John Fitzgerald is a former college American football player. He played offensive guard for the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma from 1997-2000. During his career, he was named an NCAA All-American following his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He was also named Daktronics All-West Region all three seasons and All–Lone Star Conference each season. Fitzgerald was also the Lone Star Conference Offensive Lineman of The Year in 1998. Injury prevented a career in the National Football League.
The Central Oklahoma Bronchos, often referred to as Central Oklahoma, Central State or UCO, are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing University of Central Oklahoma, located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The 14 men's and women's varsity teams are called the "Bronchos", with a unique use of the letter H. The school's identification as Bronchos dates back to 1922, when the wife of football coach Charles W. Wantland suggested it for the schools mascot. The official colors of the teams are bronze and blue, which the institution adopted in 1895. The Bronchos compete in the NCAA's Division II and in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association in all sports except women's rowing, which will compete beginning in 2020 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Bronchos have won eighteen national championships, with the most recent coming in 2019 as the women's rowing program won the NCAA Division II Rowing Championship. The university's current athletic director is Eddie Griffin who has served in the position since 2017.
The Central Oklahoma Bronchos football team represents the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in college football. The team is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), which is in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The UCO Bronchos football program began in 1902 and has since compiled over 600 wins, two national championships, and 26 conference championships. As of 2011, the Bronchos were ranked third in NCAA Division II for total wins and ranked 12th in winning percentage (0.621). In 1962, the Bronchos went 11–0 on the season and defeated Lenoir–Rhyne University (NC) 28–13 in the Camellia Bowl to claim its first NAIA national championship. Twenty years later, Central Oklahoma defended its home turf and defeated Colorado Mesa University 14–11 in the NAIA national championship game to take its second title and finish the season with a 10–2 record. Despite its rich history in football, Central Oklahoma has struggled beginning in the late 2000s. The program has not participated in the NCAA Division II playoffs since 2003. The Bronchos play their home games at Wantland Stadium, a 10,000-seat football stadium built in 1965. The Bronchos have enjoyed nine undefeated home seasons and are 5–1 in playoff games at Wantland Stadium.
The 2013 Central Oklahoma football team represented the University of Central Oklahoma during the 2013 NCAA Division II football season, and the 108th season of Broncho football. The Bronchos played their five home games at Wantland Stadium in Edmond, Oklahoma, which had been Central Oklahoma's home stadium since 1965. The 2013 team was coming off a 2-8 record in 2012. The 2013 team was headed by second year head coach Nick Bobeck. 2013 was the Bronchos 2nd as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).
The 2012 Central Oklahoma Bronchos football team represented the University of Central Oklahoma in the 2012 NCAA Division II football season, the 107th season of Broncho football. The team was led by first year head coach and UCO alumn, Nick Bobeck. They played their home games at Wantland Stadium in Edmond, Oklahoma. This was the Bronchos first year as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).
The 2011 Central Oklahoma Bronchos football team represented the University of Central Oklahoma in the 2011 college football season, the 106th season of Broncho football. The team was led by fourth year head coach Tracy Holland. They played their home games at Wantland Stadium in Edmond, Oklahoma. The Bronchos were playing this season as an Independent because they were changing conference membership from the Lone Star Conference to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
The 1962 Central State Bronchos football team represented Central State College during the 1962 college football season. The team was led by head coach Al Blevins. They played their home games at Central Field in Edmond, Oklahoma. The Central squad finished the season with an undefeated record of 11–0, and won the NAIA football championship over Lenoir-Rhyne University in the Camellia Bowl.
The Central Oklahoma–Northeastern State football rivalry, commonly referred to as the Battle for the President's Cup, is an American college football rivalry game played annually between the Central Oklahoma Bronchos football team of the University of Central Oklahoma from Edmond, Oklahoma, and the Northeastern State RiverHawks football team of Northeastern State University from Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Both schools currently compete in the NCAA Division II level, and are members of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). Central Oklahoma, formerly Central State, has a 51–27–2 advantage in the series but Northeastern State has kept the series record close since the introduction of the President's cup in 1998.
The 2014 Central Oklahoma Bronchos football team represented the University of Central Oklahoma during the 2014 NCAA Division II football season, and completed the 109th season of Broncho football. The Bronchos played their six home games at Wantland Stadium in Edmond, Oklahoma, which has been Central Oklahoma's home stadium since 1965. The 2014 team came off a 2-8 record for the second season in a row. The 2014 team was headed by third year head coach Nick Bobeck. 2014 was the Bronchos 3rd as a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The team finished the regular season with an 8-3 record and made the program's first appearance in the Mineral Water Bowl.
Justin Allgood is a former American football quarterback who played two seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the Tulsa Talons and Philadelphia Soul. He played college football at Trinity Valley Community College and Central Oklahoma.
Nick Bobeck is an American football coach, currently serving as the head football coach at the University of Central Oklahoma. Previously, Bobeck served as the head football coach at Navarro College, a junior college in Texas, from 2008 to 2011. In 2008, Bobeck received the NJCAA Coach of the Year honors after leading the Bulldogs to a 10–1 record. Bobeck's team followed that up two years later with the 2010 NJCAA National Football Championship.
Charles William Wantland was an American athlete and coach. Wantland served as a sports coach and athletic director, and dean at Central State Teachers College in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Albin "A. J." Haglund is a former American football placekicker who played three seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the San Jose SaberCats and Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. He played college football at the University of Central Oklahoma and attended El Reno High School in El Reno, Oklahoma.
Al Blevins was an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Central State College—now the University of Central Oklahoma—from 1958 to 1963, compiling a career college football record of 82–46–6, and two conference championships, and a national championship. He ranks 1st all-time for Broncho coaches in winning percentage, and 6th in number of games coached and victories.
Gary Howard is a former American football coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Central Oklahoma—from 1977 to 2002, compiling a career college football record of 161–106–6, four NAIA playoff appearances, three NCAA Division II playoff appearances, two conference championships, and a national championship. He is winningest coach the history of the Central Oklahoma program.
Dale Hamilton was an American athlete and coach. Hamilton served as a sports coach and athletic director, at Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma.
Tracy Holland is a former American football coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Central Oklahoma from 2008 to 2011, compiling a career college football record of 15–29.
