As 2010 winds to a close and we prepare for the new year, I thought it appropriate to look back at the biggest happenings in the UCO sports world over the last 12 months.
And while there were certainly plenty of things that transpired around Broncho athletics in 2010, it seems clear that the two most noteworthy events during the past year didn’t happen on the field of play.
To me, the retirement of long-time baseball coach Wendell Simmons and the announcement that UCO would be leaving the Lone Star Conference for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association overshadowed anything else that happened in 2010.
Simmons was a coaching icon, not only at UCO but around the LSC and NCAA Division II. His accomplishments during his 19-year career with the Bronchos will not easily be surpassed, if indeed they can even be equaled.
Let’s see now. Wendell piled up 633 wins, averaging 33 a season. He directed the Bronchos to the eight best seasons in school history, including seven 40-win campaigns. He had seven national tournament teams, including a national runner-up squad in 1997 when a dropped fly ball in the ninth inning was the only thing between the Bronchos and the national championship.
Oh, and he coached 134 All-LSC players and 14 All-Americans.
Yeah, I’d say all that would be hard to duplicate.
The only story that could top Wendell’s leaving would be UCO’s impending move to the MIAA. The Bronchos will leave one great conference for another and it will definitely be an interesting transition.
UCO has been a part of the LSC since 1988 and will play as Division II independents next year before moving into the MIAA in 2012-13. MIAA schools have succeeded at an extremely high level in a variety of sports for many years and it is indeed one of the premier leagues in the nation.
The Bronchos have played many teams from the MIAA in several sports over the years, so a number of the schools we will be soon be competing with won’t be unknown to UCO fans. But there will definitely be some different faces and some new rivalries established in the coming years, which will be interesting for all involved.
It’s hard to believe 2010 is already over, but a new year is upon us and with it comes great anticipation for what lies ahead.
Happy New Year, Broncho fans.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Real Life
I’ve basically worked in athletics since I was 14 years old and started writing stories on Perry Junior High football games for the Perry Daily Journal. Which, by the way, is the smallest daily newspaper in the state of Oklahoma.
So since embarking on a profession that has kept me around sports on an almost daily basis since 1974, I have heard countless players and coaches talk about the “adversity” or “hardship” they or their team had to overcome during a particular game, tournament or season.
I actually never really gave those statements much thought, often times saying to myself that, yeah, those four lost fumbles sure did create a lot of adversity for the Bronchos, or whatever team it might have been.
And then last week I read a blog my good friend Lance Fleming from Abilene Christian wrote about his 8-year-old son, Rex. Here, in part, is what Lance said:
“Let me tell you what adversity is.
“Adversity is an 8-year-old boy finding out on Wednesday that the reason he's been having headaches and nausea is because he has a golf-ball size tumor in the middle of his brain and will undergo a potentially life-altering surgery less than 24 hours later.
“Adversity is that same 8-year-old boy lying in a hospital bed unable to voluntarily move his left arm or leg more than just a little bit while his brain and nerves recover from said surgery.
“Adversity is that 8-year-old boy screaming and crying in pain when physical therapists get him out of bed and begin the process of teaching him to walk again, or sit in a wheelchair because he doesn't yet have the strength to lift his left leg to walk on his own.
“Adversity is that 8-year-old boy throwing his left arm into a sling so it won't hang limp at his side, causing him shooting pain up and down that arm.
“And adversity is the road that 8-year-old boy faces over the coming days, weeks and months as he recovers from the surgery that saved his life, but also altered that life in ways he can't yet comprehend.”
Wow. Pretty powerful stuff. And amazingly eye opening, especially if you’re a parent.
In the world of athletics -- be it the high school, college or professional ranks -- we often get caught up in the games we play, follow or report on. And while it’s certainly okay to participate or watch or work these contests, Rex’s story reminds us that there’s so much more to life than who won what.
