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Former Sooner Godbold begins pro career

2009-05-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

For most basketball players, the playing days end after the final game of a senior season in college. For a select few, a step to the professional ranks is in order; whether it be in the United States or Europe.

Jonathan Reed wants to create other options for players out of college, who may not be quite ready for the jump to the highest levels of professional basketball.

Reed’s basketball team, the Oklahoma Impact, plays in the United Basketball League (UBL). Reed, who continues to play professional basketball in Ireland, says he owns and operates his Oklahoma based franchise in order to help players gain the exposure necessary to make it to the next level.

Reed, who was overseas at the time of this article, was unavailable for comment. The website for his company, OnPoint Hoops, describes his mission, however.

According to www.onpointhoops.com, the goal of Reed’s company, which is also involved with the UBL and the Oklahoma Impact, is “…to help players improve their game and create future playing opportunities.”

OU fans will recognize David Godbold, the man who wears number 15 for the Impact. Godbold played the previous four seasons in Norman for the Sooners, and now is looking to extend his professional career, by making his mark with the Impact.

The UBL is a five-team league, with teams located in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

While the players earn a small paycheck in the UBL, they earn more money by bringing in fans, and selling their own tickets to the games. UBL games usually take place on Saturday nights.

Godbold, who graduated from OU in May of 2008 with a degree in journalism, is one of those players now looking to create future opportunities on the basketball court.

After being drafted to the Colorado 14’ers of the NBA Developmental League (NBADL) upon graduation, Godbold battled to make the roster. He was eventually released by the 14’ers, and began working with the Tulsa 66’ers of the NBADL, as a member of their practice squad.

While in Tulsa, Godbold was able to workout with the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

“I got to get experience working with the NBA guys, and NBA coaches,” Godbold said of working with the Thunder. Godbold said he worked out and stayed in shape on his own, as well as practicing with the 66’ers and Thunder, until he got the call this February from Impact Head Coach/General Manager, Rick McCormick.

McCormick, who, according to www.oklahomaimpact.com, has coached collegiate basketball for over 28 years, said he is thrilled to have Godbold aboard.

“David is a great asset,” McCormick said. “He has really played well for us so far this season, with a couple of big offensive nights.”

Griffin Shaffer, one of the play-by-play broadcasters for the Impact, has seen Godbold’s talents in two home games so far this season, and said he thinks Godbold is one of the top players in the UBL.

“He can take over a game whenever he wants,” Shaffer said. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see him making it to the next level, whether it be the NBADL, or over in Europe somewhere.”

Earlier this season, Godbold expressed his desire to play at the next level, and said that Europe would be something to which he would be open, if the opportunity were available.

Impact color commentator, Nathan Feken also said he thinks Godbold can play at the next level because of his leadership.

“He can definitely step up and hit the big shot,” Feken said of Godbold. “Any team can use a guy who knows how to come through in the clutch.”

The Impact, which is 4-1 through the first five games of the season, has relied on Godbold to be its top offensive threat.

“If he keeps playing this way, there is no reason he shouldn’t find a team to play for this fall,” Shaffer said. “It is just a matter of time before someone notices this guy.”

The Oklahoma Impact plays its home games in Bethany, on the campus of Southwestern Christian University. It’s next home game is May 23, against the Arkansas Warriors.

David Godbold practices free throws at Oklahoma Impact practice. The

Impact plays in the United Basketball League.

Oklahoma Impact Head Coach/GM Rick McCormick speaks about David Godbold

Godbold describes the path which took him from OU to the UBL.

OU hockey looks to sign new prospects

2009-04-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

While hockey fans across the nation are watching their favorite teams participate in the NHL playoffs, OU hockey fans are watching their team closely to see the offseason moves being made.
The Sooners, who finished postseason play with a 6th place finish in the final rankings, will lose eight players to graduation, and four more for personal reasons.
Junior Chris Nicolaou said the team will be hard-pressed to find replacements for all the players who will be lost.
“There are some guys you just can’t replace,” Nicoloau said. “But I know our coaching staff is doing its best to get a bunch of new guys in here for next season.”
Team officials say that the team is in the middle of the recruiting process, and has eyes on several players from the North American Hockey League, as well as the United States Hockey league.
“We as players are kind of in the dark right now as well,” Nicolaou said. “In the coming weeks, will all get a better idea of who will be skating for our team next season.”

