TUPAVIEW: YOUNG ATHLETES LIVES TAKEN TOO SOON

By Mike Tupa

July 28, 2025

BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT

No mortal reality stings harder than the death of a young person.

We stare at row after row after row of white tombstones in a military cemetery and realize each one of those markers represents a living, breathing human being whose life was full of potential, whose opportunity to contribute to the world around him — whether within the walls of his own home, along his street, in his town or within expanded borders — was great.

Many years ago, I wrote a column entitled “I Knew the Face.” The premise revolved around the boot camp photo I observed of a soldier that had been killed in the first Gulf War.

As I studied that photo — and the forced smile — I recalled the moment I was in that seat with the photographer aiming his camera at me. I felt miserable, quite uncertain whether I could make it all the way through Marine Corps boot camp and longing to be home.

I imagine I haven’t been alone in those emotions among the thousands of young men and women that have slogged through Marines’ recruit training.

That’s why I wrote I knew the face of this young man who paid the ultimate sacrifice — I knew the face because it was my face. And the face of those who — for whatever reason — became a part of the military and stuck with it the best they could.

While I was deployed in Iwakuni, Japan, I heard about a fatality in my workplace back in my home base at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. A young trainee — fresh out of technical school, as I understood it — was electrocuted to death during routine technical training when he accidentally crossed the wrong wires.

It struck me how his death was lacking in the glory we usually think of the sacrifices of military service. Yet, I also saluted him for being a hero — for being willing to serve his country knowing he might someday be on the front line where all the bullets are flying, the bombs falling, the misery multiplying, soldiers taken prisoners of war and subject to horrific pain and so on.

But to round out this column, I don’t want to forget another group of youthful casualties — those children and teenagers who died and never had a chance to spread their wings.

Nothing I can write can ease the heartache — even though it’s been decades — of their parents and loved ones. I don’t even recall all the dates and facts for some of them. But I remember the love of life reflected in their smiles and their dedication to their teams, which is another way of saying their characters.

I hope it’s some small consolation to their loved ones that they know someone other than themselves remembers.

——

ASHLI JORDAN

Ashli attended Nowata High School and made her mark on the softball diamond. I think she owned one of the most beautifully shy smiles I’ve ever seen. She was a heck of a good softball pitcher, too.  I recall how her very kind and gentle mom volunteered to keep the scorebook for Ashli’s teams. As I remember, Ashli passed away about 20 years ago in a highway accident, while she was traveling to or from a relative’s house. I believe her tender spirit and intelligence would have made her a wonderful mom and contributor in whatever she choose to do. She’s not forgotten.

——

GARY MURSU

I have to reach back into the time prior to my Bartlesville era when this wonderful young wrestler passed away while still in high school. I recall in my tribute in the newspaper I quoted from Louise Haskins — something which I think applies to all these young people we were so lucky to have in our midst, even if for a few years. 

Haskins wrote: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way. So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.”

——

SCOTT MAULDIN

It’s been nearly 17 years (fall 2008) since Mauldin passed away in a vehicle accident in west Bartlesville, along with football teammate Eric Dean.

Mauldin was only 16.

He might have become one of the best-ever athletes to wear a Bruin uniform. He made the varsity basketball roster as a freshman — something that didn’t happen very often during the Tim Bart Era.

Mauldin made his biggest impact on the football field. As a freshman receiver, Mauldin caught a touchdown from freshman quarterback Kirby Schoenthaler.

I’ve often wondered if that’s the only ever ninth-grader touchdown connection in a Bruin varsity game.

Mauldin also served as a punter. At some point he was injured prior to or at the start of the season. He wasn’t supposed to be back until late in the campaign. But I remember he was out there after just a couple of weeks hammering the ball on punts for a Bruin team that finished 6-4.

I’m so grateful I had a chance to report about him.

——

ERIC DEAN

I didn’t have as much contact with Eric but all those with whom I’ve spoken have praised the character and devotion of this wonderful young man.

I recall seeing the spirited way he competed on the field.

I’m certain he could have brought a lot to the mix as an adult.

—-

BEN HAMM

Ben’s passing in September 2015 after he sustained a football game injury while playing for Wesleyan Christian School gripped the community. For several days Ben clung to life in the hospital before he slipped away to another realm where he no doubt brought a lot of happiness with his infectious smile and bright personality.

Hamm’s injury and subsequent struggle tugged heart chords deep throughout the area and the state. Several football teams featured his jersey and there was an outpouring of people saying they were praying for Ben and his family. Donations and other tangible items of support also poured in.

——

MASON GREEN

Mason was only 12 when a battle with cancer resulted in his passing in August 2015.

Green had played soccer almost his entire life and also loved other sports.

The Oklahoma Wesleyan University soccer program took a special interest in Mason, who by all accounts inspired all those who knew him or knew of him.

——

TYLER TEAGUE

Tyler died early in fall 2009 in a home accident and his departure created tremendous sadness among the student body.

He was only 17 and starting his junior year.

