It’s time for my 21st Annual Sports Fan’s Letter to Santa Claus.

Dear Santa Claus,

After the year we had in 2020, this year has been a bit of a relief. Although we are not back to what used to be normal, it sure was nice to have sports in full swing and fans allowed to attend at all levels.

The coronavirus pandemic consumed our lives last year, and affected everything. There isn’t anyone who hasn’t been affected in some way by this plague. With that being said, we look forward to better days and the blessings that are on the way. For that Santa, we are grateful.

This year, I ask that you bring the ORU men’s basketball team another deep run in the NCAA Tournament. If for no other reason than to prove last year wasn’t a fluke, and that this team can do it even without Kevin O’Bannon. The program out at 81st and Lewis deserves national recognition and respect, let alone right here in the state, where the Golden Eagles have been considered fourth, if not fifth behind OU, OSU, TU and Arkansas, in media coverage for far too long.

The Tulsa football team barely became bowl eligible by winning its last three games. Please reward their late season surge with a win over Old Dominion in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

On the subject of bowl games, and despite the departure of Lincoln Riley, we still ask that you please give OU a win over Oregon in the Alamo Bowl, and as unlikely as it may seem, bring a victory to the OSU Cowboys over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.

Please Santa, bring an end to what may be one of the longest championship droughts in minor league hockey, and give the Tulsa Oilers an ECHL title. Head coach Rob Murray, and nine-year veteran Adam Pleskach, deserve to wear a ring. The Oilers haven’t won a title since winning the CHL Championship in 1993.

We received an early Christmas gift this year with the announcement that Tulsa Drillers manager Scott Hennessey will be back for another season. He really knows how to lead and teach these Double-A players, and it shows on the field and in how many of his former players are now with the Dodgers. I ask that you bring another Texas League, or whatever it’s called now, title to Tulsa. I know; it’s the Minor League Baseball Double-A Central League. Santa, while you’re at it, bring some creativity to the powers that be at Major League Baseball, to rename these minor leagues.

In the wake of this MLB lockout, work stoppage, strike, or whatever either side wants to call it, I ask that you bring sensibility to the budgets of Major League Baseball teams. The players want more pay and benefits, the owners want more television money and new rules, and all the while, the fans get gouged at the ticket booth and concession stands.

Things looked good for the Buffalo Bills at the beginning of the season, but they’ve hit a couple of rough spots and lost a few games they should have won. I would have asked for a Super Bowl title a month ago, however, now I should be content with requesting you bring the Bills a deep run in the playoffs. After losing to Kansas City last year in the AFC Championship, I don’t know if I can take that again, but you may have to work a Christmas miracle to get them any further.

For the Dallas Cowboys, please bring them consistency. Cowboys fans wanted a new head coach a couple of years ago, which you delivered, but this talent loaded team can’t get all aspects of the game playing well together every game.

In closing, dear Santa, I ask that you bring us peace and love, in our homes, our cities, our nation and our world. Again, as last year, I ask that you bring wisdom and a sharp mind to our nation’s leaders, and safety to our military members all around the world. Although things have bounced back to a certain degree, I ask that you bring a complete end to this pandemic across the globe. There are many “family time experiences” to experience, and many mission trips to take. The world is hurting and needs healing.

As a sports fan, please give us something to cheer about. Win or lose, sometimes it’s the excitement of just being there that we’ll remember for many years to come.

And above all, I ask for joy. The type of joy that brings contentment in knowing everything is going to be all right. The joy of knowing our faith will sustain us, no matter what the world throws at us. Deep down joy, to just sit back, relax, and enjoy life

Take good care of yourself Santa, and tell Mrs. Claus I really loved the new socks.

Sincerely, your friend,

Jeff Brucculeri