Oklahoma scene

The University of Central Oklahoma will add women's rowing to its intercollegiate varsity athletics program and plans to construct a boathouse on the banks of the Oklahoma River.

Sonic founder Troy Smith and his wife, Dolly, recently donated $3 million to UCO, part of which will be used to build the boathouse.

"We plan to have a first-class program and a first-class facility on the Oklahoma River,” said UCO President W. Roger Webb.

The UCO boathouse will be built east of the Chesapeake Boathouse on the Oklahoma River and is expected to be completed in 2008. It also will be used to support U.S. Olympic and Paralympic programs.

UCO plans to hire a coach and establish a women's rowing team this fall, in preparation for competition in the spring of 2008.

•OU, OSU compete for ESPY: Two events involving Oklahoma teams are vying for the Best Game of the Year ESPY Award, to be given by ESPN.

One is Oklahoma's 43-42 loss to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, which featured the Broncos pulling out several trick plays to win in overtime. The other is Oklahoma State's 105-103 triple-overtime basketball win against Texas. The ESPYs will air July 15.

From Staff Reports