The Oklahoma Coaches Association is a nonprofit organization with a membership of over 9300 coaches representing 470 Oklahoma public schools, private schools, and colleges. Our mission is to provide professional development for coaches, honor and reward student athletes and coaches, and support high school and junior high athletic programs. Our ability to achieve our goals is due in part to corporate partnerships and donations from the public. The OCA awards 46 scholarships totaling $23,000 to Oklahoma high school athletes each year.

 

OUR HISTORY

     The Oklahoma Coaches Association was founded in 1934 as the Coaches and Officials Association.  Thirteen coaches attended the first meeting.  The second meeting on February 7, 1935, was held in Tulsa.  Dinner was served at the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce building and the cost was 60 cents per plate.  Officers elected were Guy Lookebaugh, President; Rankin Williams, Vice-President and Ray LeCrone, Secretary/Treasurer.

     The first coaching clinic was held at the Biltmore Hotel in Oklahoma City in August of 1935.  By the second clinic, the original 13 members grew to 136 and by the fourth meeting, the membership was over 300.  In 1938, the first All-Star football game was played in conjunction with the August clinic.  Both were held at Capitol Hill High School.  In 1944, an All State basketball game was added followed by baseball in 1946 and wrestling in 1974. 

     During recent years, All State games and matches have been added in volleyball, tennis, golf and swimming as well as adding cheerleaders and trainers to the All State week.  Each school represented by an All State athlete is eligible to enter a candidate in the All State queen contest.  The present All State activities include over 450 athletes and 50 coaches during All State week.

     Due to the unforeseen circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was the first year in the history of the Oklahoma Coaches Association for the cancellation of the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, the annual Coaches Clinic and the All State Games. Since 2020, the All State activities have changed slightly, but are still held each year to honor athletes and coaches, provide staff development opportunities for coaches, and promote athletics in the state of Oklahoma.

 

OUR PARTNERSHIPS

     The OCA is affiliated with other athletic and philanthropic activities.  From 1946 to 2012, Oklahoma and Texas athletes played the Oil Bowl football game in Wichita Falls, Texas.  Over $450,000 raised from the games was donated by OCA to Easter Seals Oklahoma.  The basketball coaches throughout the OCA membership have sponsored the Faith 7 basketball game in Shawnee since 1956.  The proceeds from this event are used to help students at Shawnee’s Faith Seven School. 

     There are two organizations with whom the OCA works in our state to recognize and help more young people.  Since 1966, the OCA has contributed thousands of dollars to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Special Olympics. 

 

OKALHOMA COACHES HALL OF FAME

     In 1967, the Oklahoma Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame became the first of its kind in the nation.  It was created to honor the men and women who have given their time and talents to promote the ideals of the coaching profession.  The Hall of Fame is housed in our office building for anyone to visit.

 

 

OKLAHOMA COACHES ASSOCIATION

SCHOLARSHIPS

 

1.           Up to SIX (6) HAROLD PARK / INJURED ATHLETE                                  $500.00 EACH

 

2.           EIGHT (8) BOB R. WILLIAMS                                                               $500.00 EACH

 

3.           EIGHT (8) MALE REGIONAL SCHOLAR ATHLETE                                  $500.00 EACH

 

4.           EIGHT (8) FEMALE REGIONAL SCHOLAR ATHLETE                             $500.00 EACH

 

5.           EIGHT (8) MALE REGIONAL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR                          $500.00 EACH

 

6.           EIGHT (8) FEMALE REGIONAL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR                     $500.00 EACH

 

HAROLD PARK / INJURED ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIP

 

The Oklahoma Coaches Association shall sponsor an annual one-year scholarship to a graduating high school senior athlete, who because of an athletic injury, or sickness, will be unable to attend college on an athletic scholarship. The Oklahoma Coaches Association will award up to six (6) scholarships each year.

 

BOB R. WILLIAMS SCHOLARSHIP

 

The Oklahoma Coaches Association shall award this scholarship to (8) eight (one per region) senior athletes. The selection shall be based on the student overcoming obstacles, disabilities or injury to participate in high school athletics. Applicants who qualify for the Bob R. Williams Scholarship are not eligible for the Injured Athlete Scholarship. 

 

SCHOLAR ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIP

Male and Female

 

The Oklahoma Coaches Association shall award (16) sixteen scholarships annually to senior students who have participated on the varsity level and have excelled academically. These awards for $500.00 each will be given each year to (1) one male and (1) one female in each region.

 

REGION ATHLETE OF THE YEAR SCHOLARSHIP

Male and Female

 

The Oklahoma Coaches Association shall award (1) one male and (1) one female scholarship in each region. The scholarships will be in the amount of $500.00 each and shall be awarded to senior students who have excelled athletically, scholastically, and morally and have exhibited all the desirable traits of citizenship.

 

 

OKLAHOMA COACHES ASSOCIATION

Other Recognition of Athletes

 

Male Athlete & Female Athlete of the Year

 

The Male Athlete of the Year and the Female Athlete of the Year will be selected at the May OCA Board Meeting.  Each will be presented with a plaque designating them as “Athlete of the Year” at the OCA Hall of Fame banquet.

 

All-State Athletes

 

The All State games sponsored by the Oklahoma Coaches Association recognizes 450 athletes in nine (9) areas. Those include boys and girls golf, boys and girls swimming, boys and girls tennis, volleyball, wrestling, boys and girls basketball, cheerleading and football. All State trainers are recognized as All State athletes and are an important part of the All State games.

 

 

 

OKLAHOMA COACHES ASSOCIATION

Coaches Recognition

 

The Oklahoma Coaches Association recognizes 50 coaches per year as All State coaches. The Oklahoma Coaches Association also recognizes eight (8) coaches as Region Coach of the Year in all sports, this adds up to 128 coaches that are recognized. From the Region Coach of the Year selections, the Oklahoma Coaches Association Board chooses one (1) State Coach of the Year for each of our sixteen (16) sports. As a result, sixteen (16) coaches are recognized as the State Coach of the Year,

 

Coaches Assistance Plan

 

The Oklahoma Coaches Association provides an Assistance Plan for members to join if they choose. This assistance plan provides a payment to Assistance Plan members’ beneficiary when the member dies. This check is provided to the beneficiary as quickly as possible once the Oklahoma Coaches Association office is notified of the death by the beneficiary.