WELCOME TO SWOSU FOOTBALL
Southwestern Oklahoma State University football, a tradition dating back to 1905, is under the direction of Head Coach Dan Cocannouer, a former player at SWOSU in the 1970’s. Coach Cocannouer decided prior to the 2014 season that the Bulldogs would return to wearing the traditional while helmets as opposed to the navy ones that had been worn since 2005. “I’ve been thinking about ways to help our program out each year and one of the biggest pieces of feedback I get from our former players is, ‘When are you going to go back to white helmets?’,” Cocannouer said. “’I’ve thought about it quite a bit, because I like the blue helmets, they’re very sharp, but I’m ready to get back to tradition.” SWOSU has worn several variations of the white helmet through the years, with different Bulldog logos along with the popular ‘SW’ logo that was on the side of the lids from 1988-2003. It was also the helmet worn by SWOSU during the programs only National Championship in 1996. That helmet design was replaced by a white helmet with the new ‘SWOSU’ logo in 2004 before the change to blue occurred in 2005. “When you look at our history, all but one conference championship was won by the team while they were wearing white helmets,” Cocannouer mentioned. “We’ve come a long way since we’ve been here and I feel like it’s time for our kids to start expecting to win. We’re at the point with our program where we feel like we should expect to win and these white helmets are going to keep us in mind of that.”
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HOME JERSEY COMBINATION: Navy Jersey/Navy Pants/White Helmet
AWAY JERSEY COMBINATION: White Jersey/Navy Pants/White Helmet
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HEAD COACH DAN COCANNOUER Dan Cocannouer enters his sixth season as the head coach of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University football team in 2014. He returned home to lead his alma mater in 2009 following a long, successful high school career and he will begin his sixth season with a record of 18-36, which includes a 15-22 record in conference games. SWOSU bettered its win-loss record in each of Cocannouer’s first three seasons, improving from 1-10 in his inaugural season to 5-6 in 2011, the first season of the Great American Conference. Following a 2012 season that saw the Bulldogs finish 3-7, they responded by going 6-5 in 2013 to record the program’s first winning season since 2007. The 2013 season saw the Bulldogs open the year with an exciting 27-23 come-from-behind win over Harding – an NCAA Division II playoff team the previous season – in the Fast Lane Kickoff Classic. SWOSU then defeated Arkansas Tech on the road to improve to 2-0 for the first time since 2007. The Bulldogs then lost two of their next three games before alternating wins and losses the final six games of the season, including a 62-17 throttling of Northwestern Oklahoma State in the season finale that secured the winning season. Nine players earned All-Great American Conference honors in 2013, giving the Bulldogs 21 all-conference honorees in the three-year history of the conference. Among those earning honors were first team selections Ryan Corbin and Devin Benton, who each earned First Team All-GAC distinction for the second consecutive season. Corbin and Benton both landed on the All-Super Region Three team as well and Corbin went on to be named to five All-American teams, making him the third All-American coached by Cocannouer at SWOSU. Corbin was a First Team All-America selection by Beyond Sports Network, second team by D2Football.com & Daktronics, and earned third team honors from THE COCANNOUER FILE the Don Hansen Football Committee and the Associated Press All-America Team. In 2012, the Bulldogs had four players earn All-GAC honors after finishing 3-7 in their second year with the conference. Following the season, Colton Rainey became Cocannouer’s second player to earn All-American NAME: ............ Dan Cocannouer recognition by picking up an honorable mention selection by Beyond Sports Network. EDUCATION In 2011, SWOSU safety Clarence Laster earned several All-American honors for the Bulldogs after leading the Great American Conference with eight interceptions and a total of 97 tackles. His eight interceptions were HIGH SCHOOL: Tuttle HS, 1974 the most by a SWOSU player since 1980 and ranked third in all of NCAA Division II. Laster was a three-time GAC Player of the Week that season and he was named a first team All-American by Daktronics and a second COLLEGE: ....................SWOSU team selection on the Associated Press Little All-America squad. His other All-America honors were second BS, Health & PE, 1978 team selections by Don Hansen and D2Football.com. M.Ed. in Education, 1983 Prior to coming