OU Men's golf takes 10th in Tempe

2009-04-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

OU Men’s golf snagged a 10th place finish this weekend at Arizona State’s Thunderbird Invitational. The event was the final regular season tournament for the men, who will begin postseason play April 27-29 at the Big 12 Championships in Hutchinson, Kan.

Arizona State won the tournament by a wide margin, defeating Denver University, and San Diego State by 18 strokes. The Sun Devils were the only team in the tournament to finish under par, recording an outstanding score of -14 over the three-round tournament.

Junior Eric Durbin led the way for the Sooners, carding an even par finish, which was good enough to tie him for ninth place.

Sophomore Liam Logan, aided by a final round 69 (-2), finished in a tied for 25th.

Going in to the Big 12 Championships, the Sooners will have their work cut out for them. With the tournament just two weeks away, OU is currently ranked last in the Big 12 Golfstat rankings.

OU women's golf takes second

2009-04-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

Sooner golf recorded a solid outing in its final regular season tournament of the season, taking second place in the 31st annual Susie Maxwell Berning Classic. The Sooner women gave up a two-round lead over Baylor, and allowed the Bears to take over the first place slot.

The second-place finish was somewhat overshadowed by a couple individual performances for the Sooners. Senior Kendall Dye took first place individually in the tournament, scoring a 225 (+9), and was followed in second place by fellow Sooner Ellen Mueller 229 (+13).

Dye said she was excited to win, but at least somewhat disappointed in the team finish.

I really wanted the team to win as well, but we still can’t be upset with a second place finish,” Dye said. “The conditions were tough, but it gave each one of us an experience that we can take with us into the future.

The future for the Sooner women will be the Big 12 Championship, which will be held in Lubbock, Texas, April 24-26.

Despite wind; women's golf leads tournament

2009-04-05T21:22:00.000-07:00

In its final regular season tournament, women’s golf leads the windy 31^st Susie Maxwell Berning Classic with a two round total of 629. The Sooners lead Oral Roberts by four strokes going into Monday’s third and final round.

After round one, second place OU trailed the University of Texas-El Paso by just one stroke, recording a 315 (+27). UTEP fell to 5^th after the second round, now trailing OU’s pace by six strokes.

OU has had success on the individual side as well, as sophomore Ellen Mueller is tied for first with a two-round total of 151. Along with University of Arkansas-Little Rock’s Sara Wikstrom, Mueller leads OU Senior Kendall Dye by just one stroke. Dye and the rest of the golfers braved the elements, which involved heavy winds in the Norman area.

It was tough, but it was tough for everyone out there,” Dye said. “We spent the last week playing out there with the north and the south winds and even in the cold when we didn’t want to be playing in that."

The tournament, which is being held at OU’s Jimmie Austin Golf Club, will begin it’s final round Monday, with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

Jimmie Austin Golf Club Hiring

2009-04-03T17:26:00.000-07:00

OU students looking for a spring or summer job could have an answer right here in Norman.

OU's Jimmie Austin Golf Club is now hiring students for the outside staff area, part of the guest services department.

According to www.jimmieaustingolf.com, the club's website, the course has served Norman residents, and OU students for over 50 years. The club is also home to OU's men's and women's golf teams.

Assistant Golf Professional Lance Maxwell said the club is looking to hire, "...outgoing students who enjoy working outdoors and interacting with customers in a golf course environment."

In an e-mail, Maxwell said that students interested in a position with the club should call the pro shop, or stop by and ask for an application.

Sooners fall in Elite Eight to North Carolina

2009-03-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

OU basketball fell to North Carolina Sunday in the elite eight, 72-60. The Tar Heels win earned them their 18th Final Four appearance, which ties them for most all time.

The loss ends the Sooners season, and possibly the collegiate career of sophomore Blake Griffin, who most believe will leave OU to go to the NBA.

Last year's national player of the year, UNC's Tyler Hansbrough, spoke about Griffin's game afterwards.

"One thing about Blake is I think he's tough down low to box out," Hansbrough said. "I think one thing about him is he's one of the best rebounders I've played against and so that was very tough."

UNC will face Villanova in one of the national semi-finals, while Michigan State will play Connecticut in the other.

Spring snow possible for Norman

2009-03-26T10:05:00.000-07:00

Flowers are planted, most jackets have been put away, and warm temperatures have prevailed over the month of March. Now, a massive early spring blizzard may bring snowfall to Norman Friday afternoon into early Saturday.

According to Weather.com, Norman has recorded four days in March with temperatures in the eighties, which has led some students to think winter was over.

