By JOHN E. HOOVER Sports Columnist on Sep 1, 2012, at 5:08 PM Updated on 9/01 at 5:08 PM
GAME POINT
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STILLWATER — Today, being gameday and all, marks a series of mileposts in my 27-year career as a sportswriter.
Today I’m covering Oklahoma State’s season-opener against Savannah State. It’s my first game as a columnist. I didn’t know what to expect, and, one hour from kickoff, still don’t. But it is a wholly different perspective.
After eight years covering Oklahoma football on a beat basis — that is, every game, every press conference, every interview session — my Sooners streak ends at 107 consecutive games. I had become attached to that streak, proud of it, even, like Cal Ripken refusing to step out of the lineup even when offered the opportunity.
“Sure, I feel like junk today. Sure, my kid has a huge soccer game. Sure, there’s a ridiculous weather delay in Lawrence. Sure, my best friend's getting married. But I can't end my streak for that.”
I was fortunate beyond description to be ringside for 62 percent of Bob Stoops’ games as a head coach. It was almost always good theater.
Crossing Hall of Fame Avenue today, I realized that today is my first game in Boone Pickens Stadium as a representative of the “home” media. The two years I covered OSU in 2002-03, it was still Lewis Field. Boone Pickens himself was still just a corporate raider. My five visits here from 2004-12, I was part of the “visiting” media. I’ve never covered a press conference — or, for that matter, even stepped foot — in the west end zone. I look forward to the postgame setting.
Next week, I’m back on the Sooners. Florida A&M. Maybe I’ll be the first Tulsa World writer to cover back-to-back MEAC teams. Maybe even the first in the Big 12. I have no idea.
The week after that, Sept. 15, I’ve got Tulsa-Nicholls State. That’ll be the first TU game I’ve covered at Chapman Stadium.
Can’t wait.
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