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Okmulgee’s Rod Davis among inductees into UCO Athletics HOF
Sports
October 1, 2025
Okmulgee’s Rod Davis among inductees into UCO Athletics HOF
By Patrick Ford Editor

The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) has announced its 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame class, and one name in particular brings pride to Okmulgee. Rod Davis, a standout offensive lineman and 1979 Okmulgee High School graduate, will be among the seven distinguished individuals and one championship team honored during a special induction ceremony on Friday, Oct. 3.

The banquet will be held at 6 p.m. at the George & Donna Nigh University Center on the UCO campus in Edmond. Inductees will also be recognized during halftime of the Bronchos’ football game against Central Missouri the following evening, Saturday, Oct. 4, at Chad Richison Stadium.

— Rod Davis: Okmulgee Native & Broncho Legend A proud product of Okmulgee Public Schools, Rod Davis made a name for himself on the gridiron at Okmulgee High before becoming a cornerstone of the Bronchos’ offensive line in the early 1980s. Davis was a fouryear letterman and three-year starter for UCO, helping power the team to some of the most successful seasons in program history.

In 1982, Davis anchored the offensive line that led UCO to a 10-2 record and the NAIA national championship, averaging 31.2 points per game. That year, Davis earned First-Team All-District Nine honors and was recognized as an Honorable Mention NAIA All-American.

His dominance didn’t end there. As a senior, Davis was again named First-Team All-District Nine and elevated to Second-Team All-American. Under his leadership, the Bronchos’ offense surged, averaging 35.4 points per game and finishing with an impressive 8-1-1 record – only falling in a surprising early playoff upset. In 2005, Davis was named to the UCO All-Century Team, securing his legacy as one of the greatest offensive linemen in Broncho history.

— Other UCO Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees Gabe Sullivan – Wrestling

A three-time NCAA Division II All-American and two-time national runner-up, Sullivan finished his career at UCO with a 100-33 record and a school-record 50 falls. His standout seasons included Midwest Regional championships and three national finals appearances, establishing him as one of the premier wrestlers in Broncho history.

— Louis Tomlinson (Posthumous) Wrestling A pioneer in Broncho athletics, Tomlinson became UCO’s first national champion in any sport in 1935 by winning the AAU wrestling title at 145 pounds. That year, he defeated top NCAA and Olympic-level competitors, helping lead the Bronchos to a national runner-up finish and forever securing his place in UCO’s legacy.

— Mike Jones – Football

Jones led UCO to a 25-6-1 record from 1970-72 as a three-year starting quarterback and punter. He threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding 558 rushing yards and nine scores. A two-time First-Team All-Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference selection, he also earned Honorable Mention NAIA All-America honors in 1972.

— Stephanie Gulisao – Soccer

Gulisao was a defensive force for the Bronchos from 2001-2004, leading the soccer team to two NCAA Division II national tournament appearances and 40 shutouts. She was a three-time First-Team All-Lone Star Conference selection, a two-time LSC Defensive Player of the Year and UCO’s first-ever soccer All-American.

— Stacey Meek – Volleyball

A record-setting setter, Meek was a four-time All-Conference pick and still holds the school record for career assists with 5,604. She led UCO to a 99-34 record from 2000-2003 and was twice named to the Academic All-America team, including a Second-Team honor in 2003. — Kaylnn Schrock – Softball

Schrock had a dominant two-year pitching run at UCO in 2013 and 2014 after transferring from the University of Tulsa. She posted a 59-15 career record, including 576 strikeouts and a 1.64 ERA. In 2013, she led the Bronchos to the school’s first-ever women’s national championship, earning tournament MVP honors with a 9-0 record and 80 strikeouts in 61 innings.

— Team Induction: 2006-07 Wrestling National Champions The 2006-07 UCO wrestling team earned its place in the Hall of Fame after a remarkable season that ended with the program’s 15th national title. Despite early losses to Division I powerhouses like Oklahoma and Boise State, the Bronchos regrouped to dominate the Midwest Regional and triumph at the national tournament in Kearney, Neb.

Led by 141-pound national champion Kyle Evans and eight total All-Americans, the Bronchos edged top-ranked Nebraska-Kearney 124.5 to 108.5 for the team title. Runners-up included Tyler Zukerman (125), Jared Henning (133), Jason Leavitt (157) and Josh LeadingFox (Heavyweight), with other top placers like Jared Hess (3rd at 184), Shea Timothy (4th at 149) and Heath Jolley (5th at 197).

OC Sharks to host ‘Cookies with Santa’
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OC Sharks to host ‘Cookies with Santa’
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The OC Sharks invite the community to a special “Cookies with Santa” event this Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Jim Newport Memorial Pocket Park in downtown Okmulgee, located between Brit’s and Hopper’s on 6...
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Filing period ends today
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The filing period ends today at 5 p.m. for residents interested in serving on county school board posts. Prospective candidates must complete and submit a Declaration of Candidacy, along with a Voter ...
Fundraiser to support CASA/Safehouse
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Fundraiser to support CASA/Safehouse
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As the community gathers in downtown Okmulgee to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Square, a delicious chili dinner fundraiser to benefit CASA...
Christmas on the Square arrives
A: Main, Main...
Christmas on the Square arrives
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Downtown Okmulgee is about to transform into a winter wonderland like never before. After months of planning, collaboration and hands-on creativity, Okmulgee Main Street and the Okmulgee Chamber of Co...
OCCJA Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Lunch
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OCCJA Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Lunch
December 3, 2025
The OCCJA held its annual Thanksgiving Lunch last week, providing a slice of holiday warmth to the incarcerated. See the related story and additional photos on page A8.
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Commissioners handle brief agenda in weekly session
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The Okmulgee County Board of County Commissioners met for its regular session Monday, addressing a slate of routine items ranging from officers’ reports to utility permits, employee forms and blanket ...
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