When I first wrote this blog on Dec. 9 I reported on Rex's fabulous progress. He was gaining more movement and was moved to the physical therapy floor at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth that day to begin rigorous treatment to regain full use of his limbs. And then Saturday, I got another update . . . Rex's tumor was finally classified as a Grade III malignant glioma that will have to be treated with both radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
More obstacles for Rex and his family as they prepare to embark on a journey I can't even begin to comprehend.
So the next time you hear an athlete or coach bragging about the “obstacles” they overcame on the field of play, remember Rex Fleming and the many others like him who fight real-life battles every day.
I know I will.
So since embarking on a profession that has kept me around sports on an almost daily basis since 1974, I have heard countless players and coaches talk about the “adversity” or “hardship” they or their team had to overcome during a particular game, tournament or season.
I actually never really gave those statements much thought, often times saying to myself that, yeah, those four lost fumbles sure did create a lot of adversity for the Bronchos, or whatever team it might have been.
And then last week I read a blog my good friend Lance Fleming from Abilene Christian wrote about his 8-year-old son, Rex. Here, in part, is what Lance said:
“Let me tell you what adversity is.
“Adversity is an 8-year-old boy finding out on Wednesday that the reason he's been having headaches and nausea is because he has a golf-ball size tumor in the middle of his brain and will undergo a potentially life-altering surgery less than 24 hours later.
“Adversity is that same 8-year-old boy lying in a hospital bed unable to voluntarily move his left arm or leg more than just a little bit while his brain and nerves recover from said surgery.
“Adversity is that 8-year-old boy screaming and crying in pain when physical therapists get him out of bed and begin the process of teaching him to walk again, or sit in a wheelchair because he doesn't yet have the strength to lift his left leg to walk on his own.
“Adversity is that 8-year-old boy throwing his left arm into a sling so it won't hang limp at his side, causing him shooting pain up and down that arm.
“And adversity is the road that 8-year-old boy faces over the coming days, weeks and months as he recovers from the surgery that saved his life, but also altered that life in ways he can't yet comprehend.”
Wow. Pretty powerful stuff. And amazingly eye opening, especially if you’re a parent.
In the world of athletics -- be it the high school, college or professional ranks -- we often get caught up in the games we play, follow or report on. And while it’s certainly okay to participate or watch or work these contests, Rex’s story reminds us that there’s so much more to life than who won what.
When I first wrote this blog on Dec. 9 I reported on Rex's fabulous progress. He was gaining more movement and was moved to the physical therapy floor at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth that day to begin rigorous treatment to regain full use of his limbs. And then Saturday, I got another update . . . Rex's tumor was finally classified as a Grade III malignant glioma that will have to be treated with both radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
More obstacles for Rex and his family as they prepare to embark on a journey I can't even begin to comprehend.
So the next time you hear an athlete or coach bragging about the “obstacles” they overcame on the field of play, remember Rex Fleming and the many others like him who fight real-life battles every day.
I know I will.
Friday, December 3, 2010
This 'N That
Good win for the UCO women, tough loss for the UCO men on the road Thursday night at Incarnate Word as both teams opened Lone Star Conference crossover play.
Guy Hardaker knew entering the season that his freshmen-dominated women's team would lean heavily on their three veterans -- senior Ashley Beckley and juniors Alyssa Fuxa and Courtney Allen -- and that was definitely the case against the Cardinals.
That trio combined for 44 of UCO's 71 points in a 71-61 victory, led by Beckley's dominating 19-point, 12-rebound effort despite being limited to just 23 minutes by foul trouble. Fuxa and Allen both played virtually the entire contest, with Alyssa getting two minutes off and Courtney just one.
Beckley has been amazing in a 3-1 start, averaging 23.0 points and 10.0 rebounds as she continues to stamp herself as one of UCO's all-time greats. But it's the consistency of Fuxa and Allen that has been just as important, with that threesome providing the leadership and steadying influence the Bronchos need while the youngsters get their feet under them.
UCO's men, meanwhile, came up just short in their bid at an 8-0 start that would have been the best in school history with a frustrating 75-73 setback. It's the third time -- including the second in three years -- that a Broncho team has opened the season 7-0 only to lose the eighth game on the road.
