What Orange means to me [Archive]

Pokes28

10-11-2004, 10:20 PM

Today I was sitting in my office daydreaming a little bit about the upcoming weekend. Of course I'm wearing my orange. It is homecoming week after all. I starting thinking about orange and why it means so much to not only me, but the all of the Oklahoma State fans across the United States.

Is orange a particularly pretty color? no. Yet we all find it beautiful. Is it a popular color? fashion right now has a lot of orange in it, but normally, it isn't. Is it a powerful color? it is eye catching, but not really considered a power color. So why in the world do I and the other faithful love it so much?

The color is a symbol. It is all we remember of our Oklahoma State experiences. To us it not only symbolizes all the national championships, but also 0-10-1. It is Theta Pond, it is Fraternity Row, it is the student union. It is Barry Sanders, Walt Garrison, and even Dexter Manley. It is Eddie Sutton, Leonard Hamilton, Les Miles, Pat Jones, and Henry Iba. It is meeting your friends at Joes or the Hideaway. It is illegal dorm parties. It is Pistol Pete. It is the Waving Song or the Alma Mater. It is the Walk, it is tailgating. It is that girl you always wanted to ask out but never did. It is that guy you wanted to leave you alone. It is late night Pizza Shuttle runs. It is no air conditioning in the dorm or getting tickets from campus police. It is not understanding your chemistry instructor or that really nerdy English grad student. It is signing up for a 5 hour class at 7:30 in the morning as a Freshman. It is learning to never do that again. It is hating OU. It is Bedlam. It is showing our recruits how much we appreciate them, it is feeling disappointed when some choose to go elsewhere, or the elation of them deciding to come to OSU and join our family.

We can't talk about our feelings for our school without going into stories that would make people's eyes glaze over. It is hard to explain to people that the reason we wear orange isn't just because of sports. It isn't because of any one thing or even 100 things. Orange is pride in all things OSU. Be they good things or bad things, they are all part of why I love OSU. When I see people wearing OSU hats or shirts, most of the time no words have to be spoken. Just a nod or a smile and we both know that orange is something special.

I'm wearing my orange - are you?

David Harrell - Pokes
dwh

okstate5968

10-12-2004, 06:24 AM

David,

That was great!

duckstreet89

10-12-2004, 06:52 AM

It is standing at the OSU Plane Crash Memorial last Friday afternoon with about 9-10 other orange wearing OSU fans....

and knowing that they are still hurting as much as you are...

But we were there to honor those lost souls...

and now everytime I go to Colorado....I will stop and do the same...

The concept that we share as an OSU fans / alumni will always be the bond that will hold us together....always has...always will...

and a lot of schools and their fans can't say that.....

okstate5968

10-12-2004, 06:59 AM

Every time I think of the plane crash, I remember exactly where I was, and how it felt like I'd been sucker punched as I watched the coverage on it. I remember how the entire OSU family came together, and complete strangers became tied together forever. I remember the crowd at GIA as we all came to let Eddie and the boys know that we felt their pain too. And for now and ever more, when I think of the song "One more day", I will remember sitting in GIA watching the families file in, and thinking how lucky I am to have one more day.

There was alot of orange that day too.

OSUjon

10-12-2004, 07:08 AM

It is also getting tears in your eyes when you read posts like the ones above...and i am wearing my orange.

perrycowboy

10-12-2004, 07:14 AM

greatest post of all time!!!
it is OUR memories of OUR school!
thanks all for making my day

PokeHopper

10-12-2004, 07:18 AM

That's why after only being there for a single semester 29 years ago, I am still a diehard fan. It's goes so much futher than the football field or basketball court. Great post!

osueyedoc

10-12-2004, 07:27 AM

in the O'Colley!

CaliforniaCowboy

10-12-2004, 08:05 AM

Her name was Julie Bruns, I'm not sure why I never asked her out.

MO-Poke

10-12-2004, 08:22 AM

Great post, all of this brings a little tear to the eye. I love OSU and that's why I wear orange and have the alumni and posse stickers on all my vehicles. So----Proud to be a cowboy.

FWPoke

10-12-2004, 08:24 AM

I'm glad no one else has made it in to work yet, so they can't see me tearing up like a little girl. Damn you, 28! sniff, sniff

Okstate81

10-12-2004, 08:32 AM

I'm wearing orange very proudly!

orangeatty

10-12-2004, 08:37 AM

Thank you very much for the post. You got the feeling just right.

bleedaggie

10-12-2004, 08:47 AM

Crap dude. You brought a tear to my eye too. That was better than any "come to Jesus" post I've ever made in my life. Great post.

