Male athlete of the decade: Adrian Peterson
2004 Heisman runner-up was one of the best running backs in OU’s storied history before going on to be NFL Rookie of the Year and 2008 rushing leader.
Associated Press
Female athlete of the decade: Courtney Paris
First four-time AP and USBWA All-American and AP Player of the Year in 2007 led the OU women’s basketball team to the 2009 Final Four.
Associated Press
College athletes of the decade
The top college athletes from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tulsa or Oral Roberts from 2000-09, as voted on by the Tulsa World sports staff:
1. Blake Griffin, Oklahoma basketball, 2007-09
Many of the state’s athletes this decade set records. Several were All-Americans. A select few were national players of the year. Only one, however, changed the very culture of his program.
Blake Griffin’s arrival on the Oklahoma basketball scene didn’t just signal the end of the probation malaise left by Kelvin Sampson, it announced to McDonald’s All-Americans nationwide that it was cool to hoop for the Sooners. That was obvious when Griffin became a SportsCenter “Top 10 Plays” fixture, when he led OU to its first Elite Eight in seven years, and when he captured the Wooden, Naismith and every other 2008-09 national player of the year award imaginable before becoming OU’s first NBA No. 1 draft pick.
2. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma football, 2004-06
He didn’t wear silver shoes, an afro or a Hello/Goodbye T-shirt. He didn’t win a Heisman Trophy. But from his first carry against Texas, which he took 44 yards, to his last run as a collegian, a 25-yard touchdown in the 07 Fiesta Bowl, no OU runner ever dropped more jaws than Adrian Peterson.
3. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma football, 2006-09
He won the '08 Heisman while passing OU to the national championship game and his offense to all-time records. Still, Sam Bradford’s unrivaled popularity in Sooner annals was more a result of something Bob Stoops touched on the day Bradford “retired” from college ball: “He’s an example for our football team, and for all student-athletes.”
4. Jason White, Oklahoma football, 2000-04
Another home-grown Heisman winner who endeared himself to fans with both record-shattering numbers and a quiet, determined nature. Jason White’s biggest accomplishment might not have been the '03 Heisman, but merely dropping back to pass after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery in '01 and '02.
5. Jonathan Horton, Oklahoma gymnastics, 2005-08
Simply the most decorated athlete in OU history. Jonathan Horton introduced himself to college gymnastics as a freshman with a national championship-clinching vault. Three years later, he graduated to Olympic competition with six NCAA individual titles and 18 All-America honors.
6. Courtney Paris, Oklahoma women’s basketball, 2005-09
No player, male or female, had ever logged 2,500 points and 2,000 rebounds until Courtney Paris came along. No woman had ever been a four-time All-American. And no one had ever trademarked “double double,” until Paris went 112 straight games with at least 10 points and 10 boards.
7 Josh Fields, Oklahoma State football, 2001-03, OSU baseball, 2002-04
His baseball career included a .364 average and 25 home runs. His tenure at quarterback featured OSU season records for passing, total offense and touchdowns. Still, Josh Fields is welcome at any dinner table in Stillwater because of one simple play — a 14-yard loft to Rashaun Woods at Owen Field Nov. 24, 2001.
Tulsa World file
8. Stacey Dales, Oklahoma women’s basketball, 1998-2002
A two-time All-American who became her school’s all-time assists leader, Stacey Dales didn’t make a Paris-esque statistical career. But then, the Sooners went from 15-14 her freshman season to the national championship game her senior year. That’s Griffin-esque impact.
9. Rashaun Woods, Oklahoma State football, 2000-03
The most dominant OSU player since Barry Sanders chalked up three straight 1,000-yard seasons, two straight All-America campaigns and a seven-touchdown tour de force against SMU. Not that Rashaun Woods needed bonus points, but he got them by torturing OU in 2001 and '02.
10. Roy Williams, Oklahoma football, 1999-2001
So good that the game, in Stoops’ word, had become “easy” for him. So Roy Williams turned pro a year early, leaving behind an awards-winning career that helped put the Sooners back atop college football, and a “Superman” nickname earned during the signature play of the Stoops Era.
STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World
— Compiled by Guerin Emig, World Sports Writer
High school athletes of the decade
The top high school athletes from 2000-09, as voted on by the Tulsa World sports staff:
1. Kevin Bookout, Stroud, basketball/track/baseball, 1998-2002
If any doubt existed about Bookout’s athletic dominance, consider this three-day period at the end of his senior year.
