Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU Standouts Inducted Into Oklahoma Sports HOF
January 13, 2011 | General
Jan. 13, 2011
OKLAHOMA CITY – Three Oklahoma State sports figures have been honored today, as Governor Mary Fallin announced the 2011 class of inductees for the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
Named to join the 127 previous inductees are former Oklahoma State track standout, Jim Bolding; philanthropist and OSU alumnus, T. Boone Pickens; Southeastern Oklahoma State and WNBA women's basketball star, Crystal Robinson; defensive football legend for the University of Oklahoma, Lucious Selmon; and former Oklahoma State and NBA All-star basketball player, John Starks. Legendary wrestler and wrestling coach for OU, Tommy Evans, will be inducted posthumously.
“We are very excited about this year's class of inductees,” said Eddie Griffin, Executive Director of The Jim Thorpe Association. “Each one represents something different that they contributed to the sports world in the state of Oklahoma. All have left a legacy that we are proud to honor with this recognition.”
The induction ceremonies will be held on August 16, 2011 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
JIM BOLDING-- A native of Oklahoma City, Bolding was a star track athlete at Oklahoma State as well as at the national level. While at OSU, Bolding won two NCAA championships in the 400 meter and 400 yard hurdles, set OSU records in 400 yard hurdles at 49.5 seconds in 1972, and was named Oklahoma State's Athlete of the Year in 1972. During his collegiate career, he was a seven-time Big Eight Conference Champion and a two-time All-American. In 1974, Bolding set the world record for 440 yard hurdles, and was named the US Olympic Committee's Male Athlete of the year.
TOMMY EVANS-- A legend in the University of Oklahoma's wrestling program, Evans was an accomplished wrestler and coach for more than 20 years. Evans won two NCAA wrestling championships in 1952 and 1954 while wrestling at OU. He qualified for the US Olympic team twice, winning the silver medal in 1952. He went on to coach the Sooners to two NCAA titles, in 1960 and 1962, and seven top-three finishes. He was named College Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1963. His 140 career victories rank as the third most in school history and he is the all-time career winning percentage leader at .775. Evans was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1976, being recognized as both a wrestler and a coach.
T. BOONE PICKENS-- Known as much for his philanthropy as he is for his personal success, T. Boone Pickens is Oklahoma State University's most generous alumnus. Born in Holdenville, Pickens attended Oklahoma A&M and majored in geology. Following his graduation in 1951 he went on to found Mesa Petroleum and later BP Capital and Management. Throughout his professional life, Pickens has given away almost $1 billion. In 2005, he donated $165 million to the OSU athletic department, the largest single gift given to an NCAA athletics program in history. He has given more than $400 million to OSU, split nearly evenly between academics and athletics. Pickens' dedication and loyalty to his alma mater is unparalleled. His commitment to providing possibilities for students on the playing field as well as the in the classroom, will benefit Oklahoma State for years to come.
CRYSTAL ROBINSON-- Named as one of The Oklahoman's State Centennial Top 100 Athletes, Crystal Robinson has excelled at every level of women's basketball. A native of Atoka, Robinson played collegiately at Southeastern Oklahoma State, shattering numerous records while there. She was named an NAIA All-American in 1994, 1995, and 1996 as well as being named Player of the Year in 1996. She played for two years in the American Basketball League before being drafted sixth overall into the WNBA by the New York Liberty in 1999. Robinson led her team to four WNBA Finals appearances in the six seasons she spent with the Liberty. She is now the head coach of the women's basketball team at Murray State College in Tishimingo.
LUCIOUS SELMON-- A consensus All-American in 1973, Lucious is the oldest of the three Selmon brothers who made a lasting impact on the University of Oklahoma football program. A product of Eufaula High School, Selmon came to OU in 1970. He was named the Chevrolet/ABC National Defensive Player of the Year and Big Eight Conference Athlete of the Year in 1973. Following his playing career, Selmon served as an assistant coach at OU for 19 years, under both Barry Switzer and Gary Gibbs. Selmon also coached in the NFL, including an eight year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
JOHN STARKS-- After playing only one year of high school basketball at Tulsa Central, Starks played at four different colleges in four years, spending his final season at Oklahoma State. Undrafted, Starks worked his way onto the New York Knicks, eventually becoming a key player from 1990-1998. Starks is the Knicks' all-time leader in three point field goals with 982 and was the first player in NBA history to make 200 three-pointers in a season. He retired in 2002 with 10,829 career points.
