Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Soccer & The Abai family
Soccer Family Is #StillwaterStrong
October 28, 2015 | Cowgirl Soccer
Last Friday night, Keke and Mwende Abai were at a place they spend most of their Friday nights in late summer and fall — the sidelines of the Cowgirl Soccer Complex.
Keke and Mwende were serving as ball kids for the Oklahoma State soccer team during its match against West Virginia, chasing down balls that carried out of bounds and delivering balls to players to inbound to the pitch.
On Tuesday evening, the brother and sister were back at the Cowgirls' field — this time for a much different reason.
Last Saturday, Keke and Mwende, as well as their father, Clement, were among the dozens tragically injured when a car crashed into spectators at the OSU Homecoming Parade.
But aside from Mwende sporting a neck brace and Keke using crutches to get around, you'd never know the siblings had been lying in hospital beds only a few days earlier.
Both children bubbled with energy and smiles, especially when the Cowgirl players and coaching staff presented them with gift bags that included among other things autographed posters and balls, jerseys, scarves, a new pair of cleats for each and a promise of free admission to an upcoming OSU Soccer Camp.
Keke, a 10-year old fifth grader who is a center back on his Stillwater Soccer Club team, turned a bit shy when asked about the gifts, but concluded, "It's really cool!" before rattling off a long list of his favorite items in the bag.
"(Mwende and Keke) are really enjoying this — this is special for them, that they can meet the Cowgirls," said their mother and Clement's wife, Mumbe Kithakye. "They've loved being a ball boy and ball girl for the team, and they love to watch the games and cheer for the girls."
As big as the smiles were spread across the Abai's faces, those on the Cowgirls were even bigger.
"At Oklahoma State University, we are a community and within Cowgirl FC, we are a family," said Cowgirl senior forward Madeline Wood. "On Saturday, part of our family was affected by the tragedy in Stillwater … today we had the opportunity to meet with them.
"It was incredible to see how strong the family has remained regardless of everything that has happened to them in the last couple of days. For all of us girls, it was amazing to see the family on the road to recovery. We were able to give the kids gifts and the parents donations from the team to show our appreciation for them and our support as they continue to move past the weekend's tragedy. It was important for us because they are very much a part of our Cowgirl FC family.
"As student-athletes we are able to play impacting roles in the lives of others, and this is exactly what we were able to do. The kids were making jokes with us creating a very positive atmosphere, which as you could imagine the family needs right now more than anything else. Everyone in our Cowgirl FC family was affected somehow by the accident so it was an incredible experience to make a difference in the lives of some of those that were directly affected. The whole incident has made us closer as a team and made us more appreciative of every step we take on the field."
Appreciation is also abundant within Clement and his wife, who unfortunately are no strangers to tragedy.
In 2005, the couple resided in New Orleans with a then-infant Keke but were able to flee before Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.
Three years later, the family's journey relocated them to Stillwater, where they have become entrenched at OSU and in the community.
Mumbe, who works in the OSU Family Resource Center as the coordinator of family and graduate student housing, said the specialness of that community of Cowboys and Cowgirls was — and continues to be — extraordinarily prevalent in the wake of the parade tragedy.
"What sticks with me is that over and over again, I've seen God's faithfulness and how kind people are, just how willing people are to help out and look out for each other," Mumbe said. "There are so many opportunities in life to look out for others and to take care of people and help people. Everyone gets those opportunities — sometimes after something huge and not so good happens, but sometimes just in everyday life.
"With this accident, the biggest thing that stands out to me is the first responders — people responded to fans from everywhere. Things as simple as blankets. People were just so overwhelmingly kind and willing to help out, looking for ways to help.
"Sometimes, it's unfortunate — tragedies happen and that's when you realize the people around you and how connected we all are."
Those connections began to immediately surface for the Abai family in the aftermath of Saturday's events.
Mwende, who is six-years old and a first grader, was among the first victims flown via Medevac to the The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City after suffering a concussion, an injury that likely would have been worse were she not miraculously wearing a helmet for rollerblading.
Clement and Keke were also treated, both at Stillwater Medical Center. Along with bruising, Clement suffered a hip injury, while Keke had a cut on his right big toe that required 20 stitches. Mumbe was with her family at the parade but luckily avoided injury.
A computer IT specialist, Clement worked at OSU for six years before his work permit expired (he's a native of Papua New Guinea), and he is hopeful of returning to school to earn a Master's degree.
Talking with him in the wake of his family's recent experience, Clement continuously uses works like "amazing" and "overwhelming" when trying to express gratitude for his orange-and-black community.
"It's amazing how much the OSU people who I worked with and the students who I've helped over time, all these peopled connected to the university, that when they saw my name, the response was so overwhelming," Clement said. "Just in the last two or three days, I've talked with so many people that I haven't maybe talked to in five years. Not only here in Stillwater, but people all around the world — different countries in Africa and Europe, in India. My gosh, it's amazing the support from everywhere.
