July 18, 2025
‘As fate would have it’
How Eskimo Joe’s has turned into
a Stillwater staple
BY KENZIE KRAICH I EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
What started as a random Sunday afternoon for Stan Clark quickly evolved into the most important 30 minutes of his life.
“That little window of time determined the next 50 years, and hopefully many, many more,” Clark said.
When Clark and his good friend Steve File walked into the little twostory building on Elm street back in 1975, they had no idea they would begin a legacy. But here we are, celebrating yet another anniversary of the Eskimo Joe’s brand.
A little bit of history Eskimo Joe’s has had a few additions and facelifts as the years
have gone on, but the building that Clark walked into as a fresh college graduate is the same one that stands today — it can just fit a few more people and a lot more clothes.
“I was just trying to open a place that would be a lot of fun,” Clark said. “Our formula was simple. Ice cold beer, and… we were going to play music.
“Every other bar in ‘75… if people quit putting quarters (in the jukebox), the music stopped. So, that was part of our formula — we spun tunes all day every day.”
In the fall of 1983, Clark had to find a way to adapt as the new drinking age was moved from 18 to 21. His solution? Food.
Tips for road trips to keep
summer safe
surprises on the way. Plan the route before to familiarize yourself with the major highways, roads and stops.
Summer is in full swing, and the trip you planned months ago is finally happening. Unfortunately, packing your suitcase isn’t enough to guarantee all goes as planned. Whether it’s a several-hour drive or a several-day adventure, the following tips will ensure the whole crew arrives at the vacation destination safely: Plan your route
Throwing a destination in the GPS is the easiest way to get where you need to go, but this leaves room for
Comparing the routes from different softwares, such as using both Apple Maps and Google Maps, will give you different options.
Checking the weather along the route can prepare you for rain or severe weather. Plan a stop along the way if needed to avoid any major storms. To add more fun stops along the way, there are some websites (linked is a free version) that will show sightseeing destinations along a given route.
See SAFETY on page 4
Courtesy Eskimo Joe’s
A crowd gathers at Eskimo Joe’s in
RAYNEE
Cheers to 50 years
A look at past Eskimo Joe’s anniversaries
“I have enjoyed my experience with Joe’s. After 10 years, it’ still a blast. That’s the beauty of it.”
—Stan Clark, Eskimo Joe’s owner, to The O’Colly in 1983
“Renee Wilmeth, director of public relations at Eskimo Joe’s, says Joe’s is ‘trying to keep arrests down and the fun up’ by putting fliers in sacks of Joe’s Clothes. The flier lists tips of what to do and what not to do to have a good time legally.”
—The O’Colly 1990
“Although 180 people were arrested by the police on various charges, an estimated 22,000 attended Eskimo Joe’s 14th Anniversary Weekend without incident, said Stillwater Police Chief Norman McNickle.”
—The O’Colly, 1989
Pistol Pete statue stolen from fraternity
In broad daylight on Sunday, the wooden Pistol Pete in front of Sigma Alpha Epsilon found itself off its tree stump and into the bed of a silver GMC pickup.
Two male suspects were caught on video breaking the 8-foot statue off its tree stump and removing it from its home near 1300 W. 3rd St., according to the Stillwater Police Department.
This is not the first time the statue has been tampered with. The pistol has been stolen at least two times, along
with its arm in Sep. 2019. Clayton Coss of Clayton Coss Chainsaw Carvings created the original statue and did repairs after it was vandalized. In Sunday’s incident, the entire statue was loaded in the truck with unknown tags, and the suspects left the area in an unknown direction. SPD released descriptions of the two men and was seeking help from the public in identifying the suspects. Tuesday, the suspects were identified, but names have not yet been released. This article will be updated to reflect the names once released.
news.ed@ocolly.com
File photo
In 2019, the Pistol Pete statue in front of Sigma Alpha Epsilon was vandalized. Sunday, it was stolen.
File photo
OSU students — Darla Tucker, Bari Catherwood, Barbara Blaycock and Diane Coffey celebrating the tenth anniversary of Eskimo Joe’s in 1985.
File photo
Stan Clark, the owner of Eskimo Joe’s, at the 14th anniversary celebration in 1989.
File photo
Buffy and Joe, Eskimo Joe’s mascots, celebrating the 23rd anniversary in 1998.