He broke the state home run record with two home runs (Nos. 64 and 65), pitched six innings in the regional tournament and broke the state records in the shot put and discus to win his seventh and eighth titles in those events in four years. Bookout’s best marks in the shot put and discus were among the top 10 throws in U.S. high school history.
He was also a second-team Parade All-American in basketball, finished his career among the top 10 scorers in state history and became a starter as a freshman on Oklahoma’s Elite Eight team.
MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
2. Rotnei Clarke, Verdigris boys basketball, 2004-08
Guard broke the state’s all-time scoring record as a senior, finishing his career with 3,758 points. Current Arkansas Razorback led Verdigris to a state title as a senior.
3. Kelenna Azubuike, Victory Christian boys basketball, 1998-2002
One of Oklahoma’s all-time leading scorers (3,530) and led state in scoring his last three seasons. Played collegiately at Kentucky and with Golden State in the NBA.
4. Felix Jones, Booker T. Washington football, 2001-05
Rushed for 2,528 yards and 48 touchdowns as a senior. Also starred on defense and special teams. Played at Arkansas and was a first-round pick by Dallas Cowboys in 2008.
Tulsa World file
5. Robert Meachem, Booker T. Washington football/basketball, 1999-2003
All-America wide receiver finished with 88 catches for 1,696 yards and 24 touchdowns and was an all-metro basketball player. Starred at Tennessee and now with New Orleans Saints.
6. Keiton Page, Pawnee boys basketball, 2004-08
Guard finished second in state history with 3,209 points and set a single-season record with 1,287 points in 2008. Led Pawnee to two state titles.
7. Mark Ginther, Jenks football/baseball, 2004-08
Player of the Year in football and baseball. As quarterback, led Trojans to two state championships and the star shortstop signed with Oklahoma State for baseball.
MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
8. Iciss Tillis, Cascia Hall girls basketball, 1996-2000
Parade All-American was one of state’s biggest girls basketball recruits ever. Forward averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds as a senior before starring at Duke and playing in WNBA.
9. Courtney Tennial, Glenpool football, 1999-2003
Tailback set the state rushing record as a senior with 3,426 yards and 36 touchdowns, leading the Warriors to a state title. Played in college at Oklahoma and Tulsa.
10. Chris Perry, Stillwater wrestling/football, 2005-09
Won four individual wrestling state championships for the Pioneers and was an All-American nominee. Represented U.S. in 2009 Junior World Championships.
— Compiled by Matt Baker, World Sports Writer
OU athletes of the decade
The top athletes at OU from 2000-09, as voted on by the Tulsa World sports staff:
1. Blake Griffin, basketball, 2007-09
In a state that worships football, at a school where 85,000 fill the cathedral on Saturdays, the Sooners’ best athlete of the decade played basketball.
After a terrific freshman season, Blake Griffin became the game’s best collegian as a sophomore, winning every major national player of the year award, leading the nation in double-doubles and rebounding and willing the Sooners to the Elite Eight.
Drawing almost as many double-teams as he drew comparisons to OU legend Wayman Tisdale, the 6-9, 250-pound Griffin averaged 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds per game.
Griffin was the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers.
2. Sam Bradford, football, 2007-08
The Sooners’ fifth Heisman winner twice led the NCAA in pass efficiency and set every major school record (and several NCAA marks) in 2008, including 50 TDs.
3. Adrian Peterson, football, 2004-06
Heisman runner-up as a freshman, Peterson endured injuries in '05 and '06 but still ranks third in school history in rushing and is one of two Sooner RBs with three 1,000-yard seasons.
4. Jonathan Horton, gymnastics, 2005-08
Horton was All-American 18 times (four All-Around) and won national championships in five events and the 2006 All-Around. Won silver (high bar) and bronze (team) in the Beijing Olympics.
5. Jason White, football, 1999-2004
His comeback from two major knee surgeries — and his wildly good numbers (40 TDs) — won him the '03 Heisman. White won Big 12 crowns in '03 and '04.
6. Courtney Paris, basketball, 2005-09
Paris became the first college basketball player — male or female — with 2,500 points (2,718) and 2,000 rebounds (2,018), and the first four-time AP All-American, averaging 19.9 points and setting 20 NCAA records.
7. Roy Williams, football, 1999-2001
Williams changed the way offenses prepare for the safety-linebacker hybrid. He was a unanimous All-American, Big 12 player of the year and won the Nagurski and Thorpe awards.
8. Kevin Bookout, basketball, 2003-07, track and field, 2003, 2005-07
A four-time All-American (three shot, one discus) and three-time Big 12 champ, Bookout also excelled at hoops, scoring 1,108 points and ranking second with a .574 shooting percentage.
