Memories of title abound for Sooners
Ten years ago, the Oklahoma softball team won the national championship. Playing to overflow crowds at Hall of Fame Stadium, the players became Sooner darlings and softball stars.
So, where are those players now?
We caught up with some today in the Main Event, but here are more players who were part of that title.
Lana Moran Carlone
Then: The pitcher was the lone senior on the squad. Even though she won the regional game that sent the Sooners to the series, she gave way to hot-handed Jennifer Stewart, who was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.
Since then: Moran returned to her alma mater, Cajon High School in San Bernardino, Calif. She became a history teacher and softball coach there. She also married Nick Carlone.
Now: She is on a coaching hiatus after having the couple’s first child. Daughter, Mackenzie, is four months old.
Memories of 2000: “Winning the national championship in a team sport will always serve as a unifying force for those of us that made up the championship team. It’s something quite rare that we will forever share and have in common for the rest of our lives regardless of where we life or what we are doing.”
Erin Evans
Then: The speedy freshman from Lawton anchored the Sooner outfield, and as a slap hitter, she provided a change of pace in OU’s power-hitting offense. Her .374 batting average was second-best that season.
Since then: Evans played on four consecutive Women’s College World Series teams, and after her final collegiate season in 2003, she spent four seasons in the National Pro Fastpitch League.
Now: Evans just completed her third season as an assistant softball coach at North Texas where she’s in charge of the outfield, slappers and base running. The Mean Green had its most successful season in the program’s short history, finishing third in the Sunbelt Conference.
Memories of 2000: “The funny thing about looking back … is that it is mostly a blur. The only game I really remember is our championship game against UCLA, and I think that’s because I’ve seen video of it. One of the biggest memories, of course, is when Lisa Carey hit her home run. I was on first base at the time, so I was pretty excited to score the first run.”
Andrea Davis Wilson
Then: The junior rightfielder hit OU’s second-most important homer during the series. It ended Southern Miss pitcher Courtney Blades’ string of perfect innings and kept the Sooners in the winners’ bracket.
Since then: She was hired at Idaho State as the school was resurrecting its softball program. She served as bench coach, then became head coach.
Now: The mother of two daughters — Riley, 6, and Parker, 2 — Wilson works in Idaho State’s athletic department.
Memories of 2000: “I remember sharing a hotel room with Jenn Stewart, and we were so excited, we couldn’t sleep at night. What an experience. We were truly unstoppable. Nobody could beat us; I think we all came to that realization coming into the weekend.”
Jennifer Stump
Then: The freshman reserve came off the bench to pinch hit in the Sooners’ series opener but saw limited duty the rest of the weekend.
Since then: Stump became a three-year starter in rightfield. As a senior, she was named to the Women’s College World Series All-Tournament team.
Now: Now living in Moore, Stump is engaged and expecting a little boy in the next couple of weeks.
Memories of 2000: “It was a wonderful experience, and although it has been 10 years, people still ask about it. It is always something I talk about when someone finds out I played softball at OU during that era.”
Larissa Foley-Walker
Then: The sophomore utility player from Okmulgee was a reserve who played in 17 games.
Since then: She went to work as a scholarship coordinator and physician recruitment liaison for the Oklahoma Area Indian Health Service in Stillwater. She married Alan Walker and had two children — Terry, 8, and Mia, 5.
Now: Her daughter will be starting softball soon, and Foley-Walker anticipates getting involved with the sport again then.
Memories of 2000: “The crowd and all the support we received from everyone was incredible. I will never forget playing in front of those amazing fans. Being on that team and all the hard work that went into being a Sooner reminds me every day that no matter what I do … do it with everything I have and take pride in what I do.”
Felix Jones dishes about Dez Bryant
Here’s a little teaser for The Q&A on Saturday. This week, I caught up with Felix Jones, the former Tulsa Washington High standout who is now a running back with the Dallas Cowboys. He’s having his second annual charity weekend in Tulsa, but he’s also coming off a stellar second season in the NFL. He made lots of headlines. He drew lots of attention.