I moved to Texas from Oklahoma, and it only took me about a week to be homesick. Now, I'd do anything to get back. I get chills every time I hear the song "Oklahoma," even during the Red River Shootout when that "other band" played it. That brings up my couple of additions to your already fantastic list:

It's going to "Oklahoma" on Broadway, and being one of three people in the audience who know to scream "STATE" at the end of the song. It's Christmas Carols on the Library Clock, and Preacher Bob. It's camping out in the snow before basketball games. It's the Rrrrowdiest Arena in the Country. It's good for a Cowboy, first down and ten.

PokeWilson@Work

10-12-2004, 09:05 AM

Orange is a way of life

Cheese fries and a fowl thing...

A whole cabinet full of plastic cups...

Coney Island as a teenager on friday nights when the East End Zone was cool

Calf Fry at "The Weed"

"Miller Time Buttons"...still have mine!

poker

10-12-2004, 09:15 AM

Orange is all about Pride! to me!

I wore my windbreaker black with orange stripe down the sleeve.

A gooner co-worker walked in beaming and said he was impressed with the pokes. Then went into his little arrogant self. But he never and I mean NEVER gives it up to my beloved POKES!

"Proud and immortal"

King Argonaut

10-12-2004, 09:29 AM

I wear orange all the time! My wife and I even have a giant OSU quilt on our king-size bed! I can't be comfortable without wearing it, or at least having some OSU paraphanelia around me (desk, wall, somewhere).

Some really good/bad memories from this post, but they help me to remember what Orange means to me: FAMILY. Extended family, but as meaningful as any relationship I have with physical relatives. Recently at the Philadelphia Int. airport, I saw ONE guy out of thousands wearing an OSU shirt. I was suprised, went up and introduced myself and the next thing I know we're talking about his sister's family that I have known for years! He rode to Chicago w/ me, then back to OKC and we went on and on about the memories. A new relative for life that I didn't even know! No matter where you go, family is family, blood is thicker than water, and ORANGE blood is the thickest of all.

When you go to the FB games now, you better understand what Orange means to OSU. When you go to a BB game, look at our success and remember what happened in Colorado a few years back, you better understand what Orange means. When you see players and coaches turn down multi-million dollar contracts to stay "just one more year" to see the project through, you better understand. When you see people who choose to live in small-town america because of the Orange family they feel so close to, you better understand. When you see young people get 2nd chances, and witness them turn their life around before your very eyes, Orange all makes sense. When you see coaches of other programs completely embarrass their universities and players with all manner of behaviours, you begin to appreciate what Orange means.

Orange=family and loyalty. Orange is more than a color, to a true Cowboy it reflects a way of life not only towards your University, but to other's that have shared it with you. I can look at my life, and quickly realize that without a few key elements (God, wife, family, friends) I wouldn't have gotten far. Family is a big part of my life, and any OSU fan anywhere is my family. IMO Orange is the best color in the spectrum, and the OSU family is the best to be a member of.

Poke4Life

10-12-2004, 09:36 AM

What does orange mean to me? Well, my story is the opposite of Bleed's. I moved from Texas to Oklahoma as a junior in high school. So naturally I hated everything that had to do with Oklahoma. I just wanted to be in Texas. I grew up an A&M fan (guess that's part of the reason I have so much respect for them). When I began class at OSU, I was just getting a relataively inexpensive education so that I could get back to Texas. Then an amazing thing happened, I began to FEEL the OrangePower. I feel like every alumn is part of my family. We all have stuck together through the good times and the bad. I was not around for the 0-10-1 days, but I was here in the Simmons era where the reverse was ran on just about every down :D . I remeber hating basketball, and my friends talked me into buying tickets because GIA was the "Roudiest Arena". I remember my first game when Gotlieb threw an alleyoop pass to Mason. The rest is history, and I'm one of OSU biggest basketball supporters. I remeber being in bed asleep when my dad came in to tell me one of the planes was missing coming back from Colorado, I remember crying for days at the loss of 10 beautiful people, I remember going to the memorial service at GIA, I still have a hard time thinking about it because they feel like family. I have been to every home game with the exception of two and have stayed from start to finish. When my mom was in Nebraska for a liver transplant, I remeber not being able to watch the OU-OSU game in Stilly when we beat the snot out of them. I would run from the hospital to the apartment we rented for me to sleep at just to check the score while my mom was napping. I'd call my Unlce the die hard OU fan to rub it in his face. I caught so much crap from my mom's doctors about being from OSU (her transplant was the day after we beat Nebraska--how ironic is that?). But I held my ground. Now, when we go up there for annual check-ups, they tell me how good we are, DUH! I respect my school and everything it stands for. I tell everyone with pride that I am part of the OSU family. My Texas buddies used to give me grief about going to OSU, now they tell me that I go to a great institution--which is something we all already knew. I am wearing orange today--I wear something orange or OSU everyday, my cell phone cover has OSU on the front and Pistol Pete on the back. Heck, I've even taught my 5 year old that the Sooners "stink", and he now refuses to own anything red and wants his room painted orange :D I am proud to wear my orange because it stands for unity, family and pride. Things we should all hold dear everyday. That is what orange means to me.