9. Stacey Dales, basketball, 1998-2002
All-American in 2001 and 2002 and the Big 12’s all-time assists leader, Dales willed the Sooners to the '02 national championship game with defense, passing, scoring — and pizzazz.
10. Josh Heupel, football, 1999-2000
Give Stoops/Leach credit for OU’s immediate turnaround, but Heupel was the triggerman of a record-setting passing attack in '99 and the field general of the national championship in 2000.
— Compiled by John E. Hoover, World Sports Writer
OSU athletes of the decade
The top athletes at OSU from 2000-09, as voted on by the Tulsa World sports staff:
1. Josh Fields, football, 2001-04
Oklahoma State has twice beaten Oklahoma in football when the Sooners owned a national ranking of fourth or better. Fields was the Cowboys’ quarterback on both occasions.
But OSU’s athlete of the decade was far from a two-hit wonder. He is the third third-leading passer in school history and likely would be No. 1 if he had returned to campus for his senior season.
A dual-sport standout, Field was an All-Big 12 third baseman for the Cowboys and left school early because he was chosen with the 18th overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in 2004. On Sept. 18, 2006, Fields became the third player in White Sox history to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat. He was traded to the Kansas City Royals in November.
Fields' OSU roots run deep. His mother, the former Rhonda Kite, became the first full-scholarship female athlete in school history when she joined the Cowgirl basketball team.
2. Rashaun Woods, football, 2000-03
After breaking Hart Lee Dykes’ school career records for catches and receiving yards — and twice breaking Oklahoma’s heart — Woods was a first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers.
Tulsa World file
3. Jake Rosholt, wrestling, 2003-06
No OSU wrestler in this millennium has a better resume than Rosholt, a four-time All-American who won three NCAA championships and finished third the year he didn’t win it.
4. Hunter Mahan, golf, 2002-03
During Mahan’s two seasons at OSU, he was twice a first-team All-America golfer and he was a consensus national player of the year in 2003. He was a U.S. Amateur runner-up in 2002.
5. Charles Howell, golf, 1998-2000
A two-time first-team All-America golfer, Howell set an NCAA scoring record as senior in 2000 and was the Big 12’s male athlete of the year, sweeping Big 12 and NCAA championships.
6. Zac Robinson, football, 2006-09
The quarterback is OSU’s all-time leader in passing yards, TD passes and total offense. He needs 15 more rushing yards to become one of the top 20 ground-gainers in school history.
7. Lauren Bay, softball, 2000-03
A first-team softball All-American and Big 12 player of the year in 2003, Bay struck out a school-record 1,151 batters. She averaged 12.7 strikeouts a game as a senior and pitched for Canada in the Beijing Olympics.
JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World
8. German Fernandez, cross country, 2008-present
Formerly the nation’s top distance runner recruit, Fernandez broke a world junior record in the mile while at OSU and became an NCAA champ in the outdoor 1,500 meters. As a freshman, he was a finalist for track’s version of the Heisman Trophy.
9. Russell Okung, football, 2006-09
Arguably the most decorated offensive lineman in OSU history, Okung is a first-team All-American who is projected to be a first-round pick in the next NFL draft.
10. Rickie Fowler, golf, 2008-09
A two-time first-team All-America golfer at OSU, Fowler became the first freshman ever to win the Ben Hogan Award in 2008, when he was Golfweek’s national player of the year. He played in two U.S. Opens as a collegian.
— Compiled by Jimmie Tramel, World Sports Writer
TU athletes of the decade
The top athletes at TU from 2000-09, as voted on by the Tulsa World sports staff:
1. Paul Smith, football, 2003-07
The quarterback from Owasso High School reset the Tulsa record book during his career while being instrumental in four bowl appearances. He came off the bench to save a Humanitarian Bowl bid in 2003. After a redshirt season, Smith was TU’s starting quarterback in trips to the Liberty Bowl, Armed Forces Bowl and GMAC Bowl. In his senior season, Smith had an NCAA single-season record of 14 straight games of 300-plus passing yards. During his last year, he threw for 5,065 yards and 47 touchdowns, both a TU and C-USA record. He won the Wuerffel Trophy and was a finalist for the Draddy Award, the academic Heisman.
CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World
2. Stacy Prammanasudh, golf, 1998-2002
Enid native was a four-time All-American and an academic All-American. A three-time WAC player of the year, she wrapped up her senior season ranked second nationally.
3. Garrett Mills, football, 2002-05
Tight end from Jenks was a first-team All-American by ESPN.com, SI.com and CBSSportsLine.com. He set an NCAA single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,235 yards as a senior.
