Oklahoma State University celebrates its 2026 Athletics Hall of Honor inductees, honoring legends who defined Cowboy and Cowgirl excellence across six sports.
STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State University has unveiled its 2026 Athletics Hall of Honor induction class, a great group of six former student-athletes whose achievements have left a mark on Cowboy and Cowgirl sports.
The inductees—Tony Allen (men’s basketball), Chase Jackson (women’s track and field), Dick Hutton (wrestling), Hunter Mahan (men’s golf), Vanessa Shippy-Fletcher (softball), and James Washington (football)—will be formally inducted on October 9, 2026, during a special ceremony in Stillwater. This brings the total membership to 99, celebrating a legacy of excellence that spans decades.
The selection process was rigorous, starting with a screening committee of OSU coaches and staff who whittled down eligible candidates to about 50.
A separate selection committee, comprised of OSU affiliates outside the athletics department, then voted on the finalists. Tickets for the induction event will be available for purchase this summer, offering fans a chance to witness history.
Tony Allen, who played men’s basketball from 2002 to 2004, transferred to OSU from junior college and quickly became a powerhouse. In just two seasons, he amassed 1,021 points, ranking 26th on the school’s all-time scoring list. His senior year was legendary as he led the Cowboys to a Big 12 regular-season title, tournament championship, and a Final Four appearance.
Sharing Big 12 Player of the Year honors with John Lucas, Allen earned first-team All-District 12 and AP honorable mention All-American status. He was MVP of the Big 12 Tournament and shone in the East Rutherford Regional.
Drafted 25th overall by the Boston Celtics in 2004, Allen’s NBA career included a 2008 championship and six All-Defensive Team selections (three first-team). The Memphis Grizzlies retired his No. 9 jersey in 2025, and he was inducted into the Tennessee and Memphis Sports Halls of Fame that year.
Chase Jackson, a women’s track and field star from 2013 to 2016, revolutionized the shot put. She became the first American woman to win a world championship in the event in 2022, repeating in 2023, and competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Jackson also secured silver and bronze medals at world indoor championships, holding the American indoor record at 20.44 meters.
At OSU, she earned three first-team All-America honors, finishing as NCAA outdoor runner-up in 2016. She still holds school records in indoor and outdoor shot put, marking her as the first Cowgirl to claim an individual world title.
Richard “Dick” Hutton dominated wrestling from 1947 to 1950, securing three NCAA individual championships and four All-America nods. A cornerstone of coach Art Griffith’s postwar rebuild, Hutton helped OSU win two team national titles.
With only one loss and one draw in varsity competition, he nearly became wrestling’s first four-time champion, thwarted by a controversial 1949 finals decision. He placed sixth at the 1948 Olympics despite an injury.
After Army service, Hutton turned pro, winning the heavyweight title from Lou Thesz in 1957 and holding it for two years, known for his straightforward style. He entered the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1995.
Hunter Mahan, men’s golf standout from 2002 to 2003, swept national player of the year awards in 2003 (Fred Haskins, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus). A two-time first-team All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year (the first to repeat), he represented the U.S. in the 2002 Palmer Cup and was 2002 U.S. Amateur runner-up.
Mahan won six collegiate tournaments, including a record 13-stroke Big 12 victory in 2003. His pro career boasts six PGA Tour wins, four Presidents Cup appearances, three Ryder Cup teams, and nearly $31 million in earnings.
Vanessa Shippy-Fletcher excelled in softball from 2015 to 2018, earning three All-America honors and two Big 12 Player of the Year titles, the third player in league history to do so. A three-time Academic All-American and 2018 NCAA Woman of the Year finalist, she shattered OSU records for games played, starts, on-base percentage, walks, and doubles.
Her career slash line of .404/.532/.585 included over 225 hits, 150 walks, 150 runs, and 125 RBI. In 2018, she ranked top-five nationally in batting average, on-base percentage, and runs per game, earning national player of the week twice and a top-10 spot for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
James Washington, football receiver from 2014 to 2017, won the 2017 Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver and unanimous All-America status. Leading the NCAA with 1,549 yards and 119.2 yards per game, plus 13 touchdowns, his 20.93 yards per catch topped FBS players with 50+ receptions.
Washington’s deep-threat ability included 12 catches of 60+ yards, setting a school record with 4,472 career yards (second in Big 12 history). He topped 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in his last three seasons, aiding OSU’s historic offense with a 4,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher, and two 1,000-yard receivers. He’ll no doubt be added to Boone Pickens Stadium Ring of Honor one day.