Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Goodwell, Okla. — Oklahoma Panhandle State's Head Football Coach Russell Gaskamp was inducted into the 2016 Weatherford Athletic Hall of Fame on May 27 at the Thomas P. Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford, Okla.

Gaskamp attended Weatherford High School from 1991 to 1994 and many remember him as the starting center and defensive tackle for the Eagles football team that won back-to-back state championships in 1991 and 1992. As a six-foot, five-inch 285 pound senior Gaskamp was named an ESPN Academic All-American, All-State in Football, Super Prep All-American Team, Blue Chip Illustrated Dream Team (top 50 players in the U.S.), USA Today High School All-American team, number one center prospect in the country, and number three overall offensive line prospect in the country (both by Super Prep) just to name a few.

Not only did Gaskamp excel in football, he also lettered in Track and Wrestling during his time at Weatherford. He finished fifth in the state his sophomore year in shot put, third in shot put his junior year, and fourth in discus his senior year.

Chris Foley, Gaskamp's sister, introduced him at the ceremony commenting, "He was good at track and wrestling, but he was great at football."

After graduating from high school in 1994 and being recruited by over 70 NCAA Division I schools, Gaskamp chose the Longhorns at the University of Texas (UT) in Austin. He played on three conference championship teams and appeared in four bowl games. As a senior, he was named an All-Conference Lineman. Gaskamp started every game at center that year and together with the rest of the offensive line paved the way for teammate Ricky Williams to win the Heisman Trophy that year.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management in 1999 from UT, Russell took his first coaching assignment in 2000 with the Austin Rattlers in the North American Football League. He also coached football and men's and women's wrestling at Johnston High School in Austin, Texas during this time before later going on to coach at Sam Houston State while working on his master's degree in educational leadership. Prior to taking over the Aggie Football program in the fall of 2012, Gaskamp coached at Texas A&M Commerce, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and Angelo State.

Though he has earned awards and recognitions too numerous to mention throughout both his playing and coaching careers, it is clear that he has a true passion for impacting the lives of his players.
As Gaskamp spoke during the Hall of Fame Induction, he thanked the large number of people who helped him get where he is today while especially crediting his wrestling coach, Max Dippel, at Weatherford with the positive affect he had on his life.

Many of Gaskamp's extended family members were present at the induction as well as his current coaching staff and one of his best friends, former coach and fellow Weatherford Hall of Famer, Anthony Randle.

A total of seven individuals were inducted into the Weatherford Hall of Fame this year. The Weatherford High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee was created in 2004 with a mission to recognize athletes and coaches who have made outstanding contributions to the Weatherford High School athletic program.

Gaskamp and the Aggies will kick off the 2016 season on Sept. 3 and the first home game is set for Oct. 1 against Lone Star Conference opponent Texas A&M University- Commerce.