The Tulsa Golden Hurricane represents the University of Tulsa and has built a proud legacy in NCAA sports. Known for its resilience and competitive spirit, the program has excelled in both Golden Hurricane football and Tulsa Golden Hurricane basketball. With multiple championships and standout athletes, the university continues to shape a strong tradition that inspires students and fans alike.
College Sports Established
1907
Location
Tulsa, Oklahoma
College Name
University of Tulsa
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
1907 - 1921 / Athletic Association of the United States
Conference History
2014 - Present / American Athletic Conference
2005 - 2014 / Conference USA
1996 - 2004 / Western Athletic Conference
1935 - 1996 / Missouri Valley Conference
1907 - 1935 - Independent
Nickname
Golden Hurricane - The Tulsa Golden Hurricane is one of the most well-known nicknames in college sports. But where did it come from? The answer lies in the history of Tulsa University and its athletic program.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Origin
Tulsa University was founded in 1894 and began playing football shortly after that, becoming a charter member of the Missouri Valley Conference (now known as The American Athletic Conference). In 1922, they changed their name to “Golden Tornadoes” after a local newspaper ran an article describing their team's power on the field. This nickname stuck until 1934 when new head coach Howard Archer suggested changing it to “Golden Hurricanes” due to Oklahoma's location near Tornado Alley and because he felt tornadoes were too destructive for his players' safety.
Since then, "Hurricanes" has been used by both athletes and fans alike with great pride! It symbolizes strength and serves as a reminder that no matter what storms come our way, we can always overcome them together if we remain united under one banner - just like our beloved Golden Hurricane mascot!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1976
- 1984
- 2013
- 2019
- 2020
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Congressman Steve Largent from Tulsa
Steve Largent was another talented Tulsa receiver who graduated to a long NFL career (1976–1989 Seattle), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame because of numerous enduring records as a receiver, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1994–2002, and then ran as one of the two major candidates for Governor of Oklahoma in 2002. -
men’s basketball team Wins NIT Championship
In 1984: The men’s basketball team reaches the NIT for the second time since 1976, winning the championship over Kentucky. -
football team wins its third CUSA championship
In 2013: The football team wins its third CUSA championship and plays in the Liberty Bowl again, defeating Iowa State. -
Zaven Collins – AAC Defensive Player of the Year
In 2019: Zaven Collins is born in Hominy, Oklahoma. He would go on to become one of the best linebackers in Tulsa history, winning several awards including AAC Defensive Player of the Year, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award in 2020. He was also a consensus All-American and a finalist for the Butkus Award. He was drafted by the ... -
The football team reaches its first AAC championship game
In 2020: The football team reaches its first AAC championship game, losing to Cincinnati. They also play in the Armed Forces Bowl, losing to Mississippi State.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane History
The Tulsa Golden Hurricane has a proud and storied history in NCAA athletics. Since its start in 1895, the program has built a strong tradition across multiple sports, particularly in its long-standing rivalry with the Tulane Green Wave. Over the decades, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane has earned respect nationally as a competitive force in both Golden Hurricane football and Tulsa Golden Hurricane basketball.
In the early days, Tulsa was one of the first schools outside the Ivy League to play intercollegiate football. The Golden Hurricane football program quickly rose to prominence with its first undefeated season just five years after its inception. During this period, Tulsa secured three conference championships, establishing itself as one of the most recognized programs in the region.
By 1960, the Golden Hurricane football team had joined Division I-A (now FBS), where it continued to excel on the national stage. Tulsa has since won multiple Conference USA titles, including back-to-back championships in 2005 and 2006 under head coach Steve Kragthorpe. Under current coach Philip Montgomery, the Golden Hurricane football program has made six bowl appearances since 2015, with several notable victories and high-profile matchups, a remarkable feat for a school outside the Power Five conferences.
Beyond football, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane basketball program has enjoyed its own historic success. Tulsa’s men’s basketball team captured two National Invitation Tournament (NIT) titles in 1981 and 2001, and reached the NCAA Elite Eight in 2000. Under coach Frank Haith, the team earned multiple American Athletic Conference tournament bids and consistent national rankings between 2016 and 2019. The women’s basketball program has also grown, producing standout athletes and competing at high levels in the AAC.
Golden Hurricane Achievements
Tulsa’s athletic excellence goes beyond the two flagship sports. The university boasts All-Americans and national champions across track and field, golf, soccer, and softball. The school has also secured numerous conference championships in these sports, making the Tulsa Golden Hurricane one of the most versatile athletic programs in the American Athletic Conference.
Today, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane continues to build on its legacy. With a rich history in Golden Hurricane football and the growing tradition of Tulsa Golden Hurricane basketball, the university remains a consistent contender at the conference and national levels. Strong recruiting, dedicated coaching, and passionate fans ensure that Tulsa’s place in NCAA athletics will remain influential for generations to come.
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