by Mike Kirk
UCO Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
As sports streaks go it may not rank up there with Joe DiMaggio’s, but it was mine and I sure hate for it to be over. But, like DiMaggio’s record 56-game hitting streak set with the New York Yankees way back in 1941, all good things must come to an end.
Since Oct. 31, 1987 - first as sports information director and now as assistant athletic director for media relations - I have witnessed every Central Oklahoma football game the Bronchos have played. Be it in Edmond or Langston, Okla. or Blackwater Draw, N.M. or Northridge, Calif., I was there.
But that streak of 229 consecutive UCO games - or CSU when I first started - will end Saturday (Sept. 12) when the Bronchos travel to Kingsville, Texas to take on Texas A&M-Kingsville in a big Lone Star Conference crossover contest.
A home volleyball tournament Friday and Saturday in Hamilton Field House will prevent me from making the long trek to Kingsville. And while I’m obviously disappointed to have the long streak snapped, it’s okay because I’ll get to watch another Broncho team in action.
Actually, as a one-man operation, it’s rather amazing that the streak lasted this long. It took some creative traveling, occasional assistance from area sports information directors and scheduling help from our volleyball coaches to make all the away games over the years, but somehow I found a way. Until now.
I saw my first Central game on Oct. 31, 1987 - a 28-24 win over Southeastern Oklahoma, by the way - and started work two days later. That Oct. 31 date has added significance in my life as later that night, while out with friends who already lived in Edmond, I met Debbie Descher at a Halloween party. Just over a year later, she became my wife.
There were plenty of big wins, crushing losses and seasons to remember – and forget -- during the streak. An 0-10-1 season in 1989 was painful to watch, both home and away. A magical 1998 season that ended with a devastating defeat in the playoffs was exhilarating the whole way through.
As I looked back at the long list of games that the Bronchos played with me in the press box, I came up with a couple of lists and I know people like those. So, for what it’s worth, here are the top 10 wins and top 10 losses for the UCO football team from Oct. 31, 1987 to Sept. 5, 2009.
Read Kirk's full commentary here at www.bronchosports.com