RAYNEE HOWELL NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
“We started out with a tiny menu, but the product was great,” Clark said. “I was pleased to find out that more people actually eat every day than drink every day, and there was a lot of demand for the food product.” With the addition of a menu came a need for space and an even greater demand for merchandise.
Eskimo Joe’s was slowly becoming a household name, and the waitresses and bartenders could no longer keep up with both the clothing and restaurant demands.
Enter Joe’s Clothes Headquarters in 1987.
“We’ve been likened as one of the most collectible shirts in the country behind Hard Rock Cafe clear back in the ‘80s,” Clark said.
The notorious shirts featuring Joe and Buffy can now be seen everywhere, as the shirts’ artist Mike Staubus has built a long-standing reputation for Eskimo Joe’s “heroic” branding.
Clark remembers one instance that left him speechless — his once-crazy idea to open a bar had turned into something bigger than he could ever imagine. At its 11th anniversary street party, a crowd flooded the streets of Elm and Knoblock, so much so that there was only one phrase the city manager could ask Clark.
“What the hell are you doing?” Clark remembers him saying.
While Clark himself didn’t know what to think, the event helped him realize just how popular the Eskimo Joe’s brand was becoming. After several more years of street parties and increased media coverage, it continued on to become a household name.
The simple key to success
“The magic is how you treat people,” Clark said.
With every customer that walks through the doors, Clark hopes to
find a smile, a laugh and even a friendship — more than anything money could buy.
“Our mission is so simple: To delight every guest by giving my best,” Clark said. “And we wrote it in first person because I ask our young people as they join to read it… and own it.”
Through his time as a student of the business world, Clark has picked up on different lingo and practices, but he has always stayed true to what Eskimo Joe’s started as, and it’s what he takes the most pride in.
“The millions of T-shirts has helped (create the brand), without a doubt,” Clark said. “But if people didn’t have a great experience and we hadn’t created a good feeling at the bar and restaurant, I don’t think the retail brand would have ever become.
“They’re cute shirts… but there’s a meaning behind it, and I think the story is much greater than just a printed T-shirt.”
An ultimate 50th
All week, Eskimo Joe’s has held various events, welcoming Stillwater’s community alongside Oklahoma State students and alumni. The celebration will continue into the weekend as the restaurant will hold its first street party in more than 30 years Saturday.
On Friday and Saturday, attendees can expect a lot of food, live music, custom hats, an exclusive release of a 50th anniversary T-shirt and much more.
While the week is set to be a surreal experience for Clark, he is looking forward to a bittersweet reunion with those that have meant most to the Eskimo Joe’s brand.
“It’s all about the people who have been ‘Joers’ at some point in their life,” Clark said. “Whether they were an OSU student or even just a patron… we are just very hopeful that it’ll be a heartwarming reunion.
“I just give all the credit back to the people.”
GOD’S VIEW OF US!
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (I Peter 2:9-10 NIV)
It is good to stop and see who and where we are. This is what the apostle says of all believers. Those who have turned to Christ and received him as their Lord and saviour. By God’s grace, we have received a new relationship with God. It is quite a step up from where we were before. We have received mercy and are God’s people. We belong to him! However, there is a purpose in all of this.
Called Band will play on Elm. The venue opens at 5 p.m., and the music begins 30 minutes later.
We are to realize all that God has done for us and praise him who has called us out of spiritual darkness into his wonderful light. He has not only forgiven our many sins, never to be remembered any more, but has brought into a new relationship. We are children of God! We are to live with him forever in his Heaven. The wonderful truth is that all can come to Christ and receive this wonderful relationship with the God of love!. No matter about your past. All are welcome to come. Christ died for all that they might receive this great and eternal blessing.. Wow!
As Christians we can and should share this message with all. I remember first sharing this with two fellow air force men As I begin to share, there was a great joy.that filled my being. No wonder it is called the “Gospel”. It is the “Good News” that is for you and all people.
The sheer size of the crowd and the loud music playing made many oblivious to a shooting that injured a 31-year-old Yukon man as he tried to leave the party. As he drove away, bullets struck him in the wrist and back.
The week leading up to the celebration, police caught wind of the presence of several gang-related members from Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas in town. An increase in vehicle break-ins and illegal drug sales signaled it. The police chief at the time, Norman McNickle, confirmed to The Oklahoman that the gang members opened fire on the man.
