Oklahoma State University Athletics
The Voice of GIA: What Makes Gallagher-Iba Arena Special
July 01, 2022 | Cowboy Basketball
This is the second in our summer series featuring the stories that make Gallagher-Iba Arena special. Our first showcased the story of The Sparks – a husband and wife who met on a blind date in Gallagher-Iba and have continued to return ever since.
Every year there's something new in Gallagher-Iba Arena. New basketballs, ready to bounce upon on the original, white maple court. The players, leaving America's Rowdiest Arena every four years, with new faces in each year. But one constant in GIA since 1990? The seat next to the official scorer, where the public address announcer chair has been occupied for more than 30 years by Larry Reece.
Growing up in Miami, Okla., Reece knew he was going to be involved in athletics somehow, someway when he grew up. After not receiving much attention from colleges recruiting him, he turned to other options.
People around him had always said that he had a good voice, so after being a collegiate athlete was ruled out, he had a pretty good idea of the route he wanted to take.
"Living in a small town had its advantages," Reece said. "I was able to go to my high school coaches and say, 'hey, I'd like to call some games when I'm not playing.' So, I started to do some public address for basketball and baseball."
Following his graduation from high school, Reece went to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M to pursue his academic career. While there, he began working at a local radio station, KGLC, calling games for NEO Athletics. After two years at NEO, Reece decided he was going to move to a four-year institute.
"So then, I had friends at both campuses, OU and OSU," Reece said. "It just wasn't a fit for me down there, I didn't like the attitude. I came here and it was immediately home, it felt like family and the people are so friendly. It took me about 10 minutes to realize I didn't like the people down there."
Just like that, he was home in Stillwater.
Reece quickly joined the public address crew while still studying journalism and broadcasting at Oklahoma State. After being assigned to practice calling games for a class, Reece was recommended by his professor, Ed Paulin, to start doing PA for the women's basketball games.
"Steve Buzzard, who was working with sports information here, called over and needed someone to do public address for women's basketball," Reece said. "He talked to me, asked if I had done it and I said 'yeah, I've done it in my hometown,' and he gave me the job. He's the reason I'm getting to do what I've been doing and have been able to do it for 32-33 years."
Before he knew it, Reece was the first student at OSU to ever call a game in Gallagher-Iba Arena. The rest, as they say, is history.
32 years later having done more than 1,800 basketball games, Reece is still standing tall at the helm of the public address system in GIA. He's been on the front row for it all. Including the start of the legend of a big, big man from a small town in Oklahoma.
"That first year I did the (men's) games, was Big Country's first year," he said. "Even though it was my first year, I was going to take a chance because I had heard that Byron Houston had nicknamed him Big Country. I said, 'and a 7-foot freshman from Gans, Okla., they call him Big Country, Bryant Reeves' and the place went nuts. Steve Buzzard kind of looked at me, wagged his finger then smiled at me. The legend of Big Country was starting to grow at GIA."
Not only was the legend of Big Country growing in GIA, but the tale of Larry Reece was also growing across the university.
In 1993 while at Oklahoma State, he was named the Outstanding Graduate of the School of Journalism and Broadcasting. Later in 1998, he accepted his first position with OSU Athletics as the Director of Corporate Relations.
Reece moved into his current role as the Chief Fundraiser in OSU Athletics in 2004.
"Of course, every kid is like I'm going to go into ESPN," Reece said. "I had those big dreams, but I just fell in love with Stillwater. I loved being around my school, there's nothing better than calling the games for your alma mater, in my opinion. Then, it's just morphed into me becoming the Chief Fundraiser for OSU Athletics. Now, I've got a team here, and we've been a part of the most transformational period for OSU, because what we started in athletics has gone over to the campus now."
Since accepting his job as Chief Fundraiser of OSU Athletics, Reece hasn't looked back. He's continued to ignite the OSU men's and women's basketball fans for 30 years with the added bonus of having his family by his side.
"When Lauren (his daughter) was born," he said. "We'd bring her to Gallagher-Iba and I'd call a game and oddly enough this place would be rocking, the rowdiest arena in the country, and she figured out how to take a nap in the middle of those rowdy games. I always joked with people my daughter's first two words were 'Gallagher' and 'Iba'. It was really special watching her grow up in this building and being around these great OSU fans."
While the family memories undoubtedly find their place at the top of the memorable moments, it's nearly impossible to nail down just one game, play or day in this historic building to name as a favorite or most impactful after 30 plus year in the role. After all, Cowgirl and Cowboy basketball have been two of the most successful programs in the country year in and year out during his tenure.
However, one moment in particular will be forever etched in his memory.
