Tradition, Family and Gallagher-Iba Arena

This is the fourth 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. Our second featured Larry Reece, The Voice of GIA and what he's brought to the table for more than 20 years. The third featured Dave Hunziker, The Voice of the Cowboys and his journey to OSU.

Tradition, family and history all contribute to what makes Oklahoma State's Gallagher-Iba Arena so special.

Ryan Hill, also known as the OSU Superhero, plays an important role in creating the ultimate game day experience that has become synonymous with OSU basketball and its arena. Hill, a two-time OSU graduate, has been attending Cowboy and Cowgirl basketball games in GIA since 2009 when he was a freshman.

A native of Shawnee, Okla., he said was a fan of Oklahoma until he, "saw the light," thanks to a trip to Stillwater and Oklahoma State's campus with his high school. A week or two after he submitted his application to OSU, he was accepted.

The rest was history.

"When I got my application, I was accepted," Hill said. "I was like, alright. Let's turn from red to orange."

Starting in 2011, Hill attended OSU sporting events with a group of friends, who called themselves "The Orange Superheroes." Over time people started noticing Hill's attendance at nearly every sporting event with his bright orange OSU attire.

"Suddenly, I was like, 'OK. I might as well get a Twitter handle," Hill said.

And in 2013, he officially took on the name and the role of the OSU Superhero.

Since that first game freshman year against Southern on Nov. 18, 2009, Hill estimated that he's attended around 500 basketball games – both men's and women's – in Gallagher-Iba Arena. With that, he's stormed the court more than a handful of times celebrating with his fellow classmates alongside the Cowboys and Cowgirls.

Included in the full GIA experience OSU fans have come to know and love are many traditions that each offer something unique to the atmosphere.

The student section shredding newspapers to toss in the air during player introductions is one of those special traditions. Hill plays a key role in the practice by bringing and setting out the O'Colly newspapers before each home game.

"I love this tradition and we need to keep it going," Hill said.

He noted a few other things that add to Gallagher-Iba's one-of-a-kind environment; The arena's architecture is just one of them.

"It's like Madison Square Garden," Hill said. "It's like all of the fans are right on top of you."

Not only is the arena unique, but Hill also mentioned how the family-like nature brings out the best of both the players and fans.

"We feel like family, and we take care of our own," Hill said.

He mentioned how the age of the building and the old white maple floor makes him recognize and appreciate all that has been accomplished in GIA.

"You just feel history just surrounding you," Hill said. "It just overtakes you for a minute."

As thousands of fans file into Gallagher-Iba Arena each season, Hill stands out from the crowd. He gets to be a part of the game day experience as the OSU Superhero.

"It's not only the players," Hill said. "It's us students and us fans that are just one big family which makes this place so special."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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