Dusty Somers interviews me about Gaylord Hall's new renovations:
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Camping Equipment for Rental
OU students who wish to go camping no longer have to dig in their closets for long-lost sleeping bags or mess kits. Instead, they can rent camping equipment from OU Recreational Services for one day, one weekend or one week as part of the OUtdoor Pursuits program.
Malinda Williams, assistant director of OU Recreational Services, said rentals have been on the rise since program staff purchased the equipment back in the spring of 2008. In addition to students, OU faculty and staff may take advantage of the program, and Huston Huffman Center members are automatically eligible as well.
“We want to make this equipment available and accessible so students don’t have to buy everything,” said Larissa Mainers, OU Recreational Services facility coordinator. “This [program] is just one of many outlets we can take to help students live an active lifestyle,” she said.
Williams also pointed out that Oklahoma’s many campgrounds offer students a wide array of locations in which to use the equipment. She said some of the more commonly traveled areas include campgrounds and hiking trails at Lake Thunderbird State Park in Norman, Turner Falls Park in Davis, Mt. Scott in Lawton, and Roman Nose State Park in Watonga.
Williams said OU Recreational Services decided to offer the rental service because many of the Big 12 schools were doing the same. Suggestions from members of the Huston Huffman Center also played a role.
As of now, Williams said most people find out about the rental program through the OU Recreational Services Web site or word-of-mouth. However, she and Mainers want to get the word out to a wider variety of people and are currently designing marketing strategies to reach that goal.
Interested students may contact Williams or Mainers at 325-3053. To rent equipment, students need only a student ID and must pay applicable rental charges. The equipment is available all year long and can be taken anywhere. Rental policies and charges are listed on the OU Recreational Services Web site at http://recservices.ou.edu/content/view/323/150.
Above is some of the camping equipment available for rent through the OU Recreational Services OUtdoor Pursuits program.
photo by Stephanie Brooks
Malinda Williams, assistant director of OU Recreational Services, said rentals have been on the rise since program staff purchased the equipment back in the spring of 2008. In addition to students, OU faculty and staff may take advantage of the program, and Huston Huffman Center members are automatically eligible as well.
“We want to make this equipment available and accessible so students don’t have to buy everything,” said Larissa Mainers, OU Recreational Services facility coordinator. “This [program] is just one of many outlets we can take to help students live an active lifestyle,” she said.
Williams also pointed out that Oklahoma’s many campgrounds offer students a wide array of locations in which to use the equipment. She said some of the more commonly traveled areas include campgrounds and hiking trails at Lake Thunderbird State Park in Norman, Turner Falls Park in Davis, Mt. Scott in Lawton, and Roman Nose State Park in Watonga.
Williams said OU Recreational Services decided to offer the rental service because many of the Big 12 schools were doing the same. Suggestions from members of the Huston Huffman Center also played a role.
As of now, Williams said most people find out about the rental program through the OU Recreational Services Web site or word-of-mouth. However, she and Mainers want to get the word out to a wider variety of people and are currently designing marketing strategies to reach that goal.
Interested students may contact Williams or Mainers at 325-3053. To rent equipment, students need only a student ID and must pay applicable rental charges. The equipment is available all year long and can be taken anywhere. Rental policies and charges are listed on the OU Recreational Services Web site at http://recservices.ou.edu/content/view/323/150.
Above is some of the camping equipment available for rent through the OU Recreational Services OUtdoor Pursuits program.
photo by Stephanie Brooks
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Bocce ball tournament
Last week's heavy rains took a break Friday afternoon for OU's first-ever Bocce (BOTCH-ee) ball tournament.
The tournament, which was open to everyone and took place at 4:30 on the Hal Niemann Field, was an informal event designed to introduce OU students and non-students to the sport of Bocce ball. Although not enough participants showed up to form traditional brackets, those who did attend enjoyed an afternoon of practicing and perfecting the game.
Co-coordinator and intercollegiate athletic administration graduate student Caroline Starr decided to bring the sport to OU after her cousin played in a Bocce ball tournament in Oklahoma City.
The first version of Bocce ball originated in Italy in the 1300's. Back then, two teams took turns throwing rocks on a field, with the goal of getting their rock closest to a previously placed object called the Pallino. Points were awarded based on how close one's rock was to the Pallino in comparison to the other team's rocks. The modern version of the game is very similar, using specialized Bocce balls rather than rocks.
