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A Timeline of Recent Tragedies at Oklahoma State

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A few weeks ago Oklahoma State suffered yet another heartbreaking tragedy as the newest member of the basketball program, Tyrek Coger, collapsed and died after a conditioning workout at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Unfortunately this city of Stillwater, this university, this current body of present Cowboys and Cowgirls and this alumni group have all grown accustomed to similar hardships in recent years.

2001

Ten people perish in a plane crash in Colorado after a game in Boulder.

2005

Vernon Grant dies in a car accident.

2011

Kurt Budke, Miranda Serna, former state senator Olin Branstetter, and his wife Paula died after Branstetter’s plane crashed in Arkansas. They had just won their first game of the season against Rice and were headed for Little Rock on a recruiting trip.

2015

On what is annually the happiest day and biggest celebration in Stillwater at the homecoming parade, a car driven by Adacia Chambers ripped through the crowd at 10:31 a.m. killing four and injuring 46 more. Oklahoma State played on, regardless, and with heavy hearts defeated Kansas 58-10.

2016

Now this. Coger, who had just arrived on campus on July 5th from Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina, had passed of an enlarged heart gone undetected by the medical staff. He wanted to be an Oklahoma State Cowboy so badly, and was working his way into shape for the upcoming season, his first season of Division 1 college basketball. Another crushing loss for this community, and the latest adversity in a series in recent years to overcome.

“Dreams are supposed to begin here,” said Mike Holder in a press conference. “They’re not supposed to end, unfortunately, in this case. There’s not a happy ending to this. We grieve to the family. The mother, extended family, I grieve for the basketball coaches and all the players. Everybody really doesn’t know what to do about this. We’re all shocked. Our university has a great support system. We’ve got great people from the top to the bottom … I’ve heard other messages from other coaches and athletic directors in division one. We’re all in this together and everybody understands the consequences of something like this. I appreciate all that support.”

Family is a word that is probably thrown around far too often in 2016 in the world of sports. An athlete’s group of close friends, financial advisors, and business partners are often referred to as “family.” However, any individual associated with the state of Oklahoma, the town of Stillwater, or OSU, knows what family is all about. This state is used to countless tornadoes tearing through its plains and cities, has seen a bombing take the lives of 168 people in Oklahoma City, has experienced the tragedies listed above and continues to press on.

Oklahomans are used to picking themselves up, dusting themselves off, and getting back to work. Rebuilding homes, cities and lives. Supporting their neighbors who have lost everything. Comforting the loved ones of those that have been lost. Resilience and a steadfast hope and respect for others are ingrained in Oklahomans, and if any group of people can honestly look to themselves and declare themselves “family,” it’s right here in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Tyrek Coger’s untimely passing was the latest in a list of tragedies far too long. It is something Oklahoma State has unfortunately become too familiar with. There is a resilience that has grown over the years. The town, the school and its students will remember all of these who have passed too soon. And we will remain as strong now as ever.

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