Fever pitch

In a crowded field, Tulsa’s love of soccer shows no signs of slowing

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Tulsa teams: A rookie’s guide

by LAUREN PARKINSON

Tulsa Drillers 

As an affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tulsa’s minor league baseball team the Tulsa Drillers continues to grow in recognition and fan following. In the 2014 season, the Drillers secured the top spot in the Texas League North first-half standings and finished second in the final season table. Their summer season is a Tulsa staple (and the family-friendly ONEOK Field made our Editor’s Picks in the Voice’s 2015 Best of Tulsa awards). ‘Thirsty Thursday’ beer night is another fan favorite.

Not to be missed: The 2015 Tulsa Drillers season will feature 5 ‘Bark at the Park’ nights—bring along your furry best friend at no extra cost. 

Tulsa Oilers

The Tulsa Oilers are a mid-level professional ice hockey team in the Western Conference of the East Coast Hockey League. Until 2008, the Oilers played their home games at the Tulsa Convention Center; now, they hit the ice at the BOK Center. Their season wraps up in April, with the team currently positioned mid-table. Their next campaign kicks off in late October. You’ll find the Oilers sporting maroon and navy jerseys.

Re-writing history: For many years, the Oilers shared a name with Tulsa’s former minor-league baseball team. The media and fans often got confused, thus nicknaming the hockey team the “Ice Oilers.” 

Tulsa Shock

The Tulsa Shock basketball team is Oklahoma’s only professional women’s sports team. Before moving to Tulsa for the 2010 season, the gold-and-black Shock originated in blue and red in Detroit, Michigan. The team is still finding its feet in the challenging Western Conference of the WNBA, and the only direction to go is up. Catch their season weekday nights this summer at the BOK Center. 

Bet ya didn’t know: Shock Forward Glory Johnson was featured on an episode of “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta” with her fiancé and fellow WNBA opponent Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury.

Tulsa Buffaloes 

Grown from two friends kicking a footy around a local rugby field years ago, the Tulsa Buffaloes have made a name for themselves around town. The Buffaloes play Australian Rules Football, which has many similarities to the game of rugby with differences most of us probably couldn’t distinguish. Regardless, the Buffaloes are known to have a good time both on and off the field. Home games have free admission and are played at the Athletics Stadium. The season wraps up in October, finishing with a national tournament in Austin, TX. The team’s jerseys are red, black and white.

Home team: The Buffalos are sponsored by local favorite Fassler Hall, where you’ll spot the players and their entourage grabbing a pint after a victory. 

(Plus an outlier) Oklahoma City Thunder

Home to the league’s current reigning MVP Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder is certainly the state’s pride and joy when it comes to sports. Previously located in Seattle, the Thunder settled in Oklahoma in 2008. Playing their games at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in OKC’s Bricktown, the franchise recently celebrated its 200th consecutive sellout with more than 18,000 fans in attendance. With their injury-plagued season, the big question for Thunder this year is whether they can make the NBA playoffs.

A rookie wouldn’t know: The Thunder had a minor league basketball team affiliation with the Tulsa 66ers. Last year, the team moved to Oklahoma City and was renamed Oklahoma City Blue.