special_image
Login Subscribe Advertisers
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Public Notices
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Public Notices
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
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).

Kirby’s Cafe builds ‘Wall of Honor’
A: Main
Kirby’s Cafe builds ‘Wall of Honor’
By Patrick Ford Editor 
March 20, 2026
In a time when headlines are often dominated by uncertainty across the globe, one small-town cafe in Okmulgee is choosing a different focus - one rooted in gratitude, unity and remembrance. At Kirby’s...
A: Main
Filing period begins April 1
March 20, 2026
Statewide election activity officially begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, when the candidate filing period opens. Candidates for state offices file with the Secretary of State Election Board, while ...
A: Main
Federal changes ripple down to county programs
By DAWN CARTER REPORTER 
March 20, 2026
In rural Oklahoma, for small towns like Okmulgee, a housing program isn’t just about building homes. It’s about keeping families in place, keeping jobs local and keeping communities intact. When one o...
A Lucky Day for Okmulgee Cemetery
A: Main, Main...
A Lucky Day for Okmulgee Cemetery
March 20, 2026
It was the Okmulgee Cemetery’s lucky day Tuesday, as donations were received from two businesses that provided much-needed assistance. Stewart Martin Kubota donated a Kubota zero-turn mower along with...
A: Main
Council hears Main Street update
By Patrick Ford Editor 
March 20, 2026
In a meeting that reflected both the promise of progress and the weight of preservation, the Okmulgee City Council gathered Tuesday evening inside City Hall to tackle a wide-ranging agenda that touche...
Focus Magazine Available
A: Main
Focus Magazine Available
March 20, 2026
The Okmulgee Times is proud to announce its annual Focus Magazine is now available. This year’s magazine, released in last Friday’s edition, highlights several of the many bright people and organizati...
e-Edition
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Wright honored as Veteran of the Week
News
Wright honored as Veteran of the Week
March 20, 2026
Maj. Gen. Tony L. Wright was recognized as the Veteran of the Week on Monday by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Wright is a constituent of House Tribal and External Affairs Leader Rep. Scott Fe...
Sharks debut new look as season gets underway
News
Sharks debut new look as season gets underway
By DAWN CARTER REPORTER 
March 20, 2026
Under the late afternoon sun, the Okmulgee County Sharks gathered on the field for practice, their new black and blue uniforms catching the light as players stretched, laughed and prepared to take the...
Dunbar All-School Association to hold fundraiser Tuesday
News
Dunbar All-School Association to hold fundraiser Tuesday
March 20, 2026
The Dunbar All-School Association will hold a fundraiser next Tuesday, March 24, to help raise funds to repair the Dunbar Community Center. The building, formerly Banneker Kindergarten, was damaged du...
News
Bankers graduate from OBA Commercial Lending School
March 20, 2026
Jennifer Pembrook and Kendall Warren, with Mabrey Bank, in Morris, recently completed the Oklahoma Bankers Association Commercial Lending School in Oklahoma City. Pembrook and Warren were among 68 gra...
Lori Fullbright Visits B.A.L.L. Group
News
Lori Fullbright Visits B.A.L.L. Group
March 20, 2026
News on 6 Anchor Lori Fullbright recently made a return visit to Okmulgee, as she visited the Be Active Live Longer Group (B.A.L.L.) at First Baptist Church. Her Personal Safety Class has benefitted r...
Facebook
Video

OKMULGEE TIMES
320 W. 6th
Okmulgee, OK 74447

918.756.3600

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2022 Okmulgee Times

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy