High Noon Highlights (6/19): Happy Juneteenth

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Oklahoma State Athletics celebrated Juneteenth:

The athletics department put out an article this morning that explains the origin of the holiday. In addition it highlights what it means for some of Oklahoma State Black athletes. This is from Landon Wolf of Cowboy Football.

“Many people recognize the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation to be the end of slavery in the United States but this wasn’t the case. The freedom of slaves was widely rejected for more than two years by white slave masters and slave traders. June 19th, 1865 is when Texas’ 250,000 slaves were officially freed. Of course, they were met with resistance due to their critical role in the economy that was dependent on their free manual labor. Nonetheless, this was the beginning of a newfound opportunity for African- Americans to create a life for themselves. Recognizing the mass-scale oppression in the past allows me as a young black man to be grateful for the strides that our people and our country have taken while simultaneously remaining focused on continuing the fight for equal rights and representation.” {Okstate.com}

There was also a fantastic video of a bunch of members of Cowboy and Cowgirl basketball team reading “And Still I Rise” the poem by Maya Angelou.

Former Cowboy Football Captain weighs in on Gundy’s apology:

Deion Imade appeared on Robert Allen’s radio show this past week to discuss the recent events in Oklahoma State football.

“The second apology video, the one where he was obviously reading from a teleprompter, and you and I are in this media industry and I’ve read from a teleprompter and you’ve read from a teleprompter. Those things are really hard,” Imade said of the Tuesday Gundy apology. “People saying that his apology was insincere, I didn’t see it that way because I’ve been in those shoes. I appreciated that Coach Gundy apologized not only to his current players but also to the former players. I appreciate that he acknowledged us in the platform.” {Oklahoma State SI}

Former Oklahoma State wrestler Kendall Cross makes podcast appearance:

At Oklahoma State, he witnessed his teammates Kenny Monday and John Smith become Olympic champions right before his eyes and realized that winning the Olympics was a dream he could pursue.

In this episode we break down the strategies and mentalities that he honed in order to reach that next level. And to get through guys like Brad Penrith in 1992 and Terry Brands in 1996.

It was so great to get into some of the deeper stories that Kendall has to share from his many years in the sport of wrestling and learn more about a wrestling mentor of mine. {Rolliepeterkin.com}

Around the Big 12:

The history of Jack Trice

This from FOW is a must read today

West Virginia extends Backyard Brawl series in basketball

Around sports:

Ohio State to play Alabama in 2027-28

“Gator Bait” chant to go away

The MLB has a communication problem

Song of the Day: