Report: Oklahoma State Hockey Set for Major Press Conference Tuesday

Oklahoma State hockey appears to have a major announcement coming.

News On 6 reported Sunday that a press conference regarding the rapidly growing Cowboy hockey program is scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Exactly what will be announced remains unclear, but the press conference comes amid an important period for a program that has made no secret about its long-term ambitions.

Oklahoma State currently competes as a Division II club program in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, outside of the university's NCAA athletic department. But discussions surrounding a potential future move to NCAA Division I have gained attention over the past year.

College Hockey News reported in January that a major supporter of the club program, Dallas-based financier Michael Mann, has been pushing to help Oklahoma State eventually establish a varsity hockey program.

According to the report, Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg met with Mann before the group later visited Arizona State, where representatives met with ASU athletic director Graham Rossini and hockey coach Greg Powers. NCHC commissioner Heather Weems also met with the OSU group.

Significant hurdles would accompany any potential move to Division I, particularly funding. Weiberg told The Oklahoman earlier this year that he was impressed by the club's growth while noting that the program remains committed to adding value to OSU rather than taking resources from the athletic department.

Still, the Cowboys have continued demonstrating an appetite for hockey in Oklahoma. That was especially apparent in February. Oklahoma State defeated rival Oklahoma 13-2 in the annual Bedlam on Ice matchup at the BOK Center in Tulsa, with the program reporting a record crowd of 15,199.

The Cowboys also produced their best season since the current program was re-established in 2021. OSU went 23-1 during the ACHA regular season before advancing all the way to the Division II national championship game, where the Cowboys fell 3-2 to Florida Gulf Coast.

The program's reach has expanded away from the ice as well. Oklahoma State hockey says it has accumulated more than 28,000 followers across its social media platforms and currently operates on an annual budget of approximately $600,000, relying heavily on sponsors and supporters because it receives little university funding.

OSU also has an established partnership with the ECHL's Tulsa Oilers and plays its home games at WeStreet Ice Center in Tulsa.

Whether Tuesday's announcement relates to the program's Division I ambitions, facilities or another step in its continued growth remains to be seen.

But after record crowds, a run to the national championship game and increasing discussion about the future of hockey at Oklahoma State, Tuesday's press conference will be one worth watching.