DJediPoke

10-12-2004, 10:39 AM

28 Thanks for putting into words what so many of us feel but can't always express. The feeling of pride swelling in me right now is undescribable. I remember all those things from my first try at school. I am in my second and final attempt currently and it means so much more to me now. I could have gone to school somewhere else but the idea of getting my degree from somewhere other than OSU wouldn't mean near as much to me.
ORANGE is what it is all about. To put all the emotion, pride, heart breaks, joys, the anger, and jubilation into one catigory, Orange will do just fine in my book.
Great Job 28 and thanks

pokesports

10-12-2004, 10:44 AM

Luckily i was far removed in distance from the University the night of the plane crash, but even being 11 hours away, it was, as has been said before, a sucker-punch when i heard the news. One of those never-forget moments. I locked my door and cried when the memorial service was on TV. Now that I think about it, that was my first "orange" experience. The fact that no distance was too great to grieve with my family.

It sunk in further what Orange was all about my first year at OSU (my sophomore year). That was the year of 16-13. That's all that even needs to be said. Just the score, but the school and Orange-blooded famliy bonded together more on that night. The fact that complete strangers were running up to each other on the street, hugging and high-fiving and yelling. The atmosphere in stillwater that night was oneof the coolest experiences of my life.

To me, Orange is that instant connection with anyone in the country. Knowing you have something BIG in common and are instantly best friends. Orange is traveling to Houston in such a crowd that people take notice and ask why everyone is wearing orange. Orange is going to Houston, or Dallas, or San Antonio with 30-40 thousand of your closest friends. Orange is the Family atmosphere that has won so many people over to the Bright side. Orange is the fact that when you are walking to class you can smile and say hi to anyone and everyone you see because they are just like you, and if you need something, anything, someone will always be there to help you out.

Now that i'm far removed in distance again, I realize how dependant on Orange that I am/was. I realize how much it all means to me and how much of a part of me it is. No matter how long i'm away, no matter how much ridiculing i take, I was, am, and will always be Orange!

rmdelta1

10-12-2004, 10:51 AM

orange is having back surgery early in the morning of the houston bowl game and refusing pain med until after the game was over. the nurses made me walk in the 4th quarter and i missed to scores. taped the game and watched it 'til the tape wore out.

orange is considering club seats b/c u want to get the project finished, not to schmooze w/ the in crowd.

orange is being so proud of your university.

orange "feels like home to me, back where i come from"

go pokes

Pokelahoma

10-12-2004, 10:55 AM

Orange is everything OSU and the family we all belong too. I can't imagine being involved with a better group of people. It meant enough to me that I have OSU in ORANGE permanently inked. Don't ever have to worry about being without it. See everyone in Stillwater this weekend in ORANGE!

okstate76

10-12-2004, 03:01 PM

To me, orange is all the great times: playing pickup basketball games with Randy Rutherford and Jason Skaer and Terry Collins. Going to Joe's and just having fun on the weekends. And of course, the sexy ladies!
To me orange is also remembering the bad times: the OSU football player who broke his neck during the game at Nebraska back in 1994, who can forget what happened in Colorado 3 years ago, and the football player who committed to OSU several years ago but in a freak play in his high school game, was paralyzed and his career was done. I can remember players from our team and coaches going to visit him. And the heartbreak from last year when we almost made it to the b-ball national championship except for an improbable shot by Georgia Tech.
But what orange really means to me is that I am proud of OSU and regardless of the outcome I will be a fan always!

CaliforniaCowboy

10-12-2004, 03:03 PM

Whew, when you mentioned "bad times", I thought you were going to bring up my grades again.

okstate76

10-12-2004, 03:09 PM

LOL, I remember those times too!

SLVRBK

10-12-2004, 03:23 PM

orange is having back surgery early in the morning of the houston bowl game and refusing pain med until after the game was over.

