Author:
Murray
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Date Posted: 08:07:50 03/07/05 Mon
David's right -- Bob Colon was an icon in Oklahoma sports.
Most of you on this board constantly complained about his coverage, but there wasn't anyone in the Oklahoma media with more of a passion for covering small colleges than Bob. I'm still stunned that he gave up that beat in 1989, after 20-plus years, to some guy just out of college. Maybe it's because he knew I went to a small college and I cared. Whatever his reasons, I am grateful. I do know that he read my stuff like a hawk, and that made me a better reporter and writer in the long run.
I remember one time, I covered a District 9 semifinal game in which some player from ORU had about 6 points and 20 rebounds. ORU just walloped somebody -- can't remember who -- and the player in question wasn't even the star of the game. For some reason, I failed to mention anywhere in the story the guy who had 20 rebounds. Bob came up to me the next day and said in that distinctive voice of his, "Saaaaaaaay, Murray. The next time someone gets 20 rebounds in a game, you might want to put that in your story." Then he walked away. That was a lesson learned.
David didn't like the way Berry Tramel put it, but Berry's right -- Bob hired a lot of people who have gone on to fill key positions, not just at Oklahoma papers, either, but all over the country. Like I said, I'm just grateful he gave me a chance and hired me back when I still was a wet-behind-the-ears college student.
Bob had his quirks, but he also had some good qualities, too. Those will be what I choose to remember about him.
Rest in peace, Bob.
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