Wednesday’s home loss to the lowly Clippers dropped Oklahoma City’s record to an Association-worst 2-24, but the locals’ honeymoon with the Thunder isn’t quite over. What does Clay Bennett have in common with fading pop sensations Hanson and F-150 plugger Toby Keith (aside, from, y’know, sucking)? As the Fanhouse’s Tom Ziller pointed out, he’s been named “Oklahoman Of The Year”.
œNo one came close to Clay Bennett as we set about selecting this year™s Oklahoman of the Year, says Louisa McCune-Elmore, Oklahoma Today editor in chief. œHis accomplishment presents an extraordinary moment in the life of Oklahoma, probably among the top achievements in our capital city™s history.
Those who know him best describe Bennett as a man of action. œPeople respect Clay, says former Oklahoma City mayor Ron Norick. œWhen Clay is involved, things are going to happen. Bennett grew up in Oklahoma City , graduated from Casady School in 1978 and married his high-school sweetheart, Louise Gaylord, in 1981.
Bennett™s respect for hard work and his civic involvement have garnered this Oklahoman of the Year great regard from his peers, both locally and in the wider community of the NBA. œI feel confident about the good hands the [Thunder] is in, says NBA commissioner David Stern, œbecause they™re in Clay™s hands and in the hands of his investor group.