Isaiah Hartenstein never expected a museum visit to be life-altering. Before the 7ft centre even signed his free agent contract with Oklahoma City two years ago, Thunder general manager Sam Presti told him onboarding would include a trip to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, the site where 168 people were killed on 19 April 1995. Presti requires new players to go so they can understand what the locals endured as a result of the Oklahoma City bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
The bombing itself didn’t stick with Hartenstein nearly as much as the aftermath. The community's collective spirit moved him so much that he produced a 14-minute documentary called “The Oklahoma Standard.” Journalists and visiting first responders coined the phrase after being impressed with the way everyday people from the surrounding area aided the victims and rescue teams. The mentality — to rise in the face of catastrophe, help collectively, rebuild, then do it all again if necessary — has carried the city through major tornadoes in 1999, 2003 and 2013.
Presti has infused Oklahoma City’s first major professional sports team with a similar standard since it arrived from Seattle in 2008, from roster makeup to the franchise's emphasis on community service. The Thunder have developed one of the most rabid fanbases in the league, with the upper bowl of the Paycom Center affectionately known as “Loud City.” After Oklahoma City defeated Indiana to win its first championship last season, thousands celebrated during the victory parade.
“We’re rightfully proud of the way we responded to the bombing,” said Mayor David Holt. “But you can’t really build an identity on an act of terrorism, right? We were grateful that people helped us and we were thankful that people respected the way we responded, but we really ultimately needed a different word to follow Oklahoma City than bombing. And we found that word, and it’s the Thunder.”
The franchise believes that loyalty comes with responsibility. After the deadly 2013 tornado that destroyed Briarwood and Plaza Towers elementary schools, the Thunder got to work. “There were Thunder players who came here and met with people and financially helped people,” recalled Leesa Kniffen, a season ticketholder who has taught at Briarwood for 25 years. “It started way before there was any formal rebuilding going on. It started at a personal level.”