"I was ready for summer," OU freshman Jason Zawacki said. "If it snows, I'm gonna be really upset, quite honestly."

KFOR.com says there is a one hundred-percent chance of precipitation Friday, and Saturday, and predicts anywhere from 1-3" of snow in the OKC Metro area.

The winter snap should end late Saturday, when temperatures are expected to climb into the forties.

Other states in the Mid-west will not be out of the woods, however. Massive flooding, is expected in North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota, in the next few days, as record snow totals begin to melt, and rivers continue to rise.

Sooners fall in national quarterfinals

2009-03-22T17:58:00.000-07:00

Senior Ryan Kenney cleans out his OU hockey locker stall for the final time (Photo by Jarrod Yost).

Hear Daryl Dee, in an interview with GNN's Jarrod Yost, following Oklahoma's loss to Illinois

The OU hockey team saw its season end early Tuesday morning, after falling to defending champion Illinois, 3-2 in double overtime.

OU had defeated Kent State 9-4 in the opening round to advance to the quarter finals to face Illinois. The loss to Illinois marked the fourth consecutive nationals appearance in which OU failed to advance past the second round.

Senior forward Doug Gebbie said this loss was particularly hard to swallow.

“We really fought out there tonight,” Gebbie said. “To lose like we did, after dominating the whole game, is just really tough.”

Sooner hockey fans will have to wait until September to see their team in action again, as the 2008-2009 season is now officially in the books. Gebbie said the players will move into their spring training workout routines, which usually focus on cardiovascular and weight training.

The Fighting Illini of Illinois scored first in the quarter final matchup on a power play goal from Matt Jennings, which came late in the first period. Oklahoma picked up a goal from junior Robert Hetrick to tie the game at one before the first period ended.

Illinois’ Johnny Liang put the Illini up 2-1, before the Sooners tied the game up with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.

OU Captain Austin Miller scored the goal that tied the game up.

“I really just blacked out,” Miller said. “I got the puck and then I remember celebrating the goal.”

The first overtime was scoreless, forcing a second extra frame.

“I had never been involved in a game like this one,” Gebbie said. “It was just a marathon out there, last man standing wins.”

Just over one minute into the second overtime, Liang scored again to give Illinois a berth in the national semi-final game. Despite the Sooners’ claims that the net had been dislodged, the goal stood.

Liang credited his teammate, Jordan Pringle, for the play he made on the game winner.

"[Jordan] Pringle made a great pass, and I had a wide open net, and was able to put it in." Liang said, as he struggled for breath directly following the game.

According to the American Collegiate Hockey Association website, Liang was later named second team all-tournament. Illinois’ goaltender, Mike Burda, who was dominant against the Sooners, was named all tournament first-team

“It’s certainly a tough way to end it,” Miller said. “We felt like that goal should not have counted, but regardless, it did.”

Miller expressed his displeasure with the call made on the ice, breaking his stick over the net post when the referee signaled that the eventual winning goal would indeed count.

Officials from the tournament later said that they stood by the call made on the ice.

“I just felt like the guy [official] just wanted to get out of there,” Miller said. “He did not even discuss the call with the other officials on the ice.”

Illinois defeated Penn State in the semi-final round, before falling to Lindenwood in the championship round, 4-1.

Lindenwood’s website says the championship is a first for men’s ice hockey at the university, but not for hockey in general. The Lady Lions recently captured the ACHA division 1 women’s hockey title for the second straight season.

For the Sooners, it will be an off-season of rebuilding, as the team will lose 8 seniors for the 2009-2010 season. Miller said it will be up to this year’s junior class to carry the team next season.

“We still have a lot of veteran guys who will have to step up next season,” Miller said.

Miller will be a senior next fall, as will defensemen Greg Curtiss and Robert Hetrick. Goalie Chad Helgason, who has lead the team to the past two nationals appearances, will also be a senior next season.

Helgason said that the preparation for next season starts now.

“Yeah, we have lost a bunch of great players going in to next season, but we need to begin our preparation to replace them,” Helgason said. “Each year teams have to replace guys, and it is off-season preparation which prepares a team for life without those players.”

Sophomore Daryl Dee echoed Helgason’s sentiments following the loss.

“Every team goes through the same issues every off-season, it is just our responsibility to deal with it,” Dee said.

The team will clear out their lockers in the upcoming weeks, and prepare for off season training, and tryouts in the fall. Dee said that tryouts will be competitive, as there are many new recruits slated to head to Norman in early August.