Those in the crowd at the event were not only oblivious, but some, like Graves, never once felt unsafe. Other than a few fights that law enforcement quickly resolved, the party on the block seemed under control.
“Maybe it was the 19-year-old kid in me feeling invincible, but it was probably more about the fact that everyone was there to just have fun,” Graves said.
The shooting incident ended a tradition. Stan Clark, the owner and founder of Eskimo Joe’s, scaled back the celebrations and the street parties came to an end.
For the 50th anniversary celebration, the street party is set to return. This Saturday, Richmond Road, Smokin’ Oaks and My So
Clark said he can’t be sure what will happen, as it’s been 32 years since the last street party, but planning has been in full swing for a good — and safe — time.
“We’ve certainly worked closely with the city and the police department and all of the areas of the City of Stillwater, traffic control, etc.,” Clark said.
OSUPD will also be working with SPD, as it has in years past for Joe’s events, to monitor the celebration and the surrounding areas.
The party will have food and beverages including a truck with Mexico Joe’s food and Iron Monk serving a new custom beer — Elm Street Ale. Custom hats and a limited-edition street party shirt can be purchased at Friday and Saturday’s events.
Clark has high hopes that the activities and all-ages concerts will bring out a wonderful crowd.
“I’m just very hopeful that it’ll just be a heartwarming reunion, just like it’s always been,” Clark said. “We just hope to see lots and lots of old friends and lots and lots of past employees. This sounds goofy, but 50 years is a long time, and some years, we’ve sent out over 1000 W-2’s.”
The bands will also be a highlight for attendees. Graves said he’s looking forward to seeing the ‘90s cover band.
‘It’s the hottest thing in town since ‘The Boys from Oklahoma’ concert,” he said.
Payton Little
A new Eskimo Joe’s shirt design — a limited edition commemorating the street party returning — will join the thousands of others Joe’s has produced.
Courtesy Eskimo Joe’s
The original Eskimo Joe’s building before the renovations and additions was 900 square feet.
Apple’s iOS 26 beta is terrible
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference this year promised a sweeping reinvention of iOS with version 26, showcasing a beautiful new Liquid Glass design, on-device Apple Intelligence features woven everywhere and major updates to core apps.
But after three weeks of using the developer beta on my iPhone 16 Pro, I can say confidently this is the buggiest, most chaotic iOS beta I’ve used in years. And yes, I know it’s a beta, but Apple’s past developer releases have been far more stable. iOS 26 isn’t just a lightbulb that isn’t as bright; it’s a lightbulb that’s been shattered into a million pieces. It honestly makes day-to-day use genuinely frustrating. It’s also troubling that Apple is about to unleash this on the general public with the upcoming release of the public beta. This isn’t just for developers anymore. Millions of regular users who aren’t signing up to debug crashes are about to be Apple’s testers.
On my iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 26 has crashed as often as four times in a single week. Apps freeze, the screen goes unresponsive, animations stutter and hang and occasionally it hard restarts for no reason at all.
When using the first version of this beta, the Maps app crashed 10 times when trying to plug in an address. This is Apple’s newest flagship hardware, with the A17 Pro chip that’s supposed to handle any interface flourish the designers dream up. Instead, it feels like the phone is constantly fighting its own operating system.
The biggest offender seems to be
Liquid Glass — the highly marketed “broadest design update ever,” with layered transparency and refracting highlights meant to make the software feel physically bonded to the device. But the effect is clearly too demanding. With every new beta, Apple has been quietly dialing back Liquid Glass.
Control Center now looks like a generic frosted blur instead of clearlayered glass. Other UI elements feel simplified or stripped down. It’s obvious Apple over-promised on this flagship feature and is now forced to weaken it just to keep the system from choking.
Apple Intelligence is supposed to be the showstopper, bringing on-device machine learning everywhere from Call Screening to Live Translation. But in daily use, it’s inconsistent at best. Hold Assist, which is supposed to take over when you’re on hold and notify you when someone picks up, only just started working reliably in the latest beta.
When it works, it’s genuinely good, fully muting the hold music and alerting you in time to pick up. But Call Screening? I haven’t seen it work at all. This is supposed to be one of the flagship demonstrations of Apple Intelligence, but it’s nowhere to be found in real-world testing. It’s frustrating to see Apple hype these features as transformative while shipping a beta in which they simply don’t function for many users. Even the new full-screen music player on the Lock Screen, which looks beautiful in Apple’s marketing, is a prime example of Apple’s old habit of lock-in. It only works with Apple Music. Spotify users? Out of luck.