Tyler earned a spot as a pitcher on the Bartlesville High baseball team. Along with his brother James — who would go on to play professional baseball — Tyler enjoyed outdoor activities, including hunting.

I recall seeing Lady Bruin softball players weeping in the dugout a day or two after his passing.

He made a major impact on others in such a short time.

——

JON CANADY

Jon was already in college (Northeastern State University) when a vehicle accident claimed his life at age 20.

I recall Jon as a gritty and skilled catcher for the Dewey High School baseball team, but he played other sports as well.

One memory stands out. A few days after Jon’s passing, I went to a Dewey baseball game and Jon’s mom approached me to thank me for an article.

During our conversation, she told me about the final time she had seen Jon. I believe it was the weekend prior to his passing in March 2008.

They visited throughout the evening and early into the morning about their family, the future and Jon’s concerns for his siblings. 

As I recall, Jon left the next morning to return to Tahlequah. I thought at the time, and have often reflected since, on how merciful a higher power was that mother and son could have had that heartfelt conversation together just days prior to his departure.

——

ETHAN DODSON

Known by his Caney Valley High School teammates as “Mighty Mouse,” Ethan passed away in the summer of 2022, due to a swimming accident, shortly prior to the opening of his senior year.

I don’t recall seeing him in action, but all those I talked to that knew him spoke of him in the highest terms as far as his character and his effort.

——

BURKELY HANSEN

I knew Burke Hansen well both from his volunteer efforts as a photographer for the Bartlesville High School football team and from church.

Burke was just 13 when he passed away in the spring of 2015, due to an ATV accident.

I didn’t know Burke well. In the fall of 2014, I often walked past him on the Bruin sideline while he carried a camera, working on his photography skills.

From what I could see, Burke was an enthusiastic boy full of life and doggedly devoted to his family and his BYU sweatshirt.

Like with all parents, I can’t comprehend the pain and loss of losing a child. I know this loss hit the local sports community hard.

——

EDDIE GONZALEZ

It’s been nearly 16 years since Eddie passed away, due to a vehicle accident, in the early fall of 2009.

Eddie played football for Barnsdall High School. 

I don’t have any specific memories of seeing Eddie play, but I recall attending a Barnsdall awards banquet and witnessing a special tribute that featured his parents.

——

TRAVIS WOODWORTH

Travis brought a true love of basketball and a complete joy of competition to the floor for the Caney Valley Trojans.

He had the kind of incandescent personality that stood out on the court or in a crowd. He captured the hearts of the fans with his hustle, desire and well-honed skills. He was definitely one of the most memorable Trojan basketball players of that era or any era.

As a junior (1998-99), he shot the best free throw percentage at the Caney Valley tourney and as a senior (1999-00) was elected Basketball Homecoming King. 

According to his obit, he loved being around family and being at home unless he was hunting or fishing.

He passed away during a fishing trip in July 2000. He was only 18.

——

TYSON TOWNLEY

Tyson also became a Barnsdall High student-athlete. He died in a vehicle crash in May 2024. He was just 15.

Tyson’s passing happened shortly before the deadly tornado that ripped through Barnsdall, adding more mourning to the already grieving town.

I didn’t know Tyson, but I read about the large amount of respect he earned from his peers and adults and for their tremendous sense of loss.

——

JARED MINOR

Jared was a remarkable athlete. He ended up at Oklahoma Union where he excelled in baseball, hitting .468, in the spring of 2002.

Then he decided to compete in the pole vault at the track regional — even though he hadn’t picked up the pole in nearly the year. Long story short, he cleared the bar at 13-foot-6 at state, tying him for the highest height. But he had to settle for silver.

He became the first Cougar athlete to win a state track medal in the 2000s.

A sight that stands out in my mind is stopping by the Dewey High stadium and watching Jared and his dad Mike out there alone and Jared tirelessly practicing on the pole vault while a blistering sun beat down.

Jared passed away in a car accident in August 2002, just a few weeks following the end of school.

——

GREG WELLS

Greg didn’t die until 2020 — while in his early 40s.

I still count him in this group.

It was the final week of January 1994 when I stopped by the Oroville (Calif.) High School fieldhouse to photograph a wrestling match.

A few minutes into the competition — I had hung around longer than I planned because I also had a basketball game to cover — Greg became paralyzed during his match.

I witnessed the incident — saw his head and neck twisted as the other guy took him to the mat and fell on top of him.

I saw Greg lying there motionless for several minutes. A few minutes later, the EMT’s arrived and carefully strapped him on a stretcher.

He told one of the EMT’s — although I was too far back to hear it — that if it was God’s will, he would accept not being able to walk the rest of his life.

That proved to be prophetic. Greg became a quadriplegic that evening. 

We became best friends. During the next three months I made five or six 300-mile round trips to a hospital in San Jose to visit him. Ostensibly, I made the journeys in order to update articles for the newspaper, because the entire community felt a gripping connection to this humble young man and wanted to read about him and his battles.

