OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 26, 2016) – Friday was Dan Hays Day during Oklahoma Christian's daily chapel service. On Saturday, all of Oklahoma will officially celebrate the university's men's basketball coaching legend.

During the service, State Rep. Mike Sanders of Kingfisher – an OC graduate and a former radio voice of the Eagles and Lady Eagles – presented Hays with a Governor's Commendation, issued by Gov. Mary Fallin, as well as an Oklahoma flag that was flown atop the state Capitol in honor of Hays.

Sanders also announced the Oklahoma House of Representatives had approved a resolution declaring Saturday to be "Dan Hays Day" in the state, in recognition of Hays' final regular-season game as a head coach, against Texas-Permian Basin at 3 p.m. in the Eagles' Nest. Hays will be honored by the university again following the game.

The House resolution was sponsored by Sanders and Rep. Randy Grau of Edmond, who represents the district in which OC is located.

Hays, in his 33rd season at OC and 38th as a collegiate head coach, ranks 42nd all-time in career coaching wins with 724 entering Saturday's game and has recorded more wins at an Oklahoma college than any other coach. The Governor's Commendation issued by Fallin read, in part, "Your work has been a reflection of your extraordinary dedication."

During his remarks, Sanders thanked Hays, saying, "You did it the right way, and I can't say that for a lot of folks in your profession."

Introduced by OC President John deSteiguer as "our coach," Hays took the stage in Hardeman Auditorium to a standing ovation as his favorite song, "My Girl" by the Temptations, played over the sound system.

"Everywhere I go, everyone I talk to who knows anything about basketball, they know Dan Hays," deSteiguer said. "They know Dan Hays not just because of his wins and his success on the court. They know Dan Hays as a disciple of Christ. There is no higher calling and no higher praise than that."

Hays thanked former OC Athletic Director Max Dobson and then-OC Executive Vice President Stafford North for hiring him in 1983. He also noted it was ironic that his first game as a college coach in Oklahoma, as an assistant at Southeastern Oklahoma State, in 1975, was against OC in the Eagles' Nest, the same site as his final game as a head coach will be played.

"It's been great," Hays said. "It's been wonderful. All I can say is thanks. It's been a great ride and I'll always be an Eagle."

Video from today's chapel service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2SAsyWrqQY&feature=youtu.be