Monday, June 1, 2020

Honoring the legacy of legendary osu coach eddie sutton 1936-2020

EDDIE! EDDIE! EDDIE! Kelly Kerr/O’Colly

HALL OF FAME CAREER... * Sutton’s 806 career wins are the 25th most in NCAA history

Tulsa World

Tulsa World

* Sutton was named national coach of the year four times

* Sutton was the first coach to take four different schools to the NCAA tournament Tulsa World MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020

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SPOR T S

The coaches’ coach: Eddie Sutton impacted coaches across the country Ryan Novozinsky Editor in chief @ ryannovo62

Tulsa World

Eddie Sutton had a lasting impact on many coaches throughout his 36-year career as a Division I basketball coach.

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Eddie Sutton’s hall of fame personality left an impact on most people he met, especially those who shared his love of coaching.

In fact, many coaches remember their first interactions with Sutton and how much he inspired them to succeed.

For TCU coach Jamie Dixon, this happened in a gift shop at a Final Four game.

“When I got into coaching I started going out to Final Fours, that’s the place that you go when you’re 24, 25 and played for a while after TCU and I went and showed up there with my resume,” Dixon told the O’Colly. “Trying to get a job, that’s kind of how we did it before social media and other stuff going on.

“I remember going up to (Sutton) and I saw him at the gift shop at the Final Four and introduced myself like, ‘Hey coach, I’m trying to get in the business, get into coaching. Any advice? I played against you when I was at TCU and you were at Arkansas.’

“He then said, ‘Well, looks like you’re doing what you’ve got to do. Introduce yourself to people, get to know people.’ Then he wished me luck, so that was

a step in growing my network and going from player to coach.”

In Sutton’s 36 years of coaching Division I basketball, there were countless stories of him helping guide younger coaches. ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla made a friendship with Sutton in his early coaching days, but it really prospered in his post-coaching career.

“As a young coach coaching, I only got to know him peripherally,” Fraschilla said. “But he was very kind, welcoming, a mentor from a distance. But it was after leaving coaching and going to ESPN that I really got to know him well because of all the Oklahoma State games I did and how I got to know both Eddie and his family, all three of his sons, (his wife) Patsy.

“It was a great experience to get to talk to coach Sutton at the end of his career.”

Story continues on page 5.

“It was a great experience to get to talk to coach Sutton at the end of his career.”

- ES P N’s Fran Frasc hi lla

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S P O RT S

C O W B OY BAS K E T BA L L

More than a coach: Eddie Sutton’s importance to the osu community Hallie Hart, Staff re porter , @ hallie h a rt

When my younger sister turned 3, Eddie Sutton sang “Happy Birthday” to her.

In 2004, my grandparents traveled to Dallas to watch the top-seeded Oklahoma State men’s basketball team compete in the Big 12 Tournament, and they saw Sutton stepping off the elevator in their hotel. It was his birthday, too. After my grandma wished him “Happy birthday” and said she was on the phone with her granddaughter who was also born that day, Sutton grabbed the cellphone and began to sing.

At our house, my parents, sister and I gathered around the kitchen table as Sutton’s voice drifted through the phone speaker. We were overjoyed.

After I heard the news of Sutton’s death Saturday, this memory came to mind because it exemplifies his role in the OSU community. My sister had never met Sutton, and no one in my family knew him personally.

That didn’t matter. He cared, and he was willing to set aside some extra time to brighten someone’s day, which is evident in every tribute that mentions the handwritten letters and thoughtful words he shared with the people around him.

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Behind his iconic scowl, there was so much kindness.

I could recognize that scowl from the time I was a too-talkative toddler wearing my tiny OSU cheer uniform. I saw it everywhere. The scowl adorned the face of my family’s Sutton bobblehead that stood in our living room, my “Eddie Eddie Eddie” T-shirt and the cutouts of Sutton’s face that fans enthusiastically held up when they packed into Gallagher-Iba Arena and filled it with booming noise.

I don’t recall a moment when I learned who Sutton was. He was just always there, the Cowboy basketball coach, someone I viewed as a largerthan-life celebrity and a familiar grandfather-like figure somehow morphed into one awesome person.

I grew up in Chandler, only about 40 miles from Stillwater, so we had season tickets for Cowboy basketball games and saw Sutton sometimes twice a week. I didn’t care that I had to make the trek up the steep stairs to sit in our nosebleed seats. Because of Sutton’s teams, I fell in love with college basketball, as did many other kids who watched the Cowboys play in the early 2000s.

My mom and I recently discussed how everyone in our family had often referred to Sutton by

only his first name, as if he were OSU’s Prince or Beyoncé or Madonna.

There was no need to add the surname. If we mentioned “Eddie,” though it’s a fairly common name, it was almost always clear we were referring to the legendary coach.

He was, as his intro music at basketball games stated, “The Man” at OSU. Sutton led the Cowboys through tragedy and triumph. He was a leader in 2001, when he and so many others were grieving after 10 individuals connected to the program lost their lives in an airplane crash Jan. 27. He was a leader in 1995 and in 2004, when the OSU fanbase celebrated as his teams secured Final Four spots in the NCAA Tournament.

Sutton’s leadership as a coach can’t begin to describe his full impact on the Cowboy basketball program. In every interview with his former players, I was moved by the way they talked about Sutton. He was tough but warm. Strict but understanding. He had high expectations on the court and a high level of compassion off the court.

Ivan McFarlin, a starter on the 2004 Final Four team, described how Sutton’s even-keeled demeanor has influenced his own approach to coaching. Tony Allen,

Hallie Hart/O’Colly

Chloe and Hallie Hart knew who Eddie Sutton was from the time they were young and spent hours in Gallagher-Iba Arena to watch his teams play.

that team’s star who went on to play in the NBA, admired Sutton’s honesty.

“We talk about all the wins, but I just like how he prepared me as a young man,” Allen said. “…How Coach Sutton was as a person, with me, personally, I’ll never forget it.”

Allen also mentioned how Sutton was like a father figure. Sutton’s family members and basketball players weren’t the only ones who held that viewpoint. Kyle Porter of Pistols Firing Blog wrote that Sutton was a father figure “for so many Oklahoma State fans as well.”

“He was — collectively — our OSU dad,” Porter said.

He couldn’t have stated it better. Sure, most fans didn’t have the deep, lifechanging talks with Sutton that his players treasured, but many admired him as the wise, fatherly coach who brought Cow-

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boy basketball back into the spotlight.

That respect for Sutton was embodied in the “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie” chants that rang out in Gallagher-Iba Arena whenever he attended games long after his coaching career was done. As a student reporter, I don’t know how many times I tweeted about the fans chanting his name, but I never got tired of it. I wish it could happen again; I wish I could see Sutton at the center of the court that bears his name one more time, in the building full of people who would always celebrate him.

But the widespread admiration for Sutton is still strong. It’s there in journalists’ stories about their memorable, heartwarming interactions with Sutton. It’s there in the large signature on the maple court in Gallagher-Iba Arena, just one way to thank

Sutton for the transformative impact he had on the basketball program.

It’s there when Mike Boynton talks about how Sutton has inspired him to usher in a “new era” of Cowboy basketball, and it’s there when other coaches such as Chris Beard and Kelvin Sampson speak of their respect for Sutton.

In my mind, the “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie” chant continues. My family and I still have several of our Sutton-era mementos, including the bobblehead, and we have the joyous memory of him surprising my sister with his rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

Eddie Sutton was an exceptional coach, but more importantly, he was a pillar of the OSU community. Sutton loved OSU. It loved him back.

And the love that fueled the “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie” chant will never fade.

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C O W B OY BAS K E T BA L L

Tulsa World

Eddie Sutton’s gifted sense of teaching allowed him to coach up some of the best coaches in college basketball.

Story continued from page 2.

The friendship allowed Fraschilla to appreciate Sutton’s greatness on a different level, a personal level. He saw Sutton advance two different schools to the Final Four and saw him win various coaching awards over the years. All the success prompted some of the winningest coaches in the game to seek Sutton’s advice.

“I was so discouraged by our defensive play early in the 200405 season at Carolina that I asked (Sutton) if I could come watch his team practice,” North Carolina Tar Heels coach Roy WilMONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020

liams said. “He graciously said yes, and assistant coach Joe Holladay flew with me to Stillwater and we watched the Cowboys practice.

“It helped us a great deal. We learned that his team was doing the same drills as we were, but I needed to do a better job coaching. We got better defensively and our team ended up winning the national championship that season.”

Sutton’s impact reached outside the basketball world too.

Longtime University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer had a friendship with Sutton that dated back to the

1950s. Over the years, Switzer watched his friend miss out on the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame six times before finally being inducted in April. The continual snubbing of Sutton angered Switzer every time.

“He deserved it long ago, damn politics,” Switzer said.

“They kept me out for years because they didn’t like my a-- either, and they didn’t like him either so that’s what happens.

“Do you think, with his record, he didn’t deserve to be in there?

That’s ridiculous. It’s not about what you accomplish on the court it’s what people

seem to think of you or read or influence by others… Those guys that voted on whether he got in or not, they were the guys who sat in the back of the 8th grade P.E. class on the last row and didn’t dress out.”

The Hall of Fame honor was eventually rewarded to Sutton.

With 806 wins, he is the 25th winningest coach in college basketball history, yet according to some, the wins aren’t what made him a great person.

The loving attitude he showed every day is why he’s remembered so fondly by his peers.

