Although the climate and weather patterns lately are making it easy to pretend spring is not rapidly approaching, it is indeed true; spring is coming. With the spring season drawing near, comes the arrival of an additional season that will sprout – Chisholm High School’s spring sporting seasons of boys’ baseball and girls’ slow-pitch softball.
Chisholm High School’s boys’ baseball coach, Bobby Shoate, agreed to comment on the upcoming season as he believes it will be one unlike any other: “I am really excited to get going. I think we have some awesome pieces on this team. After having most of last season cancelled there is some rust to knock off, but I am confident these guys will buy into what we are trying to accomplish and work hard to do things the right way. We just have to make sure that we take nothing for granted. As we found out last season, nothing is guaranteed. We have to give our best effort every day and be smart about doing what we can do to keep ourselves healthy.” Coach Shoate also spoke on what his team will embody this season despite potential interruptions. “The goal every year is to be a champion. If you do not set out to be the best, you will never get there. However, winning a state championship will not be our measure of success or failure. A successful season will be one in which we improve as ballplayers and people. We want to lay the foundation for a program built on leadership, character, consistency, and excellence. We all want to be champions, but only one team a year gets to be a champion. Our success comes from responsible, accountable, and quality human-beings leaving our program and being successful in things other than baseball,” Shoate said.
As for the CHS Lady Horns slow-pitch softball team, Coach Jim Johnson referenced his teams’ ambitions ahead of the season’s arrival: “I’m expecting an outstanding year. The girls have been excited to start and have set high goals for this team. We are returning a strong core from last year’s team that started out 5-1. Our defense should be very strong, and our offense will have some of the best hitters that we have had in a long time. I think we will continue where we left off from fast-pitch this fall.” Coach Johnson further explained the renewed vigor of his players this season—inspirited and jovial to have a fresh start this season as last year of March 2020 their season was cut short like many others across the nation. “Last year was a tough year for everyone. I felt bad for our players and especially for the seniors. Our season last spring started out great; we were ranked 12th in the state only to have our season shut down after 6 short games. I know this year’s players will be ready to play after missing most of last year’s season. I do believe the girls appreciate playing more after what occurred last year.”
Both the CHS boys and girls’ teams begin their seasons the first week of March with hopefully the weather permitting them a fresh start. Come out to support the CHS Longhorns boy’s baseball and girl’s slow-pitch softball teams this season!
Hey y’all it’s Sophia and Mallie writing our Tween Scene March column in Enid Monthly. We hope you guys enjoyed our February Q&A last month! This month we are going to be talking about the top “fits” this year so far, our styles, and our love for shoes and clothes. Let’s get to “styling”!
The top trending fits for tweens right now are: Jordan 1’s and Jordan 4’s, which are really stylish, and cute shoes paired with ripped jeans with graphic t-shirts. Some other popular outfits are Nike Air force 1’s, which are a big trend right now, paired with leggings and crewnecks. Matching sets like Sweatpants and hoodies that are the same design are also cool. Nike socks are also a really big thing. At both of our schools, Champion hoodies are a REALLY popular style as well.
“The main clothing items I wear are: Ultra boosts, sweatpants, hoodies, graphic tees, Jordan 1’s, Air Forces, ripped jeans, leggings, and crewnecks. My favorite fit is my ripped jeans with Air Force 1s and my butterfly Aeropostale shirt.” -Mallie
“The main Things I wear are: Converse, Adidas tennis shoes, crewnecks, sweaters, hoodies, ripped jeans, workout shorts, leggings, Nike socks, workout t-shirts, dresses and skirts. My favorite fit is either my sweater from Dry Goods, that is white with specks of color, with jeans or my Nike crewneck with my Nike leggings ” -Sophia
We love shoes and clothes sooo much. We like to go shopping together in the mall when we go to the city. When we get older we hope to have a humongous closet full of all the clothes and shoes we could imagine. When we have kids they are going to have the best style in town (hopefully). We also have a special place in our hearts for Louis Vuitton. We even have matching Louis Vuitton dupes. They are pink and blue tie-dye shoes.
We hope y’all enjoyed hearing about the top fits and clothing trends this year! We are going to list photos in outfits we love! Send us pictures of your favorite outfits to tweensceneenid@gmail.com! We love to see and hear about our readers. Also if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas for our next articles you can email us as well.
We hope you have a great March, stay safe and warm and DON”T forget to wear green on St. Patricks day so you don’t get pinched. BYE!!
Dating is different than it used to be, with a variety of digital outlets promising the right match. And just like everything else in the last year, people have strong opinions about it.
Intrigued by friends’ entertaining, horrific, or downright hilarious stories about guys they’ve met online, I went on the hunt for more information. After all, I am The Wordy Girl, and dating apps are a form of marketing yourself online.
The results are in.
“We met on Match.com in December 2018, and were engaged in May 2019, then married in December 2019,” Justin Blasier said. “And, sitting here with my wife, looking at my newborn, I’d say online dating works pretty well.”