Sooners first game postponed

2009-03-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

The Sooners hockey club was forced to leave the playing surface during warmups for their contest with Kent State, Saturday night in Gates Mills, OH.

Concerns with Carbon Monoxide within the ice arena hosting the national tournament caused authorities to evacuate the building.

Several people had called the fire department with complaints of headaches and dizziness. Once on the scene, firefighters measured the air and found far to much CO in the air.

Sooner defenseman Greg Curtiss said he felt the effects during the warm up period.

"I got a splitting headache, but just thought it was because of the energy supplements I had taken prior to the game," Curtiss said.

Oklahoma's first round match with Kent State has been moved to Sunday night, at 8:30.

OU Hockey prepares for Nationals

2009-03-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

A sign sits outside the OU hockey locker room, as a reminder of what the team must due to prepare for Nationals(photo by Jarrod Yost).

The Oklahoma hockey club departed Thursday for greater Cleveland, OH, where it will compete in the 2009 American Collegiate Hockey Association national tournament. The nation’s top 16 clubs received invites to the tournament, which will begin Saturday, and conclude Wednesday night with the national championship contest.

This year’s tournament appearance marks the 4th consecutive appearance for the Sooners, who began their ACHA hockey program just five years ago.

At practice Wednesday, many players said the team has been looking sharp as of late.

“These final practices have been outstanding,” freshman forward Blake Martin said. “We really have been talking about what it’s going to take to win this tournament.”

Martin and the Sooners held a final practice Thursday prior to leaving, in order to fine tune the club’s power play and penalty kill tactics against first-round opponent, Kent State.

“It’s nothing too different from what we are used to,” Martin said. “We just need to stick with what has worked so far this season.”

Oklahoma and the Golden Flashes of Kent State face off Saturday night at 7:30 EDT at the Gilmour Acadamey in Gates Mills, OH.

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2009-03-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

OU Baseball Dominates Arkansas-Little Rock

2009-03-04T11:38:00.000-08:00

brothers Jamie and Casey Johnson converge in the outfield to discuss the situation in a 16-6 win over Arkansas- Little Rock (Photo by Jarrod Yost).
The OU baseball team took two games from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, Tuesday. The Sooners won the first game of the double-header 11-7, on the strength of a big game by sophomore outfielder Casey Johnson. Johnson was 3-for-5 with four runs batted in.

The second game saw the Sooners dominate the Trojans of UA-LR, winning 16-6 in 8 innings, as the game was shortened due to the run-rule.

The two wins brought the No. 16 Sooners to 9-3 on the season, heading in to one of their biggest weekends of early season play.

OU will now remain at home to face UCLA this weekend for three-game set which will be their first real home test this season.

Johnson said that UCLA is a good team, that brings to the table several solid pitchers.

"UCLA is a really solid club... with a number of power arms," Johnson said.

The Sooners face the Bruins Friday, at 3 p.m.

OU Hockey prepares for Challenge Cup

2009-03-03T09:57:00.000-08:00

The OU hockey team is practicing this week in preparation for its final game prior to the upcoming national tournament. Sunday, the Sooners will travel to Dallas' American Airlines Center to face-off against Texas Tech in the second annual Big 12 Challenge Cup.

The puck will drop at 7:30 for OU and Texas Tech, after the conclusion of the NHL game featuring the Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars.

Texas Tech will look to defend its title in the game, having defeated Texas A&M in last year's contest.

The game will mark the final regular season contest in which OU seniors, including Captain Mark Tylka, will slip on the OU jersey.

"It will certainly be emotional, Tylka said." "We are really gearing up for this one since for many of us it will be our last chance at this title."

The Challenge Cup expects to draw one of the largest crowds that either club has seen this season, as fans who buy a ticket to the NHL game will be allowed entry to the nightcap, as well.

Former Sooners get their hockey fix elsewhere

2009-03-01T14:17:00.000-08:00

When Sooner football players graduate, some go to the NFL, but for others, they never put on the pads again. Sooner hockey players, like Matt Pangrac have the opportunity to continue playing hockey right here in Oklahoma.

Pangrac graduated from OU last spring, and was one of 4 seniors on the Sooners hockey club. Upon graduation Pangrac has landed a job in the Norman area, and now remains in south-central Oklahoma year-round.

Pangrac is one of many former OU hockey players who now play in the Oklahoma City adult hockey league.

"I play because I still love the game," Pangrac said. "There are a lot of guys on the team that used to play for OU, so we have a good group of former Sooners on the ice together."

