A family comes together at times of trouble and Tulsa’s football team exhibited that over the weekend.
The team was stung by Wednesday night’s untimely death of former Golden Hurricane linebacker George Clinkscale and wanted to help his fiancee Courtney Thompson, his daughter Ana’hla and unborn child.
Tight end Michael Britton approached G.J. Kinne and Curnelius Arnick with an idea and it was quickly embraced by the whole team.
“(Britton) said we should give our per diem to George’s family,” Kinne said. “We made the announcement to the team and everyone bought in. I think it’s a statement to the kind of team that we have.”
Each player received $15 in travel money for the two-day Boise State trip. While most expenses are furnished by the team, it’s typical for college football players to receive funds to cover any missed meals.
The final tally from players, staff and some fans amounted to $1,605 for the family.
Coach Bill Blankenship was proud of his team’s actions.
“We made it clear that no one had to feel that this was something (they had to do,)” the TU coach said. “If they needed that money, they needed that money and don’t feel bad about it.”
Blankenship said Clinkscale was working two jobs and his fiancee (who is due with their second daughter at any time) was slowing down at her job and preparing for maternity leave. It was also Blankenship’s understanding that the family didn’t have insurance.
“(Donating the per diem) just meant a lot to our players,” Blankenship said. “They took their travel per diem and most all of the guys just signed their name and put it back in the pot for George. Actually for (Thompson) and the babies.”
Former TU teammates of Clinkscale have established The George Clinkscale Memorial Fund at the Bank of America. They have also set-up a drop-off location at the TU football offices for clothing and baby items for his daughters.
Those interested in donating to the memorial fund have three avenues to make their donation: (1) if you’re a Bank of America customer, go online at bankofamerica.com and use Routing number 026009593, or any other bank can wire money with the Routing number 026009593; (2) go to any Bank of America branch; or, (3) send check by mail to Bank of America, P.O. Box 31900, Tampa, Fla. 33631-3900.
When making a donation in person or by check, reference The George Clinkscale Memorial Fund, Account number 305003874103 and Routing number 103000017.
Below is a YouTube video put together by a friend of Clinkscale.
