Texas Tech University Athletics
Saturday, January 13
Lubbock, Texas
ALL DAY
Texas Tech Athletics
vs
Texas Tech Corky Classic
Remembering A Legend
January 12, 2018 | Track and Field
Texas Tech will host the inaugural “Corky Classic” this Saturday at the newly-opened Sports Performance Center
Over the last 40-plus years, there has been one familiar face at nearly every Texas Tech track and field event – Corky Oglesby.
This weekend will sadly be different, though, as Oglesby, the former Tech men's track head coach, passed away Nov. 19 after a battle with cancer. Prior to his passing, Oglesby had Jan. 13 circled as the most-important date on his calendar.
Not only would Tech be opening its indoor season in the new $48 million Sports Performance Center on that date, the inaugural meet would be named in his honor. Tech has tabbed Saturday's meet the "Corky Classic" in recognition of Oglesby's nearly 50 years of service to the university, including 20 spent as the head men's track and field coach.
"Corky meant more to this track and field program than anyone will ever know," said Tech head coach Wes Kittley, a longtime friend of Oglesby. "He in so many ways demonstrated what being a Red Raider is all about. It's a special legacy that Corky has left behind. This will be the first of many 'Corky Classics' in the years to come."
The field for Saturday's meet will resemble a who's-who in college track as Tech will welcome the likes of Oklahoma State, Baylor, Houston, Texas and LSU for its first-ever event in the Sports Performance Center.
It's a fitting tribute to Oglesby, who likely could be considered among the who's-who of track and field contributors himself over the past four decades. Even after stepping down as the head track coach in 1995, Oglesby remained active in the sport until his passing as he attended the top events throughout the world each year as either a spectator or as a meet official.
"It's hard for me to imagine having a track meet without Corky there by my side," Kittley said. "We went everywhere together. We went to the Olympics together and traveled the world for meets. Every championship I won, Corky was there."
Oglesby's name became synonymous with Texas Tech Athletics the past four decades as he was an assistant men's basketball coach under both Bob Bass and Gerald Myers before beginning his reign as the head men's track and field coach. He later transitioned to a special projects coordinator in the Red Raider Club, a position he remained active in up until his passing.
Oglesby's true love belonged on the track as he served 20 years (1975-95) as head coach of the Red Raiders, the longest tenure for a track coach in school history. His list of successful athletes included 32 All-Americans, 11 Southwest Conference outdoor champions and seven SWC indoor individual champions. To this date, Oglesby coached 12 individuals that still own Tech all-time records.
"Corky Oglesby is a legend," Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said not long after his passing. "He is so many ways demonstrated what being a Red Raider is all about. It's a special legacy that Corky left behind – one we will always remember and always be with this athletics department and in this community. He was a cherished individual that will be deeply, deeply missed by all of us."
Oglesby was a friend to many not just in West Texas but across the nation due to the relationships he forged as both a track and field coach and an assistant on the men's basketball staff.
Oglesby, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, arrived in Lubbock in 1969 after serving as an assistant track and field coach at Western Kentucky University. He called the South Plains home from that day forward as he spent six seasons on the hardwood before returning to the track.
During his time as a basketball coach, Oglesby helped lead the Red Raiders to six-consecutive winning seasons and a 98-57 overall record, which included a 58-26 mark in Southwest Conference play. His tenure was highlighted by a SWC regular-season championship during the 1972-73 season and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
"Corky was just a really good guy," said Myers, who retained Oglesby on his staff when he took over for Bass in 1971 and then rehired him to the Red Raider Club in 1997. "We knew each other for 48 years, and he was always very close and dear to me. Corky was very loyal and smart guy. He had a great sense of humor. I don't think he ever forgot a name once he met someone."
Oglesby's nearly 50 years of dedication to Texas Tech did not go unnoticed as he was inducted in 2014 to the Texas Tech Hall of Honor, which is reserved for those who make outstanding contributions to Texas Tech Athletics.
In addition, Kittley announced this past summer during a celebration of Oglesby's life that Tech would host the "Corky Classic" annually at the Sports Performance Center. Similar to this weekend, the event will bring in several of the nation's top teams to compete each year.
