Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls
Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls | |
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Ride 'Em Cowboys | |
Colors | Orange and black[1] |
Website | okstate |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Big_12_logo_in_OKState_colors.svg/200px-Big_12_logo_in_OKState_colors.svg.png)
The Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls are the
Athletics history and tradition
Prior to 1957, Oklahoma State University was known as Oklahoma A&M. As was common with most
Only a few decades removed from the cattle drive era, the cowboy was still an important figure in the Southwest. The new mascot had become so popular that by 1924, Charles Saulsberry, sports editor of The Oklahoma Times, began calling A&M's teams the "Cowboys". "Aggies" and "Cowboys" were used interchangeably until A&M was elevated to university status in 1957.[4] In 1958, the "Pistol Pete" caricature was formally adopted as Oklahoma State's mascot, though it had been used unofficially for over three decades before then.
The Waving Song
The "Waving Song" is one of the
The song's melody is that of "The Streets of New York", a song from the Victor Herbert operetta, The Red Mill. The lyrics used by Oklahoma State were written by H.G. Seldomridge, a professor at what was then Oklahoma A&M who heard the tune on a visit to New York City. It was first sung in 1908 at a follies show at Stillwater's Grand Opera House. Ever since, it has been a tradition to play the song at Oklahoma State athletic events.[6] The only real change over the years has been to replace "OAMC" with "Oklahoma State".
Conference history
Oklahoma A&M was a founding member of the
- Independent, 1901–1914
- Southwest Conference, 1914–1924
- Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association, 1924–1927
- Missouri Valley Conference, 1927–1956
- Independent, 1956–1957
- Big Eight Conference, 1957–1995, officially joined 1957, all sports did not compete in conference play until 1960–61
- Big 12 Conference, 1996–present
Varsity teams
Men's sports | Women's sports |
---|---|
Baseball | Basketball |
Basketball | Cross country |
Cross country | Equestrian |
Football | Golf |
Golf | Soccer |
Tennis | Softball |
Track and field† | Tennis |
Wrestling | Track and field† |
† – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor |
Basketball
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a5/1945_Oklahoma_A%26M.jpg/250px-1945_Oklahoma_A%26M.jpg)
Men's basketball
Oklahoma State first took the basketball court in 1908. Under head coach
Under Eddie Sutton, the team made two Final Four appearances—in 1995 and in 2004. Sutton's son, Sean Sutton, began coaching the team in 2006 but resigned on March 31, 2008.[9] The team is now coached by Steve Lutz, who was hired to the head coach position after Mike Boynton Jr was fired following the 2023-24 season.
Women's basketball
Oklahoma State first fielded a women's team during the 1972–1973 season. The Cowgirls have been to 17 NCAA tournaments, and have made 3 Sweet 16s. In 2012, Oklahoma State defeated James Madison 75-68 to win the 2012 NIT championship. They have won 3 conference championships, with tournament championships in 1990 and 1991, and a regular season conference championship in 1991. They play their games at Gallagher-Iba Arena, and are coached by 3rd year head coach, Jacie Hoyt.
Baseball
The Cowboys won their only national championship in 1959, but have finished runner-up on five other occasions. Oklahoma State has won 26 conference tournament titles to go along with 25 regular season conference titles, including 16 consecutive conference championships (1981-1996) under head coach Gary Ward in the Big 8 Conference. During that time, Pete Incaviglia was named Baseball America's Player of the Century, and Robin Ventura was inducted in the inaugural class into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Overall, Oklahoma State has made 20 College World Series appearances, including seven straight from 1981 to 1987.
The Cowboys' current head baseball coach is Josh Holliday.
Cross Country
Men's Cross Country
Oklahoma State men's cross country is one of the most illustrious cross country programs in the nation, winning NCAA national championships in 1954, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2023. In addition to the 5 NCAA championships, OSU cross country has won 17 conference titles, including 9 straight Big 12 titles from 2008–16, with their most recent title coming in 2023. 13 individual conference champion runners have come from Oklahoma State, including Brian Musau in 2023. The OSU cross country program has also produced 68 All-American runners. The Cowboys run at the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course, and are led by 12x Big 12 Men's Coach of the Year, Dave Smith.
