2A | SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2021 | LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL most of the other communities in the 19 bodies reburied amid protests Big 12 Big 12, however, will make (the gains) less noticeable on a macro level,” Per- in search for Tulsa victims Continued from Page 1A ryman said. Still, Austin-based economist Matt ASSOCIATED PRESS The study was conducted by the Per- Patton said it’s possible the economic ryman Group, an economic research benefits for the state overall when UT TULSA, Okla. – The bodies of 19 peo- and analysis firm based in Waco — moves to the SEC might end up out- ple exhumed from a Tulsa cemetery dur- where Baylor University, one of the Big weighing the combined financial blow ing a search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa 12 schools, is located. The study as- to the cities whose schools are being Race Massacre were reburied during a sessed anticipated declines in visitor left behind. closed ceremony, despite objections spending around game days stemming Patton works for Angelou Econom- from protesters outside the cemetery. from the exit of the two highest-profile ics, which conducted a 2015 analysis “This is totally disgusting and disre- Big 12 universities, as well as reduced for UT on the economic impact of its spectful that those are our family mem- revenue from athletics and other fac- athletics department. bers and we’re outside the gate instead Graves Public Oversight Committee tors. The move by UT to the SEC will re- of inside that gate where they are,” Celi Chair J. Kavin Ross views remains in a Lubbock is home to Texas Tech Uni- kindle traditional rivalry games with Butler Davis, who said she is a descend- mass grave are reintered at Oaklawn versity, while Fort Worth is home to Tex- Texas A&M University, Patton said, ant of a massacre victim, told KTUL-TV. Cemetery in Tulsa, Okla. The mass as Christian University. The Big 12 also and it probably will result in more out- Others protesting Friday’s reburial grave was discovered while searching includes schools in Kansas, Iowa and of-state visitors for UT home games called for a criminal investigation. for victims of the Tulsa Race West Virginia. overall because SEC teams are known “The found remains – a skull with a Massacre. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD /AP On Friday, both UT and OU accepted for having fervent fans who like to bullet hole – that seems like you’re just formal invitations to join the Southeast- travel. beginning to get somewhere” in investi- ern Conference, although it’s uncertain In addition, he said, the annual UT- gating the deaths, state Rep. Regina burial postponed, but city spokesper- when they will do so. OU rivalry game that’s played in Dallas Goodwin told KJRH-TV. son Michelle Brooks told the Tulsa The impact of UT’s move isn’t merely will remain but might take on even Forensic anthropologist Phoebe Stub- World that an interment plan was re- an academic question in Texas, with more national prominence in the SEC. blefield has said a bullet was found with quired in order to receive approval to some politicians complaining about the Adjusted for inflation over the past one set of remains that had trauma to the exhume the remains. negative ramifications for regions they six years, the 2015 report by Angelou body, including to the head. “All on-site forensic analysis, docu- represent. In response, Lt. Gov. Dan Pat- Economics pegs the economic impact Stubblefield said none of the remains mentation and DNA sampling from the rick recently named a new panel — of UT football on the Austin-area have been confirmed as massacre vic- remains are complete, but the DNA called the Senate Select Committee on economy at about $70 million every tims, although forensic and DNA evi- matching with potential descendants the Future of College Sports in Texas — home-game weekend. Patton said the dence has been collected. could take years,” Brooks said. “Work to to examine the issue, including the eco- figure is likely to be larger if UT plays a “We are not done, we have not identify descendants and establish a nomic fallout. higher number of ranked SEC teams. stopped,” Stubblefield told the crowd, permanent memorial will proceed in Ray Perryman, president of the Per- “Certainly, places like Lubbock and saying a public report on the findings is the future.” ryman Group, said Friday that he was Fort Worth and Waco would feel (neg- likely during the fall. Searches of two more areas, a sec- invited to testify at the committee’s first ative) impacts” when UT leaves the Big Some protesters also wanted the re- ond cemetery and a park are planned. meeting, which is scheduled for Mon- 12, Patton said. day, but he has declined because of a “But the way we see it, what is going scheduling conflict. to be good for the University of Texas is were generally optimistic moving for- For the Austin area, his report notes going to be good for the state of Texas,” Retailers ward. that UT’s move to the SEC “undoubted- he said. “I think the leadership is very ly” will fuel financial benefits, but it Perryman’s study pegged the total Continued from Page 1A strong in Texas Tech and I think they didn’t attempt to quantify them. annual financial blow to the remaining have the power and ability to take Tex- Perryman, a Baylor alumnus and for- Big 12 communities — including those “Texas Tech moving to the PAC 12 as Tech through the process,” Spiegel- mer faculty member, told the American- that are home to the out-of-state would definitely give us our own identi- berg said. Statesman that he conducted the study schools — when UT and OU leave at an ty; would give us a West Texas feel with Steve Massengale, the owner of The for free after being contacted by people estimated $940 million to $1.3 billion the West Coast vibe,” Spiegelberg said. Matador spirit and apparel shop, ad- associated with Baylor, Texas Tech and combined, and the loss of jobs at about Talking about some of the impacts, mitted he’s concerned about Texas TCU. 12,600 to more than 18,000. he said, losing the home football match- Tech’s athletic conference future, say- The report “only focused on the eight The lower figures will result if the up with the University of Texas every ing much of his business is critically communities (including the three in Big 12 remains largely intact after UT other year would hurt, not only because tied to home football Texas) that would remain in the Big 12 and OU exit, according to the analysis, it was one of the more lucrative events games. following the exit” of UT and OU, he while the larger figures are more likely benefiting the local economy, but also But Massengale, said. “We did not separately evaluate if the conference breaks up and the because of the rivalry between the pro- who also serves as may- Austin or Norman (where OU is locat- various schools are forced to join other grams in numerous sports. or pro tem on the city ed). Thus, I don’t have any definitive leagues. However, he said he’s optimistic council, said he has numbers” for them. “Without Texas and OU, the rest of about other possible additions like confidence in the uni- But he said Austin is likely to see eco- the (Big 12) conference is undoubtedly UCLA, Arizona, Oregon and other Massengale versity’s leadership, nomic gains attributable to more na- facing smaller television deals, lower PAC-12 teams. and the ability of busi- tional media exposure in the SEC and attendance, and other negative conse- Spiegelberg recalled that despite nesses and the community to get on potentially higher attendance and quences,” the study says. “The result Texas A&M leaving the Big 12 confer- the right path. hoopla for UT home games. would be reductions in athletic reve- ence 10 years ago, they never lost that He added it is important that Texas “The sheer size, strength and nature nue, tourism, and economic benefits rivalry; those rivalries go beyond the Tech has home games with prominent of the Austin economy compared to for affected communities.” football field. So, the economic impact teams that will bring people to Lub- on products featuring the University of bock which will help the economy. Texas and Oklahoma would be minimal “Lubbock’s a great home football - there will still be some demand for game environment for college football Sooner and Longhorn gear in Lubbock. and I want to make sure that con- LET’S GET YOUR Overall, Spiegelberg said the retailers tinues,” Massengale said. REMODEL ROLLING. Taste that takes you A low-rate personal loan from City Bank is just a click away. Our simple and secure online application process helps you get the money you need to make back in time your home projects happen. Fresh banana ana NILLA® Wafers mixed with 100% Real Ice Cream Apply online at city.bank ©2021 City Bank. All Rights Reserved Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender This is not a commitment to lend. Subject to credit approval. 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