OCU Law & the OKC Thunder

Dec 20, 2025
|   8th & Harvey, Academic Opportunities, Alumni, Careers, Community Outreach, News, Student Life

The NBA Champs

On June 22, 2025, Oklahoma City finally became a Championship City when the OKC Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. What’s on everyone’s mind the morning after their team wins a championship? The parade, of course! Thousands gathered along the parade route on a hot Oklahoma summer day to share in the championship glory with the city’s team. And Oklahoma City’s law school was ready to meet the moment. The parade started at 10th and Harvey, marched right past the crowd gathered around the law school, and ended at Scissortail Park with Dean (and Mayor) Holt holding the iconic Larry O’Brien Trophy onstage with the NBA champions – a day to remember in OKC. Same time next year?

Storm Chasing

“As a lifelong Thunder fan, experiencing firsthand the team’s first championship as a rookie Storm Chaser—celebrating with fans and representing the best organization in sports—made it an unforgettable rookie year. It was truly a storybook season.”

Patrick Wells is the office manager for the Oklahoma Innocence Project at OCU Law. The OKC Thunder’s championship season also happened to be his first year as a Storm Chaser for the Thunder. Storm Chasers are part of the Thunder Entertainment team, and they spend home games hyping up the crowd in Paycom Arena.

Thunder Internship

This past spring semester, I had the honor of interning with Hakeem Onafowokan, the vice president of Corporate Legal for the Oklahoma City Thunder. As a Corporate Legal intern, I assisted Hakeem on various contract, trademark, and employment law matters. My key responsibilities involved drafting, reviewing, and editing various contracts, performing legal research, and assisting in enforcing the organization’s intellectual property rights. With Hakeem’s guidance and support, I enhanced my legal writing skills and gained confidence in myself as both a student and a professional. I would not be where I am today without the unwavering support of such an incredible mentor. Therefore, it is no surprise that the entire organization is dedicated to excellence and community enhancement. The Thunder’s strong commitment to community involvement was what initially inspired me to apply for the position. I saw it as a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the

sports and entertainment industry, while contributing to an organization whose values aligned with my own. Even then, I never anticipated how transformative the experience would be. I was continually impressed by how welcoming, supportive, and generous everyone was with their time and guidance. Their kindness and eagerness to help truly made the entire internship experience unforgettable. It was the dedication and the steadfast commitment to the organization’s success by every single person that made me most excited for the team to bring home the 2025 NBA Championship. There was no other team and city more deserving of the win than the Oklahoma City Thunder. I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity I had with the Thunder during such a historical moment. It truly was an honor of a lifetime. Always and forever, Thunder Up!

Ariel Torres
OCU Law Class of 2025