Lately, another Cowboy has been the one drawing attention. Dez Bryant is causing a buzz, and Jones joined the chorus about the former Oklahoma State receiver.
Jenni Carlson: I have to ask about Dez. Have you had a chance to meet him?
Felix Jones: I had a chance to meet him. Man, he’s an awesome guy. Great player. He’s soaking everything in. He’s ready to learn. I could tell in his eyes he loves football. He’ll be an added factor to our offense. As you know, we already have a lot of great weapons on our team, and he’s an added weapon. We look forward to getting him on the field and showing what he’s got.
JC: He’s a bit like you in that he’s a guy who grew up watching Dallas, grew up loving the Cowboys. Does he have that in-awe look a little like you did when you first got there?
FJ: Absolutely. The other day we saw Roger Staubach at our practice. Just seeing those type of people come around, you really are in awe and amazement. They’re living legends who you are actually able to touch and talk to. It’s just a great atmosphere to be in. I really enjoy every moment of this game.
JC: Not a bad place to go to work, huh?
FJ: Not a bad place to go at all. (Laughs.)
Chat Recap: Jenni Carlson
More fans, more Thundermania
The Main Event in today’s sports section told the stories of several Thunder fans who were caught up in the excitement of this past season.
Thing is, I heard from dozens of fans who had tales of Thunder fever. Here are a few others that didn’t make the newspaper:
Judy Chowins: “Our entire family loves Basketball. But it was my 89-year-old dad who became the huge fan of the Thunder team this year. Dad lived in a much smaller town all his life and recently moved to Norman and, for the first time, was able to get all the sports channels that he never could watch before. Dad kept talking about the players and staying up way past his normal bedtime, watching them play all through the entire season. Soon, I decided to tune in so I could visit with him more about this team. Wow. What a great time Dad and I had, watching the Thunder do such a tremendous job against the Lakers.”
Chris Lambert: “Remember the last scene in “Bull Durham”? Crash Davis has just retired from the minors and is sitting on the porch listening to Annie Savoy prattle on. He tells her that while he wants to hear all of her theories, right now he doesn’t want to think about baseball or quantum physics. He doesn’t want to think about anything. ‘I just want to be,’ he tells her.
“That’s exactly how I felt after Game Six. As I cheered the Thunder for all they had unexpectedly accomplished, I literally felt the last of my energy drain away. I didn’t want to think about anything. I just wanted to be. As we walked back to the car, my 9-year-old son, Brooks, was going on about how he hates the Lakers now. I shushed him. I didn’t want to talk and couldn’t even listen. Once home, I didn’t watch SportsCenter; I didn’t wait up for the game recaps to post on NewsOK or the Thunder blogs. I didn’t step foot outside my house on Saturday.
“It wasn’t until Monday that I really began to re-engage. Just like when the 2008-2009 season ended, I’m looking forward to the June 24 draft, followed less than a week later by the start of the biggest free agency period ever seen. And if that’s not enough fireworks, the Orlando Summer League starts July 5. How do our rookies and sophs look? Has Robert Vaden put his time in Europe to good use? Can he show the potential and growth that Serge Ibaka exhibited last summer?
“So, no, I’m not having withdrawals. Why would I? After all, next season begins now.”
Eric Ferguson: “The Thunder fever was great. Can’t wait for the new season to begin. Almost looked forward to watching the playoff games as much as I look forward to NFL games. Thanks for giving the city something to rally behind again. What a ride!”
Nina Brewsaugh: “I used to hate pro basketball – you couldn’t have paid me to watch. Then, along came the OKC Thunder team. My husband and I were given tickets to a game in their first season here. I, personally, have turned almost into a bigger fan than my husband. We never missed watching a TV game and now that the season has ended, we are going through withdrawal not having the games to watch.”