On the flipside is Corey Caddell, a 41-year-old single father. “I will never do any form of online dating,” Caddell said. “I want to talk to women in person. I could walk up to any woman, heck, even Carrie Underwood, and I wouldn’t be intimidated.”
The Blasiers – Taylor and Justin Crossed Paths
Meet Enid Brewing Company owners Taylor and Justin Blasier. These lovebirds met on Match.com, which has a handy locationservices feature.
“I had recently been through a divorce, and just decided to look into it,” Justin said. “I was so new to the dating world. I kept getting a notification that Taylor Jordon and I had been in the same place. I looked her up, and thought, ‘She’s really cute. How have I not seen her?’”
Justin and Taylor Blasier
That was Justin’s first and last online match. Taylor, however, had a different experience. “I had some bad matches from Tinder and Match,” she said. “I was about to give up, and was giving it one last shot.”
The pair ended up talking on the phone until 4 a.m., and both deleted their online profiles the next day. “We each shared our entire back story that first night because we’ve all been through things,” Justin said. “We were absolutely meant to be. Those algorithms work, I guess.”
Taylor quickly chimed in, “Yeah, they must, because we were made for each other.”
Corey Caddell – It Ain’t Easy Being a Bachelor
“It’s honestly lazy,” Corey said. “These guys can’t just strike up a regular conversation with a woman they meet in public. I picture them sitting at home on their phones.”
Thinking Corey was a bit harsh, I turned to my survey, where an anonymous responder gave this explanation, “I’m a homebody, and apps help me reach people I wouldn’t otherwise meet.”
As a welder, Corey travels a lot for work. He and his crew were out of town and downloaded Bumble for entertainment one evening. “We logged into my buddy’s new profile, and thought, ‘Let’s see if there are any hot ones. We swiped and swiped, and it took a long time to find a good looking one,” he said.
This swiping theory was shared by most. “It’s a good chance to check out the hotties, of course,” one single female said.
One anonymous person commented that as you get older, the swiping method doesn’t work. “People continue to look for the same thing,” he said. “At my age, dating is like hanging out at the thrift shop trying to find the cleanest shirt.”
Corey echoed this sentiment, saying that, “People get on these apps, and we’ve all been through things. We’re all older, and I’m sure, not perfect. People are still hopping on there expecting to find a brand new car in the used car lot.”
Best Quotes – Read on for the best interview answers.
“Approaching a woman is like asking the bank for money. The worst that can happen is she says no, but I’m not hiding behind one of those apps.” – Corey Caddell
“The hardest part about these apps is everyone there is looking for one thing. But then again, I guess, so am I.” – Anonymous
“People aren’t who they present themselves to be online.” – Anonymous
“The culture is abysmal at best. I’m lucky I found myself a good man in this climate, but it sure is tough.” – Anonymous
“There are too many crazies out there to use online dating.” – Jeri Dawn Osland
“Certain dating apps have reputations for a particular dating style. If you’re looking for something more casual or hook-ups, then tinder may be the best option. If you’re looking for something a little more serious, then Bumble or Match might be better.” – Anonymous
“Dating is HARD, and online dating works for some, and it can be super successful. However, it also creates this culture where there’s always someone better out there. It can be a blessing and a curse. I’ve seen people use it for a boost in confidence or an easy hookup, or just to pursue their happiness, rather than pursuing a Godly relationship or marriage.” – Hilary Thomas
Online dating casts a bigger net, but the good to bad match ratio seems to mirror the real world. I never went online, but I sure had some interesting dates before I met my man. What do you think? Is online dating worth it? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Rachel Doherty is accustomed to hard work. She has been involved in sports for a big portion of her life. She is well aware of the commitment it takes to be an athlete, not to mention the toll it takes on the body. Rachel, a two-sport athlete at Enid High, has been a member of the volleyball team and soccer team her entire high school career.
When speaking to Rachel about the challenges of being a two-sport athlete she said, “playing through all the temporary and permanent injuries is still my hardest challenge but has made me a stronger player and person.” Her motivation comes from many things. Her parents have been very supportive, she works hard to make them proud, and she strives to be the very best she can be for herself and her teammates. “Rachel brings a drive, both in terms of energy and confidence to compete, daily,” said Enid High Soccer Coach Craig Liddell.
As a member of two teams, Rachel has had to learn how to adapt her leadership styles to her many teammates. She says “one of the things I have learned about teamwork is, no matter if someone is having a good or bad day, we as a team need to always support them.” This is a lesson that she seems to have mastered. After watching Rachel play several times I can say that she is very supportive and encouraging to her teammates.
Coach Liddell says that “Rachel is a character both on and off the field who positively influences those around her. A dual-sport athlete that is committed to being genuinely good at both.” Athletics has many positive effects on students, and for Rachel, it helps her stay focused on her future goals and keeps her on top of her grades.
