I'm looking forward to one opinion of Tramel's that I can agree with. Anyone putting an Oklahoma "sports venue" above Owen Field had to have been born in Tulsa
or Stillwater.

JOHN SMITH RULES. He is the finest athlete I've ever been blessed to see compete. And, as a coach, he't the best.

john,Ada..I share the opinions which you posted 7-10@ 1:06 pm.

Barry, I have looked at your composed list of the 100 greatest Athletes for over a week now and really gave it the third degree but I have to disagree with many of your choices. I want to first make a point that should have come into play long before you comprised this list. You can't take ownership to any athlete that wasn't born, breed, or raised in the state of Oklahoma. The way I see it if an athlete was recruited to play a said sport for any team in Oklahoma this said athlete already had his/her athletic abilities molded long before he/she step foot in Oklahoma so there's no credit that should be taken by Oklahoma. I researched many of the athletes listed and I know that over 15 of athletes are not Okies and I would almost quess they don't want to be claimed as Oklahoma's own. I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that being a Kansas Native we Kansans claim Barry Sanders as our own as I am sure if you ask Barry Sanders he would claim Kansas as his home regardless if you add him to your list. Do you feel it's fair to the Oklahoma born athletes to claim a Kansan or the many athletes that were from Houston ( Thurman Thomas, Greg Pruitt ) to name a couple ahead of them ? Barry if you wish to comprise a list such as the list you already comprised it should be headlined as " 100 Greatest Athletes that ever played in Oklahoma " because that's closer to the truth. By the way after figuring out how you comprised this list I noticed Will Shields should have never been on this list he should be on Nebraska's Top 100. John Smith in my books is the greatest Oklahoma born athlete and when you look at John's entire career to include high school, college, Olympic, and coaching there should have been no mistake when you choose number two. I understand Jim Thorpe will always be number one as Jim made history when all the odds in the world were stacked against him but I have to say it's hard to look at what John Smith has accomplished and continues to accomplish without making a pitch for his place on your list. As a former wrestler from Kansas I can say " John Smith " is the number one wrestler and coach in all of the other 50 states.

As a sports venue, I must question some items on the list. What appears to be missing, in my opinion, would be Lake Hefner which has hosted national sailing championships and various amateur and semi-pro soccer venues. Instead, we have lakes listed for their stocking of fish and a trophy manufacturer?

Brit, yes! My children bought their homes in the Shepherd Neighborhood and Edgemere Park. At least maybe I raised them right.

Deann, you are absolutely right about the Plaza Court renovation. There are a lot of people that I know involved with that project. In 5 years it has done a complete turn around and subsequently increased property value in the adjacent neighborhoods. A wiw-win situation. Lyric Theatre has worked well as the corner stone. You can also look at the Paseo district as an example. I do believe that there is a renaissance of sorts going on in the city. I know that my parents, depression children, always thought that newer was better. They never understood why I would want to own a house right at 100 years old. Suburbia grew inthe late 50's, 60's and 70's. Now look at Heritage Hills, Mesta Park Edgemere etc. Those homes will still be standing long after suburbia goes the way of disco. Ha! Thanks for your time.

Brit-Being a native Oklahoman, I find many things to be proud of, including sports. I agree with you about preserving our history. I was THRILLED to see the renovation of Plaza Court, where my dad hosted a radio program in high school. My grandson attends elementary school in the same building as his paternal great-grandfather. HOW COOL IS THAT!?! I think we have a lot in common, and I'd be willing to bet that volunteerism is one of those things. (BTW, don't worry about the "e", Mother thought she was using a simple spelling-didn't work out that way!)

Sorry about the "e".

Deanne, The whole north-south thing might just possibly go away when I-40 is re-routed. That's not an endorsement of re-routing just an observation. I moved to OKC 27 years ago and I believe its time we began to cultivate what we have here and preserving our history should be at the top of the list. I've spent a lot of time on the east coast specifically Boston and had they not preserved the past, most of the city's charm would be nonexistant. the money they spent refurbishing Fanuiel Hall and subsequently Quincy Marketplace has come back to them in spades. I Love Boston and her people but I feel just as strongly about OKC. There is no place that I would rather live than here and I have seen remarkable things happen over the years. MAPS (Bricktown) the NBA, Maps for kids, the Chesapeake boathouse and subsequent national interest in the venue for crewand even the impossible, drumroll please.........completion of I-35 between OKC and Norman. I was beginning to believe, after 26 years that construction was just a part of life. I don't know, I'm probably just spitting in the wind but with Oklahoma's history of sports legends and God knows the interest in sports, maybe we could restore "that what brung us." Thanks for your time.

