Women’s track and field athlete Sanye Ford’s career at Oklahoma State has not been without obstacles. Back in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic cut her freshman season short. Fast forward to 2023 and her season is being cut short again. This time, it was a personal decision. For Ford, deciding to donate a kidney was easy. It’s the process for finding a match that’s hard. It’s been almost a year and a half since Ford’s mom was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease. There have been countless hospital visits, endless tests, and never-ending days waiting for the call saying they found a match.

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Website: https://osumax.com/osu-max-podcast-network

Twitter: twitter.com/osu_max

Instagram: instagram.com/osu_max

CREDITS:

Host: Meghan Robinson (@megrobs11)

Coordinating Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

Brendon Evers had it all planned out. He would play in the 2021 Fiesta Bowl and then declare for the NFL Draft. Instead, a shoulder injury changed everything. Evers returned for the 2022 season. However, his lingering shoulder injury left him with a difficult decision. Play through the pain and risk further damage. Or forgo the rest of the season and prepare for the draft. Evers understands ending his Oklahoma State season early probably saved his chance at an NFL career. He wants teams to know he will be the hardest working guy in their organization. He’s not hungry for the chance to prove he’s still got it – he’s starving for it.

FIND US ONLINE:

Website: https://osumax.com/osu-max-podcast-network

Twitter: twitter.com/osu_max

Instagram: instagram.com/osu_max

CREDITS:

Host: Meghan Robinson (@megrobs11)

Coordinating Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

In this week's episode of The Old Pokes Show, Deion Imade and Clint Chelf discuss spring football for the Cowboys. Also, get the guys thoughts on OSU baseball and softball, as well as the Masters this week, with a couple of former Pokes playing at Augusta National. 

Matt Hembrough grew up wanting to be just like his dad. But Hembrough was only 5-2 and 100 pounds entering high school. His small stature limited his playing time until his senior year. He started that season as a wide receiver, but quickly realized his path to college ball was on special teams. Hembrough received offers from North Texas and San Jose State. He turned those down and instead accepted a preferred walk-on spot at Oklahoma State. During his six-year career in Stillwater, Hembrough evolved into one of the best long snappers in the country. He was named second team All-America in 2021 – the first year they added the position to the team. In less than a month he’ll find out if his NFL dream comes true. He knows getting that phone call doesn’t mean the end of his hard work. Really, it’s all just beginning.

FIND US ONLINE:

Website: https://osumax.com/osu-max-podcast-network

Twitter: twitter.com/osu_max

Instagram: instagram.com/osu_max

CREDITS:

Host: Meghan Robinson (@megrobs11)

Coordinating Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

The Pokes Pod is a presentation of OSU Athletics, Sport & Story, and Learfield. 

In this week's edition of the Old Pokes Show, Deion Imade and Clint Chelf catch up with former Cowgirl softball star—and current volunteer assistant coach—Vanessa Shippy-Fletcher. The three-time NCAA All-American and two-time Big 12 Player of the Year discusses her time as a Cowgirl and has some great stories about head coach Kenny Gajewski. Also hear what she has to say about this year's team, which is currently ranked number two in the country. 

Roc Riggio was born to be a baseball player. With a name his dad thought would be great for a slugger, Riggio started playing baseball when he was in diapers—carrying on the family tradition. Roc committed to UCLA as an eighth grader. It was an easy choice for the kid from SoCal. After growing and maturing, Roc realized he wanted to get out of California and decommited from the Bruins.  Roc knows he was never the biggest or the strongest. However, he will outwork you. The Freshman All-American plays with a chip on his shoulder. Every time he takes the diamond, he knows he has nothing to lose and everything to prove.

FIND US ONLINE:

Website: https://osumax.com/osu-max-podcast-network

Twitter: twitter.com/osu_max

Instagram: instagram.com/osu_max

CREDITS:

Host: Meghan Robinson (@megrobs11)

Coordinating Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

The Pokes Pod is a presentation of OSU Athletics, Sport & Story, and Learfield. 

In this week's edition of the Old Pokes Show, Deion Imade and Clint Chelf break down the season ending loss to North Texas for the men's basketball team. Also hear from the guys on the tough loss for the women's team against Miami in the NCAA Tournament, the series loss at Texas Tech for Cowboys baseball, the hot streak for the No. 2 Cowgirls softball team and finally, the start of spring football.

Michele Smith is one of the most prolific players in the history of Oklahoma State softball. However, her career almost ended the summer after her freshman year. Smith spent almost seven months rehabbing her injured arm to be ready for her sophomore season. She embraced her second chance in the sport—setting nine school records over her career. Smith’s talent earned her a spot on the United States’ first ever Olympic softball team. After winning two Olympic golds and several other international medals, Michele Smith retired from softball in 2002. You won’t find Smith on the field anymore. Instead, you’ll find her in the broadcast booth—falling in love with the game all over again.

FIND US ONLINE:

Website: https://osumax.com/osu-max-podcast-network

Twitter: twitter.com/osu_max

Instagram: instagram.com/osu_max

CREDITS:

Host: Meghan Robinson (@megrobs11)

Coordinating Producer: Bart Pohlman (@Bart_Pohlman)

Editor, Engineer & Mixer: James Youngblood (@CYoungJ)

The Pokes Pod is a presentation of OSU Athletics, Sport & Story, and Learfield.