Stan Wagnon is the University of Central Oklahoma's first vice president for Athletics. Wagnon previously served as Central's director of athletics, becoming the ninth director in the school's more than 125-year athletic history.
An Edmond native, Wagnon earned his bachelor's degree in journalism/public relations from Central in 1995, when he was named Outstanding PR Student of the Year. He also holds a master's degree from Midwestern State University. His father, Skip, worked at Central for 30-plus years and was athletic director from 1986-2003.
Under his leadership, the Bronchos have claimed three NCAA national championships, three national runner-up finishes and 12 conference titles. The university’s teams also have made 26 NCAA postseason appearances in eight different sports and claimed eight NCAA regional championships.
Wagnon also has overseen major enhancements to Chad Richison Stadium, including seating expansion to more than 12,000, a new playing surface and improved digital signage. He has helped create opportunities for UCO to host outside events such as OKC Spark professional softball, NAIA Stunt National Championship and the OSSAA high school state football championship games, which recently garnered UCO attention from Sports Destination magazine as a Champion of Economic Impact.
Wagnon returned to UCO after a 25-plus year career in athletics. After working in the UCO sports information office as a student, Wagnon went on to serve in athletic departments at Midwestern State University and Tarleton State University.
Wagnon joined the NCAA Division II's Lone Star Conference as assistant commissioner, before eventually becoming the league commissioner — a position he held for nearly eight years. After that, he went on to join the NAIA's Sooner Athletic Conference as commissioner for four years.
Wagnon’s conference administrative work was marked by championing progress and identifying new revenue streams. He led growth that, combined with fiscal responsibility, resulted in a 560% increase to financial reserves through his first three years with the Sooner Athletic Conference. He initiated corporate sponsorship programs with both conferences, generating an additional $265,000 in cash and trade in the first three years for the Lone Star Conference.
At the Lone Star Conference, Wagnon's most noteworthy accomplishment was the creation of the Lone Star Football Festival, held annually at Arlington's AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. The event generated nearly a half-million dollars back to the conference office.
With the Sooner Athletic Conference, Wagnon guided major policy revisions and increased value and service to member schools as part of a strategic administrative overhaul. He drove rapid membership and revenue growth, adding three full members, three new sponsored sports and 18 per-sport members to account for a 40% increase in annual membership dues revenue. The league’s teams won 15 national titles in 11 different sports during his four-year stay.
Throughout his career, Wagnon has emerged as a national leader in intercollegiate athletics. He has served as chair of the NCAA Division II Nominating Committee and a member of the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Committee. Most recently, he served a two-year term as chair of the MIAA Athletics Administrators Council and was selected by Edmond Mayor Darrell Davis to represent UCO on the Visit Edmond tourism advisory board.
Wagnon and his wife, Jill, have three children, Abby, Macy and Knox.
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