Archive for December, 2012

Spirits brightened

Thursday, December 27th, 2012

As we wrap up the fifth annual Thunder Holiday Assist initiative, presented by Cox Communications, the Thunder offices are abuzz with heartwarming stories from each of the events we’ve hosted during our favorite time of year. If having toy and food drives at games, giving away turkeys and taking grandparents who are raising their grandchildren on shopping sprees weren’t enough to keep our spirits bright year round, this note from our friends at OU Children’s Hospital about our recent visit would surely do the trick:

On Saturday, the Thunder visited The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, bringing smiles and giggles to the faces of children and families who are currently hospitalized.  Although special visits are always a treat, a visit by the Thunder over the Christmas holiday was especially meaningful.  A true gift of hope and joy this season!

From seeing the truly thrilled and grateful faces of mothers with their toddlers’ new caricature drawings, to watching the Storm Chasers crawl around on the floor engaging with children, helping them to make baskets in their backpack-goals – the Thunder visit brightened the spirits of everyone at the hospital.  Having special, positive family memories of events at the hospital can help families look back and smile at a time that is often stressful and difficult.

One sweet little boy had been laying flat for 72 hours.  As a next step in his recovery, the goal for Saturday was to get up and out of bed but he did not want to try.  When our Child Life Specialist, Laura, visited him in the morning, she noticed the Thunder blanket on his bed and knew exactly how to motivate him to reach his goal.  The Thunder’s visit gave him a very exciting reason to get up.  He got out of bed and rolled down to the event in a wagon with his mom (and with his Thunder blanket) and meet his heroes.  Excitement from a special event like this can truly motivate children to push themselves and meet their recovery goals more quickly!

Another teen boy sheepishly attended the event by himself – a brave move for teens who can often withdraw and turn down social activities while in the hospital.  He shyly got autographs and talked to the players – building courage and interacting more and more.  It was amazing to see him at the end of the event, squeezing into the photo booth to take pictures with his idols!  You could see his face light up with pride and excitement.

Thank you to the Thunder for making time to visit our patients and families!  You do not know how important it is to feel joy and excitement, be motivated to leave a unit and to engage and socialize.

These daily “normal” interactions can be interrupted for some families in the hospital.  This was a gift our families will treasure for years to come – a meaningful gift of time and love during the holidays!

Peace, Love & Joy to all of your players and staff!!  Thank you on behalf of our patients and families!  Go Thunder!!

Sincerely,

Members of the Child Life Department and Public Relations team
The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center

Be sure to take a look at the video from this special day for more to warm your heart.

- Amy Hill

Posted in Community, Players | Comments Off

Other men in uniform

Wednesday, December 19th, 2012

Every once in a while, we are able to take part in something out of the norm for us.

Ronnie Colina (pictured at the top right), a member of the Air Force ROTC at the University of Oklahoma and a huge Thunder fan, was scheduled to receive his commission of second lieutenant earlier this month, along with fellow cadet Travis Minto (top left). The two were charged with securing a guest speaker to address their friends and family at the ceremony, and Ronnie reached out to us to see if someone from the Thunder would be able to take part.

Turns out, Thunder broadcaster Brian Davis had a little time to give on the day of their ceremony and was honored to be featured as the guest speaker.

Though at first Ronnie seemed a little stunned that the play-by-play voice for his favorite team would actually be able to attend, he quickly stepped up and made sure all the details were set.

Davis talked some about the Thunder – highlighting how some of our core principles, like teamwork and humility, line up with those of the Air Force. But mostly he sought to honor the courage and the service of the young men being commissioned that day, as well as all of our servicemen and -women.

Congratulations to Second Lieutenants Colina and Minto, and – especially during this time of year – thank you to all those who don a uniform in service to our country.

- Karina Henderson

Posted in Community, Thunder Fans | Comments Off

A fan from the North Pole?

Tuesday, December 18th, 2012

It seems that even a hard-working Elf on a Shelf has to take a little break now and then to watch some Thunder Basketball.

Who knew Santa and his helpers followed the NBA?

(Thanks to Leslie in our Accounting department for the photo!)

- Karina Henderson

Posted in The Office, Thunder Fans | Comments Off

Local is lovely

Tuesday, December 18th, 2012

When we hear from fans on what they love about the Thunder, we get a lot of different answers, but one that we hear frequently is that they love how our team puts this city on the national stage.

We deeply appreciate feedback like that, but as we approach our day-to-day business, we always make sure to keep an eye on the local, not just the global.

A good example of this came during last night’s game. Our Events and Entertainment department strives to bring a lot of national acts to Chesapeake Energy Arena to perform at halftime. In fact, we are among the top in the NBA for bringing nationally known halftime acts to perform here.

But when we see homegrown talent, we want to show it off.

Last night, the cast of Lyric Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” entertained our home crowd with a medley of Christmas carols. It served as both a beautiful way to mark our last home game before the holiday and a great way to place Oklahoma City performers at center stage – or, should I say, center court.

Take a look at the video of last night’s performance – it’s a great reminder of all the wonderful things our community has to offer.

- Karina Henderson

Posted in Community, Game Nights | Comments Off

Sending Thunder love

Friday, December 14th, 2012

Maddox Mullican is a long way from home, and he and his family are facing some big challenges. But with a little help from his Thunder family, Maddox is sporting a big smile right now.

