Different arrangements lined the walls and windows. The place smelled like a flower shop in the spring. Those flowers helped more than 14,000 people forget that basketball is usually played inside Gallagher-Iba’s new walls.
Wednesday, the minds of those inside the arena were filled only with grief and comfort as Oklahoma State University conducted a memorial service in memory of the 10 people killed in Saturday’s plane crash in Colorado.
“I’ve always believed that the greatness of a university should be judged in part by how it cares about people,” said Harry Birdwell, OSU vice president for business and external relations. “That is what I treasure the most about OSU.”
Birdwell was joined by Gov. Frank Keating, OSU President James Halligan, Cowboy basketball coach Eddie Sutton, the families of those lost in the crash and the OSU basketball team for the two-hour service.
A makeshift stage at the north end of Gallagher-Iba sat just behind framed pictures of Kendall Durfey, Brian Luinstra, Bjorn Fahlstrom, Denver Mills, Nate Fleming, Pat Noyes, Will Hancock, Bill Teegins, Daniel Lawson and Jared Weiberg — the 10 fallen Cowboys.
‘‘In dealing with death, nothing seems more unfair, more confusing, more senseless or more jolting than when the light goes out far too soon on bright young lives, but it did happen Saturday night,’’ Sutton said.
“These were our teammates, our co-workers, our friends. But, more than that, they were part of the Cowboy basketball family.”
Few eyes were dry during the service. Sutton, who has seen his share of tears since Saturday, brushed away a few more when Halligan asked those in the crowd to always hold the fallen Cowboys close to their hearts.“Let us resolve that every time you enter this arena henceforth, you shall think of these 10 men and what they meant to Oklahoma State University,” Halligan said.
“Let us resolve that we will never forget them … never forget them.”
OSU forward Andre Williams spoke on behalf of the players, who were joined by former Cowboys Desmond Mason, Joe Adkins, Alex Webber and Brian Montonati.
Williams gave a message of hope to the families of those lost in the crash.
“This isn’t really goodbye,” Williams said.
“I’m a strong believer in God, and we all go down that road to death. If we believe, we know this isn’t goodbye. We’ll see them in the morning.”
Sutton followed Williams with an address that brought the crowd to laughter and then back to tears with stories about each person who was lost.
When Sutton was introduced, OSU players Jason Keep and Fredrik Jönzén rose to their feet. Those in attendance followed and gave Sutton a moving standing ovation. Sutton then offered some powerful words.
“I believe that a better way to honor the dead than with grief is with gratitude,” Sutton said.
“And, I am grateful that I worked with these 10 people who were all stars in their own way.”
By the time the service ended, the Payne County sun was beginning to set on a university and a community that may never understand why the 10 Cowboys were lost in Colorado.
But, the same university and community found comfort Wednesday. Comfort from sharing grief with others. Comfort in knowing that everyone is feeling the same pain.
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