Episode 79: Gallagher-Iba

Between the months of November and April, OSU fans bring the rowdy in Gallagher-Iba Arena to cheer on cowboy athletes from the basketball and wrestling teams. The arena, sometimes called “The Madison Square Garden of the plains” boasts over 13,000 seats and a white maple floor that was the most expensive in the country when it was first installed. Besides its inner features, one of the most impressive parts of the arena is its name: Gallagher-Iba. The building gets its name from two legends in collegiate athletics, wrestling coach Ed Gallagher and basketball coach Henry Iba. Both have had a huge impact on the men they coached and the sport itself, and both men made a name for themselves at Oklahoma State University.

Today, we’ll learn about the two giants of the game, from their innovative coaching styles to their unique personalities. We’ll hear from friends, coworkers, and players as they share memories of both coaches. We'll also talk with former OSU associate athletic director Steve Buzzard as he discusses his own memories of working with Coach Iba.