Jane Kitchens: “For decades, I have been a Sooner football fan. No college hoops, no NBA, no NFL. That all changed when the Big 12 tournaments were held in OKC and I just happened to start watching the games on television. I was hooked and even watched some of the NCAA playoffs. But still, I simply wasn’t interested in NBA. I didn’t even watch the Hornets when they were playing in OKC. But when the Thunder team got their new colors, and unveiled their magnificent mascot Rumble — who I have a big crush on — I realized this is permanent. This is Oklahoma City’s team for real. As a citizen of this great city, I have to get behind this team and support it.
“Now, you can’t drag me from the television when I’m watching a Thunder game. I love Brian and Grant. I don’t know a lot about the rules or plays, but with Brian and Grant’s help, I’m learning. I love the crazy fans, and the fact that they are getting national recognition for their passion. I know the Thunder organization as a whole has gotten many awards as well.
“I’m also hoping that the national exposure of the city’s support of the team will have a positive influence on the way people think about us and our city.
“I’m still not an NBA fan, but count me in as a Thunder fan. I don’t have any car flags or t-shirts, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. And where can I get a Rumble bobblehead?”
Dennis Waller: “I guess you could say my wife, Jana, and I are enjoying a major dose of this phenomenon called Thundermania. Jana and I purchased season tickets the first year the Hornets were here. We didn’t claim to be a big NBA fans but we wanted to have that major-league experience. Jana and I soon became huge Hornets fans. We were two-year Hornets season ticket holders and couldn’t wait to do the same with the Thunder. “I have attended football, baseball, basketball and hockey games all of my life. I have never enjoyed anything as much as Thunder basketball. The last month of the season and the Thunder-Laker playoff series were the most enjoyable experiences of my sports life. The joy and pride of seeing Oklahoma City’s own team — our team — doing so well against the best in the NBA were indescribable.”
Michael Pfeiffer: “Originally from Chicago, I had the privalidge of seeing Michael Jordan and the Bulls. Unfortunately, I never got to see a game live there because season tickets were never available and tickets are pricey in Chicago. The Thunder became a blessing to an avid NBA fan here.
“Going into this season, I boldly predicted 45-47 wins. I underestimated the Thunder. Just determination and hustle won a lot of games for the Thunder this season, and I hope going forward, we keep this determined process and don’t get complacent until we win the NBA Championship for the team and this city that wholeheartedly supports them. The Thunder will be a force to reckoned with for the next 10 years. And thanks to the playoffs, TV and media, we as a city and team have finally gotten true recognition and exposure throughout the country.”
Jeff Lantz: “Have not been a huge pro basketball fan since Walt Frazer and Willis Reed were winning championships for the Knicks in the 60s. Now that the Thunder has come to town, I am hooked once again. These guys are so much different than one expects from professional athletes because they care about each other and the community. They don’t have the big head and think they are better than a normal person.
“I love the college atmosphere we have here in Oklahoma and the way the fans are in love with these guys. I hope we keep the same players for next year. Such teamwork. I would rather have these guys than the Lakers, Celtics or any other team in the league.”
Doug Folks: “My wife, Terri, hates sports. Well, hate might be a strong word, but she’s not a fan. I might be able to get her to homecoming at UCO, where we graduated, and maybe another UCO football game or two, but that’s it. She will not stay in a room with a game on TV except the Super Bowl for more than a minute. But this year, she became a Thunder fan. She watched at least some of several games with me.
“But the topper came at the last game. I was nearly blown away when she mentioned we have to get home from dinner out to watch Game 6 with the Lakers. I don’t remember her ever, in nearly 29 years of marriage, watching more than 30 seconds of any basketball game on TV before this year. But she watched – and cheered – for the entire Game 6. You’ll remember the game wasn’t over until about 11:30, and she’s always in bed by 10 or so. We watched the game on ESPN, but when the game was over she was so ticked at having to watch Kobe be interviewed that she asked me to turn over to the local broadcast to watch Thunder players react to the crowd.
