Tag: Patty Gasso Statue

Oklahoma Sooners unveil Patty Gasso statue at Love’s Field

The Oklahoma Sooners enshrined a living legend at Love’s Field on Friday, unveiling the statue of head coach Patty Gasso.

A living legend was enshrined at [autotag]Love’s Field[/autotag] today when the University of Oklahoma unveiled a statue honoring softball coach [autotag]Patty Gasso[/autotag].

The statue evokes the image of Gasso giving a player a high five as they round third base after hitting a home run. Oklahoma has become synonymous with offense, and she’s handed out a lot of high-fives over the years.

Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso take a picture with players and family during a statue dedication at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla,, Friday, Sept., 13, 2024. SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Gasso is the winner of eight national titles, pushing Oklahoma into a tie for second place after the Sooners completed the only four-peat in college softball history. Seven of the eight national championships have come since 2013, and six since 2016.

Under her guidance, the Sooners won 15 Big 12 regular season titles and led her staff to earn seven NFCA coaching staff of the year awards.

Prior to the spectacular run to the 2024 national title, the Sooners were one of just two teams to accomplish a three-peat, joining the UCLA Bruins, who secured the feat in the sport’s infancy.

Gasso is the winningest active coach in college softball and ranks third all-time in career wins, leading Oklahoma to the pinnacle of the sport over her 30 years at the helm for the Sooners. The NFCA Hall of Fame member has not only been a part of the growth of the OU Softball program, but the sport itself.

University of Oklahoma President Joe Harroz spoke at the unveiling and highlighted Gasso’s remarkable impact on her players, the sport, and those who follow the team, saying, “true greatness is not measured by the number of wins you have. It’s measured by the number of lives you impact. Patty transcends softball. Patty transcends sports.”

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Twitter Reacts: Oklahoma athletic director announces plans for Patty Gasso statue

At the Oklahoma Sooners national championship celebration, OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione announced plans for a statue honoring Patty Gasso in 2024.

We are witnessing a living legend at the helm of Oklahoma Sooners softball. Patty Gasso just won her seventh national title, sixth in the last 10 years and third in a row in an historic season for the Sooners.

She was already the highest-paid coach in collegiate softball, helping not only build a dynasty in Norman but grow the sport of softball nationally. Now, the living legend will be immortalized.

Speaking at the Oklahoma Sooners national championship celebration, Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione shared the University of Oklahoma will build a statue for Gasso in 2024.

“And I get emails and social media posts and people stopping me. ‘When are we going to dedicate a statue for Patty Gasso?”‘ Castiglione said. “So, y’all, we do things, you try to keep it secret for a while, but you just won’t let us keep a secret. So tonight, I’m just breaking it out. We’re gonna have a statue for coach Gasso next year!”

“We have built a program for the ages on the rock that Patty Gasso brought to Oklahoma, so it’s only going to be fitting that we’re gonna have a statue for coach Gasso next year,” Castiglione said.

When she finally took to the podium, coach Gasso struggled to find the words. “I’m honored,” the legendary coach said as she choked back tears Saturday night during a celebration of the Sooners’ latest national title. “It’s the first time you guys can be silent. I haven’t heard you so silent.”

The Sooners plan to play their first home game of 2024 in the new Love’s Field, which could also be dubbed, “The House that Patty Built.” Presumably, when the Sooners move into their new digs, there will be an attraction outside honoring their living legend.

Bennie Owen, Bud Wilkinson, Barry Switzer and Bob Stoops helped create the legend that is Oklahoma Sooners football, Gasso is the architect of Oklahoma Sooners softball.

While she’d tell you it’s the players that are the foundation of the team, and that’s true, there’s been one constant at the head of the table for this program during its seven national titles and countless Big 12 championships. And that’s Gasso.

Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter.