Father-coach,

>> SPORTS son-player times 2

By Kip Carlson

Assistant coach Stephen Thompson, his son, freshman By Kip Carlson Stephen Thompson Jr., freshman Tres Tinkle and his fa- Tres Tinkle figured it took about five minutes into the first practice. ther, Head Coach , are adjusting to living, coaching and playing in the father-son/coach-play- “Yeah? Well, I’m surprised it took that long,” Wayne Tinkle said with a er relationship for the first time. (Photos by Hannah laugh. O’Leary) Tres, a freshman forward on the Oregon State men’s team, passed up an open shot. Wayne, his father and OSU’s head coach, lit into him pretty good. “I had to send him a message that he’s a shooter,” Wayne Tinkle said. “And when you’re open, you need to shoot it or it’s hurting the team ... when he didn’t adjust quite as quickly as I wanted him to, I had to get after him pretty good to make the point.” The next day Tres texted his father: “Dad, you scared me a little bit.” “But he said, ‘I’ll get used to it,’” Wayne Tinkle said of his son’s reaction.

48 << OREGON STATER There will be a lot of getting used to those situations for four Wayne Tinkle remembers what he wanted to see when his Beavers this year. Not only are the Tinkles adapting to being older daughters were recruited for Division I athletics. He tries coach and player along with father and son, but so are assistant to coach that way, and to make sure his entire program has the coach Stephen Thompson and freshman Stephen Thompson Jr. right attitude. Tres Tinkle and Stephen Thompson Jr. are part of a highly re- “We talked about character and integrity and selflessness and garded recruiting class that, along with OSU’s surprising success discipline and doing things the right way,” Tinkle said. “And I last season, has Beaver fans eager to see what unfolds in 2015- think in my son’s eyes it’s neat for him to see, now that he’s on 16 and beyond. our team, that our actions match and meet the words we’ve “It’s going to be neat,” Wayne Tinkle said. “There’s a lot of used in the coaching profession over the years. hype around this class, and as coaches and parents and fans, we “It really helps the credibility as a parent, too, that all the have to remember these are freshmen and we have to give them lessons we’ve been teaching him over the years, that it’s all true, time to grow.” even with the players behind the scenes.” In the case of the Tinkles and Thompsons, there’s an added It’s also a big help that each father-son duo has the other pair challenge of adjusting to the father-coaching-son role. Both to share the experience.

dads have offered guidance and basketball tips to their sons for “We talked about that a little bit,” Stephen Thompson Jr. said years but neither has coached his son as part of a team. of Tres Tinkle and himself. “We realized it’s better for both of us All parties must adjust. to go through it at the same time; we can both experience the “It’s been really good,” Stephen Thompson Jr. said. “On the court same things, rather than just one of us.” he doesn’t really act like my dad or anything. I call him coach on Tres Tinkle said he’s seeing his dad in a new light. the court and stuff like that. It’s working out well so far.” “It’s a unique experience, but it definitely takes time to get Added his father: “I think when you’re coaching your son, used to it,” Tres Tinkle said. “But it’s been good. It’s for the best probably the things you think about are, ‘How’s it going to be off for us, it’s in my best interest, so I’m just trying to get used to it the court?’ But when you’re in a practice environment, he’s just every single day.” like any other player.” Tinkle and Thompson hadn’t worked with other coaches who’d Stephen Thompson said the anticipation of the experience had sons on their team, but Tinkle did speak with Creighton Head might have been more difficult than the reality Coach Greg McDermott, whose son Doug played for him before “You know — will you be harder on your son?” the elder going on to the National Basketball Association. Thompson said. “Will you be easier on your son? Will you get “He said there were tough times, but that he would never into him how you get into other players? Those are some of the change it, that it was the greatest experience ever,” Wayne thoughts you’re thinking: how will those dynamics work?” Tinkle said. “And the memories they’ll have, obviously, are going Arriving at the experience with a solid father-son relationship to last a lifetime. in place makes it easier, they said; the family bonds are strong “I’ve thought about that, and I just have to remind myself and enough to weather contentious on-court moments. And in an make sure I’m being fair, but I can’t allow it to keep me from athletic department that prides itself on a family atmosphere, being coach when it’s time to coach. But what great memories the duos provide an example. we’re going to carve.” q