Rachel is planning on going to college to play soccer or volleyball. She is excited about the opportunities that athletics will open up for her in her future. She says one of the most important lessons she has learned from being an athlete is to “give it your all no matter what and to always play as if it was your last time.”
Coach Liddell and Coach Nelson said Rachel is a key leader within their programs. Whatever the next step is for Rachel we feel that she will have a positive impact not only on their athletic teams but on their overall culture as well.
Enid Athletics Plainsmen/Pacer Pride of the Plains Brought to You by Slater Mechanical
Family Medicine/OB physicians, Christopher Hutchinson, DO and Melanie Hutchinson, DO, address the importance of keeping up with your child’s routine care.
Q: Why is it important to maintain well-child visits, even during a pandemic?
A: Dr. Christopher Hutchinson: Continued visits enable the doctor to check on the child’s overall development, including gross motor, social, language development. Preventive medicine is the foundation of well-child health — we want to identify and prevent problems early before they become an issue later.
Dr. Melanie Hutchinson: The well-child visit is an opportunity to answer the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. We don’t want a child to fall behind. It’s important to identify issues such as a speech delay at a young age so it can be addressed and not become a life-long problem. We also screen for post-partum depression in new mothers. As primary care physicians, we are concerned about the well-being of the whole family.
Q: What immunizations are most important for children and why?
A: Dr. Christopher Hutchinson: Parents should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) schedule. There is good evidence to support immunizations prevent contagious diseases like polio, mumps, diphtheria, etc., that we don’t see often, or at all, due to vaccinations.
Dr. Melanie Hutchinson: We are at risk for re-emergence of these diseases if people don’t vaccinate their children. When a high percentage of our population is vaccinated, we prevent those who are too young to receive vaccines, from getting ill with these once prevalent diseases. It’s easy to forget that childhood vaccinations are 99 percent effective.
Q: When do well-child visits begin and when do they end?
A: Dr. Christopher Hutchinson: The first visit begins three-to-five days after birth and visits continue until age 18. During the baby’s first year, the standard visit schedule is:
1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months. That’s followed by 15 and 18 months; 2 years, 2-1/2 years, 3 years, 4 years; 5-6 years; 7-8 years; 9-10 years; 11-14 years; 15-17 years; 18-21 years.
Q: Are well-child visits really necessary once the child enters school?
A: Dr. Melanie Hutchinson: Yes, especially pre-adolescents. We allow them to talk to us to address any issues or concerns they might have. They may be experimenting with drinking and drugs, becoming sexually active, experiencing depression, having sleep or nutrition issues, or might be experiencing bullying at school. Learning about these issues can help us provide supportive resources and advice.
Dr. Melanie Hutchinson, Dr. Chris Hutchinson and Dr. Casey Cochran are located at St. Mary’s Family Medicine North and offer compassionate quality care for the entire family. Call 580-249-3782 or visit stmarysphysicianassociates.com to schedule an appointment.
For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website.
March 1-31 Tuesday-Saturday 10 PM-5 PM Tying the Knot: Getting married during the time of the Oklahoma land runs Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center (507 S. 4th) (Exhibit runs through April 3)
March 1 5:30 PM Women, 7:30 PM Men Basketball: NOC-Enid Jets vs. Western Oklahoma Mabee Center (2401 E. Maine)
March 2-8 11 PM Northwest District Junior Livestock Show Chisholm Trail Expo Center (111 W. Purdue) Steers, Heifers, Ewes, Breeding Does, Breeding Gilts & Barrows; Premium Sale March 8
March 2 2 PM Baseball: NOC-Enid Jets vs. Rose State David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)
6:30 PM Baseball: Enid High vs. Bartlesville David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)
March 3 9:00 PM Live Music: Ryan Oldham (Acoustic) The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
March 4-6 OSSAA Class 2A Area 1 Basketball Tournament Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand)
March 4 5:30 PM Women, 7:30 PM Men Basketball: NOC-Enid Jets vs. Eastern Oklahoma Mabee Center (2401 E. Maine)
7 PM (Doors Open) Karaoke CW Scooters (21+) (3630 N. Van Buren)
7:30 PM Trivia! Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 PM Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
March 5 7 PM Live Music: Evan Parrish and Garrott Holmes Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)
7 PM Live Music: Rigby Summer Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
7 PM Free Class: Frequency Medicine and Modalities Connected Wellness (317 W. Cherokee)
10:00 PM Live Music: Robert Allen Band The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
March 6 10 AM-5 PM The Market: Spring Craft Show Stride Bank Center Grand Ballroom (301 S. Independence)
9 PM Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
10:00 PM Live Music: Oliver White Band The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
March 7 12 PM Baseball: Enid High vs. Woodward David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)
March 6-7 1 PM Friday, 12 PM & 2:30 PM Saturday Baseball: NOC-Enid Jets vs. Northeast CC (Neb.) David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)
March 9 1 PM Baseball: NOC-Enid Jets vs. Rose State David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)
6 PM Baseball: Enid High vs. Edmond Memorial David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)
March 10 9:00 PM Live Music: Brent Krueger The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
March 11 5:30 PM Women, 7:30 PM Men Basketball: NOC-Enid Jets vs. NOC-Tonkawa Mabee Center (2401 E. Maine)
