Patty Gasso, the head coach for Oklahoma’s women’s softball team, believes there’s a transformative “revolution” occurring in sports fueled by faith in Christianity, which offers players a profound sense of peace that alters how they compete.
Under her leadership, the Sooners have achieved remarkable success, including eight championships at the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) and 18 appearances overall. It’s quite common for her players to express their gratitude to Jesus during post-game interviews. Grace Lyons, a former captain, even stated in 2023, “The only joy you can have comes from the Lord.”
Gasso received an award for her faith at the recent Sports Impact Awards during the K-Love Fan Awards. “There’s a revolution happening,” she remarked, referencing the increasing number of athletes across various sports who find solace in their faith and aren’t shy to talk about it.
She shared her observations at a press conference, saying, “I sense it—lives are transforming, anxiety is fading. They understand that the conclusion is already written, so if that’s the case, why worry?” Gasso emphasized that faith serves as a remedy for anxiety.
“I aim to guide them in a way that makes the game enjoyable because, if you’re not playing freely, it just isn’t fun,” she added.
Although Gasso is approaching her 31st year with Oklahoma, she admits she wasn’t always open about her faith. After experiencing a tough loss in the WCWC Championship, her husband encouraged her to thank God regardless of the outcome.
When she addressed the media after that championship loss, she made a commitment to glorify God, which was a pivotal moment for her. “I remember saying, ‘Whether we win or lose, we will always glorify God,’ and that was life-changing for me,” she recalled.
Initially, the media was uninterested in her faith-driven comments, focusing instead on the game itself. However, that experience empowered her to speak more openly about her beliefs.
When asked about her legacy on the field, she expressed a desire for her players to be courageous and bold in sharing their beliefs and drawing others in.
She stated that without faith, the stress of modern sports can be overwhelming, pointing out how many athletes struggle to find their identity in their performance.
“What I focus on is helping them recognize they are more than just athletes,” she concluded.
