Nick WilliamsWilliams will be presented with the award prior to the Oklahoma State vs. University of Oklahoma Bedlam Dual this Sunday, Feb. 11 at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Nick Williams lettered at Oklahoma State from 1993-95, wrestling mostly at heavyweight for the Cowboys. Prior to coming to Stillwater, Williams was a three-time Oklahoma state champ at Geary High School.
Since graduating from Oklahoma State, Williams has had a long and successful high school wrestling coaching career in Oklahoma, starting at Madill where he was named the 2A Coach of the Year in 2002 -- and Mangum. Since 2004, Williams has served as head wrestling coach at Altus High School in southwest Oklahoma, where the two-time 5A Oklahoma Coach of the Year has mentored 62 state qualifiers, 21 state placers, 15 state champions and eight All-Americans. He was named an All-State coach in 2010.
In 2017, Williams was diagnosed with ALS -- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis -- also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, and the subject of ice-bucket challenge fundraisers a couple years ago. According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS is a progressive nervous system (neurological) disease that destroys nerve cells and causes disability. It slowly robs the person of their muscle function, ability to walk, ability to talk, and eventually the ability to breathe.
Last May, the Altus High School gym was renamed in Williams' honor.
Oklahoma State head wrestling coach John Smith -- a 1997 Gallagher Award honoree -- weighed in on Nick Williams being named to receive this prestigious award.
"Coach Williams is one of my favorites," Smith said of the man who wrestled for him early in his Cowboy coaching career. "I've been so proud watching his coaching career. Everywhere he's been, he's been successful. What he's done at Altus has been amazing. He continues to set examples for young coaches all around the state. Last spring, he was diagnosed with ALS and today he's still coaching. That tells you a lot about Nick Williams the coach. We're excited about Nick receiving the 2018 Gallagher Award. If anyone deserves it, it's him."
The Gallagher Award has been presented each year to an outstanding Oklahoma State wrestling alumnus. In addition to coach Smith, past honorees have included 1960 Olympic gold medalist Doug Blubaugh (2003) and legendary wrestling coach Bobby Douglas (2005). Just last year, Stanley Henson, three-time NCAA champ in the late 1930s who wrestled for coach Ed Gallagher, was presented with the award. Henson, who had been the oldest living NCAA champion in any sport, passed away Feb. 1 at age 101.
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
2017 - Stanley Henson
2018 - Nick Williams
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