back to SWOSU, Cocannouer had spent 25 seasons as a high school head coach in the state of Oklahoma, establishing a reputation as one of the most prominent and well-respected coaching leaders in the state. He came to SWOSU after eight years at Edmond Santa Fe High School where he compiled a 70-26 FAMILY: Wife: ........... Jeri Lyn(Burch) record (.729 winning percentage) and led the Wolves to the Class 6A finals in 2003. Daughters: ..... Janie & Josie His other high school stops included lead high school programs at John Marshall, Chandler, Alva, Pauls Valley and Walters High Schools. All total, he has coached more than 36 years, including the last 30 as a head coach. He led five different schools to the state playoffs and served on the Oklahoma Football Coaches COACHING CAREER Association (OFCA) Advisory Board for several years and he is a past President of the Oklahoma Coaches 2009-present: ...............SWOSU Association (OCA) and the OFCA. With his prep success came the opportunity to coach in numerous all-star Head Coach games, including the Oklahoma All-State game (1988), Jim Thorpe Classic (2000, 2002), Oil Bowl (1997-98) and Enid Shriner All-Star Game (1992-96). Cocannouer played at SWOSU from 1974-77 under legendary head coach Otis Delaporte, helping the 2001-08: ........ Edmond Santa Fe Head Football Coach Bulldogs to conference titles in 1974 and 1977. He was a senior leader on the Bulldog team that won a schoolrecord 11 games and finished as the NAIA National Runner-up in 1997 after playing in the Apple Bowl at the Seattle Kingdome. By returning to lead his alma mater, he became the first SWOSU graduate to lead the 1999-00: ............... John Marshall Bulldogs since Joe Metcalf did the same from 1952-57. Head Football/Golf Coach Cocannouer holds two degrees from SWOSU. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education in 1978 before serving as a graduate assistant for the Bulldog football team while until he earned 1997-99: .................Chandler HS a master’s degree in Education in 1983. He also later obtained a secondary administrative certificate from Head Football/Golf Coach Northwestern Oklahoma State in 1996. A native of Tuttle, Oklahoma, Cocannouer and his wife Jeri Lyn reside in Weatherford, where she is Director of Special Education, Federal Programs and Testing Director for Weatherford Public Schools. The 1994-96: ........................ Alva HS Head Football Coach/AD couple has two adult daughters, Janie and Josie.
1992-94: ............Pauls Valley HS Head Football Coach/AD 1991-92: .............. Comanche HS Offensive Coordinator 1984-90: ................... Walters HS Head Football/Track Coach/AD 1979-84: .................. Altus HS/JH Assistant Football/Wrestling 1978:....................... Watonga HS Assistant Football 1978-79: .......................SWOSU Graduate Assistant
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FAST LANE FIELD AT MILAM STADIUM
FAST LANE FIELD at MILAM STADIUM is the longtime home of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University football team. The playing surface underwent its most significant transformation in its history of more than 75 years when an AstroTurf playing surface was installed in March of 2010. The field features many of the finest elements common to both professional and major college fields and was installed by one of the industry pioneers, AstroTurf, Inc., of Houston, Texas. The new surface was made possible to the supporters of SWOSU Athletics. The stadium now dons the name ‘Fast Lane Field’ thanks to a generous donation from ASAP Energy Inc., which maintains many Fast Lane franchises in Western Oklahoma. Other SWOSU supporters with their logo featured on the turf include: SWOSU Alumni Association, Coca Cola, Pioneer Cellular, City of Weatherford, Beutler & Son, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance, Nextera Energy, Weatherford Regional Hospital, Legacy Bank and Sudden Link TV & Internet. The facility, with a seating capacity of 8,600, is located on the west end of campus on the corner of Seventh Street and Davis. Recently the Pioneer Cellular Event Center was built and opened outside the south endzone, providing new concession areas and restrooms to be used for SWOSU Football games starting in 2014. In addition, the SWOSU Wellness Center overlooks Fast Lane Field from the east while coaches and media members view the game from the press box, located atop the west bleachers. A new speaker system was installed on the press box prior to the 2013 season, giving Bulldog football a new, clearer sound. Thousands of outstanding student-athletes and hundreds of games have been played at the historic stadium, including the 1996 NAIA Division I National Championship game that SWOSU won 33-31 over Montana Tech.
