The Gallagher Award is "presented annually to an OSU wrestling alumnus who exemplifies the spirit and leadership eminent in the tradition of champions."
"There has been some fine people win the Gallagher Award," Davis said. "There have been some great wrestlers from the past and I am certainly honored to receive that distinction."
Davis was a three-time All-American at Oklahoma A&M from 1954-56. He helped lead the Aggies to three NCAA team titles, and captured an individual title at 167 pounds in 1955. Davis took home fourth in 1954, and he closed out his collegiate career with a runner-up finish in 1956.
Davis went into teaching once he finished competing in 1957. He spent three years teaching physical education at a junior high school, before he helped open McLain High School in Tulsa and start the wrestling program.
In 1964, Davis left to assume the head coaching position at Brigham Young University. He spent 20 years at the helm of the Cougar wrestling program where he coached 18 All-Americans and 59 Western Athletic Conference champions. BYU claimed the conference championship in 15 of his 20 seasons, and it finished runner-up four times.
BYU had its best finish in program history in 1973 when Davis guided the Cougars to fourth place at the NCAA Championships. He was honored as the NCAA coach of the Year for his efforts. That same year he served as president of the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
BYU finished sixth in 1978, its only other top-10 finish in school history. Davis resigned from the helm of the BYU program in 1984 so that he could return to Tulsa and spend time with his aging mother.
He returned to teaching and took over the wrestling program at Bishop Kelley High School in ‘84. Davis coached five state champions during his tenure at Bishop Kelley and led the Red Comets to a state runner-up finish in 1986.
Davis retired from coaching and teaching in 1999. He lives in Tulsa with his wife, Deon, and he has three children: Tannaca Wright, DaNette Azierre and Fred P. Davis III and five step daughters.
Past Winners
1986 -- Rex Peery
1987 -- Frank Lewis
1988 -- Myron Roderick
1989 -- Tommy Chesbro
1990 -- Joe McDaniel
1991 -- John W. Divine
1996 -- Ray Murphy
1997 -- John Smith
1998 -- Grady Peninger
1999 -- Kenny Monday
2000 -- Pat Smith
2001 -- Kendall Cross
2002 -- Mike Sheets
2003 -- Doug Blubaugh
2004 -- Grover Rains
2005 -- Bobby Douglas
2006 -- Charles Hetrick
2007 -- Fred Davis
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