Women's Cross Country
The Oklahoma State women's cross country program has been a powerhouse in recent years, winning the Big 12 conference title in 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2022 to go along with their 1986 Big 8 conference title. There have been 7 Cowgirls who have been crowned individual Big 12 champion, with Taylor Roe becoming the first Big 12 individual conference champion from OSU when she won in 2023, breaking a 34 year drought. At the 2023 NCAA Cross Country Championships, Oklahoma State claimed a 3rd place finish, only 33 points behind the winners, the best finish ever for the women's cross country team. 24 Cowgirls have won the All-American award, and 2 Olympians have hailed from OSU. The Cowgirls run at the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course, and are led by 5x Big 12 Women's Coach of the Year, Dave Smith.
Equestrian
Oklahoma State women's equestrian competes in the Big 12 conference, alongside Baylor, Fresno State, and TCU. The Cowgirl equestrian team has had major success in recent years, winning 10 conference titles (2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024). They have also had NCEA title success, winning 4 NCEA Western national titles in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2013. However, they were unable to win the overall national title until 2022, when they defeated Texas A&M 11-9 to claim their first NCEA Dual Discipline national title. Oklahoma State equestrian competes at the Pedigo-Hull Equestrian Center, and are led by 5x Big 12 Coach of the Year, Larry Sanchez.
Football
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Texas_at_OSU_2007.jpg/220px-Texas_at_OSU_2007.jpg)
The 1945 Oklahoma A&M team was retroactively awarded a national title in October 2016 by the American Football Coaches Association. The Aggies finished with a 9–0 record, completing the season with a 33–13 win over St. Mary's College in the Sugar Bowl.[10] The Cowboys have won 11 conference championships, along with victories in 3 Fiesta Bowls, 1 Sugar Bowl, and 1 Cotton Bowl. The Oklahoma State football program has participated in 34 bowl games overall and have been to 17 straight, with their most recent bowl game being a 31-23 victory over Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl.
Barry Sanders won the Heisman Trophy in 1988.[11] Other individual honors by Oklahoma State football players include 2 NFL Hall of Fame members, 65 All-Americans, 170 NFL Draft picks, and 21 first round NFL Draft picks to the Cowboys' name.
The current head coach is Mike Gundy (166–79 and 12–6 in bowl appearances). During Gundy's coaching career, the Cowboys have enjoyed ten 9+ win seasons. Gundy coached the team to a record 12 win season in 2011, culminating with a Fiesta Bowl victory over Stanford, and ten years later led Oklahoma State to another 12 win season and Fiesta Bowl victory, this time over Notre Dame. His accolades consist of the 2011 Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year, 2011 Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Year, and the 2011 American Football Monthly National Coach of the Year. He also has won Big 12 Coach of the Year three times (2010, 2021, 2023).
Oklahoma State plays football on Lewis Field, in Boone Pickens Stadium, and the Cowboys all-time record is 638–572–48.
Golf
The men's program has qualified for the NCAA Championship 74 times in 75 years
Numerous Cowboys from the men's team have gone on to success in
The women's program has also had its share of success. Under former coach Ann Pitts, the Cowgirls won 15 conference championships and made 15 appearances at the NCAA Championship. Laura Matthews led the Cowgirls to be Big 12 champions in 2005 and a top-20 finish at the NCAA Championship.
Conference championships:
- Men
- Missouri Valley Conference (9): 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955
- Big Eight Conference (36): 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
- Big 12 Conference (10): 1997, 1998, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2019, 2021
- Women
- Big Eight Conference (14): 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996
- Big 12 Conference (10): 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2021
Soccer
The Oklahoma State Cowgirls soccer team has won the
Softball
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Mariah_Gearhart%2C_Alysia_Hamilton%2C_and_Sarah_Odom_celebrate_the_win_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-Mariah_Gearhart%2C_Alysia_Hamilton%2C_and_Sarah_Odom_celebrate_the_win_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Oklahoma State's softball team has appeared in sixteen Women's College World Series, in 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982 (AIAW), 1982 (NCAA), 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.[24] In 1982, the Cowgirls played in both the last AIAW WCWS and days later the first NCAA WCWS. After having played their way through the 1982 regular season, a conference tournament, NCAA first round, winning an AIAW regional title, a loss in the AIAW WCWS final, the team's marathon season ended with 13-inning and 14-inning one-run losses in the NCAA tournament.
