Oklahoma Baseball: 19 Ways (2015-16)

University of Oklahoma head baseball coach Pete Hughes brought to Norman a community service program which he developed as the coach at Virginia Tech called "19 Ways". The program is named in honor of his late mother, Alice, whose favorite number was 19. Each year, the goal of the Sooner baseball program will be to make an impact on the Norman community in 19 different ways.

For student-athletes and staff at Oklahoma, there is a tremendous platform to give back to the community that gives great support throughout the course of the year.

"At the University of Oklahoma, our baseball players will be privileged, not entitled," said Hughes. "We will have a positive impact on someone or some organization on 19 different occasions, and what a tribute it is to the charitable, selfless life that my mother lived to now have her name embedded in two programs."

At the start of the 2016 season, there are seven other collegiate baseball and softball programs across the country that now host a 19 Ways initiative. Northeastern baseball became the latest program to get behind the program; joining Notre Dame, Northern Illinois, Virginia Tech, Southern New Hampshire, Tufts softball and Delaware softball.

Coach Hughes encourages members of the community to send suggestions on how the Sooner baseball program can help individuals or organizations in our area. They can be sent to Rudy Darrow (rdarrow10@ou.edu) or Megan Rowe (meganrowe@ou.edu).

Past Seasons: 2013-14 | 2014-15

2015-16 OU Baseball 19 Ways: Photo Gallery

1		The Sooners kicked off their third 19 Ways campaign on September 2 at the OU Children's Hospital. Coach Hughes, Sheldon Neuse, Keaton Hernandez and other OU players spent the afternoon visiting and playing with kids undergoing cancer treatment.
2		On September 14, the Sooners returned to Rivertmont Retirement Home, a stop on their way to 19 Ways two seasons ago, to play BINGO and share a night of fun with the residents.
3		The Sooners took part in a Wii bowling tournament with the residents at the Arbor House, an assisted living center in Norman, on October 1.
4		Coach Hughes and several OU players went to the JD McCarty Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities on October 12. There, they spent time playing with the kids at recess as a part of the students' school day.
5		On October 29, OU baseball teamed up with OU softball to host its third annual ALS Awareness Halloween game. The Sooners delighted a crowd of over 800 to a mixed-squad, slow-pitch softball game to help raise money to fight ALS.
6		For the second year, the Sooners volunteered their time at the Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity garden party and auction on November 2.
7		The Sooners covered a full day's worth of work at Mission Norman, which serves the community as a church, food pantry and assistance center for the area's homeless, on Veteran's Day (November 11).
8		The OU baseball coaching staff and office staff spent the afternoon of November 23 sorting food at the Moore Regional Food Bank ahead of Thanksgiving.
9		Domenic DeRenzo, Austin O'Brien, Chandler Wagoner, Quin Walbergh and Steele Walker joined coach Hughes in staffinf the Meals on Wheels Poinsettia Sale. The sale, held on December 2, was put on in an effort to raise money for Meals on Wheels to benefit those in need during the holiday season.
10		A dozen Sooners, including upperclassmen Alec Hansen and Sheldon Neuse spent the afternoon of December 5 at the JD McCarty Center. The group returned to JDM for the second time this semester to take part in the Holiday Ornament Party with the students.
11		Players went to visit the kids in the cancer wing of The Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City. At the conclusion of their visit, they celebrated the end of treatment for Quincy. Once a child goes into remission, they get to ring the ceremonial bell at the Hospital. OU Baseball players surprised Quincy to make his celebration even more special.
12		OU baseball players visited United States veterans at Norman Veterans Center. These local heroes participate in a weekly game day that the Sooners had the honor of hosting. Athletes and coaches played board games, Wii, and talked with some of the men and women that served our country.
13		Five OU baseball players teamed up with OU Spirit to take part in "Read Across America" at McFarlin Daycare Center.
14		The Sooners hosted fans for "Military Appreciation Weekend" when Texas came to town as OU picked up two walk-off wins in the series.
15		Players volunteered to work the water station for the first annual Sooner Strong 5K organized by OU Army ROTC. The 5K raised money to benefit Air Warrior Courage, Operation Second Chance, and the OU Army ROTC.
16		Oklahoma raised over $21,000 to push its three-year total to over $80,000 with the "Shave for the Brave" event. The Sooners went bald for the cause in support of the Vs. Cancer Foundation and OU Children's Hospital.
17		The Sooners hosted "Go Mitch Go Foundation Night" and picked up a walk-off victory over Baylor in the process. The annual event continues to honor friend of the program Mitchell Whitaker with blue wristbands, bases and balloons.
18		Oklahoma hosted Special Spectators to take part in the pregame schedule prior to a walk-off win of Baylor. The Sooners got to give the special fans a fun morning of batting practice and one-on-one time with the players in the clubhouse.
19		For the second year in a row, Oklahoma hosted "Bark in the Park". Fans were encouraged to bring their dogs to the game, a comeback win over West Virginia, and donate to Norman Animal Welfare.