Heritage Hall (OSU Sports Museum): Stillwater, OK

Hey friend! Welcome back to another post! Today, We’re talking about Heritage Hall at Oklahoma State University on the West side of Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma. This museum is dedicated to OSU athletics and has some really cool stuff that has been donated by athletes, alumni, and fans! Let’s go look around at some of the cool pieces – this will be a small selection because the collection is huge.

“…Heritage Hall is more than a repository of mementos. It is the living, breathing spirit of OSU.”
Heritage Hall – OSU Athletics Website

Heritage Hall

Tradition is very important at Oklahoma State University so Heritage Hall was something that many people had dreamed of for a long time. For those dedicated individuals, Heritage Hall is “the living, breathing spirit of OSU.” (Heritage Hall) The museum chronicles athletic events from 1890 to the present!

Kay Norris is largely responsible for Heritage Hall. She approached the Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips in 1998 while Gallagher-Iba Arena was being renovated and expanded. Phillips liked the idea and they ran with it.

Norris put together a committee which included a student intern and university communications staff. The team put out a call “Wanted: OSU memorabilia” and people answered. Oklahoma State alumni and fans sent all kinds of items – championships rings, athletic jackets, shows, homecoming crowns, photos, ticket stubs, and so much more. Many of these items are priceless! Norris personally oversaw the placement of all items to ensure the story of OSU athletics was told properly.

Heritage Hall opened in November 2001 inside of Gallagher-Iba Arena. This museum displays OSU trophies, uniforms, pictures, and more! This collection contains information about both – men’s and women’s – athletics at Oklahoma State throughout the years. Below is a video from the museum opening.

Oklahoma State University Athletics put together a video with footage of the museum opening in 2001. Check it out!

The curator of the museum is a volunteer who leads tours and helps take care of the collection.

52 NCAA Team National Championships

Oklahoma State University athletes have won a combined 52 NCAA Team National Championships. Scroll through the pictures below to see a few of the trophies on display! Keep reading to see which sports won the championship title and the year they won.

Golf – 11 Titles

1963
1976
1978
1980
1983
1987
1991
1995
2000
2006
2018

Wrestling – 37 Titles

1928
1929
1930
1931
1933
1934
1935
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1946
1948
1949
1954

1955
1956
1958
1959
1961
1962
1964
1966
1968
1971
1989
1990
1994
2003
2004
2005
2006

Basketball – 2 Titles

1945
1946

Baseball – 1 Title

1959

Cross Country – 4 Titles

1954
2009
2010
2012

Equestrian – 5 Titles

2000
2003
2004
2006
2013

For more information about the NCAA Team National Championships won by Oklahoma State see the following website.

Oklahoma State football was retroactively named the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) National Football Champions for 1945. The panel retroactively named champions for the years 1922-1949.

Olympians

For a list of OSU athletes who have competed in the Olympics please see this page from OSU Athletics! OSU athletes have won a combined 34 Olympic medals: 21 gold, 4 silver, and 8 bronze.

My Favorite Piece in the Collection

One of Frank Eaton’s pistols and belts is on display along with a Pistol Pete suit! For more information about the life of Frank Eaton, see this post about his historic home in Perkins, Oklahoma!

TRAVEL TIP: Perkins, Oklahoma is located about 20 minutes South of Stillwater on Highway 177. Frank Eaton’s home is located in the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza. They are only open on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. during certain times of the year. So, make sure to check their website before planning a road trip.

Concluding Thoughts

As a lover of sports and all things Oklahoma State, I really loved this space in Gallagher-Iba Arena. I wish more people talked about it! I hope you’ll swing by for a visit the next time you’re in Stillwater either on game day or on a weekday. Go Pokes!

I’ll talk to ya soon! 🙂