2015 swosu football recruiting guide

@SWOSUAthletics@SWOSUAthletics22 @SWOSUFootball@SWOSUFootball

Southwestern Oklahoma State University football, a tradition dating back to 1905, is under the direction of Head Coach Dan Cocannouer, a former player at SWOSU in the 1970’s. Coach Cocannouer decided prior to the 2014 season that the Bulldogs would return to wearing the traditional while helmets as opposed to the navy ones that had been worn since 2005. “I’ve been thinking about ways to help our program out each year and one of the biggest pieces of feedback I get from our former players is, ‘When are you going to go back to white helmets?’,” Cocannouer said. “’I’ve thought about it quite a bit, because I like the blue helmets, they’re very sharp, but I’m ready to get back to tradition.” SWOSU has worn several variations of the white helmet through the years, with different Bulldog logos along with the popular ‘SW’ logo that was on the side of the lids from 1988-2003. It was also the helmet worn by SWOSU during the programs only National Championship in 1996. That helmet design was replaced by a white helmet with the new ‘SWOSU’ logo in 2004 before the change to blue occurred in 2005. “When you look at our history, all but one conference championship was won by the team while they were wearing white helmets,” Cocannouer mentioned. “We’ve come a long way since we’ve been here and I feel like it’s time for our kids to start expecting to win. We’re at the point with our program where we feel like we should expect to win and these white helmets are going to keep us in mind of that.”

WELCOME TO SWOSU FOOTBALL

HOME JERSEY COMBINATION:Navy Jersey/Navy Pants/White Helmet

AWAY JERSEY COMBINATION:White Jersey/Navy Pants/White Helmet

www.swosuathletics.comwww.swosuathletics.com 33#BulldogPride#BulldogPride

HEAD COACH DAN COCANNOUER Dan Cocannouer enters his sixth season as the head coach of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University football team in 2014. He returned home to lead his alma mater in 2009 following a long, successful high school career and he will begin his sixth season with a record of 18-36, which includes a 15-22 record in conference games. SWOSU bettered its win-loss record in each of Cocannouer’s fi rst three seasons, improving from 1-10 in his inaugural season to 5-6 in 2011, the fi rst season of the Great American Conference. Following a 2012 season that saw the Bulldogs fi nish 3-7, they responded by going 6-5 in 2013 to record the program’s fi rst winning season since 2007. The 2013 season saw the Bulldogs open the year with an exciting 27-23 come-from-behind win over Harding – an NCAA Division II playoff team the previous season – in the Fast Lane Kickoff Classic. SWOSU then defeated Arkansas Tech on the road to improve to 2-0 for the fi rst time since 2007. The Bulldogs then lost two of their next three games before alternating wins and losses the fi nal six games of the season, including a 62-17 throttling of Northwestern Oklahoma State in the season fi nale that secured the winning season. Nine players earned All-Great American Conference honors in 2013, giving the Bulldogs 21 all-conference honorees in the three-year history of the conference. Among those earning honors were fi rst team selections Ryan Corbin and Devin Benton, who each earned First Team All-GAC distinction for the second consecutive season.

