Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Football Remembers Duke Atterberry
August 19, 2021 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State football program remembers former Cowboy Duke Atterberry, who died this year at the age of 69.
A lineman from Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Atterbury played for OSU head coaches Floyd Gass and Dave Smith in the early 1970s and earned a reputation for his relentless effort before an injury ended his playing career. As a high school athlete, he was a standout in football, wrestling and track, earning all-state honors on the gridiron.
From OSU, he went on to become a respected football coach with a 48-year career that included stops at high schools in Big Spring, Texas; Sand Springs, Oklahoma; Tyler, Texas; Liberal, Kansas; and Ada, Oklahoma; as well as time at the collegiate level with North Texas.
Most recently, he was an admired member of the staff at his hometown Pawhuska High School, serving as head coach for many years before helping with the offensive line during his final season.
Upon his passing, Pawhuska High School retired his No. 69 jersey number and announced that the athletic training and coaching complex would be known moving forward as the Duke Atterberry Championship Factory, or more simply as "the Duke."
Duke Atterberry was born October 21, 1951, to John and Elsie Atterberry.
A lineman from Pawhuska, Oklahoma, Atterbury played for OSU head coaches Floyd Gass and Dave Smith in the early 1970s and earned a reputation for his relentless effort before an injury ended his playing career. As a high school athlete, he was a standout in football, wrestling and track, earning all-state honors on the gridiron.
From OSU, he went on to become a respected football coach with a 48-year career that included stops at high schools in Big Spring, Texas; Sand Springs, Oklahoma; Tyler, Texas; Liberal, Kansas; and Ada, Oklahoma; as well as time at the collegiate level with North Texas.
Most recently, he was an admired member of the staff at his hometown Pawhuska High School, serving as head coach for many years before helping with the offensive line during his final season.
Upon his passing, Pawhuska High School retired his No. 69 jersey number and announced that the athletic training and coaching complex would be known moving forward as the Duke Atterberry Championship Factory, or more simply as "the Duke."
Duke Atterberry was born October 21, 1951, to John and Elsie Atterberry.
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