Steve Lutz Sends 'Challenge' to Oklahoma State Students
Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Steve Lutz was introduced in front of fans, media and the basketball program on Thursday. With that, he was able to send a message to the school to comfort them that he was the right hire.
Evidently, it sounds like Lutz is confident he's the right man for the job and a program turnaround is on the way. The on-court product isn't exactly the only thing needing a rebuild, though.
The basketball culture in Stillwater is shot. Filling the Gallagher-Iba Arena wasn't something actively happening, with an exception to the final Bedlam basketball game, over the last few seasons.
Bringing in a new basketball coach is something to bring back a jolt to the program and re-involve the students. Playing in the Big 12 -- the best basketball conference -- means plenty of big-time programs come to town consistently. Winning on the road in the conference is a tall task, and bringing in a big crows in Stillwater could give Lutz and his program a huge advantage.
“If we’re going to get there, and when we’re going to get there, Gallagher-Iba has to be the fiercest place," Lutz said.
If Oklahoma State provides a hostile enviroment, it's much, much more likely the team is hard to beat on its home floor. For that to happen, though, a strong student section is needed and the fan base has to be involved.
“I challenge our students to be at every single game and be loud and be proud," Lutz said.
Having the support of the student body could change a lot for Lutz. With a crazy enviroment every game, his team is more likely to play with energy and the on-court product will have a positive change.
Home-court advantage isn't something to take lightly, and it's something the Cowboys haven't been able to benefit from in recent history. In return, Lutz and his program will provide the fans and students with the best possible product.
Basketball might just finally be back in Stillwater as Lutz takes on the challenge of rebuilding the program.
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KADE KIMBLE
Kade is a strategic communications student at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where he also minors in Sports Management. He has been covering the Oklahoma City Thunder with InsidetheThunder.com since the 2022 season after having followed the team since its early days.