Oklahoma State University Athletics
Eight To Be Added To OSU Hall Of Honor
March 31, 2000 | General
March 31, 2000
STILLWATER, Okla. - Eight former Oklahoma State University athletic standouts representing five sports will be inducted into the OSU Hall of Honor in ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, April 15 in Stillwater.
Basketball players Bryant Reeves and Don Haskins, track athletes Jim Bolding and J.W. Mashburn, football players Jerry Sherk and Walt Garrison, former wrestler Doug Blubaugh and softball All-American Michelle Smith represent the newest class headed for the Hall of Honor.
In addition to the individual inductees, the 1945 and 1946 basketball teams that won NCAA national championships will be honored as Teams of Distinction at this year's ceremonies.
An entire weekend of events will be featured with the Hall of Honor Banquet highlighting the two-day schedule.
On Friday, April 14 a women's lunch and style show will take place at Stillwater Country Club. A golf tournament is planned that day at Karsten Creek with a dinner following at Stillwater Country Club. The annual Orange-White Spring Football game is also scheduled for Friday evening.
Saturday's scheduled includes a brunch for O-Club members and the Cowboy football team at the Student Union Ballroom. The Hall of Honor Banquet is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., at the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade Development. A reception will precede the banquet at 6 p.m.
Reservations for Hall of Honor activities, including the Saturday night banquet, can be made by calling (405) 744-7301.
Following are capsule biographies of Oklahoma State's Hall of Honor inductees for 2000.
Doug Blubaugh, Wrestling
A three-time All-American while competing for OSU from 1955 through 1957.
As a senior, he captured both the NCAA and National AAU Championships. At
the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Blubaugh won the Gold Medal at 161-pounds
and was named the Outstanding Wrestler. He coached the U.S. Wrestling Team
at the World Championships in 1971 and was inducted as a Distinguished
Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1979.
Jim Bolding, Track
The United States Olympic Male Athlete of the Year in 1974 after an
outstanding amateur career. While competing at Oklahoma State, Bolding
earned All-American honors twice and won seven Big Eight Conference
individual championships. He was chosen the Big Eight's Outdoor Outstanding
Athlete in 1971 and was the Indoor Outstanding Athlete and OSU's Athlete of
the Year in 1972. He holds the school record in the 400 intermediate
hurdles and the world record in the 40 hurdles.
Walt Garrison, Football
One of the most recognized names in Oklahoma State football history, Walt
Garrison made a significant impact on the field and off. In 1964, Garrison
was a member of the Big Eight's All-Academic team and was All-Big Eight in
1965. During his OSU career, he rushed for 2,041 yards and was the team's
leading rusher in both his junior and senior seasons. He went on to a
professional career with the Dallas Cowboys (1966-74) and was an All-Pro
selection in 1973.
Don Haskins, Basketball
His contributions to the game of basketball were equally significant as a
player and coach. As a player, he was a team captain and All-Conference
selection. He helped lead OSU to the NCAA semi-finals in both 1949 and
1951. Haskins became Head Basketball Coach at the University of Texas-El
Paso in 1961 and, five years later, led the Miners to a National
Championship. At UTEP, Haskins guided the Miners to seven WAC championships
and 14 NCAA Tournament appearances. He was inducted into the Naismith
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of
Fame last August.
J.W. Mashburn, Track
One of the greatest athletes to compete in the sport, Mashburn was a member
of the Oklahoma A&M track team from 1955 through 1957 and his
accomplishments are still legendary. He was a three-time All-American in
the 440 and 400 meter dash and was an NCAA champion in 1955. He repeated as
an NCAA Champion in 1956 with a time of 46.6 in the 440. He was a member of
the 1952 Olympic team and won a Gold Medal at the 1956 Olympic Games in
Melbourne.
Bryant Reeves, Basketball
Nicknamed "Big Country" by teammate Byron Houston, Reeves' name has become
synonymous with Cowboy basketball. He is one of just six players to earn
All-American honors twice at Oklahoma State and one of two Cowboys to earn
first team all-conference honors three times in a career. He was the Big
Eight Player of the Year in 1993 and 1995 and helped lead the Cowboys to
the 1995 Final Four in Seattle. In the OSU records book, Reeves is first in
field goal percentage, games played, minutes played and field goals made.
He is second on OSU's all-time scoring list. He was the number six pick,
overall, in the 1995 NBA draft and his career continues with the Vancouver
Grizzlies.
Jerry Sherk, Football
Was a two-sport star at Oklahoma State, excelling in both football and
wrestling. IN 1969, he earned All-Big Eight honors in football and
All-America honors in wrestling. He was an OSU football letterman in both
1968 and 1969. Went from OSU to a spectacular career in the National
Football League. A second-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns, Sherk
was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was named the NFL's best defensive
player and Browns' Most Valuable Player in 1974-76.
Michele Smith, Softball
One of Oklahoma State University's most distinguished and decorated
athletes. Smith competed for Sandy Fischer's softball team from 1986-89 and
was reaped All-American honors in both 1988 and 1989. She was a three-time
All-Big Eight selection and left OSU with her name atop eight categories in
the record book. She was twice named to the All-Big Eight Academic team.
Her career record of 82-20 is the 11th-best winning percentage is NCAA
history. She was also a member of the 1996 Olympic team that won a Gold
Medal and will compete as a member of the 200 Olympic team.
1945 Men's Basketball Team
OSU's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament proved to be a successful one
as Mr. Iba's squad won the national title. OSU defeated Utah and Arkansas
en route to the title game where they defeated New York University, 49-45.
The Cowboys were led by Bob Kurland's 22 point performance which helped
earn him Most Outstanding Player honors. Members of the 1945 team included
Cecil Hankins, Weldon Kern, Bob Kurland, J.L. Parks, Doyle Parrack, Blake
Williams, John Wylie, Bill York, Doyle Johnson and Joe Halbert.
1946 Men's Basketball Team
The 1946 team produced the best record in school history going 31-2 and
making OSU the first school to win back-to-back NCAA National
Championships. One of the most amazing feats was the fact that all five
Cowboy starters were named to the Missouri Valley All-Conference first
team. The Cowboys defeated North Carolina in the championship game and were
once again led by Bob Kurland who scored 23 points. He was the tournament's
Most Outstanding Player for a second straight year. Members of the 1946
team included Sam Aubrey, Joe Bradley, Eugene Bell, A.L. Bennett, Joe
Halbert, Weldon Kern, Bob Kurland, J.L. Parks, Blake Williams, Paul Geymann
and Bob Crowe.
