On October 20, 2021, the University of Central Oklahoma announced that it would change the name of its famous football stadium to Chad Richison Stadium.
Chad Richison is an alumnus of the university who graduated in 1993. Richison wrestled at the university and is the founder and CEO of Paycom. He donated $10 million to renovate and expand the stadium. The renovation was completed in 2022.
The project included extensive landscaping with new boulders, a towering waterfall feature, and trees. The east side of the stadium was added with new stands, which increased the capacity to 12,000.
On Sept. 18, 1965, the UCO Bronchos played the first game in the stadium and shut out College of Ozarks (Ark.) 31-0. The school has had nine undefeated home seasons. As of 2021, the Bronchos had a home stadium record of 176-103-5.
Stadium Records
Team Records
Most Points, One Team
- 82
- Date: Nov. 9, 2019
- Central Oklahoma (def. Northeastern State 82-14)
Most Points, Combined
- 111
- Date: Oct. 16, 2010
- 56, Southeastern Oklahoma to 55, Central Oklahoma
Biggest Winning Margin
- 68
- Date: Nov. 9, 2019
- 82, Central Oklahoma to 14, Northeastern State
Most First Downs
- 35
- Date: 2013
- Pittsburg State
Rushing Yards
- 471
- Date: Nov. 11, 1980
- East Central
Passing Yards
- 522
- Date: 2013
- Emporia State
Total Yards
- 699 (522 pass, 177 rush)
- Date: 2013
- Emporia State
Rushing Attempts
- 77
- Date: Sept. 28, 1974
- East Central
Pass Attempts
- 68
- Date: Oct. 16, 1999
- Harding
Pass Completions
- 42
- Date: October 16, 1999
- Harding
Most Fumbles
- 10
- Date: Oct. 21, 1972
- Central Oklahoma vs. Eastern New Mexico
Most Penalties
- 19
- Date: Sept. 8, 1979
- Central Oklahoma vs. Evangel College
Most Penalty Yards
- 173
- Date: Sept. 6, 2008
- West Texas A&M
Individual
Rushing Yards
- 312 (26 carries)
- Date: Sept. 24, 1994
- Joe Aska vs. Langston
Rushing Attempts
- 45 (241 yards)
- Date: Oct. 1, 1994
- Joe Aska vs. Texas A&M-Commerce.
Rushing Touchdowns
- 4 by six players
- Most recent: Nov. 2, 2019
- Chandler Garrett, Central Oklahoma vs. Missouri Southern
Longest Rushing Touchdown
- 89
- Date: Sept. 19, 1981
- Lawrence Texada, Henderson State
Passing Yards
- 522
- Date: Sept. 21, 2013
- Brent Wilson, Emporia State
Pass Completions
- 42
- Date: Oct. 16, 1999
- Luke Cullins, Harding
Passing Touchdowns
- 7
- Sept. 21, 2013
- Brent Wilson, Emporia State.
Receiving Yards
- 246
- Date: Oct. 26, 2002
- Dee Dee Carter, Central Oklahoma vs. Bacone
Most Receptions
- 16
- Date: Sept. 21, 2013
- Ray Ray Davis, Emporia State
Touchdown Receptions
- 5
- Date: Sept. 21, 2013
- Ray Ray Davis, Emporia State
Longest Touchdown Pass
- 95
- Date: Oct. 14, 1995, and Nov. 9, 1996
- Karl Williams from Oktai Basci, Texas A&M-Kingsville, and Colin Yocom from Chad Cole, Tarleton State, respectively.
Longest Field Goal
- 51 yards
- Date: Oct. 5, 1996
- Ronnie Gulikers, Central Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M-Commerce
Most Field Goals
- 5
- Date: Sept. 25, 2004
- A.J. Haglund vs. Tarleton State
Longest Punt Return for TD
- 91
- Date: Oct. 24, 1987
- Pinkey Hurley, Central Oklahoma vs. Eastern New Mexico
Longest Kickoff Return for TD
- 100
- Date: Sept. 5, 2019
- Lorenzo West, Pittsburg State
Most Interceptions
- 3, by three players
- Most recent: Oct. 1, 1994
- Elton Rhoades, Central Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M-Commerce
Most Tackles
- 25
- Date: Sept. 28, 1974, and Sept. 25, 1976
- Dale Alexander, Central Oklahoma vs. East Central, and Jim Stone, Central Oklahoma vs. East Central, respectively
Image Credit: Photo by Blocks Fletcher on Unsplash