WELCOME TO SWOSU FOOTBALL

Southwestern Oklahoma State University football, a tradition dating back to 1905, is under the direction of Head Coach Dan Cocannouer, a former player at SWOSU in the 1970’s. Coach Cocannouer decided prior to the 2014 season that the Bulldogs would return to wearing the traditional while helmets as opposed to the navy ones that had been worn since 2005. “I’ve been thinking about ways to help our program out each year and one of the biggest pieces of feedback I get from our former players is, ‘When are you going to go back to white helmets?’,” Cocannouer said. “’I’ve thought about it quite a bit, because I like the blue helmets, they’re very sharp, but I’m ready to get back to tradition.” SWOSU has worn several variations of the white helmet HOME JERSEY COMBINATION: through the years, with different Bulldog logos along with Navy Jersey/Navy Pants/White Helmet the popular ‘SW’ logo that was on the side of the lids from 1988-2003. It was also the helmet worn by SWOSU during the programs only National Championship in 1996. That helmet design was replaced by a white helmet with the new ‘SWOSU’ logo in 2004 before the change to blue occurred in 2005. “When you look at our history, all but one conference championship was won by the team while they were wearing white helmets,” Cocannouer mentioned. “We’ve come a long way since we’ve been here and I feel like it’s time for our kids to start expecting to win. We’re at the point with our program where we feel like we should expect to win and these white helmets are going to keep us in mind of that.” AWAY JERSEY COMBINATION: White Jersey/Navy Pants/White Helmet 2 @@SWOSUATHLETICSSWOSUATHLETICS @@SWOSUFOOTBALLSWOSUFOOTBALL HEAD COACH DAN COCANNOUER SWOSU alum Dan Cocannouer completed his seventh season as the head coach of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University football team in 2015 with a record-setting season that included an 8-4 record and the Bulldogs fi rst-ever NCAA Postseason appearance in the Live United Texarkana Bowl. Cocannouer, who returned home to lead his alma mater in 2009, has a career record of 29-47 at SWOSU. The breakthrough season of 2015 came with accolades as Cocannouer was named the Great American Conference Coach of the Year and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region 4 Coach of the Year after leading the Bulldogs to a fi ve-win turnaround and second-place fi nish in the GAC after being picked to fi nish seventh. SWOSU ended the season with a defeat at the Live United Texarkana Bowl, which was just the eighth postseason game in Bulldog football’s 107- year history. Resilience was the key for SWOSU in 2015 as the Bulldogs bounced back from starting the season 2-3 to win six straight games and earn their postseason appearance. The winning streak is the longest by the Bulldogs as members of the NCAA and helped break a postseason draught of nearly 20 years. SWOSU’s offense set records for scoring as they went undefeated at ASAP Energy Field and earned their best Great American Conference fi nish since the formation of the league. SWOSU had seven players earn GAC postseason honors as well as Cocannouer being named the conference Coach of the Year. Leading the honors were First Team All-GAC cornerback Trevon Hartfi eld and return specialist D.J. Jones, who also become SWOSU’s ninth All-American of the NCAA Division II era, earning First Team honors as a return specialist from the D2CCA and second team Associated Press Little All-America honors as an all-purpose player. The resume for Cocannouer added another signifi cant honor in the spring of 2015 as it was announced that he THE COCANNOUER FILE would be inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA) Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2015. He is one of 13 inductees from across the state of Oklahoma to be selected for induction following his storied coaching career at the prep level. NAME: ...... Dan Cocannouer Cocannouer has led the Bulldogs to a winning record in two of the past three seasons and he is alone in seventh- place for all-time wins at SWOSU, just two wins shy of moving into the top-fi ve on the career wins list. He bettered the EDUCATION Bulldogs win-loss total in each of his fi rst three seasons, improving his team from 1-10 in his inaugural season to 5-6 HIGH SCHOOL: Tuttle HS, 1974 in 2011, their fi rst season in the GAC. The 2014 season was highlighted by the All-America season of senior defensive tackle Devin Benton, who was named the GAC Defensive Player of the Year and Super Region 3 Defensive Player of the Year by one outlet after a COLLEGE: ...... SWOSU dominating and record-setting season. He became the fourth All-American coached by Cocannouer at SWOSU as he BS, Health & PE, 1978 earned consensus honors with four different honors, including fi rst team selections from Beyond Sports Network and M.Ed. in Education, 1983 Don Hansen, a second team choice by Daktronics and an honorable mention pick by D2Football.com. With seven players earning All-Great American Conference honors in 2015, SWOSU has now had 35 all- conference honorees in the four-year history of the conference. Benton is also leading that list as the only four-time FAMILY: all-conference selection in the brief history of the league. Wife: ...... Jeri Lyn(Burch) The 2013 season saw the Bulldogs open the year with an exciting 27-23 come-from-behind win over Harding – an Daughters: .....Janie & Josie NCAA Division II playoff team the previous season – in the Fast Lane Kickoff Classic. SWOSU then defeated Arkansas Tech on the road to improve to 2-0 for the fi rst time since 2007. The Bulldogs then lost two of their next three games COACHING CAREER before alternating wins and losses the fi nal six games of the season, including a 62-17 throttling of Northwestern Oklahoma State in the season fi nale that secured the winning season. 2009-present: ...... SWOSU Nine players earned All-Great American Conference honors in 2013, giving the Bulldogs 21 all-conference Head Coach honorees in the three-year history of the conference. Among those earning honors were fi rst team selections Ryan Corbin and Devin Benton, who each earned First Team All-GAC distinction for the second consecutive season. 2001-08: ...... Edmond Santa Fe Corbin and Benton both landed on the All-Super Region Three team as well and Corbin went on to be named to Head Football Coach fi ve All-American teams, making him the third All-American coached by Cocannouer at SWOSU. Corbin was a First Team All-America selection by Beyond Sports Network, second team by D2Football.com & Daktronics, and earned third team honors from the Don Hansen Football Committee and the Associated Press All-America Team. 1999-00: ...... John Marshall In 2012, the Bulldogs had four players earn All-GAC honors after fi nishing 3-7 in their second year with the Head Football/Golf Coach conference. Following the season, Colton Rainey became Cocannouer’s second player to earn All-American recognition by picking up an honorable mention selection by Beyond Sports Network. 1997-99: ...... Chandler HS In 2011, SWOSU safety Clarence Laster earned several All-American honors for the Bulldogs after leading the Great American Conference with eight interceptions and a total of 97 tackles. His eight interceptions were the most Head Football/Golf Coach by a SWOSU player since 1980 and ranked third in all of NCAA Division II. Laster was a three-time GAC Player of the Week that season and he was named a fi rst team All-American by Daktronics and a second team selection on the 1994-96: ...... Alva HS Associated Press Little All-America squad. His other All-America honors were second team selections by Don Hansen Head Football Coach/AD and D2Football.com. Prior to coming back to SWOSU, Cocannouer had spent 25 seasons as a high school head coach in the state of Oklahoma, establishing a reputation as one of the most prominent and well-respected coaching leaders in the state. He 1992-94: ...... Pauls Valley HS came to SWOSU after eight years at Edmond Santa Fe High School where he compiled a 70-26 record (.729 winning Head Football Coach/AD percentage) and led the Wolves to the Class 6A fi nals in 2003. His other high school stops included lead high school programs at John Marshall, Chandler, Alva, Pauls Valley 1991-92: ...... Comanche HS and Walters High Schools. All total, he has coached more than 36 years, including the last 30 as a head coach. He led Offensive Coordinator fi ve different schools to the state playoffs and served on the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association (OFCA) Advisory Board for several years and he is a past President of the Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA) and the OFCA. With his prep success came the opportunity to coach in numerous all-star games, including the Oklahoma All-State game 1984-90: ...... Walters HS (1988), Jim Thorpe Classic (2000, 2002), Oil Bowl (1997-98) and Enid Shriner All-Star Game (1992-96). Head Football/Track Coach/AD Cocannouer played at SWOSU from 1974-77 under legendary head coach Otis Delaporte, helping the Bulldogs to conference titles in 1974 and 1977. He was a senior leader on the Bulldog team that won a school-record 11 games 1979-84: ...... Altus HS/JH and fi nished as the NAIA National Runner-up in 1997 after playing in the Apple Bowl at the Seattle Kingdome. By returning to lead his alma mater, he became the fi rst SWOSU graduate to lead the Bulldogs since Joe Metcalf did the Assistant Football/Wrestling same from 1952-57. Cocannouer holds two degrees from SWOSU. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education 1978:...... Watonga HS in 1978 before serving as a graduate assistant for the Bulldog football team while until he earned a master’s degree in Assistant Football Education in 1983. He also later obtained a secondary administrative certifi cate from Northwestern Oklahoma State in 1996. Dan is a native of Tuttle, Oklahoma. The Cocannouer family lost their beloved wife and mother, Jeri Lyn, in early 1978-79: ...... SWOSU August 2015. She now has the best seat in all stadiums to cheer on the Bulldogs! They have two adult daughters and Graduate Assistant son-in-laws Cory and Janie Pence of Weatherford, and Colton and Josie Blackburn of Edmond. ##TheSWOSUWayTheSWOSUWay WWWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COMWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COM 3 ASAP ENERGY FIELD AT MILAM STADIUM