"I just can't thank people enough, that's the best I can put it. The amount of response my family got — and I know for others as well — thank you is just an understatement. We cannot say it enough."
For OSU associate head coach Justin Elkington, rallying the Cowgirls to help support the Abai family was an easy choice.
"(Keke and Mwende) come to all our games and are the first in line to volunteer to be ball kids," Elkington said. "When I found out they had been injured, it was immediately jumping into action saying 'What can we do?'
"When our kids heard about it, they were kind of devastated and wanted to do something. It just kind of spread like wildfire — they felt the need to step up, and I'm proud of them. They see those familiar faces on the sideline, and they have an affinity for them."
Elkington also serves as the Director of Coaching and Player Development for the Stillwater Soccer Club in which both Keke and Mwende compete, while Clement volunteers as a club coach.
"When Coach Justin found out we were involved in the accident and reached out to us, I told my wife and kids about the text message and it just put a big smile on their faces," Clement said. "My son's first response was 'Hey, it would be nice to get a poster from them with all their signatures on it.' That's what I told Justin, but they certainly did a lot more than that. It means so much, it's very touching."
The generosity is only fitting for a man who Elkington said is equally willing to help others.
"This will just tell you what kind of guy Clement is. I left the (OSU) field after we gave Keke and Mwende their gifts to go and coach my club team. Fifteen minutes later, (Clement) shows up to help coach, kids that aren't even his own. His hip is hurting and he's limping around out there, but he's invested in the youth soccer in this community."
For Oklahoma State, Stillwater and the area's soccer family, that's simply the Cowboy way — and Tuesday's offering from the Cowgirls to the Abai family was but a small part of that.
"We just wanted to do something to brighten their day a little bit, and the family was open to us helping a little bit," said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. "It's just great. The whole community in Stillwater is really bonding together over this, and this is just a chance for the soccer community to bond a little bit. Anything we can do that maybe makes those kids smile a little bit, it's the least we could do."
"Unfortunately, we've had our share of tragedy, and I guess the light that comes out of it is how great the community is and the people, in Stillwater, at Oklahoma State and in the state of Oklahoma. It's truly moving when you see all the support people have for each other, and it makes you proud to be part of the community."
** If you would like to offer financial support to help with medical expenses for the Abai family, an account has been set up in their name at Bank SNB (donations can be made at any bank branch). You can also donate via Go Fund Me here. **
Keke and Mwende were serving as ball kids for the Oklahoma State soccer team during its match against West Virginia, chasing down balls that carried out of bounds and delivering balls to players to inbound to the pitch.
On Tuesday evening, the brother and sister were back at the Cowgirls' field — this time for a much different reason.
Last Saturday, Keke and Mwende, as well as their father, Clement, were among the dozens tragically injured when a car crashed into spectators at the OSU Homecoming Parade.
But aside from Mwende sporting a neck brace and Keke using crutches to get around, you'd never know the siblings had been lying in hospital beds only a few days earlier.
Both children bubbled with energy and smiles, especially when the Cowgirl players and coaching staff presented them with gift bags that included among other things autographed posters and balls, jerseys, scarves, a new pair of cleats for each and a promise of free admission to an upcoming OSU Soccer Camp.
Keke, a 10-year old fifth grader who is a center back on his Stillwater Soccer Club team, turned a bit shy when asked about the gifts, but concluded, "It's really cool!" before rattling off a long list of his favorite items in the bag.
"(Mwende and Keke) are really enjoying this — this is special for them, that they can meet the Cowgirls," said their mother and Clement's wife, Mumbe Kithakye. "They've loved being a ball boy and ball girl for the team, and they love to watch the games and cheer for the girls."
As big as the smiles were spread across the Abai's faces, those on the Cowgirls were even bigger.
"At Oklahoma State University, we are a community and within Cowgirl FC, we are a family," said Cowgirl senior forward Madeline Wood. "On Saturday, part of our family was affected by the tragedy in Stillwater … today we had the opportunity to meet with them.
"It was incredible to see how strong the family has remained regardless of everything that has happened to them in the last couple of days. For all of us girls, it was amazing to see the family on the road to recovery. We were able to give the kids gifts and the parents donations from the team to show our appreciation for them and our support as they continue to move past the weekend's tragedy. It was important for us because they are very much a part of our Cowgirl FC family.
"As student-athletes we are able to play impacting roles in the lives of others, and this is exactly what we were able to do. The kids were making jokes with us creating a very positive atmosphere, which as you could imagine the family needs right now more than anything else. Everyone in our Cowgirl FC family was affected somehow by the accident so it was an incredible experience to make a difference in the lives of some of those that were directly affected. The whole incident has made us closer as a team and made us more appreciative of every step we take on the field."
