Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College: A History of Education and Athletics
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) stands as a public community college in Miami, Oklahoma, with a rich history rooted in the region's mining industry. From its establishment as the Miami School of Mines in 1919 to its present-day status, NEO has evolved to meet the changing educational and athletic needs of its students and community.
Origins as the Miami School of Mines
The story of NEO begins with the economic significance of the Tri-State Lead and Zinc District, encompassing northeastern Oklahoma, southwestern Missouri, and southeastern Kansas. Recognizing the importance of mining in the region, Governor James B. A. Robertson signed Senate Bill Number 225 in 1919, thereby establishing the Miami School of Mines.
Initially, classes were held in the Mining and Exchange Building in Miami for a year. Subsequently, the institution relocated to its current location on forty acres of land donated by Miami citizens. A special Board of Regents governed the Miami School of Mines, organizing it to offer college courses primarily of a scientific nature.
Transition to Northeastern Oklahoma Junior College
In 1924, a legislative session changed the name to Northeastern Oklahoma Junior College, and general collegiate courses were added to the curriculum. This marked a significant shift in the institution's focus, broadening its academic offerings beyond the realm of mining and science. The special board continued to govern the college until 1939 when Northeastern Oklahoma Junior College and the six teachers' colleges were placed under the Board of Regents for Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. To accommodate agricultural and mechanical courses, Northeastern Oklahoma Junior College purchased two hundred acres of farmland and constructed shop buildings.
A Modern Community College
Today, NEO boasts an enrollment of approximately two thousand students. The college self-identifies athletically as "NEO," and its mascot is the Golden Norsemen for men's sports and Lady Norse for women's sports. The statue of Odin, designed by alumnus Nick Calcagno, stands in front of the Bruce G. Carter Student Union.
Read also: Oklahoma Baptist Football: A Look Back
Athletic Programs
NEO offers a variety of men's and women's sports programs. Men's sports include baseball, football, basketball, soccer, and wrestling. Women's sports include basketball, softball, soccer, and volleyball.
Notable Alumni
NEO has produced a number of notable athletes who have gone on to achieve success in professional sports, including:
- Remi Ayodele (American football player)
- Matt Blair (American football player)
- Mike Butcher (baseball player)
- Marion Butts (American football player)
- Scott Case (American football player)
- Charlie Clemons (American football player)
- Ernest Givins (American football player)
- Tony Hutson (American football player)
- Ramón Laureano (baseball player)
- Ken Lunday (American football player)
- Juqua Parker (American football player)
- Tony Peters (American football player)
- Shockey (American football player)
- Chuck Smith (American football player)
- Lamar Smith (American football player)
- Sternberger (American football player)
- Darwin Thompson (American football player)
- Greg Tremble (American football player)
- James Wilder (American football player)
- James Wilder Sr. (American football player)
Resources
Researchers and those interested in learning more about NEO can consult the following resources:
- Frank A. Balyeat, "Junior Colleges in Oklahoma," The Chronicles of Oklahoma 26 (Spring 1948).
- Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City), 19 March 1924.
- "Education, Higher, Oklahoma-Miami," Vertical File, Research Division, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma City.
- Miami Centennial Committee, Reflections: Miami, Oklahoma, 1891-1991 (Miami, Okla.: Miami Chamber of Commerce, 1991).
- Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society.
Read also: Legacy of Opportunity at OPSU
Read also: Affording OU: A Guide
tags: #neo #university #oklahoma #history #programs