ASAP ENERGY FIELD at MILAM STADIUM is the longtime home of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University football team. The playing surface underwent its most signifi cant transformation in its history of more than 75 years when an AstroTurf playing surface was installed in March of 2010. The fi eld features many of the fi nest elements common to both professional and major college fi elds and was installed by one of the industry pioneers, AstroTurf, Inc., of Houston, Texas. The new surface was made possible to the supporters of SWOSU Athletics. The stadium now dons the name ‘Fast Lane Field’ thanks to a generous donation from ASAP Energy Inc., which maintains many Fast Lane franchises in Western Oklahoma. Other SWOSU supporters with their logo featured on the turf include: SWOSU Alumni Association, Coca Cola, Pioneer Cellular, City of Weatherford, Beutler & Son, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance, Nextera Energy, Weatherford Regional Hospital, Legacy Bank and Sudden Link TV & Internet. The facility, with a seating capacity of 8,600, is located on the west end of campus on the corner of Seventh Street and Davis. Recently the Pioneer Cellular Event Center was built and opened outside the south endzone, providing new concession areas and restrooms to be used for SWOSU Football games starting in 2014. In addition, the SWOSU Wellness Center overlooks Fast Lane Field from the east while coaches and media members view the game from the press box, located atop the west bleachers. A new speaker system was installed on the press box prior to the 2013 season, giving Bulldog football a new, clearer sound. Thousands of outstanding student-athletes and hundreds of games have been played at the historic stadium, including the 1996 NAIA Division I National Championship game that SWOSU won 33-31 over Montana Tech.