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PAUL SHARP LOCKER ROOM Named for SWOSU’s all-time winningest football coach, the PAUL SHARP LOCKER ROOM has been upgraded significantly in recent years. The home of Bulldog football now feature more than 100 wooden lockers, engraved with the SWOSU Bulldog logo, and the most recent addition: blue carpet to cover the entire floor of the room. The Paul Sharp Locker Room is located within Rankin Williams Fieldhouse, adjacent to the Cecil Perkins Football Complex. Also within the Locker Room is the equipment room for SWOSU Football and the Locker Room now borders with the Athletic Training Room used primarily by the Bulldog football team.
ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM The ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM in Rankin Williams Fieldhouse sits right beyond the south door of the Paul Sharp Locker Room, serving as the primary rehab spot for Bulldog football. Providing expert care to nearly 400 SWOSU student-athletes is the Head Athletic Trainer Edwin Detweiler and staff, consisting of two full-time athletic trainers, two graduate assistants and several students training to enter the field. SWOSU’s team of orthopedists is led by Dr. Michael Kiehn M.D., an Orthopedic Surgeion and Sports Medicine Specialist, Dr. Blake Badgett, team general medicine physician.
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SWOSU STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING The SWOSU Strength and Conditioning Program, under the direction of Head Strength Coach Kevin Hyde and staff, is dedicated to providing a sound and comprehensive strength and conditioning program for all Bulldog studentathletes. The philosophy of Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s strength and conditioning program is to provide a structured, sport-specific, training program that utilizes a combination of functional training, Olympic lifting, power and speed development, and flexibility training. Our strength and conditioning staff is committed to promoting a program and environment that is conducive to helping our athletes in each sport perform to their highest level, a championship level. Our off-season programs are extremely intensive programs that concentrate on strength, power, agility, speed, core strength, and flexibility. These programs serve as the foundation both physically and mentally for each student-athlete and team in our preparation for a championship season. The in-season programs focus on maintaining athletic gains attained during the off-season program. Muscle and connective tissue strength and recovery is of special importance throughout the in-season training programs. This is done to ensure our athletes ability to perform at their optimal level. Injury prevention is a top-priority in all of our programs and is vital to the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Voluntary workouts are held throughout the summer at Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s strength and conditioning center. These voluntary workouts allow for student-athletes to take advantage of our facilities on campus during the summer months under the supervision and direction of the strength and conditioning staff. Many of our athletes choose to stay on campus through the summer to participate in these voluntary workouts, without a doubt giving them an edge on winning a starting position, and more importantly a championship in the upcoming season.
SWOSU FITNESS CENTER The latest athletic facility to receive a facelift is the SWOSU FITNESS CENTER, the stregnth and conditioning training center for all SWOSU Athletic programs. The Fitness Center is located on 8th Street and just south of the Pioneer Cellular Event Center. With a 25-foot addition to the south side of the Fitness Center in the fall of 2014, Coach Hyde and staff now have a 7,500-square foot training facility that ranks among the best in NCAA Division II. The SWOSU Fitness Center complex features nearly five tons of equipment spread over 30 workout stations and 13 platforms within the air conditioned facility. In addition to the increased size, a new PLAE flooring surface has outfitted the entire building and our athletes will work out with custom logo troy urethane dumb bells and custom colored intek bumper plates. The training regimen at SWOSU is a year-round process with closely monitored workouts that involve a great deal of individual instruction and attention. Student-athletes are taught the correct techniques to increase their ability to perform at their peak duringeventual competition on the playing field or court. The new and improved SWOSU Fitness Center will be open and functional at the start of the 2015 spring semester.
