Oklahoma State wrestling to name new training facility after Cowboy legend John Smith

Oklahoma State wrestling to name new training facility after Cowboy legend John Smith

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State’s new wrestling facility will bear the name of the man most deserving of such an honor, legendary Oklahoma State wrestler and coach John Smith.

The building, which was approved for construction by the OSU/A&M Colleges Board of Regents in December, will be named for Smith, who guided OSU to five NCAA championships and won two as a competitor, in addition to two Olympic gold medals.

“It is nearly impossible to overstate what John Smith has meant to Cowboy Wrestling and the sport of wrestling around the world,” OSU athletic director Chad Weiberg said in a statement. “There is not a more appropriate way to celebrate all he has done for Oklahoma State than to have his name on the building that future generations of OSU wrestlers will walk into every day.”

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The $16 million facility will be located on the north side of Gallagher-Iba Arena. It is expected to be a 16,000-square foot gym that will contain six practice mats, a dedicated training area and grandstand seating, as well as 2,000 square feet of renovated space for the existing coaches’ locker room.

Smith, who is regarded as the greatest American wrestler of all time, won six consecutive world championships as a competitor from 1987-92, including gold medals at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. He was a three-time All-American and two-time NCAA individual champion at Oklahoma State, before becoming the program’s head coach.