“I’m still in awe of her sudden interest in the Thunder.”Nat Hardt: “I moved to Oklahoma City from Austin over 30 years ago, and although I have followed my Longhorns from afar, only occasionally has it been possible for me to be an active fan. I have great respect for the programs in Norman and Stillwater, but my passion as a fan usually burns only in early October, at bowl time, and sometimes in March.
“Until now.
“With the New Orleans Hornets stay in Oklahoma City, we saw a possibility. With the local purchase of the Seattle SuperSonics, we saw a probability. With K.D. and his one and done career at Texas, I had a dream. With Portland’s first pick, the dream got wheels and began to roll. The dream on wheels gained momentum with the commitment of club owners, city and corporate leaders, and the voters and fans of Oklahoma City. Aided by smart decisions, blind luck, perhaps divine providence, and a bunch of talented, gritty, young men of character, the dream has arrived and it is big enough for everyone to jump on for the ride.
“And now, a week after the team finally left the court following Game 6, for me and the Thunder fans I know, the standing O is still going on.
“Thunder Fever? Yep, I got it, and although I won’t die from it, I think I will die with it.”
Derrick Seys a.k.a. “Brick Man”: “The playoffs were indeed the next level for OKC, and it was just amazing how each game became more and more important with the crowd matching the intensity. The Ford Center received well-deserved national attention for its play on the court and in the stands.”Our life was put on hold awaiting the next game or simply recovering from the previous late night.”
Brandon Rahbar: “Without a doubt, I’m already going through Thunder withdrawals. From the moment I walked out of the Ford Center after that heartbreaking Game 6, I’ve been ready for next season to tip off. I am absolutely, completely head over heels in love with this Thunder team. And yes, I know that is kind of a lovey-dovey thing for a grown man to say. But it’s true.
“I’ve been a fan since the day that they announced the team name. I went to Academy the moment that the first T-shirts and hats went on sale. I bought season tickets without hesitation. But my love for this team has grown every day, every game, every draft pick and trade and free agent pickup, every win and every loss since.
“This team is comprised of young men who are supremely talented, but even more endearing, supremely humble, classy and gracious. Kevin Durant has grown into a bonafide worldwide superstar right in front of our eyes, yet he has a sheepish grin and boyish charm whenever a fan approaches him for an autograph. Russell Westbrook took some hard hits and criticism in the media, but he has kept working to become an All Star-caliber point guard, the position so many screamed he couldn’t play. Jeff Green is a leader and a glue guy, Thabo our defensive stopper, Kristic the gentle giant, Ibaka the exciting energy guy that looks like a model, Harden the sharpshooting rookie, Maynor a solid backup and Collison a blue-collar fan favorite. Even the non-active guys like Kevin Ollie, Etan Thomas, Kyle Weaver, DJ White and Byron Mullens each show promise, humility and class.
“The playoffs took my love and passion to a whole other level. Game 3 in the Ford Center was the single greatest live event I’ve ever been to in my life, and this is coming from a life long Dallas Cowboys and OU Sooners football fanatic. Next season can’t get here soon enough. Until then, I’ll be reading every single article, watching every single interview, analyzing every mock draft, and singing the praises of my Thunder on every sports blog and message board I can find.”
Patsy Shepherd: “Three years ago, I had never even watched an NBA game although I loved college hoops. Then, the Thunder arrived. It was fun to get involved, but I rarely thought about them when I was outside of the Ford Center. But this year … the team developed, the hoopla is so exciting, the fans are awesome. Now, I live Thunder. And I’m still flying my Thunder flag on my car and probably will until it becomes a rag.”
Nolan Richardson talks Shock
Say what you will about Nolan Richardson, but the legendary basketball coach pulls no punches. He speaks his mind. He tells it like it is.
That hasn’t changed now that he’s coaching the Tulsa Shock, which is nearing the opening of its inaugural WNBA season. Here are some tidbits from Richardson from a teleconference held Friday afternoon.
COACH RICHARDSON: I guess curiosity of watching them play, watching the females play over the years when they were in the south when I was at Arkansas, watching Southeastern Conference basketball, noticing how athletic the women were. It was amazing. I guess from that point I started following women’s basketball quite a bit.