“I think the most impressive thing is… just the impact that he OCOLLY.COM

had on (his players) as people,” Iowa State coach Steve Prohm said. “All the stats are great, the wins, taking four teams to the NCAA tournament, all that great stuff, but I think the biggest thing when you listen to his guys talk is just the incredible impact that he had on all the teams he coached.”

For others, Sutton’s ability to persevere in the face of adversity is what made him a hall of famer in life.

“I think another aspect of (Sutton’s) incredible career is how he handled the plane crash back in 2001 and how he brought the Oklahoma State community together

after that,” Fraschilla said. “There’s probably no words to describe what kind of difficulty that would be to be placed in in terms of comforting families of the lost and the Oklahoma State community. I thought that said a lot about his incredible character.”

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Horoscope

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Today’s Birthday (06/01/20). Adapt to grow family fortunes this year. Review structures to find new explorations. The resolution of partnership challenges leads to financial breakthroughs. Changes benefit shared accounts this summer, before winter personal growth leads to renewed love, partnership and romance. Share and pull together for love.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — Pull together despite challenges.

Connect with a respected elder or mentor. Ignore rumors and gossip. Stay flexible with miscommunication, delays or errors. Nurture each other.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — You’re a powerful force. Your spiritual advisor helps you stay on the right path. Let go of an old trepidation.

Physical action gets results.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Enjoy time with loved ones. Discipline and experience pay. Teach your special tricks. Learn a few, too. Forgive miscommunications. Talk about what you love.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Pursue domestic priorities. A careful investment may be necessary. Make repairs and upgrades. Stay patient, especially with young people. Roll around obstacles. Nurture family.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Listen, learn, and stick up for yourself.

Don’t go along with a plan if you don’t agree. Minimize risks. Teach from experience, patiently and respectfully.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Recognize the value of the past. Keep track of your earnings. Rely on a loved one and your own common sense. Monitor the budget.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Provide a stabilizing influence to others. Practical guidance supports your crew. Gain strength from the past. You’re gaining respect. Provide leadership.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 6 — Quiet time soothes and comforts.

Meditate in dappled shadows. Let emotions flow. Imagine how you would love things to go. Pamper yourself with rest.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 6 — Plan for a social connection.

Prepare for an upcoming celebration and get creative. Obstacles block the flow of communication and action. Consider and imagine.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Keep up the good work. You’re taking care of business, despite challenges and obstacles. You can find the funding you need. Repay a favor.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Study and explore options. Learn and adapt to new realities. Research projects can bear valuable fruit. Investigate and discover new tools, techniques and stories.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Focus on generating positive cash flow into shared accounts. Avoid risky propositions. Collaborate to prepare what’s necessary. Expect delays or mistakes. Maintain patience.

MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020

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6/1/20

Solution to Saturday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

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ACROSS 1 Antacid brand named for the organ it soothes 5 “Same as always, bartender,” with “the” 10 Slow-cooked dish 14 Cognac letters 15 Size above medium 16 Frosty coating 17 *Where hockey punishments are served 19 Jason’s ship 20 Situation lacking clarity 21 Selling point 22 *Local retailer 25 Sharp-wittedness 29 Spanish painter Francisco 30 Part of “Hey Jude” that lasts nearly four minutes 31 Slavic prefix 33 Intel missions 36 *Insignificant amount 40 MSNBC rival 41 Damp 42 Info in a folder 43 Highlands native 44 In the arms of Morpheus 46 *Car rooftop attachment for a Schwinn 51 Febreze targets 52 Like a very close relationship 57 Scarlett’s plantation 58 Reinvigorates, as an economy ... or a hint to the beginnings of the answers to starred clues 60 Gab 61 WWII bomber __ Gay 62 Lock openers 63 Putter’s target 64 Post-workout pains 65 Norwegian capital

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By Jesse Goldberg

3 “__ Lisa” 4 Fix, vet-style 5 “Avengers: Age of __” (2015) 6 Ending with nay or sooth 7 Citified 8 Gone by 9 Evil Luthor 10 Soda named for a California mountain 11 Trunk of the body 12 Raring to go 13 “Murder, She __” 18 Delicate fabric 21 Words before wish or were 23 “Snowy” heron 24 Eddard Stark’s heir on “Game of Thrones” 25 “High Voltage” band 26 On-the-cob veggie 27 Japanese noodle 28 Image in an atlas 31 Subway entrance DOWN 1 Freq. sitcom rating 32 “Say what?”

2 One logging on sounds

Saturday’s Puzzle Solved

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33 Texan’s neighbor 34 Legendary soccer star 35 Ladder rung 37 Apple desktops 38 Holiday carol 39 Calgary Stampeders’ org.

43 Swing one’s hips 44 Plays the role of 45 Amusing sketch 46 Bungle

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47 Boise’s state 48 Reef material 49 Big name in copiers 50 Bracelet spot 53 Speedy shark 54 Greek god of war 55 Texter’s sign-off 56 Standard Oil brand 58 Mauna __ 59 Business mag PAGE 7

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