League manager Larry Donavan is also the General Manager of the OU hockey program, and said he tries to help the former OU players get situated on the same teams.

Donavan said the summer adult session will involve even more former Sooners, as many come to live in the Oklahoma city metro area for the summer months.

Local bar adjusts to group requests

2009-02-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

Braden Thompson, a cook at Brothers Eatery and Pub, serves up a late night meal. The pub serves its full menu later on Thursday's to serve a group (photo by Jarrod Yost).

Brothers Eatery and Pub, one of the most nostalgic bars on Campus Corner, has found itself leaving the kitchen open later some days, in order to accommodate certain large groups.

The bar, which usually closes its kitchen around 10 PM, has remained open until 11:30 on certain occasions, when large groups call ahead.

Marcus Mims, a cook at Brothers, says he and his staff enjoy staying late as long as it is known in advance that a group is coming. "We like to be a place where large groups can come and hang out late at night, and eat more than just cheddar fries," Mims said. "It's an adjustment we will make for our customers if we can."

Matt Jones, an employee of Brothers, and a member of the Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity, decided to approach his fraternity about moving their meeting to Brothers so the group could be offered a full menu late at night.

"All the guys like to eat, but we don't meet until late at night, and everyone loves having the full menu options at 11 O' clock," Jones said.

Jones said that the bar will continue to at least entertain the idea of keeping the kitchen open late on certain nights, as long as the groups are large enough, and plan far enough ahead.

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2009-02-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

Sooner Hockey sweeps final home weekend

2009-02-22T09:08:00.000-08:00

OU Goaltender Chad Helgason skates with a fan after friday night's 5-4 win over Liberty (photo by Jarrod Yost).

The number 6 ranked OU hockey team took two emotional games this weekend from rival, number 10 Liberty.

The Sooners mounted an incredible comeback Friday night, overcoming a three-goal-deficit to win 5-4 in overtime. The win was the first home overtime win in the program's six-year history.

After the game, the fans were treated to a 'Skate With the Sooners,' where all in attendance were invited to lace up the skates, and hit the ice with the home team.

Freshman Blake Martin, who scored 2 goals, and tallied 3 assists in the heart-stopping win, said the post-game skate was a fun time for all.

"We really enjoy giving back to the fans who have supported us all season," Martin said. "This was a great opportunity to thank them for a great season.

OU's 6-3 win on Saturday night was their fifth win in a row, a streak that the club hopes to continue next weekend at Arizona State, as it embarks on it's final road trip of the season.

New parking lot's worth yet to be realized

2009-02-20T12:50:00.000-08:00

The newest OU parking lot, located across Jenkins from the Huston Huffman Center, sits empty during midday (photo by Jarrod Yost).

Last spring, OU students could be seen driving around the parking lot at the Huston Huffman Center, searching hopelessly for an open spot. This spring, there are open spots to be had during most of the day. The open spots have led some students to say the new parking lot, across Jenkins from the Huffman Center, is not needed.

"I guess I don't really understand why we need to have this lot right now," OU Freshman, Matt Pombo said. "I can find a spot all the time at the Huff, I would rather see our money be spent elsewhere."

With the future expansion of the Huffman Center, some are saying that the new parking lot will soon realize it's worth. Huffman Center employee, Sean McCauley said it is just a matter of time before students will be celebrating the new lot.

"I think it ebbs and flows," McCauley said. "Sometimes there are going to be more commuters than others, but when the Huff expands, everyone will be thrilled to use the new lot."

Suspect apprehended following gun incident on OU campus

2009-02-15T16:01:00.000-08:00

A man was arrested, and taken into custody when he was found in Broken Arrow, following an incident on OU's Norman campus. The man, identified as 5' 8" 150 pound, Michael Joseph Childers,allegedly was once a student at the university.

The alleged incident occurred Friday in Kaufman Hall, on OU's South Oval.

OU President David Boren said in a press release Friday that the incident, "never constituted a threat to members of the general university community, but was considered a domestic dispute between two individuals."

The issue caused the University to put it's emergency notification into play, which sent countless e-mails, text messages, and phone calls to students, faculty, and staff at the university.

The alerts contained information including the garb, physical characteristics, and suspected vehicle used by Childers.

For now, Boren seemed to be content with the arrest made, saying, "There is no evidence that anyone else was involved or that anyone else was being targeted."

