The Bronchos held open tryouts on the afternoon of Aug. 30, just two days after the team lost their season opener to the Pittsburgh State Gorillas, 31-20.

UCO, who is under a NCAA probation which limits the football team to a 90-man roster, posted notifications of the try-out across campus hoping to get players to come out and help fill much needed voids across the depth chart. Head Coach Tracy Holland explained that the most challenging thing about the roster limitation is actually reaching the 90-man mark. “Any college football team has to have a scout team in order to prepare for the opponent,” Holland explained. “We don’t really have that luxury. Our starters on offense have to sometimes act as scout team for the defensive side.”

The coaches and the 11 players hoping to join the team took the field and began the workout with pre-game stretches and running drills.

After getting loose and ready to practice, the coaches split the players into two separate groups and began clocking 40-yard dash times. Most players came in over the five second mark; however, Vandeel Mosley finished with a 4.6 second sprint with the wind and a 4.8 against the wind. Mosley was a 2009 graduate of Capitol Hill High School, where he played defensive back and running back. He heard about the tryouts through friends on the team and postings across the campus and decided he would try out in order to take his skills to the next level.

After the 40-yard dash drills were completed, the coaches split the hopefuls into their respective positions and began to scout them in order to determine their athletic ability. Mosley and two other players worked with the defensive backs while one player worked at linebacker and the rest joined Coach Pat Kennedy to work at wide receiver.

After spending nearly 15 minutes working on position drills, the players once again joined together to participate in one-on-one drills. Mosley was the only stand-out at defensive back, shutting down nearly every route ran his way. He showed that his athletic ability, speed and agility could help Coach Holland and his coaching staff fill spots at defensive back vacated by injuries, graduates and transfers.  After the practice, Mosley commented on how hard he had worked at the tryout. “Everything was challenging. I just tried to give it 100 percent and I feel like I stood out the most in my one-on-one drills.”

Coach Holland explained that the toughest thing the players had ahead of them after making the team was completing the transition of walking on and actually being on the team. “They’re going to have to go through a process where they ease into it. They have an offensive system they have to learn and they are a little bit behind the curve defensively. They’re primary function is going to be on scout team, and by being there they will be able to slowly transition as the season goes on.”

The Bronchos are looking to fill about eight roster spots in order to get the team to the 90-player minimum before the end of the week. The coaches hope that the new additions to the team can be ready to make an impact before their next game against the Tarleton State Texans on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Wantland Stadium.

Call me old fashioned, but I don’t think change is always good when it comes to dealing with sports. I was cringing at the prospect of OU and OSU playing in the PAC-10, and I am glad all that talk finally went away. But just when you thought conference realignment was over, think again, The University of Central Oklahoma is joining its longtime rival Northeastern State University, and joining the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. With the MIAA looking to reach 16 teams, it will be interesting to see if they swoop up any more Oklahoma schools.

Conference change can always bring new and exciting things to the schools involved. But me personally, I love tradition. Every time UCO has switched conferences they have left old rivalries behind. Langston University and Northwestern Oklahoma State used to be some of the biggest games in the State of Oklahoma. Now their not even on each others radars. So with this new switch the biggest difference I see will be the disappearance of the Oklahoma-Texas factor. Not all the Athletes here at UCO are from Oklahoma, but the ones who are know exactly which state we do not like, Texas. There is just a natural rivalry with any one or any school from Texas that can no be explained in words, it will just be sad to see it go.

But its not like the MIAA doesn’t have its share of powerhouses, Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri are perennial powers in football, Central Missouri has an outstanding baseball program, and Missouri Southern has a great softball program. The level of competition will certainly be as strong if not stronger than the Lone Star Conference, but unless the Broncho’s schedule some of the instate or Texas schools for their non-conference games, it looks like we will be watching some teams we know nothing about.

I’m not trying to rain on any parade, I know UCO is just looking out for its future by switching to a conference that is set in stone and not going to fold, but something about playing Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas schools on a regular basis just doesn’t get me fired up.