WINTER 2016 >> 49 Italy trip builds team bonds and memories

By Kip Carlson Before they got back to Gill Coliseum The team’s visit to the ruins of the Roman Fo- this winter to work on defending their rum and the nearby Colosseum was a highlight conference title, members of the Beaver of the trip. (Photo by Trevor Cramer) women’s basketball team visited that other Colosseum, the one in Rome. Rome was her favorite stop. Touring the ancient arena was just one “It was such a great city,” Hunter said. highlight of the nine-day trip to Italy in “It was moving and the people were all late August and early September. In ad- really nice.” dition to seeing the sights of the country, And it had the Colosseum, which both OSU also won all four of its games against Hunter and freshman forward Katie varying levels of competition. McWilliams tabbed as one of the most But basketball was far from the sole impressive sights of the trip. focus of the excursion. After taking an “We saw the whole outside, which was art history class, senior forward Deven amazing itself,” McWilliams said. “Then we Hunter had been looking forward to seeing got to go inside and see where the fights churches and other historic sites. occurred. It was amazing how big it was,

50 << OREGON STATER Italy trip builds team bonds and memories

and we actually got to go in there — we showed up to play and played well.” Katie McWilliams and Deven Hunter share sto- went right where people would sit and On the court, the Beavers defeated ries of the trip. (Photo by Hannah O’Leary) watch the gladiators.” Civitinova Marche Basket 93-49, AD Not far behind was Venice and its maze Basket Femminile Le Mura 60-35, Umana had tips for anyone planning their own trip of canals. Reyer Venezia 67-51 and Edelwiess Fassi to Italy. “I loved how the city was on water,” Albino 90-40. In Italy’s top professional “Definitely see as much as you can,” Hunter said. “That was fascinating: that a league last season, Umana Reyer Venezia Hunter said. “Map out what you want city could be built like this and you had to reached the semifinals and AD Basket to do and see everything you can. Go on take a boat everywhere.” Femminile Le Mura made the quarterfinals. some walking tours — make sure you can Even while taking in the architecture, “The scores showed differently, but get in to see all the stuff. And eat gelato.” history and culture of Italy, the Beavers most of the teams were really good,” Added McWilliams: “Experience all the managed to pay attention to something Hunter said. “They had a lot of different four biggest cities we went to: Venice, else. styles than what we’ve seen.” Rome, Como and Florence. And get a tour “I think we knew we were there for a The Beavers look ahead to defending guide to tell you all about the great history reason — to get those four games in and their 2015 Pacific-12 championship and there. develop that team atmosphere early in living up to high preseason rankings, but “And enjoy it — you don’t see anything the season,” McWilliams said. “We were can also look back on nine days they’ll better than that.” all pumped to play for every game; we never forget. Both Hunter and McWilliams q

WINTER 2016 >> 51 From the Air Force to the soccer pitch

By Brooks Hatch | Photo by Hannah O’Leary Her muscles were sore. An ice pack was OSU Coach Linus Rhode was impressed taped to her right calf. The skills that with Redberg at an OSU prospect camp. made her an All-State soccer player sev- “She had a great day, and she’s super en years ago hadn’t totally returned. athletic,” Rhode said. “We talked to her, But after serving on America’s team she told us her story that she’s from the past four years, McKenzie Redberg is Corvallis, had been in the Air Force and thrilled to be playing for Beaver Nation. wanted to play again. The former Corvallis High School “She’s been a great addition to the standout is playing for the Oregon State team. I really admire her for what she’s women’s soccer team, fulfilling a dream doing. She does a great job.” that was deferred, but not denied, by a A torn hamstring at the 2009 state four-year tour as a medic in the U.S. Air high school track meet inter- Force. rupted her soccer career. She She made her first career start, and enrolled at Western Oregon scored her first career point, in a 2-1 University and ran track in 2010 victory over UCLA on Oct. 17, her 25th before enlisting for four years in birthday. the Air Force. Redberg grew up in Corvallis and has “I still wanted to have that team been a Beavers soccer fan for as long as aspect in my life, but I wanted to she can remember. take it to another level,” she said. “I used to be a ball girl at games, She said the Air Force instilled the watching Jodie Taylor (’09), Ashley discipline and drive to succeed Wood (’10),” and other Beaver notables from days of yore, she said earlier this fall in recalling her young- er days. “I have always wanted to play soccer at Oregon State.” Time hasn’t stood still since she last patrolled the sidelines at Lorenz Field. Taylor starred for England in the 2015 that she may not have discovered had she Women’s World Cup and now plays for followed a more traditional path straight the Portland Thorns in the Women’s Pro- out of high school. fessional Soccer League. Corvallis and the “The Air Force is a team where, at the university have grown considerably since end of the day, lives are in your hands. Redberg left for the Air Force in 2011. And that’s the best team you can be a “It’s been four years since I’ve really part of,” she said. “Especially as a medic.” been home, except for maybe a week or She attended college part-time and also two,” Redberg said. earned enough college credits through A junior in eligibility, she’s discovered the Air Force to enter OSU as a junior. that Pac-12 Conference soccer is far su- “I’d like to become a physical thera- perior to the Wright-Patterson Air Force pist,” she said. Base Hawks, the men’s rec-level club Redberg reunited with her fiancé, team she played for the past three years. Gabriel Nix, when he completed his “I’m very rusty,” she conceded. “The military service in September. They met league I played in was made up of older at Wright-Patterson, where he too was guys, so it’s completely different playing a medic. Nix is attending Linn-Benton against guys who were 33 or 34 years Community College this year and plans to old to playing against women who have transfer to OSU in 2016-17. played in college, high school and club. In the meantime, Redberg is thrilled to “I find myself being quieter because I be playing again on an all-women’s team. don’t know what to say a lot of the time, “I thought I’d probably never get to play but the team has been welcoming. I feel soccer again,” she said. q very much at home with everybody,” even though she is at least three years older than her teammates.

