Patty Gasso was supposed to be the center of attention on Saturday evening at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association in Orlando, Florida. The University of Oklahoma softball coach was supposed to be inducted into the association's Hall of Fame -- a huge honor for a coach who helped the Sooner win a national championship in 2000 and had compiled an impressive 871—279—2 during 18 seasons at the school.
This was Gasso's night to be honored for her tireless dedication to the sport. But instead of making the trip to be honored by her peers, the coach decided to pass on the ceremony and attend her son's 6A state championship football instead.
As the Oklahoman reported, Gasso was hoping the game between Norman North (Oklahoma) High, her son's school, and Jenks (Oklahoma) High would be played on a Saturday, allowing her to make the Friday ceremony and fly back in time for the game. But when the game was confirmed for Friday, Gasso knew she had to skip the hall induction for her son's final high school football game.
"I wish she could be at both and I wish I could be there for both," DJ Gasso told the Oklahoman. "If she's there, it'd be even better."
Gasso was there, front and center on Friday night for the game between the two Oklahoma powerhouses. Jenks prevailed in the championship game, 55-20, over Norman North in front of an estimated 15,000 fans at Boone Pickens Stadium.
The outcome wasn't what the Gasso family had hoped for, but considering it was her son's last football game, you can be sure Patty Gasso wouldn't have traded the chance to see her son play for anything in the world -- even a Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Want more on the best stories in high school sports? Visit RivalsHigh or connect with Prep Rally on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.