7 PM (Doors Open) Karaoke CW Scooters (21+) (3630 N. Van Buren)
7:30 PM Trivia! Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 PM Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
March 12-13 12 PM & 4 PM OSSAA Dual State Wrestling Tournament Stride Bank Center (302 S. Grand)
March 12-14 Enid Coin Club’s 44th Annual Coin, Token & Paper Money Show 12 PM-6 PM Friday, 9 am-5 pm Saturday, 9 am-3 pm Sunday Hoover Building (316 E. Oxford)
March 12 11 AM Anniversary Celebration! Azalea Park Boutique (124 N. Independence)
11 AM – 6 PM Grand RE-Opening Isabella’s by Yaneli (224 W. Randolph)
7 PM Live Music: Edgar Cruz Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)
7:30 PM Live Music: Dueling Pianos Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
10:00 PM Live Music: Ryan Oldham Band The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
March 13 7 PM Live Music: Krislyn Arthurs Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 PM Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
10:00 PM Live Music: Death Sentence and Blackthorne Elite The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
MARCH 14 11 AM – 6 PM Skateboard Competition! Enid Skate Park (124 N. 5th St.) Beginner, Advanced, Game of Skate and More! Sign up for the competition at http://Enid.org/EventRegistration
March 15 2 PM Baseball: Enid High vs. Jenks David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)
March 16 6 PM Special Event: STEAK NIGHT! Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence) Tickets must be purchased by March 15th at www.enidbrewing.com
March 17
11 AM-Close St. Patty’s Day Celebration Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence) Live Music Jam Session 7 PM-9 PM
5 PM Party: St. Patrick’s Day Party The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott) Free Irish Stew and Drink Specials
7 PM Party: “Wearing of the Green” St. Patrick’s Day Party CW Scooters (21+) (3630 N. Van Buren)
9:00 PM Live Music: John Willingham The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
March 18 7 PM Basketball: NOC-Enid Jets (Men) vs. Nationwide Academy Mabee Center (2401 E. Maine)
7 PM (Doors Open) Karaoke CW Scooters (21+) (3630 N. Van Buren)
7:30 PM Trivia! Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 PM Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
March 19 7 PM Live Music: Gus Burns Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)
7 PM Live Music: Evan & Garrott Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 PM Micro Wrestling (See Ad) CW Scooters (21+) (3630 N. Van Buren)
10:00 PM Live Music: Burning Plains The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
March 20 8 AM (Registration) Tournament: Disk Golf Meadowlake (1200 W. Rupe) Pros: $50 (Cash Winners), Amateur: $40 (Prize Winners), 2 Rounds, Non Sanctioned
8:30 AM Knees 2 War 10K, 5K & One-Mile Fun Run Central Assembly Family Life Center (1202 W. Oxford) Pre-register at Knees2War.org
9 AM-2 PM Weekends on Maine! Maine Street Downtown by Enid Brewing Co. Vendors, live music and more! Check out www.weekendsonmaine.com for more info!
7 PM Live Music: Open Mic Night Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 PM Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
10:00 PM Live Music: Lane Hass The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
March 22 5:30 PM Women, 7:30 PM Men Basketball: NOC-Enid Jets vs. Eastern Oklahoma Mabee Center (2401 E. Maine)
7 PM Free Class: Rolling Into Wellness Connected Wellness (317 W. Cherokee)
March 23 6 PM Baseball: Enid High vs. Broken Arrow David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)
March 24 9:00 PM Live Music: Jesse Hacker The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
March 25 1 PM Baseball: NOC-Enid Jets vs. Murray State David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)
7 PM (Doors Open) Karaoke CW Scooters (21+) (3630 N. Van Buren)
7:30 PM Trivia! Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
9 PM Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
March 26-27 7 PM Special Event: The BADDEST Mechanical Bull Around! CW Scooters (21+) (3630 N. Van Buren)
March 26 6 PM Baseball: Enid High vs. Piedmont David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)
7 PM Live Music: Krislyn Arthurs Settlers Brewing Co. (202 E. Randolph)
7 PM Live Music: Nate Kelley Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
10:00 PM Live Music: Brent Krueger The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
March 27 10:30 AM-3 PM Boy Scouts of America Car Show Garfield County Fairgrounds (111 W. Purdue)
11 AM-7 PM Red Brick Road Food Truck & Art Festival ($2) Red Brick Road (200 Block of E. Maple)
7 PM Live Music: The Roy Weathers Band and official afterparty of the PRCA Xtreme Bull Riding CW Scooters (21+) (3630 N. Van Buren)
7 PM Live Music: Robert Allen Enid Brewing Co. (126 S. Independence)
7:30 PM Bullriding: Enid Ultimate Challenge Xtreme Bulls Stride Bank Center (301 S. Independence) Tickets Available www.stridebankcenter.com
9 PM Karaoke (No Cover) The Lounge @ Ramada (21+) (3005 W. Garriott)
10:00 PM Live Music: The Strangles The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
March 29 5:30 PM Women, 7:30 PM Men Basketball: NOC-Enid Jets vs. Murray State Mabee Center (2401 E. Maine)
March 30 6 PM Baseball: Enid High vs. Stillwater David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)
March 31 1 PM Baseball: NOC-Enid Jets vs. Carl Albert David Allen Memorial Ballpark (301 S. Grand)
9:00 PM Live Music: The Night Caps The Spot (21+) ($5 Cover) (417 N. Grand)
Team Vance contractors scrape snow off the Vance Air Force Base flightline Feb. 18 after the base received 11 inches of snow. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Column by Airman 1st Class Zoe Perkins 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – When a severe winter storm froze Team Vance training sorties, buried the base under 11 inches of snow, and stranded hundreds without water, heat or power Feb. 13 – 17 volunteers and helping agencies across the installation jumped into action providing hot meals and showers to those in need.