Appreciation is also abundant within Clement and his wife, who unfortunately are no strangers to tragedy.
In 2005, the couple resided in New Orleans with a then-infant Keke but were able to flee before Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.
Three years later, the family's journey relocated them to Stillwater, where they have become entrenched at OSU and in the community.
Mumbe, who works in the OSU Family Resource Center as the coordinator of family and graduate student housing, said the specialness of that community of Cowboys and Cowgirls was — and continues to be — extraordinarily prevalent in the wake of the parade tragedy.
"What sticks with me is that over and over again, I've seen God's faithfulness and how kind people are, just how willing people are to help out and look out for each other," Mumbe said. "There are so many opportunities in life to look out for others and to take care of people and help people. Everyone gets those opportunities — sometimes after something huge and not so good happens, but sometimes just in everyday life.
"With this accident, the biggest thing that stands out to me is the first responders — people responded to fans from everywhere. Things as simple as blankets. People were just so overwhelmingly kind and willing to help out, looking for ways to help.
"Sometimes, it's unfortunate — tragedies happen and that's when you realize the people around you and how connected we all are."
Those connections began to immediately surface for the Abai family in the aftermath of Saturday's events.
Mwende, who is six-years old and a first grader, was among the first victims flown via Medevac to the The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City after suffering a concussion, an injury that likely would have been worse were she not miraculously wearing a helmet for rollerblading.
Clement and Keke were also treated, both at Stillwater Medical Center. Along with bruising, Clement suffered a hip injury, while Keke had a cut on his right big toe that required 20 stitches. Mumbe was with her family at the parade but luckily avoided injury.
A computer IT specialist, Clement worked at OSU for six years before his work permit expired (he's a native of Papua New Guinea), and he is hopeful of returning to school to earn a Master's degree.
Talking with him in the wake of his family's recent experience, Clement continuously uses works like "amazing" and "overwhelming" when trying to express gratitude for his orange-and-black community.
"It's amazing how much the OSU people who I worked with and the students who I've helped over time, all these peopled connected to the university, that when they saw my name, the response was so overwhelming," Clement said. "Just in the last two or three days, I've talked with so many people that I haven't maybe talked to in five years. Not only here in Stillwater, but people all around the world — different countries in Africa and Europe, in India. My gosh, it's amazing the support from everywhere.
"I just can't thank people enough, that's the best I can put it. The amount of response my family got — and I know for others as well — thank you is just an understatement. We cannot say it enough."
For OSU associate head coach Justin Elkington, rallying the Cowgirls to help support the Abai family was an easy choice.
"(Keke and Mwende) come to all our games and are the first in line to volunteer to be ball kids," Elkington said. "When I found out they had been injured, it was immediately jumping into action saying 'What can we do?'
"When our kids heard about it, they were kind of devastated and wanted to do something. It just kind of spread like wildfire — they felt the need to step up, and I'm proud of them. They see those familiar faces on the sideline, and they have an affinity for them."
Elkington also serves as the Director of Coaching and Player Development for the Stillwater Soccer Club in which both Keke and Mwende compete, while Clement volunteers as a club coach.
"When Coach Justin found out we were involved in the accident and reached out to us, I told my wife and kids about the text message and it just put a big smile on their faces," Clement said. "My son's first response was 'Hey, it would be nice to get a poster from them with all their signatures on it.' That's what I told Justin, but they certainly did a lot more than that. It means so much, it's very touching."
The generosity is only fitting for a man who Elkington said is equally willing to help others.
"This will just tell you what kind of guy Clement is. I left the (OSU) field after we gave Keke and Mwende their gifts to go and coach my club team. Fifteen minutes later, (Clement) shows up to help coach, kids that aren't even his own. His hip is hurting and he's limping around out there, but he's invested in the youth soccer in this community."
For Oklahoma State, Stillwater and the area's soccer family, that's simply the Cowboy way — and Tuesday's offering from the Cowgirls to the Abai family was but a small part of that.
"We just wanted to do something to brighten their day a little bit, and the family was open to us helping a little bit," said OSU head coach Colin Carmichael. "It's just great. The whole community in Stillwater is really bonding together over this, and this is just a chance for the soccer community to bond a little bit. Anything we can do that maybe makes those kids smile a little bit, it's the least we could do."
"Unfortunately, we've had our share of tragedy, and I guess the light that comes out of it is how great the community is and the people, in Stillwater, at Oklahoma State and in the state of Oklahoma. It's truly moving when you see all the support people have for each other, and it makes you proud to be part of the community."
** If you would like to offer financial support to help with medical expenses for the Abai family, an account has been set up in their name at Bank SNB (donations can be made at any bank branch). You can also donate via Go Fund Me here. **
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