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Oklahoma State Archery Association
Hall of Fame
2009 Inductee Loyd S. Napier Feb. 3, 1943 - Dec. 30, 2008 Loyd was a force in his time; the sixties and the seventies were definitely his best years. Loyd was a feared and respected competitor not only in Oklahoma, but all over the Southwest as well. As a result of Loyds skill level, he won many titles on the state and regional level. Loyd just might have been a better inventor of archery products than he was a competitor; Loyd was definitely ahead of his time. In the early 1970’s Loyd invented the Failsafe release and got a patent on it, while everyone else were playing with back tension and ledge releases, the Failsafe was at least 5 years ahead of its time. A few years later Loyd came up with the Failsafe Hunter model, and designed many more releases for close friends to sell as their own signature models. Loyd was the first man to recognize nock travel and then do something about it. He come out with the Redman bow, a bow of his own design, he put a larger wheel on the top limb and as a result got “0” nock travel out of his design. Most bowyers incorporate the “0” nock travel into their bows one way or another. The Redman bow is still sold today under a different name and some refinements. One would have to have known Loyd and be with him to realize what a giant he was and all of the refinements that he contributed to the archery industry. We welcome Loyd Napier into the OSAA Hall of fame….. 
____________________________________________________________________________________ 2008 Inductee Bobby Graham
Bobby Graham has been a vital part of the Tulsa Archery Association for many years, during this time Bobby has been instrumental in range set-up, running tournaments, or doing whatever is necessary to keep the Tulsa Club running.
Bobby also has many accomplishments in archery competition. Bobby’s strong suit just may be his versatility. Bobby is just as competent shooting 3D, as he is at shooting Target, Field, Indoor or Broadhead. There aren’t many Traditional archers that can master all of these disciplines, (at Bobby’s level).
Some of Bobby’s accomplishments are:
36 State Championships
12 Southern Sectional Championships
Placing in the top 3 at the last several National Indoors, including placing 2nd at the 2008 Championships.
National ASA 3D Champion.
National ASA “Shooter of the Year.”
We welcome Bobby Graham to the OSAA Hall of Fame.
2007 Inductees Ray Rogers
Jimmie and Christy Hargrave
Ray Rogers
Shortly after Ray Rogers moved to Muskogee from Muldrow, his mother bought her 11 year old son his first bow; the rest is history.
Ray set his first world record of 1,203 points at the OSAA Target Championships in June of 1967. Ray then surpassed that mark later that summer at the World Championship Trials in St. Louis. He then traveled to Amersfoort, Holland in August and although he did not set another world record at the tournament, he did win the World Target Championship. (Ray was also a member of the gold medal men’s team championship).
Ray continued to break his own world record at the National Championships in Watkins Glen, New York and again at the Ambassador Cup in Canada. In 1968 Ray repeated as champion of the Ambassador, while setting his last world record with a score of 1,238 points.
Rays last major victory came in 1969 at the National Championships that were held in Valley forge, Pa.
Archery became a part of the Olympics in 1972 but by then, Ray had quit shooting competitively. And just like that, it was done.
He now lives in North Carolina with Shirley, his wife of 27 years.
This marks the 40th anniversary of Ray’s World Championship. As the then president of the OSAA Don Webb (1967) stated, “Ray Rogers was the greatest archer that ever lived.” We can all agree that he was definitely the greatest of his era and we are honored to add Ray Rogers to the OSAA Hall of Fame.
Jimmie and Christy Hargrave
Jimmie and Christy Hargrave live in Avant, Oklahoma. The couple have two children, ages 19 and 15. Jimmie began competitive shooting in 1988 and Christy followed two years later, in 1990.
The pair have been members of the Tulsa Archery Association since 1989, where Jimmie served as President and State Representative for several years. Jimmie has also been a member of the NFAA Pro Division, ASA and IBO Pro divisions.