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PIONEER CELLULAR EVENT CENTER
The PIONEER CELLULAR EVENT CENTER is a state of the art, 93,000 square-foot event center located in the heart of Weatherford, Oklahoma and serving as the home of the Bulldog basketball and volleyball teams. Additionally, the SWOSU Athletic offices are housed on the main floor of the building while a brand new athletic training room is located in the locker room corridor. The event center project was initiated by the City of Weatherford’s “Vision 2020” strategic planning process and made possible by the “Yes! Weatherford” sales tax campaign, SWOSU students and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. The project broke ground in December 2011 and opened its doors for business in January 2014. The Pioneer Cellular Event Center has a seating capacity in the arena of around 4,000. Everyone has a piece of this venture as the facility was partially funded by city of Weatherford sales tax ($7 million), university students ($7 million) and the University ($7 million). In addition, the University has secured more than $90,000 from past students for an alumni center on the lower level of the building. The new facility was built adjacent to Fast Lane Field, allowing it to provide additional suite and bathroom facilities during home SWOSU football games. The pride and joy of the facility is the top floor VIP quite, which will look over both the football field and the arena. It will be used to entertain donors, hold meetings and be used as a multifunctional suite for gameday and events. The facility has new locker rooms, coaches’ offices, a film room, training room and a number of multifunctional rooms that can be used for athletics matches, as well as university and community events. Economic impact projections estimate that the Event Center will draw an average of at least 25,500 visitors per year into Western Oklahoma for concerts, corporate events, trade shows, state tournament and much more. These activities could generate annual visitors spending $870,000, making the positive impact of this state-of-the-art facility in Weatherford, Western Oklahoma and the entire state insurmountable. It was announced on August 5, 2013 that the building would don the name of Pioneer Cellular Event Center. Pioneer Cellular announced the joint venture with SWOSU and the City of Weatherford giving the company exclusive naming rights for the facility. The first collegiate basketball games were held on January 25, 2014 as the Bulldogs hosted rival Northwestern Oklahoma State in front of a raucous crowd of 2,545. As part of the SWOSU Panorama series, comedian Bill Cosby became the first performer in the Pioneer Cellular Event Center when he took the stage in front of a packed house on April 3, 2014.
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NCAA DIVISION II ALL-AMERICANS
DB Landon Curtis 1997 Don Hansen Football Gazette (HM)
CB Cecil Deckard 2000 Don Hansen Football Gazette (2nd)
KR Patrick Weaver 2006 Don Hansen Football Gazette (3rd)
LB Ruzell McCoy 2008 Don Hansen Football Gazette (1st)
DB Clarence Laster 2011 Beyond Sports Network (1st) Daktronics (1st) Associated Press Little (2nd) D2Football.com (2nd) Don Hansen Football Gazette (2nd)
K Colton Rainey 2012 Beyond Sports Network (3rd)
TE Ryan Corbin 2013 Beyond Sports Network (1st) Daktronics (2nd) D2Football.com (2nd) Don Hansen Football Gazette (3rd) Associated Press Little (3rd)
DT Devin Benton 2014 Beyond Sports Network (1st)
NAIA ALL-AMERICANS YEAR 1954 1955 1956 1965 1966 1968 1972 1974 1975 1977 1977 1979 1980 1980 1980 1981 1982 1985 1986 1989 1990
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PLAYER Truman Smith John Buck John Buck Jerry Craig Dennis Skinner Charles Stevens Joe Shegog Tom Bergman Tom Bergman Louis Mendoza Glen Stallings Alonzo McMillan Gary Harper Carl Birdsong David Thompkins Ed Farmer Richard Lockman Randy Webster James Hicks Todd Helton Mark Bay
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POS. OT QB QB DL DT DL LB DL DL LB DB DB LB P DB LB LB DL RB DL LB
TEAM First First Third Second Second Second Second First First First Second First First Second Second First First First Second First First
YEAR 1992 1992 1992 1992 1992 1993 1994 1994 1995 1995 1996 1996 1996 1996
PLAYER Damon Sartor Eric Royal Stephen Buford John Wichert Junior Lowden John Wicher Junior Lowden Yohance Brown Junior Lowden Yohance Brown Yohance Brown Reggie Jackson Willie Brown Robert Newberg
POS. OL RB LB DL TE DL TE LB TE LB LB WR KR DL
