Prentice Gautt

Prentice Gautt was an outstanding University of Oklahoma running back who conquered the wall of segregation to become a two-time All-Big Eight and Academic All-American.

During the 1950's, times were dramatically changing in college programs around the country with breaking integration barriers and the recruiting of black athletes. In 1956, OU coach Bud Wilkinson chose Gautt to lead the way for Oklahoma.

Gautt was an All-State running back from Douglass High School and played in Oklahoma's first integrated football game his senior year, when Douglass matched against Capitol Hill. Gautt's first two years at OU were tough. Lack of exposure, prejudice and jealousy were factors that Gautt would later overcome and earn respect from his teammates.

In the 1959 Miami Classic, he set an Orange Bowl record for the highest rushing average of 15.7 yards per carry which led to his 1985 induction into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame. In 1960, Gautt was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and then moved to St. Louis in '61 and played until his retirement in 1967. In his 88 professional career games, he compiled 2,466 total rushing yards, had 79 receptions for 901 total yards and 17 touchdowns.

Now Gautt is a Big Twelve Associate Commissioner and has been with the conference since 1979. He was the NCAA's secretary/treasurer in 1994 and has served on various NCAA committees.

In March 1999, he was honored by OU with the renaming of the athletic academic center to "The Prentice Gautt Academic Center."

Gautt was born in Oklahoma City on February 8, 1938.