Oklahoma
Focus is bigger than basketball for Oklahoma State’s Mike Boynton in Remember the Ten game
Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton talks about Remember the Ten game
Oklahoma State basketball coach Mike Boynton talks about Remember the Ten game
OSU ATHLETICS
STILLWATER — Most of the current Oklahoma State men’s basketball players weren’t yet born on Jan. 27, 2001, when the plane carrying 10 members of the program crashed in a field in Colorado.
And many of the current players are in their first year as Cowboys, so they’ve never had the chance to experience a Remember the Ten game.
That’s why coach Mike Boynton made sure to spend some time this week — just like he does every year before the Remember the Ten game — educating his players on the added meaning of Saturday’s 1 p.m. matchup against West Virginia inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.
“It’s always, in my mind, the most important day on the calendar,” said Boynton, now in his eighth season at OSU, seventh as head coach. “I really don’t care what anybody thinks about that. We played in the Big 12 Conference Tournament championship game. That year, the Remember the Ten game was the most important game we played, because it honors a commitment to real human life.
“Winning the game is important, but when I think about seeing those families here all the time, and their continued support of the program — in a way, they could be pretty bitter about this place … but those people continue to show up and support this program.”
More: Oklahoma State basketball falls short vs. TCU, drops to 0-6 in Big 12 play
Eight players on the roster are in their first year as Cowboys. And while some, like Brandon Garrison of Del City or Connor Dow of Broken Arrow, grew up in Oklahoma and likely have some awareness of the plane crash, others have only begun to learn about it.
“Just hearing about it and learning about it, you come back to the realization that it’s just a game that we’re playing,” said Jarius Hicklen, a super-senior transfer from North Florida. “It’s something much bigger out there for us. It’s just a humbling experience.”
Veteran Cowboys have an even deeper understanding of the Remember the Ten game and the added emotion tied to it.
“It means a lot to me, because I’ve been here and I understand what happened to those families and everything,” said senior Bryce Thompson, a Tulsa native. “Whenever that game comes, there’s a little bit more energy from us as a team, as a staff, everything, because we know we’re playing for something bigger than ourselves.
“It was a tragic event and we know we’re blessed to get to do this.”
More: ‘He’s special’: Oklahoma State basketball’s Brandon Garrison starting to show potential
With the kneeling cowboy statue as the centerpiece of the memorial on the south side of Gallagher-Iba Arena, the event is constantly present for the players, but Boynton works to make sure the meaning isn’t minimized.
“Quite easily, this thing can become a thing in the building that sits over there,” Boynton said. “They walk past it every day, because they go in that academic center. To have a moment to reflect on what happened, how it happened, why it happened, why we’re fortunate that we travel a little bit differently now than they did, in part, because of them.
“We take more precautions, so to be thankful and appreciative of that aspect is really important.”
This Cowboy season has had its share of bumps in the road, with the team currently mired in a six-game losing streak and chasing its first Big 12 victory Saturday.
Boynton and the players know the importance to the season that a win would provide. But the coach won’t let this game simply be about winning and losing.
“We’ll make sure we play with a little more of an edge,” Boynton said, “understanding it’s bigger than just a game against West Virginia on Saturday.”
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at swright@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @ScottWrightOK. Sign up for the Oklahoma State Cowboys newsletter to access more OSU coverage. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.
More: Big 12 basketball power rankings: Iowa State making case for top spot in loaded conference
OSU vs. West Virginia
TIPOFF: 1 p.m. Saturday at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater (ESPN+)
Kip Lewis returning for his redshirt senior season with the Oklahoma Sooners was one of the biggest wins of the offseason. Lewis has built an impressive career in Norman, racking up 209 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and five sacks with two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.
Beyond his production, Lewis has become one of the emotional leaders of the Oklahoma locker room. Although the NFL was an option, Lewis believed another season learning under Brent Venables would put him in the best position for long-term success.
In a video shared by Oklahoma, Lewis explained the factors that led him to return to Norman for another season.
“I talked to a lot of people,” Lewis said. “Mostly, my family and then my dad. He was just giving me key points that he felt like I should have come back… Mostly talked to a couple of my teammates like John (Mateer) and Isaiah (Sategna), getting their thoughts on what their plan was. I asked Danny (Stutsman) for advice. Talked to him for a little bit. Advice from Danny really stood out to me.”
Getting advice from Stutsman likely played a significant role in Lewis’ decision. Stutsman was in a similar position following a strong 2023 season. Stutsman elected to return to Norman in 2024 and had another strong individual season. That resulted in him being taken in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Lewis’ decision to return gives Oklahoma one of the most experienced and talented linebackers in the country for another season. By following the same path as Stutsman, Lewis is betting on development and another opportunity to improve his draft stock.
If he continues to lead at the level he has throughout his career, his final season in Norman could be the one that cements him as one of the top defensive players in college football.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
TULSA, Okla — Tulsa has seen a boost in its food industry, thanks in part to a growing population.
Local News
Study shows Hispanic population boom boosting Tulsa economy
The Hispanic and Latino population has also contributed to the Oklahoma economy through restaurants, catering businesses, and food trucks.
According to a study conducted by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, the number of Hispanic and Latino individuals who have gone into the state’s food service industry has grown by more than 12,000 between 2001 and 2021.
To help continue this growth, the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation is starting up its “Lanzamiento Program” for Spanish speakers who are interested in pursuing a career in the culinary industry.
Local News
Mother Road Market hosts program for Hispanic, Latino food entrepreneurs
The classes are held in partnership with Mother Road Market for 12 weeks.
Wendy Henriquez is the owner of Sugar Crave and completed the program back in 2024.
She said it was a huge help when it came to learning the ins and outs of the industry.
It also helped her that it was all in Spanish, the language she prefers.
“All of the classes were focused on the regulations here in the United States and Oklahoma needing to be met,” she said. “In every class, we had experts talk to us about things like taking out loans, insurance, credit.”
“Wow, I mean it isn’t easy, but it’s possible,” she said. “Perseverance is important.”
Abel Aguilar is the Program Manager in charge of the Lanzamiento course.
“We believe it’s important because not only do we have a strong population of both Hispanic and Latin entrepreneurs here in Tulsa, they may not know the resources that they have available to them,” he said.
While tuition doesn’t start off as being free of charge, there are financial assistance options to help.
We Street Credit Union has also pitched in to offer funds for financial assistance so some weight can be taken off of the participant.
Aguilar also said Lobeck Taylor will work something out if finances are the only obstacle to applying.
For others interested in other resources to help kickstart their business, Avanzando Juntos is also a non-profit organization that can help.
Primarily for Spanish speakers, Avanzando Juntos helps connect business owners with grants and funding that can help eliminate some of the costs that come with starting a business.
For those interested in applying to the “Lanzamiento” Program, you can visit the Kitchen 66 website for the application.
Isabel Flores is your North & East Tulsa reporter.
Is there something you think she should know about or look into?
You can email her at Isabel.Flores@kjrh.com.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —
1. Death of inmate at Oklahoma County Detention Center under investigation
Oklahoma County Detention Center.
• 33-year-old Dancing Feathers Whitecrow found unresponsive
• Taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead
• Active investigation ongoing
Officials are investigating the death of an inmate at the Oklahoma County Detention Center.
Officers found 33-year-old Dancing Feathers Whitecrow unresponsive just before 7 p.m. Sunday. She was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. Whitecrow had been booked into the jail in April.
This remains an active investigation.
The Oklahoma County Criminal Investigations Division is investigating after Dancing Feathers Whitecrow, 33, died in custody.
2. Deadly hit-and-run in southwest Oklahoma City
• Pedestrian struck and killed near Southwest 61st and May
• Crash happened just before midnight
• No description of the vehicle yet
Oklahoma City Police are investigating a deadly hit-and-run that happened late Tuesday in southwest Oklahoma City.
One person was struck and killed by a vehicle near Southwest 61st and May just before midnight on Wednesday.
Police say they currently have no description of the vehicle involved.
3. Elderly Moore woman mauled to death by dog
• 86-year-old Beatrice Carruth found dead July 2nd
• Dog belonged to her son, who was previously arrested in a related incident
• Dog has been euthanized
An 86-year-old Moore woman was mauled to death in her home by her son’s dog.
Beatrice Carruth was found dead on July 2nd. Family members say the dog, a Labrador and American Pit Bull Terrier mix, had previously attacked her in May.
The dog was euthanized Monday.
The Moore Police Department arrived at the scene near Northeast 27th Street and Highland Drive to find a woman with severe injuries.
4. Cattle rescue after semi overturns on I-40 near Tinker
News 9
• Mayberry family from Oklahoma City Stockyards helped clear the scene
• 109 head of cattle in trailer; more than 80 survived
• Similar crashes have happened in recent years
A family of ranchers helped rescue cattle after a semi overturned on I-40 near Tinker Air Force Base.
The Mayberry family responded to the scene and worked to safely remove the animals. They say they’ve assisted with several similar crashes over the past four years.
A trailer carrying 62 head of cattle overturned Tuesday morning, leaving only a single westbound lane of I-40 open for hours as crews rescued trapped animals.
5. Attorney General Drummond sues Allstate over insurance practices
• Lawsuit accuses company of denying or underpaying wind and hail claims
• Alleges use of undisclosed restrictive standards
• Similar lawsuit previously filed against State Farm
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is suing Allstate, accusing the insurance company of running a scheme to deny or underpay wind and hail claims.
The lawsuit alleges Allstate used undisclosed restrictive standards to limit coverage for Oklahomans. Drummond says the company is putting profits ahead of policyholders.
A similar lawsuit was previously filed against State Farm.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Cleveland County District Court and alleges violations of state consumer protection and anti-racketeering laws.
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Editor’s note: We used AI tools to help with editing and formatting this story. A human journalist reviewed everything before publication.
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