4. Jillian Robbins, basketball, 2002-07
All-time leader for points, rebounds and blocked shots in women’s basketball. A four-time all-league first-team pick, she has a school-record 66 double-doubles and one triple-double.
MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
5. Kevin Johnson, basketball, 1998-2003
Anchor player of Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen teams. He had career averages of 11.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks. He ranks in the top 7 in career scoring, rebounds and blocks.
6. Ryan Pore, soccer, 2001-04
Pore was the first TU soccer player to be named national player of the year (Soccer America). The two-time All-American became the school’s first player to lead the nation in scoring (22 goals, 55 points).
7. Arnau Brugues, tennis, 2005-09
A four-time All-American and C-USA player of the year, Brugues was ranked No. 1 for much of his senior season. He finished No. 2 last year, the highest in TU history. His 116 singles victories are a school record.
8. Jerome Jordan, basketball, 2006-10
TU’s all-time career blocks leader. He was a first-team Conference USA pick last season, and named to the league’s all-defensive team last two seasons. He is this year’s preseason league player of the year.
9. Tarrion Adams, football, 2005-08
Adams completed his time at Tulsa by becoming the school’s career, single-season and single-game rushing leader. His highlighted performance was a 323-yard burst against Tulane on Senior Day.
10. Alex Becker, track/cross country, 2005-09
Becker is the only TU athlete to be named a five-time All-American. She earned the honors in the 3,000-meter indoor, 5,000-meter outdoor (twice), 10,000-meter outdoor and in cross country.
— Compiled by Eric Bailey, World Sports Writer
ORU athletes of the decade
The top athletes at ORU from 2000-09, as voted on by the Tulsa World sports staff:
1. Caleb Green, basketball, 2003-07
The 6-foot-8 Memorial High graduate led ORU to three consecutive Summit League regular-season basketball titles and back-to-back NCAA appearances in 2006 and 2007.
He was a four-time All-Summit League first-team selection, and the only man chosen as the league’s MVP three straight years.
Green had career averages of 19.7 points and 9.3 rebounds, finishing as the Summit League’s all-time leader in points (2,504) and rebounds (1,189). He’s also third in ORU career scoring and second in rebounding.
In ORU’s 78-71 upset at third-ranked Kansas in 2006 — the school’s biggest win of the decade — Green had 20 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and five steals.
MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
2. Andretti Bain, track and field, 2004-08
His 2008 NCAA titles in outdoor and indoor 400 meters were ORU’s first in any sport. Won Olympic silver medal as part of Bahama’s 1,600-meter relay team.
3. Dennis Bigley, baseball, 2002-05
Two-time Summit League pitcher and player of the year. ORU’s career leader with 41 wins. Pitched 56 straight innings without allowing an earned run in 2005.
4. Krista Ragan, women’s basketball, 1996-02
Three-time Summit League MVP and league’s career scoring leader with 2,105 points. Led ORU to its first two NCAA appearances. Scored in double figures 110 times.
5. Ken Tutt, basketball, 2003-07
Three-time all-league selection, teamed with Green in leading Eagles to two NCAA appearances. Made seven game-winning shots. Sixth in ORU career points (2,019).
6. Elisha Turek, women’s basketball, 2003-07
Two-time conference MVP, led Summit League in scoring three times and rebounding twice. Third in Summit career points (2,046) and second in rebounds (1,167).
7. Michael Rogers, baseball, 1998-02
ORU strikeout leader for career (331) and season (137). Second-team All-American honoree by Collegiate Baseball in 2001. Tied for second in ORU career wins (34).
8. David Castillo, baseball, 2001-03
Two-time Summit League MVP. Had 79 RBI in 2001, fourth on school’s single-season list. Fifth in ORU career hitting (.370) and sixth in RBI (179).
MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
9. Ori Zuzic, volleyball, 2003-06
Two-time Summit League MVP, led Eagles to 2006 NCAA appearance. School career leader in games played (493), kills (2,307) and service aces (296).
10. Luke Spencer-Gardner, basketball, 2000-05
Four-year starter at point guard, dished school-record 534 assists. Also an outstanding defender. Ranks 19th in ORU career scoring (1,111), seventh in 3-pointers (171).
He led a resurgence in the Oklahoma football program, winning a national title in his second year and six Big 12 titles in the decade.
Tulsa World file
Female coach of the decade: Sherri Coale
Coale resurrected a virtually dead OU women’s basketball program, taking the Sooners to two Final Fours, the 2002 national title game and 10 straight NCAA Tournaments.
