Ivan McFarlin remembers the 10
Published: 1/26/2011 10:00 AM
Last Modified: 1/26/2011 10:00 AM
The 10th anniversary of a plane crash that killed 10 men, including two Oklahoma State basketball players, is Thursday. The Cowboys continued the 2000-01 season after the plane crash and reached the NCAA Tournament.
The Tulsa World caught up with selected members of the team, including Ivan McFarlin, who participated in a question-and-answer session.
McFarlin redshirted during the plane crash season and was a key player the next four seasons, helping OSU reach the Final Four in 2004 and the Sweet Sixteen in 2005. Statistically, few Cowboys can match his body of work. He ranks second in career field goal percentage (he’s a decimal point behind Bryant Reeves), eighth in scoring, fourth in rebounds, sixth in blocked shots and third in steals.
McFarlin lives in Stillwater with his wife, Angela, a former OSU student (they met at freshman orientation) who works in the university’s math and sciences department. They have a 1-year-old son, Ivan II. Angela is expecting twins in June.
While waiting to rejoin a professional basketball team in Australia, McFarlin is working with disabled individuals in Stillwater and said he is “enjoying their culture.”
What have you done with your life in the 10 years since the plane crash season?
“I have continued to be strong and play basketball the best way I can. I graduated in three-and-a-half years and now I’m playing ball overseas every year. I have been to France, Turkey, Switzerland, Poland, Australia and Israel.”
What significant events have occurred in your life since that season?
“After the plane crash, we came together and successfully made it the Final Four and we won the conference and the Big 12 tournament twice. I graduated, which is the most important (thing).
How did the players make it through the plane crash season and what difficulties did you encounter?
“It bought us together because we became a team and we put all the negativity behind us and just played for them 10 guys on that plane. Just walking around and not seeing them on campus or the Student Union or practice made it hard on us. Going to the memorial services and seeing all the family members’ pain really was hard.”
How difficult was it to get on a plane to go to the first post-crash road game at Nebraska?
“It was very hard because most of us was afraid to get on a plane because of what happened and, me being a redshirt, it was very frustrating. Some got on, but it was hard.”
In what way will you always feel a bond with the guys on that particular team?
“We looked out for each other and whenever one teammate was in trouble, we always had couple of teammates around. If one of us got in trouble, we all would be in trouble. We pushed each other in practice and in academics. We became brothers.”
In what ways are you still affected by the tragedy of that season or does time really heal all wounds?
“When I go to Gallagher-Iba, I always go to the memorial area and give my moments and you can hear them talking to you. We are still feeling the pain and it comes back and hits you.”
What should people know about you that hasn’t been asked?
“I’m still living in Stillwater and I’m currently about to go to Australia and play basketball. I’ve always loved video games and watches. I have more shoes than my wife, Angela, and I miss the old college basketball days.”
--Jimmie Tramel.
Written by
Jimmie Tramel
Sports Writer
