Oklahoma State University Athletics
After so many wins on the court at Gallagher-Iba Arena, Eddie Sutton's name will be forever associated with the hardwood floor. After Sutton passed mentor Henry Iba for seventh place in career coaching wins with an 83-73 victory over Iowa State in 2005, Oklahoma State officials announced that the court would be named after the legendary coach.
"It means a great deal," Sutton said. "It is quite an honor."
Iba was present when Sutton was hired at Oklahoma State in 1990, but died on Jan. 15, 1993 -- exactly 12 years before Sutton would pass him in career wins.
"Those three years, I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to really get closer to him,'' Sutton said. "Mr. Iba was such a wonderful man, but at times he was pretty private.
"When we'd send those student managers out to get him, he'd come down to practice and we had great conversations. He certainly gave to me as a player and then as a graduate assistant. All the things I learned gave me a very strong foundation as far as a basketball philosophy."
After the game, Oklahoma State officials honored Sutton with a plaque and made the announcement about Eddie Sutton Court.
Sutton thanked his wife, Patsy, and all the assistant coaches and players who've helped him in his career at Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky and the last 15 years at Oklahoma State.
He was also thankful to Iba -- who he still calls "Mr. Iba" -- for giving him a chance.
"I would never have been able to go to college without a scholarship," Sutton said. "Mr. Iba gave me a scholarship. My parents didn't pay my way to go to school.
"I got a quality education here, and these 15 years have kind of been a way I feel I've repaid a little of what OSU gave to me."
Even after two major construction projects, today's players still compete on the gym's original white maple floor, which was the country's most expensive when it was installed in 1938.
"It means a great deal," Sutton said. "It is quite an honor."
Iba was present when Sutton was hired at Oklahoma State in 1990, but died on Jan. 15, 1993 -- exactly 12 years before Sutton would pass him in career wins.
"Those three years, I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to really get closer to him,'' Sutton said. "Mr. Iba was such a wonderful man, but at times he was pretty private.
"When we'd send those student managers out to get him, he'd come down to practice and we had great conversations. He certainly gave to me as a player and then as a graduate assistant. All the things I learned gave me a very strong foundation as far as a basketball philosophy."
After the game, Oklahoma State officials honored Sutton with a plaque and made the announcement about Eddie Sutton Court.
Sutton thanked his wife, Patsy, and all the assistant coaches and players who've helped him in his career at Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky and the last 15 years at Oklahoma State.
He was also thankful to Iba -- who he still calls "Mr. Iba" -- for giving him a chance.
"I would never have been able to go to college without a scholarship," Sutton said. "Mr. Iba gave me a scholarship. My parents didn't pay my way to go to school.
"I got a quality education here, and these 15 years have kind of been a way I feel I've repaid a little of what OSU gave to me."
Even after two major construction projects, today's players still compete on the gym's original white maple floor, which was the country's most expensive when it was installed in 1938.
