OU-Mizzou Matchup More Than A Game For Family With Oklahoma Ties

Steve and Maghen Waterkotte’s relationship was defined by sports, even from the very beginning. 

“Our first date was an NAIA basketball game. I was a broke law student, walked up to the OCU basketball gym, watched a game there, a free admission event for first date, Valentine’s Day," Steve Waterkotte said. 

It would be the first of many games for Steve and Maghen Waterkotte. 

They met at the Oklahoma City University School of Law and got married in 2010.

The two lawyers eventually settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where Steve Waterkotte grew up a huge Missouri Tigers fan. Maghen Waterkotte is from Oklahoma, is an OU graduate and is a true Sooner. Sometimes this caused problems when both teams were in the Big 12. 

“I can specifically recall in 2010 when Mizzou beat OU when OU was number one in the country," Steve Waterkotte said. "When we ran back the initial kickoff, she actually moved away from me, I was celebrating too much, going crazy. She sat on an aisle step, because she was like, 'I’m not putting up with you.'” 

But through the wins and losses, love was the tie that binds. 

It was what gave the family strength when Maghen Waterkotte was diagnosed with a rare form of soft tissue cancer in January 2020. 

The diagnosis was terminal. 

“She was a tough as nails man. It was a rough go, especially towards the end. She never complained, everything was about the kids. Maximizing her time with the kids,” Steve Waterkotte said. 

Maghen Waterkotte passed away on January 4.  

Many of us look for signs from loved ones after they pass. Steve Waterkotte got one on Selection Sunday. 

“I had numerous people when OU-Mizzou was announced, text me, send me Facebook messages, 'hey, this is a God wink by Maghen. She’s still looking down on you and looking down on us.' It’s game-on now on Saturday,” Steve Waterkotte said. 

And Maghen Waterkotte will have the best seat in the house.