Worse, when it’s active, it removes Lock Screen widgets entirely, forcing
you to choose between pretty album art and genuinely useful information. This is Apple design at its most frustrating: Impressive on a keynote slide, less so when you’re trying to use it.
And it’s important to note that Apple hasn’t even fully launched the public beta yet — it’s expected this week or next. That makes this even more concerning. Apple knows the developer betas have been unstable. It’s tried to address some issues, but the fact it’s pushing this to the public now means it’s essentially conscripting regular users as free QA testers. This isn’t just an early developer build for app compatibility. This is what Apple will soon be encouraging average iPhone owners to install.
For all the marketing polish Apple puts on WWDC, the truth is that iOS 26 in its current state is the most unfinished beta I’ve seen in years. Animations feel slow and awkwardly theatrical —great for a demo reel, less great when you’re swiping quickly through your phone. The system is genuinely buggy and unresponsive at times, to the point that I wouldn’t suggest anyone put this on a primary device.
If you’re curious, sure, use an old iPhone to test it out. But for your daily driver? Don’t.
Apple can do better. This feels like a rushed marketing pitch glued together with flashy animations, grand promises and hope that the kinks will get ironed out later. But right now, it doesn’t feel like progress. It feels like a regression in stability, design practicality and respect for the end user’s time. And for everyone’s sanity this fall, Apple needs to fix that.
Gas station stops
Going into a gas station in a place you’ve never been can be nerveracking, especially as a woman. Enter with a buddy, and if you have a bad feeling, travel a few more miles to the next one if possible.
Having a passenger find a gas station before the car needs gas is the best way to pick out a suitable option. Cleaner bathrooms and hot food can be benefits of planning a stop before hitting E.
Vehicle maintenance
Checking the condition of your vehicle before embarking on a road trip is essential. In the summer, it can be even more important to check the coolant and refrigerant levels to prevent overheating of both the vehicle and the passengers. Parking in the shade when possible during stops can also prevent the engine from getting too hot.
General maintenance, such as checking tire pressure and oil levels, is also important.
Food and water
Long periods of time in the car can be miserable without a snack or a drink. For some, it’s a recipe for getting car sick. Bring a box of snacks and a few water bottles.
Bringing Dramamine and Ibuprofen to help with any car sickness or headaches can also be beneficial. Your passengers will thank you.
Designated passenger
If you or a friend are planning to be the only driver, have at least one passenger awake the entire time. Naps are tempting, but helping the driver stay alert is more important. Swapping drivers can also reduce driver fatigue and make sure whoever is driving is well-rested.
Courtesy Creative Commons Stay weather aware while traveling to avoid any severe storms.
Courtesy Apple
BRYSON THADHANI SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Friday, July 18, 2025
Musau setting records, reaching milestones
Heading into his junior year, Brian Musau has already cemented himself as one of the best runners to ever step foot on Oklahoma State’s campus. However, the decision to come to Stillwater and further strive for his goals was a monumental risk for the Kenyan native.
“He took a big chance and came over here,” OSU coach Dave Smith said. “It’s a long way from home … (he) kind of trusted us and our program and grounded it to help him get to chase his dreams.”
Some of those aspirations include being a part of world championship teams and competing in the 2028 Olympics. Musau took another big step to achieving those ambitions this past track season thanks to his indoor-outdoor sweep in the 5,000-meter race.
Despite having an elite runner on his team, Smith approaches Musau the same way as the rest of his athletes, keeping his training the same as he evolves.
“Everybody’s a developmental athlete,” Smith said. “I don’t approach it differently than I do a walkon guy who’s trying to get to 14 flat… A lot of coaches now change their philosophy and think, ‘Now we’re elite. Now let’s do it this way. Now let’s believe and behave this way,’ and all the progress stops, and you go backwards.”
Not only is Musau physically and physiologically
talented, but he is also very coolheaded in Smith’s eyes, whether he just set a new record or ran the most disappointing race of his life.
“I think he’s very evenkeeled in his reactions to either good performances or bad performances,” Smith said. “I think some people, when they go into those big expectations and don’t meet them, they can be really
Carriers Needed
distressing and anxiety producing and those kinds of things. But for Brian, it’s just water off a duck’s back.”