In a normal year the couple will travel to the Las Vegas World Archery tournament, the Indoor Nationals, and most of the State and Sectional tournaments.
Jimmie is also an avid hunter, taking between 90 and 100 deer with the bow. Many of Jimmie’s deer have made the Pope and Young record books. Jimmie has also harvested mule deer in Colorado, and elk in New Mexico.
Jimmie was injured while fighting fires in 1995, and after four years of rehab, he was told that he would never shoot a bow again, but with the help of a friend, Jimmie switched to a left handed bow, Jimmie is shooting as well, if not better now than before the accident.
Christy and Jimmie have won a number of State, Sectional, and National awards, listed are their awards:
Christy has won a total of 12 State Championships, 6 Sectional Championships, Christy has also placed 3rd in the National Indoor Championships twice, as well as placing 2nd at the Outdoor Nationals.
Jimmie has won a total of 37 State Championships and 8 Sectional Championships. He has also placed 2nd in the Indoor National Championships, first place in the Pro-Am Indoor Nationals, two top ten finishes at the Las Vegas World Archery Championships, and a 3rd place finish at the Outdoor Nationals. (Not bad for an archer who was not supposed to be able to shoot again!!)
We welcome Jimmie and Christy Hargrave to the OSAA Hall of Fame.
2006 Inductees Jim and Pat McDonald
Rick and Jennifer Gilley
Jeff and Gayle Steele
Jim and Pat McDonald
Not only were Jim and Pat McDonald excellent archers, but their service to archery included the invention of the Hydraulic Stabilizer, the Tru-Nock (nock straightness indicator), plastic water proofing spray for feathers, and the invention of the Rifle Barrel arrow Rest.
Jim’s Championships include:
25 State Championships
8 Southern Sectional Championships
1 North America Championship
6 National Championships
1 World Indoor Championship
1 World Outdoor Championship
Pat’s championships include:
7 State Championships
2 Southern Sectional Championships
2 National Championships (indoor and outdoor)
1 World Outdoor Championship
1 runner-up World Indoor
1 North American Championship
We are proud to welcome Jim and Pat McDonald into our Hall of Fame.
Rick and Jennifer Gilley
Rick Gilley
Rick started shooting competitive archery in 1965. Shooting Barebow, Rick won his first State and Sectional Championship in 1966 against the legendary David Hughes in Texas. In 1969 Rick put a sight on his bow and traveled to Cobo Hall in Detroit where he won the International Indoor Open with a sudden death shoot-off with Chuck Jordan. Since that time Rick has shot in the Professional Freestyle ranks in both the PAA and the NFAA. Rick ranked in the top 10 for 5 years with his highest rank being second place. Rick is currently third in the Senior Pro Division. Rick won many of the big tournaments, such as the Lake of the Woods and the Milwaukee Sentinial. Rick has won over 265 tournaments, included are 55 state Championships and 18 Sectional Championships. Rick has bowhunted since he was 17, taking over 150 big animals including caribou, mountain goat, black bear, antelope, mule and whitetail. Rick has also taken his share of hogs, javelina, turkeys, coyotes, bobcats and just about every small game animal that you can think of. Rick also served as the NFAA Director of Oklahoma for two years, as well as, the Vice-President and Range Captain of his home range of Tulsa Archery Association. This past year Rick and Jennifer were awarded lifetime memberships for their continuing service to the club. Jennifer Gilley