TEAM First First First First First First Second Second First First First First First First
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ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS (Under Coach Cocannouer)
Year 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010
Pos. WR TE LB OL P RS DL DL DB FB OL RS DL LB DB TE OL DL LB LS
Year 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014
Pos. DB DB WR UT DL K QB DL TE DL K ST RB OL TE DL QB LB WR OL OL OL DL DL RB DB OL OL WR DB
LONE STAR CONFERENCE Player (Hometown) Jonathan Haggerty (Dallas, Texas) Joe Sawyer (Ogden, Utah) Fred Leak (Palestine, Ark.) Stephen Speer (Arlington, Texas) Chad McIntosh (Grand Prairie, Texas) Bruce Hatton (Mesquite, Texas) Cory Summers (Oklahoma City) Nick Walker (Altus, Okla.) Jonathan Darby (San Diego, Calif.) Marshall Fraley (Bixby, Okla.) Stephen Speer (Arlington, Texas) Bruce Hatton (Dallas, Texas) Henry Niutel (Eules, Texas) Jaron Burgess (Norman, Okla). Marvin Tribble (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Ryan Corbin (Newcastle, Okla.) Kane Bryen (Thomas, Okla.) Cash Johnson (Kingfisher, Okla.) Preston Margain (Los Angeles, Calif.) Colton Dickinson (Tulsa, Okla.)
Team First First First Second Second HM HM HM First Second Second Second Second Second Second HM HM HM HM HM
GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE Player (Hometown) Team Marvin Tribble (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) First Clarence Laster (Hemet, Calif.) First Esau Bauknight (Columbus, Ga.) Second Bruce Hatton (Mesquite, Texas) Second Devin Benton (Arlington, Texas) Second Colton Rainey (Lawton, Okla.) Second Dustin Stenta (Fort Worth, Texas) HM Lis Leota (Salt Lake City, Utah) HM Ryan Corbin (Newcastle, Okla.) First Devin Benton (Arlington, Texas) First Colton Rainey (Lawton, Okla.) Second Colton Dickinson (Tulsa, Okla.) Second Aaron Wilson (Wichita, Kan.) HM Kane Bryen (Thomas, Okla.) HM Ryan Corbin (Newcastle, Okla.) First Devin Benton (Arlington, Texas) First Dustin Stenta (Fort Worth, Texas) Second Ryan Feller (Altus, Okla.) Second Brad Smithey (Mesquite, Texas) HM Nathan Butler (Southlake, Texas) HM Mack Cannon (Arlington, Texas) HM Derrick Shelton (Clarendon, Texas) HM Jacolby Robinson (Mansfield, Texas) HM Devin Benton (Arlington, Texas) First Karl Hodge (Dallas, Texas) Second Kevin Joseph (Miami, Fla.) Second Derrick Shelton (Clarendon, Texas) Second Mack Cannon (Arlington, Texas) HM Brad Smithey (Mesquite, Texas) HM Steven Townsley (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) HM
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SPECIALTY HONORS (NCAA DIVISION II ERA)
1997 2000 2000 2001 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2008
DB WR DB RB OL WR OL LB RB
LONE STAR CONFERENCE Landon Curtis Defensive Back of the Year Shevron Glover Receiver of the Year Cecil Deckard Defensive Back of the Year Jimmy Jenkins Freshman of the Year Drew Rigsby Co-Freshman of the Year Danny Howard Co-Receiver of the Year Ryan Held Coach of the Year Austin Ellis Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year Ruzell McCoy Co-Linebacker of the Year Luke Lundy Freshman of the Year
2011 2014
DL DL
GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE Devin Benton Freshman of the Year Devin Benton Defensive Player of the Year
2014
DL
SUPER REGION 3 (Beyond Sports Network) Devin Benton Defensive Player of the Year
2014
DL
OTHER Devin Benton Gene Upshaw Award Finalist Cliff Harris Award Finalist
DEVIN BENTON Super Region 3 Defensinve Player of the Year (BSN) GAC Defensive Player of the Year Four-Time All-GAC Selection Finalist: Gene Upshaw Award & Cliff Harris Award
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WEATHERFORD, OKLAHOMA Straight west of the Oklahoma City metro, WEATHERFORD is known for having the longest stretch of “Main Street” on Route 66. This windy city had been making Oklahoma proud since 1898 and is filled with historic museums, boutique shopping and exceptional activities. The people of Weatherford are constantly improving the town with building projects, as seen by the wind turbine farms that line the landscape. Weatherford is home to several of America’s heroes, including Major General Thomas P. Stafford and US Army Major General Paul D. Easton. Stafford, an astronaut and veteran, is still very active in the community with the Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford. Famous athletes who have once called Weatherford home include major league baseball player Branden Looper, and professional football players Wes Sims and Todd Franz.