Additionally, Musau’s competitiveness lights the fire behind his constant success.
“When he gets locked onto something, he doesn’t let go,” Smith said. “We as a staff talk about how he must have a super high pain tolerance or pain threshold and is able to
The O’Colly has carrier positions open for the new school year. These positions are each Friday from 5 a.m. to approximately 7 a.m. Carriers deliver approximately 1000 papers each to newspaper racks all over campus. We also have a position open to deliver to several hotels in the Stillwater community. Campus carriers are required to have a backup carrier in the event you are not able to deliver papers.
If you are an early riser and are dependable we urge you to apply. Position starts August 15, 2025.
Please send resume to Lori@ocolly.com
push himself even when it’s really, really tough.”
Musau was recently named the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Midwest Region Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year and set the record for the fastest outdoor time in the 5,000 meters by a collegiate athlete at the Sunset Tour in Los Angeles.
As July continues, his track season is just ramping up. Musau plans to compete in the upcoming World University Championships in Germany, along with the possibility of Kenya’s national championships shortly after. While his future meets are uncertain, one thing is for sure — Musau is not done adding to his growing list of accolades.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy OSU Athletics
Brain Musau (right) was named U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Midwest Region Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
PEARSON GILLAM STAFF REPORTER
How a missing tooth sparked an Eskimo Joe’s T-shirt craze
KENZIE KRAICH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Known for one of the best postseason runs in Oklahoma State men’s basketball history, the 1994-95 Final Four team had set a new wave of success into motion for Eskimo Joe’s owner Stan Clark.
It was a Saturday night win against the University of Massachusetts that would send the Cowboys to the Final Four in Seattle, and by Monday morning, Eskimo Joe’s had created one of the most infamous T-shirts of its time.
“Our art director Mike Staubus comes in and says, ‘I bought every newspaper I could get my hands on… You know what? This one writer had a really interesting hook. He said that Scott Pierce would be toothless in Seattle,’” Clark said.
The rest is history.
The ensuing shirt pictured Eskimo Joe’s mascot, Joe, dunking a basketball with a smile with one tooth visibly missing, a nod to the one Pierce had knocked out in the UMass game. With the premiere of “Sleepless in Seattle” coming just a year prior, Clark and his team took advantage.
“People were literally standing in line to buy shirts that haven’t been printed yet,” Clark said. “(That was the) biggest, craziest phenomenon we’d ever encounter.”
Pierce told Sports Illustrated in 2020, that he thought his lost tooth — the result of trying to take a charge on the Minutemen’s point guard — was “blown out of proportion.” But what Pierce thought wasn’t a big deal turned into one of Eskimo Joe’s most highly demanded products.
The shirts were being sold in
Stillwater, Tulsa and Oklahoma City, and Clark had to use multiple different screen printers just to get enough printed to keep up with consumer demand.
“We ended up using every screen printer we could find and contact that was willing to help us,” Clark said. “It was all hands on deck.”
Clark can remember driving the streets of Stillwater, flooded with beer cans, toilet paper, kegs and his branded T-shirts — all of which contributed to the continued success of OSU athletics and Eskimo Joe’s alike.
Around the same time, OSU approached Clark with the opportunity to collaborate with the university, giving him rights to the school’s logo, Pistol Pete and any other trademarks. In return, the athletics department would get access to those same rights for Eskimo Joe’s and the opportunity to be in coordination with one of Stillwater’s greatest traditions.
“I can’t imagine a greater honor than that,” Clark said. “I’d like to think it’s because we’ve always portrayed Eskimo Joe’s in a heroic way.
“We never took cheap shots. We never took the low road. We didn’t do shirts that touted a Bedlam win… because that’s who I am, and I’m very proud of that.”
As it celebrates its 50th anniversary this Saturday with a street party, it’s safe to say Eskimo Joe’s has been in the “right place at the right time” for decades, and will continue to serve as a unique staple in the OSU community.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
OSU commit Forrest earns spot at World Championships
decision to sweep the reigning world bronze medalist.
A third member of the Cowboy Regional Training Center has earned a spot on Team USA and will compete at the World Championships.
OSU commit Jax Forrest defeated former World Champion Vito Arujau in straight sets Monday at the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals inside the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota, to capture the 61-kg spot for Team USA.
Forrest will make his first appearance on the senior world team at the World Championships from Sept. 13-21 in Zagreb, Croatia.