Corbin and Benton both landed on the All-Super Region Three team as well and Corbin went on to be named to fi ve All-American teams, making him the third All-American coached by Cocannouer at SWOSU. Corbin was a First Team All-America selection by Beyond Sports Network, second team by D2Football.com & Daktronics, and earned third team honors from the Don Hansen Football Committee and the Associated Press All-America Team. In 2012, the Bulldogs had four players earn All-GAC honors after fi nishing 3-7 in their second year with the conference. Following the season, Colton Rainey became Cocannouer’s second player to earn All-American recognition by picking up an honorable mention selection by Beyond Sports Network. In 2011, SWOSU safety Clarence Laster earned several All-American honors for the Bulldogs after leading the Great American Conference with eight interceptions and a total of 97 tackles. His eight interceptions were the most by a SWOSU player since 1980 and ranked third in all of NCAA Division II. Laster was a three-time GAC Player of the Week that season and he was named a fi rst team All-American by Daktronics and a second team selection on the Associated Press Little All-America squad. His other All-America honors were second team selections by Don Hansen and D2Football.com. Prior to coming back to SWOSU, Cocannouer had spent 25 seasons as a high school head coach in the state of Oklahoma, establishing a reputation as one of the most prominent and well-respected coaching leaders in the state. He came to SWOSU after eight years at Edmond Santa Fe High School where he compiled a 70-26 record (.729 winning percentage) and led the Wolves to the Class 6A fi nals in 2003. His other high school stops included lead high school programs at John Marshall, Chandler, Alva, Pauls Valley and Walters High Schools. All total, he has coached more than 36 years, including the last 30 as a head coach. He led fi ve different schools to the state playoffs and served on the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association (OFCA) Advisory Board for several years and he is a past President of the Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA) and the OFCA. With his prep success came the opportunity to coach in numerous all-star games, including the Oklahoma All-State game (1988), Jim Thorpe Classic (2000, 2002), Oil Bowl (1997-98) and Enid Shriner All-Star Game (1992-96). Cocannouer played at SWOSU from 1974-77 under legendary head coach Otis Delaporte, helping the Bulldogs to conference titles in 1974 and 1977. He was a senior leader on the Bulldog team that won a school-record 11 games and fi nished as the NAIA National Runner-up in 1997 after playing in the Apple Bowl at the Seattle Kingdome. By returning to lead his alma mater, he became the fi rst SWOSU graduate to lead the Bulldogs since Joe Metcalf did the same from 1952-57. Cocannouer holds two degrees from SWOSU. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education in 1978 before serving as a graduate assistant for the Bulldog football team while until he earned a master’s degree in Education in 1983. He also later obtained a secondary administrative certifi cate from Northwestern Oklahoma State in 1996. A native of Tuttle, Oklahoma, Cocannouer and his wife Jeri Lyn reside in Weatherford, where she is Director of Special Education, Federal Programs and Testing Director for Weatherford Public Schools. The couple has two adult daughters, Janie and Josie.

THE COCANNOUER FILE

NAME: ............ Dan Cocannouer

EDUCATIONHIGH SCHOOL: Tuttle HS, 1974

COLLEGE: ....................SWOSU BS, Health & PE, 1978 M.Ed. in Education, 1983

FAMILY: Wife: ........... Jeri Lyn(Burch) Daughters: .....Janie & Josie

COACHING CAREER2009-present: ...............SWOSU Head Coach

2001-08: ........ Edmond Santa Fe Head Football Coach

1999-00: ...............John Marshall Head Football/Golf Coach

1997-99: .................Chandler HS Head Football/Golf Coach

1994-96: ........................ Alva HS Head Football Coach/AD

1992-94: ............Pauls Valley HS Head Football Coach/AD

1991-92: ..............Comanche HS Offensive Coordinator

1984-90: ................... Walters HS Head Football/Track Coach/AD

1979-84: ..................Altus HS/JH Assistant Football/Wrestling

1978:....................... Watonga HS Assistant Football

1978-79: .......................SWOSU Graduate Assistant


FAST LANE FIELD at MILAM STADIUM is the longtime home of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University football team. The playing surface underwent its most signifi cant transformation in its history of more than 75 years when an AstroTurf playing surface was installed in March of 2010. The fi eld features many of the fi nest elements common to both professional and major college fi elds and was installed by one of the industry pioneers, AstroTurf, Inc., of Houston, Texas. The new surface was made possible to the supporters of SWOSU Athletics. The stadium now dons the name ‘Fast Lane Field’ thanks to a generous donation from ASAP Energy Inc., which maintains many Fast Lane franchises in Western Oklahoma. Other SWOSU supporters with their logo featured on the turf include: SWOSU Alumni Association, Coca Cola, Pioneer Cellular, City of Weatherford, Beutler & Son, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance, Nextera Energy, Weatherford Regional Hospital, Legacy Bank and Sudden Link TV & Internet. The facility, with a seating capacity of 8,600, is located on the west end of campus on the corner of Seventh Street and Davis. Recently the Pioneer Cellular Event Center was built and opened outside the south endzone, providing new concession areas and restrooms to be used for SWOSU Football games starting in 2014. In addition, the SWOSU Wellness Center overlooks Fast Lane Field from the east while coaches and media members view the game from the press box, located atop the west bleachers. A new speaker system was installed on the press box prior to the 2013 season, giving Bulldog football a new, clearer sound. Thousands of outstanding student-athletes and hundreds of games have been played at the historic stadium, including the 1996 NAIA Division I National Championship game that SWOSU won 33-31 over Montana Tech.

