Bio

A standout in football, basketball, and track while playing at Arkansas City Junior College from 1947-49, Doyle Gilstrap will be inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame on February 7.

Gilstrap won two letters in each of the three sports he played for the Tigers, and was captain of the football and track teams as a sophomore. He capped his sophomore year by winning the junior college championship in the 220-yard low hurdles. The Tiger football team went 5-5 in 1947 and 5-4 in 1948. Gilstrap also helped the Tiger basketball team to a record of 13-11 in 1947 and 16-8 in 1948.

Gilstrap almost didn't end up at ACJC as he was offered a scholarship to play football at Wichita State University. However, Gilstrap wasn't real comfortable with the city or the school, so he returned home to attend college in Arkansas City.

"That was almost 55 years ago, and I have never once regretted my decision," Gilstrap said. "The college had some excellent teachers, and the whole experience was very rewarding. I got my feet on the ground at juco, not only in athletics, but also in the classroom."

After his two years at ACJC, Gilstrap went on to attend Kansas State University. He was set to play football for the Wildcats, but suffered a broken neck in a trampoline accident that ended his playing days.

Upon graduation from Kansas State, Gilstrap worked for Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Okla., for 36 years. He also stayed involved with athletics by refereeing football and basketball games for 45 years. He refereed junior college games, including some Cowley contests, along with small college’s and finally the Missouri Valley Conference.

After retiring from officiating, Gilstrap was inducted into the Oklahoma Officials Hall of Fame.

"If it hadn't been for my participating in sports at (Arkansas City) juco, I might never had officiated both basketball and football for 45 years," Gilstrap said.

Gilstrap was happy to see all four of his sons attend a community college prior to going to a four-year school.

"The teachers at Cowley were better than or as good as any I had at K-State," Gilstrap said.

Now residing in Bartlesville, Gilstrap is eager to make it back to the school for the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame induction on February 7.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Gilstrap said. "I'm extremely happy I made the decision to come to Cowley. It got me ready to go to Kansas State, because I learned how to study. And, participating in three sports was a lot of fun."