"Truthfully for me, it's probably the first game after the plane crash because never has there been a more important game in this building then playing Missouri that first game after we had been through ten funerals," Reece said. "But that night our fans would not let us lose. They never sat down, they wouldn't let our guys give up and our Cowboys got what I really believe is the most important victory in our history."
No matter the circumstance, Cowboy and Cowgirl fans have always been able to count on the fact that Reece would be there. After all, there is a reason why OSU alumni are considered "Pokes for life."
"It never gets old because this place is special," Reece said. "I'm looking forward to what Mike Boynton and his staff are building, and what Jacie Hoyt and her staff will do. This place is special when we're playing well, and I think we're heading in the right direction with both teams. It doesn't matter who we're playing, this is just the most special building, and our fans are the greatest and I can't wait until we're packing the house again."
Notable Home Games During the Larry Reece Era
Women's Basketball
March 16, 1991 — In a three-overtime thriller, OSU outlasts Michigan State, 96-94, to advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.
Jan. 12, 2008 — Behind a 45-point effort from Andrea Riley in front of a sold-out crowd of 13,611 inside Gallagher-Iba Arena, the Cowgirls knocked off No. 6 Oklahoma, 82-63, to end a 17-game losing streak against their in-state rivals.
March 31, 2012 — In a season that saw OSU head coach Kurt Budke, assistant coach Miranda Serna and supporters Olin and Paula Branstetter killed in a plane crash in Arkansas, the Cowgirls triumphed with a run through the postseason capped by a 75-68 win over James Madison to capture the program's first-ever WNIT title.
Men's Basketball
Feb. 23, 1993 – The Cowboys were doomed. Missouri had taken a 64-61 lead with three seconds remaining. But Bryant Reeves caught a half-court inbounds pass, turned, and banked in a shot from 40 feet out to send the game to overtime. OSU eventually took home a 77-73 win.
Feb. 5, 2001 – The first game back from the plane crash that took the lives of 10 members of the OSU basketball family. "I took a chance that night," Reece said. "I said 'tonight, remembering our fallen ten, we'll prove once again this is the rowdiest arena in the county' and that's when the crowd took off." Spurred throughout by the boisterous crowd, the Cowboys used a second-half run to take the lead and held on at the end. Fredrik Jonzen tied a career best with 26 points, Maurice Baker had 22 and Andre Williams had 15 rebounds and four blocks as OSU defeated Missouri, 69-66.
Jan. 16, 2007 – Kevin Durant's lone trip to Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Cowboys went back-and-forth the entire game with the 21st-ranked team in the country before coming away with a memorable 105-103 victory in the third overtime period.
Every year there's something new in Gallagher-Iba Arena. New basketballs, ready to bounce upon on the original, white maple court. The players, leaving America's Rowdiest Arena every four years, with new faces in each year. But one constant in GIA since 1990? The seat next to the official scorer, where the public address announcer chair has been occupied for more than 30 years by Larry Reece.
Growing up in Miami, Okla., Reece knew he was going to be involved in athletics somehow, someway when he grew up. After not receiving much attention from colleges recruiting him, he turned to other options.
People around him had always said that he had a good voice, so after being a collegiate athlete was ruled out, he had a pretty good idea of the route he wanted to take.
"Living in a small town had its advantages," Reece said. "I was able to go to my high school coaches and say, 'hey, I'd like to call some games when I'm not playing.' So, I started to do some public address for basketball and baseball."
Following his graduation from high school, Reece went to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M to pursue his academic career. While there, he began working at a local radio station, KGLC, calling games for NEO Athletics. After two years at NEO, Reece decided he was going to move to a four-year institute.
"So then, I had friends at both campuses, OU and OSU," Reece said. "It just wasn't a fit for me down there, I didn't like the attitude. I came here and it was immediately home, it felt like family and the people are so friendly. It took me about 10 minutes to realize I didn't like the people down there."
Just like that, he was home in Stillwater.
Reece quickly joined the public address crew while still studying journalism and broadcasting at Oklahoma State. After being assigned to practice calling games for a class, Reece was recommended by his professor, Ed Paulin, to start doing PA for the women's basketball games.
"Steve Buzzard, who was working with sports information here, called over and needed someone to do public address for women's basketball," Reece said. "He talked to me, asked if I had done it and I said 'yeah, I've done it in my hometown,' and he gave me the job. He's the reason I'm getting to do what I've been doing and have been able to do it for 32-33 years."
Before he knew it, Reece was the first student at OSU to ever call a game in Gallagher-Iba Arena. The rest, as they say, is history.
32 years later having done more than 1,800 basketball games, Reece is still standing tall at the helm of the public address system in GIA. He's been on the front row for it all. Including the start of the legend of a big, big man from a small town in Oklahoma.
