The time has come to say goodbye to the Jim Norick arena at the fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. It has been tabbed the “Big House” by Oklahoma’s basketball teams and coaches competing for the state’s final tournament in High School competition to be crowned State Champion in every OSSAA Class. It has also been tabbed the Coliseum as well.

The arena was opened in 1965, and this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Jim Norick arena. The arena hosted Disney on Ice and the PRCA Xtreme Bulls tours during the State Fair. Also, there were many concerts, including Elvis Presley and other events as well as the high school basketball and wrestling state competitions.

The Coliseum was the largest indoor facility in Oklahoma City until the construction of the Myriad Convention Center. It has hosted 55 years of state basketball tournaments. After six decades, the building will give way to moving next door to the brand new OKC Coliseum.

“You know, it’s just a mystique to it,” Assistant Director of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, OSSAA, Brian Lester said. “I mean, I think because of so many memories and tradition with it.”

“Lifting that championship ball, that’s pretty special.”

Lester oversees small school basketball for the OSSAA. For him and a lot of others, this last year will be quite bittersweet.

“Every time I talk about it, it’s emotional,” Lester said.

Coaches from all over the state have shared their feelings on their experience of making it to the big house and competing there over the years. A few coaches from our Seminole County gave their memories of playing at the Big House.

Varnum Head Basketball Coach Jon Hadley: “As far back as I can remember, when I was a kid, my dad and mom would take our family, along with their closest friends along with their families, and we would all go watch the State Tournament games at the Big House,” stated Coach Jon Hadley.

“In those days, and especially for us, there wasn’t a lot of going out to eat and socializing that went on with it-- between sessions, I remember going out to our van and eating sandwiches they had packed from home. So, often times, we never even left the Big House parking lot. Growing up watching basically every State Tournament game there, I always dreamed of getting the opportunity to play there. Unfortunately, that never came to fruition.

When I became a Head Coach, at the age of 23, getting my team(s) to State so that my kids/players could have that experience that I had dreamed of as a kid, and getting to coach on that hallowed ground, became my new goal (as it is with every High School Coach). Thankfully, in 2005, in my second year as a Head Coach, we earned that opportunity.

Fast forward 20 years now, and I have been blessed with 12 trips to State as a coach, and many games in that “old barn,” as some call it. I have been beaten soundly in the Big House, I have lost some close heartbreakers there too but have also shared with The Whippet Nation great triumph and a feeling like none other, as we reached the pinnacle of High School basketball. I have seen, and thankfully been a part of, unbelievable plays and performances by my kids (players) that will provide them with a lifetime of memories and stories for later generations.

Furthermore, Over the years, my wife and kids have been right there with me through all of those experience, which adds to the memories of that special place.

I will, undoubtedly, miss the sights, sounds (and even smells) of The Big House. I am eager to see and experience the New Fairgrounds Arena (whatever it’ll be called later), but the nostalgia and memories (and a few films and video clips) from The Big House will be all I have left here pretty soon. I will, no doubt, miss that place when it’s gone.” – Coach Hadley.

Varnum has made several trips to the Big House and raised the Championship Ball a few times.

The Varnum Lady Whippets won the State Championship in 2019 over Hammon 39-36, State Runner-up in 2020 against Lomega and State Champion in 2009 over Cyril 56-36.

The Whippet boys won the State Championship in 2021 over Roff 61-56 OT.

Also, Wewoka Basketball Head Coach Deauntre Roberts: “Playing in the Big House was a dream come true for us in 2015 and 2016 when we first arrived, we were super excited. We remember watching the older generations playing in there and we wanted to be a part of that great Wewoka history.” Stated Coach Roberts.

“There’s nothing like playing in that big arena all eyes on you it’s almost like a numbing feel. You don’t feel how tired you are, you can’t hear the crowd you’re just locked in ready to hoop.” Coach Roberts was part of the Wewoka Championship team that won the State Championships.

The Wewoka Tigers (boys) have made several trips and brought back some Championship hardware in 2015 over Preston 57-55 for the State Championship and in 2016 over Preston 69-54, again for the State Championship.

The new arena will have many new amenities and upgrades. The OKC Fairgrounds new arena’s name was revealed: The OG&E Coliseum.

It will feature seating for more than 7,000 people, a lounge, suites, several upscale concession areas, an A/V suite, and a sophisticated catwalk system. It is being built south of Jim Norick Arena and extends beyond the current arena’s footprint.

Here are the final scores of the last State Championship games that were played Saturday the 15th at the Big House.

2025 Oklahoma State Basketball Champions Class B Girls

#2 Hammon 59 #6 Arnett 33

Class B Boys

#1 Calumet 56 #9 Wilson-Henryetta 43

Class A Girls #3 Cyril

47

#2 Caddo 34

Class A Boys

#1 Okarche 67 #4 Okay 54

Class 2A Girls

#5 OK Bible 65 #3 Hartshorne 61

Class 2A Boys

#1 Dale 60 #3 Pocola 20

Class 3A Girls #1 Washington 73 #3 Sequoyah 37

Class 3A Boys

#1 Millwood 60 #3 Cascia Hall 57

Class 4A Girls

#1 Lincoln Christ. 39 #2 Douglas 36

Class 4 Boys

#1 Weatherford 46 #3 Crossing Christ. 44

Class 5A Girls

El Reno 68 Booker T Wash. 52

Class 5A Boys

Booker T Wash 68 Lawton 44

Class 6A Girls

Putnam City North 65 Mustang 48

Class 6A Boys

Deer Creek (ED) 78 Union 69

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