Dudley Darrow

STILL FEELS LIKE HOME

by Caitlin Hofen

A self-proclaimed lifelong Ranger, Dr. Dudley Darrow, ’02, is proud of his alma mater even 20 years after he walked across the stage.

“I can’t imagine my life without Northwestern,” Darrow said. “I met so many people and have so many great memories from there. I don’t know what I’d be doing if I wasn’t associated with Northwestern.”

A native of Shattuck, Okla., Darrow chose to attend Northwestern to play football.

“I wasn’t offered a scholarship to play, but Coach Tim Albin let me walk on,” Darrow said. “I redshirted my first year and quickly got a scholarship. I played for the Rangers the next four years.”

Darrow was a member of the 1999 national championship team for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Rangers celebrated a 13-0 undefeated season including winning Northwestern’s only national championship.

“We won 35 games straight, from the last five games my freshman year until the last game my junior year,” Darrow said. “Winning the national championship is a great memory of mine. We had the chance to win a second one but fell short.

“Something I’m extremely proud of was being a walkon without a scholarship, then being elected captain my senior year. I never thought I’d be a leader, but my teammates thought I was. That really means a lot to me. I was just a guy who stuck with it and worked hard, and they put their faith in me.”

Caitlin Hofen

Upon completing his degree in physical education, Darrow taught and coached at Mustang Public Schools in Mustang, Okla. for three years while his wife, Megan, ’02, attended dental school at the University of Oklahoma.

“Megan had a really good job opportunity in the Enid area, so we moved and have been in Enid ever since,” Darrow said. “I worked for 17 years at Enid Public Schools and now for Chisholm in North Enid.”

In May 2022, Darrow was hired as the new superintendent for Chisholm Public Schools. Two days later, he received his doctorate in educational leadership from Oklahoma State University.

“I finished my doctorate in five years and one semester,” Darrow said. “I took classes the more traditional way and was able to work full time while having a family. I’m very proud of it.

“When I walked out of Gallagher-Iba Arena with my doctorate, I called Coach Albin. I wanted to tell him I’d graduated with my doctorate degree because of the impact he and Northwestern had on me.”

Darrow worked his way up from teacher and coach to assistant principal and principal. Now, he hopes to make an impact on the Chisholm School District.

“I hope to be a good superintendent for Chisholm,” Darrow said. “I want to continue providing good opportunities for our students and try to recruit and retain good teachers and coaches for Chisholm. I want to be here for a long time. To be anywhere a long time, you have to do a good job.

“I’d love to retire here. I’m a northwest Oklahoma kind of guy and I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

“I can’t imagine my life without Northwestern”

Tim Albin, a 1989 graduate who is now the head football coach for Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, is excited for Darrow in his new leadership position.

“Dudley joined our team at Northwestern as a walkon, earned a scholarship, became a starter and then earned his degree from Northwestern,” Albin said. “He has gone on to earn his Ph.D. in administration. I am looking forward to seeing his leadership grow in this new role as superintendent In addition, he is a great husband and father.”

Darrow and Megan have two children, Dallas, age 15, and Audrey, age 11.

“My wife and our children mean the world to me,” Darrow said. “Being a family man is a top priority for me. God has tremendously blessed Megan and me with our two kids. They’re smart, active and athletic. They are involved in so many different activities. Every day with them is a new adventure.”

Darrow and his family have integrated the Ranger Spirit into their everyday lives.

“My wife and I were married in July 2002 in Alva; when they announced us as a couple, ‘Ride, Rangers, Ride’ was played,” Darrow said. “My kids have grown up watching games at Ranger Field. We have season tickets and a spot on the tiers for every home game. I’d like to go watch Northwestern football every Saturday if I could.

“I have so many great memories from Northwestern, and I think that’s why I love it so much. When I go back to Alva and I go over that hill to come down on Ranger Field, it’s such a great feeling. It still feels like home to me.”

“My wife and I were married in July 2002 in Alva; when they announced us as a couple, ‘Ride, Rangers, Ride’ was played.”

Dr. Dudley Darrow,’02, shows his Northwestern Ranger championship rings earned during his football years.