Angela Triandafillou, graduate student in music, said she played the game as a child with her family. While she found the game boring years ago, she has since developed a liking to its simple style.
"It's quick, easy, and you don't need to be in tip-top shape (to play it). For the same reasons I didn't like it as a child, I really like it now," she said.
Co-coordinator Robert Brennecke, also a graduate student in intercollegiate athletic administration, said this was the first of what could be several Bocce ball events. He and Huston Huffman Center director Amy Davenport are currently developing ways to market the sport at OU.
Music graduate student Angela Triandafillou, 23, throws a Bocce ball while her friend, music performance graduate student Ashley Taylor, 24, looks on.
Photo by Stephanie Brooks
The tournament, which was open to everyone and took place at 4:30 on the Hal Niemann Field, was an informal event designed to introduce OU students and non-students to the sport of Bocce ball. Although not enough participants showed up to form traditional brackets, those who did attend enjoyed an afternoon of practicing and perfecting the game.
Co-coordinator and intercollegiate athletic administration graduate student Caroline Starr decided to bring the sport to OU after her cousin played in a Bocce ball tournament in Oklahoma City.
The first version of Bocce ball originated in Italy in the 1300's. Back then, two teams took turns throwing rocks on a field, with the goal of getting their rock closest to a previously placed object called the Pallino. Points were awarded based on how close one's rock was to the Pallino in comparison to the other team's rocks. The modern version of the game is very similar, using specialized Bocce balls rather than rocks.
Angela Triandafillou, graduate student in music, said she played the game as a child with her family. While she found the game boring years ago, she has since developed a liking to its simple style.
"It's quick, easy, and you don't need to be in tip-top shape (to play it). For the same reasons I didn't like it as a child, I really like it now," she said.
Co-coordinator Robert Brennecke, also a graduate student in intercollegiate athletic administration, said this was the first of what could be several Bocce ball events. He and Huston Huffman Center director Amy Davenport are currently developing ways to market the sport at OU.
Music graduate student Angela Triandafillou, 23, throws a Bocce ball while her friend, music performance graduate student Ashley Taylor, 24, looks on.
Photo by Stephanie Brooks
Sunday, September 6, 2009
First Five Graphs Critique
Story: “Gresham to miss season opener,” by Jono Greco, The Oklahoma Daily
Friday, Sep. 4, 2009
Paragraph Breakdown:
The No. 3 Sooners will be without senior tight end Jermaine Gresham in Saturday’s season opener against No. 20 Brigham Young University due to cartilage damage sustained in his right knee.
(News)
OU head coach Bob Stoops said in a press release that Gresham, team doctors and athletic training staff members are currently considering treatment options that would determine how soon he could return.
(News)
The six-foot-six-inch Ardmore native suffered the injury during Tuesday’s practice, and team doctors and trainers are continuing evaluations on the knee, Stoops said.
(News)
At the end of summer practices, Stoops said Gresham was the team’s best receiver after the departures of wide receivers Manuel Johnson, Juaquin Iglesias and Quentin Chaney.
(Context)
Last season, Gresham was a finalist for the John Mackey Award, awarded to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision’s best tight end, after bringing in 66 receptions for 950 yards and 14 touchdowns.
(News)
What’s missing:
News
What exactly caused the injury during practice? (Human error or something else?)
What are his treatment options?
Impact
Is the injury serious, as far as sports injuries are concerned?
With Gresham being replaced, is anyone on the team concerned about OU’s chances against BYU?
Context
Has Gresham missed any games in the past due to injury?
What’s the normal recovery time for an injury of that nature?
Human dimension
How does Gresham feel about his injury? Is he nervous about treatment or when he can get back on the playing field?
If he misses too many games, could this affect Gresham’s shot at any awards this year?
What’s next
When will Gresham decide on a treatment plan?
Will OU use the same replacement until Gresham is better if need be?
Will Gresham’s absence affect Sam Bradford’s strategy for the game this Saturday, or for the season?
Suggestions:
As a reporter covering this story, I would have consulted someone on the athletic training staff to find out how serious injuries of Gresham's type usually are, and what options Gresham might have for treatment. I also would have talked with some of the team members (Bradford, if I could get him) to see how much this would impact the team's confidence and/or strategy this season as they strive for the championship once more. Talking with team members, as well as Gresham himself, could give the story a human element as readers learn what this injury means for Gresham and what he can bring to OU. Also, Gresham could shed some light on the story behind his injury and whether he has gotten hurt before in his football career.
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