Wreaths and arrangements of orange and white flowers were scattered around the bronze kneeling cowboy statue in the Memorial Lobby.
Before the Oklahoma State men’s basketball team faced Kansas, many people lingered near the memorial for a few minutes before heading to their seats. Some signed a guestbook or took photographs of the poignant scene. Others looked on, paying silent homage to the individuals whose images and names adorn the wall behind the statue.
Although the Jayhawks defeated the Cowboys 65-50 on Monday night, the people in Gallagher-Iba Arena were focused on more than the game’s outcome.