Former Cowboy Deion Imade, a key special teams captain from Oklahoma State’s successful Big 12 championship era, has been named the new sideline reporter for the Cowboy Radio Network.
STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State University Athletics has named former Cowboy football player Deion Imade as the new sideline reporter for the Cowboy Radio Network’s football broadcasts. The announcement, made on April 16, highlights Imade’s long standing contributions to OSU media and his deep ties to the program.
A native of Rowlett, Texas, Imade arrived at Oklahoma State as a 6-0, 175-pound safety recruit from Rowlett High School. He lettered from 2010-13, evolving into a versatile defensive contributor listed around 5-11 and 202-205 pounds, often lining up at linebacker while excelling as a special teams standout.
During his time on the roster, the Cowboys compiled a strong 41-11 overall record. Key accomplishments included capturing the outright Big 12 Conference championship in 2011, sharing the Big 12 South Division title in 2010, posting three seasons with at least 10 wins, and competing in two New Year’s Six bowl games, the 2012 Fiesta Bowl and the 2014 Cotton Bowl.
Imade faced a major setback as a sophomore when he suffered a season-ending knee injury that required ACL surgery. He demonstrated his own personal determination by recovering through rehabilitation and returning to play a meaningful role during one of the most successful eras in program history. He earned special teams captain honors and was recognized for his leadership and reliability on the field.
Beyond football, Imade built a solid academic and professional foundation. He graduated from Oklahoma State in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in finance and a minor in accounting.
In 2022, he completed his master’s in business administration (MBA) from the Spears School of Business. He currently serves as a senior accountant for ONEOK, thriving in the energy industry while based in the Tulsa area. Imade’s career success and continued involvement with his alma mater shows his work ethic and commitment to Oklahoma State.
Imade’s broadcasting journey began in 2015 when he joined Cox Yurview’s high school football coverage, taking on responsibilities in analysis, sideline reporting, hosting, and additional production duties.
By 2019, he had become a full-time contributor to the Cowboy Radio Network, providing commentary and insights for Oklahoma State football pregame and postgame shows, frequently collaborating with Adam Hildebrandt and Clint Chelf.
Fans have also heard him on various Oklahoma high school sports broadcasts and podcasts, where his perspective as a former player adds depth.
Play-by-play announcer Dave Hunziker praised the selection; “Deion has developed into a terrific football announcer. He sees the game from a player’s perspective and that is incredibly valuable. He is the epitome of the OSU success story. He battled back from a major knee injury to play a key role in the best run in the history of OSU Football. He earned his MBA from the Spears School of Business and has thrived in the energy business. His work on the air speaks for itself. He’s exactly the type of person that we want to represent Oklahoma State University and our network.”
Imade succeeds longtime sideline reporter Robert Allen, who held the position from 2002 through the 2025 season. Imade expressed his appreciation stating “I am truly honored and incredibly excited for the opportunity to cover the team I love alongside Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb, Britt Lockhart, Kip Racy and the entire broadcast crew. I’m also looking forward to continuing my involvement with the pregame and postgame shows alongside Adam Hildebrandt and Clint Chelf. Talking football on the radio the last few years and being around this program has been a true blessing. I’m grateful to continue that journey in this new role. I recognize there are big shoes to fill, and I want to sincerely thank Robert Allen for being both a great mentor and an even better friend.”
Imade’s promotion brings an authentic former-player viewpoint to live game coverage, including real-time observations on strategy, player performance, injuries, and the overall atmosphere. His experiences overcoming injury and contributing on special teams and defense will allow him to connect meaningfully with listeners and the current roster.
With his combination of on-field accomplishments, academic achievements, professional stability, and polished media skills, Imade is well positioned to become a trusted voice for Cowboy fans.