4 @@SWOSUATHLETICSSWOSUATHLETICS @@SWOSUFOOTBALLSWOSUFOOTBALL PAUL SHARP LOCKER ROOM Named for SWOSU’s all-time winningest football coach, the PAUL SHARP LOCKER ROOM has been upgraded signifi cantly in recent years. The home of Bulldog football now feature more than 100 wooden lockers, engraved with the SWOSU Bulldog logo, and the most recent addition: blue carpet to cover the entire fl oor of the room. The Paul Sharp Locker Room is located within Rankin Williams Fieldhouse, adjacent to the Cecil Perkins Football Complex. Also within the Locker Room is the equipment room for SWOSU Football and the Locker Room now borders with the Athletic Training Room used primarily by the Bulldog football team.

ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM The ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM in Rankin Williams Fieldhouse sits right beyond the south door of the Paul Sharp Locker Room, serving as the primary rehab spot for Bulldog football. Providing expert care to nearly 400 SWOSU student-athletes is the Head Athletic Trainer Edwin Detweiler and staff, consisting of two full-time athletic trainers, two graduate assistants and several students training to enter the fi eld. SWOSU’s team of orthopedists is led by Dr. Michael Kiehn M.D., an Orthopedic Surgeion and Sports Medicine Specialist, Dr. Blake Badgett, team general medicine physician.

##TheSWOSUWayTheSWOSUWay WWWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COMWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COM 5 SWOSU STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING The SWOSU Strength and Conditioning Program, under the direction of Head Strength Coach Kevin Hyde and staff, is dedicated to providing a sound and comprehensive strength and conditioning program for all Bulldog student- athletes. The philosophy of Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s strength and conditioning program is to provide a structured, sport-specifi c, training program that utilizes a combination of functional training, Olympic lifting, power and speed development, and fl exibility training. Our strength and conditioning staff is committed to promoting a program and environment that is conducive to helping our athletes in each sport perform to their highest level, a championship level. Our off-season programs are extremely intensive programs that concentrate on strength, power, agility, speed, core strength, and fl exibility. These programs serve as the foundation both physically and mentally for each student-athlete and team in our preparation for a championship season. The in-season programs focus on maintaining athletic gains attained during the off-season program. Muscle and connective tissue strength and recovery is of special importance throughout the in-season training programs. This is done to ensure our athletes ability to perform at their optimal level. Injury prevention is a top-priority in all of our programs and is vital to the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Voluntary workouts are held throughout the summer at Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s strength and conditioning center. These voluntary workouts allow for student-athletes to take advantage of our facilities on campus during the summer months under the supervision and direction of the strength and conditioning staff. Many of our athletes choose to stay on campus through the summer to participate in these voluntary workouts, without a doubt giving them an edge on winning a starting position, and more importantly a championship in the upcoming season. SWOSU FITNESS CENTER The latest athletic facility to receive a facelift is the SWOSU Strength & Conditioning Center, the training center for all SWOSU Athletic programs. Renovations to the Strength & Conditioning Center, which is located on 8th Street and just south of the Pioneer Cellular Event Center, were made possible thanks to generous donations to the SWOSU Athletic Department from boosters and the Athletic Association. The plan to renovate the Strength & Conditioning Center went into action in September of 2014 and was completed within a four- month timeframe. In total, more than $350,000 worth of cash and donations were used to complete the project, which expanded the gym by 2,500 square feet to the south end, bringing its total size to 7,500 square feet currently. Windows were added to the structure on the east side and in the addition while the walls were lined with sheet rock and painted. The ceiling was coated with a black paint job and had fi ve new ceiling fans installed along with an additional water fountain within the addition. New custom fl ooring from PLAE fl ooring – the best performance fl ooring on the market today – was laid throughout the building along with SWOSU logos featured throughout and 14 custom half racks built by Hammer Strength, another top of the line provider. Nearly 6,000 pounds of custom bumper plates made by Intek were ordered, featuring SWOSU’s blue and gray colors. Another custom feature of the Strength & Conditioning Center is dumbbells made by TROY Barbell that feature the SWOSU Strength and Bulldog head logo on opposite sides. Other new equipment in the center includes new barbells, strength bands and medicine balls that are placed at each workout station. The largest donations for the project came from Jim & Jeanne Loomis, Dr. Carl & Sandra Hook along with the SWOSU Athletic Association. A large donor board will be featured inside the main entrance of the building, paying tribute to all donors who contributed to the renovations. The new and improved SWOSU Strength & Conditioning Center opened its doors for the student-athletes for the start of the Spring 2015 semester on January 12, 2015, with the offi cial dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony held on January 31, 2015.

