About Coach Blankenship:

Former University of Tulsa quarterback Bill Blankenship was promoted as the 28th Head Football Coach in school history on January 14, 2011. In his first season as the leader of Golden Hurricane Football Blankenship guided his alma mater to an 8-5 season and a trip to the 2011 Armed Forces Bowl.

Blankenship spent the previous four years as an assistant coach for the Golden Hurricane. He returned to TU in January 2007 to coach the wide receivers. In 2008, Blankenship was named special teams coordinator and in 2009 added the responsibilities of running backs coach as well. In 2010, Blankenship served as senior associate head coach, running backs coach and special teams coordinator.

In his five seasons with the Golden Hurricane, Blankenship has been a part of 44 victories, two straight Conference USA West Division titles (2007, 2008), one shared C-USA Western Division crown (2010), two appearances in the C-USA Championship Game (2007, 2008), two GMAC Bowl Championships, the 2010 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl Championship as well as an appearance in the 2011 Armed Forces Bowl. Blankenship has been a key member of an offensive coaching staff that has seen the Hurricane lead the nation in total offense two straight years, with an average of 543.9 yards in 2007 and an average of 569.9 yards in 2008. In 2007, Blankenship’s receiving corps had three players total more than 1,000 yards on the season (Brennan Marion, Trae Johnson and Charles Clay). In 2010, Tulsa was once again among the national leaders in offense ranking fifth in total offense (505.6), sixth in scoring offense (41.3), 13th in passing offense (288.6) and 15th in rushing offense (216.9).

After the 2008 campaign, Blankenship was recognized by the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame with the “Merv Johnson Integrity in College Coaching Award.” He was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame in July 2009.

Before entering the collegiate coaching ranks, Blankenship spent 23 years as an Oklahoma High School coach. He spent 14 years as the head football coach and athletic director at Union High School, where he registered a record of 154-26. His teams qualified for the state playoffs 14 times, reached the quarterfinals 10 times and made the semifinals in nine seasons. Blankenship’s teams made the state championship game seven times. He guided his Union team to Oklahoma Class 6A state titles in 2002, 2004 and 2005. Blankenship’s teams at Union won eight straight district championships and had a 56-game home winning streak from 1997 through 2005. Blankenship had more than 100 student-athletes receive college scholarships in his 14 seasons at Union High School.

Source: Bill Blankenship profile

More details about next event will be posted as the event gets closer.  For now check out the galleries and videos from previous years events.

Broken Arrow Neighbors is an interfaith organization annually providing basic needs emergency assistance to more than 4,000 financially disadvantaged people in the Broken Arrow and Coweta areas.  Broken Arrow Neighbors are people of all faiths who believe that meeting the needs of the poor, the working poor, and the frail elderly is everyone’s job.

Here is a list of urgent items needs by Broken Arrow Neighbors.  If you are waiting to donate, please consider the following items:

Pantry Items:

• Jelly
• Juice
• Box Potatoes
• Peanut Butter
• Dry Beans
• Bag Rice
• Spaghetti
• Chili
• Beef Stew
• Cold Cereal
• Saltine Crackers
• Cold Drink Mix

Meat:

• Lunchmeat
• Bacon
• Sausage

Hygiene Items:

• Powder laundry detergent
• Liquid Soap
• Deodorant
• Regular Tampons
• Feminine pads
• Diapers – size 4, 6
• Pull Ups – Boys sizes 4-5, Girls sizes 4-5

Back Pack 4 Kids items:

• Pudding cups
• Individual cereal
• Fruit cups

Clothing needs:

• Underwear
  • Boy’s – 2,3,4,6,18-20
  • Girls – 2,3,14-16
  • Women’s – 4
• Socks
  • Kids – 3-5 yrs.
  • Teen girls
• Jeans – Mens

About Billy Sims:

When the name Billy Sims is mentioned, one description always springs to mind – football legend. In short, Sims was one of those rare, highly gifted individuals who arrives on the college football scene and through his sheer greatness makes an impression that lasts for decades.

Today, Sims serves as a Vice President with AmericaCan, a nonprofit organization based in Dallas that helps troubled youths through charter school education. He also works in sports marketing, makes special appearances and gives speeches. With Billy Sims BBQ, Sims is opening another chapter and a new opportunity, sharing with his customers two things he has been passionate about all his life: good football and good barbecue.