Twitter Reacts: Oklahoma athletic director announces plans for Patty Gasso statue

We are witnessing a living legend at the helm of Oklahoma Sooners softball. Patty Gasso just won her seventh national title, sixth in the last 10 years and third in a row in an historic season for the Sooners.

She was already the highest-paid coach in collegiate softball, helping not only build a dynasty in Norman but grow the sport of softball nationally. Now, the living legend will be immortalized.

Speaking at the Oklahoma Sooners national championship celebration, Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione shared the University of Oklahoma will build a statue for Gasso in 2024.

“And I get emails and social media posts and people stopping me. ‘When are we going to dedicate a statue for Patty Gasso?”‘ Castiglione said. “So, y’all, we do things, you try to keep it secret for a while, but you just won’t let us keep a secret. So tonight, I’m just breaking it out. We’re gonna have a statue for coach Gasso next year!”

“We have built a program for the ages on the rock that Patty Gasso brought to Oklahoma, so it’s only going to be fitting that we’re gonna have a statue for coach Gasso next year,” Castiglione said.

When she finally took to the podium, coach Gasso struggled to find the words. “I’m honored,” the legendary coach said as she choked back tears Saturday night during a celebration of the Sooners’ latest national title. “It’s the first time you guys can be silent. I haven’t heard you so silent.”

The Sooners plan to play their first home game of 2024 in the new Love’s Field, which could also be dubbed, “The House that Patty Built.” Presumably, when the Sooners move into their new digs, there will be an attraction outside honoring their living legend.

Bennie Owen, Bud Wilkinson, Barry Switzer and Bob Stoops helped create the legend that is Oklahoma Sooners football, Gasso is the architect of Oklahoma Sooners softball.

While she’d tell you it’s the players that are the foundation of the team, and that’s true, there’s been one constant at the head of the table for this program during its seven national titles and countless Big 12 championships. And that’s Gasso.

Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter.

OU has an advantage, but not the one people think

How big should the statue be?

The GOAT

The House that Patty Built is catching on

Is it big enough?

It's going to break the internet

The time is now

Patty at the Podium

Nobody deserves it more

No words

She deserves it

Coach of the Decade

Unbelievable Scene

A parade of champions

An incredible coach, and even better human

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Story originally appeared on Sooners Wire