Hardell MooreMoore will be presented with the award prior to the Oklahoma State vs. Stanford dual on Sunday, Feb. 14.
Moore wrestled at Oklahoma State from 1995-1998. He won back-to-back Big 12 championships at 158 pounds in 1997 and 1998. Those same years, Moore earned All-American honors at 158, placing fourth at the 1997 NCAAs, and was runner-up at the nationals the following year. While at Stillwater, Moore compiled an overall record of 110-30.
After graduating from Oklahoma State, Moore went on to coach the Edmond Generals -- an elite youth wrestling program in Edmond, Okla. just outside Oklahoma City -- for 17 years and continues coaching at the Oklahoma Wrestling Academy, which is a way for college coaches in Oklahoma to scout and recruit the best talent in the state. During his coaching career, Moore has led wrestlers such as current Cowboys Nolan Boyd, Austin Schafer, Landry Chappell, Kyle Garcia, and Boo Lewallen.
"Hardell was a two-time All-American for us here at Oklahoma State, but what he did following his career here was much greater," said John Smith, Oklahoma State wrestling coach and past recipient of the Gallagher Award himself. "Over the last 17 years, he has had one of the best clubs in the state of Oklahoma, if not the whole country. Although having a full-time job, he finds a way to help others. He has made a difference for a lot of young people to move on to college and receive a scholarship. He exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the Coach Gallagher Award."
In learning he was the recipient of the Gallagher Award, Hardell Moore was gracious -- and genuinely surprised -- by the honor.
"First and foremost, this is a huge honor," Moore told Oklahoma State upon being notified. "It was totally unexpected. I got the call this morning from Coach Smith. To be involved with the men that have received it before me, is such an honor. I would like to give thanks to my wife, my lovely kids, my mom and dad, and my brothers."
The former Cowboy turned coach posted this message on Facebook: "Thank you all for the kind words, I greatly appreciate it. I am honored and blessed to be receiving this prestigious award. Thank you all again."
Presented since 1986, the Gallagher Award is named in honor of Edward Clark Gallagher, head wrestling coach at Oklahoma State from 1916-1940. Considered to be the father of modern college wrestling -- despite never having wrestled -- Gallagher used his engineering background to create up to 400 wrestling holds, along with positive reinforcement techniques to convince his wrestlers that they were unbeatable. With Gallagher at the helm, Oklahoma State crafted a 138-5-4 overall record, including 19 undefeated seasons, and eleven NCAA team titles. He coached 37 individual NCAA champs, averaging three titlewinners each year, despite battling Parkinson's disease the last decade of his life. Gallagher died in August 1940 just shy of his 53rd birthday. Oklahoma State's Gallagher-Iba Arena -- home to the Cowboy wrestling program -- is named in part for coach Gallagher.
Gallagher Award Recipients:
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
2008: Lee Roy Smith
2009: Bobby Stites
2010: Bill Harlow
2011: Eddie Griffin
2013: Jim Shields
2014: Mike Jones
2015: Jay Arneson
2016: Hardell Moore
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