Jennifer’s archery career started in 1986 when she received her first archery equipment and joined the Tulsa Archery Association. During the years that followed, Jennifer became more interested in competition, as well, as hunting. Jennifer was Treasurer for 3 years and Secretary for 2 years for T.A.A. She is also a member of the National Field Archery Association, Oklahoma State Archery Association and the Oklahoma Bowhunting Council. Jennifer has competed in tournaments such as the Las Vegas Open, NFAA Indoor and Outdoor Nationals, Big Sky Open, P.S.E. Desert Shoot-Out, Ben Pearson Memorial, IBO World Championships and ASA tournaments. In July of 2004 Jennifer joined the Pro Division. Below is a list of major wins. 2006 NFAA Indoor Nationals – 2nd
2005 NFAA Indoor Nationals – 1st
2005 NFAA Outdoor Nationals – 1st
2004 NFAA Indoor Nationals – 2nd
2004 NFAA Outdoor Nationals – 1st
2004 IFAA Outdoor World – 1st
2004 NFAA Indoor Nationals – 1st
2003 NFAA Indoor Natiionals – 1st
2003 NFAA Outdoor Nationals – 1st
2002 NFAA Indoor Nationals – 1st
2002 NFAA Outdoor Nationals – 1st
2001 NFAA Indoor Nationals – 4th
2001 NFAA Outdoor Nationals – 1st
1999 NFAA Outdoor Nationals – 3rd
1998 NFAA Indoor Nationals -2nd
1998 NFAA Outdoor Nationals – 2nd
1996 NFAA Outdoor Nationals – 2nd
1995 NFAA Outdoor Nationals – 3rd
1994 NFAA Outdoor Nationals – 3rd
1994 Big Sky Open – 1st
1993 NFAA Outdoor Nationals – 2nd
1992 NFAA Indoor Nationals – 5th
1992 NFAA Outdoor Nationals – 1st
1992 Ben Pearson Memorial – 1st
In addition to the above accomplishments, Jennifer has won 23 Southern Sectionals, and 44 State Tournaments.
Jeff and Gayle Steele
Jeff Steele
Jeff Steele retired from the Oklahoma City Fire Department on April 15, 1998 after 25 years.
Currently employed at Kings Archery Pro Shop
President of the Oklahoma State Archery Association for many years
Member of the National Field Archery Association
State Chair for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Master Instructor for the International Bowhunter Education Program
Instructor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Hunter Education Program
Life Member of the Bowhunting Council of Oklahoma
Life Member of Trosper Archery Club, Oklahoma City
Member of the National Wild Turkey Federation Bowhunter for 35+ years
Guides elk, deer & turkey hunters
Co-manages Red Fork Hunts, L.L.C.
Coordinator for Oklahoma City Fish and Game Conservation Deer Survey Program
Jeff has harvested numerous deer, turkey, boar, elk and one bear with his bow.
Jeff has competed in archery for 30+ years and has won many OSAA Championships for Indoor, Field and Broadhead. He has won the IBO Southern Triple Crown, Southern Sectional Field, Indoor Nationals, and ASA Championships. He won the first ever NFAA Southern Sectional Unknown Distance tournament.
He has harvested over 100 P&Y Class big game animals including deer, a B&C Class elk, and a B&C class black bear. He has taken 60 turkeys with his bow and too many small game and varmints to count.
