DH, one of the best sports writers ever on the Hatchet, just contacted me about his new book, Big League City: Oklahoma City's Rise to the NBA..  Since he's an author, with his name clearly on the cover, it's okay to let the few of you didn't already know: it's David Holt (David wrote the definitive history of GW basketball, from its infancy onward, several years ago.)  This book covers the arrival of major league sports in Oklahoma City.  The website is www.BigLeagueCityBook.com.  The book is available exclusively from an independent publisher in OKC; it''s available by phone, with free shipping (check the website for specifics). David plans to publish it as an e-book next year. (And no, I get no flack's percentage here, just a felow author's courtesy.)

I can't say the subject intrigues me, ELJ. But thanks for the post. DH was absolutely great at the Hatchet, and he and his book deserve your plug. Once you read the tomb, give us your review. I'd buy it if its as well written as I anticipate.

I hope Mrs. ELJ is still dancing. mrs. ziik now zumbas.

Bump! Kudos to DH, a fellow Hatcheteer. 

ziik, will let you know after I read the book.  And Mrs. ELJ is still boogying, her right knee problems notwithstanding.  Now then, what's a "zumba?"  That "z" is too far from the "r" on the keyboard to be a typo.

Meanwhile, for and young'uns on the board who may not have read David's marvelous history of GW basketball, I'd recommend checking on the Hatchet archives.  One thing for sure:  David wrote circles around what I did as Hatchet sports editor WAY back in the day.

Think of zumba as Richard Simmons calisthenics. No arguments about the quality of DH's writing, ELJ, but he didn't have to change the ribbon on his Olivetti.

 You all are too kind...

DH! Great to see the book. One of my favorite experiences growing up was my dad getting involved in getting OCU and Abe Lemons (I am pretty sure) to come to Hawaii. They could put out a 7 foot team. I think that we are talking early to mid-60's. It was more than just a carnival sideshow team.

Lemons on running plays: "There are only two plays that I know, Romeo and Juliet and put the damn ball in the basket."

Thanks, Dolphin MIchael.   Abe Lemons is one of the great quote machines in sports history.   Those were the days when OCU was a top flight D-1 program.   Today, it is NAIA, which is part of the trend that OKC was trying to reverse by pursuing major league sports (as documented in the book).    OKC was a city of a million without even a D-1 hoops team, much less pro sports.

Thanks, Dolphin MIchael.   Abe Lemons is one of the great quote machines in sports history.   Those were the days when OCU was a top flight D-1 program.   Today, it is NAIA, which is part of the trend that OKC was trying to reverse by pursuing major league sports (as documented in the book).    OKC was a city of a million without even a D-1 hoops team, much less pro sports.