Entry No. 39 | November 22, 2007
Things for which we are thankful:

• The men and women of our armed services. How heart-warming it is when they take the time so far from home and in harm's way to reach out to us through cyberspace to encourage our teams. Perhaps we should shout," Home of the Brave," out of respect for them.

• The alumni and fans who make it possible for this athletics department to be one of only a handful in the country that is financially self-sufficient and free from any drain on tax dollars, student fees or campus monies.

• Student-athletes like Jacob Gutierrez, Jonathan Horton, Nic Harris and dozens of others whose community service efforts, most of which are conducted under the radar, remind us that 99% of college student-athletes are making a positive impact.

• National and conference championships. Hey, there's a reason why we have scoreboards at each venue.

• The feeling we get when the drum major arches backward and the Pride of Oklahoma strikes up, "Oklahoma!"

• A couple ponies that ran around the world for us.

• Coaches who take programs that are struggling and place them among the nation's elite. Thanks, Santiago and Martin.

• The people in this department that never get their names in the paper yet really make the place go.

• The world-class physicians who tend to the student-athletes.

• The 50-cent hot dog nights. Really, what's better than sitting at a ballpark on a warm spring evening chowing down on cheap concessions?

• The Special Spectators program. Want a little perspective? Spend 10 seconds around those kids. Nothing turns a 300-pound football player into putty quicker.

• Electric moments that mark time. College sports may do that better than anything else.

• The campus mums. There have been some pretty terrific displays in the past, but the Oklahoma Centennial layout was among the best.

• The Red River Rivalry game. For big-time game atmosphere, that one is Nirvana.

• Double-double streaks. May Courtney's last at least two more years.

• For siblings that have enough love and self-worth to cheer for a brother or sister.

And the group I saved for last: the Sooner student-athletes. Your talent impresses us, your feats are overwhelming, but mostly it is your presence here that makes OU better. Thanks for the energy, the passion and the perspective. Happy Thanksgiving!
 

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Read an inside perspective from the University of Oklahoma Athletics Department on the latest Sooner sports topics. Associate Athletics Director for Communications Kenny Mossman provides his thoughts in his online column at SoonerSports.com.