"Corky was Mr. Texas Tech to me," Kittley said. "He gave his life to Texas Tech and touched hundreds if not thousands of lives along the way. He truly loved Texas Tech and it showed. It's only fitting that we host a meet in his name each year."
This weekend will sadly be different, though, as Oglesby, the former Tech men's track head coach, passed away Nov. 19 after a battle with cancer. Prior to his passing, Oglesby had Jan. 13 circled as the most-important date on his calendar.
Not only would Tech be opening its indoor season in the new $48 million Sports Performance Center on that date, the inaugural meet would be named in his honor. Tech has tabbed Saturday's meet the "Corky Classic" in recognition of Oglesby's nearly 50 years of service to the university, including 20 spent as the head men's track and field coach.
"Corky meant more to this track and field program than anyone will ever know," said Tech head coach Wes Kittley, a longtime friend of Oglesby. "He in so many ways demonstrated what being a Red Raider is all about. It's a special legacy that Corky has left behind. This will be the first of many 'Corky Classics' in the years to come."
The field for Saturday's meet will resemble a who's-who in college track as Tech will welcome the likes of Oklahoma State, Baylor, Houston, Texas and LSU for its first-ever event in the Sports Performance Center.
It's a fitting tribute to Oglesby, who likely could be considered among the who's-who of track and field contributors himself over the past four decades. Even after stepping down as the head track coach in 1995, Oglesby remained active in the sport until his passing as he attended the top events throughout the world each year as either a spectator or as a meet official.
"It's hard for me to imagine having a track meet without Corky there by my side," Kittley said. "We went everywhere together. We went to the Olympics together and traveled the world for meets. Every championship I won, Corky was there."
Oglesby's name became synonymous with Texas Tech Athletics the past four decades as he was an assistant men's basketball coach under both Bob Bass and Gerald Myers before beginning his reign as the head men's track and field coach. He later transitioned to a special projects coordinator in the Red Raider Club, a position he remained active in up until his passing.
Oglesby's true love belonged on the track as he served 20 years (1975-95) as head coach of the Red Raiders, the longest tenure for a track coach in school history. His list of successful athletes included 32 All-Americans, 11 Southwest Conference outdoor champions and seven SWC indoor individual champions. To this date, Oglesby coached 12 individuals that still own Tech all-time records.
"Corky Oglesby is a legend," Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said not long after his passing. "He is so many ways demonstrated what being a Red Raider is all about. It's a special legacy that Corky left behind – one we will always remember and always be with this athletics department and in this community. He was a cherished individual that will be deeply, deeply missed by all of us."
Oglesby was a friend to many not just in West Texas but across the nation due to the relationships he forged as both a track and field coach and an assistant on the men's basketball staff.
Oglesby, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, arrived in Lubbock in 1969 after serving as an assistant track and field coach at Western Kentucky University. He called the South Plains home from that day forward as he spent six seasons on the hardwood before returning to the track.
During his time as a basketball coach, Oglesby helped lead the Red Raiders to six-consecutive winning seasons and a 98-57 overall record, which included a 58-26 mark in Southwest Conference play. His tenure was highlighted by a SWC regular-season championship during the 1972-73 season and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
"Corky was just a really good guy," said Myers, who retained Oglesby on his staff when he took over for Bass in 1971 and then rehired him to the Red Raider Club in 1997. "We knew each other for 48 years, and he was always very close and dear to me. Corky was very loyal and smart guy. He had a great sense of humor. I don't think he ever forgot a name once he met someone."
Oglesby's nearly 50 years of dedication to Texas Tech did not go unnoticed as he was inducted in 2014 to the Texas Tech Hall of Honor, which is reserved for those who make outstanding contributions to Texas Tech Athletics.
In addition, Kittley announced this past summer during a celebration of Oglesby's life that Tech would host the "Corky Classic" annually at the Sports Performance Center. Similar to this weekend, the event will bring in several of the nation's top teams to compete each year.
"Corky was Mr. Texas Tech to me," Kittley said. "He gave his life to Texas Tech and touched hundreds if not thousands of lives along the way. He truly loved Texas Tech and it showed. It's only fitting that we host a meet in his name each year."
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