6 @@SWOSUATHLETICSSWOSUATHLETICS @@SWOSUFOOTBALLSWOSUFOOTBALL PIONEER CELLULAR EVENT CENTER

The PIONEER CELLULAR EVENT CENTER is a state of the art, 93,000 square-foot event center located in the heart of Weatherford, Oklahoma and serving as the home of the Bulldog basketball and volleyball teams. Additionally, the SWOSU Athletic offi ces are housed on the main fl oor of the building while a brand new athletic training room is located in the locker room corridor. The event center project was initiated by the City of Weatherford’s “Vision 2020” strategic planning process and made possible by the “Yes! Weatherford” sales tax campaign, SWOSU students and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. The project broke ground in December 2011 and opened its doors for business in January 2014. The Pioneer Cellular Event Center has a seating capacity in the arena of around 4,000. Everyone has a piece of this venture as the facility was partially funded by city of Weatherford sales tax ($7 million), university students ($7 million) and the University ($7 million). In addition, the University has secured more than $90,000 from past students for an alumni center on the lower level of the building. The new facility was built adjacent to Fast Lane Field, allowing it to provide additional suite and bathroom facilities during home SWOSU football games. The pride and joy of the facility is the top fl oor VIP quite, which will look over both the football fi eld and the arena. It will be used to entertain donors, hold meetings and be used as a multifunctional suite for gameday and events. The facility has new locker rooms, coaches’ offi ces, a fi lm room, training room and a number of multifunctional rooms that can be used for athletics matches, as well as university and community events. Economic impact projections estimate that the Event Center will draw an average of at least 25,500 visitors per year into Western Oklahoma for concerts, corporate events, trade shows, state tournament and much more. These activities could generate annual visitors spending $870,000, making the positive impact of this state-of-the-art facility in Weatherford, Western Oklahoma and the entire state insurmountable. It was announced on August 5, 2013 that the building would don the name of Pioneer Cellular Event Center. Pioneer Cellular announced the joint venture with SWOSU and the City of Weatherford giving the company exclusive naming rights for the facility. The fi rst collegiate basketball games were held on January 25, 2014 as the Bulldogs hosted rival Northwestern Oklahoma State in front of a raucous crowd of 2,545. As part of the SWOSU Panorama series, comedian Bill Cosby became the fi rst performer in the Pioneer Cellular Event Center when he took the stage in front of a packed house on April 3, 2014.

##TheSWOSUWayTheSWOSUWay WWWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COMWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COM 7 NCAA DIVISION II ALL-AMERICANS

DB Landon Curtis CB Cecil Deckard KR Patrick Weaver LB Ruzell McCoy 1997 2000 2006 2008 Don Hansen Football Gazette (HM) Don Hansen Football Gazette (2nd) Don Hansen Football Gazette (3rd) Don Hansen Football Gazette (1st)

DB Clarence Laster K Colton Rainey TE Ryan Corbin DT Devin Benton 2011 2012 2013 2014 Beyond Sports Network (1st) Beyond Sports Network (3rd) Beyond Sports Network (1st) Beyond Sports Network (1st) Daktronics (1st) Daktronics (2nd) Daktronics (2nd) Associated Press Little (2nd) D2Football.com (2nd) D2Football.com (HM) D2Football.com (2nd) Don Hansen Football Gazette (3rd) Don Hansen Football Gazette (1st) Don Hansen Football Gazette (2nd) Associated Press Little (3rd) NAIA ALL-AMERICANS YEAR PLAYER POS. TEAM YEAR PLAYER POS. TEAM 1954 Truman Smith OT First 1986 James Hicks RB Second 1955 John Buck QB First 1989 Todd Helton DL First 1956 John Buck QB Third 1990 Mark Bay LB First 1965 Jerry Craig DL Second 1992 Damon Sartor OL First 1966 Dennis Skinner DT Second 1992 Eric Royal RB First KR/PR D.J. Jones 1968 Charles Stevens DL Second 1992 Stephen Buford LB First 2015 D2CCA (1st) 1972 Joe Shegog LB Second 1992 John Wichert DL First Associated Press Little (2nd) 1974 Tom Bergman DL First 1992 Junior Lowden TE First 1975 Tom Bergman DL First 1993 John Wicher DL First 1977 Louis Mendoza LB First 1994 Junior Lowden TE Second 1977 Glen Stallings DB Second 1994 Yohance Brown LB Second 1979 Alonzo McMillan DB First 1995 Junior Lowden TE First 1980 Gary Harper LB First 1995 Yohance Brown LB First 1980 Carl Birdsong P Second 1996 Yohance Brown LB First 1980 David Thompkins DB Second 1996 Reggie Jackson WR First 1981 Ed Farmer LB First 1996 Willie Brown KR First 1982 Richard Lockman LB First 1996 Robert Newberg DL First 1985 Randy Webster DL First

