Oklahoma City University Athletics

2022 Sports Spectacular to Honor Denney Crabaugh

Joining a collection of legendary past winners, Denney Crabaugh has been named recipient of the 2022 Abe Lemons/Paul Hansen Award for Athletic Excellence. The award is presented each year at the annual OCU Athletics Sports Spectacular, and honors individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth of sports in Oklahoma.

This year's event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 19th, at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The event reception begins at 6 p.m. with dinner and program at 7 p.m. A silent and live auction will accompany the event. An eight-person table can be purchased for $1,000 and sponsorship opportunities are available with contributions of $1,500 and $2,500. Registration can be made at www.okcu.edu/sports-spectacular.

Crabaugh, who passed away in July, led the OCU baseball program for 34 years, making it the winningest program in the nation since 1991. In all, Crabaugh amassed 1,601 wins while taking his teams to 14 NAIA World Series, including the 2005 national championship. His influence in the baseball community can be seen coast-to-coast, and especially throughout the state of Oklahoma where thousands of players have learned, practiced or competed under his tutelage. 

The Sports Spectacular, and its silent and live auctions, serves as the largest fund raising event for OCU Athletics. If you have interest in sponsorship opportunities or donating an item for the auction, please contact Chris Maxon, Associate Athletic Director for External Relations, at 405-208-5431 or camaxon@okcu.ed​u.