Oklahoma State University Athletics
Pat Smith and Yojiro Uetake Inducted into Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame
August 04, 2015 | Cowboy Wrestling
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma State wrestling legends Pat Smith and Yojiro Uetake were inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame on Monday night as part of the Class of 2015.
Uetake, originally from Japan, is the only wrestler in OSU history to own a perfect collegiate career, going 57-0 and claiming three NCAA titles from 1964-66. Upon completing his first year of competition at OSU, Uetake won his first Olympic gold medal in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. His second Olympic gold came in 1968 in the Mexico City Olympic Games.
"It's very surprising that the people of Oklahoma remember me because I left 50 years ago," Uetake said. "I'm very excited to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I was sent to Oklahoma State by Mr. Hata, the founder of the Japanese Amateur Wrestling Association … Myron Roderick asked Mr. Hata to send a Japanese wrestler and I went because I knew that in 1960 two Oklahoma State wrestlers won Olympic Gold medals—Doug Blubaugh and Shelby Wilson. I knew that if I went to Oklahoma State, I would get the chance to be an Olympic wrestler and maybe win. That's why I decided to come."
Pat Smith, the brother of OSU wrestling coach John Smith, became the first four-time national champion in NCAA history, wrestling for the Cowboys from 1990-94. After winning his fourth national title, the Cowboy was named the NCAA tournament's Outstanding Wrestler. During his career, Smith strung together a 122-4-2 overall record with 85 bonus-point wins. The Del City, Okla., native also holds the school record for the longest unbeaten streak with 98 bouts. He also spent 12 years by John's side as an assistant coach for the Cowboys.
"It's a very big honor to be inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame," Pat said. "A lot of great athletes have come through this state. It's a great honor. Having Yojo in the same class as me is humbling. Very, very humbling. When I found out in October that he was getting inducted as well, it blew me away because I thought he would have been in the first class. He's considered in the wrestling world one of the two or three greatest wrestlers of all time. So it was very exciting to see that he would be in this class with me as well."
Both Cowboys are members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as Uetake was inducted in 1980 and Smith was in the Class of 2006.
Uetake, originally from Japan, is the only wrestler in OSU history to own a perfect collegiate career, going 57-0 and claiming three NCAA titles from 1964-66. Upon completing his first year of competition at OSU, Uetake won his first Olympic gold medal in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. His second Olympic gold came in 1968 in the Mexico City Olympic Games.
"It's very surprising that the people of Oklahoma remember me because I left 50 years ago," Uetake said. "I'm very excited to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I was sent to Oklahoma State by Mr. Hata, the founder of the Japanese Amateur Wrestling Association … Myron Roderick asked Mr. Hata to send a Japanese wrestler and I went because I knew that in 1960 two Oklahoma State wrestlers won Olympic Gold medals—Doug Blubaugh and Shelby Wilson. I knew that if I went to Oklahoma State, I would get the chance to be an Olympic wrestler and maybe win. That's why I decided to come."
Pat Smith, the brother of OSU wrestling coach John Smith, became the first four-time national champion in NCAA history, wrestling for the Cowboys from 1990-94. After winning his fourth national title, the Cowboy was named the NCAA tournament's Outstanding Wrestler. During his career, Smith strung together a 122-4-2 overall record with 85 bonus-point wins. The Del City, Okla., native also holds the school record for the longest unbeaten streak with 98 bouts. He also spent 12 years by John's side as an assistant coach for the Cowboys.
"It's a very big honor to be inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame," Pat said. "A lot of great athletes have come through this state. It's a great honor. Having Yojo in the same class as me is humbling. Very, very humbling. When I found out in October that he was getting inducted as well, it blew me away because I thought he would have been in the first class. He's considered in the wrestling world one of the two or three greatest wrestlers of all time. So it was very exciting to see that he would be in this class with me as well."
Both Cowboys are members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as Uetake was inducted in 1980 and Smith was in the Class of 2006.
Doug Meacham Previews Cowboys vs. Arizona - Oklahoma State News Conference (9-29-2025)
Tuesday, September 30
Jacie Hoyt Preseason Media Availability (9-29-2025)
Monday, September 29
Hart Lee Dykes - Oklahoma State Hall of Honor 2025
Monday, September 29
Earl McCready - Oklahoma State Hall of Honor 2025
Monday, September 29