1. OU football: Back in the high life
Oklahoma — off of college football's national radar in the 1990s — returned with a vengeance. OU fed the appetite of a starving fan base with a national championship victory over Florida State to wrap up the 2000 season. It was OU's first title since 1985. There were opportunities for an eighth national crown, but seasons ended with disappointing title-game losses to LSU (2004 Sugar), USC (2005 Orange) and Florida (2009 BCS). The Sooners are 4-5 in bowl games so far this decade, but haven't won a BCS Bowl game since winning the Rose Bowl following the 2002 campaign. OU did have two Heisman Trophy winners in quarterbacks Jason White (2003) and Sam Bradford (2008) and runner-ups in Josh Heupel (2000) and Adrian Peterson (2004). The Sooners won six Big 12 championships this decade and Bob Stoops became the second-fastest coach to reach 100 career victories, coming in his 10th season.
2. OSU plane crash: Tears from heaven
Tragedy struck on Jan. 27, 2001, when an airplane returning from Oklahoma State's road game at Colorado crashed in a snow storm near Byers, Colo. Memorials remembering the 10 victims are located inside Gallagher-Iba Arena and at the crash site.
TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World
3. Facilities boost: Boone Pickens changes OSU's landscape — figuratively and literally
Boone Pickens drew a nation's interest when he donated $165 million to his alma mater on Dec. 30, 2005. It was the largest single donation to an athletics department and earmarked for stadium improvements and an athletic village. Overall, Pickens has given more than a quarter-billion dollars for OSU athletics.
4. Eddie Sutton: A brilliant coaching career tarnished
Eddie Sutton coached 16 seasons at his alma mater before crashing his car while driving to the Stillwater airport on Feb. 10, 2006. He was later cited with a DUI and, after a leave of absence, resigned as the Cowboys coach to undergo treatment for health and alcohol reasons.
5. The Southern Hills majors: Tiger pounces, Retief's relief
Tiger Woods tied for the lowest round in major history with a second-round 63 (his 15-foot birdie attempt lipped out on 18) and celebrated the 2007 PGA Championship with daughter Sam in attendance. The 2001 U.S. Open went 18 extra holes after eventual champion Retief Goosen missed two clinching putts from 12 feet.
6. Jenks-Union: A high-school rivalry like no other
Picking your favorite Union-Jenks game is impossible for even non-biased fans. These programs won every Class 6A football title this decade, with title-game and regular-season thrillers. Maybe it's only fitting both schools won five state championships each this decade.
7. Tulsa football: From outhouse to penthouse
The decade began with one-win seasons and started ascending with Steve Kragthorpe leading the Hurricane to a 2005 Conference USA championship and Liberty Bowl victory. Todd Graham took over and returned TU to the national rankings and a school-record 11-win season in 2008.
8. Wayman Tisdale: His smile will live forever
Wayman Tisdale's death on May 15, 2009, shocked many. Tulsa's nationally known jazz musician and basketball legend had bravely fought cancer with a smile, masking any pain, until he succumbed at 44. More than 4,000 attended his funeral service at the BOK Center.
9. High school scandals: Jenks, Booker T. Washington brought down
Details involving a Jenks recruiting scandal surfaced in summer 2009. Coach Allan Trimble and assistant David Alexander were suspended indefinitely by the OSSAA. Schools began self-policing, and Booker T. Washington was among those discovered to have played ineligible players during the football season. The Hornets forfeited wins and didn't get to defend its Class 5A crown.
10. NCAA slaps OU: Bomar's actions lead to probation
The NCAA announced it placed OU on two years' probation (July 11, 2007) for a rules violation involving Rhett Bomar and J.D. Quinn, who the school had suspended for obtaining payment for hours not worked at a job. OU was initially directed to vacate 2005 wins, but they were reinstated after an appeal. Probation will last until May 2010.
Top games of the decade
1. 2006-07 Fiesta Bowl: Boise State 43, OU 42, OT
The Sooners trailed 28-10 in the third quarter before Paul Thompson (four turnovers) and the OU offense woke up. Marcus Walker’s interception return with 1:02 left gave the Sooners their first lead, 35-28.
But first-year Boise State coach Chris Petersen dialed up a 50-yard hook-and-lateral pass on fourth-and-18 to tie it with seven seconds to play.
Adrian Peterson’s last run as a Sooner was a go-ahead 25-yard TD in OT, but the Broncos’ Petersen worked his magic again, getting a fourth-and-2 halfback pass for the touchdown, then finishing it on a Statue of Liberty handoff from QB Jared Zabranasky for the win.