FAST LANE FIELD AT MILAM STADIUM


PAUL SHARP LOCKER ROOM

ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM

Named for SWOSU’s all-time winningest football coach, the PAUL SHARP LOCKER ROOM has been upgraded signifi cantly in recent years. The home of Bulldog football now feature more than 100 wooden lockers, engraved with the SWOSU Bulldog logo, and the most recent addition: blue carpet to cover the entire fl oor of the room. The Paul Sharp Locker Room is located within Rankin Williams Fieldhouse, adjacent to the Cecil Perkins Football Complex. Also within the Locker Room is the equipment room for SWOSU Football and the Locker Room now borders with the Athletic Training Room used primarily by the Bulldog football team.

The ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM in Rankin Williams Fieldhouse sits right beyond the south door of the Paul Sharp Locker Room, serving as the primary rehab spot for Bulldog football. Providing expert care to nearly 400 SWOSU student-athletes is the Head Athletic Trainer Edwin Detweiler and staff, consisting of two full-time athletic trainers, two graduate assistants and several students training to enter the fi eld. SWOSU’s team of orthopedists is led by Dr. Michael Kiehn M.D., an Orthopedic Surgeion and Sports Medicine Specialist, Dr. Blake Badgett, team general medicine physician.


SWOSU STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING The SWOSU Strength and Conditioning Program, under the direction of Head Strength Coach Kevin Hyde and staff, is dedicated to providing a sound and comprehensive strength and conditioning program for all Bulldog student-athletes. The philosophy of Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s strength and conditioning program is to provide a structured, sport-specifi c, training program that utilizes a combination of functional training, Olympic lifting, power and speed development, and fl exibility training. Our strength and conditioning staff is committed to promoting a program and environment that is conducive to helping our athletes in each sport perform to their highest level, a championship level. Our off-season programs are extremely intensive programs that concentrate on strength, power, agility, speed, core strength, and fl exibility. These programs serve as the foundation both physically and mentally for each student-athlete and team in our preparation for a championship season. The in-season programs focus on maintaining athletic gains attained during the off-season program. Muscle and connective tissue strength and recovery is of special importance throughout the in-season training programs. This is done to ensure our athletes ability to perform at their optimal level. Injury prevention is a top-priority in all of our programs and is vital to the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Voluntary workouts are held throughout the summer at Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s strength and conditioning center. These voluntary workouts allow for student-athletes to take advantage of our facilities on campus during the summer months under the supervision and direction of the strength and conditioning staff. Many of our athletes choose to stay on campus through the summer to participate in these voluntary workouts, without a doubt giving them an edge on winning a starting position, and more importantly a championship in the upcoming season.

The latest athletic facility to receive a facelift is the SWOSU FITNESS CENTER, the stregnth and conditioning training center for all SWOSU Athletic programs. The Fitness Center is located on 8th Street and just south of the Pioneer Cellular Event Center. With a 25-foot addition to the south side of the Fitness Center in the fall of 2014, Coach Hyde and staff now have a 7,500-square foot training facility that ranks among the best in NCAA Division II. The SWOSU Fitness Center complex features nearly fi ve tons of equipment spread over 30 workout stations and 13 platforms within the air conditioned facility. In addition to the increased size, a new PLAE fl ooring surface has outfi tted the entire building and our athletes will work out with custom logo troy urethane dumb bells and custom colored intek bumper plates. The training regimen at SWOSU is a year-round process with closely monitored workouts that involve a great deal of individual instruction and attention. Student-athletes are taught the correct techniques to increase their ability to perform at their peak duringeventual competition on the playing fi eld or court. The new and improved SWOSU Fitness Center will be open and functional at the start of the 2015 spring semester.