For more than 12 days, temperatures at Vance refused to climb higher than 32 degrees and at one point sunk all the way to –13 without wind chill. This caused pipes to freeze at people’s houses and rolling blackouts stripped those same families of electricity and heat.
“The Air Force is a large, diverse family, and Team Vance is a small subset of that, 71st Flying Training Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Kristy Earls said Feb. 25. “When your family’s in trouble, you do everything you can to help.
Help came from many sides including the Fitness Center which served more than 850 members with hot showers, while the Greven Crosswinds Club served more than 230 hot meals, including 182 heater meals that are similar to meals ready to eat or MREs. The club also provided study rooms, games and movies for those displaced by the storm.
The Vance Club handed out 182 free Heater Meals during the snow storm Feb. 13 – 17, 2021, at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zoe T. Perkins)
“It felt great being able to help during that time,” Dan Barzanti, the club manager said Feb. 25. “That’s what we’re here for. Taking care of our Airmen is our priority, and we were happy to do it.”
Six dorm rooms were issued to Airmen displaced by the cold at no cost, and Airmen and Family Readiness Center briefed service members about Air Force Aid financial assistance.
“We had active-duty Airmen, civilians, contractors, and even Army guardsmen whose families either lost power, heat, water or all three who came out to get a hot shower at the gym or a hot meal at the Vance Club,” Earls said. It’s also important to thank our essential workers who cleared the roads, kept the lights on, cooked the food, stayed ready to respond to any emergency, and stood to watch at our gates throughout the storm. Without their steadfast dedication, this installation would not have been ready to provide the assistance our families needed.”
As I am sitting here writing this, Enid is gripped in record cold temperatures and most of us are huddled inside our houses saying we are trying to “stay warm.” It is hard not to think of the unfortunate people that aren’t as lucky as we are to have the 1st world problems of whether or not to heed ONG’s request to set our thermostat at 68 degrees. When we are fighting on facebook about something relatively meaningless, there are many that are fighting for their lives in this cold weather. I hope that we keep our “problems” in perspective and we do what we can to help those that are less fortunate. Please consider volunteering this month for people in need. As my good friend Bill Robinson says: “Be kind to one another. It’s important,”
After 14 years, a professional basketball team will once again take the court in Northwest Oklahoma as the Enid Outlaws of The Basketball League tip-off their inaugural season at the Stride Bank Center in April.
The Outlaws will play a 24-game schedule (12 home games) in April, May, and June, bringing pro basketball back to Enid for the first time since the Oklahoma Storm played in the United States Basketball League from 2000 to 2007.
Madit Dak Dunks
A new era in professional basketball in Enid begins at the regular-season opener on Sunday, April 18 at 4 p.m., but fans will get a chance to get a sneak peek at the Outlaws during an exhibition game on Friday, April 2 at 7 p.m. “I can’t wait to show everybody the product that we’ve been working on for so long.” Outlaws Team Market Owner and President Jonathan Reed stated. “For me, it has been a couple of years of hard work. For me to actually see my dreams for this team and this city to come alive…It’s going to be amazing!”
The Basketball League is a circuit of 35 teams in eight divisions of four conferences spread from coast-to-coast. The Outlaws will compete in the Plains Division of the Central Conference and will build rivalries with the Little Rock Lightning, Midtown Prestige (Wichita KS), and Omaha’s Finest.
The Southwest Division of the Central Conference is based in Texas and Louisiana and features the Dallas Skyline, Lewisville Leopards, Houston Push, Shreveport Mavericks, and Waco Royals.