8 @@SWOSUATHLETICSSWOSUATHLETICS @@SWOSUFOOTBALLSWOSUFOOTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS (Under Coach Cocannouer) LONE STAR CONFERENCE Year Pos. Player (Hometown) Team SPECIALTY HONORS 2009 WR Jonathan Haggerty (Dallas, Texas) First (NCAA DIVISION II ERA) 2009 TE Joe Sawyer (Ogden, Utah) First 2009 LB Fred Leak (Palestine, Ark.) First LONE STAR CONFERENCE 2009 OL Stephen Speer (Arlington, Texas) Second 1997 DB Landon Curtis Defensive Back of the Year 2009 P Chad McIntosh (Grand Prairie, Texas) Second 2000 WR Shevron Glover Receiver of the Year 2009 RS Bruce Hatton (Mesquite, Texas) HM 2000 DB Cecil Deckard Defensive Back of the Year 2009 DL Cory Summers (Oklahoma City) HM 2001 RB Jimmy Jenkins Freshman of the Year 2009 DL Nick Walker (Altus, Okla.) HM 2004 OL Drew Rigsby Co-Freshman of the Year 2010 DB Jonathan Darby (San Diego, Calif.) First 2010 FB Marshall Fraley (Bixby, Okla.) Second 2005 WR Danny Howard Co-Receiver of the Year 2010 OL Stephen Speer (Arlington, Texas) Second 2006 Ryan Held Coach of the Year 2010 RS Bruce Hatton (Dallas, Texas) Second 2007 OL Austin Ellis Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year 2010 DL Henry Niutel (Eules, Texas) Second 2008 LB Ruzell McCoy Co-Linebacker of the Year 2010 LB Jaron Burgess (Norman, Okla). Second 2008 RB Luke Lundy Freshman of the Year 2010 DB Marvin Tribble (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Second 2010 TE Ryan Corbin (Newcastle, Okla.) HM GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE 2010 OL Kane Bryen (Thomas, Okla.) HM 2011 DL Devin Benton Freshman of the Year 2010 DL Cash Johnson (Kingfi sher, Okla.) HM 2014 DL Devin Benton Defensive Player of the Year 2010 LB Preston Margain (Los Angeles, Calif.) HM 2010 LS Colton Dickinson (Tulsa, Okla.) HM 2015 Dan Cocannouer Coach of the Year

GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION Year Pos. Player (Hometown) Team 2015 Dan Cocannouer Region 4 Coach of the Year 2011 DB Marvin Tribble (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) First 2011 DB Clarence Laster (Hemet, Calif.) First SUPER REGION 3 2011 WR Esau Bauknight (Columbus, Ga.) Second (Beyond Sports Network) 2011 UT Bruce Hatton (Mesquite, Texas) Second 2014 DL Devin Benton Defensive Player of the Year 2011 DL Devin Benton (Arlington, Texas) Second 2011 K Colton Rainey (Lawton, Okla.) Second 2011 QB Dustin Stenta (Fort Worth, Texas) HM OTHER 2011 DL Lis Leota (Salt Lake City, Utah) HM 2014 DL Devin Benton Gene Upshaw Award Finalist 2012 TE Ryan Corbin (Newcastle, Okla.) First Cliff Harris Award Finalist 2012 DL Devin Benton (Arlington, Texas) First 2015 DB Conner Bays Cliff Harris Award Nominee 2012 K Colton Rainey (Lawton, Okla.) Second 2012 ST Colton Dickinson (Tulsa, Okla.) Second 2012 RB Aaron Wilson (Wichita, Kan.) HM 2012 OL Kane Bryen (Thomas, Okla.) HM 2013 TE Ryan Corbin (Newcastle, Okla.) First 2013 DL Devin Benton (Arlington, Texas) First 2013 QB Dustin Stenta (Fort Worth, Texas) Second 2013 LB Ryan Feller (Altus, Okla.) Second 2013 WR Brad Smithey (Mesquite, Texas) HM 2013 OL Nathan Butler (Southlake, Texas) HM 2013 OL Mack Cannon (Arlington, Texas) HM 2013 OL Derrick Shelton (Clarendon, Texas) HM 2013 DL Jacolby Robinson (Mansfi eld, Texas) HM 2014 DL Devin Benton (Arlington, Texas) First 2014 RB Karl Hodge (Dallas, Texas) Second 2014 DB Kevin Joseph (Miami, Fla.) Second 2014 OL Derrick Shelton (Clarendon, Texas) Second 2014 OL Mack Cannon (Arlington, Texas) HM 2014 WR Brad Smithey (Mesquite, Texas) HM 2014 DB Steven Townsley (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) HM 2015 DB Trevon Hartfi eld (Watonga, Okla.) First 2015 RS D.J. Jones (Oakland, Calif.) First 2015 DB Conner Bays (Edmond, Okla.) Second 2015 RB Karltrell Henderson (Moore, Okla.) HM 2015 WR D.J. Jones (Oakland, Calif.) HM DAN COCANNOUER 2015 OL Garrett Luke (Willis, Texas) HM 2015 Great American Conference Coach of the Year 2015 RB Kenneth Martey (San Diego, Calif.) HM 2015 AFCA Region 4 Coach of the Year ##TheSWOSUWayTheSWOSUWay WWWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COMWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COM 9 WEATHERFORD, OKLAHOMA Straight west of the Oklahoma City metro, WEATHERFORD is known for having the longest stretch of “Main Street” on Route 66. This windy city had been making Oklahoma proud since 1898 and is fi lled with historic museums, boutique shopping and exceptional activities. The people of Weatherford are constantly improving the town with building projects, as seen by the wind turbine farms that line the landscape. Weatherford is home to several of America’s heroes, including Major General Thomas P. Stafford and US Army Major General Paul D. Easton. Stafford, an astronaut and veteran, is still very active in the community with the Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford. Famous athletes who have once called Weatherford home include major league baseball player Branden Looper, and professional football players Wes Sims and Todd Franz.

