Something to Look Forward To

by Tim Scifres

Loss changes people. I mean loss changes people to their core. I have always used TV as something to help me decompress at the end of a day or a week. Sports have been something that I look forward to watching every day. When I was in college and had a morning off, I would watch Sportscenter three or four times in a row just to see one or two highlights (back when each morning was just Sportscenter over and over). During college football season, I would wake up in time to start watching the first games at 11:00 CST and watch until Pac 12 After Dark was finished well past midnight, when I could. I also could easily find a movie or show to watch and be entertained.

That all changed on Sept. 9, 2021, when my little Sooner buddy Charles Michael Scifres was born sleeping at 20 weeks. Losing and grieving my son changed me forever. When looking for something to watch, I can now easily spend 30-45 minutes just looking and not really being interested in anything to watch, sports included. Every day early on in this journey, I was lost and numb, not knowing what to do to finish the day and see another day come. Except for two things that gave me something to look forward to: University of Oklahoma football and softball.

Anyone who knows me, knows I am Boomer Sooner through and through. I have been cheering for OU football the last 45 years or so and OU softball for over 15 years. When I started college, my mom would tape football games off the radio on cassette tapes (yes, I am that old) and send them to me the old fashioned way by using the Post Office. I was always a week behind in listening to games which I already knew the score too, but I would love to hear every single Geeminy Christmas from John Brooks! I moved from Bob Barry Sr. to now Toby Rowland telling us when it is time to unhitch the wagon and put the ponies in the barn! This is always done with the sound down on the tv, while even turning in for the pre-game. Then came the excellence of the teams Patty Gasso and her staff puts on the field and following each pitch listening to Chris Plank, DJ, and Destinee. For many years those games were just a fan experience that I just enjoyed. That changed when my Charles left us.

It turned out that those OU games became more than just rooting for my team. Those games became a respite for me, a time where I could escape the darkness of my son being gone, even as I picture him cheering our Sooners on right alongside me. Those games turned into something I NEEDED (no matter the wins or losses, although losses are few and far between for our Sooners).

The last few weeks of this past season listening to and watching OU softball capture National Championship #8 and winning their fourth consecutive national championship by beating down the longhorns (don’t tell me longhorns needs to be capitalized, I am aware but refuse) have been bittersweet for me. Over the past three seasons I have felt connected to this softball team. From listening to Chris Plank, DJ Sanchez, and Destinee McElroy on the radio to Jayda Coleman, Tiare Jennings, Nicole May, Kinzie Hansen, Alysa Britto, Rylie Boone, and many others, I have felt a connection, I have had something to look forward to. From having Chris Plank yell my name from the concourse after I posted to @ouontheair one Tuesday night in Lexington, KY walking in with my daughter to watch the Sooners play UK (one of the coolest things that ever happened in my sports life). From watching and hearing Jayda take a homerun away, lay down the perfect bunt, or win a game with a homerun of her own. From Tiare just being great all the time and watching the ball fly off her bat and way over the fence at key times and making every defensive play. From Kinzie coming up with the clutch play over and over again and being an incredible leader. From Nicole being so involved in every game even when she is not in the circle and coming up with big performances again and again in the circle when it was most important. From Alyssa making play after play and showing her passion for the game by throwing that bat down better than anyone. From Rylie over and over making a play to get big things started for the team while chewing on her gum. There were many other Sooner players who were so great to listen to and watch, but I don’t feel like writing a whole book right now! Knowing the connection was much more than just plays and games, Sooner softball has been something I could actually look forward to.

The sweet part of the bittersweet this past season has overwhelmingly been nothing short of historical and special, especially seeing a group of young ladies accomplish what no other team ever has. The bitter has been knowing this class has been with me since that life-changing and devastating day in 2021. Knowing I will be changing from being able to, in one respect, lean on this group of players, coaches, and broadcasters as I continue walking through the darkness of these last nearly three years has brought some sadness to me. This team has been more than just something to do, it has been something I look forward to. I am so glad the end of this season has been a just little bitter and a lot sweet!

I am daily experiencing and learning how loss truly changes a person. In the midst of the journey of grief and loss, having something to look forward to is like a big drink of cool water during the hottest day in OKC at the Women’s College World Series or watching the traditional dog pile after winning another national championship. Having that something to be excited about and look forward to is beyond important deep into myself. I am grateful to this Sooner softball team, especially the past three seasons, for being something I could proudly and excitedly look forward to. I am thankful for all involved in Sooner softball for being more than just a team to root for, but something to look forward to something to provide some light in the midst of so much darkness in my life. I am grateful to the coaches, players, and broadcasters for being one of those few things of hope and enjoyment for me. Even above the wins and losses…I looked forward to each game.

In my journey of loss and grief, having something to look forward to has been a need of mine to the depths of my core. I need something to bring positivity, excitement, and anticipation. I know Sooner softball will continue being the standard of college softball, but this Sooner class will always be special to me as they unknowingly have provided some hope and light through the darkest days of my life. Thank you. Boomer Sooner!!