SHAWNEE – Gary Wilson, a 1964 Oklahoma Baptist University graduate and 1977 inductee into the OBU Hall of Fame as a star men's track and field athlete, passed away recently in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Wilson was a two-time (1963 & 1964) NAIA national champion in the 880-yard run. He was also the national runner-up in that event during the 1961 season. Plus, Wilson was the first Oklahoma Baptist student-athlete to win an individual national title.
Fellow OBU HOFer and former track and field head coach Ford Mastin said this about Wilson:
"From early in my life, there have been OBU athletes who have been heroes and role models for me. They have inspired me with their great accomplishments and productive lives.
Gary Wilson is one of them. Wewoka, Okla., has given OBU some wonderful track athletes who have been excellent in many ways. They have also been inspired and proud to be a part of Gary's legacy. This tall, graceful, soft-spoken, focused and loyal OBU alum has been a great example for all of us. We honor him and seek to follow in his steps to do great things."
On top of his national titles, during the 1961 Oklahoma Collegiate Conference track meet, he won the 880 and the mile. He would later in his career be a part of the winning mile-relay team ('63) and a year later claim first in the 880, mile and 2-mile events. For those efforts in 1964, Wilson was named the outstanding athlete at that OCC track meet.
In his professional life, Wilson taught at The Citadel in Charleston, SC and was a part of the Health and Exercise Science Department.
