Known as the “Greybull Rifle”, Wilkinson started at quarterback for three years and led the Cowboys in passing and total offense all three years. He established new highs for season and career passing yards, completions, and touchdowns. A team captain in 1965, he led the Pokes to a national ranking as high as 12th in the nation at one point. He earned all-Western Athletic Conference honors each year, while leading the Cowboys to an 18-10-2 record during his career. He also played shortstop and pitched for the Cowboy baseball team, lettering three years. After his time at Wyoming, he enjoyed a long career in the Canadian Football League and was inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame in 1987.

Schenbeck was a hard-hitting linebacker and three-year starter for the Cowboy Football team. He earned All-Western Athletic Conference honors and honorable mention All America honors in 1988. A popular teammate on and off the field, Schenbeck was a defensive leader on two Western Athletic Conference championship teams (1987-88) and played in two bowl games. Blessed with outstanding speed, he had a knack for the big play and a nose for the football. As a junior, Schenbeck was credited with 106 tackles, one interception, five pass breakups, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. His senior year, he recorded 83 tackles, one interception, 12 pass breakups, two sacks, three tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries.

A seven-time All-American, Mannon competed in the weight throw, the shot put, the hammer throw, and the discus on both the Cowboys’ Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field teams. In 1998, Mannon was the first athlete from Wyoming to earn All-America honors in the discus. He was also a two-time Western Athletic Conference champion in the shot put and weight throw as well as the 1999 discus champion. His marks still rank among the Cowboys’ top five all-time in weight throw, discus, shot put, and hammer throw. In 1999, Mannon established an American collegiate record in the weight throw which stood for five years.

Hallock was hired as the Athletics Publicity Director in 1949 and became the first to hold the title of Sports Information Director in 1954. A pioneer and innovator in his field, he was elected the first president of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), and served on numerous Boards of Directors, including the American College Public Relations Association, Football Writers of America, U.S. Basketball Writers, and the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame. He also coached Track & Field at Wyoming from 1950-1957, andcoachedseven Mountain States Conference Champions. After leaving Wyoming, he went on to become the Sports Information Director at the University of California-Berkeley, the Director of Public Relations for the NCAA, the Commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference, and the Commissioner of the PAC-8 Conference. He was a member of the first UW Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

A native of Chicago, Ill., Ewing was the first player in Wyoming basketball history to earn All-Mountain West Conference honors four straight years. He led the conference in scoring three times (2007-2009) and became the first Cowboy to score 1000 points before the end of his sophomore year. He scored more points than any other Cowboy except for fellow Hall of FamerFennisDembo. A popular and dynamic player, he is Wyoming’s all-time leader in free throws made, second in three-point field goals made, second in assists, and third in steals. He was named First Team All-District VIII by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association in 2008. As a freshman in 2006, he led the Cowboys on an improbable run to the Mountain West Tournament Championship game before losing in overtime to San Diego State.

Bringing new meaning to the words “dedicated volunteer”, Dreher has helped at UW athletics events for almost 50 years. Beginning in the early 1970s, Dreher has been a fixture in the football press box and courtside at various events.He has worked as a statistician for all but two home football games since 1975 and continues in that role today.Dreher never missed a home men’s basketball game between 1975 and 1996, even while driving to each game from Powell, Wyo., for four years during that span. He has worked more than 750 men’s basketball games over the years. He also served as the public address announcer for the Cowgirl basketball team from its inaugural season in 1973 through 1986, and was a member of the stat crew from 1996 through 2015. Over the years, he has also volunteered in many other ways and has been there when neededfor UW Athletics.

An accomplished two-sport athlete, Cogdill was a long snapper and offensive lineman for the Cowboy Football team and wrestled at heavyweight for the Cowboy Wrestling team. As a wrestler, Cogdill was a three-time Western Athletic Conference champion, qualified three times for the NCAA Championships and was voted Outstanding WAC wrestler in 1990. He had a career record of 82-29-4 and was a member of three WAC champion teams. A native of Kemmerer, Wyo., he also lettered three years in football, was an important part of two undefeated WAC championship teams (1987-88) and played in two bowl games.

Possibly the most over-achieving team in Cowboy basketball history, the Pokes were in the 7th strongest of 18 conferences in the country. Two Western Athletic Conference teams were nationally ranked, and each of them had a future NBA first-round draft pick. Moreover, the Cowboys were relatively short on experience and size. The outlook wasn’t promising. It was going to be a “rebuilding year.”

Despite early impressive wins vs. non-conference teams Nebraska, New Mexico State, and Texas Tech, and a WAC-opening victory vs. #3 New Mexico, the Cowboys were only 6-10 by the end of January and 1-2 in the WAC.

Then two players left the team, including the Pokes’ leading rebounder and 2nd leading scorer.

Enter the “Shuffle.” In an emergency effort to salvage the season and maximize their chances of winning, Coach Bill Strannigan adapted the offense to fit the talents of the remaining players. The “Strannigan Shuffle,” as it came to be known, was a brilliant scheme and an instant success against taller teams. Emphasizing a slow-down, ball-control style, with four of five players cutting and moving, the Shuffle drove defenses crazy. With no shot clock, the shorter but quicker Wyoming players leveled the playing field. They were hard to guard and their patience resulted in open shots and layups.

The Cowboys surged to finish the regular season on an 8-2 run and 7-0 in the WAC. This forced a playoff game with co-champion Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City for a ticket to the postseason. The Cowboys won the game and became Wyoming’s only entry in the NCAA tournament between 1958 and 1981. It was a miracle finish no one had foreseen.

Wyoming received multiple WAC postseason honors. Strannigan was Coach of the Year. Players cited were Mike Eberle (1st team), Harry Hall (2nd team), and Tom Asbury (honorable mention).

Even though the Cowboys didn’t advance in the Tournament – losing to #1 UCLA and in a squeaker to #10 UTEP – their modest 15-14 season belies a historic comeback which serves as an inspiration to other teams when facing adversity. The willingness to change their whole approach to offense in midstream along with the right leadership and team commitment achieved the ultimate victory.

Front row, left to right: Gary Poush, Gary Von Krosigk, Tom Asbury (team captain), Ken Johnson and Ken Collins.
Second row, left to right: Ed Pollard, Ev Martindale, Mike Eberle, Cliff Nelson, and J. R. Craig.
Third row, left to right: Assistant Coach Bill Purden, Terry Delp, Harry Hall, Bob Wilson, and Head Coach Bill Strannigan.

An All-Skyline Conference quarterback during 1956 and 1957, Zowada was initially pressed into action in the 1956 Sun Bowl after starting quarterback Joe Mastrogiovanni suffered a knee injury in the last regular season game. In his debut, Zowada completed six of ten passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns as Wyoming defeated Texas Tech, 21-14. In his first season as a starter in 1956, Zowada led the nation in yards per completion while leading the Cowboys to a perfect 10-0 record. That year he completed 41 of 96 passes for 878 yards and seven touchdowns. During the 1957 season, Zowada completed 63 of 123 passes for 862 yards and three touchdowns. A versatile athlete, he also served as the team’s punter.

A terrific all-around player, Stapp scored 1,278 points during her Cowgirl career. As a freshman, she made an immediate impact and was named to the Western Athletic Conference All-Newcomer Team. A two-time all-Western Athletic Conference honoree, Stapp also earned Academic All-Conference and WAC Scholar Athlete honors. During her senior season, Stapp led the team in scoring at 17.6 points per game, assists, three-point shooting, minutes played and field goals.