Don Nickles: “Tragedy struck my State, as members of the Oklahoma State basketball team and news organizations were killed in a tragic…”

“Tragedy struck my State, as members of the Oklahoma State basketball team and news organizations were killed in a tragic plane crash just outside of Denver. Of course any plane crash is not anticipated, but this was especially painful and tragic because it snuffed out the lives of 10 outstanding individuals, who were well known on campus and throughout the state. Two team members were killed. They were outstanding athletes. Eight other individuals that were on the plane were a part of the team in various capacities and it is a real tragedy, a tragedy to our State and to our university. Today there is a memorial service taking place at Oklahoma State University to memorialize these 10 exceptional individuals. One of the individuals was Nate Fleming. His sister served as an intern in my office. He was a nephew of one of my best friends and an outstanding athlete. Nate was a National Honor Society member and valedictorian of his class. He was only 20 years old. Another team member, Daniel Lawson, 21, was a junior and played guard. He was originally from Detroit, Michigan. Another was Pat Noyes, 27. Pat was director of basketball operations at Oklahoma State University. Brian Luinstra, 29, the athletic trainer, leaves a wife and two children. Will Hancock, 31, was in his fifth year as coordinator of media relations. His wife, Karen, is the coach of the OSU women's soccer team and they had their first child just this last November.”