At the same time I developed a tremendous feeling of affection for Greg and his family.

After he came home, I spent many, many hours visiting him in their small apartment. They weren’t rich people. His dad was on disability, I believe, and his step-mom worked for the school district.

In fact, I was told the night Greg was injured, they had to borrow gas money from a neighbor in order to drive to the hospital in the next town.

Greg had arranged it for the hospital to release him to come home on my birthday because he knew that would make me happy. It did. I remember parking my car in the apartment parking lot and waiting for their family car to arrive.

I remember a few weeks later, taking him unescorted to a movie (“The Shadow”), lifting him from his wheelchair into my car seat and repeating the process at the theater and to come home. It was a little worrisome for me, but I’m happy to have that memory.

Greg and I continued to keep in touch for many years after I arrived in Bartlesville — although I’m ashamed to say I probably didn’t keep in touch as much as I should have.

He ended up graduating with his class at high school and he became a volunteer sports announcer — even at wrestling matches.

I recall one experience where I saw him and his dad — who became his official caregiver — on the school track outside the football practice field. I wonder in my heart, how could Greg stand it to watch his friends out there running and jumping and tackling and having a good time and him tied to this wheelchair.

But, Greg never saw it that way. He completely accepted who he was and he wanted to be there to support his friends and root for them. Even at the wrestling matches — which might have been painful for most people with his experience — he thoroughly enjoyed having a microphone in front of him and announcing the matches.

He would go on to earn a couple of college degrees and I believe obtained a vehicle he could drive.

His life in the 2000’s would have many rugged twists, including financial betrayal and having to evacuate from Oroville due to the threat of a flood. But Greg remained upbeat, or at least gently resigned, about his challenges.

He passed away in the winter of 2020, as I remember.

——

ADDITION

I’ve referred to these sad happenings that happened during my watch. I know there were several other precious young people in this area that passed away too early in their lives prior to my arrival.

It would be too difficult to make any kind of a comprehensive list going back many decades without hundreds of hours of research and contacts.

My condolences go to the families of those I mentioned and those I didn’t mention, some of whom I include among close friends and associates,

But there are some instances of former tragedies that have had a special significance for me.

One is Claudean Stotts and the passing of her son Charles B. Greene, a former Bartlesville High School student-athlete that passed away at age 21 in 1984 while attending Oklahoma State.

His parents decided to turn his passing into a blessing for future generations.

They created the Charles B. Greene Memorial Scholarship to be awarded to one Bruin student-athlete graduate each year. 

The scholarship beneficiaries are up to 41 now, the most recent being Xavier Beldnar.

Claudean holds a gathering once or twice a year for the recipients, who have dubbed themselves “The Brotherhood.”

Claudean has told me she has received the biggest blessings from the scholarship because of meeting, getting to know and befriending dozens of outstanding young men whose futures have been blessed out of her personal tragedy by the scholarship.

In a very real way, Claudean’s outreach has added more meaning to the life of her wonderful son, who we all wish had been spared and she saved from heartbreak.

We can’t control events — we can control how we react to them.

I believe there are other families that have similarly honored their young ones taken too soon, some with a sports connection some with not.

I know not everyone has the financial means, the time, the energy, the organizational skills, the right partner or the confidence or right contacts and sponsors to create a perpetual scholarship. 

What’s most important is how one honors their loved one in their heart. Hopefully you’ll remember them often — their personality, the joy of their presence in your life — and let that inspire you in how you act and treat others.

Of course this also is a matter of religious faith for many people, including me, which can offer some additional comfort.

But no one that hasn’t been through this kind of trial can adequately understand the complicated emotions of losing someone — the guilt, the regrets, the unrelenting loneliness, the practical challenges of putting their affairs in order, the desperate hope of a post-mortal existence where they think about you and wait for you, the phone that never rings with their voice on the other end, the absence of their advice or sense of humor, the sound of their voice or their laugh and dozens of other sensations of grief.

I recall in the hours after my sister died and I took a jet to Salt Lake City I imagined to myself during the flight she had come back to life at the mortuary and that she would be waiting for me at the airport along with the people who agreed to pick me up. I spun this scenario in my mind and hoped for it. It didn’t hurt me. It was my way of dealing with the crushing sorrow. I knew in my heart she was gone — but it took a while for my mind to accept it.

That’s why it’s important not to over-react when someone who has just received a sudden shock acts in a way we don’t understand. If a delusion or something persists for several days, that’s a time to worry. But in the first two or three days people should be allowed to process the grief in their own way.  If they really want to be alone in a certain room, let them be alone in that room. If they want to have a lot of people around, let them have a lot of people around. If they don’t want to cry, don’t force it or make them feel guilty. If they want to weep just sit back and let it pass. If they don’t want to talk about it, don’t try to make them talk about it — or vice-versa. Express support and sympathy, but be gentle and accommodating. 

When they’ve worked out the grief inside themselves, they’ll go through the necessary stages of mourning and experience a healthier emotional recovery.