SWOSU FITNESS CENTER


PIONEER CELLULAR EVENT CENTER

The PIONEER CELLULAR EVENT CENTER is a state of the art, 93,000 square-foot event center located in the heart of Weatherford, Oklahoma and serving as the home of the Bulldog basketball and volleyball teams. Additionally, the SWOSU Athletic offi ces are housed on the main fl oor of the building while a brand new athletic training room is located in the locker room corridor. The event center project was initiated by the City of Weatherford’s “Vision 2020” strategic planning process and made possible by the “Yes! Weatherford” sales tax campaign, SWOSU students and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. The project broke ground in December 2011 and opened its doors for business in January 2014. The Pioneer Cellular Event Center has a seating capacity in the arena of around 4,000. Everyone has a piece of this venture as the facility was partially funded by city of Weatherford sales tax ($7 million), university students ($7 million) and the University ($7 million). In addition, the University has secured more than $90,000 from past students for an alumni center on the lower level of the building. The new facility was built adjacent to Fast Lane Field, allowing it to provide additional suite and bathroom facilities during home SWOSU football games. The pride and joy of the facility is the top fl oor VIP quite, which will look over both the football fi eld and the arena. It will be used to entertain donors, hold meetings and be used as a multifunctional suite for gameday and events. The facility has new locker rooms, coaches’ offi ces, a fi lm room, training room and a number of multifunctional rooms that can be used for athletics matches, as well as university and community events. Economic impact projections estimate that the Event Center will draw an average of at least 25,500 visitors per year into Western Oklahoma for concerts, corporate events, trade shows, state tournament and much more. These activities could generate annual visitors spending $870,000, making the positive impact of this state-of-the-art facility in Weatherford, Western Oklahoma and the entire state insurmountable. It was announced on August 5, 2013 that the building would don the name of Pioneer Cellular Event Center. Pioneer Cellular announced

the joint venture with SWOSU and the City of Weatherford giving the company exclusive naming rights for the facility. The fi rst collegiate basketball games were held on January 25, 2014 as the Bulldogs hosted rival Northwestern Oklahoma State in front of a raucous crowd of 2,545. As part of the SWOSU Panorama series, comedian Bill Cosby became the fi rst performer in the Pioneer Cellular Event Center when he took the stage in front of a packed house on April 3, 2014.


NCAA DIVISION II ALL-AMERICANS

LB Ruzell McCoy2008

Don Hansen Football Gazette (1st)

DB Clarence Laster2011

Beyond Sports Network (1st)Daktronics (1st)

Associated Press Little (2nd) D2Football.com (2nd)

Don Hansen Football Gazette (2nd)

K Colton Rainey2012

Beyond Sports Network (3rd)

TE Ryan Corbin2013

Beyond Sports Network (1st)Daktronics (2nd)

D2Football.com (2nd)Don Hansen Football Gazette (3rd)

Associated Press Little (3rd)

CB Cecil Deckard2000

Don Hansen Football Gazette (2nd)

KR Patrick Weaver2006

Don Hansen Football Gazette (3rd)

DB Landon Curtis1997

Don Hansen Football Gazette (HM)

DT Devin Benton2014

Beyond Sports Network (1st)

NAIA ALL-AMERICANSYEAR PLAYER POS. TEAM1954 Truman Smith OT First1955 John Buck QB First1956 John Buck QB Third1965 Jerry Craig DL Second1966 Dennis Skinner DT Second1968 Charles Stevens DL Second1972 Joe Shegog LB Second1974 Tom Bergman DL First1975 Tom Bergman DL First1977 Louis Mendoza LB First1977 Glen Stallings DB Second1979 Alonzo McMillan DB First1980 Gary Harper LB First1980 Carl Birdsong P Second1980 David Thompkins DB Second1981 Ed Farmer LB First1982 Richard Lockman LB First1985 Randy Webster DL First1986 James Hicks RB Second1989 Todd Helton DL First1990 Mark Bay LB First

YEAR PLAYER POS. TEAM1992 Damon Sartor OL First1992 Eric Royal RB First1992 Stephen Buford LB First1992 John Wichert DL First1992 Junior Lowden TE First1993 John Wicher DL First1994 Junior Lowden TE Second1994 Yohance Brown LB Second1995 Junior Lowden TE First1995 Yohance Brown LB First1996 Yohance Brown LB First1996 Reggie Jackson WR First1996 Willie Brown KR First1996 Robert Newberg DL First


