| Updated: 11/21/2011 10:16 pm |
Published: 11/21/2011 9:52 pm
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At a student organized vigil Monday night, Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis told a crowd of around 300 people that the Cowgirl basketball team needed the OSU community’s support now more than ever after a plane crash last week that killed head coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna.
Jim Littell, the man who has taken over coaching duties after the deaths said Monday that the team is still in shock.
“They’re devastated. Coach Budke and Coach Serna are tremendous people. They were big, big parts of these kids lives. Coach Budke was a father figure to them, and they’re hurting right now, and it’s understandable, and it’s not going to go away overnight.”
Littell told FOX23 the outpouring of support from all over Oklahoma and the nation has been incredible. For the girls on the team, seeing fans at games may be the easiest way to help the healing process.
“I think it would ease a little bit of the pain, if we had some people in the stands, showing these kids that people care about them.”
One fan who spoke with FOX23 said she had been to Cowgirl games in the past, but would make more of effort to cheer on the team this season.
“ I know that the girls they thrive on the full audience, and for them to know that we are there for them in this tragic event, I think that would be a big motivator for them,” Cheyenne Pinkerman said.
The Cowgirls will host Coppin State on Saturday. That game tips-off at 2:00 at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
