University of Oklahoma Athletics
Mossman Prophecies No. 029
July 02, 2007 | Athletics
July 2, 2007
Any time an event the magnitude of the Phillips 66
Big 12 Basketball Championship comes to Oklahoma City,
and succeeds, a lot of people deserve a pat on the
back.
Civic leaders and foot soldiers alike made the weekend
a success and it appears very likely now that OKC will
not only have a return engagement with the event, but
will probably earn its way into some sort of rotation
on a more regular basis.
When it comes to doling out the credit, do so with
a broad brush. There are many that made it happen.
That said, there is one group in particular that stole
the show over the weekend -- Oklahoma's
women's basketball fans.
When the attendance figures were announced as records,
lots of chests were being thumped, but let's
call a spade a spade here. Had it not been for the
OU fans, the women's tournament would have drawn
numbers more akin with what we've seen in previous
years.
It wasn't clever marketing schemes that yielded
the big numbers. It was the passion of the Sooner faithful.
“So what,” you say. “They follow
a winner.” True enough, but it is the symbiotic
nature of the relationship between that winner and
its fans that has transformed this into something that
transcends the win/loss record.
How did we get here? To me, this love was fostered
by the fact that it free flows in two directions.
Fans cheer, team members wave. Children seek autographs
and players and coaches sign... and sign and sign.
Media turn on cameras, the Sooners smile.
And that team harmony starts from within under Sherri
Coale's leadership.
You know, with all of the personnel changes that have
occurred this season, it would be understandable if
an ego or two has been bruised. But can you tell that
by looking at the bench? Do you see any selfish body
language, any pouting? Me neither.
Human nature tells you that somebody's feelings
were hurt along the way, but this bunch is classy enough
to handle those things the way they should be handled.
And team chemistry appears to be no worse for wear.
The women's team “gets it.” Sure
it's easier to have that kind of perspective
when you're pounding the snot out of people,
but understanding how to seed relationships and then
nurture them when they bloom cannot be chalked up to
that alone.
Oklahoma fans look at the entire scope of the women's
program, including its strong academic performance,
and everything they see makes them feel good. In turn,
they go to the games in droves. In turn, they carried
Oklahoma City to record-setting crowds at the Cox Center.
OU fans, you cheered the Sooners long and loud in Oklahoma
City. In the spirit of that two-way free flow, today
we say, “Right back at ya.”
Mossman Prophecies Archive
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Kenny Mossman, Associate Athletics Director for
Communications, provides his perspective on Oklahoma
Athletics in his regular column on SoonerSports.com.