Gayle Steele
Employed at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City (October 1994 to present)
Took over as Secretary of the Oklahoma State Archery Association in 1987 and served for several years
Member of the National Field Archery Association
2nd Vice President of the Bowhunting Council of Oklahoma
Secretary for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Instructor for the International Bowhunter Education Program
Instructor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Hunter Education Program
Life Member of Trosper Archery Club, Oklahoma City
Member of the National Wild Turkey Federation Bowhunter for 25+ years
Gayle has competed in archery for 20+ years and has won many OSAA Championships for Indoor, Field and Broadhead. She has won the IBO Southern Triple Crown, Southern Sectional Field, Indoor Nationals, and ASA Western Regional Championship. She won the first ever NFAA Southern Sectional Unknown Distance tournament
Gayle has harvested deer (one P&Y) and turkeys with her bow
Jeff and Gayle are both on the pro staff of several companies
Together, they have taught archery at Boy Scout camps, the Youth Hunter Education Challenge, and done demonstrations for the Hunter Education Class through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife. They also do turkey and deer hunting seminars for Bass Pro Shops
They also coordinated a month long deer survey for the Oklahoma City Fish and Game Conservation and look forward to working on more projects in the coming months
We are proud to welcome Jeff and Gayle into our OSAA Hall of Fame
2005 Inductees Fred and Patsy Pocock
Betty Grubbs
Janice H (Jane) Johnson
Brad Thompson
Fred and Patsy Pocock
As goes Fred and Patsy Pocock so goes the OSAA. Without a doubt Fred and Patsy are the backbone of our organization and have been for a number of years. They began their involvement in archery in 1966 and joined the NFAA that same year, both later became life members. Patsy took over the OSAA newsletter in 1972 and except for a few months has published it ever since. Fred served as State parliament for 8 years, state secretary from 1974 thru 1981 and has just recently taken the office again. Patsy was our classification secretary from 1975 to 1984 processing all state and national dues. In 1987 Fred and Patsy both received an award that no other Oklahoma NFAA member has received the NFAA medal of Merit. Since Fred’s retirement he operates the Arrow Shop. His main concern in his archery business is to make sure that people get started in archery on the right track. Fred has spent so many hours helping others with instruction especially the kids. We cannot imagine the Oklahoma State Archery association without Fred and Patsy.
 Betty Grubbs The OSAA would like to recognize one of the greatest Barebow shooters in the history of the NFAA. Betty Grubbs was Oklahomas first NFAA champion. Betty won the National Field championship in back to back years, competing at Watkins Glen in 1964 and 1965 Betty brought the titles back to Oklahoma. Betty also won numerous State championships. Betty passed away in 1970, after setting the bar high not only for Barebow shooters for all archers.
 Jane Johnson A career mathematics teacher Jane also taught Archery at Casady school until retiring in 1991. Jane was an archery team leader in the 1983 US sports festival at Colorado Springs. As a National Judge she officiated at the 1986 Olympic Festival in Houston, the 1991 Festival in Los Angeles and the 1995 Festival in Boulder, and was archery venue coordinator for the 1989 Olympic Festival on Oklahoma City. She was named Assistant archery commissioner at the 1993 festival in San Antonio and Archery commissioner at the 1994 Festival in St Louis. At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta Jane participated as a scoring judge. She also served as an archery judge by invitation in Canada and Italy, and served on a jury of appeal at the championships of America in Cuba. A long time member of the NAA coach development Committee, Jane participated in developing the curricula for NAA instructor. Jane conducts archery classes in the region of the US.
Jane was elected to the board of Governors in 1991, 1995 and again in 2001 to represent the south region on the board. She served as vice president of the NAA from 1995-1997 and as president from 1997-99. In 1998 Jane was elected a member of the board of the NAA foundation and is currently serving as its president.
 Brad Thompson Brad Thompson has been an avid archer and member of the Tulsa Archery association since the 1970’s. Brad is one of the friendliest archers around and is an excellent ambassador for our sport. Brad has nine state titles in the freestyle and freestyle limited divisions. In 1999 Brad won the bronze medal in the world championships. In 2000 Brad won the world and national indoor championships in the freestyle limited division. Brad is a true friend of archery.
2004 Inductees Joe and Helen Thornton
Jim and Ida Revis
Dean and Rosie Pridgen
Joe and Helen Thornton You cannot think of archery without the name of Joe Thornton coming to mind, along with Joe’s wife Helen, the couple have attained world acclaim. Listed below are their accomplishments: Joe Thornton:
1961 World Champion, Oslo Norway
1962 British National Champion, Windsor, England
1963 Silver Medalist at the World Championships, Helsinki, Finland
1963 Silver Medalist at the World Championships, Vasteras, Sweden
1961-63-65 member of the U.S.A. World Champion Archery Team
Joe also won several State Championships in the 1960’s.
Joe also served one term on the N.A.A. board of Governors, 1968 to 1971.