52 << OREGON STATER

Valley Football Center work to be done in 2016

A Nov. 21 ceremony marked the offi- cial start of construction for the $42 million renovation of the Valley Foot- ball Center at the north end of Reser Stadium. Known as “Victory through Valley,” the project includes nearly 38,000 square feet of new space and nearly 26,000 square feet of renova- tion. The football locker room will double in size, the equipment room will expand and the training facility will grow. Seating at the north end of the stadium will be reconfigured to create a concourse between the VFC and the field; other alterations will allow fans to circulate all the way around the stadium. To learn more or to help, visit ourbeavernation.com.

Sports Hall of Fame inductees honored at Homecoming

The Oregon State Sports Hall of Fame inducted its 2015 class of Northern Division titles and reaching a playoff for another. five individuals and one team during Homecoming weekend. During Riley’s time at OSU, the Beavers had five All-America Honored in a ceremony the evening of Oct. 23 were: selections and 38 players drafted by the pros. Riley’s determina- HEIDI ANDERSON: Anderson won the 1984 NCAA women’s gym- tion and persistence were crucial in keeping the program from nastics championship on the balance beam and placed third the being eliminated. next season, also earning ninth in the all-around in 1985. KEN SIMONTON: Simonton rushed for 5,044 yards in his career JIMMY ANDERSON: Anderson’s career at Oregon State spanned from 1998-2001 and was one of just six players in Pac-12 foot- four decades as a men’s basketball player, assistant coach and ball history to run for over 1,000 yards in three seasons. In his 46 head coach from 1956-1995. While at OSU, he was part of seven games at OSU, Simonton cracked the 100-yard mark 26 times. conference championship teams, 11 NCAA appearances and He provided one of the lasting images in OSU athletic history three National Invitation Tournament appearances. During his with his dash around the right side to finish a 44-41 Civil War win six seasons as head coach, the Beavers won the 1990 Pac-10 in 1998. championship. 2005 BASEBALL TEAM: The Beavers, unranked in preseason PAT INGRAM: Ingram was the first director of Women’s Inter- polls, dominated the powerful Pac-10 with a 19-5 record, won collegiate Athletics at OSU, serving from 1973 through 1975 as NCAA Regional and Super Regional playoffs and advanced to women’s sports gained varsity status. Ingram was also track and the College World Series. Head Coach Pat Casey guided OSU to a field coach from 1970 through 1973, with her teams advancing to 46-12 overall record and No. 7 ranking in the final national polls. the national championship meet three times. Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and pitchers Dallas Buck and Jonah JACK RILEY: Riley was head baseball coach from 1973 through Nickerson earned All-America honors, and Ellsbury was selected 1994, with his teams posting a 613-411-5 record, winning five in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft.

1966 Men’s basketball team to be honored this season At an as-yet-undetermined home game this year, Beaver Nation winning the Far West Classic and going 6-3 in non-conference will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1965-66 men’s basketball games that year, the Beavers started Pac-8 play with a 79-35 team that won the Pac-8 championship and advanced to the Elite loss at UCLA. They won nine of their next 10, though, and beat the Eight. Bruins 64-51 in a rematch at Gill Coliseum. The late Paul Valenti ’47 ’57 earned West Coast Coach of the In the NCAA tournament at Los Angeles, OSU knocked off heav- Year honors, while senior guard Charlie White was All-Pac-8, All- ily favored Houston, led by future No. 1 NBA draft choice Elvin Coast and voted to the NCAA West Regional All-Star Team. After Hayes, 63-60 before falling to Utah, 70-64.

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