1100 @@SWOSUATHLETICSSWOSUATHLETICS @@SWOSUFOOTBALLSWOSUFOOTBALL OKLAHOMA CITY Just one hour to the east of Weatherford is the largest city and state capital, OKLAHOMA CITY. A town that has it all, from the historic Old West in Stockyards City to the vibrant energy of Bricktown, the city’s lively entertainment district. Oklahoma City is home to the NBA’s Thunder, the 2012 Western Conference Champions, and the Triple-A Affi liate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the OKC Dodgers - formerly the Redhawks. The museums hold artistic treasures and the sports venues have something for everyone. Dining options are various, with unique restaurants for local favorites and down-home cookins. Choices abound for an experience to cherish in Oklahoma City!

##TheSWOSUWayTheSWOSUWay WWWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COMWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COM 1111 2015 SWOSU FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF ERIC GIBSON JONATHAN DARBY

YEAR AT SWOSU: 2nd YEAR AT SWOSU: 3rd COACHES: Linebackers COACHES: Defensive Backs HOMETOWN: Ashland, Kan. HOMETOWN: San Diego, Calif. EDUCATION: Central Oklahoma EDUCATION: SWOSU Bachelor’s, 2000 Bachelor’s, 2012 Master’s, 2003 Master’s, 2013

JUSTIN ISKE JON GARFIELD YEAR AT SWOSU: 1st YEAR AT SWOSU: 2nd COACHES: Offensive Line COACHES: Wide Receivers HOMETOWN: Omaha, Neb. HOMETOWN: Cupertino, Calif. EDUCATION: Nebraska-Omaha EDUCATION: Menlo College Bachelor’s, 1999 Bachelor’s, 2013 Master’s, 2001

CARLTON STEWART NATE HAREMZA YEAR AT SWOSU: 2nd YEAR AT SWOSU: 1st COACHES: Running Backs COACHES: Tight Ends HOMETOWN: Fort Worth, Texas HOMETOWN: Larned, Kan. EDUCATION: TCU EDUCATION: Southern Illinois Bachelor’s, 2011 Bachelor’s, 2014

GREG THRASHER ALEX WIERZBICKI

YEAR AT SWOSU: 1st YEAR AT SWOSU: 1st COACHES: Defensive Backs COACHES: Defensive Line HOMETOWN: Carrollton, Texas HOMETOWN: Beaufort, S.C. EDUCATION: U.S. Naval Academy EDUCATION: Savannah State Bachelor’s, 2008 Bachelor’s, 2014

1122 @@SWOSUATHLETICSSWOSUATHLETICS @@SWOSUFOOTBALLSWOSUFOOTBALL SWOSU FOOTBALL HISTORY SWOSU IN THE POSTSEASON BY THE NUMBERS NAIA Playoffs 1977 Dec. 3 vs. Nebraska-Kearney W 21-7 57...... All-Conference Selections Dec. 10 vs. Abilene Christian L 7-24 (Under Coach Cocannouer) 1992 Nov. 21 vs. Central Arkansas L 2-14 45...... Winning Seasons 1996 Nov. 23 vs. Northwestern Oklahoma St. W 17-7 Dec. 7 vs. Montana Tech W 33-31 44...... All-Americans Bowl Games 19...... Conference Championships 1977 Apple Bowl Abilene Christian 24, SWOSU 7 Dec. 10, 1977 3...... NAIA Playoff Appearances 1991 Aztec Bowl Mexico All-Stars 35, SWOSU 28 Dec. 14, 1991 3...... Bowl Game Appearances