Morris, YOU are the man!

poker

10-12-2004, 03:57 PM

bad grades my gosh I had them too.

Let me add after reading all of these posts. Someone mentioned 2nd chances with student athletes and such well here is my version: (I was a full time student)

OSU was the only university to grant me acceptance with my low ACT and fair GPA back in 1978. I was accepted on a probationary status my first semester and made a 2.8 that first full year. Then I found my favorite pal name Eskim Joe and my grades slipped the next full year until I finally wised up and kept my grades above a 2.75. But man once your grades fall its tough to bring them up to a decent overall GPA.

I never heard of anyone else coming in as true freshman on a probabtionary status.

OSU = Pride

Poke2000

10-12-2004, 04:10 PM

What a great thread. All kinds of warm and fuzzies.

OSU has held a special place in my heart since the first day I set foot on campus during my senior year of high school. I had already made the decision to go to OSU because of their engineering dept. Once I came to campus, though, I was hooked. My brain had already been convinced, but that day, they won my heart. I've bled orange ever since.

Orange to me is that bond we all share as Cowboys. Since we don't have that many bandwagon fans, you KNOW when you see someone in orange that they are a true fan. We've shared so many of the same joys and heartaches that we recognize them as "family" even though we've probably never met. Orange also reminds me of my experiences at OSU and at sporting events I've attended after graduation. It's a reminder to me that OSU is my alma mater, and I know I will always be "faithful and true."

SuperFan

10-12-2004, 04:42 PM

Now that i'm far removed in distance again, I realize how dependant on Orange that I am/was. I realize how much it all means to me and how much of a part of me it is. No matter how long i'm away, no matter how much ridiculing i take, I was, am, and will always be Orange!

There is no was in the '...dependant on Orange that I am/was', you ARE!! And you left out a thing or two. Like:
-Its bringing your OSU stuff for you car and office to work on game day.
-And its dancing and pacing and getting all excited over just the announcer!!
-OR its talking up OSU so much that over 1,000 miles away from your home your workstudy is totally intrigued and fascinated by how much school spirit you people have that....well, here she is :) *Thought SuperFan was better than the choices you thought of....although you thought of this too*

pokestate2007

10-12-2004, 05:13 PM

Orange is joining arms with your brothers and sisters at OSU and singing the alma mater before and after a game.

Orange is almost drowning in Theta Pond (along with about 20 other people) after Lucas hit an unbelievable 3 pointer.

Its getting a smile on your face when you walk by the library on homecoming week and seeing the fountain dyed orange.

Orange is being in Hawaii wearing an O-State shirt and someone throws up the guns and yells "GO POKES" at you when 3,000 other people have a strange look on their faces.

lovemypokes

10-12-2004, 05:49 PM

I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only person addicted to orange. Having lived in Texas for nine years I brought the Orange Power to my office and also got two other grads employed there as well. We brainwashed our office into anytime Oklahoma State was mentioned the reply was "Go Pokes."

Now that I'm back in Stillwater I couldn't be happier. I loved Texas, but it's good to be where the right shade of orange is! Speaking of orange, I gathered all of my husband and I's orange one night and the photo below is what evolved. (Keep in mind, this is just the orange - not the grays or whites.) Some people might say it's sick but I think it's awesome.

GO POKES!

GoldenLock

10-12-2004, 05:53 PM

How great is it to be a COWBOY!!!!

God, wife, children and OSU are the most important things in my life. The above posts have made me lust for more of the Orange. My wife who grew up a gooner has turned from the dark side. Five of our six children have attended OSU and we never miss a home football game. All of our family will be in Stillwater this weekend. Grandchild, girlfriends, son-in-laws, daughter-in-laws, kids, sisters, brother-in-laws, and most of all our ORANGE friends will be remembering the past and celebrating the present. It is an exciting time to be a Cowboy. This is my 35th year to be a season football ticket holder in one form or another. Here's to 35 more glorious Cowboy years.

PS: My wife no longer buys red.

okstate1

10-12-2004, 06:01 PM

Great posts by all, and I concur with everyone of them! As most know, I am in the military, and it amazes me how many times I have been in foreign countries and run across other OSU fans. I don't usually know them, but we always stop and talk about OSU, home, and families. I love being a Cowboy, and will always proudly wear my ORANGE!

LoveMyPokes: I am envious of your closet. Getting OSU apparel is nearly impossible when you are not in Oklahoma.

