OPSU Announces 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame Class

1975 wbb team picture, Jeborric Evans headshot, 1995-96 rodeo team picture with text that announces Hall of Fame Class 2026 on blue background
July 9, 2026

*Note: The rodeo team pictured above is from a previous season, though many team members from the 1997 national championship team are included.

GOODWELL, Okla. — Oklahoma Panhandle State University Athletics is thrilled to induct three members/teams to the Hall of Fame by way of its 2026 Class. The prestigious class includes the Aggies' inaugural 1975-76 women's basketball team, the 1997 National Champion men's rodeo team, and two-time All-American football defensive back Jeborric Evans ('06).

The 1975-76 women's basketball team blazed a new path in Aggie history, setting forward a proud tradition of women's hoops in the Panhandle that continues 50 years later. The inaugural team, coached by the late Richard Collings, went 15-5 and had a strong postseason finish. That group was spearheaded by Kandy Briant (Kauk), Shirley Huddleston and Teresa Kay (Robins) Davis, members whose attitude and play style inspired future Aggie teams.

The 1997 men's rodeo team won the program's first of seven NIRA National Championships, and it did so by competing with a greater purpose. Lynn "Doc" Gardner, the founding and longtime coach of the rodeo team, had died just a year earlier. According to "The Oklahoman" newspaper, team members Otey McCloy, Ryan Rodewald, Garrett Nokes, Rance Bray, Ben Blue and Cauy Hudson "won one for Doc," and an extra championship ring was given to the Gardner family in his honor.

Evans' game-changing speed and instincts as a defensive back and kick/punt returner led him to receive many regional and national honors throughout his four-year career, including two All-American nods. Prior to the 2003 season, head football coach Ryan Held spoke about the then-sophomore Evans and what made him so special.

"He's just a guy that can flat-out run. He's our version of Deion Sanders."

***

The 2026 Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set to take place in the Athletics Building on campus attached to McKee Library at 9 a.m. on Sept. 5. The ceremony will kick off festivities ahead of the annual Hall of Fame Football game at 1 p.m. that Saturday, with the newest inductees being recognized again at halftime.

Special features honoring each new Hall of Fame member/team will be released at a later date on OPSUAggies.com.