The Daily Oklahoman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • 21

Davis back on track ft IJ For a guy who hasn't had a whole lot of fun this season, first baseman Chris Davis somehow manages to keep a smile on his face. k. 1 SPORTS THE OKLAHOMAN NEWS0K.COM TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2009 OU FOOTBALL: EX-SOONER JACK MITCHELL DIES AT AGE OF 85 QB Mitchell had profound impact OU FOOTBALL EX-SOONER ARRESTED Former OU lineman Brandon Walker was arrested over the weekend on a complaint of domestic assault and battery in front of a minor, Norman police said. PAGE 2C of his hand." Mitchell died Monday in Sun City, at the age of 85. Few men have had a more profound impact on Sooner football.

Mitchell was dubbed "General Jack" and ful head coach, going 13-5-1 overall at Wichita State (1953-54), 17-12-1 at Arkansas (1955-57) and 42-44-5 at Kansas (1958-66), where he recruited two of the Jayhawks' greatest players, war veterans. Mitchell took control of the team, became a master optioneer under Wilkinson after Tatum's departure and in 1948 OU's first All-America quarterback. "Jack was an exception -al runner," Arnold said. "Really tricky. He was great for the split -T.

We didn't throw the 7- BY BERRY TRAMEL Staff Writer btramelc3opubco.com Jack Mitchell's personality made him a winner as Bud Wilkinson's first Oklahoma quarterback and as a football coach who recruited Barry Switzer to the University of Arkansas. "Jack was a great personality," said Claude Arnold, a backup to Mitchell in 1948 who later quarter -backed OU to the 1950 national championship. "He had everybody in the palm as a sophomore in 1957, before Mitchell went to KU. "I liked Jack," Switzer said. "He could get a team ready to play.

Very animat -ed." Mitchell grew up in Arkansas City, but went to the University of Texas. He entered the military during World War II, and when Mitchell returned to Ark City after the war, new OU coach Jim Tatum talked Mitchell into coming to Norman for the historic 1946 spring practice that included so many Jack Mitchell "seemed to move the team by the force of his personality," wrote OU historian Harold Keith in 47 Straight. Mitchell was a success John Hadl and Gale Sayers. While at Arkansas, Mitchell signed Switzer out of Crossett, Ark. Switzer played for Mitchell ua" il personality was just dynamite." Mitchell's career punt return average of 23.6 yards is the NCAA record.

TOUR DE FRANCE ARMSTRONG JUMPS FROM 10TH TO 3RD If age is Lance Armstrong's enemy, then experience is his friend. The 37-year-old Texan surprised some contenders Monday, moving within striking distance of the yellow jersey. THUNDER: NBA SUMMER LEAGUE Westbrook is right on target Jet ML ORLANDO PRO SUMMER LEAGUE THUNDER SCHEDULE Tuesday: vs. Indiana, 6 p.m. Wednesday: vs.

Boston, 4 p.m. Thursday: vs. NJPhil, 2 p.m. Friday: vs. Utah, 10 a.m.

You can also watch the summer league games live online at www.nba.com Lance Armstrong AP PHOTO BY TONY MEJIA Special Correspondent MAITLAND, Fla. For the second straight season, the Oklahoma City Thunder has the best player at the Orlando Pro Summer League pulling the strings for them. In July 2008, reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant had his Nikes delivered in time to suit up for a single game, scoring 22 points in 27 minutes to help the then-unnamed Oklahoma City franchise pick up its first victory in an NBA event. Despite his impressive cameo, the player who most impressed the scouts and front office personnel was rookie Russell West-brook, who wasted no time showing off the combination of talent and athleticism that enchanted general manager Sam Presti into selecting him No. 4 overall.

In 2009, Westbrook is back in Orlando as the only player in the entire summer event that started more than 60 games last season. If the first game of his second summer league stint is any indication, Westbrook's graduated to the level where opponents OCU BASKETBALL OCU TO GET FORMER OSU RECRUIT Former West Virginia reserve center Dee Proby has transferred to NAIA basketball power Oklahoma City University. PAGE 2C not only know who he is, but have Oklahoma City circled on the schedule because they hope to make their reputations against him. Westbrook is a marked man. "You could sense that a bit, yeah," said Westbrook after game -highs of 22 points and nine assists in the Thunder's 88-77 victory Monday afternoon Challengers for the Tiger YOUNG GUNS KIM, MAHAN DISPLAY STRONG GAMES AT SEE THUNDER, PAGE 6C 1 a bJr 4 JENNI CARLSON BLOG WHO WAS STEVE MCNAIR? Jenni remembers an interview she had with Steve McNair a year ago, and what it should remind us about pro athletes.

Check it out at blog.newsok.com jennicarlson ft IB jcarlson(3 Ii fH opubco.com liger Woods approached his playing partner as they walked selves worthy opponents for Woods. They pushed him. They stretched him. Why couldn't they do it again? Why couldn't the next players to challenge Tiger for golfing supremacy be a Cowboy and a Sooner? What grand fun that would be. Mahan and Kim have the skills to do it.

Always have. Both were stars in the amateur ranks, first in youth golf, then in college golf. They played with power and won with ease. But raw skills aren't enough on tour. Mahan has been a pro for five years, Kim for four years, and together, they have won three tournaments.

Now, though, they are He wanted to say something to Anthony Kim. "Just keep working hard" Tiger told him, "and we'll do this for many more years." Heady stuff for the former Oklahoma Sooner. Thing is, the same stuff could've been said to a former Oklahoma State Cowboy. Hunter Mahan and Anthony Kim made a statement over the weekend. Sure, both shot a course-record 62 at Congressional, Kim setting the mark during the opening round and Mahan tying it during the final round.

Of course, Mahan finished second and Kim finished third behind only Tiger. But it was more than that. They proved them ED KELLEY VIDEO THE BLAZERS' OKC LEGACY Oklahoman editor Ed Kelley says the Blazers hockey team helped make Oklahoma City what it is today. Watch the video at multi- media (A toward the final green. They had competed for four days at the National last week.

They had battled face-to-face in the final pairing of the final round. They had scratched and clawed for the title. But with the world's best golfer in control, Woods broke his Sunday stoicism. Never mind that shots remained. Orlando's Ryan Anderson, left, battles with Thunder's D.J.

White during NBA Summer League action on Monday. ap photo SEE CARLSON, PAGE 3C.