
Oklahoma Sooners Heavy Hitters Camp in Tahlequah a Resounding Success…
When Les Hannah first approached former Oklahoma Sooners star Jocelyn Alo about bringing her Heavy Hitters Camp to Tahlequah, the response from her agent was simple: “Where is Tahlequah?” At the time, the small town wasn’t exactly known for hosting big sports events, but after the camp on Friday, March 14, that’s all about to change. Alo, the NCAA’s all-time leader in home runs (122), slugging percentage (.987), and total bases (761), left an unforgettable impression on the attendees.
The camp, which initially registered 141 players, quickly swelled to 164 by the time doors opened on the big day, drawing more than 400 people in total, including players, parents, and vendors. The event was also supported by the United Keetoowah Band Police, who were present to ensure everything ran smoothly. Alo, known for her humble demeanor despite her historic achievements, made a lasting impact on the young athletes.
“Younger girls had some tears of joy,” said Les Hannah. “She told them, ‘You’re not here to hug me, you’re here to learn from me.’ It was an emotional experience for many, with some parents even sharing in their excitement. Jocelyn reminded everyone, ‘I’m just Jocelyn, I’m just good at hitting the ball.’”
The camp was an incredible success for Tahlequah, a town that never expected such a large turnout. “The camp here in Tahlequah was a great success. We are so looking forward to having more sporting events and camps in our area,” said Gena McPhail, director of tourism for the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce.
While many local participants took part, Hannah was pleasantly surprised to see athletes traveling from far beyond Tahlequah. Campers came from Little Rock, Kansas City, and even Clewiston, Florida. “I think it was extremely successful,” Hannah said. “For little ol’ Tahlequah, that isn’t half bad. I wasn’t surprised by the turnout; I knew people would come. What surprised me was how far people traveled.”
This inaugural camp focused solely on hitting and was a half-day event, but the success has already prompted discussions of future camps that will expand to a full-day format, incorporating pitching and fielding instruction as well. The experience has made an undeniable mark on the community, and both Hannah and Alo’s agent are already in talks to bring the camp back to Tahlequah later this year, possibly in August.
Hannah, an NCAA umpire, had always envisioned a camp like this after seeing the positive impact similar events had on his daughter. The idea became a reality after he received an email from Alo’s agent, and soon enough, the gears were set in motion for the Heavy Hitters Camp. “I told them, ‘People love the Sooners, and they’ll show up,’” Hannah said. “We put pencil to paper and came up with this event.”
With the success of the first camp, there’s no doubt that the Heavy Hitters Camp will continue to grow, drawing more athletes and families to Tahlequah and further solidifying the town’s place in the spotlight for sports events in the future.