LONE STAR CONFERENCEYear Pos. Player (Hometown) Team2009 WR Jonathan Haggerty (Dallas, Texas) First2009 TE Joe Sawyer (Ogden, Utah) First2009 LB Fred Leak (Palestine, Ark.) First2009 OL Stephen Speer (Arlington, Texas) Second2009 P Chad McIntosh (Grand Prairie, Texas) Second2009 RS Bruce Hatton (Mesquite, Texas) HM2009 DL Cory Summers (Oklahoma City) HM2009 DL Nick Walker (Altus, Okla.) HM2010 DB Jonathan Darby (San Diego, Calif.) First2010 FB Marshall Fraley (Bixby, Okla.) Second2010 OL Stephen Speer (Arlington, Texas) Second2010 RS Bruce Hatton (Dallas, Texas) Second2010 DL Henry Niutel (Eules, Texas) Second2010 LB Jaron Burgess (Norman, Okla). Second2010 DB Marvin Tribble (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Second2010 TE Ryan Corbin (Newcastle, Okla.) HM2010 OL Kane Bryen (Thomas, Okla.) HM2010 DL Cash Johnson (Kingfi sher, Okla.) HM2010 LB Preston Margain (Los Angeles, Calif.) HM2010 LS Colton Dickinson (Tulsa, Okla.) HM

GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCEYear Pos. Player (Hometown) Team2011 DB Marvin Tribble (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) First2011 DB Clarence Laster (Hemet, Calif.) First2011 WR Esau Bauknight (Columbus, Ga.) Second2011 UT Bruce Hatton (Mesquite, Texas) Second2011 DL Devin Benton (Arlington, Texas) Second2011 K Colton Rainey (Lawton, Okla.) Second2011 QB Dustin Stenta (Fort Worth, Texas) HM2011 DL Lis Leota (Salt Lake City, Utah) HM2012 TE Ryan Corbin (Newcastle, Okla.) First2012 DL Devin Benton (Arlington, Texas) First2012 K Colton Rainey (Lawton, Okla.) Second2012 ST Colton Dickinson (Tulsa, Okla.) Second2012 RB Aaron Wilson (Wichita, Kan.) HM2012 OL Kane Bryen (Thomas, Okla.) HM2013 TE Ryan Corbin (Newcastle, Okla.) First2013 DL Devin Benton (Arlington, Texas) First2013 QB Dustin Stenta (Fort Worth, Texas) Second2013 LB Ryan Feller (Altus, Okla.) Second2013 WR Brad Smithey (Mesquite, Texas) HM2013 OL Nathan Butler (Southlake, Texas) HM2013 OL Mack Cannon (Arlington, Texas) HM2013 OL Derrick Shelton (Clarendon, Texas) HM2013 DL Jacolby Robinson (Mansfi eld, Texas) HM2014 DL Devin Benton (Arlington, Texas) First2014 RB Karl Hodge (Dallas, Texas) Second2014 DB Kevin Joseph (Miami, Fla.) Second2014 OL Derrick Shelton (Clarendon, Texas) Second2014 OL Mack Cannon (Arlington, Texas) HM2014 WR Brad Smithey (Mesquite, Texas) HM2014 DB Steven Townsley (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) HM

ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS(Under Coach Cocannouer)

SPECIALTY HONORS(NCAA DIVISION II ERA)

LONE STAR CONFERENCE1997 DB Landon Curtis Defensive Back of the Year2000 WR Shevron Glover Receiver of the Year2000 DB Cecil Deckard Defensive Back of the Year2001 RB Jimmy Jenkins Freshman of the Year 2004 OL Drew Rigsby Co-Freshman of the Year2005 WR Danny Howard Co-Receiver of the Year2006 Ryan Held Coach of the Year2007 OL Austin Ellis Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year2008 LB Ruzell McCoy Co-Linebacker of the Year2008 RB Luke Lundy Freshman of the Year

GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE 2011 DL Devin Benton Freshman of the Year2014 DL Devin Benton Defensive Player of the Year

