Editor's note: Undeniable The Oklahoman’s four-part series examining the lack of Black coaches in men’s college basketball continues with Part 2 on the University of Tulsa's impact as a launching pad for Black coaches.
Forty-one years ago, Nolan Richardson went to the barbershop for haircuts and history lessons.
He had just arrived at the University of Tulsa as an up-and-coming coach fresh off winning a junior college national title. The extent of racial tensions in his new home was a bit of a mystery.
Richardson knew little of the 1921 race massacre and Black Wall Street. He had no idea the divide between the white community and the Black community remained, even in 1980.
The Oklahoma City Dodgers are on track to play their first baseball game in more than a year.OKC's long-awaited return to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is set for Thursday, April 15, against Round Rock, the organization announced Thursday morning.Last season was not played due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But OKC is back for 142 games this season, including 72 at The Brick.The Brick will operate with reduced capacity to begin the season. The Dodgers are closely working with the OKC-County Health Department to set health and safety protocols.
The Pacific Coast League is no more after a 117-year run.Major League Baseball announced Friday the new minor league structure with just 120 clubs now holding Professional Development League licenses across the country.With that means, the end of a league that began in 1903. And a huge change in scheduling for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.Now part of the 10-team, two-division Triple-A West League, the Dodgers’ schedule will be primarily against East Division opponents Albuquerque (Colorado), El Paso (San Diego), Round Rock (Texas) and Sugar Land (Houston).
A local star is returning home this season for the Oklahoma City Dodgers.Westmoore graduate Jamey Wright was announced as the team’s pitching coach Monday afternoon, joining the club on his first assignment as a pitching coach in the organization.Manager Travis Barbary will return for his second season and former OKC manager Bill Haselman returns as the team’s bench coach and third-base coach. Emmanuel Burriss will be the hitting coach and Justin DeFratus will be the bullpen coach.Head athletic trainer Shawn McDermott also returns for a second season with Chelsea Willette joining as an assistant trainer. Jeff Taylor will be the Dodgers’ performance coach.
STILLWATER Cade Cunningham helped make the decision for Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton. Cunningham the possible No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick would come off the bench.
He had not played in 18 days due to COVID-19 protocols.
Boredom overtook his life while being stuck inside his on-campus apartment for the better part of 10 days. No basketball. No physical activities.
Coming back against Arkansas and interrupting the Cowboys’ new starting five’s strong rhythm didn’t feel right. Kalib Boone had earned the right to start Saturday.
So, for possibly the only time in his college basketball career, Cunningham was the sixth man.
And it was certainly not boring.
Cunningham hit a step-back