The Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise has reached the end of an era. Mike Tupa, our sports editor of nearly 30 years, is retiring Sunday. He is a Bartlesville institution and the community will never be the same.
He began his Examiner-Enterprise sportswriting journey in mid-1996. And he’s been with the EE ever since. When I meet anybody with any knowledge of Bartlesville — especially Bartlesville sports — they usually ask me, “Is Tupa still there?”
I’ve only known Tupa since 2020 when I joined the EE as a reporter. If I had to describe him in one phrase, it would be “kindness personified.”
Here’s what others who have known him for years say:
“I met Mike in 1996. Though they hired both of us to the E-E around the same time, I was able to start a few weeks earlier. He was hired as the sports editor, and I was hired as a sports reporter.
It was Mike’s mom who suggested that he become a sports reporter because he had such a passion for sports. And beyond that, he had a passion for local sports. He knew that if you were going to be a good sports reporter, you had to be able to cover what was in your backyard. And, he was able to do that in a tireless and amazingly thorough way over years on his beats for the Bruins, Dewey, the Doenges Ford Indians, etc. In fact, he did such a good job that he is now in the Bartlesville Sports Commission Hall of Fame.
The E-E was very fortunate to have Mike on their roster for nearly 30 years. I am very proud to have worked with him. Beyond what Mike brings to his role, he is a terrific person. He is kind and generous, and I am blessed to be able to call him a good friend.” — David Austin, internal communications adviser for ConocoPhillips and former Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise sports reporter
VIDEO: Former colleague David Austin talks about Mike Tupa
VIDEO: Former colleague David Austin talks about Mike Tupa
“There will never be another sports editor like Mike Tupa. He is truly one of a kind. A wordsmith, poet and eternal optimist, Mike is able to turn a phrase in showcasing our wins and make a resounding loss sound like another way of showcasing local talent. Even though he is retiring, he will always be a part of our local sports history, and his work will forever be etched in the hearts, minds and scrapbooks of Bartlesville athletes.” — Kelli Williams, chief communications officer for the City of Bartlesville and former Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise editor
“During my 25-year career in newspapers, I’ve had the privilege of working with several outstanding sports editors and sports writers, but Mike Tupa is on another level. He’s incredibly dedicated and passionate about his craft. There’ll never be another one like him and Bartlesville has been very fortunate to be blessed by his tireless coverage spanning parts of four decades.” — Christopher Rush, former editor and publisher for the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
VIDEO: Former E-E editor and publisher Chris Rush talks Mike Tupa
VIDEO: Former E-E editor and publisher Chris Rush talks about Mike Tupa
“I’m not sure that I can say a lot about Mike that people don’t already know. He has an incredible love for the community, passion for his job, athletes and sports world that he covers, and a unique writing style that draws readers into his world. All of these things are amazing, but they don’t compare to the person himself. Mike is kind, genuine, honest, hard-working and always willing to help. He is clever and talented, and we will absolutely miss his ponderings, style and gift that he has shared with us for over 30 years.” — Jamie Unkenholz, Bartlesville Radio digital media manager and former longtime Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise multimedia sales executive
“I met Mike on his first day at the EE and immediately felt a kinship. He’s one of the best writers I know. He puts his heart and soul into every story he writes, especially his columns. Bartlesville is very lucky to have his caliber of talent. On a personal level, Mike is a very dear friend. He and I traveled to many games together over the years.” — Becky Burch Slack, longtime Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise photographer
VIDEO: George Halkiades talks about Mike Tupa
Philanthropist George Halkiades talks about Mike Tupa
So Mike Tupa, we at the Examiner-Enterprise want to say farewell and thank you for your service.
You are a legend.
