sports spotlight: david austin

By Mike Tupa

Bartlesville Area Sports Report

DAVID AUSTIN

One of Bartlesville’s greatest newspaper sports journalists quietly slipped into town in April 1996.

More than that, David Austin came home — sort of.

Having lived with his family in Bartlesville during part of his wayfaring youth, Austin would spend a few years in Japan and elsewhere, including working for a magazine in the Houston area just prior to his move to Bartlesville.

He quickly earned the respect of his co-workers and supervisors — as well with the community for his thorough reporting and creative writing.

In one of his classic leads he referred that a certain defeated local team had checked into the “Heartbreak Hotel.”

He maintained meticulous manilla files on each of the teams he covered as evidence of his observational skills.

After about three years as a sportswriter, but in reality a de facto assistant sports editor, Examiner-Enterprise publisher Joe Edwards promoted him to managing editor, a position he successfully filled for a couple of years prior to returning to the sports department as co-sports editor.

Sometime in late 2002 or in the early part of 2003, Austin left the E-E to work in the Tulsa World sports department. He also would work for a newspaper in Lawrence, Kan., the hometown of his beloved Alma Mater — but continued to still live in Bartlesville with his beloved wife Summer, a fellow E-E (cable-TV) employee who he had met at the office.

Austin then landed a job as the media point person for Bartlesville Public Schools and made many friends and earned much respect.

After several years there, he went to work in internal communications for ConocoPhillips, where he still works.

He remains a devoted sports fan, traveling several times a year —often with Summer — to watch pro and college games throughout the United States. While at the E-E he covered a Super Bowl.

Austin is considered a loyal and kind friend, who has literally gone the extra mile — hundreds of extra miles — at great sacrifice to help others. He also has spent hours in a hospital room to comfort a friend.

Although he entered Bartlesville without fanfare, Austin has been a giant of good works and friendship for many.

David and Summer Austin