Sister Sanchez, the football fan
In her prayers before gamesat BishopMcGuinness High School, Sister Stephanie Sanchez asks for the blessing of the Almighty on the players, the continued health and wellness of fans and for the improved eyesight of the referees.
For the past 36 years, the former theology teacher and adviser at Bishop McGuinness has been a regular fixture in the football stands and basketball bleachers, cheering on the Fighting Irish and letting the officials hear it if they miss a call.
So even though McGuinness will have to travel nearly three hours away this week to face Tahlequah in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs, Sister San- chez will be in tow to help provide platitudes for the athletes as well as appraisal of officials.
"I'm a rabid fan," the Sister says almost sheepishly. "They told me they would strap me to thebumper if that was the only way to get me there. I'm just glad I'll get to see the kids play."
It goes against the norm to see a nun so boisterous, but Sanchez said she's been a sports
fan all her life.
She played basketball and softball growing up in Denver, and coached for a spell in her early teaching days. She spends her nights watching Thunder games, keeping up with Oklahoma City Energy and even checking in on an OKC Dodgers game from time to time.
She is not your casual fan. This Sister from the Carmelite Order can make reference to players and games from more than a decade ago, she has the terminology as well as the philosophy down.
Just because she pledged a lifetime of service to God, doesn't mean she had to drop her passion for sports. In fact, she believes her faith and athletics go hand in hand sometimes.
"I don't understand going to a game and not saying something or cheering," Sanchez said. "It's a celebration of achievement and skill. I want to let the kids know I appreciate their hard work and their passion. That's why I'm always vocal."
Though the sister is the first to admit she gets loud about other things too. Sometimes the officiating can draw her ire.
"I'll ask a referee ' Do you need to borrow my glasses,'" She said. "Sometimes I have to remember to keep my cool. Call it both ways, that's all I ask for."
McGuinness athletic director Gary Savely says the first time he met Sister Sanchez, he was struck by the amount of ferocious passion teaming from the single sister.
"You have this image of sisters being quiet and solemn," Savely said. "Not Sister though. She's a staple at games, people look for her."
And hear her too. "I've been in places where I watch what I say," Sanchez said. "Being in a habit, sometimes I get looks."
She's beloved enough by the school and fans that a few years ago they honored her by naming the snack bar at the football stadium after her.
Sister Sanchez's Snacks is stocked with all your typical gameday goodies like hot dogs, nachos, sodas and candy. Savely said it's a nod to the fact the Sister is known for her love of popcorn and Diet Dr Pepper, but also because of Sister Sanchez's ministry.
After every game, or after school event, Sister Sanchez will round up all the remaining snacks, drinks and goodies and load her car off for a drop off at a local food shelter or charity.
"She doesn’t want anything to go to waste," Savely said. "She dedicated her life to helping others and that’s what she does. She's really an inspiration."
Sister Sanchez works primarily now as the main substitute teacher at McGuinness as well as the head prayer liaison in the school. She keeps the kids, teachers and staff up to date on items of national and local importance that the faithful should focus on during their contemplations.
She cherishes her role. She believes her love of sports is the perfect way to connect with students and allows her to reach out and offer prayers in support to those in need.
“I would never ask the Lord for victory,” she said. “I pray they play well and feel good about themselves when the game is over. If that means a victory than so be it.”