Oklahoma State University Athletics
Press Conference Quotes
June 10, 2002 | General
June 10, 2002
OSU President James Halligan
"I wanted to express to you my excitement and complete support for the
appointment of Harry Birdwell to lead our effort in the department of
intercollegiate athletics. Harry has a rich background at this university
and is well schooled in the law. In these days it is very important to have
someone who is responsible in intercollegiate athletics who can understand
the many regulations associated with the NCAA. But more importantly, Harry
and Cindy are just committed to OSU. This is a very significant challenge in
the department of intercollegiate athletics. Harry has demonstrated his
management skills in his previous assignment as Vice President for Business
and External Relations. So as for that reason that I will, with great
enthusiasm, recommend to the Board of Regents the appointment of Harry
Birdwell as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. I am confident that Harry
will do a great job sustaining the momentum that we have in our athletic
program at OSU."
Chairman of the OSU Board of Regents Fred Harlan
"One of the things that we looked at in Oklahoma State University with the
success that we've had in the athletic conference center here is to continue
on with the program. I think that all of you know that we have a process in
place to take a look at renovating and bringing Lewis Field to the same
standards as Gallagher-Iba. One of the concerns that President Halligan has
expressed with me is that if we continue without an athletic director until
the new president came in, then we might lose some of the momentum that we
have already started and have the ball going to put this process together to
renovating Lewis Field. There had been a change since Terry Don Phillips had
accepted the position at Clemson that just came up last week and there was a
sense of urgency that we needed to go forth and get a person in place.
Ideally, we wanted to look at somebody that knew how to raise money, had a
passion for OSU and stability for Oklahoma State University. We wanted
somebody that I have to hold down in their seat during sporting events
because we have had football seats behind this individual for the last 15
years and I get tired of trying to get him down so that I can see over the
top of him. Above all, somebody who bleeds orange. I think that is part of
the OSU family that we bleed orange. We have the support of everybody to do
things and we've proven with this facility here that we can put first class
facilities for all of our athletics programs."
Vice President for Business and External Relations Harry Birdwell
"My name is Harry Birdwell, I'm a Cowboy for life. My physician has
confirmed that I have a terminal case of orange blood syndrome. I deeply
love this university. That love affair began one spring night in 1967 when
a skinny young basketball player from Fletcher, Oklahoma walked across
campus with Mr. Iba discussing his future. We stopped in the formal garden
of the campus just in front of the library and I still remember Mr. Iba
putting his arm around me and saying 'Son, you're a very fine leader. This
is a fine place, we need you right here.'
And since that day the taproot to my heart has anchored itself at OSU. I went to school here, my wife went to school here. As a matter of fact, I met her on her first day of her freshman year. She is my best friend and she is the best wife that a man could have. Our children attended OSU. Our daughter graduated this spring and our son is a sophomore. I'm a fourth generation Oklahoman, my children are fifth generation Oklahomans. We have resisted every urge to leave Oklahoma because it's home.
If you would have suggested just a few days ago that this day would have happened, I would have said it was impossible. President Halligan's retirement announcement set of considerable speculations and rumors, some about me. I don't have a traditional academic background. I don't want to be a person that becomes a lightning rod for this university because of my personal ambition. I wanted to end speculation about my personal ambition as quickly as possible. The speculation only worsened when Terry Don made his announcement. So fairly innocently last Wednesday President Halligan said 'Do you know who we should move over to the athletic department so that we never miss a beat?' I grinned and shook my head. He said 'Think about it before you give me a response.'
So I spent the next couple of days thinking and searching, discussing with my partner Cindy (Birdwell) what we would like to do with our future. Several times Thursday and Friday I walked from my office to Bennett Chapel and I thought and prayed. By Friday afternoon I was at peace with my decision. I believe that this is an opportunity to do something special for my alma mater. I believe that it is an opportunity to couple my love and passion with this university with the management abilities and professional skills that I have developed over a long span of time.
Although I'm not changing teams or colors this move is a different role. Let me assure the OSU family that I will work night and day to shorten whatever learning curve I have and I will rely on the very competent members of this athletic department staff. I think that there are assets that I bring to this department that will be helpful. Hopefully our fans and alumni and those who love this university deeply will see in me someone who is committed to the cause and someone who provides a continuity of leadership. Terry Don and I have become great friends. There has not been a day during Terry Don's tenure that we did not work together. I was actively involved with Terry Don as we developed and financed this athletic center. I've been involved in every key decision about the stadium improvements and helped Terry Don develop the financing plan.
As the university's chief fiscal officer I have a thorough understanding of the departments budget and its needs. Having been the university's chief business officer as well as a primary spokesman for OSU, it should facilitate the relations with the balance of campus. I know that this role will be a challenge. I love challenges, I view them as opportunities. I plan to tackle this job with every ounce of every thing I have.
My expectations are these. That we will sustain and improve the quality of our athletic programs. We will operate first rate programs worthy of the admiration of the campus and our fans everywhere. And that we continue to develop our facilities to be competitive in the Big 12 Conference. Improvement of the football facility is a major target to which a major effort must be focused and will be focused.
We will be relentless and continue the progress until we complete it. I ask the help of all of you in the OSU family to help us finish what we have dreamed about for our athletic program. I challenge you to help beginning now. And as we move to do it I hope all of you in the OSU family remember what those words in the alma mater call us to do and be. 'Ever you'll find us loyal and true, to our alma mater O-S-U.'"
