OSU Will Never Forget

Originally Published: Jan 26, 2011 8:35 PM CDT

The number 10 will never again be worn by an Oklahoma State basketball player.  It was a wonderful ceremony at Gallagher-Iba Arena Wednesday night.  So many smiles and still so much pain.

When you spoke to the families of the victims and former players, the common theme was, "It doesnt feel like it has been 10 years."  And yet, as Coach Eddie Sutton said, somedays it does.

Its still hard to imagine the pain those families endured and still feel.  It makes you feel good to see that they have attempted to move on.  Ive often said that in sports we use words such as courageous or brave to describe athletic accomplishments.  People who lost loved ones in that tragic crash more accurately portray what it is to be courageous and brave.

We are reminded of how strong Coach Sutton was during those days following the crash.  He lifted a university and helped everyone deal with the anguish even as he was dealing with his own.

We are reminded of what a wonderful spokesperson Andre Williams was at the 2001 ceremony following the plane crash.  He fought through the pain back in 2001 and brought chills to the back of your neck in delivering a tribute to his fallen teammates and friends.  His speech on Wednesday night was a trip back to those awful days following the crash when Williams reminded us of how resilient young people can be and what perspective they can lend.

What Wednesday night reminded me most is that Oklahoma State will never forget.