Shooting woes doomed the No. 8-ranked Bronchos against a very solid UIW team that improved to 6-0. UCO was just 3-of-19 from beyond the 3-point arc -- clanking its final 15 attempts -- and missed 16 free throws, including four in the final 30 seconds.
Still, the Bronchos rallied from a 14-point first-half deficit to give themselves a chance down the stretch only to come up short. This is a very good UCO team that has a chance to do some special things this season. Dauntae Williams is a returning All-American who showed he's returning to form with a 32-point, eight-rebound outing against UIW, junior Brent Friday is playing at an extremely high level and there's plenty of talent on the roster.
UCO's long-time powerhouse wrestling team made its home debut Thursday with a 23-13 win over Colorado State-Pueblo, taking the last three matches to break a 13-13 tie.
It was a step forward for a young Broncho team still trying to find its way, with youthful inexperience and a host of nagging injuries having combined to keep UCO from making more progress in the opening month of the season.
Several youngsters stepped up with key wins against the Thunderwolves. Sophomore Austin Standage had a big second-period fall at 157, sophomore Tanner Keck prevailed 3-2 at 184 to give UCO the lead for good and freshman heavyweight Cody Dauphin pulled out a 2-1 upset over a ranked opponent in the final match of the night.
This is a team that will continue to experience growing pains throughout the season, but don't be surprised to see the Bronchos making a strong push for a high national tournament finish come March.
Guy Hardaker knew entering the season that his freshmen-dominated women's team would lean heavily on their three veterans -- senior Ashley Beckley and juniors Alyssa Fuxa and Courtney Allen -- and that was definitely the case against the Cardinals.
That trio combined for 44 of UCO's 71 points in a 71-61 victory, led by Beckley's dominating 19-point, 12-rebound effort despite being limited to just 23 minutes by foul trouble. Fuxa and Allen both played virtually the entire contest, with Alyssa getting two minutes off and Courtney just one.
Beckley has been amazing in a 3-1 start, averaging 23.0 points and 10.0 rebounds as she continues to stamp herself as one of UCO's all-time greats. But it's the consistency of Fuxa and Allen that has been just as important, with that threesome providing the leadership and steadying influence the Bronchos need while the youngsters get their feet under them.
UCO's men, meanwhile, came up just short in their bid at an 8-0 start that would have been the best in school history with a frustrating 75-73 setback. It's the third time -- including the second in three years -- that a Broncho team has opened the season 7-0 only to lose the eighth game on the road.
Shooting woes doomed the No. 8-ranked Bronchos against a very solid UIW team that improved to 6-0. UCO was just 3-of-19 from beyond the 3-point arc -- clanking its final 15 attempts -- and missed 16 free throws, including four in the final 30 seconds.
Still, the Bronchos rallied from a 14-point first-half deficit to give themselves a chance down the stretch only to come up short. This is a very good UCO team that has a chance to do some special things this season. Dauntae Williams is a returning All-American who showed he's returning to form with a 32-point, eight-rebound outing against UIW, junior Brent Friday is playing at an extremely high level and there's plenty of talent on the roster.
UCO's long-time powerhouse wrestling team made its home debut Thursday with a 23-13 win over Colorado State-Pueblo, taking the last three matches to break a 13-13 tie.
It was a step forward for a young Broncho team still trying to find its way, with youthful inexperience and a host of nagging injuries having combined to keep UCO from making more progress in the opening month of the season.
Several youngsters stepped up with key wins against the Thunderwolves. Sophomore Austin Standage had a big second-period fall at 157, sophomore Tanner Keck prevailed 3-2 at 184 to give UCO the lead for good and freshman heavyweight Cody Dauphin pulled out a 2-1 upset over a ranked opponent in the final match of the night.
This is a team that will continue to experience growing pains throughout the season, but don't be surprised to see the Bronchos making a strong push for a high national tournament finish come March.
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