2015 Live United Texarkana Bowl Dec. 5, 2015 1...... NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Central Oklahoma 38, SWOSU 21 SWOSU FOOTBALL TRADITION NAIA National Champions: 1996 TOP TEN COACHES NAIA National Playoffs: (RANKED BY WINS) 1977 1992 1996 COACH YEARS WINS Conference Champions: Paul Sharp 1986-2004 93 1926 1932 1933 1950 Otis Delaporte 1964-77 89 1954 1955 1957 1968 Bob Mazie 1978-85 39 1969 1970 1971 1974 1977 1980 1985 1992 Joe Metcalf 1952-57 32 1996 1997 2007 Rankin Williams 1932-38 31 Apple Bowl: Jake Spann 1939-48 30 1977 Dan Cocannouer 2009-Pres. 29 Aztec Bowl: Joe Milam 1926-31 21 1991 Carl Voyles 1922-25 19 Live United Texarkana Bowl: 2015 J.W. Cole 1958-63 17 SWOSU FOOTBALL HISTORY & TRADITION: RECORD BY DECADE Southwestern Oklahoma State University has been been noted for its rich athletic history 1905-09 ...... 3-8-1 (.292) on the fi eld of competition. In football, the Bulldogs have won have 19 conference titles, the latest in 2007 as they shared a Lone Star Conference North Division title. 1910-19 ...... 14-33-2 (.306) SWOSU has won two conference crowns since transitioning to NCAA Division II and they earned their fi rst NCAA postseason appearance with a berth in the Live United Texarkana Bowl 1920-29 ...... 41-38-10 (.517) following the 2015 season. Head Coach Dan Cocannouer, a SWOSU alum, earned Great 1930-39 ...... 40-43-12 (.484) American Conference and AFCA Region Coach of the Year honors after leading the Bulldogs back to the postseason for the fi rst time since the 1996 NAIA National Championship game. 1940-49 ...... 31-21-2 (.593) SWOSU’s longest-running streak of titles was a four-year run of Oklahoma Collegiate 1950-59 ...... 47-44-4 (.516) Athletic Conference titles from 1968-71 under legendary coach Otis Delaporte. Delaporte led the Bulldogs to the NAIA Playoffs in 1977, advancing to the NAIA National Championship 1960-69 ...... 49-51-1 (.490) game - The Apple Bowl - in Seattle, Wash., where they were defeated by Abilene Christian and 1970-79 ...... 64-33-3 (.655) fi nished the season 11-1. The Bulldogs all-time winningest coach, Paul Sharp, led SWOSU to postseason 1980-89 ...... 48-51-1 (.485) appearances in 1992 and 1996. Central Arkansas eliminated the Bulldogs from the playoffs in 1992, but nothing would get in the way of the 1996 squad. SWOSU defeated Northwestern 1990-99 ...... 51-50-1 (.505) Oklahoma State and Montana Tech on their way to the 1996 NAIA National Title, a fi tting end to 2000-09 ...... 40-67 (.374) the NAIA era as Coach Sharp was named the 1996 Rawlings-NAIA Division I Coach of the Year by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. 2010-Pres...... 28-37 (.431)

##TheSWOSUWayTheSWOSUWay WWWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COMWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COM 1133 SWOSU “THE FOCUS IS YOU” Southwestern Oklahoma State College. The fi rst baccalaureate altering its purposes and objectives. On University at Weatherford is located degrees were awarded in May 1921. July 1, 1987, Sayre Junior College was 70 miles west of Oklahoma City. Other changes in name and purposes merged with Southwestern Oklahoma The university is authorized to offer occurred in 1939 when the institution State University as a branch campus curricular in arts and sciences, was designated as Southwestern State designated Southwestern Oklahoma business, teacher education and health College of Diversifi ed Occupations and State University at Sayre. sciences. A branch campus at Sayre in 1941, when it became Southwestern Southwestern Oklahoma State is authorized to provide Associate of Institute of Technology. During this two- University at Sayre was founded as Science and Associate of Applied Sayre Junior College in 1938 under Science degrees in both general legislative authorization which and specialized areas of study, permitted public high schools to as well as career and technical add a 13th and 14th year of study education. to their curricula. A total of 19 public The University was established schools took this step. In 1949, by an act of the Oklahoma the college name was changed to Territorial Legislature in 1901 as Oklahoma Western Junior College; the Southwestern Normal School, however, the original name was soon authorized to offer two years of adopted again, and in May 1940 training four public school teachers. the fi rst degrees were conferred. In The fi rst classes met in 1903. 1956, Sayre Junior College moved Initially, four years of preparatory from facilities occupied jointly with work for pre-college students were year period, the college added a school Sayre High School to its present offered. of pharmacy, degree work in the arts location on old Highway 66. The In 1920, the preparatory courses and sciences, and trade schools. merger with Southwestern Oklahoma were eliminated and two additional In 1949, the Oklahoma State State University marked the end of the years of college work in teacher Legislature changed the name of Oklahoma community college system, training were added. The State the institution to Southwestern State since Sayre Junior College was the only Legislature approved a change of College, and in 1974, to Southwestern such institution remaining of the original name to Southwestern State Teachers Oklahoma State University, without nineteen.