2. Backyard Bowl 2000: Jenks 41, Union 37
Jenks RB Kejuan Jones (307 yards, five TDs) took a screen pass, cut through traffic and went 80 yards for the game-winner with eight seconds left.
3. Bedlam 2001: Oklahoma State 16, Oklahoma 13
Fields to Woods (in front of Derrick Strait) would never have happened if not for a fourth-down catch by T.D. Bryant (over Roy Williams).
4. 2000-01 Orange Bowl: OU 13, Florida State 2
Leading 6-0, OU broke it open when Rocky Calmus forced a fumble by Chris Weinke, Derrick Strait recovered and Quentin Griffin ran 10 yards for a 13-0 lead with 7:46 left.
5. Orange power 2007: OSU 105, Texas 103, 3OT
Kevin Durant hit a 3 with 10.5 seconds left in the third OT, but Mario Boggan (37 points, 20 rebounds) hit the game-winner with 3.2 seconds to play.
6. Elite Eight 2004: OSU 64, St. Joe’s 62
After seven ties and 12 lead changes, John Lucas’ 3-pointer with 6.9 seconds left beat top-seeded St. Joe’s and national player of the year Jameer Nelson for a Final Four berth.
7. Bedlam 2004: OU 38, OSU 35
OU gets 249 yards from Adrian Peterson and three TDs from Mark Bradley but doesn’t celebrate until Jason Ricks’ 49-yard FG misses with 11 seconds to go.
8. Backyard Bowl 2007: Union 43, Jenks 42, OT
Union trailed 20-9 through three but outscored the Trojans 34-22. After Jenks’ OT score, Caleb Pearson blocked the PAT. Jeremy Smith’s TD was followed by Tress Way’s game-winning kick.
9. Rock Shock Jayhawk 2006: ORU 78, Kansas 71
In the biggest win of the Scott Sutton era and arguably the biggest regular season win in program history, ORU got seven 3s from Marchello Vealy and didn’t trail the final 30 minutes.
10. Liberty Bowl 2005: TU 31, Fresno State 24
With just one winning season in its last 13, Tulsa football reappears on the landscape with a C-USA title and its first bowl triumph since 1991.
— Compiled by John E. Hoover, World Sports Writer
Timeline of the biggest news of the decade
2000
March 26: Tulsa and OSU basketball teams end one win short of Final Four.
Sept. 14: Jenks stuns Union 41-37 on Kejuan Jones’ 80-yard TD catch.
Oct. 29: After 13-year wait, OU returns to No. 1 in national football polls.
2001
Jan. 3: Sooners beat Florida State 13-2 for seventh national football title.
Jan. 27: Plane crash kills 10 members of Oklahoma State basketball program.
June 18: Retief Goosen wins U.S. Open in playoff at Southern Hills.
Nov. 24: OSU upset ends Sooners’ bid for repeat national football title.
2002
March 31: OU women fall to UConn 82-70 in NCAA basketball final.
April 5: OU gymnasts win first of five national titles in decade.
Dec. 19: TU introduces Steve Kragthorpe as new head football coach.
Dec. 27: OSU tops Southern Miss 33-23 in Houston Bowl.
2003 Aug. 23: Tulsa Talons win first of two arenafootball2 league titles.
Nov. 4: TU is announced as new Conference USA member.
Dec. 6: Kansas State stuns OU 35-7 in Big 12 championship game.
Dec. 13: Sooner QB Jason White wins Heisman Trophy.
MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
2004
Jan. 30: Union hoopsters nip Broken Arrow to open $22 million UMAC.
April 3: OSU reaches second basketball Final Four, falls to Georgia Tech.
May 22: NCAA tennis championships open at TU’s Case Tennis Center.
Aug. 8-14: Barry Sanders enters pro and college football halls of fame.
2005
Jan. 3: Former OSU quarterback Mike Gundy takes over the Cowboys’ football program.
July 15: Sunny Golloway named OU baseball coach, following controversial comments by Larry Cochell and one-day stay of Gene Stephenson.
Dec. 5: Bill Blankenship resigns as Union’s football coach after winning three titles in four seasons.
Dec. 31: TU football wins Liberty Bowl, caps season that included C-USA crown.
2006
Feb 10: Eddie Sutton charged with DUI; resignation soon follows.
Dec. 30: OSU alum Boone Pickens gives the school $165 million.
April 11: Jeff Capel becomes Sooners’ coach, replacing Kelvin Sampson.
March 18: OSU wrestling completes fourth consecutive NCAA championship
2007
Jan. 12: Todd Graham succeeds Steve Kragthorpe at TU.
