UCO Hall of Fame

Friday will be big night at UCO as eight new members will be inducted into the UCO Athletic Hall of Fame during a banquet on campus.

I've had the pleasure of watching and/or working with five of the new inductees during my long career at UCO, so it will be extra special to see Francis Baxter, Genny (Honea) Stidham, Kevin Freeman, Greg Oplotnik and Elton Rhoades go in.

Francis served as tennis coach for both the men and women from many years and produced some great teams and individuals. He was also the driving force in bringing the NCAA Division II national tournament to Edmond several times in the 1990s and is without question one of the nicest gentlemen I've ever met.

Genny was an incredible player for the Bronchos in the 1990s and then came back in '98 as head coach. One of the most intense competitors I know, Genny has been a great friend for many years and I'm especially proud to see her make the Hall of Fame.

One of the first great wrestlers I got to work with when I arrived at UCO in the fall of 1987 was Kevin Freeman, who was in his senior year that season. Kevin was fun to watch on the mat and had a great career that earned him a well-deserved spot in the Hall.

I have too many stories to share about Greg, who was thrown to the wolves as a true freshman and grew into one of UCO's all-time great big men. He was a raw talent who turned himself into a national champion and was a treat to be around. Anybody who still goes by the name Opie nearly 20 years after graduating college has my respect!

Elton had an up-and-down career with the Bronchos before really taking off his last two years. His senior season in 1994 was one of the best I've seen by a UCO defensive back.

It will be a fun night for those five and the other three inductees -- Alfred Murrell, Edmund Martin and Marita Hynes -- as kudos to former softball coach Gerry Pinkston for all the hard work she's done getting everything ready for the banquet.