With 65 majors and 100 fi elds of always has a packed calendar with study, you’ll have plenty of choices. cool events like Dawg Days, Panorama And with 215 full-time faculty, you’ll get series, intramural and intercollegiate lots of help along the way. In fact, our sports and residence hall activities. campus of 5,000 students and small Parents love that SWOSU is a great class sizes, makes it feel like one big value and we are all proud of the quality family. education students receive here. This The average class size is 23, so you book is chocked full of the Great Life will get the individual attention you at SWOSU, 24/7. See what it’s like to deserve. Were you active in high experience a day in the life of a SWOSU school? With nearly 100 student student, then come visit campus to see organizations, you’re sure to fi nd for yourself. new interests and activities. SWOSU 14 @SWOSUATHLETICS @SWOSUFOOTBALL GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE The Great American Conference is one of the newest in NCAA Division II, fi rst taking the fi eld in the fall of 2011. Entering its fourth year of competition, the GAC continues to establish itself on the fi eld of play against the very tough Central Region/Super Region 3. The NCAA announced on March 9, 2011 that the Great American Conference was offi cially accepted as the 23rd NCAA Division II athletics conference. Although the new league was new, it was a concept that had been informally discussed since the early 1990’s between institutions from Arkansas and Oklahoma. Nine charter members (Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech, East Central, Harding, Henderson State, Ouachita Baptist, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Southern Arkansas and Southwestern Oklahoma State) agreed to form a new NCAA Division Founded: 2011 II athletic conference in July 2010 and notifi ed their respective leagues of the decision. Phone: 479-567-5422 In November of 2010, the league was stamped as the Great American Conference and Commissioner: announced in March of 2011 that it would become the 23rd active member conference in Will Prewitt NCAA Division II. Associate Commisioner / Compliance: Will Prewitt, previously an associate commissioner of the West Virginia Audra Tope Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), was selected as the fi rst GAC Commissioner and appointed to his post one month before the league had offi cially been named. He Assistant Commissioner / Communications: is joined on staff by Associate Commisioner for Compliance Audra Tope, Assistant Eric Moyer Commissioner for Communications Eric Moyer and Assistant Commissioner for Operations Assistant Commissioner / Operations: Stephanie Prewitt. Stephanie Prewitt The nine founding members began active membership within the NCAA Division Website: www.greatamericanconference.com II ranks on September 1, 2011. Earlier that summer, Southern Nazarene was accepted into Mailing Address: the NCAA Division II membership process and they were extended a provisional invitation PO Box 863 to join the GAC. Northwestern Oklahoma State also received a provisional invitation after Russellville, Ark. 72811 being accepted into the process in the summer of 2012. Southern Nazarene becomes an active championship member of the GAC for the 2014-15 season while Northwestern Oklahoma State will do the same the following year. GAC Champions 2011: Ouachita Baptist 6-1 2013: Henderson State 10-0 2012: Henderson State 8-0 2014: Ouachita Baptist 10-0

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GAC Schools in the NCAA II Playoffs* School Appearances Years Harding 2 2012, 2014 Henderson State 3 2012, 2013, 2015 Ouachita Baptist 1 2014 *Only accounts for playoff appearances since GAC formed in 2011

Great American Conference Member Information School Enrollment Location Population Colors Nickname Joined Arkansas Tech 11,379 Russellville, Ark. 27,920 Green & Gold Wonder Boys/Golden Suns 2011 Arkansas-Monticello 3,400 Monticello, Ark. 9,778 Green & White Boll Weevils/Cotton Blossoms 2011 East Central 5,727 Ada, Okla. 16,810 Orange & Black Tigers 2011 Harding 6,810 Searcy, Ark 22,858 Black & Gold Bisons 2011 Henderson State 3,584 Arkadelphia, Ark 10,714 Red & Gray Reddies 2011 Northwestern Oklahoma State 1,889 Alva, Okla. 4,945 Red & Black Rangers 2012 Oklahoma Baptist 1,979 Shawnee, Okla. 29,857 Green & Gold Bison 2015 Ouachita Baptist 1,448 Arkadelphia, Ark. 10,714 Purple & Gold Tigers 2011 Southeastern Oklahoma State 3,889 Durant, Okla. 15,856 Blue & Gold Savage Storm 2011 Southern Arkansas 3,404 Magnolia, Ark. 11,577 Royal Blue & Old Gold Muleriders 2011 Southern Nazarene. 2,110 Bethany, Okla. 20,307 Crimson & White Crimson Storm 2012 Southwestern Oklahoma State 4,850 Weatherford, Okla. 10,833 Navy & White Bulldogs 2011 Great American Conference Yearly Awards Offensive Defensive Freshman Coach 2011 Casey Cooper, QB, OBU 2011 Jason Catchings, LB, ECU 2011 Devin Benton, DL, SWOSU 2011 Todd Knight, OBU 2012 Kevin Rodgers, QB, HSU 2012 Maxie Graham, LB, HSU 2012 Tim Llewellyn, LB, HSU 2012 Scott Maxfi eld, HSU 2013 Kevin Rodgers, QB, HSU 2013 Keaton Stigger, LB, HSU 2013 Devlon Wortham, RB, SE 2013 Scott Maxfi eld, HSU 2014 Kevin Rodgers, QB, HSU 2014 Devin Benton, DL, SWOSU 2014 Zach Shelley, RB, HU 2014 Todd Knight, OBU 2015 JaQuan Cole, RB, HSU 2015 Logan Genz, LB, ATU 2015 Barrett Renner, QB, SAU 2015 Dan Cocannouer, SWOSU

##TheSWOSUWayTheSWOSUWay WWWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COMWW.SWOSUATHLETICS.COM 1155