The OU Field House

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025

1. The OU Field House Marker (missing)

Inscription.

The OU Field House. . Construction of the OU Field House was completed in 1928. It was originally designed as a Physical Education building. At that time, all OU students were required to take a physical education course before graduating. From the time of its completion, it has served the university in numerous capacities and it remains an important part of the University of Oklahoma’s athletic program. Over the years, the OU Field House has been home to both men’s and women’s basketball, swimming, volleyball, and wrestling., From 1928 until 1974, the OU Field House served as home court for the University’s basketball squads. After OU basketball moved to The Lloyd Noble Center in 1974, the Field House has been the home of men’s wrestling and women’s volleyball., In 1998, President David Boren initiated the Field House Renovation and Addition project. The renovations provided state-of-the-art wrestling and volleyball facilities. In addition, the wrestling portion of the Field House was renamed in honor of Port Robertson, a former Sooner wrestling coach and a mentor to countless student athletes in all sports., Port Robertson’s record of service and success made him the ideal namesake for the Sooner wrestling facilities. Before his coaching career at the University of Oklahoma, Robertson earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star as an infantryman during the invasion of Normandy in 1944. Then from 1947 to 1959 he worked as the head coach of the OU wrestling program, where he joined football coaches Bud Wilkinson and Barry Switzer as one of only three Sooner coaches to win national titles at the University of Oklahoma. In 1960, Roberson coached the United States wrestling squad to three gold medals during the Olympic Games in Rome and was inducted into the Helms Coaching Hall of Fame. Robertson also received OU’s Distinguished Service Award, and in 1977 he became a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 1985, he was presented with the Athletics Council Award of Merit, the highest honor given by the council.

Construction of the OU Field House was completed in 1928. It was originally designed as a Physical Education building. At that time, all OU students were required to take a physical education course before graduating. From the time of its completion, it has served the university in numerous capacities and it remains an important part of the University of Oklahoma’s athletic program. Over the years, the OU Field House has been home to both men’s and women’s basketball, swimming, volleyball, and wrestling.

From 1928 until 1974, the OU Field House served as home court for the University’s basketball squads. After OU basketball moved to The Lloyd Noble Center in 1974, the Field House has been the home of men’s wrestling and women’s volleyball.

In 1998, President David Boren initiated the Field House Renovation and Addition project. The renovations provided state-of-the-art wrestling and volleyball facilities. In addition, the wrestling portion of the Field House was renamed in honor of Port Robertson, a former Sooner wrestling coach and a mentor to countless student athletes in all sports.

Port Robertson’s record of service and success made him the ideal namesake for the Sooner wrestling facilities. Before his coaching career at the University of Oklahoma, Robertson earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star

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as an infantryman during the invasion of Normandy in 1944. Then from 1947 to 1959 he worked as the head coach of the OU wrestling program, where he joined football coaches Bud Wilkinson and Barry Switzer as one of only three Sooner coaches to win national titles at the University of Oklahoma. In 1960, Roberson coached the United States wrestling squad to three gold medals during the Olympic Games in Rome and was inducted into the Helms Coaching Hall of Fame. Robertson also received OU’s Distinguished Service Award, and in 1977 he became a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 1985, he was presented with the Athletics Council Award of Merit, the highest honor given by the council.

Erected by the University of Oklahoma.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Sports. In addition, it is included in the University of Oklahoma series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 35° 12.455′ N, 97° 26.55′ W. Marker was in Norman, Oklahoma, in Cleveland County. It was on West Brooks Street west of Jenkins Avenue, on the right when traveling west. This portion of Brooks Street is usually closed to vehicles. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 151 W Brooks St, Norman OK 73019, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025

2. The OU Field House Marker (missing)

Regionally, this marker was in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country

and in Greater Oklahoma City.

It was also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (within shouting distance of this marker); The Roy T. Oliver Walk and Gardens (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Roy T. Oliver Walk and Gardens (about 300 feet away); Lissa and Cy Wagner Student Academic Services Center (about 300 feet away); Michael F. Price Hall (about 400 feet away); Schusterman Park (about 400 feet away); Brooks Street (about 500 feet away); The Armory (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norman.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 113 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 3, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Closeup photos of each side of marker and wide-view photo of marker in its surroundings prior to going missing or after possible replacement. • Can you help?