Pokes28

10-12-2004, 07:33 PM

I am most humbled by the great responses to my post. Thank you all. I've been fighting a lump in my throat while reading the responses to my beautiful wife Sarah. She's slowly (but surely) becoming quite the OSU fan. She denies it, but she yells and cheers pretty loud for somebody that is "just along for support."

This upcoming weekend is a big deal. It is the first time that I've EVER been able to get her to wear orange (she's a red head so she thinks it clashes with her hair). So all of you that I'll see at the tailgating party please give words of encouragement. She's right on the cusp. :)

David Harrell - Pokes
dwh

okstate1

10-12-2004, 08:14 PM

Here is a picture of a future OSU Cheerleader from our household:

Lauryn Mackenzie Johnson
Born October 8, 2004
7 lbs, 8.4 oz.

PS: She doesn't have orange on now, but she will soon enough!

PokeHopper

10-12-2004, 10:16 PM

Well congrats Mommy and Daddy!

OSUjon

10-12-2004, 10:27 PM

these posts, my friends...this... is Orange Power!!!

okstate1

10-12-2004, 11:23 PM

Thanks PokeHopper!

bleedaggie

10-13-2004, 08:01 AM

Hey Okstate1, she's beautiful. And my wife loves the name...

Add that to the list. Orange is the fact that babies like Lauryn Mackenzie Johnson are brought home as cowgirls every day.

FWPoke

10-13-2004, 08:44 AM

Congrats, okstate1, she's a cutie. I wonder what it would take to get Pampers to sign a licensing agreement with OSU?

StructuralPoke

10-13-2004, 10:42 AM

Congrats, okstate1, she's a cutie. I wonder what it would take to get Pampers to sign a licensing agreement with OSU?

Wouldn't that require OSU to be on the outside and OU on the inside?

Rack

10-13-2004, 10:50 AM

My first post on this site and let me say this a tearful thread (both tears of joy and pain)=----

Orange, for me is the feeling of family every time I talk to a Poke, every time I see the color, and every time I visit Stillwater, but it's also that orange stuff half way up your leg as you pick yourself up out of theta pond.

It's that cute little blonde sorority coed who you met at Joes and has now grown into the most loving and caring wife of 18 years that a guy could have. It's also that girl that let you down easy from your schoolboy crush.

It's sitting on a frat house floor with that cute little blonde and listening to Garth Brooks because the other band wasn't available.

It's the war hero father that lived by example so his son could live by example for his son, all because of the, now grandfathers, training at Oklahoma A&M.

It's yelling your head off with that sixty-five year old father, who is as busy with the thunder sticks as any 18-year-old student. It’s knowing not to call the parents while the pokes are playing basketball if you want a word to be heard.

It's seeing your children all decked out in orange and having your two year old point at everything "Pete" and say with his blue eyes smiling "PPPPETEEEE!" Our having your 11 year old daughter who is NEVER speachless, Speachless when trying to talk to her hero, Les Miles, during the call in coaches show.

It's coaches and sports teams that know what we Alumni have always known, that OSU's a damn special place in an ever increasingly crowded and insensitive world.

It's crying like a baby when guys you don't even know die in a tragedy. It's cheering like a mad man with a tear still on your cheek when those guys’ teammates take the court against Missouri.

It's welcoming fans from other teams with a good-natured ribbing but always being good-natured in victory and in defeat. It's being proud of our heritage but never rubbing it in.

It's hideaway mushrooms and a tall glass of ice cold beer. It's late night cheese fries and dancing on tables at Joes. It’s snowball fights on the old central lawn. It’s tug o wars against that frat down the row.

It's all of those things, but most of all ----It's knowing for CERTAIN that you made the right choice because you feel even more proud of your school NOW than you did 20 years ago when you were a student!

It's spending four years wanting to leave Stillwater then spending a lifetime, living, for each time you return. It's home!

Okstate81

10-13-2004, 10:52 AM

That closet is freakin awesome!

bleedaggie

10-13-2004, 10:56 AM

Rack -

If your future posts are anything like that one, you're going to fit right in here. It's been a long time since a first post was as good as that one.

Rack

10-13-2004, 11:04 AM

Thanks.

Words that flow from the heart are easily written.

Cowboy24

10-13-2004, 11:31 AM

So many people make jokes about our school colors....which is fine with me. I still wear my orange with great pride :D I am married to a sooner :eek: so makes bedlam even more fun around my house. Although, we live in Stillwater hehe. Gotta love that.