July 22: Mike Coolbaugh dies while coaching in first-base box at Arkansas. Aug 9-12: Tiger Woods shoots Majors-best 63 at Southern Hills en route to PGA Championship.
STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
2008
April 16: Travis Ford becomes first non-Sutton-named OSU basketball coach since 1990.
June: Oklahoma City Thunder becomes the state’s first permanent NBA team.
June 26: Tulsa Drillers announce move to downtown stadium.
Dec. 13: Sam Bradford wins the Heisman Trophy.
2009
May 15: Wayman Tisdale dies after courageous battle against cancer.
June 25: Blake Griffin is NBA Draft’s top pick after winning 10 player of the year awards.
Oct. 20: WNBA announces new franchise in Tulsa.
Dec. 4: Union wins football championship, capping decade-long run between Jenks and Union.
Top controversies of the decade
The 10 biggest local sports controversies from 2000-09, as voted on by the World sports staff:
1. Eddie Sutton’s crash
On Feb. 10, 2006, Oklahoma State basketball coach Eddie Sutton was involved in an auto accident in the 3900 block of North Washington in Stillwater. He and another driver sustained minor injuries, and Sutton took an indefinite medical leave of absence, announcing that he had “a problem with alcohol.” Sutton was charged with aggravated drunken driving, driving left of center and speeding. Court documents indicate that his blood-alcohol level had been nearly three times the legal limit. Three months later, Sutton announced his retirement. In 16 seasons, he had coached the Cowboys to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances and two Final Fours.
MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
2. The Gundy rant
In September 2007, OSU football coach Mike Gundy’s denunciation of an Oklahoma City newspaper column became a national story and launched a catchphrase — “I’m a man! I’m 40!”
3. Trimble and Jimmerson
During the 2009 high school football season, recruiting violations resulted in the suspension of Jenks coach Allan Trimble. At Booker T. Washington, the use of ineligible players led to the suspension of coach Antwain Jimmerson.
4. Rhett Bomar
In August 2006, Oklahoma quarterback Rhett Bomar and offensive lineman J.D. Quinn were dismissed from the program for being paid by a Norman car dealership for work that was not performed.
Tulsa World file
5. Delay of game
In 2005, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that Shawnee quarterback Tucker Brown’s two-game suspension would be upheld. The ruling ended a three-week controversy that left the Class 5A playoffs on hold and generated national media attention.
6. The replay debacle
During the 2006 OU-Oregon game in Eugene, video replays showed that the Sooners recovered the Ducks’ fourth-quarter onside kick. However, Oregon was awarded possession, scored the go-ahead touchdown and, on the final play, blocked OU’s field goal attempt for a 34-33 victory.
7. OU and the BCS
In 2003, OU was blown out by Kansas State in the Big 12 championship game but was chosen ahead of Southern Cal for a Bowl Championship Series title-game berth. In 2008, the Sooners got the BCS nod ahead of Texas. Two months earlier, Texas had beaten OU.
8. Larry Cochell
In May 2005, OU baseball coach Larry Cochell resigned after admitting to having used a racial epithet while discussing one of his players.
9. Kelvin’s calls
In January 2006, OU placed its men’s basketball program on a two-year probation. It had been determined that coach Kelvin Sampson and assistants made more than 550 impermissible phone calls to recruits.
10. Dez disappears
In October, after admitting that he lied to an NCAA investigator, OSU All-American Dez Bryant was suspended indefinitely. Later, Bryant announced that he had left the program and would prepare for the 2010 NFL draft.
STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World
— Compiled by Bill Haisten, World Sports Writer
Local pro stories of the decade
1. After two previous failures at Southern Hills, Tiger Woods ties a course record with a second-round 63 en route to the 2007 PGA Championship.
Woods misses posting the lowest score in majors history when his 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th green spins out. His round ties Raymond Floyd's course-record 63 in the 1982 PGA Championship.
"I was just trying to get myself back in the tournament, and lo and behold here I am," says Woods, who had shot an opening-round, 1-over 71.
Woods follows with consecutive rounds of 69 to win his 13th major title by two shots over Woody Austin.
2. In 2007, Drillers batting coach Mike Coolbaugh is killed by a foul line drive while standing in the first base coach's box during a game in Arkansas.
Associated Press
3. OU's Adrian Peterson is drafted seventh overall by the Minnesota Vikings and becomes NFL's 2007 Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,341 yards.
4. Retief Goosen three-putts 72nd hole, but wins 18-hole playoff with Mark Brooks the next day to clinch 2001 U.S. Open title at Southern Hills.
