Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: OSU Athletics
Leading OSU Athletics Through COVID
October 21, 2021 | General
STILLWATER – The 2020-21 school year won't soon be forgotten thanks to the COVID pandemic and its effect on everyday life.
From the perspective of student-athletes around the nation, new terms like "team bubble", "nasal swab" and "per COVID protocols" were introduced as unpleasant additions to the standard vernacular. There was an ever-present understanding that at any moment, any person in the organization could be isolated from family and friends and potentially be removed from doing what they love, such as practicing and competing.
There was also an understanding that things could be much worse than that.
It took true leadership to get through it, and at Oklahoma State, Dr. Val Gene Iven was a central part of the COVID response team that helped navigate the Cowboys and Cowgirls to a successful year that saw OSU perform at a high level in every sport.
Iven tirelessly researched the virus and its impact, was a leading voice on shaping policies and was a consistently-available resource for coaches, student-athletes and their loved ones. While many other schools experienced yet another new term – "getting COVID-ed out of games", Oklahoma State did not, thanks in large part to the leadership of Iven and the efforts of his team.
"Facing a global pandemic with no playbook to operate from, Dr. Iven and his team were so valuable and continue to be important to our teams," OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said. "It wasn't just his research and knowledge, but also his availability to concerned parents and genuine care for our student-athletes."
The work done by Iven and his team in managing the virus added to his reputation as a leader among team physicians in the Big 12. During the pandemic, Iven was chosen to serve on the Big 12 COVID medical advisory team and was part of the Big 12 COVID subcommittees for men's basketball, wrestling and baseball.
"I had to be in his office at least four days a week asking questions and figuring things out," OSU wrestling coach John Smith said. "He was part of the group that analyzed what we should do during the season in order to have a national championship event at the end. His ideas were important and were a big reason why we were able to have a safe season. When you look at his efforts to put everyone on the field, on the court, on the track or on the mat, you see that he was on the forefront and was a great leader for Oklahoma State."
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby recently wrote to Iven, "On behalf of the Big 12 Conference, thank you for your guidance, dedicated service and valuable contributions during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We appreciate all your hard work behind the scenes, which made competing during these challenging times possible…Your leadership, devotion and energy have made it possible for thousands of student-athletes to realize their dreams."
Iven said the pandemic created a year nobody could have imagined or predicted, but the leadership provided by Mike Holder and Chad Weiberg in tandem with the athletic department's partnership with the OSU Center for Health Sciences for testing were important elements in OSU's success.
That said, a significant amount of the credit lies elsewhere.
"The protocols we put together were sound, but they were only as good as our coaching staffs and our student-athletes allowed them to be," he said. "That's really where the true success lies, which is them recognizing what we needed to do in order to play each week."
From the perspective of student-athletes around the nation, new terms like "team bubble", "nasal swab" and "per COVID protocols" were introduced as unpleasant additions to the standard vernacular. There was an ever-present understanding that at any moment, any person in the organization could be isolated from family and friends and potentially be removed from doing what they love, such as practicing and competing.
There was also an understanding that things could be much worse than that.
It took true leadership to get through it, and at Oklahoma State, Dr. Val Gene Iven was a central part of the COVID response team that helped navigate the Cowboys and Cowgirls to a successful year that saw OSU perform at a high level in every sport.
Iven tirelessly researched the virus and its impact, was a leading voice on shaping policies and was a consistently-available resource for coaches, student-athletes and their loved ones. While many other schools experienced yet another new term – "getting COVID-ed out of games", Oklahoma State did not, thanks in large part to the leadership of Iven and the efforts of his team.
"Facing a global pandemic with no playbook to operate from, Dr. Iven and his team were so valuable and continue to be important to our teams," OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said. "It wasn't just his research and knowledge, but also his availability to concerned parents and genuine care for our student-athletes."
The work done by Iven and his team in managing the virus added to his reputation as a leader among team physicians in the Big 12. During the pandemic, Iven was chosen to serve on the Big 12 COVID medical advisory team and was part of the Big 12 COVID subcommittees for men's basketball, wrestling and baseball.
"I had to be in his office at least four days a week asking questions and figuring things out," OSU wrestling coach John Smith said. "He was part of the group that analyzed what we should do during the season in order to have a national championship event at the end. His ideas were important and were a big reason why we were able to have a safe season. When you look at his efforts to put everyone on the field, on the court, on the track or on the mat, you see that he was on the forefront and was a great leader for Oklahoma State."
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby recently wrote to Iven, "On behalf of the Big 12 Conference, thank you for your guidance, dedicated service and valuable contributions during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We appreciate all your hard work behind the scenes, which made competing during these challenging times possible…Your leadership, devotion and energy have made it possible for thousands of student-athletes to realize their dreams."
Iven said the pandemic created a year nobody could have imagined or predicted, but the leadership provided by Mike Holder and Chad Weiberg in tandem with the athletic department's partnership with the OSU Center for Health Sciences for testing were important elements in OSU's success.
That said, a significant amount of the credit lies elsewhere.
"The protocols we put together were sound, but they were only as good as our coaching staffs and our student-athletes allowed them to be," he said. "That's really where the true success lies, which is them recognizing what we needed to do in order to play each week."
The Changing Face of College Athletics - Inside OSU Athletics with Chad Weiberg
Friday, May 08
Oklahoma State vs. TCU | Condensed Game Highlights (05-03-2026)
Sunday, May 03
Oklahoma State vs Kansas | Condensed Game Highlights 5-3-26
Sunday, May 03
Oklahoma State vs Kansas | Condensed Game Highlights 5-1-26
Saturday, May 02