Arujau kicked off the opening bout with the lead after scoring the first takedown, keeping the lead until the final 10 seconds, when Forrest found a scramble opportunity and earned the go-ahead takedown with five seconds remaining to capture the match one victory in a 4-3 decision.
One hour later, match two saw the energy shift toward Forrest with the opening takedown, and he never looked back, dominating Arujau until the final whistle blew for a 7-2
Forrest, a high school phenom who will turn 19 on Oct. 13, will be the youngest U.S. male freestyle wrestler to compete at the Senior Worlds since 1974.
“It feels great, but, obviously, knowing that this is just step two of the process,” Forrest told Yahoo Sports. “I’ve got to go do my job in September.”
Forrest, from Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is the No. 2 recruit in the Class of 2026 according to FloWrestling. He committed in February to Oklahoma State and has had an incredible journey on the national stage since.
Forrest claimed the U.S. Open 61kg national championship in April and later won the Pan American Championship for the United States in May.
The high school senior will join Cowboy RTC members and former NCAA champions Wyatt Hendrickson and Zahid Valencia in two months as each looks to capture his first World Championship title.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy Jax Forrest via Instagram // @jaxforrest_
Jax Forrest, a high school star committed to wrestle at Oklahoma State, will represent the U.S. and OSU at the World Championships in September alongside Wyatt Hendrickson and Zahid Valencia.
File Photo
Stan Clark and Eskimo Joe’s continue to push shirts 50 years after the bar and restaurant opened.
Six OSU players taken in 2025 MLB draft
WESTON WERTZBERGER STAFF REPORTER
The Holliday family has yet another athlete heading to Major League Baseball after Sunday night’s draft.
Ethan Holliday, the son of former MLB great Matt Holliday and brother of rising star Jackson Holliday, went to the Colorado Rockies with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft.
The shortstop recorded a .611 batting average at Stillwater High School this past season, along with 19 home runs (tied for first nationally), 64 RBI and a 2.038 OPS. Ethan’s celestial senior season earned him Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year and National Prep Baseball Player of the Year.
When the Rockies called Ethan’s name, the Holliday family filled their living room with emotion as he hugged his dad, sitting right by his side.
“These are my people,” Holliday told ESPN on the MLB Draft broadcast. “They’re my favorite people in the world. Them being here with the support, I can’t put it into words... I think that’s why I was so emotional. I’m super thankful for this opportunity from the Rockies’ incredible organization. Our family is very familiar (with Colorado).”
Holliday is the golden gem of the Cowboys’ 2025 recruiting class, rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in his class by Perfect Game. The Stillwater native verbally committed to play college baseball at Oklahoma State, coached by his uncle, Josh Holliday, in November 2021. Ethan joins the same organization where his father was drafted in the seventh round of the 1998 MLB Draft where he played from 2004-08. Just minutes after his name was called, the Rockies posted photos of Ethan as a kid, sporting a white jersey and purple bat with the caption, “Meant to be.”
Ethan and Jackson join a rare list as one of the few pairs of brothers to be drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft, let alone the top five. Jackson was drafted No. 1 overall by the Baltimore Orioles in 2022.
Despite Matt’s experience in the majors, his connection with Jackson — who was in the same position as Ethan three years ago and is now in his second year with the Orioles — has helped Ethan prepare for this moment and know what to expect now that he’s been drafted.
“It’s different for sure,” Ethan said. “Me and my brother are really close. Ever since his senior year, we just became best friends, and we talk all the time. Obviously,
we’re not physically together every day, but we talk every single day on the phone or FaceTime. We stay really connected.”
“I’m really proud of him. He just FaceTimed me while I was on the couch, and he’s proud, so it’s a really cool moment for the both of us.”
Assuming Ethan remains with the Rockies organization, he’ll follow in his father and brother’s footsteps to skip college and go the major league route immediately.
Nolan Schubart barely got off the draft board near the end of day one.
With the 101st overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Cleveland Guardians selected the OSU outfielder. Schubart is the first active Cowboy to be selected in this year’s MLB Draft.
In the 2025 season, Schubart slashed a .300/.433/.635 with 19 home runs, 57 RBI, 59 hits, 54 runs and a 1.068 OPS. His numbers on offense dropped
compared to his phenomenal sophomore season in 2024, but the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year still played a vital role for the Cowboys.
