off to a struggling start, coach Chuck Fairbanks switched to the wishbone offense in mid-season, and history was made. Mildren was a natural for the option offense and made All-American in 1971, when OU set NCAA rushing records and ignited a nearly 20-year dynasty.
Be sure to read more Berry Tramel in today’s editions of The Oklahoman and online at NewsOK, about Jack Mildren. “There will be no more tomorrows for Jack Mildren. But his yesterdays will live forever on this side of the river”
2. Mildren was elected lieutenant governor in 1990. The Oklahoman’s John Greiner reports Mildren came into politics directly from a very successful career in the oil business in 1990 when he was elected lieutenant governor. Mildren ran for governor in 1994 as the Democratic Party nominee. He lost that election to Republican Frank Keating.
3. You can read quotes from many of Mildren’s friends online at NewsOK. You can also sign a virtual guest book. Here’s a few excerpts from those who already have:
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Morning update: Mildren dies
Jack Mildren, who quarterbacked the Oklahoma Sooners to great glory and then became the state’s lieutenant governor, died Thursday night after a bout with cancer. He was 58.
Thousands are expected to visit Tinker Air Force Base on Saturday as America’s air power from World War II to Iraq is put on display during the free Star Spangled Salute.
Filling up the gasoline tank of the SUV, boat and RV for the Memorial Day weekend might make you cringe, with gasoline prices up more than a dollar a gallon from just two years ago.
The Big 12 Conference office announced Thursday that the Red River Rivalry – OU-Texas – will kick off at 11 a.m. at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Oct. 11 and will be televised by ABC.
Meanwhile the OU baseball team won last night in the Big 12 Tournament. Jamie Johnson delivered a walk-off, two-run double in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Sooners to a 4-3 win over Missouri. OU plays Texas at 9 am Saturday. With a win, OU qualifies for Sunday afternoon’s title game. OSU plays Baylor at 7:30 pm today.
Today in OKC: Decreasing clouds. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeasterly winds 15 to 20 mph. There is a 20 percent chance of storms tonight.
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