SUPER REGION 3(Beyond Sports Network)

2014 DL Devin Benton Defensive Player of the Year

OTHER 2014 DL Devin Benton Gene Upshaw Award Finalist Cliff Harris Award Finalist

DEVIN BENTONSuper Region 3 Defensinve Player of the Year (BSN)

GAC Defensive Player of the YearFour-Time All-GAC Selection

Finalist: Gene Upshaw Award & Cliff Harris Award


WEATHERFORD, OKLAHOMA Straight west of the Oklahoma City metro, WEATHERFORD is known for having the longest stretch of “Main Street” on Route 66. This windy city had been making Oklahoma proud since 1898 and is fi lled with historic museums, boutique shopping and exceptional activities. The people of Weatherford are constantly improving the town with building projects, as seen by the wind turbine farms that line the landscape. Weatherford is home to several of America’s heroes, including Major General Thomas P. Stafford

and US Army Major General Paul D. Easton. Stafford, an astronaut and veteran, is still very active in the community with the Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford. Famous athletes who have once called Weatherford home include major league baseball player Branden Looper, and professional football players Wes Sims and Todd Franz.


OKLAHOMA CITY Just one hour to the east of Weatherford is the largest city and state capital, OKLAHOMA CITY. A town that has it all, from the historic Old West in Stockyards City to the vibrant energy of Bricktown, the city’s lively entertainment district. Oklahoma City is home to the NBA’s Thunder, the 2012 Western Conference Champions, and the Triple-A Affi liate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the OKC Dodgers - formerly the Redhawks. The museums hold artistic treasures and the sports venues have something for everyone. Dining options are various, with unique restaurants for local favorites and down-home cookins. Choices abound for an experience to cherish in Oklahoma City!

@SWOSUAthletics@SWOSUAthletics12 @SWOSUFootball

SWOSU “THE FOCUS IS YOU” Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Weatherford is located 70 miles west of Oklahoma City. The university is authorized to offer curricular in arts and sciences, business, teacher education and health sciences. A branch campus at Sayre is authorized to provide Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees in both general and specialized areas of study, as well as career and technical education. The University was established by an act of the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature in 1901 as the Southwestern Normal School, authorized to offer two years of training four public school teachers. The fi rst classes met in 1903. Initially, four years of preparatory work for pre-college students were offered. In 1920, the preparatory courses were eliminated and two additional years of college work in teacher training were added. The State Legislature approved a change of name to Southwestern State Teachers

College. The fi rst baccalaureate degrees were awarded in May 1921. Other changes in name and purposes occurred in 1939 when the institution was designated as Southwestern State College of Diversifi ed Occupations and in 1941, when it became Southwestern Institute of Technology. During this two-

year period, the college added a school of pharmacy, degree work in the arts and sciences, and trade schools. In 1949, the Oklahoma State Legislature changed the name of the institution to Southwestern State College, and in 1974, to Southwestern Oklahoma State University, without

altering its purposes and objectives. On July 1, 1987, Sayre Junior College was merged with Southwestern Oklahoma State University as a branch campus designated Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Sayre. Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Sayre was founded as

Sayre Junior College in 1938 under legislative authorization which permitted public high schools to add a 13th and 14th year of study to their curricula. A total of 19 public schools took this step. In 1949, the college name was changed to Oklahoma Western Junior College; however, the original name was soon adopted again, and in May 1940 the fi rst degrees were conferred. In 1956, Sayre Junior College moved from facilities occupied jointly with

Sayre High School to its present location on old Highway 66. The merger with Southwestern Oklahoma State University marked the end of the Oklahoma community college system, since Sayre Junior College was the only such institution remaining of the original nineteen.

With 65 majors and 100 fi elds of study, you’ll have plenty of choices. And with 215 full-time faculty, you’ll get lots of help along the way. In fact, our campus of 5,000 students and small class sizes, makes it feel like one big family. The average class size is 23, so youwill get the individual attention you deserve. Were you active in high school? With nearly 100 student organizations, you’re sure to fi nd new interests and activities. SWOSU

always has a packed calendar with cool events like Dawg Days, Panorama series, intramural and intercollegiate sports and residence hall activities. Parents love that SWOSU is a great value and we are all proud of the qualityeducation students receive here. This book is chocked full of the Great Life at SWOSU, 24/7. See what it’s like to experience a day in the life of a SWOSUstudent, then come visit campus to seefor yourself.


GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE The Great American Conference is one of the newest in NCAA Division II, fi rst taking the fi eld in the fall of 2011. Entering its fourth year of competition, the GAC continues to establish itself on the fi eld of play against the very tough Central Region/Super Region 3. The NCAA announced on March 9, 2011 that the Great American Conference was offi cially accepted as the 23rd NCAA Division II athletics conference. Although the new league was new, it was a concept that had been informally discussed since the early 1990’s between institutions from Arkansas and Oklahoma. Nine charter members (Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech, East Central, Harding, Henderson State, Ouachita Baptist, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Southern Arkansas and Southwestern Oklahoma State) agreed to form a new NCAA Division II athletic conference in July 2010 and notifi ed their respective leagues of the decision. In November of 2010, the league was stamped as the Great American Conference and announced in March of 2011 that it would become the 23rd active member conference in NCAA Division II. Will Prewitt, previously an associate commissioner of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), was selected as the fi rst GAC Commissioner and appointed to his post one month before the league had offi cially been named. He is joined on staff by Associate Commisioner for Compliance Audra Tope, Assistant Commissioner for Communications Eric Moyer and Assistant Commissioner for Operations Stephanie Prewitt. The nine founding members began active membership within the NCAA Division II ranks on September 1, 2011. Earlier that summer, Southern Nazarene was accepted into the NCAA Division II membership process and they were extended a provisional invitation to join the GAC. Northwestern Oklahoma State also received a provisional invitation after being accepted into the process in the summer of 2012. Southern Nazarene becomes an active championship member of the GAC for the 2014-15 season while Northwestern Oklahoma State will do the same the following year.

2011: Ouachita Baptist 6-12012: Henderson State 8-0

Offensive2011 Casey Cooper, QB, OBU2012 Kevin Rodgers, QB, HSU2013 Kevin Rodgers, QB, HSU2014 Kevin Rodgers, QB, HSU

Defensive2011 Jason Catchings, LB, ECU2012 Maxie Graham, LB, HSU2013 Keaton Stigger, LB, HSU2014 Devin Benton, DL, SWOSU

Freshman2011 Devin Benton, DL, SWOSU2012 Tim Llewellyn, LB, HSU2013 Devlon Wortham, RB, SE2014 Zach Shelley, RB, HU

Coach2011 Todd Knight, OBU2012 Scott Maxfi eld, HSU2013 Scott Maxfi eld, HSU2014 Todd Knight, OBU

Great American Conference Yearly Awards

GAC Schools in the NCAA II Playoffs*School Appearances YearsHarding 2 2012, 2014Henderson State 2 2012, 2013Ouachita Baptist 1 2014*Only accounts for playoff appearances since GAC formed in 2011

Great American Conference Member InformationSchool Enrollment Location Population Colors Nickname JoinedArkansas Tech 11,379 Russellville, Ark. 27,920 Green & Gold Wonder Boys/Golden Suns 2011Arkansas-Monticello 3,400 Monticello, Ark. 9,778 Green & White Boll Weevils/Cotton Blossoms 2011East Central 5,727 Ada, Okla. 16,810 Orange & Black Tigers 2011Harding 6,810 Searcy, Ark 22,858 Black & Gold Bisons 2011Henderson State 3,584 Arkadelphia, Ark 10,714 Red & Gray Reddies 2011Northwestern Oklahoma State 1,889 Alva, Okla. 4,945 Red & Black Rangers 2012Oklahoma Baptist 1,979 Shawnee, Okla. 29,857 Green & Gold Bison 2015Ouachita Baptist 1,448 Arkadelphia, Ark. 10,714 Purple & Gold Tigers 2011Southeastern Oklahoma State 3,889 Durant, Okla. 15,856 Blue & Gold Savage Storm 2011Southern Arkansas 3,404 Magnolia, Ark. 11,577 Royal Blue & Old Gold Muleriders 2011Southern Nazarene. 2,110 Bethany, Okla. 20,307 Crimson & White Crimson Storm 2012Southwestern Oklahoma State 4,850 Weatherford, Okla. 10,833 Navy & White Bulldogs 2011

