The Championship Mindset with Patty Gasso - The Gold Standard Podcast Episode #15

[@jackstovall4739]

She's one of the most amazing people I've ever seen. And.......the absolute BEST coach!

[@garryreece8604]

I Love this show Patty is the real deal.

[@rodgerbane3825]

Gasso: GOAT

[@gmb858]

Not every case of a player not "making it" at Oklahoma has to do with their talent, ability or dedication. Several times it just boils down to the player is "stuck" behind an All American. Case in point, Eliyah Flores was an excellent infielder, checked off all the boxes. The problem she had was named Sydney Romero, who had a lock on 3rd base. Eliyah's sister Alycia also came to the Sooners and showed excellent skills. But, she couldn't get enough playing time to suit her. Their father is one of the most respected hitting coaches in California. It probably didn't set well that his daughters, who had outstanding travel ball reputations, were riding the pine in Norman. The Flores both signed up with Boise State and Eliyah finished her career in 2021. Alycia started 47 games in 2021-22, hit .375 with a .588% slugging percentage, an on base of .413. She hit 7 home runs and totaled 34 RBI. Her numbers weren't as gaudy as Oklahoma, but she played a respectable game for a sophomore and will be returning in 2022-23 as a junior. Another case is Zaida Puni who only played 16 games for the Sooners in 2020-21. Although she won a WCWS championship ring, she transferred to Tennessee for the 2021-22 season. She was a big contributor starting at 3rd base in 58 games. Her batting average was .287 but her slugging percentage was .591, she hit 14 home runs while driving in 53 RBIs. Puni proved she can play big time softball in the SEC and will return to Tennessee as a junior in 2023. Zaida is good example of a high quality player who came to Norman looking for opportunity. Unfortunately, either her "big break" didn't happen or she may have still been "finding her feet" as a freshman. The point is that even everyday players who can play against Oklahoma make significant contributions elsewhere, for reasons that we as fans will never know about, their softball riches weren't to be found in Norman.

[@ideationink]

Before anyone just skims over this comment, and decides to troll me and call me a hater, let me first say I think Patty Gasso is amazing. She’s a great coach. The entire OU staff is off-the-charts. Incredible. In fact, I think it’s a disservice that TJ Gasso is not the hitting coach for team USA. It’s kind of a no-brainer when you see what he has been able to do in that area. Regardless, I have to be completely honest and say, while it is truly amazing what Patti has been able to do, you have to wonder about those who have been sacrificed in the effort. By the honest admission of all of the athletes involved, if you can’t handle the pressure then Oklahoma is not where you should be. Sometimes it seems like OU now is what the 49ers were under the Bill Walsh era. And I think if you were to ask people like Maria Lopez, McKenzie, Donahoo, Zayda Puni, Tariya Coleman, and several others who have basically had to upend their lives in changing schools just to be able to achieve their dreams of a college education and play on a DI team-even after more than proving that they deserve to wear the OU uniform-I think you might get different feedback. I love watching my sooners play, but it does break my heart when I think of these other gals. It seems like no one is safe given they have to literally fight for positions every single time they step on that field. What kind of life is it to have that kind of fear on a regular basis? I think that we need to look at the larger picture here and ask, is elitism really that worth it? Makes you wonder. BOOMER SOONER!!

[@nicknicholson1496]

It is called being an adult. Welcome to the real world. It doesn’t matter if you were an athlete or an accountant, if you don’t pull your weight and excel at your game, and/or job, don’t think for one minute that you are not replaceable. That is real life. That is the real world.

[@christoffesedao3579]

Regi Milan - I thoroughly read your comment and would like to share some thoughts in response. I admire your concern for young people playing under high pressure. However, if these Girls did not have to fight daily for their position then we would not be here talking about OU. That high standard of play is why OU softball is so electric and why we are here talking about it. We cannot get excited about it then simultaneously say it’s wrong to compete at that high level. That high level is why it is exciting. All big stages come with high risks whether in sports or anything else. When you aim for high goals the risks always increase. That’s what makes it special. It is not Patty Gasso’s fault that players can have slumps or make mistakes. It’s not personal. That’s just the risk of the game especially when you are at a high level program. I agree that we need to teach our children not to idolize anything in this world. The recent suicides in college sports do need to be addressed. We need to preemptively counsel our youth to help them manage and prioritize pressures in both academics and sports. We need to teach our children that these things are temporary and should not be idolized. But OU SOFTBALL is a shining example of keeping things prioritized and balanced. The reason OU Softball culture is currently so special is because it demands a high level of commitment, while simultaneously acknowledging and preaching that softball is still just a game. That is why OU is special and successful. From the coach to all the players they all acknowledge who Jesus Christ is. They know what really matters first in life, and that is why they have the grace and freedom to play so loose and comfortable and have so much fun. It is hard to achieve that culture but that is how they do it. “Seek first the Kingdom God and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” Yeshua from Matthew 6:33 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 Yeshua from the Gospel of John “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 Blessings 🙏✝️

[@Jack-qe8we]

Better yet just send the entire squad to the Olympics that would be guaranteed gold

[@tomhaddan1839]

Yes, it's worth it!

[@emmadilemma5274]

If they played those girls you mentioned, would they be where they are today? If those girls would have stayed at OU and put in the work instead of looking for other schools, maybe they would be starting.

[@judyseals1497]

No wusses allowed. Prepares these women for life outside of softball.

[@Jack-qe8we]

We are just a couple of days away from the season opener let the ass-kicking begin Oklahoma will three peat