Published: December 29, 2008 10:50 am         

Cowboys visit landmark before Holiday Bowl

SAN DIEGO — Oklahoma State fullback Bryant Ward, a Stillwater native, has considered joining the military after his service on the Cowboys football team has ended.

When the Cowboys coupled the Oregon Ducks aboard the USS Bohnoome Richard on Sunday, Ward got a first-hand look at what might be in store for his future after college.

The sophomore ate lunch and received a private group tour of the vessel from Master Chief Ted Gallinat. Gallinat entered the armed forces in the same way Ward would have to and is at the highest position he can attain.

“It’s been a pretty cool experience,” Ward said. “I’m enjoying all of this.”

Gallinat spent the short time after lunch showing Ward and a handful of other Cowboys around the ship and was happy to hear that someone he may watch on television would want to join the profession he has spent so much of his life dedicated to.

“They are the future leaders of our country and of course it’s kind of nice when somebody looks at you and knows the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence,” Gallinat said.

Prior to the tour of the Bohnoome Richard, which included a visit to the top deck, a helicopter walkthrough and a few passes through interior rooms, both teams enjoyed a luncheon amongst many men and women who protect the country so others can play games.

“We all have a lot of respect for what our armed forces are doing to provide us with the opportunity to do whatever we want to do in this country,” said coach Mike Gundy. “It’s really special. There’s no question that they pay a very dear price. It’s good for our players to be around and see that.”

Even while eating lunch the cavernous nature of the ship was evident. The meal was served in a massive room that could only be described as an airplane hanger.

“You see it in the movies but you have a whole new respect when you come on the ship,” said co-offensive coordinator Trooper Taylor.

During the luncheon there were a handful of awards given out. Both teams gave gifts to the military service men in attendance and Holiday Bowl representatives even gave Captain Neil Parrott — the leading officer on the ship — 100 tickets to both the game and the automobile show in San Diego during the weekend.

Two more awards were given that have different histories behind them. First Oklahoma State and Oregon both gave a seaman on the ship a chance to become an honorary captain on Tuesday. Marcus Stanley from Athens, Ala., will represent the Cowboys at the ceremonial coin toss prior to the Holiday Bowl and, when it was announced, the Cowboys gave the seaman a standing ovation and Gundy even joked that they may need to suit up Stanley in pads and a jersey.

After Stanley was honored, OSU honored one of it own. Administrative assistant Sandra Swank was given the Grant Sharp Trophy. The trophy is given in honor of the former admiral whose name it bears and is given to an individual who puts team goals ahead of individual success.

“She’s been a true Cowboy and seen people come through like Barry (Sanders) and coach (Gundy) when they played and even before that she knows the guys that came through,” said co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer.

Swank has spent more than two dozen years as a part of the Oklahoma State staff and accepted the award with tears in her eyes. Swank has meant so much to the team that Taylor even called her on Mother’s Day.

“She is like momma,” Taylor said. “That’s what I try to tell everybody. When they ask me about the difference in places, it’s not the bricks in the building, it’s the people inside them.”

Brewer added, “We are very proud of her and what she’s been able to accomplish. We couldn’t make it day-to-day without her.”

     

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