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OKLAHOMA CITY Just one hour to the east of Weatherford is the largest city and state capital, OKLAHOMA CITY. A town that has it all, from the historic Old West in Stockyards City to the vibrant energy of Bricktown, the city’s lively entertainment district. Oklahoma City is home to the NBA’s Thunder, the 2012 Western Conference Champions, and the Triple-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the OKC Dodgers - formerly the Redhawks. The museums hold artistic treasures and the sports venues have something for everyone. Dining options are various, with unique restaurants for local favorites and down-home cookins. Choices abound for an experience to cherish in Oklahoma City!
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SWOSU “THE FOCUS IS YOU” Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Weatherford is located 70 miles west of Oklahoma City. The university is authorized to offer curricular in arts and sciences, business, teacher education and health sciences. A branch campus at Sayre is authorized to provide Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees in both general and specialized areas of study, as well as career and technical education. The University was established by an act of the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature in 1901 as the Southwestern Normal School, authorized to offer two years of training four public school teachers. The first classes met in 1903. Initially, four years of preparatory work for pre-college students were offered. In 1920, the preparatory courses were eliminated and two additional years of college work in teacher training were added. The State Legislature approved a change of name to Southwestern State Teachers
With 65 majors and 100 fields of study, you’ll have plenty of choices. And with 215 full-time faculty, you’ll get lots of help along the way. In fact, our campus of 5,000 students and small class sizes, makes it feel like one big family. The average class size is 23, so you will get the individual attention you deserve. Were you active in high school? With nearly 100 student organizations, you’re sure to find new interests and activities. SWOSU
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College. The first baccalaureate degrees were awarded in May 1921. Other changes in name and purposes occurred in 1939 when the institution was designated as Southwestern State College of Diversified Occupations and in 1941, when it became Southwestern Institute of Technology. During this two-
year period, the college added a school of pharmacy, degree work in the arts and sciences, and trade schools. In 1949, the Oklahoma State Legislature changed the name of the institution to Southwestern State College, and in 1974, to Southwestern Oklahoma State University, without
altering its purposes and objectives. On July 1, 1987, Sayre Junior College was merged with Southwestern Oklahoma State University as a branch campus designated Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Sayre. Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Sayre was founded as Sayre Junior College in 1938 under legislative authorization which permitted public high schools to add a 13th and 14th year of study to their curricula. A total of 19 public schools took this step. In 1949, the college name was changed to Oklahoma Western Junior College; however, the original name was soon adopted again, and in May 1940 the first degrees were conferred. In 1956, Sayre Junior College moved from facilities occupied jointly with Sayre High School to its present location on old Highway 66. The merger with Southwestern Oklahoma State University marked the end of the Oklahoma community college system, since Sayre Junior College was the only such institution remaining of the original nineteen.
always has a packed calendar with cool events like Dawg Days, Panorama series, intramural and intercollegiate sports and residence hall activities. Parents love that SWOSU is a great value and we are all proud of the quality education students receive here. This book is chocked full of the Great Life at SWOSU, 24/7. See what it’s like to experience a day in the life of a SWOSU student, then come visit campus to see for yourself.