The Basketball League began play in 2018 and was in the middle of their 2020 schedule last March when it was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They are planning to come back bigger and better than ever in 2021, expanding from 12 teams last season to the current 35.
“YOUR ENID OUTLAWS!”
A native of El Reno, Reed had a long career playing pro basketball around the world. In 2009, he earned first-team All-Irish Superleague honors and was named “Guard of the Year.” After his playing career, Reed came back to El Reno to open OnPoint Academy which is in its tenth year. Reed also continues to play for the Oklahoma Outlaws semi-pro team as well as coach AAU and train students of the game.
“My goal is for guys to come home and play in front of their people,” Reed commented. “I wanted something special for Oklahoma because I was one of those guys that played overseas and didn’t get to play in front of my home crowd.”
General Manager Brian Jamison is an Oklahoma native who is excited to bring pro basketball to Enid. A graduate of Putnam City High School, he played at Southern Nazarene University and has spent much of his career working turning kids into athletes and better people. He spent 25 years in the fitness industry managing, coaching, and training staff and building relationships, which serves him well now.
Brian Jamison, Madit Dak and Wayne Runnels
“I have always been involved in basketball just from an aspect of what it teaches from a leadership standpoint. Jamison said. I’ve felt as though my journey, my path was to bring back what was given to me and to share with kids that have those dreams, hopes, and aspirations of someone believing in them.”
Jamison met Reed after Reed’s professional playing career had come to an end and was impressed by the young coach.
“Jonathan and I came across each other as we were coaching travel basketball on an AAU level. I immediately saw the passion Jonathan had and we have always stayed connected. Jonathan called me one day and said ‘Hey, I’m thinking about doing this. What do you think?’ I thought it was a terrific concept and he said ‘Well, why don’t you join me?”
“When (the Outlaws) came up, Brian was the first guy I thought about,” Reed stated. “I like to have fun, and he likes to have fun with this and I thought he was a great fit. It’s cool to do this with him!”
Jamison has been impressed with what he has seen in Enid and is excited about the possibilities. ”I continue to hear about the athletic atmosphere that Enid has. It’s a sports town, and the entire community has been nothing but wonderful to us. It’s been easy for me in Enid, just because of the community that has embraced us.”
When the organization went looking for a head coach, Reed had a good idea about what he was looking for and he found Ed Corporal. “Coach Corporal is the perfect guy for this job.“ Reed asserted. “He has experience in the league, he has experience with high-level players. He’s not going to be intimidated either way and he comes out to win. I like his attitude toward the game. I like his preparation. I wanted a veteran coach that can make the players better as both people and basketball players.”
Corporal has been a head coach in the TBL before, guiding the Kansas City Tornadoes for two seasons, the first as an assistant, the second as the head coach. Last year he was the head coach of the Gulf Coast Lions, leading them to a 4-4 record before the pandemic ended the league schedule. He was the Associate Head Coach of the Arkansas RimRockers when they won an ABA championship in 2005 and also spent time as the head coach of the ABA’s Arkansas RiverCatz. “Enid, I feel, will be the place to be in the TBL” Corporal said. “The Stride Bank Center is a great venue and atmosphere for professional basketball. We are going to put a very competitive team on the floor that is built to win a championship right away and we want the city of Enid to be a part of it.”
It’s very important to sell tickets and corporate sponsorships, and the Outlaws have a solid team working in the community to generate some revenue in Jamison and longtime Enid resident Cathy Nulph. It’s not easy to get people in the seats and sell sponsor signage in the arena if you don’t have a quality product on the floor and the Outlaws are working hard to find quality players. You might think that getting good talent to come to Enid would be difficult, but anybody who cheered for the Oklahoma Storm knows better. The franchise featured past and future NBA talents like Ira Newble, Reggie Slater, Willie Burton, and Brent Price and incubated coaches who went on to the NBA, including Bryan Gates, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Roy Rogers, and 2020 NBA Coach of the Year Nick Nurse. Players come to Enid because of the opportunity…and the fans.
“We tell the players that they will be playing in probably the best arena in this league,” Jamison commented. “The atmosphere is wonderful, the arena is beautiful and you have a community that is embracing you. It is an easy sell for us.”
While the entire team will come together in the next few weeks, some quality talent is already making plans to spend their spring in Enid. Wayne Runnels Jr. was a four-sport standout at Watonga High School before beginning his collegiate career at NOC-Enid, where he was Region 2 Player of the Year, a second-team NJCAA All-American, and is still on the Jets all-time scoring and rebounding lists 12 years after he graduated in 2009. He finished his collegiate career at Creighton University in Omaha, NE, playing his junior and senior campaigns with the Bluejays.