"That first year I did the (men's) games, was Big Country's first year," he said. "Even though it was my first year, I was going to take a chance because I had heard that Byron Houston had nicknamed him Big Country. I said, 'and a 7-foot freshman from Gans, Okla., they call him Big Country, Bryant Reeves' and the place went nuts. Steve Buzzard kind of looked at me, wagged his finger then smiled at me. The legend of Big Country was starting to grow at GIA."
Not only was the legend of Big Country growing in GIA, but the tale of Larry Reece was also growing across the university.
In 1993 while at Oklahoma State, he was named the Outstanding Graduate of the School of Journalism and Broadcasting. Later in 1998, he accepted his first position with OSU Athletics as the Director of Corporate Relations.
Reece moved into his current role as the Chief Fundraiser in OSU Athletics in 2004.
"Of course, every kid is like I'm going to go into ESPN," Reece said. "I had those big dreams, but I just fell in love with Stillwater. I loved being around my school, there's nothing better than calling the games for your alma mater, in my opinion. Then, it's just morphed into me becoming the Chief Fundraiser for OSU Athletics. Now, I've got a team here, and we've been a part of the most transformational period for OSU, because what we started in athletics has gone over to the campus now."
Since accepting his job as Chief Fundraiser of OSU Athletics, Reece hasn't looked back. He's continued to ignite the OSU men's and women's basketball fans for 30 years with the added bonus of having his family by his side.
"When Lauren (his daughter) was born," he said. "We'd bring her to Gallagher-Iba and I'd call a game and oddly enough this place would be rocking, the rowdiest arena in the country, and she figured out how to take a nap in the middle of those rowdy games. I always joked with people my daughter's first two words were 'Gallagher' and 'Iba'. It was really special watching her grow up in this building and being around these great OSU fans."
While the family memories undoubtedly find their place at the top of the memorable moments, it's nearly impossible to nail down just one game, play or day in this historic building to name as a favorite or most impactful after 30 plus year in the role. After all, Cowgirl and Cowboy basketball have been two of the most successful programs in the country year in and year out during his tenure.
However, one moment in particular will be forever etched in his memory.
"Truthfully for me, it's probably the first game after the plane crash because never has there been a more important game in this building then playing Missouri that first game after we had been through ten funerals," Reece said. "But that night our fans would not let us lose. They never sat down, they wouldn't let our guys give up and our Cowboys got what I really believe is the most important victory in our history."
No matter the circumstance, Cowboy and Cowgirl fans have always been able to count on the fact that Reece would be there. After all, there is a reason why OSU alumni are considered "Pokes for life."
"It never gets old because this place is special," Reece said. "I'm looking forward to what Mike Boynton and his staff are building, and what Jacie Hoyt and her staff will do. This place is special when we're playing well, and I think we're heading in the right direction with both teams. It doesn't matter who we're playing, this is just the most special building, and our fans are the greatest and I can't wait until we're packing the house again."
Notable Home Games During the Larry Reece Era
Women's Basketball
March 16, 1991 — In a three-overtime thriller, OSU outlasts Michigan State, 96-94, to advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.
Jan. 12, 2008 — Behind a 45-point effort from Andrea Riley in front of a sold-out crowd of 13,611 inside Gallagher-Iba Arena, the Cowgirls knocked off No. 6 Oklahoma, 82-63, to end a 17-game losing streak against their in-state rivals.
March 31, 2012 — In a season that saw OSU head coach Kurt Budke, assistant coach Miranda Serna and supporters Olin and Paula Branstetter killed in a plane crash in Arkansas, the Cowgirls triumphed with a run through the postseason capped by a 75-68 win over James Madison to capture the program's first-ever WNIT title.
Men's Basketball
Feb. 23, 1993 – The Cowboys were doomed. Missouri had taken a 64-61 lead with three seconds remaining. But Bryant Reeves caught a half-court inbounds pass, turned, and banked in a shot from 40 feet out to send the game to overtime. OSU eventually took home a 77-73 win.
Feb. 5, 2001 – The first game back from the plane crash that took the lives of 10 members of the OSU basketball family. "I took a chance that night," Reece said. "I said 'tonight, remembering our fallen ten, we'll prove once again this is the rowdiest arena in the county' and that's when the crowd took off." Spurred throughout by the boisterous crowd, the Cowboys used a second-half run to take the lead and held on at the end. Fredrik Jonzen tied a career best with 26 points, Maurice Baker had 22 and Andre Williams had 15 rebounds and four blocks as OSU defeated Missouri, 69-66.
Jan. 16, 2007 – Kevin Durant's lone trip to Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Cowboys went back-and-forth the entire game with the 21st-ranked team in the country before coming away with a memorable 105-103 victory in the third overtime period.
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