OSSAA ends partnership with local lobbying firm
The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association voted Wednesday to end its partnership with a local lobbying firm.
At its monthly meeting on Wednesday, the OSSAA voted unanimously to end its four-year partnership with Shouse & Associates Consulting.
Executive Director David Jackson said the association would focus on building relationships with members of the state legislature through its individual board members.
"We just want to spend more time developing relationships instead of a third person," Jackson said. "Going down and sitting down and talking about who we are, it allows our staff to give direct information about exactly who we are and what we are trying to do as an association."
Jackson said Shouse & Associates, an Oklahoma City-based firm, had planned on raising its annual fee from $24,000 to $30,000 for the coming year, but that the price hike did not influence the OSSAA's decision.
The OSSAA first began using lobbyists in 2011 to "stay alert on of potential legislation issues."
Tulsa Washington quarterback wins player of the week poll
Tulsa Washington quarterback Phillip Wheatley has won The Oklahoman's Fans' Choice Player of the Week poll after leading the Hornets to the state title in Class 6A-II, throwing for 320 yards and scoring four touchdowns.
Wheatley placed ahead of Tipton running back SemaJ McBride, finishing with 849 votes.
McBride finished second with 637 votes while Beggs quarterback Dalton Spring, who was The Oklahoman's staff pick for player of the week, finished seventh with 65 votes.
Watch NewsOK.com/ Varsity this weekend for the high school football playoffs Week 5 poll.
Here are the results from the playoffs Week 4 poll: Phillip Wheatley, QB, Tulsa Washington: 849 votes (34.68 pct.)
Semaj McBride, RB/DB Tipton: 637 votes (26.02 pct.)
Jaden McDaniel, DE, Heritage Hall: 452 votes (18.46 pct.) Jason Taylor II, WR/DB, Carl Albert: 176 votes (7.19 pct.) Devonte Lee, RB, John Marshall: 115 votes (4.7 pct.)
Wil Amos, QB, Afton: 77 votes (3.15 pct.)
Dalton Spring, QB, Beggs: 65 votes (2.66 pct.)
Will Kuehne, QB, Owasso: 45 votes (1.84 pct.) De'Mariyon Houston, WR, Millwood: 32 votes (1.31 pct.)