- News
Officials at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) announced Gary Calcagno as the recipient for this year’s Outstanding Alumnus from the School of Human Environmental Sciences. The Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet and Alumni Reception, originally scheduled during homecoming weekend, have been postponed to a date to be determined next spring in light of the ever-changing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coach Calcagno grew up in the Miami/Welch area and was heavily involved with NEO at an early age. His parents were both professors at NEO for more than 30 years, so he was always on campus attending some type of athletic event. He knew from a very young age that he would attend NEO. Coach Calcagno attended NEO from 1987-1989 and majored in Physical Education. He graduated with his Associate’s Degree in 1989. After NEO, Calcagno continued his education at the University of Tulsa (TU) where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Physical Education while serving as a Student Assistant and Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach.
Following TU, Calcagno served as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Washington State University for six seasons. Calcagno also spent time as a Strength and Conditioning Intern with the Dallas Cowboys in 2000. Later that year, Calcagno became the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for Oklahoma State University where he has served for the past 21 years.
Some of Calcagno’s proudest achievements are being a part of four straight National Championship wrestling teams, 15 straight bowl games in football, a Big XII football title and a Fiesta Bowl Championship. Throughout Calcagno’s career, he has obtained several certifications in the strength and conditioning profession. In 2008, Calcagno was named a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach, the highest honor given by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. In 2017, he was recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association by being named as a Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach Emeritus. For more information please contact Shelby Saul at 918-540-6211 or Shelby.saul@neo.edu.
