Patty Gasso Faces Potential Suspension Over Controversial Comments
Since the team’s days at Reaves Park, when they had to clear the fields of trash prior to practices and games, Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso has led the expansion of her program and guided OU to all five of its national title triumphs.
As a significant improvement over playing in a public park, Marita Hynes Field became the Sooners’ new home stadium in 1998. However, OU did not have an indoor practice space until the 2009 campaign.
“When I came here we started at Reaves Park, picking up dirty diapers and beer cans before we go out to practice, or cleaning the park before we had a weekend series,” Gasso said. “(The program advancement) has been amazing in my time here.”
According to Gasso, the Sooners’ softball program has grown significantly as a result of winning. Softball needed something to differentiate itself from other sports that were vying for university cash and attention.
“People’s eyes are opened by winning. “We receive a new indoor after winning a national title in 2000,” Gasso remarked. “When you win, everything is resolved. I discovered that winning results in a wish list.
The Oklahoma head coach stated that fan support has been a key piece in the Sooners’ being awarded the money for a new stadium, due to open in 2024. Love’s Field is planned to have over 2000 more square feet than Marita Hynes.
“What’s changed everything is the fans. … The fans are the ones whose voices are extremely loud. … I’ve always felt as a coach in this job, this position that there is just a massive piece to the puzzle that is missing, and that is a legitimate, serving all fans stadium,” Gasso added. “I’m a blue collar coach, so I don’t need a lot. … I’m not complaining. … I think five championships and fan support has taken us over the top.”
