MSU Athletics

Dr. Gerald Stockton set the standard of excellence by continuing the legacy of excellence of the Midwestern State men's basketball program.

The Peckham, Okla. native claimed 493 wins which included 15 20-win seasons, eight trips to the NAIA National Tournament, three Final Four showings and a runner-up finish during a storybook coaching career at MSU which began in 1970.

Stockton mentored six NAIA All-Americans including Isaac Devore, Henry Crawford, Tony Forch, Robert Harris, Chuck Hall and Bart Beasley during an illustrous career.

Stockton was named NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1993 and gained induction into the organization's Hall of Fame in 1995.

He presided over numerous milestones during his three-decade stay at MSU including a pair of 30-win campaigns in 1973-74 and 1974-75 which fueled a 70-game winning streak on the D.L. Ligon Colisuem floor now known as Dr. Gerald Stockton Court.

Stockton's coaching career began at Dunca (Okla.) High School in 1953 and continued into the collegiate ranks with stints at Murray State Junior College (1955-60), Cameron Junior College (1960-62), Sul Ross State (1966-68) and finally Midwestern State. He also logged time as a graduate assistant at Utah State under Jack Gardner in 1970 while pursuing his doctorate.

Stockton's teams enjoyed great success as he twice led Murray State to the National Junior College Tournament before piloting Cameron to a national fourth-place finish in 1962.

As a college player, he started three years at Oklahoma State under legendary coach Hank Iba and was an All-Missouri Valley selection his senior season. During the three years Stockton played on the varsity, he helped the Cowboys to three consecutive Top 10 finishes which included appearances in the Final Four and Great Eight.

A 1949 graduate of El Reno (Okla.) High School, Stockton enjoyed a stellar prep career, earning all-state and all-America honors as a forward following his senior season after leading his team to an undefeated season and a state championship.

His educational background included Bachelor of Science (1953) and Master of Science (1958) degrees from Oklahoma State University and a Doctorate (1970) from Utah University.