Q. Since you’ve been involved in [women’s basketball] on a more direct basis, what have you noticed about the WNBA? Have there been surprises, things maybe you thought would be better that weren’t? Now that you’re in it a little bit more, what are your feelings?
COACH RICHARDSON: The part that really is amazing to me is how hard they work, how the players pay close attention to details, what you’re trying to get to them, make them understand.
I find that it’s amazing how they go out and come back the next day and try to do those things that you’ve talked about and worked on, as compared to the male’s game, they go and they come back and you’ve got to work the same thing you talked to them the day before. That was an amazing part.
I think also they compete so hard against one another. That’s an amazing part also.
Q. Coach Richardson, how is Marion Jones faring in camp?
COACH RICHARDSON: Marion is doing very, very well. She’s working extremely hard. She’s a tremendous athlete. Tremendous upside. Even though she hasn’t been in the game for a long period, a long time, it reminds me of a knife that’s not sharp, but you got a chance to sharpen it up. That’s what she’s been doing since she’s been in camp.
Q. The work she did, the conditioning work, do you see results of all of that in camp?
COACH RICHARDSON: Absolutely. She must have really spent a lot of time during the off-season in pickup games. Her conditioning, training coach that she’s had has really got her prepared to come into camp. You can really see the difference of her conditioning.
It’s very important in my system that you come to camp with some conditioning.
Q. Coach Richardson, I cover University of Connecticut women’s team. We often ask Geno Auriemma how successful he thinks he would be coaching a men’s college basketball team. I’m wondering from your perspective if an enterprising athletic director decided to hire Geno, Van Chancellor, someone of that nature, how do you think they would be accepted into that world and how well do you think they would do?
COACH RICHARDSON: First of all, basketball is basketball. I think all the guys you just mentioned, they could coach anywhere as far as I’m concerned whether it be women, men, pro. Again, I have a tremendous respect for the coaches that you mentioned.
I think any coach on the men’s side would certainly be fighting to a point because those guys are such tremendous basketball coaches, and that’s how I see them.
Q. Do you think the athletes would embrace them or do you think they would be somewhat skeptical because of their backgrounds?
COACH RICHARDSON: Let me give you an example. I played for Coach Don Haskins. Coach Haskins was the women’s girls high school coach when he came to UTEP. He coached the boys and the girls. He came in and won a national championship in three years.
Again, I’m old school. So I believe that if a person understands the game and is willing to exercise the energy to coach that game, then the chances of being good at what you do, and that’s coach basketball, your chances are great.
Q. Coach Richardson, if you could address the status of Cheryl Ford?
COACH RICHARDSON: At this point Cheryl is completely out of the game. She was injured pretty much overseas or hurt during the year. It doesn’t look like she will be part of our basketball team at this point.
Q. Coach Richardson, can you talk about the role Alexis Hornbuckle will have this season?
COACH RICHARDSON: Well, she’s going to have to play a major role in our system. She’s been, of course, in the league a couple years. I’ve always had admiration for a young lady who came out of Pat Summitt’s basketball regime. Having the opportunity to already win two rings in the same year as a college player coming into the WNBA, then winning one ring with them. So she’s one of the people that we have to count on because of the experience that we have.
When you look at our basketball team, you’re looking at Detroit coming to Tulsa, most of the starters are no longer on that basketball team. I look at the team as a semi-expansion ballclub. When you have that kind of a program, you certainly better count on the ones that have been there and have answered the bell many time, and Hornbuckle is one of those young ladies.
An OKC hockey nickname, please!
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a public relations genius.
But still, it’s pretty clear that the good folks with Prodigal Hockey and the new Oklahoma City minor-league hockey franchise need a little refresher in how to build on momentum.
