The Legacy of Tragedy: How the Thunder Honor the History of Oklahoma City
More than three decades ago, on a sunny morning, a boy named Kyle Genzer was telling his mother that he loved her before she left for work in downtown Oklahoma City. Minutes later, tragedy would strike the city. The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building became the most devastating act of terrorism in the history of the United States.
Genzer, now 44 years old, remembers that day and the impact it had on his life. His mother, Jamie, lost her life in the bombing along with 167 other people. Since then, Genzer visits the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, where the Field of Empty Chairs is located, a constant reminder of the tragedy.Kyle Genzer fue un adolescente cuando perdió a su madre, Jamie, en el atentado. A menudo visita el Campo de Sillas Vacías del memorial, donde cada una de las 168 sillas representa un asiento vacío en una mesa.In the context of sports, the city’s basketball team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, has forged a deep connection with the memorial and the city’s history.
The Thunder wouldn’t be in Oklahoma City without the response that took place on April 19, 1995, and without the sacrifices and efforts that were made to rebuild this city.
Sam Presti, General Manager of the Thunder
Sam Presti, the team’s general manager, has established a tradition that requires each player and staff member to visit the memorial. This connection to the city’s history is a key component of the team’s culture.Sam Presti exige a todos los empleados nuevos, incluidos los jugadores, que visiten el Memorial y Museo Nacional de Oklahoma City. Durante 17 años, ha sido un rito de iniciación.The team’s presence at the museum is constant, and the players often express their connection to the community and their responsibility as ambassadors of the city. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, for example, feels that playing for Oklahoma City gives him a purpose and a connection to the community.
Isaiah Hartenstein, who visited the memorial shortly after joining the team, shared the profound impression the visit made on him, especially when remembering the victims and the city’s response.
The team has also demonstrated its commitment to the community through various charitable and support initiatives. The city’s response to the bombing, known as the “Oklahoma Standard”, has become the foundation upon which the team is built.Kari Watkins, la presidenta del memorial, ha realizado más de 550 recorridos con jugadores y funcionarios de los Thunder. En 2024, para el Día de los Primeros Auxilios, asistieron los guardias Jalen Williams e Isaiah Joe.In 2019, the team honored the victims’ families with special jerseys and a moving event at the stadium, demonstrating their commitment to remember and honor those who lost their lives. Richard Williams, a survivor of the attack, received a handwritten letter from Sam Presti, reflecting the deep connection between the team and the memorial.En 2019, al acercarse el 25 aniversario del atentado, los Thunder recibieron a los familiares de las 168 víctimas y les entregaron camisetas personalizadas. Una inscripción debajo del cuello decía: “Recordamos a aquellos que cambiaron para siempre.Oklahoma City has come a long way since the tragedy, and the Thunder have played a fundamental role in its reconstruction and in promoting its values. The team, led by Sam Presti, has adopted the “Oklahoma Standard” as a fundamental principle, which is reflected in its commitment to the community.
The city’s basketball team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, has forged a deep connection with the city’s memorial and history.
In a ceremony held in November, Presti was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, a recognition of his impact on the city. The Thunder, along with the community, have worked to honor the past and build a brighter future.
In December 2023, initiatives were approved to fund new projects in the city.