Maddox had to travel with his family to Louisiana last week for a five-hour reconstructive surgery on his legs and feet. His grandfather Dave Sheline, who is a Thunder Season Ticket Member, reached out to the team to see if we could send a little cheer to a young Thunder fan while he’s far from home.

Ryan, Dave’s account manager, came through with a package full of Thunder goodies, and sent them along to Louisiana with Maddox’s grandmother to keep as a surprise for when the young man needed some cheer the most.

The surgery was successful, but Maddox faces a long road that will include five weeks of recovery and a month of physical therapy. As he and his family began to think about the difficulties that lie ahead after Maddox goes home from the hospital today, the boy’s grandmother produced the Thunder pack to lift everyone’s spirits.

We wish Maddox and his family strength as they navigate the difficulties that still lie ahead, and we look forward to seeing Maddox back at a Thunder game soon!

- Karina Henderson

Posted in Thunder Fans | 2 Comments »

Put a ring on it

Monday, December 10th, 2012

Even after almost four years of working with everyone’s favorite bison, everywhere I go with Rumble there’s always some kind of a “first.” Saturday evening was no different.

Rumble was a guest at Thunder fans Sherry and Matt’s wedding at the OKC Farmer’s Market.  Certainly Rumble attending a wedding is not unusual, but the way he entered the wedding – that was definitely new.

As a surprise for their guests, Sherry and Matt decided that they would have their favorite furball interrupt their wedding and deliver the rings during the ceremony.  And “interrupt” Rumble did. He didn’t shyly sneak into the ceremony; instead, he made an entrance with his usual music and air horns to deliver the surprise.

With all eyes on him, Rumble rushed in and delivered the rings like a smooth dunk, then took his place at the end of the groomsmen line.  After the “I do”s, he took pictures with the wedding party and mingled with the guests. He even did a little scouting for any single female bison ladies among the celebrants – alas, to no avail. Our Rumble had to head back to Chesapeake Energy Arena alone … Thus the old phrase, “Once a groomsbison, always a groomsbison.”

- Jon Brooks

Posted in Rumble | 1 Comment »

“Real Recognizes Real”

Tuesday, December 4th, 2012

To say Jennifer Fogg and her crew have been “working hard” the past few weeks wouldn’t begin to tell their story.

Fogg is CEO of the ASSETT Group of Oklahoma City, a contractor providing general construction and environmental remediation services to a broad spectrum of clients. They specialize in assisting during times of disaster.

She and 16 of her employees from Oklahoma have been working morning, noon and night in the areas of New York hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. They helped set up polling places that allowed New Yorkers to vote on Election Day. They are assisting with the infrastructure of the Red Cross relief efforts. They haven’t had any days or even time off during their mission…until Tuesday night.

Fogg is a Thunder season ticket member. On Sunday someone told her the Thunder was playing in Brooklyn this week. As busy as they have been, she hadn’t read the newspaper but was thrilled with the idea of taking her crew to the Thunder game.  “It was very exciting to be able to find out they were in town, especially here in Brooklyn where we are working. It’s huge to be able to take the night off from what we’ve been doing out here. We haven’t slept, we haven’t eaten regularly. But we’re not going to miss a Thunder game.”

Jennifer was especially pleased to be able to treat her employees to a slice of home, the Thunder.

“I tell you they were so ecstatic. They are dog-tired, but they made it here. It meant a lot to them to have a little bit of home.  Sleep is for the weak,” she said.

Fogg calls the devastation in the area “phenomenal”, the work difficult but rewarding and said New Yorkers have been very appreciative and kind. For her staff, going to the game was a welcome respite from the hard work (more than 24 hours straight in many cases) and a chance to show their Oklahoma pride.

“Being here and being able to support the team, seeing the Thunder makes us appreciate Oklahoma so much,” said Baxter Smith from Tulsa.

“It means a heck of a lot. We are real happy to be out here and help out,” said Robert Hoefling of Tulsa. When they found out they would be able to go to Thunder game in Brooklyn, “We were all just jumping for joy. We are just real happy to be here.”

Alison Scott is data manager for ASSETT in Oklahoma City. She said it was great to offer the staff a “let down moment” from the work. “It’s amazing and so exciting…and the Thunder won!”

Joining the ASSETT group at the game was Zebedee Jones, a New Yorker who is working with them. He appreciates the support and was thrilled to join his new friends and coworkers at the game. He even wore a Thunder shirt. “I’m a New York Knicks fan but real recognizes real and these people are real, ASSETT is real and that’s what I’m about; real people. They came out to help people and that’s what it’s all about. ”

-Dan Mahoney

Posted in Thunder Fans, Thunder Stuff, Uncategorized | Comments Off

The most Thunder-ful time of the year

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

Our fans have made the Thunder part of their everyday rituals, vacation plans, annual budgets, birthday parties – the list goes on. Weaving the Thunder into whatever else they are doing, planning or celebrating has become a mark of our fans’ enthusiasm and passion.

As the holidays roll around, we’re seeing that you are also weaving the Thunder into your holiday gifts, decorations and celebrations. Here are a few photos we’ve spotted of fans getting into the holiday spirit, with a little touch of their favorite team mixed into their traditions.

- Karina Henderson

Posted in Thunder Fans | 1 Comment »