Since then, he has been active playing in independent and Native American tournaments. In 2018, while preparing to go to training camp with the TBL team in Kansas City at the time, Runnels suffered a knee injury. After a year of rehab and an unexpected Covid delay, he is more than ready to play again. “I had surgery and was out for 2019 and in 2020, Covid hit.” Runnels recounted. ”It was a setback. When I first saw that this team was being created it was kind of a “calling home” type thing. At Creighton, my family wasn’t able to come to watch me play. That is the thing that excites me the most. Being able to play in front of my family and friends in Enid. Having the chance to play professional basketball is exciting for me!”
Another exciting avenue bringing players to Enid has something to do with the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBA “G-League” developmental league is playing a shortened season in a “bubble” in Orlando. Normally, all NBA teams have G-League affiliations, but this year, some NBA franchises elected not to send their G-League team to Orlando. That allowed the Outlaws to grab Madit Tieny Dak, a 6’11 center from the African country of South Sudan, from the Texas Legends, the G-League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks.
Madit Dak Lays the Ball Up
Dak was the third player taken in the first round of the 2019 G-League draft then played six games for the Legends during the 2019-20 season. NBA Scouting Live reports that “Dak is somewhat of a mystery man as he has yet to be tested in the G-League, but he is a promising prospect that could end up swiftly moving up draft boards if he plays well there.” Fans in Enid will get a chance to watch him develop this spring.
He has only been in the country for three years and after a year of high school basketball, he decided to forgo college and take a shot at the G-League.
Dak could have taken the opportunity to go overseas when the Legends opted not to play this spring, but he decided to stay in the United States to work on his game and further prepare for his ultimate goal, the NBA. “I could have gone overseas, but I decided to come and play here. Dak commented. “I’m working hard to get ready for the (NBA) summer league. I’m just trying to focus on my game. My defending and my rebounding is pretty good, but I’m working on my shots.”
Getting players from the G-League and making sure they have a positive experience while they are here is very important to the Outlaws franchise. “The Legends coaching staff is telling me that they want to put their players in a situation where they are going to get better,” Reed said. “(These players) are not going to come here and just play. I put these guys through a rigorous workout. I’m going to have them on those weights. I’m going to have them eating right. We are going to take really good care of the players. That’s why the Legends are going to send them to me.”
While you might think it is all about the performance on the court, Reed and Jamison understand that a big part of the equation is the sizzle on the sidelines.
Kolby Lofton (Dance Coordinator) and Rocky
Kolby Lofton, a native of Seminole who danced and cheered at Oklahoma State University, has been tasked with helping to build a cohesive dance team and having them ready for opening night. The coach of the dance team is Haylie Morris who brings NBA experience as a Thunder girl in Oklahoma City. “Jonathan reached out to me because he said he liked my style,” Lofton said. “Starting a new team, building it from the ground up, is probably the most fun because you can make it whatever you want.”
Cheri Edwards is the Outlaws Director of Operations. Edwards is a native of Tecumseh and played basketball at Oklahoma State University. She will be involved in all facets of the team including coaching, training, managing finances, and event coordination. She has been a big part of Reed’s organization for years, coaching his semi-pro team to a championship and earning Coach of the Year honors.
Matt Mobley (Entertainment Coordinator), Brian Jamison (General Manager), Jonathan Reed (Owner/President), Cheri Edwards (Dir. of Operations)
The proverbial elephant in the room is the fact that the Outlaws are trying to navigate their first season in the middle of a global pandemic. It has brought challenges never before faced by anybody in the sports marketing business. Based on the local attitudes toward Covid-19, Enid may prove to be one of the best places to start a pro sports franchise right now.
“Even during these times that are challenging with Covid, people want to be involved with us,” Jamison stated. “We will make sure that the community is safe. That our players are safe, and it is still an atmosphere that everyone enjoys themselves. We consistently fine-tune the seating numbers, fine-tune the spacing, fine-tune the sanitization…from the lobby to the bleachers to the court, keeping the place as clean and germ-free as possible.”
Stride Bank Center General Manager Kevin Boryczki agrees that the safety of his guests, on and off the floor, is paramount. “It’s a little different for our industry right now because customer service, and the customer, has always been first. Whatever the customer wants, we do. That has changed a little bit because, with Covid, it’s really ‘safety first’ and making sure that we provide a safe environment.”
The hardwood that the Outlaws will play on has an interesting story as well. Shortly after the Stride Bank Center opened, a portable basketball court that had been used for just one weekend during the NCAA Tournament was purchased. The NCAA mandates that new floors are used for the tournament each year and then sold after that year’s tournament. One of those courts (nobody knows what tournament site used it) has been a stage for area high school, collegiate, and now professional athletes at the Stride Bank Center for eight years.
Boryczki said that bringing professional sports franchises to Enid and giving them a home has been a high priority since the arena opened in 2013. “It’s something from day one when our company (Spectra Venue Management) came in here and started managing this facility, we’ve talked about “tenant teams.” It started with the football team (Oklahoma Flying Aces of the Champions Indoor Football League) and now, adding a professional basketball tenant is awesome.”