In 55 games played, the junior led the team in home runs, RBIs, runs and on-base percentage, all while being in the top three in various other categories.
At 6-foot-5 and 223 pounds, Schubart has shown to be a powerful force at the plate thanks to a combination of his bat speed, massive strength and a stroke designed to launch balls into the air.
Those factors led to multiple top-10 finishes alltime in school history with 59 home runs (fourth), a .705 slugging percentage (ninth) and 199 RBI (10th).
While Schubart played outfield in college, MLB scouts have suggested that he could shift to first base or designated hitter due to concerns about his running
and throwing abilities. Schubart was ranked as the No. 126 prospect in the MLB Draft, with a possibility of being a day two pick, but Cleveland saw potential and snagged him in the third round near the end of Sunday night.
Oklahoma State saw four more prospects selected on Monday, bringing the Cowboys’ total of drafted players to six.
Starting pitcher Sean Youngerman was the first to be selected on Day 2, drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies with the 131st overall pick in the fourth round. In 20 appearances and six starts, he logged a 2.08 ERA in 52 innings pitched with 59 strikeouts, a 28.8% strikeout rate, a 7.37 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .193 opposing batting average.
Relief pitcher Gabe Davis followed a few picks later, drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the fifth round with
the 137th overall pick. In 15 appearances and three starts, he posted a 5.92 ERA in 24⅓ innings pitched (21 fewer innings than in 2024) with 29 strikeouts, a 23.2% strikeout rate, a 1.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .277 opposing batting average.
First-option ace Harrison Bodendorf got the call from the Cleveland Guardians in Round 10 with the 312th overall pick. In 17 appearances and 16 starts, he accumulated a 3.30 ERA in 92⅔ innings of work with 102 strikeouts, a 27.1% strikeout rate, a 3.64 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .204 opposing batting average.
Second-baseman Brayden Smith was the final selection from OSU as the Baltimore Orioles took him in Round 13 with the 394th overall pick. In 54 games played, Smith slashed a .304/.388/.548 with 11 home runs, 40 RBI, 66 hits, 45 runs and a .936 OPS. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy Ethan Holliday // via Instagram @ethanhollidayy
Ethan Holliday committed to Oklahoma State in November 2021 and was rated No. 1 in his graduating class nationally.
OSU introduces new loge box seating to GIA
This winter, Oklahoma State will be switching up the seating in GallagherIba Arena with the goal of creating a more enjoyable experience for the fans.
OSU will be adding premium loge boxes at the top of sections 217, 218 and 219. Four of the boxes will seat six people while the other eight boxes will be able to seat up to eight people.
Currently, the seats are being sold in the three winter sport package (men’s and women’s basketball and wrestling), however, there will be options for individual sports soon.
Six-person boxes will cost $30,000 while the eight-person boxes will cost $40,000. The areas will come with rollable seats, a countertop and some light snacks and beverages for the guests.
The boxes will be taking the place of some of the student seating, taking away four rows in each of the three sections. Associate athletic director
Brakston Brock believes the loss of student seating will be “almost unnoticeable,” saying that there will still be enough seating area for the students attending the events.
Brock and the OSU executive staff found an opportunity to create these boxes in order to meet a rising
demand for more premium seating for GIA following the 2024-25 season.
OSU is set to benefit from the seating expansion in a multiple ways, with financial benefits leading the way. The boxes are expected to provide a $500,000 revenue increase.
In the new world of revenue sharing in college sports, OSU will have to find money where it can to compete for players during recruiting; enter the new suite-style seating.
Winter sport coaches will also be able to use the boxes as recruiting tools. Brock said family members of OSU athletes already have asked about purchasing the boxes.
With the premium loge boxes,
OSU is also aiming to improve the gameday atmosphere in GIA. Getting fans excited about the opportunity to sit in these seats and be attended to throughout the game is a huge pull for OSU athletics.
The goal of these changes is to bring students and fans closer to the action and create a more energetic environment for the players.
“Gallager-Iba is an awesome arena, but we’re certainly looking for new ways that we can make it better,” Brock said. “‘What do we think can improve the atmosphere?’ And this was one of the things we landed on.”
Courtesy OSU Athletics
A rendering of the new loge boxes in Gallagher-Iba Arena. The boxes are available for Oklahoma State men’s and women’s basketball and wrestling in the 2025-26 school year.
TIMOTHY CHRISTENSEN STAFF REPORTER