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GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE The Great American Conference is one of the newest in NCAA Division II, first taking the field in the fall of 2011. Entering its fourth year of competition, the GAC continues to establish itself on the field of play against the very tough Central Region/Super Region 3. The NCAA announced on March 9, 2011 that the Great American Conference was officially accepted as the 23rd NCAA Division II athletics conference. Although the new league was new, it was a concept that had been informally discussed since the early 1990’s between institutions from Arkansas and Oklahoma. Nine charter members (Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech, East Central, Harding, Henderson State, Ouachita Baptist, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Southern Arkansas and Southwestern Oklahoma State) agreed to form a new NCAA Division II athletic conference in July 2010 and notified their respective leagues of the decision. In November of 2010, the league was stamped as the Great American Conference and announced in March of 2011 that it would become the 23rd active member conference in NCAA Division II. Will Prewitt, previously an associate commissioner of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), was selected as the first GAC Commissioner and appointed to his post one month before the league had officially been named. He is joined on staff by Associate Commisioner for Compliance Audra Tope, Assistant Commissioner for Communications Eric Moyer and Assistant Commissioner for Operations Stephanie Prewitt. The nine founding members began active membership within the NCAA Division II ranks on September 1, 2011. Earlier that summer, Southern Nazarene was accepted into the NCAA Division II membership process and they were extended a provisional invitation to join the GAC. Northwestern Oklahoma State also received a provisional invitation after being accepted into the process in the summer of 2012. Southern Nazarene becomes an active championship member of the GAC for the 2014-15 season while Northwestern Oklahoma State will do the same the following year.
2011: Ouachita Baptist 2012: Henderson State
GAC Champions 6-1 2013: Henderson State 8-0 2014: Ouachita Baptist
Founded: 2011 Phone: 479-567-5422 Commissioner: Will Prewitt Associate Commisioner / Compliance: Audra Tope Assistant Commissioner / Communications: Eric Moyer Assistant Commissioner / Operations: Stephanie Prewitt Website: www.greatamericanconference.com Mailing Address: PO Box 863 Russellville, Ark. 72811
10-0 10-0 TM
GAC Schools in the NCAA II Playoffs* School Appearances Years Harding 2 2012, 2014 Henderson State 2 2012, 2013 Ouachita Baptist 1 2014 *Only accounts for playoff appearances since GAC formed in 2011
Great American Conference Member Information School Enrollment Arkansas Tech 11,379 Arkansas-Monticello 3,400 East Central 5,727 Harding 6,810 Henderson State 3,584 Northwestern Oklahoma State 1,889 Oklahoma Baptist 1,979 Ouachita Baptist 1,448 Southeastern Oklahoma State 3,889 Southern Arkansas 3,404 Southern Nazarene. 2,110 Southwestern Oklahoma State 4,850
Location Russellville, Ark. Monticello, Ark. Ada, Okla. Searcy, Ark Arkadelphia, Ark Alva, Okla. Shawnee, Okla. Arkadelphia, Ark. Durant, Okla. Magnolia, Ark. Bethany, Okla. Weatherford, Okla.
