Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Culture: Pam McDougal
August 19, 2021 | Cowgirl Tennis
Oklahoma State University is truly a special place.
Once you have experienced the culture, it is something you won't forget.
This was true for Pam McDougal, one of the first top-ranked Cowgirls to come through the storied OSU tennis program.
"I always had a love for Oklahoma State," McDougal said. "My parents met in Stillwater and I had family members attend OSU. When I went to visit again, I fell in love with the university."
McDougal decided to bring her talents to Stillwater as a transfer from the University of Georgia in 1977.
At age 13, McDougal and her twin sister Kim stumbled upon their mother's tennis racquet, so they went and bought a second one and started playing at nearby courts in Palantine, Illinois. The duo fell in love with the game while learning to play the incorrect way at a park district.
"We ended up taking lessons from a pro at a tennis center in Atlanta," McDougal said. "It helped correct what we had learned incorrectly and made a big impact on our game. The thing that needed to be fixed was our backhand. After that, we caught the bug and started to love playing tennis."
Before finishing high school in Atlanta, Georgia, McDougal was initially born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before moving to Oklahoma City, Houston, Texas, and Illinois.
While in Atlanta, McDougal knew she had a chance to play at the collegiate level. Recruiting was much different than today. There were no visits, and coaches didn't come to see you as they do now. Pam and Kim played junior tournaments throughout the state of Georgia.
"This was the infancy of women's sports being given some weight," McDougal said. "It was a real transition time and a time when opportunity started opening up for women."
Pam and Kim attended Georgia before Pam decided to transfer to OSU after two years.
To transfer, she had to write a letter to the NCAA for a waiver to not sit out a year. Fortunately, she was granted immediate eligibility.
"I was grateful to be able to play and be connected to a great program with such good people associated with it like OSU," McDougal. said "I loved coach Betty Edgely. To me, she was more than a coach. She was a mentor."
Like Edgely, McDougal feels Cowgirl tennis is in great hands now with Chris Young at the helm.
"Chris Young is similar to Edgely in that he's as interested in the athlete's success as a person equal to the court and my coach being that way is something that made a huge impact on my life," McDougal said.
McDougal graduated in 1978 with a degree focused on family relations and child development. She married her husband John shortly thereafter. The couple has three children and seven grandchildren and now lives in Edmond, where she still plays tennis competitively.
"We treasure our time with our family," McDougal said. "John and I moved back to Edmond in 2003 and have loved being near family. Our hearts and arms are full, and they are some of our biggest blessings."
The McDougal's still bleed orange. Pam keeps in touch with her teammates and enjoys seeing where everyone is today. She loves OSU tennis's state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunities offered to the athletes today.
"Oklahoma State has always shown that they care about not only the teams but the individuals and their success in life beyond tennis," McDougal said. "They want to make sure academics are a priority. What I love is when I go back, I feel so welcome. I love to meet the players. My husband and I love supporting OSU sports, and we still go up for tennis frequently."
Along with OSU and tennis, McDougal credits her faith as a significant influence in her life.
"My faith is very important to me," McDougal said. "Through the years, I've formed the perspective that tennis has been a huge blessing to grow friendships and enjoy. I want to give glory to God. It's icing on the cake when tennis and different things you love can be a part of your journey."
McDougals' advice to Cowgirls current and future is to stay grounded and not let the game become more than it is. Instead, she encourages Cowgirls to work hard and enjoy each of life's moments.
Once you have experienced the culture, it is something you won't forget.
This was true for Pam McDougal, one of the first top-ranked Cowgirls to come through the storied OSU tennis program.
"I always had a love for Oklahoma State," McDougal said. "My parents met in Stillwater and I had family members attend OSU. When I went to visit again, I fell in love with the university."
McDougal decided to bring her talents to Stillwater as a transfer from the University of Georgia in 1977.
At age 13, McDougal and her twin sister Kim stumbled upon their mother's tennis racquet, so they went and bought a second one and started playing at nearby courts in Palantine, Illinois. The duo fell in love with the game while learning to play the incorrect way at a park district.
"We ended up taking lessons from a pro at a tennis center in Atlanta," McDougal said. "It helped correct what we had learned incorrectly and made a big impact on our game. The thing that needed to be fixed was our backhand. After that, we caught the bug and started to love playing tennis."
Before finishing high school in Atlanta, Georgia, McDougal was initially born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before moving to Oklahoma City, Houston, Texas, and Illinois.
While in Atlanta, McDougal knew she had a chance to play at the collegiate level. Recruiting was much different than today. There were no visits, and coaches didn't come to see you as they do now. Pam and Kim played junior tournaments throughout the state of Georgia.
"This was the infancy of women's sports being given some weight," McDougal said. "It was a real transition time and a time when opportunity started opening up for women."
Pam and Kim attended Georgia before Pam decided to transfer to OSU after two years.
To transfer, she had to write a letter to the NCAA for a waiver to not sit out a year. Fortunately, she was granted immediate eligibility.
"I was grateful to be able to play and be connected to a great program with such good people associated with it like OSU," McDougal. said "I loved coach Betty Edgely. To me, she was more than a coach. She was a mentor."
Like Edgely, McDougal feels Cowgirl tennis is in great hands now with Chris Young at the helm.
"Chris Young is similar to Edgely in that he's as interested in the athlete's success as a person equal to the court and my coach being that way is something that made a huge impact on my life," McDougal said.
McDougal graduated in 1978 with a degree focused on family relations and child development. She married her husband John shortly thereafter. The couple has three children and seven grandchildren and now lives in Edmond, where she still plays tennis competitively.
"We treasure our time with our family," McDougal said. "John and I moved back to Edmond in 2003 and have loved being near family. Our hearts and arms are full, and they are some of our biggest blessings."
The McDougal's still bleed orange. Pam keeps in touch with her teammates and enjoys seeing where everyone is today. She loves OSU tennis's state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunities offered to the athletes today.
"Oklahoma State has always shown that they care about not only the teams but the individuals and their success in life beyond tennis," McDougal said. "They want to make sure academics are a priority. What I love is when I go back, I feel so welcome. I love to meet the players. My husband and I love supporting OSU sports, and we still go up for tennis frequently."
Along with OSU and tennis, McDougal credits her faith as a significant influence in her life.
"My faith is very important to me," McDougal said. "Through the years, I've formed the perspective that tennis has been a huge blessing to grow friendships and enjoy. I want to give glory to God. It's icing on the cake when tennis and different things you love can be a part of your journey."
McDougals' advice to Cowgirls current and future is to stay grounded and not let the game become more than it is. Instead, she encourages Cowgirls to work hard and enjoy each of life's moments.
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