Just speaking hypothetically, I really would have loved for the Lone Star Conference to have gone hard after; Langston University, Northwestern Oklahoma State and even SNU, each one of those schools offers its share of competition, Langston and Northwestern Oklahoma State could challenge the Broncho’s every season in football, and SNU could certainly give the men’s basketball program a run for its money. With the NAIA looking to restructure or even fold, I thought that might be just the kick in the butt those schools needed to wise up and make their schools a factor on the NCAA level.

But as it turns out all that was just a pipe dream. Just looking at the schools enrollment information, UCO will be the largest school in the conference by a good amount. The facilities that we host will be top notch in almost every sport. So as our focus turns north, so must our recruiting efforts. With no guaranteed games in Texas, that pipeline stands to dry up, but new ones like Kansas and Missouri should provide us an influx of new athletes that previously went unnoticed to this region. Players from high schools up there will have chances to come watch the Broncho’s in action with out having to leave their state, and if we can put some good performances together, then maybe they will look our way.

After speaking with the Head football Coach for the Broncho’s Tracy Holland, he had this to say about the switch in conferences, “ I’m proud of the University for making this move, that’s the type of competition we want to play week in and week out.” While I don’t necessarily like the move, I do agree with Coach Holland about the competition, playing the best makes teams better. If switching conferences means one of our teams will end up hoisting a gold ball at the end of the season sometime soon, then ill switch my opinion, until then I am still not for it.

All-American strong safety Giorgio Durham is leaving the UCO program this season. Durham was a two-year starter on an underachieving Broncho football team. He was also the leader of a group that was just starting to come together.

Rumors began flying as soon as the season ended that Durham wasn’t happy with the program. “It’s not that I didn’t like it here in Edmond,” Durham said. “These coaches gave me an opportunity out of high school, but there was just some issues that we couldn’t get worked out.”

One issue he spoke of was the fact that while being an All-American defensive player, he still wasn’t a full scholarship player. The problem wasn’t with the coaches, just the aspect of playing Division II football where there are considerably less scholarships to give out than schools like the University of Oklahoma or Oklahoma State University. Division I schools like OU can offer 85 scholarships, whereas Division II schools like UCO can only offer up to 36 scholarships. Both divisions still have to fill out rosters in upwards of 80-90 players.

When Durham decided to leave UCO after the season ended, he turned his attention on getting hooked up with a Division I school. While working out with his cousin from OU, Dominique Franks, Durham was getting his body and mind ready for the jump in divisions. When his close friend who plays at Texas Tech told him to come for a visit, Durham jumped at the chance.

“When Tramain told me there might be an opportunity to come down there I was really excited. I have always been a guy who likes to compete against the best, and going down there will let me showcase the skills I know I have.” Tramain Swindall, who plays wide receiver for Texas Tech, and Durham go back to the playground days on the east side of Oklahoma City. So naturally when Durham was given the chance to catch on with Tech he jumped at it.

“A lot of people think I am crazy because I was an All-American this past season, and I am going to a school where I’m going to have to sit out a season before I get to see the field again,” Durham said. “But I look at it like this – I had accomplished everything I set out to do here in Edmond, other than winning a few more games. Now I get to set new goals and prove to my self and everyone else that I can play with the best of the best.”
Proving himself is nothing new to Durham. When he finally suits up for Texas Tech, he will be playing for his fifth school in just more than seven years. He played at Putnam City, Westmoore, and Western Heights while he was in high school, and now he will have his second team under his belt in college.

“In high school there was a lot of family drama that caused me to move from school to school, and my senior year I got a chance to play quarterback with a school and coaches I trusted, so it’s not like I was just jumping ship just to do it,” Durham said. “I have always just wanted to feel wanted. I don’t like playing for coaches that see me as only a football player. I like when they have a special interest in everything I am doing.”

Mike Baldwin, who coached Durham at Western Heights High School, said Texas Tech is lucky to have Durham. “To be honest, I think Tech got a steal, They are getting a player that is an All-American and one of the smartest players in this region. When he came to our school his senior season, he took over as our quarterback, strong safety, and leader. He should do very well down there.”