Founded: 2011Phone: 479-567-5422Commissioner: Will PrewittAssociate Commisioner / Compliance: Audra TopeAssistant Commissioner / Communications: Eric MoyerAssistant Commissioner / Operations: Stephanie PrewittWebsite: www.greatamericanconference.comMailing Address: PO Box 863 Russellville, Ark. 72811

TM

2013: Henderson State 10-02014: Ouachita Baptist 10-0

GAC Champions


SWOSU IN THE POSTSEASONNAIA Playoffs1977 Dec. 3 vs. Nebraska-Kearney W 21-7 Dec. 10 vs. Abilene Christian L 7-24

1992 Nov. 21 vs. Central Arkansas L 2-14

1996 Nov. 23 vs. Northwestern Oklahoma St. W 17-7 Dec. 7 vs. Montana Tech W 33-31

Bowl Games1977 Apple Bowl Abilene Christian 24, SWOSU 7 Dec. 10, 1977

1991 Aztec Bowl Mexico All-Stars 35, SWOSU 28 Dec. 14, 1991

SWOSU FOOTBALL HISTORY

SWOSU FOOTBALL TRADITIONNAIA National Champions: 1996NAIA National Playoffs: 1977 1992 1996Conference Champions: 1926 1932 1933 1950 1954 1955 1957 1968 1969 1970 1971 1974 1977 1980 1985 1992 1996 1997 2007Apple Bowl: 1977Aztec Bowl: 1991

SWOSU FOOTBALL HISTORY & TRADITION: Southwestern Oklahoma State University has been been noted for its rich athletic history on the fi eld of competition. In football, the Bulldogs have won have 19 conference titles, the latest in 2007 as they shared a Lone Star Conference North Division title. SWOSU has won two conference crowns since transitioning to NCAA Division II, but they have yet to appear in an NCAA Postseason event. SWOSU’s longest-running streak of titles was a four-year run of Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference titles from 1968-71 under legendary coach Otis Delaporte. Delaporte led the Bulldogs to the NAIA Playoffs in 1977, advancing to the NAIA National Championship game - The Apple Bowl - in Seatlle, Wash., where they were defeated by Abilene Christian and fi nished the season 11-1. The Bulldogs all-time winningest coach, Paul Sharp, led SWOSU to postseason appearances in 1992 and 1996. Central Arkansas eliminated the Bulldogs from the playoffs in 1992, but nothing would get in the way of the 1996 squad. SWOSU defeated Northwestern Oklahoma State and Montana Tech on their way to the 1996 NAIA National Title, a fi tting end to the NAIA era as Coach Sharp was named the 1996 Rawlings-NAIA Division I Coach of the Year by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette.

RECORD BY DECADE

1905-09 ...............3-8-1 (.292)

1910-19 ...........14-33-2 (.306)

1920-29 .........41-38-10 (.517)

1930-39 .........40-43-12 (.484)

1940-49 ...........31-21-2 (.593)

1950-59 ...........47-44-4 (.516)

1960-69 ...........49-51-1 (.490)

1970-79 ...........64-33-3 (.655)

1980-89 ...........48-51-1 (.485)

1990-99 ...........51-50-1 (.505)

2000-09 ..............40-67 (.374)

2010-Pres. ..........20-33 (.377)

TOP TEN COACHES(RANKED BY WINS)

COACH YEARS WINSPaul Sharp 1986-2004 93Otis Delaporte 1964-77 89Bob Mazie 1978-85 39Joe Metcalf 1952-57 32Rankin Williams 1932-38 31Jake Spann 1939-48 30Dan Cocannouer 2009-Pres. 21Joe Milam 1926-31 21Carl Voyles 1922-25 19J.W. Cole 1958-63 17

BY THE NUMBERS

50....................All-Conference Selections

(Under Coach Cocannouer)

44................................. Winning Seasons

43....................................... All-Americans

19.................Conference Championships

3..................... NAIA Playoff Appearances

2.......................Bowl Game Appearances

1.................NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

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