Orange to me: A few years back at our office X-mas party - I decided I was going to try ice-skating (not a smart thing on my part lol)....well ended up fracturing my elbow - didn't really know it at the time - but dang did it hurt.....didn't come back home until the next day. But instead of going to the ER right away, I had to go to the OSU basketball game first. Then I went to the ER...my husband was pissed off (him being a fireman/EMT and all). I said well my boys come first :D

Go Pokes!

Stacey

Poke4Life

10-13-2004, 11:46 AM

I wonder what it would take to get Pampers to sign a licensing agreement with OSU?

They used to sell OSU diapers in the Student Union Store. Don't know if they still do or not. But I must agree, she is cute, but she has to cuz she's a Cowgirl!!

poker

10-13-2004, 12:52 PM

When my 1st grandson was born and still in the maternity ward, one of his aunts had a 1 piece pajama made with the following on front : OSU #1 and on the back side ou #2 pointing down towards my grandson's arse.

I think the store on S. Main in Stillwater did the work. :p

okstate1

10-13-2004, 01:29 PM

Thanks to all for the kind words. I know Mom and Dad sure do love her!

Mongoose1

10-13-2004, 02:31 PM

That's a beautiful little cowgirl. Congrats!

Orange is...
Back to Back (to Back) bowl games and 0-10-1.
Final 4 and NIT.
Traveling with the basketball team while in the Spirit Band to lovely Salina, KS and Kemper Arena in KC.:x
Traveling to Indy, Baltimore, NYC, and Seattle.:D
Being proud of wearing orange when no one outside Oklahoma believes it's worth being proud of.
Being proud of wearing orange when everyone outside Oklahoma is starting to believe it's worth being proud of.
Black Saturday and the Sea of Orange.
Late nights and early mornings studying or finishing the last 19 pages of that 20 page paper.
The Bagle shop after a cold morning of Marching Band practice.
Five different majors in 10 years of college. ("They're called Doctors." - David Spade)
Alpha Night (This reference will only make sense to a select few.)
Old GIA and New GIA.
Lewis Field and Boone Pickens Stadium.

Orange is knowing you picked the right school and never having any regrets.

Matt_bob123

10-13-2004, 03:55 PM

You wanna know what Orange is all about???

You gotta see it to believe it...

Example...

Today begining from 8 am until at least 4 (IE the line is still growing) there was a line from the ticket window to the church on West (a block from duck) all day long just to get student tickets for basketball.

Hands down best 2 hours in a line, I've ever spent.

BTW if theres a student waiting for tomorrow... Don't count on it, I gurantee they sellout tonight.

Name another university where kids stand in line for multiple hours in October for games to be played in Feb.

Poke4Life

10-13-2004, 04:35 PM

I got my student tickets today too. I got there at 730 and had mine by 930 and I was standing by the southeast doors. I'm willing to bet those by Duck stree had to wait longer than 4 hours to get their tickets. But it is SO worth it. I'm ready for OSU athletics from now until infinity! There is always something good going on here weather it's FB, BB, Wrestling, Baseball, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, whatever. I'm so excited for our school. GO POKES!!

Rack

10-13-2004, 05:10 PM

Those going to the basketball bash remember to save your voices for the FOOTBALL game. I know it's tempting to yell and holler in the holy halls of GIA but PLEASE SAVE IT for the football game.

FWPoke

10-13-2004, 06:07 PM

Heck, just gargle between games and yell like a mad man all day!! :D

Orange is sitting in Gallagher-Iba with 2 minutes left in a blowout chanting "Nate, Nate, Nate..." and even 3 years later, with 2 minutes left in a blowout, thinking "Nate, Nate, Nate..."
Orange is driving 4 hours every other Friday to be at the football games to cheer for Les and the boys.
Orange is being at the parking lot as soon as they drop the chains, so the tailgating can start.
Orange is blowing a ton of money you can't afford to blow building a tailgating trailer so everyone can see what the Pokes mean to you.
Orange is crying like a little girl when JLIII hits a 3 pointer in the last seconds to beat St. Joes, and crying like a little girl when Georgia Tech hits a shot in the final seconds to beat OSU.
Orange is sitting back and reading an OSU message board and feeling like you are chatting with your best buds.
Orange is suffering through early morning band practices and awful weather to support a team that is about to go 0-10-1.
Orange is suffering through heat exhaustion to cheer the Pokes to victory against Texas Tech in 2003.
But most of all, Orange is family, whether they are related or not.

okstate5968

10-14-2004, 08:26 AM

Last night I took my kids to Hester St. to help paint messages on the street for Les and the boys during Saturday's walk. The turnout was not very big, so we had plenty of room to paint whatever we wanted.