Population Colors 27,920 Green & Gold 9,778 Green & White 16,810 Orange & Black 22,858 Black & Gold 10,714 Red & Gray 4,945 Red & Black 29,857 Green & Gold 10,714 Purple & Gold 15,856 Blue & Gold 11,577 Royal Blue & Old Gold 20,307 Crimson & White 10,833 Navy & White
Nickname Wonder Boys/Golden Suns Boll Weevils/Cotton Blossoms Tigers Bisons Reddies Rangers Bison Tigers Savage Storm Muleriders Crimson Storm Bulldogs
Joined 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012 2015 2011 2011 2011 2012 2011
Great American Conference Yearly Awards Offensive 2011 2012 2013 2014
Casey Cooper, QB, OBU Kevin Rodgers, QB, HSU Kevin Rodgers, QB, HSU Kevin Rodgers, QB, HSU
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Defensive
Freshman
2011 Jason Catchings, LB, ECU 2012 Maxie Graham, LB, HSU 2013 Keaton Stigger, LB, HSU 2014 Devin Benton, DL, SWOSU
2011 Devin Benton, DL, SWOSU 2012 Tim Llewellyn, LB, HSU 2013 Devlon Wortham, RB, SE 2014 Zach Shelley, RB, HU
Coach 2011 2012 2013 2014
Todd Knight, OBU Scott Maxfield, HSU Scott Maxfield, HSU Todd Knight, OBU
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SWOSU FOOTBALL HISTORY BY THE NUMBERS
SWOSU IN THE POSTSEASON NAIA Playoffs 1977 Dec. 3 vs. Nebraska-Kearney Dec. 10 vs. Abilene Christian
W 21-7 L 7-24
50.................... All-Conference Selections (Under Coach Cocannouer)
1992
Nov. 21 vs. Central Arkansas
1996
Nov. 23 vs. Northwestern Oklahoma St. Dec. 7 vs. Montana Tech
Bowl Games 1977 Apple Bowl Abilene Christian 24, SWOSU 7 1991
Aztec Bowl Mexico All-Stars 35, SWOSU 28
L 2-14 W 17-7 W 33-31
43....................................... All-Americans 19................. Conference Championships
Dec. 10, 1977
Dec. 14, 1991
SWOSU FOOTBALL TRADITION NAIA National Champions: 1996 NAIA National Playoffs: 1977 1992 Conference Champions: 1926 1932 1954 1955 1969 1970 1977 1980 1996 1997 Apple Bowl: 1977 Aztec Bowl: 1991
44................................. Winning Seasons
3..................... NAIA Playoff Appearances 2.......................Bowl Game Appearances 1................. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOP TEN COACHES (RANKED BY WINS)
1996
COACH Paul Sharp
1933 1957 1971 1985 2007
1950 1968 1974 1992
WINS 93
Otis Delaporte
1964-77
89
Bob Mazie
1978-85
39
Joe Metcalf
1952-57
32
Rankin Williams
1932-38
31
1939-48
30
2009-Pres.
21
Jake Spann Dan Cocannouer Joe Milam
1926-31
21
Carl Voyles
1922-25
19
J.W. Cole
1958-63
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SWOSU FOOTBALL HISTORY & TRADITION: Southwestern Oklahoma State University has been been noted for its rich athletic history on the field of competition. In football, the Bulldogs have won have 19 conference titles, the latest in 2007 as they shared a Lone Star Conference North Division title. SWOSU has won two conference crowns since transitioning to NCAA Division II, but they have yet to appear in an NCAA Postseason event. SWOSU’s longest-running streak of titles was a four-year run of Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference titles from 1968-71 under legendary coach Otis Delaporte. Delaporte led the Bulldogs to the NAIA Playoffs in 1977, advancing to the NAIA National Championship game - The Apple Bowl - in Seatlle, Wash., where they were defeated by Abilene Christian and finished the season 11-1. The Bulldogs all-time winningest coach, Paul Sharp, led SWOSU to postseason appearances in 1992 and 1996. Central Arkansas eliminated the Bulldogs from the playoffs in 1992, but nothing would get in the way of the 1996 squad. SWOSU defeated Northwestern Oklahoma State and Montana Tech on their way to the 1996 NAIA National Title, a fitting end to the NAIA era as Coach Sharp was named the 1996 Rawlings-NAIA Division I Coach of the Year by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette.
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YEARS 1986-2004
RECORD BY DECADE 1905-09 ...............3-8-1 (.292) 1910-19 ...........14-33-2 (.306) 1920-29 .........41-38-10 (.517) 1930-39 .........40-43-12 (.484) 1940-49 ...........31-21-2 (.593) 1950-59 ...........47-44-4 (.516) 1960-69 ...........49-51-1 (.490) 1970-79 ...........64-33-3 (.655) 1980-89 ...........48-51-1 (.485) 1990-99 ...........51-50-1 (.505) 2000-09 ..............40-67 (.374) 2010-Pres. ..........20-33 (.377)
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