Monday, December 12, 2022
OSU’s ticket revenue declined in recent years Nick Friesen O’Colly Contributor
Oklahoma State, the ticket revenue for football has been on a steady decline for the last eight years. No one knows why this is the case. Cowboy Football has been one of OSU’s Athletics Ticket Revenue the more consistent programs over the has been a weird situation every year. last 10 years. The fans show up, but the ticket Dane McPherson, a student at revenue for each sport doesn’t back that Oklahoma State University, said he has up. noticed some effects in ticket revenue at Football is the main thing at Okla- the games. homa State. Every weekend, fans gather “Whenever a new season begins, in Boone Pickens Stadium to cheer on the top portion of the stands looks the Cowboys. But just how many fans worse and worse,” McPherson said. are buying tickets? “The top right of the stadium never has According to data obtained from fans for any home games for as long as I
can remember.” This isn’t just about football though. Most of the big sports in Oklahoma State Athletics has been up and own over the past couple of years. Men’s and women’s basketball have been up and down since 2014 as well. OSU Associate Athletic Director Strategic Marketing & Ticket Sales, Payton Phillips, said key issues play into the revenue. “The revenue varies with team performance,” Phillips said. “Pricing changes over the years has caused that as well.” There are several reasons for
the ticket revenue being down in other sports. OSU men’s and women’s basketball hasn’t been good over the last five years. Phillips said team performance plays in the revenue being down for those sports. One thing that is offered to students is the all-sports pass. The $250 pass gives you access to all Oklahoma State Athletic events. This pass just started a couple years ago, and it has been a great addition. Jesse Beck, a student at OSU, says the all-sports pass is a great tool to have during the week. See Ticket on page 4
Oklahoma climate crisis
Past, present, future Katy Leard, Lilly Smith & Lauren Suarez O’Colly Contributors
Chase Davis
Second half shortcoming OSU guard Avery Anderson III scored 15 points in the Cowboys’ 70-65 loss to Virginia Tech on Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn.
curve ball ready for me.” Before graduating from Oklahoma State University and starting his own business, May grew up in northwest Oklahoma on his father’s farm. Living on a farm and owning his own company, May has seen it all when it comes to Oklahoma’s climate. Even living with the advanced technology of the 21st century, May is still affected by the extreme climate. The Oklahoma climate crisis has affected farmers since the devastation of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. In recent years, similar weather conditions have negatively impacted farmers and are predicted to drive agriculture out of Oklahoma as a whole. “We actually have two droughts going on right now,” said Gary McManus, state climatologist for Oklahoma. “We have the long term drought that started in August of 2021. And then we have the flash drought that started about the second week of June this year.” Along with the steadily rising temperature in the state, the lack of precipitation mimics the drought that began the Dust Bowl in the 1930s.
Many farmers face challenges each day in their everyday lives. Oklahoma farmers are no different. With a state that has varied terrain, they must be prepared for any problem that comes their way. Oklahoma has more than 10 ecoregions ranging from plains to plateaus to hills. Precipitation is higher in the eastern part of Oklahoma, whereas the west gets more rainfall variability. This means that it is measured as the standard deviation of the growth rate of rainfall. Soil varies across the state as well, which in turn, affects the moisture for plant and animal life. This is an important factor for farmers to decide where they settle and what crops or livestock are most profitable. With Oklahoma’s diverse conditions, farming has more issues now as the temperatures increased and precipitation decreased over the course of the year. “Every day is a challenge,” said Jerry May, farmer and owner of May Precision Ag. “Every morning, MothSee Climate on page 5 er Nature has another
OSU fails to come out on top against Virginia Tech despite comeback 65 loss against Virginia Tech. “I feel like we should’ve won,” said forward Kalib Boone. “There’s certain things I can do as a senior on this team and I didn’t.” Tied at 60-60 with two Ashton Slaughter minutes left, it looked like anyone’s game, as the outcome was Staff Reporter completely up in the air. But three turnovers in the final two minutes ended the Cowboys hopes of comThree out of five OSU starters ing out on top, as the Hokies took had zero points after 20 minutes. advantage of their mistakes and Avery Anderson, Moussa closed the game out. OSU coach, Cisse and John Michael-Wright Mike Boynton, acknowledged his all hadn’t found the bottom of the team’s struggles to close games out. net in the first half of play, as the “We got to be better there Cowboys had already totaled 10 to close out games against good turnovers with the offense lookteams,” Boynton said. ing completely out of sync, leaving Anderson ended up having 15 them down nine at halftime. points in the contest, tying Kalib “I feel like the first half we Boone for a team-high, as a major came out very flow and we weren’t part of the Cowboys’ early comein sync,” said Cowboy guard Caleb back push came from Anderson’s Asberry. shooting, as he drilled three threeOut of the break however, pointers in a span of a minute and they came out firing, making the forty seconds. game close, til ultimately falling “Avery came out and played short, dropping to 6-4 in their 70like Avery,” Asberry said. When
he does that I feel like we’re a way better team and we just need that from him way more.” The Cowboys downfall were their turnovers, as they ended with 17 turnovers in the contest, with the Hokies having a great defensive outing. On defense though, the Cowboys were able to force 10 Hokies turnovers, which is impressive considering they averaged an NCAA-best 8.6 turnovers per game coming into the game. The Cowboys, who are currently last in the Big 12, will need to finish non-conference play strong, as their offensive struggles and inability to close thus far in the season have cost them. “A lot of disappointment,” Boynton said. “ To not be able to close better is certainly disappointing and certainly something we got to own and look forward to trying to fix.” Courtesy of Katy Leard, Lilly Smith & Lauren Suarez
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Jerry May is just one of many farmers keeping local agriculture alive even with the ongoing affects of climate change.