That season Durham’s coach talked about was also the first season Durham played safety. “I feel like I am still new to this position,” Durham said. “This last year was only my third season to play safety, and I was an All-American, so I feel like with a few more years playing, the sky’s the limit.”

Whether or not Durham has an impact at Texas Tech, he will have nothing to be ashamed about. He is doing what he loves and shooting for the stars. Hopefully he reaches them and can make his former UCO teammates proud.

With the summer slowly slipping away, football season is just around the corner. For Bryan McCann, this football season will be worth a little more than in years past. This will be McCann’s first go-around in the professional ring, and to add just a little bit of drama, it is with the Dallas Cowboys.

After not being drafted in this past year’s NFL draft, McCann signed a free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys.

“I’m not going to say that I was happy when I didn’t get drafted, but for me being able to pick my spot, and go to an organization that will utilize my abilities, is a very good situation,” McCann said. In recent years the Cowboys have turned undrafted free agents into superstars, with Tony Romo, Miles Austin and Sam Hurd.

Being overlooked is nothing new to McCann. After an injury during his senior season at Putnam City caused him to miss all but three games, big-time programs like the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University didn’t come calling. So McCann took his game down to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he starred on a team that for two seasons was not very good.

“Playing those first two seasons were night and day from my last two,” McCann said. “When coach Jones came in from Hawaii, he brought a pro-style system, so even though we only made it to one bowl game, I can’t say I didn’t love my time there.”

Typical of McCann, even when things don’t go his way, he always seems to make the best out of things.

After his senior season at SMU, the NFL scouts didn’t extend an NFL combine invitation to McCann. “Not being able to go to the combine ended up being a good thing,” McCann said. “I got to stay in Dallas and work out on my own schedule, with my own people. The friends I had that went to the combine actually told me that they wish they would have done what I did.”

After his blistering 4.28 40 time, it’s a wonder more people don’t skip the combine to train in Dallas. McCann’s 40 time ended up being the fastest in the entire country this past year. Compare McCann’s 40 time to the person many people have considered the fastest man in the country for the last four years, Trindon Holliday, who ran a 4.34 at the combine.

“After I signed my free agent contract, I really started focusing on our rookie mini camps,” McCann said. “Coach [Dave] Campo really seemed to like my speed from the game film he watched, and hopefully I will get a chance to use my speed and return some kicks this season.”

During his rookie minicamp in Dallas, McCann had to go against former Oklahoma State star Dez Bryant. “Going against Dez was pretty cool,” McCann said. “He is a really good receiver, but at the same time I didn’t get starstruck, and I think I jammed him up a few times.”

Now with training camp looming just around the corner, McCann is starting to settle in. “I’m playing a lot of nickel cornerback, and returning kicks and punts. The thing I like most is they are letting me showcase my ability to press on the line of scrimmage. Coach Campo really doesn’t care whether I play press or stay off my receiver as long as I get the job done.”

Going into camp with McCann will be Jamar Wall from Texas Tech, and Cletis Gordan, who is a fifth-year journeyman. McCann will have to beat one of these guys out to make the team. “If I was to tell you, that you had a chance to make an NFL roster and you only had to beat two guys, what would you do?” McCann joked. That’s the mindset of this young prospect from the Cowboys. He has been humbled by everything that has happened in his life, but that doesn’t stop him from taking what he wants.

“Playing in the NFL has always been a dream of mine,” McCann said. “My parents have just as much to do with my success as I do. They are always here for me when I need them, and they pushed me in every way possible to get the most out of me.” Don’t plan on McCann not making the team, people have made that mistake before and been wrong.

Gemologist Jerry Ehrenwald said the 14-karat white gold pendant sports more than 2 carats of diamonds. The number 23 jersey reads ‘King’ on the front and ‘James’ on the back.

Robinson, who’s an amateur boxer in James’ hometown of Akron, Ohio, listed the jewelry on eBay. She said the King’s brand will never die, even after he left the Cleveland Cavaliers to play for the Miami Heat.

