Remember the 10 Run, upholding a promise

Friday, February 24, 2017

Coordinators of the Remember the 10 Run presented a $20,000 donation to Oklahoma State University Counseling Services in late January. The money from the run is donated annually to honor a promise to never forget the 10 people who lost their lives in a plane crash 16 years ago while returning from an OSU basketball game, but it’s accomplished much more.

Over the last decade, the event has provided over $200,000 to OSU Counseling Services to fund a variety of resources centered on grief counseling for students as well as specialty training for the counseling services staff.

“Being able to go out and give educational-type outreach after the parade tragedy, the plane crash, the second plane crash, and after deaths on campus—I think it’s a lot more efficient now that we have those materials we can provide,” said Trevor Richardson, director of University Counseling Services.

“Unfortunately, we have had several things happen since we started the race, and the hundreds of other situations where grieving students have been helped that no one else will ever know about,” said Jason Pogue, Remember the 10 Run Co-Chair.

Because of the overwhelming support from donors across the country, the annual run has also been able to support the establishment of a scholarship program for OSU masters and doctoral students pursuing counseling, psychology and family therapies. Ten graduate students annually receive $1,000 scholarships, which are announced at the annual run in April.

The 11th annual Remember the 10 Run will be held April 15, at 9 a.m., on the south side of Boone Pickens Stadium. Participants can choose between three race options: a 1-mile fun run for $20, a 5K for $35 or a 10K for $35. Runners and volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and commemorative medallion at the race.

“Shortly after the plane crash, OSU officials made the promise, to the families of those 10 men, that we would never forget them so our main purpose is to get everybody together to ensure the memory of those 10 live on,” Pogue said.

The 10 individuals included Kendall C. Durfey, television and radio engineer; Bjorn G. Fahlstrom, corporate aviation pilot; Nathan Z. Fleming, scholar and athlete; William R. Hancock III, media relations coordinator; Daniel P. Lawson, Jr., scholar and athlete; Brian W. Luinstra, athletic trainer; Denver Mills, CPA and pilot; Pat Noyes, director of basketball operations, William B. Tietgens (Teegins), sportscaster, and Jared G. Weiberg, student assistant.

To volunteer or register for the event, visit http://www.remembertheten.com/.

Story by Cassidy Williams

PHOTOS: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ostatenews/albums/72157677161895253