Brett, OKC. Ford Center is #7

Brit, you're right. I need to go see Capitol Hill gym. As for your question, it certainly is part of the OKC Public school system. My dad was in one of the first graduating classes, 1940. (I think his was the first class to attend all four years at the "New" school.)
In smaller school districts, there seems to be much more community and alumni involvement than in the larger districts. And, there is that whole north side-south side rivaly thing.
As for the "gold dome", I think the outcry about tearing it down was public. But, hasn't the restoration been done by the owners? Don't know for sure, just asking.

I wonder why Berry Tramel left off the Ford Center? Does he have insider knowledge that Oklahoma City will never have a NBA team relocate here permanently?

Deann, You should check out the Capitol Hill gym as well. The reality is that I don't really have a dog in this hunt but it just seems to be a shame to let these facilities continue a downward spiral. I'm not even suggesting public money be used. There has to be thousands of graduates of the OKC system that might be able to organize a drive of sorts. Think of the people that came out to support saving the "gold dome" bank. I would think that restoring both of these arenas to what they can be would be a great source of pride to the students as well as the city as a whole. I must admit however that I'm not completely sure that Capitol Hill is actually a part of the OKC district. Reguardless, they could both be beautiful facilities. thanks for your time.

Brit-I agree. I pass by Taft quite often and think it is sad. I'd like to see some $$ spent to restore it.

In the time I have been at OSU, I have seen athletics take over my school. It is sad.

I find myself in agreement with Merle. I find no place in schools for Athletics. Consider the word. Athena is the goddess named and the trophy cases break the
2nd Commandment of idols. I mentioned in another place my brother being an automobile engineer. Altho he was one of the strongest kids in school, he would pick up the rear end of VW bugs and I'd pick up the frontand set them on the sidewalk at OSU, he never had any interest in school sports yet now retired at 68 he still run at least 12 miles per day as he has for many years and his engineering duties took him all over the U.S.A. (yes he is famous in automotive circles) where he had the opportunity to run all the major marathons. I wish he could have made it down to the Okla. Memorial which I'm pleased was on sunday instead of breaking the 4th Command. I suppose the sunday go to meeting crowd will get their way and get it moved to Yahweh's 7th day Sabbath. Long live Zeus and his Olympics.

You left out Oklahoma City Community Colleges' Swimming Facility and the Cheaspeake Boathouse. Also left out was The Oklahoma River for that matter, now a hot venue for rowing and power boat racing and more to come. If you are going to have Little Sahara and arena's for cock fightin', The Oklahoma River should be in there also.

C'mon Barry,while your list of top 100 athletes was actually pretty good,minus a few names,the list of top 100 venues is questionable at best. I've sent you some names which you did include,but on the other hand...Lake Eufula,Texoma,Little Sahara,Midwest Trophy company,etc...???? All great place for a weekend getaway,some R&R,a place to share a few cold ones,etc..but sporting venues????? Next time either put a ballet in the paper,or just call it what it is: Barry's top 100 ideas of what a sports venue is. Heck,I bought some BASEBALL cards at a 7-11 on western one time,played air HOCKEY and space invaders at the local arcade,so I guess those were 101 & 102 on your list? I'm surprised you didn't redo the entire top 100 athletes and put Don Wallace up in the top 5 of all time. Hopefully common sense along with help from others will factor in,and the list for top 100 events will be much better.

this is somewhat off topic but I have occasion to watch a few football games at Taft an 1 volleyball game at Capitol Hill. While I don't teach in the OKC system, I am a resident of OKC. These are 2 venues in desparate need of attention. Both have the potential to to be jewels but lack of care {funding} is evident. I would think that if we can save the "gold dome" on N.W. 23rd, we could give these 2 historic icons the attention they so richly deserve. How about it OKC, your pennies once bought us an elephant, I didn't grow up here but I heard, could we now maybe breathe life into 2 potentially beautiful sports venues? Check them out for yourselves. Thanks for your time

I need to add two more venues to the overlooked list. One is the old Dewey Roundup venue in Dewey where from the early 1900's up into the 1940's the nationally known Dewey Rounup rodeo was held over the fourth of July each year. Any cowboy of any impact including Tom Mix performed there over the years. Located adjacent to the present Washington County Fairgrounds the old stand, since demolished, drew thousands each year to the event.
The other is the Adams Bldg. Basketball Arena (1950) in Bartlesville, home of the Phillips 66ers basketball team, where many an AAU game was played. On this court and on this team played some of the best players of their time, Bob Kurland, Gerald Tucker, Paul Courty, Chuck Darling, Clyde Lovelette, Arnold Short, etc. I saw Dean Smith play there. Under coach Bud Browning the 66ers furnished the coach and many of the players representing the US in the Olympics of that period.

Having visited schools and universities in 8 foriegn countries, it quickly became apparent why graduates of said schools obtain scholastic achievements far beyond American Schools......they do it the old fashion way.....they study without the encumberance or distraction from explotive sports. Having studied at universities in Edmond, Stillwater, Oklahoma City and Norman, I found studies at Japanese Universities more enlightening and superior, A person has a different mentality in schools with heavy sports venues with all of its distractions. As a native of Logan County, Oklahoma...........Go Sooners, Cowboys et al.,

Sory for the double post...

I'm sure I am in the minority in saying that this state places entirely too much emphasis on sports. I would much rather see a top 100 places of educational or historic interest that I can use to teach my children about the rich history of Oklahoma. If a sporting venue happens to make that list then so be it. I despise the hero worship that accompanies athletes and the royal treatment that many receive from elementary all the way through pro careers. Just for the record: all of my children are excellent athletes and most often are starting members of their respective teams but they also know that there are many other things that come before athletics.

I'm sure I am in the minority in saying that this state places entirely too much emphasis on sports. I would much rather see a top 100 places of educational or historic interest that I can use to teach my children about the rich history of Oklahoma. If a sporting venue happens to make that list then so be it. I despise the hero worship that accompanies athletes and the royal treatment that many receive from elementary all the way through pro careers. Just for the record: all of my children are excellent athletes and most often are starting members of their respective teams but they also know that there are many other things that come before athletics.

I suggest two venues I feel were overlooked. First the Muskogee Country Club, the oldest golf course (1903)at its original location in the state. Originally designed by Leslie Brownlee and then redesigned by Perry Maxwell in the 1920's. It was a regular stop on the LPGA Tour (Muskogee Civitan Open) and hosted the 1970 Women's US Open. Patty Berg's last LPGA victory was won there in 1962. The 1970 Women's US Open was held there and included 7 of the first 10 players elected to the LPGA Hall of Fame including Mickey Wright, Kathy Whitworth and Betsy Rawls.
Second The Tulsa Tennis Club opened in the 1920's consisted originally of all clay courts. It hosted many nationally known amateur and professional tournaments. It still is in operation today though the surface has been changed over the years. Jim,Edmond

An outstanding list. While I would have named Owen Field first, your explanation of why you picked it is very good and I accept it. There's no doubt that your top three should be on any top three. After that, one can restot them, but it is still an outstanding list. Being an older person, I like it that the older venues - some that no longer exist - are included. I'm talking about places like the old Tulsa Coliseum, Taft Stadium (Even the Sooners and the Cowboys played there during WWII. On a trip to OC in the mid 90s, I drove by just to look down at the field and reminisce., the OU Field House, old Oiler Park, Municipal Auditorium where the state basketball tournaments were once played, Athletic Park in Muskogee, the old Tulsa Central boys gym. A few places that could have been included are omitted, but all in all, an outstanding list.

Owen Field is easy number one, & history can tell you that. Oklahoma football changed the face of Oklahoma as state following the Great Depression & WWII. It gave Oklahoman’s something of their own, something to be proud of. Owen Field has more history & tradition than any basketball court or golf course in the state of Oklahoma. Ask anyone who had lived through those troubling times & they will tell you, Oklahoma football games at Owen Field in Norman, Oklahoma.

Sports venues. Ok. But a hundred?! A HUNDRED? Well then, I'll weigh in on my selection: BOYD HOUSE FIELD Home of the Boyd House Bombers of Wilson Center. The Bombers were coached by Greg Ruth and won the OU intramural touch football championship back in 1966. That field was a field of dreams for those fortunate enough to have crashed into the parking lot while going for a long pass. Wilson Center, by the way, was used by the U.S. Navy during WWII and was "home" to many of us students in later years. BOYD FIELD certainlsy deserves a place in the top 100.

Who cares? Do we really have 100 to even bother with? Outside of IBA at OSU, OU's Owen Field and perhaps the OKC-based Softball Hall of Fame, is there really anything worth discussing?