In addition to national success, Oklahoma State softball has won 9 regular season conference titles and won the 2022 Big 12 tournament title over rival Oklahoma. They are coached by 9th year head coach Kenny Gajewski.
Tennis
Men's Tennis
The Oklahoma State men's tennis program has won 24 total conference championships, with 18 coming from the Big 8 conference. The Cowboys have been to 26 NCAA Tournaments, with the most recent appearance being in 2024. Their highest final ITA ranking was 11th, which was achieved in the 2006-07 season. The Cowboys also boast having 20 All-Americans and 40 individual Big 12 Champions. Oklahoma State men's tennis plays their matches at the Greenwood Tennis Center, and are coached by 3rd year head coach Dustin Taylor.
Women's Tennis
The Oklahoma State women's tennis program has won 29 total conference championships, including 7 Big 12 titles. The Cowgirls have been to 27 NCAA Tournaments, with the most recent appearance being in 2024. In 2016, OSU made it to the national championship match against Stanford, where they fell 4-3. In 2024, they won the ITA National Indoor Championship, defeating Michigan 4-3. The Cowgirls boast having 24 All-Americans and 28 individual Big 12 Champions. Oklahoma State women's tennis plays their matches at the Greenwood Tennis Center, and are coached by 15th year head coach Chris Young.
Track and Field
Men's Track and Field
The Oklahoma State Men's Indoor Track and Field team has won the Big 12 conference twice, in 2014 and 2016. 13 Cowboys have won individual NCAA titles, and Oklahoma State has been to 33 NCAA Men's Indoor Championships, with their best result being a 2nd place finish in 1965.
The Oklahoma State Men's Outdoor Track and Field team has won 20 conference titles, all coming during their time in the Missouri Conference. 16 Cowboys have won individual NCAA titles, and Oklahoma State has been to 53 NCAA Men's Outdoor Championships, with their best result being a 5th place finish in 1959. Both teams are coached by Dave Smith.
Women's Track and Field
The Oklahoma State Women's Indoor Track and Field team won their first conference championship in 2023, scoring 146 points to win the Big 12 title. 5 Cowgirls have won individual NCAA titles, and Oklahoma State has been to 25 NCAA Women's Indoor Championships, with their best result being an 8th place finish in 2024.
The Oklahoma State Women's Outdoor Track and Field team has never won a conference title, however 3 Cowgirls have won individual NCAA titles, and Oklahoma State has been to 24 NCAA Women's Outdoor Championships, with their best result being a 12th place finish in 2016. Both teams are coached by Dave Smith.
Wrestling
Oklahoma State wrestling's tradition started in 1916 when
After Gallagher's death, Art Griffith took over and proceeded to win two straight national championships. Due to
Overall, the Oklahoma State wrestling program has won 34 NCAA championships, along with 53 conference championships, 143 individual champions and 485 All-Americans.
Notable non-varsity sports
Rugby
Founded in 1974, the Oklahoma State University Rugby Football Club plays
Cheerleading
The Oklahoma State University Cheerleaders compete in the National Cheerleaders Association in Division 1A coached by Lindsay Saloitte.
They have won 16[27] NCA national team championships and two group stunt national championships in the following divisions:
NCA Large Co-Ed Div. 1A – 2021, 2022
NCA Cheer Division 1A – 1988, 1991, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
NCA All-Girl 1 – 1988, 1990, 1995, 1996
NCA Small Co-Ed 1A – 2012, 2019
NCA Small Co-Ed 1 – 2007
NCA Group Stunts – 2014, 2015
STUNT
The Oklahoma State University STUNT team competes in
They have won 9[27] national team championships in the following years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024.
