University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Steve Tate is the only player in UCO’s rich football history to earn All-America honors three times, receiving second team NAIA accolades in 1977, 78, and '79. A 5-foot-11, 180-pound tailback out of Luther, Tate started all four years for the Bronchos from 1977-80, leading UCO to an overall record of 26-18-1 and an NAIA national runner-up finish in 1979.

Steve finished as the school's all-time leading rusher with 4,360 yards, averaging 5.4 yards a carry over 803 career rushing attempts and scoring 25 touchdowns. He’s also UCO’s career all-purpose leader with 4,560 yards and ranks fourth, sixth and seventh on the school’s single season rushing charts.

Tate rushed 219 times for 1,163 yards and seven touchdown as a freshman in 1977, carried 252 times for 1,245 yards and five scores as a sophomore, gained 1153 yards with seven TDs on 204 carries as a junior and had 128 attempts for 799 yards and six TDs during an injury-plagued senior campaign.

A four time All-District Nine pick, Tate went over the 100-yard mark in a school-record 23 games during his career, with the Bronchos going 18-5 in those contests.