Oklahoma State Cowboy Hockey is on the rise. Could we see a big turnout in 2027?
STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State’s club hockey program delivered one of its most memorable seasons yet in 2025-26, advancing all the way to the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II national championship game.
The Cowboys battled through the playoffs and reached the finals, where they fell just short in a dramatic 3-2 overtime loss to Florida Gulf Coast University.
That near-miss in St. Louis capped a campaign filled with breakout performances, showing how far the program has come in a remarkably short time. What began as a passionate side project has evolved into a legitimate contender on the national club stage, generating a bit of buzz across Stillwater and the hockey scene in Oklahoma.
The excitement surrounding Oklahoma State hockey has reached new heights, fueled in large part by the success of the annual Bedlam series. This year’s Bedlam on Ice matchup at Tulsa’s BOK Center drew a packed house and delivered a statement result, with the Cowboys routing Oklahoma 13-2 in a lopsided rivalry showdown. Fans filled the arena for the clash, which doubled as a gateway to the following Tulsa Oilers professional game.
The atmosphere was electric, loud, proud, and unmistakably Cowboy. I was there. It was insane. 15k in attendance…most of them in orange.
Members of the Oklahoma State Board of Regents attended and left thoroughly impressed by the crowd energy, the competitive spirit, and the clear potential on display.
Athletic Director Chad Weiberg has also been a regular presence at games, signaling growing institutional interest in the program’s trajectory.
Behind the scenes, private donors are powering this momentum and laying the groundwork for an ambitious leap forward. The program, which receives no direct funding from Oklahoma State athletics, already operates on a budget that surpasses nine of the university’s current varsity sports.
All of it comes from committed supporters who see hockey as a vehicle for broader university growth. Leading the charge is Michael Mann, a New York native and Dallas-based private equity executive with ties to NHL ownership circles. Mann’s involvement started simply, he attended an early Bedlam game and was instantly hooked.
Since then, he has poured seven-figure donations into both the hockey program and related academic initiatives, including the Michael Mann Leadership Scholarship administered through the university.
He chairs the OSU Hockey board and envisions a self-sustaining model that includes an upcoming NIL structure and an expanded team store featuring player-specific merchandise.
Mann and other backers believe Oklahoma State hockey is on track to transition from club status to full NCAA Division I by 2030. A detailed roadmap has already been presented to the Board of Regents. Challenges remain, Title IX compliance, conference alignment, and NCAA logistics in a shifting college sports landscape, but the foundation is solid.
The program’s rapid rise has attracted talent upgrades, including players with prior Division I experience from schools like Michigan State and international standouts such as a skater from Norway.
More than 50 students have earned internship credits through the Spears School of Business in merchandising, operations, marketing, and event planning, turning the team into a real-world learning laboratory.
The support and environment Oklahoma State hockey could enjoy at the Division I level would be transformative. Fans already pack venues for big games, and the university’s passionate alumni base is ready to rally behind a new varsity sport.
Recruiting pipelines would open to northern markets and international prospects, while an NHL connection could create fans in all 32 league cities. One telling story involves a Boston-area student who attended Bedlam on Ice to cheer for hometown players, fell in love with the campus vibe, and chose Oklahoma State as her college destination.
That kind of national draw, combined with out of state enrollment growth, could reshape the university’s footprint.
A major milestone on the horizon builds on the program’s momentum: in January 2027, Oklahoma State will host a multi-day outdoor hockey festival at Boone Pickens Stadium. The signed agreement calls for the Cowboys to play on two nights, potentially including another Bedlam matchup, complete with tailgating, vendors, public skating, and discussions for a major musical act to create a Saturday-night festival atmosphere. The team will pay no rent, allowing the event to mirror the full gameday experience that makes Cowboy football legendary. The 2027 showcase is expected to sell out and serve as a public declaration of hockey’s place in Stillwater. Do you know how fun that will be??
Longer-term plans include a proposed on-campus arena seating around 5,500 fans, integrated into an entertainment district with an attached hotel, premium club space, and flexibility for concerts and family events like Disney on Ice. Corporate sponsorships would generate additional revenue, ensuring the program’s financial independence while delivering a modern home for the team.
Just a few years into its current chapter, Oklahoma State hockey has already exceeded expectations and captured hearts. From the heartbreak of a one-goal overtime finals loss to the roar of a dominant Bedlam victory at the BOK Center, the program is writing one hell of a story.
With visionary donors like Michael Mann leading the way and tangible milestones like the 2027 Boone Pickens event on the calendar, the Cowboys are skating toward a Division I future that could elevate Oklahoma State athletics to exciting new heights.