Biographies of the seven Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame inductees

Oklahoma connection: Raised by his grandmother in Vinita. Became one of the state’s top pole vaulters in high school, earning a track scholarship to Oklahoma Christian. While at the small college in Oklahoma City, he became a decathlete and a threetime NAIA champion. Has been an assistant track coach at OC for more than two decades.

Claim to fame: An Olympic decathlete in 1972, Bennett finished fourth in the event at the Munich Games. He was only 10 points out of the medals. He also was the National AAU decathlon champion in 1973, setting a personal record of 8,121 points.

DOUG BLUBAUGH

Born in Ponca City and spent his final years in Tonkawa before being killed in a 2011 motorcycle accident.

Oklahoma connection:

A talented high school wrestler who went on to compete at Oklahoma State from 1955-57. Also member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity on campus.

Claim to fame: Compiled a 27-3-1 record at OSU, including an individual NCAA title in 1957 and three NCAA team titles. Won gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics by defeating previously unbeaten Iranian champion Emam Ali Habibi. Totaled more than 400 career victories. Head wrestling coach at Indiana from 1973-84.

BILL GREASON

Oklahoma connection: An Atlanta native, Greason broke Oklahoma City’s pro baseball color barrier in 1952, his first of two seasons with the Oklahoma City Indians minor-league team. A pitcher who won 25 games in two seasons — including a 9-1 record with a 2.14 ERA in his first season.

Claim to fame: Greason was known as OKC’s Jackie Robinson, instantly providing a boost in ticket sales and wins. He often spoke to black elementary schools and provided inspiration to the black community. After a stint in the Marines, he played two seasons with the Birmingham Black Barons in the Negro League. Now a pastor in Birmingham, Ala., he founded the American Negro League Baseball Association.

DAVID JAMES

Oklahoma connection: A Del City native, James adopted wrestling at an early age and thrived in it for decades. Never left the state as a wrestler or coach, despite opportunities to do so, instead focusing on building Central State University, now Central Oklahoma, to elevated status.

Claim to fame: As collegiate wrestler, James became Central State’s first four-time All-American and a two-time national champion. Not long after — at only age 24 — he took over as head coach, leading the program to 12 national titles with 48 individual national champs and 182 All-Americans.

BILL KRISHER

Oklahoma connection: A high school All-State and All-American football player at Midwest City. Then played on Bud Wilkinson’s Oklahoma teams that won 47 consecutive games and two national championships.

Claim to fame: Krisher was a two-time All-American at OU in 1956 and 1957. Fans voted him to the first-team All-Time Great Oklahoma Football Players list. Krisher was a third-round draft selection by the Steelers in 1958, then became an All-Pro with the Dallas Texans in 1960 and 1961.

BRYANT “BIG COUNTRY” REEVES

Oklahoma connection: Born in Fort Smith, Ark., but raised on this side of the state line, in tiny Gans. Grew to 7-feet, went to Oklahoma State as a longshot basketball prospect but developed quickly. Started as a freshman on a Sweet 16 team and led the Cowboys to the Final Four as a senior in 1995. After six years in the NBA, he returned to the ranch he built in his beloved Gans.

Claim to fame: “Big Country,” as he was nicknamed almost immediately after hitting campus, became one of the most beloved Cowboys of all time. With soft hands and a sweet shooting touch, Reeves became one of college basketball’s dominant big men. In taking OSU to the Final Four, he outdueled Antonio McDyess, Tim Duncan and Marcus Camby in consecutive games.

JASON WHITE

Oklahoma connection: Born and raised in Tuttle. Played quarterback for Oklahoma from 1999-2004. Suffered ACL tears during the 2001 and 2002 seasons. Not selected in the NFL Draft, but now owns and operates the Jason White Companies, including A Store Divided and The Athlete’s Foot.

Claim to fame: While at OU, White earned All-America honors and won the 2003 Heisman Trophy.

The Sooners played in back-to-back BCS National Championship games in 2003 and 2004 with White at the helm.