OU softball coach Patty Gasso getting a statue in 2024
It’s an incredible honor to earn a statue at the University of Oklahoma. The Sooners have recognized one football great after another through the years.
In recent years, though, the whispers have grown louder. Hey, no problems with a Bob Stoops statue. No issues recognizing Heisman Award winners Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.
But what about OU softball head coach Patty Gasso? Where’s her statue? How long are OU fans going to have to keep reminding athletic director Joe Castiglione about what Gasso means?
Wait no longer.
Castiglione let the cat out of the bag speaking at the OU softball national championship celebration party at Marita Hynes Field on Saturday evening.
“When are we going to dedicate a statue to Patty Gasso?” asked Castiglione.
He let the anticipation build and build. He let the crowd get louder and louder.
“So, we do things. We try to keep them a secret for a while, but you just won’t let us keep a secret,” Castiglione said. “So tonight? I’m just breaking it out. We’re going to have a statue for Coach Gasso next year.”
A massive round of applause followed for a well-deserved honor. Gasso won her seventh national championship at OU on Thursday night. The Sooners have won back-to-back-to-back national titles.
“We have built a program for the ages on the rock that Patty Gasso brought to Oklahoma,” Castiglione said. “So it’s only going to be fitting that we’re gonna have a statue for Coach Gasso next year.”
Minutes later, it was time for Gasso to address the crowd.
“I’m honored,” said Gasso, before taking a long pause to try to control her emotions. “I am incredibly honored.”
As Gasso searched for her words, fans yelled out her name to begin a massive “Patty, Patty, Patty” chant throughout Marita Hynes Field.
Gasso composed herself and spoke of the grind of the 2023 season. The Sooners finished the year at 61-1 overall and on a 53-game winning streak.
Gasso said the one word to describe her emotions Thursday after sweeping Florida State in the championship series of the Women’s College World Series was freedom.
No more expectations. No more pressure. Time to have fun and relax.
“It was the hardest run I’ve ever made in my life, and we’ve gone through it,” Gasso said.
The team did just that with some help from Toby Keith. Gasso thanked Keith for hosting a Sooners’ afterparty late Thursday night. A night of unapologetic fun.
It was one last party at Marita Hynes Field. Love’s Field will be the home for OU, beginning in 2024. One last national championship banner to be unveiled on the outfield wall.
One chapter closing. Another one about to begin.
“It’s incredible to even think, 29 years here,” Gasso said. “The new stadium coming is an absolute dream come true at the right time in the right place.”