The Flying Aces are scheduled to play their 2021 schedule at the same time as the Outlaws, which will make for a VERY busy Stride Bank Center staff this spring. After a year of pandemic induced inactivity, Boryczki is ready to take on the challenge. “We are looking forward to the synergy between the basketball team and the football team. They are going to have overlapping seasons. It’s going to be great to watch how everyone can work together to make Enid a cool sports town from April to June.”
HERE’S THE SKINNY ON THE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
TBL teams operate on a budget ranging from $125,000 to $250,000 per year, with player salaries ranging from $1000 to $4000 per month. In previous years, the league played a schedule that started in January but is getting off to a late start this season due to the pandemic. That could improve the quality of play league-wide as starting later in the spring gives players who play during what is considered the “normal” winter season in other leagues and overseas, an opportunity to come home and play in the United States during their offseason.
The TBL is managed by Evelyn and David Magley. Besides being a rare wife and husband team, Evelyn Magley is the first Black female CEO of a male professional sports league in North America. David played collegiately at the University of Kansas and Evelyn went to KU as well.
The Commissioner of the TBL is Carlnel Wiley, Jr. Wiley has plenty of professional basketball experience and was named the TBL “Coach of the Year” when he coached the Mesquite Desert Dogs.
After the regular season, the Outlaws’ goal is to qualify for the TBL playoffs. The Yakima (WA) Sun Kings were regular-season champions in 2018 and 2019, with the Sun Kings winning the playoffs in 2018 and the Albany Patroons capturing the playoff title in 2019.
The top two teams in each division at the end of the regular season will qualify for the playoffs. That will, no doubt, enhance the budding rivalries with Little Rock, Wichita, and Omaha. Two teams will make the playoffs…two will not.
Tickets are available online at stridebankcenter.com or by calling 855 TIX-ENID. The box office is located on the second floor of the Stride Bank Center Convention Hall, off Independence Ave. in the administration office on non-event days. On event days, the box office is located on the southwest corner of the Stride Bank Center arena.
As opening night gets closer, the excitement for Boryczki and his staff is building. “We’re really excited,” Boryczki stated. “I wasn’t here when the Storm was here but it was very popular and I think that people want basketball. It’s pretty cool that this is the 100th anniversary of Convention Hall and a big part of that history IS basketball. For it to now return, I think, is really cool.”
And for Jonathan Reed, there is one challenge that he has faced since he started the Outlaws. A challenge he has worked hard to overcome as opening day looms. “It’s about getting the people to see the correct vision and to see what I want to do with this. It’s about having people buy into the fact that it’s going to be a community team. It’s about having the right kind of people in our organization…It’s about giving Enid and Northwest Oklahoma something to be proud of.” Not only will the Enid Outlaws likely be a source of pride, they will also be a great source of entertainment that area basketball fans have missed for 14 years.
CONFERENCES AND DIVISIONS
The Basketball League is separated into four conferences with two divisions in each conference. 35 teams will play a 24-game schedule, 12 home and 12 away games, focusing on division and conference play.
CENTRAL CONFERENCE
Plains Division Enid Outlaws Little Rock Lightning Midtown Prestige (Wichita KS) Omaha’s Finest
Pacific Northwest Division California SeaKings (Seaside CA) Fresno Fire Portland Storm Salem Capitals
SoCal Division San Diego Guardians Temecula Eagles Vegas Ballers West Coast Breeze
2021 ENID OUTLAWS SCHEDULE
April Fri 9th – @ Omaha Finest, Nebraska Sun 11th – @ Little Rock Lightning, Arkansas Fri 16th – @ Houston Push, Texas Sun 18th – vs Lewisville Leopards, Enid, OK Fri 23rd – vs Omaha Finest, Enid, OK Sun 25th – vs Midtown Prestige, Wichita, KS
May Sat 1st – @ Little Rock Lightning, Arkansas Sun 2nd – vs Waco Royals, Enid, OK Sat 8th – vs Midtown Prestige, Enid, OK Sun 9th – vs Houston Push, Enid, OK Sat 15th – @ Dallas Skyline, Texas Sun 16th – vs Omaha Finest, Enid, OK Sat 22nd – vs Shreveport Mavericks, Enid, OK Sat 23rd – vs Little Rock Lightning, Enid, OK Fri 28th – @ Omaha Finest, Nebraska Sun 30th – @ Little Rock Lightning, Arkansas
June Sat 5th – vs Omaha Finest, Enid, OK Sun 6th – vs Little Rock Lightning, Enid, OK Fri 11th – @ Lewisville Leopards, Texas Sun 13th – @ Midtown Prestige, Wichita, KS Fri 18th – @ Shreveport Mavericks, Louisiana Sun 20th – @ Midtown Prestige, Wichita, KS Sat 26th – @ Waco Royals, Texas Sun 27th – vs Dallas Skyline, Enid, OK