Sooners beat Bronchos in Physical Affair

2009-02-14T08:47:00.000-08:00

OU wins 5-1, meets UCO again, Saturday in Edmond

OU Strength Coach, Ronnie Hayes, reaches for a bag of ice following Friday's game

The OU hockey team defeated rival UCO, Friday, in front of a standing-room only crowd at the Blazers Ice Centre. The Sooners started strong, with 3 goals in the first period, before rolling to a 5-1 victory.

The Bronchos did not go quietly into the night, as they played one of the most physical games in recent memory. OU Senior, Doug Gebbie, who scored 3 goals on the night, said he knew he was in a battle.

"UCO definitely came to play," Gebbie said. "We've got a lot of guys in there with bumps and bruises; we had to work to win this one.

While the win helped justify OU's number 6 ranking in the latest national polls, the 4-goal loss may not help UCO as they claw their way towards a national berth.

The two teams will meet again Saturday, in a game that UCO really needs if it plans on making the top 14, and penciling in a trip to nationals.

Iconic Norman building to close

2009-02-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

One of Norman's largest buildings is now shutting down operations in light of structural concerns.

The six-story Financial Building, located at 111 N. Peters Avenues downtown, will be evacuated pending possible repairs that must be made.

The City of Norman issued a release in which building inspector, Patrick Copeland, said owners of all floors have made plans to vacate the building or have already left. The release also noted that owners of The Vista, a restaurant/bar in the building, said they will close their floors next week.

OU Sophomore, Jeff Lewin said he is most upset about the loss of The Vista.

"That was one of my favorite places to eat," Lewin said. "I will have to find another go-to eatery, I guess."

Norman city officials have contacted services from a firm in Oklahoma city in order to evaluate the building's effect on surrounding buildings. Efforts to restore the building are already underway.

sample generic dog sits alone in the shade

2009-02-05T08:50:00.000-08:00

A generic dog is seen today, contemplating his life's worth, while relaxing in this environment

A lonely dog sat lazily in the shade today, while his paws in the sun.

An unnamed dog sat alone today, partially in the shade, and partially in the sun. The dog said he wanted to sit only in the shade, but as the sun changed positions in the sky, a sliver of light broke through, covering his paws.

"I initially wanted to scoot my paws back into the shaded portion," the dog said. "But as I felt the warmth of the sun, I decided to allow my paws to stay where they were."

The owner of the dog, Mikael Samuelsson, 29, of Wasilla, said his dog often sits completely in the shade, but on cooler days, is more likely to seek sun.

"My dog enjoys lounging, but does not like to be cold," Samuelsson said. "I often notice he re-positions himself in order to find sun."

The dog says he plans to continue to lounge, until he has some sort of pressing business.

Gun law report draws mixed reactions from Oklahomans

2009-02-04T14:41:00.000-08:00

In an annual report card issued by the Washington-based Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Oklahoma ties with Kentucky and Louisiana for the weakest laws of the 50 states. The state scored it's only points by not forcing college's to allow students with permits to carry guns on campus.

Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign, is unhappy with the results.

"Oklahoma's elected officials have done nothing in the past 12 months to improve their standing when it comes to commonsense gun laws, Helmke said." "Oklahoma continues to make it too easy for dangerous people to get dangerous weapons."

While Helmke wants Oklahoma to increase gun control laws, others like Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, hope Oklahoma does not score any points on next year's survey,

Murphey said a new college proposal would force criminals to think twice before committing crimes on campuses.

"We need to get some traction on closing down that gun-free bubble on college campuses," Murphey said. "We want to make sure we don't have the Brady Campaign telling criminals where to commit crimes in Oklahoma."

Student reaction at OU is also mixed, but most students say the law really won't change anything. "I don't even know anyone at school who owns a gun," OU Sophomore, Jason Zawacki said. "I don't see a change in this law making a big impact."

OU's Howard becomes president of Hampton-Sydney College

2009-02-01T09:01:00.000-08:00

NORMAN- Virginia's Hampden-Sydney College came all the way to Oklahoma to find it's new President. In July, Chris Howard, OU Vice President for Leadership and Strategic Initiatives, will become the 24th president in the history of the all-male university.

Chosen from 100 candidates, Howard's, "...leadership experience in the military, business, and higher education..." were among the factors which set him apart, according to the college's website.

At OU, Howard has served as Honors College professor, director of the Honors College Leadership Center and deputy executive director of the International Programs Center, since 2005

"I'm a better father and a better man because of the students whom I interact with at OU, Howard said."