Back in 1990’s:OU softball coach Patty Gasso set to have statue unveiled next….

Back in 1990’s:OU softball coach Patty Gasso set to have statue unveiled next year, Joe Castiglione announces

NORMAN — It took Patty Gasso a moment. Gasso was at a loss for words shortly after OU athletic director Joe Castiglione revealed that a statue of Gasso will be installed at OU softball’s new home stadium, Love’s Field, the following year.

The renowned coach held back tears as she celebrated the Sooners’ most recent national championship Saturday night. “I am honored,” she added. “You guys can be quiet for the first time. I have never heard you so quiet.”

It was at least one final celebration at Marita Hynes Field, and as soon as a fan called out her first name, the audience cheered as Gasso regained her composure.

The festivities took place two days after the Sooners defeated Florida State 3-1 to win their sixth Women’s College World Series. However, Castiglione had the night’s most important news.

“It is only right that we are going to have a statue for Coach Gasso next year because we have created a program for the ages on the rock that Patty Gasso brought to Oklahoma,” Castiglione stated.

It will be the first statue that OU sports has commissioned that is not related to football. According to Castiglione, Gasso will have a say in the statue’s design and the sculptor has already been chosen.

The Sooners won their eighth national championship and became just the second program to win back-to-back WCWS titles after going 61-1 and winning their last 53 games, setting an NCAA record winning streak.

“In a time when so much of intercollegiate athletics is in doubt, this team demonstrates what college athletics is all about and they have the big picture,” said OU President Joseph Harroz. “Winning is a remarkable thing to do but we all know the truth…. It is not in the winning, winning is a byproduct of who they really are.”