The announcement that James would be leaving Cleveland and joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami came as no surprise to most people. But the way James went about it was wrong. No matter what decision he made, he would have been ridiculed; either he was abandoning his hometown, or he was just in it for the money.

While all this was going on, the Thunder inked Durant for the max deal. His new contract will keep him in Oklahoma City till the year 2016, and will earn him between $85 million to $86 million. That’s pretty big news, yet he only needed 140 characters to say it.

This is the problem with sports today, “It’s all about me.” The funny thing is the teams that have those kinds of players hardly ever seem to win. The New England Patriots, the New York Yankees, the Boston Celtics and even the Lakers wanted to win, and yes they had players who were “superstars,” but it was more about the game and not them. I don’t see James ever being that type of player.

James has been widely considered the heir apparent to Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant, but after all this, I think that torch will bypass James and go straight to Durant. With Bryant only having a few more years, and the Thunder positioning themselves to overtake the Lakers as soon as Bryant Leaves, Durant will be the new “king.” There is no question James is the most athletic player to play the game of basketball since Magic Johnson. But he will never live up to the hype everyone game him.

This past season, Durant became the youngest player ever to lead the league in scoring at just more than 30 points a game. Durant has averaged 25 points per game for his first three seasons and has the Thunder primed for a playoff run. He didn’t have to team up and conspire with his buddies to try and buy a few championships. Sam Presti has put Durant in a situation where he has players around him, but at the same time there will be no question when the Thunder hoists their first banner that Durant was the reason. Unlike James, Wade and Bosh, if they win a ring, people will always question who actually led them there. This by default puts Durant as the game’s best. No one ever questioned MJ, Johnson or Bryant when they won their rings. That’s because there was no question it was their team.

I would love to see James never get a ring, because I don’t think he deserves it, but that’s probably not going to happen. He will eventually get a ring, but he won’t match MJ or Bryant. Durant on the other hand has plenty of years to get a few rings under his belt, before he even reaches James’ age now. Hopefully Durant proves me right and goes down in history as the greater player.

“I just had an ACL tear and a little bit of meniscus damage, and they replaced it by using my patellar tendon,” Tweed said. “It [expected recovery] will be about six to seven months from my surgery date, which was June 14, so probably the middle of December to January.”

Knee injuries are always tricky because there are three different surgeries that can be performed. The doctors can use the hamstring, patellar tendon or a cadaver tendon to fix the knee. This is not Tweed’s first surgery. “Well I used a cadaver last surgery, and it only lasted about 10 months before I tore it again,” Tweed said. “So it was more of a I don’t trust it to do the same surgery again, and they say this is probably the best ACL surgery. The patellar surgery is more difficult than the others with rehab and pain, so with my doctor it’s usually not his first choice.”

Many players today are encouraged to think more about their bodies and the future when they encounter these types of injuries. Worrying about walking later in life or playing with their kids always seems to be part of the discussion when the doctors and team trainers give their two cents. “My coaches are awesome,” Tweed said. “They actually didn’t want me to play again because they didn’t want anything to happen to my knee again, but they offered to let me stay on and help coach and be a part of the team still. But I decided to play again, and they supported my decision. They told me I could redshirt this year so I could spend a whole year rehabbing and working on stuff, and of course all my teammates have been supportive.”

Tweed’s shooting ability will certainly be missed this next season. She shot the ball at almost a 50 percent clip this past season, before injuring her knee. Tweed has also played in 81 games through three seasons.

One thing that is common in a player who returns from a knee injury is trust in that knee. It is bad enough to blow the knee out once, but three times? Tweed is a gritty competitor.

“People say I’m crazy, but oh well,” Tweed said. “I don’t want to quit playing while I still have a chance to.”

With only one season left of eligibility, no one can blame her for at least trying. The worst that could happen would be another blowout, but let’s all pray that doesn’t happen.

If she can return to form, this will undoubtedly be one of the best stories in Broncho sports history. The guts and determination to never give up, and to keep fighting when everyone else says give up, is amazing. You can call her crazy all you want, but the word heart should come to mind when you think about Kasey Tweed for now on. If all the collegiate players in America had this attitude, this country would be a much better place.