I took the liberty of borrowing a few things from folks here...

In the middle of the street, really big, I painted " This is OUR team"... and then " Orange = Life, love, & Cowboys" ... then "4 More Years!" (thanks to the RNC and Ah-nuld!).. and "My heroes have always been Cowboys".

It was a lot of fun,and the kids loved it. For those of you who didn't make it, you really missed a good time. There were more coeds there than families, but we still had a good time.

As for the Orange Reflection...I'm not sure what I was expecting..but it wasn't what I got. There were some orange lights in trees and such outside the Residence Halls...but I was expecting MORE orange.

SuperFan

10-14-2004, 06:41 PM

Been debating replying again because I'm not an OSU person. Pokesports is my "boss" at CSU and so I heard him constantly talk about OSU and knew he was always on here so I wanted to check it out. Then when he left out a thing or two on his post here I had to sign up and add to what orange means to him. BUT you guys just amaze me. I grew up at CSU and grew up a Clemson fan hating everything Gamecock but I have never seen anything like you guys. I've never seen anybody as pumped up about his team as Blake can get or read/heard about people with as much school spirit as you have even years later. Ya'll just fascinate me. These post especially, I'm just in awe, that is so cool.

okstate5968

10-15-2004, 08:12 AM

Superfan... we can make you an honorary Cowboy...since Pokesports is your boss.... :p

Thanks for checking us out.. and thanks for the kind words... we meant every one of them.

SuperFan

10-15-2004, 05:11 PM

Haha honorary Cowboy works for me. With the fight songs being played and sung all day in the office, by the time he leaves or I graduate I may like them for more than just being in awe of their fans. I do get to see the football team this weekend though which will come in handy since I'm sure that will be all pokesports will talk about Monday. I gotta have some clue of what he's talking about so might as well watch.

BTHOTU

10-15-2004, 10:56 PM

Just so yall know PB hatres orange as most Aggies do because tu's colors are orange. A lot of what yall think of orange is how I feel about Maroon :)

OP 9000

07-22-2005, 02:19 PM

This post is now a hall of fame member!

GodsPeace

07-25-2005, 01:42 AM

I was born and raised in Stillwater, for the most part. I spent some time as a child in California where I was with my mom and sisters, and my ultra abusive stepdad. Then it was just me and my mother as my sisters came home. I ended up in foster care for 111 days because of my second stepdad, and eventually by the time I was 5 I came back with my mother. Life spun out of control for a long while. I became and ultra-violent kid trying to survive. Orange meant absolutely nothing to me then.

When I was 7-8 yrs old my mother decided for a better life for her kids. My stepdad lasted six months from when we came back until he would go to prison for about 13-14yrs all told. She was tired of being a single mom of 2(oldest sister married out), and living in poverty. The school she went to, Oklahoma State University. I still cared nothing for the Orange. My mom graduated with a duel degree in Psych and Soc, then went on to complete her masters in Psyche at UCO. I spent 4yrs in Edmond and then Chandler, not particularly caring about the Orange. I respected it, but didn't really care much.

Skip ahead to when I am 22. I am married with a baby on the way, and made the biggest mistake as I left a good paying job for another working with my Brother in law at Mercruiser. Hiring had been good, and no one saw the 2001 layoffs coming yet. I found them, and my wife and I went into a down spin. Married less then a year and I had to live with my inlaws with my pregnant wife. Orange meant absolutely nothing.

I sifted through several jobs, seemingly never able to get my balance, and just about gave it all up for God knows what, and then I got an idea. I am not skilled in ways many people are, I know nothing of cars or general maintenance. I was raised by my mother and sister who knew none of that either. I had nothing to lean on for a career over the long haul. I ended up with a choice, either find something on my own or work the ranch my father in law was/is miserable on. I found the ORANGE.

4 yrs later, I am 26 happily married for 5yrs with a wonderful daughter of 5 and about to finalize the adoption of my second daughter in about a month. We continue to foster. We struggle, financially we never have enough. I am a History Major also getting my education certification at good old Oklahoma State University.

What does the Orange mean to me?

Simply put, everything. I love my life, especially my future with my family because I had the chance to go find my dream at OSU and pursue it. Teaching isn't for everyone, but hey, here I go, and I will be thankful my whole life for OSU because I know if not for it this would have never happened.