Back on Feb. 9, we learned that Prodigal Hockey had struck a deal with the Edmonton Oilers for the NHL franchise to place its American Hockey League franchise in Oklahoma City. It was a great day for a city that has grown to love minor-league hockey. The Blazers enjoyed great success during their decades in our city, so this new franchise created quite a buzz among the city’s hockey faithful.
That same day that the agreement was announced, Prodigal Hockey announced a name-the-team contest. Fans would be able to submit their ideas for a name.
The deadline: Feb. 20.
The belief was that a team nickname would follow shortly thereafter. There’d be gear to buy. There’d be jerseys and T-shirts and hats. There’d be people wearing the stuff all over town. What better way to market this new Oklahoma City team?
But Feb. 20 came and went without any announcement about the team’s nickname. So did March 20 and April 20.
Don’t look now, but May 20 is just two weeks away, and still, we have no idea what this team will be named.
There are strong hints that it will be the Barons. A Twitter account has even popped up claiming to be the team’s official account. It’s handle — okc_barons. Two days ago, it proclaimed that an official announcement about the team name was still a couple weeks away.
Who knows if the site or the announcement is legit?
The truth is, the franchise blew a great opportunity to build on the momentum of February. Why not get the name out there quickly? Why not build the brand? Why not get people thinking about buying tickets and coming to games and being a part of hockey in Oklahoma City again?
I’m sure what happened, in part, was that the team got delayed in the announcement — these sorts of things have to be vetted by the parent organization, the league and all sorts of other folks – and suddenly, everyone looked around and realized that Thundermania was in full swing. Rather than try to compete with the NBA team, they decided to sit on the announcement. Wait until the season was over. Refuse to let the Thunder steal their, well, thunder.
It was a bad decision, and after the Thunder made the playoffs, it became an even worse one. The franchise has lost weeks and weeks that it could’ve been out there building on the momentum that came with the announcement in February. Hockey fans were on fire then. Even the casual fans were feeling the heat. But the franchise stood by and let the flames die out.
Maybe there are still some embers that can be stoked, but it’s sure going to take more work than it should’ve for the franchise to get the fire rekindled.
Thunder still has work to do
Thunder fans: We want to hear from you!
Thundermania swept through Oklahoma and caught up thousands of people.
Were you along for the ride?
Maybe you had little interest in the Thunder before, but suddenly found yourself rearranging plans around the playoffs. Perhaps you were already a regular at the Ford Center, but the past month took your fandom to a whole other level.
If you caught Thunder Fever, we want to hear from you. Email me at jcarlson@opubco.com.
More from The Q&A: Deji Karim
Sam Bradford wasn’t the only Putnam City North High product to be drafted a week ago.
Deji Karim was selected in the sixth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent two seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M before transferring to Southern Illinois where he led the Football Championship Subdivision with 1,694 yards rushing last season. Despite that standout senior season, the 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back was bypassed for an invitation to the NFL Combine.
That gave him one shot to impress NFL scouts.
Here’s more from The Q&A with Karim:
JC: You turned scouts’ heads when you went to Northwestern’s pro day. What was that day like for you?
DK: I went down to Florida to train from Jan. 3 through Feb. 27. I didn’t get invited to the combine, so I knew this was the chance that I got to show people what I could do. I didn’t care who was there. I needed to showcase what I could do. While I was training, I was doing stuff down in Florida that my agent wasn’t believing. I had to show him stuff.
JC: Wait. Your agent didn’t believe your times?
DK: He could believe the 40 time, but when he heard that I jumped a 45.5 vertical, he was like, “I don’t believe it.” We had to put it on tape for him. And I did it. I went to Northwestern and did everything. It just all spoke for itself.
JC: It doesn’t sound like you were nervous at all heading into that day.
DK: I was ready. I wasn’t nervous at all. I was ready to get the show on.
JC: The talk out there now is that the Jaguars could use you as a third-down back and a kickoff returner. What are you hearing?
DK: They’re looking for me to be that guy that comes in and is a change-of-pace kind of back. Help up with the running game. Do the kickoff return. I think I can do those things at this level, but I’ve got to keep working hard.
