Patty Gasso statue hits perfect pose to capture OU softball legend

It took five months longer than initially planned for OU softball head coach Patty Gasso, but it was well worth it for all involved.

Instead of being in the hunt for another national championship, Friday afternoon became a rightful celebration.

The statue for Gasso was unveiled at Love’s Field, just add it to the list of honors for Gasso in her illustrious career.

You think of statues, and one of the first things that come to mind – what’s the pose? What’s the pose? Gasso said she believes sculptor Brian Hanlon has knocked it out of the park.

Because what’s the pose? Gasso giving a high five to one of her players after hitting a home run. Very fitting indeed.

“When it was postponed, I think in April, I was almost relieved because we were playing a game that day and I was just thinking, ‘Well maybe they just won’t do it.’ I really loved working with the sculptor because he was so engaging and listening,” Gasso said. “None of them maybe will look exactly like you but he, I thought he nailed exactly what we all felt.

“There was a group of us that worked together to decide what picture was best. The one, I think, if there’s an iconic pose from me, it’s sticking my hand out and watching someone slap it after the hit a monster national championship-winning home run or whatever it is, so I just wanted it to be very simple and very me but also representing our entire program. I don’t want you to go, ‘Oh, there’s Patty Gasso.’ I wanted to represent Marita Hynes, I wanted to represent Jocelyn Alo, Keilani Ricketts. Anybody who’s ever been here, I hope they feel that is kind of more of a representation of us instead of me.”

OU president Joseph Harroz and athletic director Joe Castiglione both spoke at the event. So, too, did former players Lynnsie Elam-Phillips and Kelsey Arnold. Tons of former players were in attendance. And yes indeed, the 2025 team was sitting there as well.

The back-to-back-to-back-to-back national champions aren’t thinking about vying for No. 5 just yet, but it lets the newcomers know this is what OU softball is all about. The history, tradition, camaraderie.

The eight national championships, all of that is great. But what Friday showed more than anything? The impact Gasso has had on the program in leading and developing her players into young women.

A celebration that hit all the right notes.

The Unveiling.#OU softball head coach Patty Gasso – The Statue. pic.twitter.com/V4XvuMykRn

— Bob Przybylo (@BPrzybylo) September 13, 2024

What are you going to remember about this 2-3 months down the road? 

“I think what I would remember is seeing, first of all, my family in the front, my grandkids. I look to my left, I see a bunch of alums, some who just left this past year and some I’ve never coached. I look to my right and I see all the baby girls who are ready to take over the program. Just really excited about it. I look out and I see fans way over by Imhoff standing out there watching from afar. Probably remember cheering on the football team as they drove by in the busses. The dignitaries, Joe Harroz and Joe Castiglione, who really helps catapult our sport. Besides me, they’ve really helped our sport grow by their commitment to our program. There’s so many things, but it was so joyful.”

Important moment for the new faces? Like this is OU softball?

“Yea, I think they’re probably going what am I witnessing right now? I think they knew the history of our program but not to maybe this extent. I am excited because I get to coach again. And no offense to our last year’s team, they were all so good. All I did was kind of manage. I didn’t really need to coach. This year we’re going to be coaching and they’re just really, they’re prideful young athletes. They’re so proud to be here. And they really want to kind of pick up the torch and continue to carry it.”

SEC schedule was announced, about that time?

“No, it can take its time for a little bit. We have a lot of work to do. It’s a gauntlet when you look at who we’re playing, where we’re playing. But if you can’t get excited over that then you probably don’t belong in this program. So we love competition, whether it’s home or away. And I’m really excited about it. But I know we have so much work to do. And that, the work and the grind is what excites me more than anything.”

Handling the emotion of today?

“I just wanted really to get out there and just hold myself. I knew if I’m thinking that way, then I’m gonna break. But as Kelsey Arnold and Lynnsie Elam start speaking and looking at me, I’m like, ‘I can’t, I can’t do this.’ So unfortunately, I kept people out there longer than I needed to, but this happens once in a lifetime and I’m very fortunate that the administration believes that I deserve something like this. It’s very humbling. Gosh, I’m looking at like, ‘Oh, my gosh, not me. That’s me. What am I doing?’ It’s just — it’s hard to comprehend to be honest, but I’ve been here a long time, so it’s an honor.”