5. Interest grows for NBA in Oklahoma City when New Orleans Hornets play two years at Ford Center after Hurricane Katrina. Clay Bennett moves Seattle SuperSonics to OKC, and new "Thunder" franchise opens play in 2008-09.
6. Stillwater's Matt Holliday debuts with Colorado Rockies in 2004 and becomes a three-time National League All-Star. In 2007, he leads Rockies to the World Series.
Associated Press
7. OU's Blake Griffin is college basketball's 2008-09 player of the year and goes to the LA Clippers on the first pick of the NBA draft.
8. Tulsa Drillers flirt with Jenks move, but announce in 2008 planned relocation to city's new downtown park. The $39.5 million project is targeted for completion next spring.
9. The Colorado Rockies reach 2007 World Series with 13 former Drillers, including outfield slugger Matt Holliday, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and pitcher Jeff Francis.
10. Investors Bill Cameron and David Box push for WNBA franchise, and league announces in October 2009 that three-time champion Detroit Shock will move to Tulsa.
Tulsa World file
— Compiled by Mike Brown, World Sports Writer
Moments of the decade
Memorable moment: The stadiums were dark
The Friday after Sept. 11, 2001, few felt like playing games. The OSSAA urged schools to postpone games, and many events were canceled and not rescheduled. Jenks and Union lost some $35,000 each for bumping their showdown at Skelly Stadium.
OU: Playing Superman
With barely two minutes left against Texas in 2001, the OU safety Roy Williams dove over a blocker and smacked Texas quarterback Chris Simms in the arm. The ball flipped to Teddy Lehman for a Sooner touchdown to seal the win.
OSU: The 2001 Bedlam catch
Oklahoma State star receiver Rashaun Woods ended OU’s national title hopes with a game-winning, 14-yard touchdown catch from Josh Fields in front of Sooner defender Derrick Strait.
TU: Tulsa ousts Bearcats
In the second game of its Elite Eight run in the 2000 NCAA Tournament, TU upset No. 7 Cincinnati 69-61, with Eric Coley scoring 16 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.
ORU: Biggest. Win. Ever.
On Nov. 15, 2006, Caleb Green (20 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists) led the Golden Eagles past No. 3 Kansas, 78-71, for the only win over a top-5 team in ORU history.
Local champions
Bizarre moment of the decade: Mike Gundy’s rant
After a 2007 win, OSU coach Mike Gundy attacked a columnist who criticized quarterback Bobby Reid. Gundy became a YouTube sensation thanks to his emotional tirade.
Entertaining golf moment of the decade: John Daly’s practice
Instead of practicing at Southern Hills before the 2007 PGA Championship, John Daly spent a few days taking swings at the Cherokee Casino Resort and hitting the slot machines.
“Did good the first day,” Daly said, “didn’t do too good the other day.”
Like his golf. Daly opened with a 3-under 67 to take second place after the first round, but he finished 6-over par, tied for 32nd.
Tulsa World file
— Compiled by Matt Baker, World Sports Writer
Local Champions
Professional
Talons (af2): 2007, 2003
College
OU gymnastics (5): 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008
OSU wrestling (4): 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
OSU men’s golf (2): 2000, 2006
OU football (1): 2000
OU softball (1): 2000
OSU men’s cross country (1): 2009
National Champions
Super Bowl champions
2000: Baltimore Ravens 2001: New England Patriots
2002: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2003: New England Patriots
2004: New England Patriots
2005: Pittsburgh Steelers
2006: Indianapolis Colts
2007: New York Giants
2008: Pittsburgh Steelers
2009: TBD
Associated Press
NBA champions 2000: Los Angeles Lakers
2001: Los Angeles Lakers
2002: Los Angeles Lakers
2003: San Antonio Spurs
2004: Detroit Pistons
2005: San Antonio Spurs
2006: Miami Heat
2007: San Antonio Spurs
2008: Boston Celtics 2009: Los Angeles Lakers
Associated Press
World Series champions
2000: New York Yankees
2001: Arizona Diamondbacks
2002: Anaheim Angels
2003: Florida Marlins 2004: Boston Red Sox
2005: Chicago White Sox
2006: St. Louis Cardinals
2007: Boston Red Sox
2008: Philadelphia Phillies
2009: New York Yankees
NCAA men’s basketball national champions
2000: Michigan State
2001: Duke
2002: Maryland
2003: Syracuse
2004: Connecticut
2005: North Carolina
2006: Florida
2007: Florida 2008: Kansas
2009: North Carolina