A little FYI, I believe 100% in my God. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. Through many difficult times I have been able to survive and move on. In high school for the first 2 1/2 years I was literally sleeping through, until I found God and decided to work. I stayed 9 weeks late, graduating OCT 1997, and finished with a GPA around 1.0. Pretty good considering I failed nearly everything for 3 years and got a near 4.0 to finish. I took my ACT when I was 19 on a whim of a thought of going to school and got a 20 or 21. Whatever it was just 1 point shy of being admitted outright. When I walked in at 22, pregnant wife along with me, I was not stopped by any of those obstacles because I was now and independent adult student and I could enter under a probation basis. Life has been pretty good since. The point, I would have failed at 19. At 22, I was blessed and knew that enough to do it well. I have a solid GPA and am just a few semesters from graduating. What I found at OSU is what I hope all the students find one way or another, life.

That is my Orange experience, and oh yeah, I found out that I can't get enough of rooting for my teams no matter what sport as long as they wear OSU on their jersey.

God Bless. ;)

osufireman

08-18-2005, 10:23 PM

I just now ran across this thread.... really excellent!!!

how 'bout: hugging a complete stranger after a big victory.... of course I guess there are no "strangers" amoung the Orange Clad

Pokes28

10-13-2005, 04:38 PM

Historical bump.

David Harrell - Pokes
dwh

Pokes28

08-25-2006, 10:12 AM

I decided to do a modern rewrite. There are a lot of e-mails going around that have alternate versions of my original post. I have decided to take some of those ideas, but put them into my words and writing style. Most of the rewrites took some of the bad things out of my post, but that wasn't my original thought. My original thought was that it isn't only the good, but it is also the bad. So here is the latest update to my orignal feel good post.

Today I was sitting in my office daydreaming a little bit about the upcoming season. Of course I'm wearing my orange. I start thinking about orange and why it means so much to not only me, but the all of the Oklahoma State fans across the United States.

Is orange a particularly pretty color? no. Yet we all find it beautiful. Is it a popular color? Fashion right now has a lot of orange in it, but normally, it isn't. Is it a powerful color? it is eye catching, but not really considered a power color. So why in the world do I and the other faithful love it so much?

The color is a symbol. It is all we remember of our Oklahoma State experiences. To us it not only symbolizes all the national championships, but also 0-10-1. It is Theta Pond, it is Fraternity Row, it is the Union. It is Barry Sanders, Walt Garrison, and even Dexter Manley. It is Eddie Sutton, Leonard Hamilton, Les Miles, Pat Jones, Mike Gundy, and Henry Iba. It is the wrestling team, soccer team, and even the intramural teams. It is meeting your friends at Joes or the Hideaway. It is illegal dorm parties. It is Pistol Pete. It is the Waving Song or the Alma Mater. It is the Walk, it is tailgating. It is that girl you always wanted to ask out but never did. It is that guy that you were too shy to talk to. It is risks taken, it is wild success and fantastic failures.

It isn’t just the buildings, it is the memories that we make in them. It is late night Pizza Shuttle runs. It is no air conditioning in the dorm or getting tickets from campus police. It is not understanding your chemistry instructor or that really nerdy English grad student. It is signing up for a 5 hour class at 7:30 in the morning as a freshman. It is learning to never do that again. It is hating OU. It is Bedlam. It is showing our recruits how much we appreciate them, it is feeling disappointed when some choose to go elsewhere, or the elation of them deciding to come to OSU and join our family. It is having unbridled optimism that others call orange colored glasses.

What makes orange so very special isn’t just the best of times; it is also the worst of times. It is beating OU 16-13 but it is equal parts remembering the 10 that were taken from us in the Colorado Plane crash. It is about winning national championships, but it is also honoring the memory of Vernon Grant and the feeling of loss. It is as much the reveling in Barry’s Heisman as it is the probation that followed. It is all the highs and the lows that bring us together and form this bond that unite us all. Orange is all of those things. It is always relevant, it is always appropriate.

We can't talk about our feelings for our school without going into stories that would make people's eyes glaze over. It is hard to explain to people that the reason we wear orange isn't just because of sports. It isn't because of any one thing or even 100 things. Orange is pride in all things OSU. Be they good things or bad things, they are all part of why I love OSU. When I see people wearing OSU hats or shirts, most of the time no words have to be spoken. Just a nod or a smile and we both know that orange is something special.

Time passes… We grow up… Most of us leave Stillwater… Yet we always feel like we are back there when we wear this beautiful color. The pride we feel when our kids first put on orange and point and yell for Pete and Bullet. It is knowing that outsiders simply don’t “get it” and feeling sorry for them that they don’t. Orange is knowing that together, we can not only survive anything, but we will succeed.

I'm wearing my orange - are you?

David Harrell - Pokes
dwh