Joe was also the leader of the movement to get archery into the 1972 Olympic games. Helen Thornton:
1963 was a member of the gold medal winning ladies World Championship team, Helsinki, Finland.
1963 won the Southern Archery Championship, setting records in the American and Columbia rounds.
1965 member of the U.S.A. Ladies World Champion Archery team, taking the gold in Vasteras, Sweden 1966 N.A.A. Ladies National Champion
1966 member of the U.S.A. Ambassadors Cup Team that won the North American championships
In 1968 Joe and Helen brought the N.F.A.A. National Tournament to their hometown of Tahlequah.
In addition to these accomplishments the couple found time to give demonstrations to countless schools, Boy Scout group, and church camps.
Jim and Ida Revis When thinking about archery in Oklahoma, whether on the local, or state level you cannot help but think about Jim and Ida Revis. This couple gave of their time for many years to further the sport of archery in this state. Both served on many committees while becoming outstanding competitors. Listed is a summary of their accomplishments: Jim Revis:
Jim was a Barebow, Bowhunter, and Traditional shooter; in fact Jim was instrumental in getting the traditional class adopted in N.F.A.A. competition. State Bowhunting Secretary State Director from 1974 until 1981 Sectional Councilman from 1981 until 1996 Jim also won 2 N.F.A.A. Championships, and over 50 State Championships Ida Revis:
Ida also shot Barebow and Bowhunter. Ida was our state secretary for a number of years, as well as, representing Oklahoma as the state director when called on to do so. Ida won 12 N.F.A.A. Championships, and over 40 State Championships. Archery was truly a way of life for Jim and Ida, and we owe a great debt to them for their dedication to our sport.
Dean and Rosie Pridgen Without a doubt the most decorated couple in archery has to be Dean and Rosie Pridgen. Dean and Rosie have a total of 2 World titles, 36 National Titles, 102 Sectional Championships, and 121 State Championships. Listed is a summary of their accomplishments: Dean Pridgen:
1972 NFAA Outdoor Champion, Adult Male Freestyle
1973 NFAA Outdoor Champion, Professional Adult Male Freestyle
1977 NFAA Outdoor Champion, Professional Adult Male Freestyle
1979 NFAA Outdoor Champion, Professional Adult Male Freestyle
1982 NFAA Indoor Champion, Professional Adult Male Freestyle
1984 NFAA Indoor Champion, Professional Adult Male Freestyle
1985 NFAA Indoor Champion, Professional Adult Male Freestyle
Along with these NFAA Championships add 8 additional Senior Male Freestyle Outdoor and 7 Senior Male Freestyle Indoor titles for a total of 22 NFAA Championships.
1982 Tropicana (Vegas) Pro Champion
1985 L-K Open, PAA Champion
1986 PAA National Champion
Fresno Safari Champion
Lake of the Woods Champion
10,000 Lakes Champion (twice)
Big Sky Open Champion (twice)
Five time Easton points Champion in the pro division
39 Sectional wins as a pro and 17 as a senior
43 State wins as a pro and 18 as a senior Rosie Pridgen:
1984 World Champion (Sweden)
1986 World Champion (Scotland) 1987 NFAA Outdoor Champion, Adult Female Freestyle
1992 NFAA Outdoor Champion, Adult Female Freestyle
1997 NFAA Outdoor Champion, Adult Female Freestyle
1990 NFAA Indoor Champion, Adult Female Freestyle
1994 NFAA Indoor Champion, Adult Female Freestyle
Along with these Adult division championships, Rosie also won 7 NFAA Outdoor and 2 NFAA Indoor Championships as a senior.
Rosie has a total of 2 World, 14 National, 46 Sectional, and 60 State Championships, along with and Atlantic City Classic title. Archery has been a passion for most of Dean and Rosie’s lives. The couple have traveled around the world and met many great people and made many friends, as a result of the sport of archery  |
Hall of Fame Members