Championships
NCAA team championships
Oklahoma State has won 53 NCAA team national championships.[28]
- Men's (53)
- Baseball(1): 1959
- Basketball(2): 1945, 1946
- Cross Country(5): 1954, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2023
- Golf(11): 1963, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2006, 2018
- Wrestling (34): 1928*, 1929, 1930, 1931*, 1933*, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
- See also:
Other national team championships
Listed below are seven national team titles in current and emerging NCAA sports that were not awarded by the NCAA.
- Men's (1)
- Women's (6)
- Equestrian:
- (Varsity Western) (4): 2003, 2004, 2006, 2013
- (Dual discipline) (1): 2022
- Tennis (1): 2024a
- Equestrian:
a ITA National Indoor Championship
Below are five national team titles won by Oklahoma State teams at the highest collegiate levels in non-NCAA sports:
- All (5)
- Equestrian (AQHA western) (1): 2000
- Flying (aviation) (2): 1971, 1975
- Rodeo (women's) (2): 2001, 2004
- See also:
See also
References
- ^ Oklahoma State University Athletics Official Athletics Branding Manual (PDF). November 20, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- ^ "Chad Weiberg officially takes over as Oklahoma State's athletic director". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ "The first bedlam game" by Jeremy Bennett, okie comics magazine, issue #4, p. 4, 2018
- ^ "Gameday Traditions". Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ^ *. However, Cowboy faithful are quick to point out that the University of Kansas waves wheat, not Oklahoma State.(See below for origins of the waving song.)The Waving Song Archived November 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine; at OKState.com
- ^ Intercollegiate Athletics; Dellinger, Doris; The OSU Centennial – Histories Series; p. 38.
- ^ "Football Record Book: Big Eight Conference Annual Standings" (PDF). Big 12 Conference. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 7, 2023.
- ^ "Men's Basketball Record Book: Big Eight Conference Annual Standings" (PDF). Big 12 Conference. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 5, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ "Sean Sutton resigns under pressure from Oklahoma State - USAToday.com". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
- ^ Trotter, Jake (October 13, 2016). "Oklahoma State gets 1945 retroactive coaches title". ESPN. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
- ^ "Heisman Trophy / 1988 - 54th Award". Archived from the original on August 4, 2007. Retrieved August 12, 2007.
- ^ "Course Information". Archived from the original on June 23, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
- ^ "2003 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE SPRING CHAMPIONSHIPS" (PDF). Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Cowboys Rally To Victory At Louisville Regional". May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
- ^ "2018–19 Cowboy Golf Media Guide" (PDF). Oklahoma State Cowboys Athletics. pp. 130–131.
- ^ "Cowboys Set For Big 12 Championship". April 21, 2013. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ^ "Soccer Conference Championships" (Press release). Oklahoma State Cowgirls. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ "Cowgirls Beat Duke To Reach Elite Eight" (Press release). Oklahoma State Cowgirls. November 19, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ "Cowgirl soccer headed to Elite Eight". News 9. November 21, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ "Adrianna Franch". United States Soccer Federation. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ Balf, Celia (September 27, 2018). "Goalkeeper of the Year: Adrianna Franch, Portland Thorns FC" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ Green, Arne (October 28, 2022). "Olympic and World Cup-level professional soccer player had her start in Salina". Salina Journal. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- NCAA. 2022. p. 6.
- ISBN 978-0-9893007-0-4.
- ^ "Distinguished Member: Edward C. Gallagher". National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on August 5, 2006. Retrieved April 5, 2006.
- ^ a b c d "Why OSU?". Oklahoma State University athletics. April 5, 2003. Archived from the original on May 1, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2006.
- ^ a b "Spirit".
- ^ "NCAA Championships Summary through July 1, 2016" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletics Association. p. 2. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
- ^ "AFCA Recognizes Oklahoma State as 1945 National Champion". afca.com. American Football Coaches Association. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ Tramel, Berry (August 23, 2017). "Why is Oklahoma State on an island with the retroactive titles?". News OK. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
The AFCA did not convene a panel of historians ... Instead, the AFCA opened the process up for proposals. It invited schools to nominate teams they felt were deserving. Then a committee would vote yea or nay on said team – the AFCA acknowledged it could hand out multiple awards for the same season [from 1922 to 1949].
External links
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