Zac Robinson was one of many OSU players signing autographs at the Fan Appreciation Day Saturday.
By Sean Hubbard
(MCT) — Oklahoma State University fans got a special treat Saturday afternoon.
Fans lined Gallagher-Iba Arena, awaiting their chance to meet and get autographs from fall sports athletes. The doors opened at 4 p.m., but the lines stayed long. With athletes around the decks of the arena, the line to get balls, posters and helmets signed went all the way down the flights of stairs and out the doors into the 100-degree heat.
“We got here at about 3 p.m. and stood in the heat,” said Brian Breeden, with his son, Ryan, 7. “It is absolutely worth it.”
Ryan had a football signed by all of his favorite players and coaches. On his Xbox, Ryan plays as OSU and has his favorite player, O-State quarterback Zac Robinson, personalized on the game.
“He got to meet his hero,” Brian said. “It’s really cool (getting to meet Robinson). It’s real to him.”
Because Robinson is “a good quarterback,” he has a fan club that starts with Ryan. As these players sit on a pedestal in the eyes of the public, they help many organizations without even knowing it. Woodward native Gayle Stone has been an OSU fan for 20 years and attended Fan Appreciation Day for the last 15, he said.
Rather than getting autographs for his own benefit, Stone gets the coaches and athletes to sign items that are auctioned to benefit organizations such as American Red Cross and Cystic Fibrosis.
“I do that for those who are less fortunate than ourselves,” Stone said. “The kids are the future. People look up to these kids.”
Special Olympians also get a taste of Cowboy football.
“I came early this morning and we got our picture taken with some of the team,” said Team Stillwater Special Olympian and Cowboy fan Micah J. McDade. “I brought my own football and my own pen. Most of the team was here to sign it.”
Fan Appreciation Day is just one day that is all about the fans. Many of them live their dreams by getting to meet the coaches and athletes, but the fans are not the only ones who enjoy the day.
“We look forward to Fan Appreciation Day,” said Kendall Hunter, a sophomore running back. “We appreciate the fans for coming to support us.”
Much of the football team understands the importance of the event.
“Our jobs wouldn’t be our jobs without the kids and the fans,” said Joe DeForest, associate head coach. “We need their support in both the good times and the bad times. I think this is the best fanbase in the country. We need to do a better job of winning games to give them what they deserve.”
In a backwards way, Fan Appreciation Day will help the team do just that — win more games.
“The home-field advantage is huge, especially now that its all bowled in, like at outdoor Gallagher-Iba,” said Patrick Ronck, four-year season-ticket holder.
“(Home-field advantage) helps the team win games,” said McDade, comparing Boone Pickens Stadium to GIA for basketball games. “We’re rocking and rolling and sending the losing team back home.”
It’s not just the fans that think the support of thousands of crazy fans will help the home team.
“Playing at home, we have so much of an advantage over our opponents because of our fans and the noise level,” said senior safety Ricky Price.
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