Boynton Reintroduces Himself, OSU Basketball At Homecoming and Hoops

STILLWATER — As Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” echoed through Gallagher-Iba Arena’s hallowed halls, Mike Boynton entered Eddie Sutton Court in front of the masses for the first time in his second season.

Through an inflatable tunnel and fog, Boynton, a Brooklyn native, appeared wearing a New York Yankees hat. As Jay-Z said “Allow me to reintroduce myself,” Boynton tossed the Yankee hat to the side and pulled a “Loyal and True” hat from under his hoodie.

Mike Boynton is just cooler than the rest of us. It's a fact we have to deal with. pic.twitter.com/4rqFAxU7Ci

— Marshall Scott (@Marshall_Once) October 27, 2018

“It’s kind of what this transition has been for me,” Boynton said. “Was a Yankee, still am at my heart, but I am a Cowboy. Proud to be one, and I’m glad these people have really embraced me and my family.”

Oklahoma State’s annual Homecoming and Hoops was a fun night. Gundy reveled in some glory days, members of the OSU wrestling team did a cheer routine and the men’s and women’s basketball team had a dance battle.

The women claimed victory in the dance off, but Boynton got involved in the men’s final dance. Boynton was decked out in OSU attire, wearing the aforementioned hat, a Barry Sanders jersey and the Barry Sanders shoes that released earlier this week. Afterward, Boynton said Sanders was of his all-time favorites.

“Barry Sanders is certainly my favorite running back ever,” Boynton said. “Lawrence Taylor and Jerry Rice and him are like my best three football players ever. I grew up watching the Giants, and Jerry Rice was phenomenal.

“The things Barry Sanders did in the game were truly amazing. I’ve always admired him and who he represented. Then obviously to have the connection with this university, it’s awesome.”

Friday night was a big night for Boynton’s current program. It was the debut for the team’s seven newcomers to many. The team had a scrimmage that looked more like a glorified dunk contest.

It was also a big night for the future of Boynton’s program. Boynton had enough recruits in town to start a new basketball team. With a weekend like this weekend, Boynton said it will be hard for the high schoolers in attendance to forget the spectacle that is OSU’s homecoming.

“It’s not close, this is the best thing we do other than play games,” Boynton said. “We don’t have an event like this. People don’t tailgate for basketball to really create that type of environment on a consistent bases. We know this place is going to be packed and try to get as many eyes and as much attention on our program for the night or the weekend as we can.

“Those kids, some of them are sophomores in high school, that’s a pretty lasting impression, especially if this is the first or second place that they’ve ever been to. It’s something that certainly we hope will help down the road.”