Byford's dad does unthinkable Former Oklahoma lineman dons orange to support daughter, Cowgirls Former Oklahoma lineman dons orange to support daughter, Cowgirls
His daughter, Megan, a 6-foot-3 sophomore who transferred to OSU last summer, had just rebounded an Andrea Riley miss and converted a put-back to give the Cowgirls a three-point lead. It also set the stage for Riley's game-winning free throw that put OSU in the Sweet 16 for the second time in program history.
The Cowgirls will play LSU at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in New Orleans.
"He doesn't have any problem wearing orange now,” Megan Byford said of her father. "He came up after the game and told me how proud he was of me for being able to step up.”
Three months ago, Lyndle Byford wasn't so crazy about sporting Cowgirl colors. He was an all-Big Eight offensive lineman at Oklahoma from 1977-1982. He helped lead the crimson and cream to three Orange Bowl victories. His background told him orange and black represents the enemy. Lyndle Byford was trained to tackle anything wearing those colors.
So for as long as possible, he avoided wearing it.
"I always wore black to Megan's games,” he said.
But when OSU hosted Oklahoma in the first round of Bedlam on Jan. 12, Lyndle Byford finally gave in.
"I promised Megan I would wear orange for Bedlam,” Lyndle said. "When your daughter is playing, you'll do anything for her.”
Lyndle's relationship with Megan reaches far deeper than any school rivalry.
When Megan was a freshman at Bray-Doyle High School, she wanted to play Division I basketball. Her dad knew what it took and provided the push she needed to make it happen.
"He has prepared me for it,” Megan Byford said. "He has made me the best player I can be, and at the same time, kept me grounded in it. I think I have an advantage having a dad who played Division I sports.”
When Megan blew out both of her knees and was forced to play junior college basketball after high school, Lyndle could relate. He suffered a torn ligament as a sophomore against Iowa State. Lyndle missed the 1979 Orange Bowl.
"I told her it is a long and lonely road back,” he said. "I told her you have to do all the rehab yourself, and that if she wanted to play and be successful, you have to suck it up and do it.”
Megan Byford said her father's success on the field serves as motivation. After hearing stories of championships and rivalry games and looking at her father's Big Eight title ring while growing up, Megan wanted her own jewelry. She wanted her own stories to tell.
After less than a year in Stillwater, the stories abound: A 19-point Bedlam win. A trip to the Big 12 Tournament finals. And of course, the put-back that eventually propelled the Cowgirls into the Sweet 16.
"This is her time now,” Lyndle Byford said.
Lyndle Byford left his Big Eight championship ring at home during the Big 12 Tournament two weeks ago in an effort to avoid taking attention away from Megan and the Cowgirls.
"My time is done,” he said. "This is all about her, and I am awfully proud.”
OSU senior Danielle Green said of taking on LSU in the Tigers' home state: "It will be loud, but there will be some orange in the stands.”
Lyndle Byford will be included.
"I'll be there, with my orange shirt and my O-State cap” he said. "Blood runs thicker than your alma mater.”
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So Bryan...you're saying she would have had a better time at OSU?????Part of the college experience is enjoying it, and as you obviously are saying, she would have more fun at OSU...
Debating a meaningless topic. Support your kids your own way. If you think holding them hostage to your alma mater is the thing to do, by all means do it. If your faimly is tied together mainly by what school you attended, that's your deal, the rest of us don't need to read about it... As for OSU, what a great run by Coach Budke and the Cowgirls. It shows you what a good mix of talent and coaching can do. Same for the Sooners, they have been playing a very high level of basketball for quite some time. ND had a better strategy to end the game and executed better, that's all. Go Sooners in 2008-09!
Oh, my goodness...as an OU grad I am thrilled for Megan, Lyndle, and the OSU basketball team. Sure, I wish OU had beat Notre Dame and come to OKC this week for a showdown with the 'Imperial Empire of Summitt', but I will be rooting for the Cowgirls to do the deal first in New Orleans and finish the deal in Tampa. I am not only an OU grad, athletic donor, but have probably seen every OU fb game, home and away for 35 years, but I am very proud of OSU's women's bb team come out of nowhere. Good competition within the state helps both programs.
But, make no mistake, I am glad we have Jenna and OSU has Riley. Jenna proved her value once again on Tues night, win or lose. I sure bet OSU would take either Paris sister also, so these types of personal attacks are just laughable.
maybe OSU was the only big 12 school offering her a scholarship. If so, I'd be supporting her too, regardless of my previous affiliations. I'd be thrilled that my checkbook was staying firmly CLOSED in regards to education. Have you seen tuition prices?
Family loyalty - what about some independence and individualism for your children. I'm an OSU grad as is one daughter and currently have another at OSU. However, as much as I encourage them to attend the school i love if the education opportunity were equal and they had a preference for another school i would support them. I think Mr. Byford has the right attitude.
I thought it funny that the writer mentioned as an offensive lineman he was trained to tackle the black and orange - 15 yards Jenni
Greg, why is this Doctor and idiot. Because he wants his son to show some family loyalty. If I was paying for my child's education I would hope that my kid had enough sense to go where I suggested. Just because this kid loved OSU doesn't mean that it's the best school for his career choice. The only idiot involved with this situation is you if you think that an education is just about having a good time. I would say that the Doctor had more wisdom than you or your buddy.
I grew up in Stillwater and graduated from OSU. My daughter wants to go to OU and for the degree program she has chosen, (Journalism), I have told her that is an excellent choice. For me, I will always be an OSU fan but I will support me daughter in her continued education. I will still attend athletic events in Stillwater and continue to financially support my alma mater. GO POKES!!
Jenna Plummley was heavily recruited by OSU and was reportedly leaning towards OSU. HEr family, all diehard OU fans, told her they would not watch her play if she went to OSU. She signed with OU, and OSU signed Andrea Riley instead. I'd say it worked out well.
Good story. Family should always come first. I know a wealthy doctor who is a big donor at OU. His son wanted to go to OSU, but his dad told him he would not pay for it. The son went to OSU for his freshman year and loved it, but decided he would rather have his college paid for, so he transferred to OU. I know that there are idiots like this doctor at every school, so please don't think I am trying to slam OU.
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Oklahoma State's Megan Byford, left, has family ties to OU. Her father was an all-Big Eight offensive lineman for the Sooners. by CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
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But, make no mistake, I am glad we have Jenna and OSU has Riley. Jenna proved her value once again on Tues night, win or lose. I sure bet OSU would take either Paris sister also, so these types of personal attacks are just laughable.
I thought it funny that the writer mentioned as an offensive lineman he was trained to tackle the black and orange - 15 yards Jenni