STILLWATER – Former Central Oklahoma wrestling coach Jim Rogers will be recognized by Oklahoma State as the 2020 recipient of the Gallagher Award and is set to be honored Sunday during the Cowboys' final home dual of the season.
The award is given annually to an OSU alumnus who has exemplified the spirit and leadership eminent in the tradition of champions.
"It's simply the greatest honor I've ever been paid," Rogers said. "I'm sure there are others more deserving, but I am thrilled."
Rogers was a three-time All-American for OSU with a fifth-place finish in 1964 and back-to-back fourth-place finishes in 1966 and 1967. He wrestled on two NCAA Championship teams under coach Myron Roderick and went 45-16 in his Cowboy career before moving on to a successful career in coaching.
"Jim Rogers' accomplishments have made a difference for many people," Smith said. "He brought back the University of Central Oklahoma wrestling program and developed it to a point before passing it off to the hands of Coach Griffin. From the time he restarted the program to the time he retired, they were prepared to win national championships. He built up a team and handed it off. He made the sport prominent in his area. That's what coach Gallagher did here at OSU, and that's what Jim Rogers did for Central Oklahoma."
Rogers took over the head coaching post at UCO in 1972 when the Bronchos brought back the program after a nearly 30-year hiatus.
The team became a national contender soon thereafter with a fourth-place NAIA national tournament finish in its first year. The Bronchos were runners-up the following season and brought home five top-four national finishes in Rogers' six-year tenure. The former Cowboy coached 22 All-Americans, including four national champions. The year after his departure, UCO claimed the first of its 15 national wrestling championships with a lineup consisting of most of his former athletes and recruits.
