An OSU diehard ready to play for that other school From preps to college Norris family coming to grips with Katie's decision to play softball at OU An OSU diehard ready to play for that other school
STILLWATER — The Norris family is as orange and black as it comes.
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Chris, from Idabel, went to Oklahoma State after starting college in Wyoming. When he moved back to Stillwater, he bought a T-shirt shop in 1986.
His daughter, Katie, grew up around OSU sports, has "boxes and boxes” of Cowboys gear. She still plans to come back to Stillwater — from Norman — for homecoming this year.
Neither Katie nor Chris could've imagined that Oklahoma would be where Katie played college softball.
Even days before their scheduled visit to Norman, they tried to back out.
Chris Norris even went as far as e-mailing Sooners softball coach Patty Gasso to try to find an out. Gasso didn't give him one. She told them to come for the visit and at least give them a chance.
It didn't take long for the trip to pay off.
On the way back home, Katie, a catcher, told her dad she'd made her decision. She was going to OU.
"I really wanted to win a national championship, and I had the best chance at OU,” Katie said. "It just felt like I belonged there.”
And Chris, who owns Chris' University Spirit in Stillwater, was all right with that.
"I was blown away with coaches Gasso and (Melyssa) Lombardi” Chris said. "And I didn't want to be.
"But it was up to Katie.”
Norris knew there would likely be some reaction among OSU fans to his daughter's commitment to the Sooners. He had no idea just how strong it would be.
In Norris' office is a picture of Katie's signing. Chris, like Katie, wore an OU softball shirt.
That set off a strong reaction from some OSU fans and inflamed passions on message boards.
"I expected some reaction,” Chris said. "I didn't know just how much we'd get.”
Katie, who'd been working out — on a paid membership — at Oklahoma State, soon had to find a new place to train when OSU athletic director Mike Holder found out about the commitment.
The family knew that possibility existed.
"We're looked at as staunch, inside fans,” Chris said. "Some people said, ‘How could you do that?' Well, it's not my deal.”
Next season, Katie will return to Stillwater, this time wearing the crimson and cream of OU.
"I'm not sure what that's going to be like,” Katie said. "There will be plenty of people rooting for me to fail miserably. But there's also going to be people there rooting for me to do well.”
Katie had offers and attention from around the country, drawing looks from schools in all of the most well-known softball conferences. Oklahoma State was among the possibilities.
"I might've gone here (OSU) if I hadn't decided on OU,” Katie said. "It's not that OSU would've been a bad choice. But I'm excited to have found a place where I really felt like I fit in. I just didn't expect it to be OU.”
Even though the father is supportive of his daughter's choice, that doesn't mean Chris Norris is changing his allegiances.
His office is still decked out in orange from ceiling to floor, with just the one picture breaking up the Oklahoma State décor.
"As long as she's committed to that program (OU), I'm committed to it,” Chris said. "But it's not like I'm going out there and buying OU season football tickets. I'm still an OSU guy through and through — just not when it comes to softball.”
Who cares anyway...it may say OU on the jersey but it's really team California....Arkansas had more Oklahoma players on their roster in the regional than Tulsa and OU combined.
Why do we have to endure two articles on this subject over the past 6 months. She made a choice....big deal. Thats the way it should be. No one should be applauded on this deal. Wasnt one article enough on this subject? Its amazing this even makes the paper.
The bottom line for the story is this: "'I REALLY WANTED TO WIN A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, AND I HAD THE BEST CHANCE AT OU', KATIE SAID." That says it all right there. "Slim" Pickens can throw all the money he wants into the so-called osWho? athletic program & it's not going to matter. BOOMER SOONER BABY!!!!!!
Hey Girl! I'm proud of you - it's your choice and decision to do what's best for you - all the more to stay in tuned with college softball, now I have a real reason to watch OU - best of luck - and carry that Orange Pride in your heart! I'm die hard softball player @ heart doesn't matter who's playing fast pitch rocks!
Oh, how fast we forget the days of Colonel Schnellenberger and Johnny Blake. It's funny how an article about softball somehow turns OU football fans into guys with small man complexes. Relax Brad, everyone knows you guys are good.
This is one smart girl. Why would she play in the minor league when she can go to the majors? Going to OU over OSU is smart if you really want to win a championship. The few fotball players OSU has that actually were offered at by OU only went there so they could play right away. Come on, is OSU ever going to win a Big 12 championship, much less a national championship? They couldn't do it with the best player to ever play in Barry Sanders and they never will.
M, college softball is big in Oklahoma. And OU has a great following and they have built a great program for the last decade. True fans recognize the importance of all sports and how much they provide for the young people involved. The fact of the matter is that she will have a great shot at winning a national championship at OU. A rivalry is a rivalry. Both schools want the best athletes to go to their respective schools.
I dish it out to osu fans as much as anyone on this board. I don't do it just because I went to OU and I remain and always will be a Sooner. I just do it to start trouble, not because I'm a Gooner. I like to kick a mad dog if he's in a cage. It's the freaking internet.Don't wanna be feared in my neighborhood. I just wanna be misunderstood.
Cant fault Holder. If the university has helped that guy's business then you can just as easily say OSU is not in the business of training OU athletes. Remember this wasnt Holder's choice. It sounds like the Oklahoman put that in there just to rile people up.
This tells you the "rivalry", which I think is becoming more and more one sided, might just be getting out of hand. We need to keep it healthy and that should start with the respective athletic departments.
Sounds like Mike Holder needs to grow up as much as many other OSU fans. I mean, I know this girls $19.95 per month membership at the OSU gym isn't exactly up to Boone Pickens's specifications, but still. It's a public university. She ought to sue. Ha ha. Wouldn't that be great?
I would rather do business with a guy who has his family priorities in order than someone who forced his kids to follow his allegiance. This is a good story, and I will continue to buy my OSU gear from Chris.
Chris's University Spirit has been getting kickbacks from the university for years, which is the reason for the athletic department's backlash. No one likes to see a great athlete go to the rival school, but it happens. I wish her the best at OU.
I can understand Holder not allowing her to workout in O State facilities but any back lash from fans is ridiculous. I'm a die hard OSU fan too and if one of my kids decided to go to OU I would support that as long as they were happy.
This is an outrage! I will never set foot in Chris' University Spirit again! Just kidding. Sounds like a great family with their priorities in the right place. Best of luck to her. Go Pokes.
Sounds like a level headed family. Nothing wrong with the situatation, just a different opportunity presented. Fans need to be fans, not judges. Never know, Katie Norris may play for the US Olympic team and her ties to the State of Oklahoma will be great.
Former Stillwater High School softball player Katie Norris will play ball for Oklahoma despite her families ties to Oklahoma State. by Matt Strasen, THE OKLAHOMAN
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Phi Alpha chris. are you from oklahoma mu?
how many fans attend the softball College World Series
in Oklahoma City.
You can't pick her husband nor her college. Ugh! ;>)