SCOTT WALTON
For
Sheriff
Rogers County

R.C. Coaches, Billy Sims Support Walton

The Inola countryside was the setting Wednesday night where a houseful of local heroes gathered together to express their support of Scott Walton for Rogers County Sheriff, tell stories to one another and enjoy a moment of family, friends, community and fantastic barbeque.

Coaches from high schools, Rogers State University and guests from throughout Rogers County were invited to the home of Inola's Coach Clyde Barkley on Wednesday evening.  Many coaches had just completed their teams' practices and came wearing their coaching uniforms.

Coach Barkley, a Rogers County sports icon, is beginning his 32nd season at Inola and 30^th as Head Coach of the IHS boys basketball team.  He has amassed numerous accolades including being named the Coach of the Year by the Tulsa World, The Daily Oklahoman, and by the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association as well as being named Coach of the Year numerous times by the Claremore Daily Progress. Barkley was inducted into the Northeastern State University Athletics Hall of Fame.

It's no secret that coaches play an integral role in the lives of countless young people.  Virtues like discipline, determination, teamwork, and earning honor are often greatly enhanced by coaches as they shepherd youth into adulthood.  For a limitless number of people, coaches are the real heroes in their lives and a mark by which we measure ourselves.

"These coaches are so instrumental in the development of great attributes in our kids," said Walton, "they play large roles, provide kids with excellent role models, and make impressions that last lifetimes."

Among the attendees were Coach Clyde Barkley, Inola's Boys Basketball coach and his wife, Carol Ann Barkley.  Retired Rogers State University Baseball coach Luther Martin and Judy Martin, a retired kindergarten teacher in Inola.  Jeff Unrau and his wife April were on hand.  Jeff is a former coach and now serves as the middle school principal of Inola Middle School. Kyle Ford is also a former coach who now serves as the elementary school principal in Inola. Another Inola coach on hand was Patrick Mullen and his wife B.J. Mullen. James Cheatham, Inola's football coach was accompanied by his wife Samantha, an Inola teacher.  Other teachers and coaches from Inola included Larry Daily, Amy Gilmore, Cathy Bible and Gary Harper.  Lifelong Inola resident Jerrod Unrau also attended.

Tom Parrish, John Smith, and Frank "Mr. Claremore" Mobra are each retired coaches from Claremore.  Oologah coaches Ron Ward and Mike Polk were in the crowd as well as Bill Higgins, an attorney practicing in Claremore.  

Verdigris basketball coach Stacy Risenhoover and former coach and current principal Randy Risenhoover attended the event. 

From Rogers State University, Coaches Justin Barkley, Lloyd Williams, Amy Williams, Athletic Director Wren Baker and Heather Baker, Coach Tandem Mays, Coach Ron and Jill Bradley, Sports Information Director Ryan Bradley and wife Heather all joined the gathering.

Justus-Tiawah was also represented at the event by Mark Ricks and Adam Kachsek.

Sims, a friend and supporter of Walton's, earned the Heisman Trophy in 1978 and the Davey O'Brien Memorial Trophy the same year. 

Sims was recruited to the University of Oklahoma football program by Coach Barry Switzer in 1975 but injuries kept the running back sidelined for most of his freshman and sophomore years. In his junior year, Sims cut loose and racked up impressive statistics that launched him into the national spotlight.  By 1978, Sims had an average of 160 yards and nearly 11 points per game. 

After graduation, Sims was the number one pick in the NFL draft and was taken by the Detroit Lions where his impressive athletic ability continued making headlines.  Sims continued his NFL career, leading the Lions to playoffs in 1982 and 1983.  For three consecutive years, 1980, 1981, and 1982, Sims made the Pro Bowl.  Sims' career came to an abrupt end when he sustained a massive knee injury in a game against the Minnesota Vikings.  Today, Sims remains a beloved sports figure in Detroit and throughout Oklahoma.  On the campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, a statue of Sims stands in honor of the great running back. 

After the evening got underway, a group of children broke into an impromptu game of tag football in the backyard with the coaches looking on.  Walton, the coaches, their spouses, their children and the other invited guests meandered and mingled, laughing and catching up on old times and looking forward to athletic seasons upcoming; each coach declaring that their respective teams were the best.  While the competitive nature of all the coaches was evident, the group was unanimous that Scott Walton was their pick for sheriff. 

The gathering told Scott of their appreciation of his running for sheriff and gave personal words of encouragement.  "He's our sheriff," one coach shouted as Walton greeted the crowd.  Walton spoke a few words to the group, thanked the Barkley's for hosting the event, and introduced Sims. 

Sims thanked the crowd for being invited to the home and thanked them for supporting Walton.  "Anything you need, Scott, I'm glad to do," he said.  Sims also noted to the group that the other University of Oklahoma Heisman trophy winners were supporters of Walton as well and would do whatever they could to see that Walton was elected.  Sims commented on the importance of coaches in the lives of young people and told Walton, "...if there's something coaches are good at, it's being able to spot natural leaders and knowing who can lead a team to victory."

Soon after the introductions the kids gathered around Sims and it became evident that Sims was one of their football idols.  Interspersed throughout the autograph session, Sims continually asked the coaches about their seasons, making it clear that, to Sims, coaches were his personal heroes.  Of course, Sims made it understood that Billy Sims Barbeque is the best barbeque, err...Boomer-Q, in Oklahoma.

"It's really something to be around all these great coaches," said Walton.  "I'm extremely proud and very grateful to have their support.  I admire the dedication these coaches have to their kids and their teams and their community," he added. 

photo gallery

Paid for by Scott Walton for Sheriff