Pete Evans [Football '14]
Gwaune Oren (Pete) Evans graduated from Catoosa High School in 1955, at the age of 16, where he was an All-Conference running back in football. He was offered a football scholarship by Murray State, but turned it down to accept one to Connors State College, where he played in 1955 and 1956.
Coached by Cecil Devine, he played linebacker and fullback his first season, only to break his leg the last practice and was in a cast for 14 weeks. His sophomore season he was once again playing fullback and linebacker.
Second semester his sophomore year he transferred to the University of Tulsa in order to work nights at a truck stop to help finish his education. However, with the help of Connors State Coach Tom Johnson, he secured a football scholarship to Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo.
However, when it was time to report he had a change of heart and enrolled at Northeastern State as a regular student. That led to a longtime teaching and coaching career in three states, Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
Evans’ first teaching contract, with the help of longtime friend and teammate Harold Cage, was at Chetopa, Kan. While at Chetopa he posted a 14-5 record in two seasons. He then posted a 28-6 record, 3 conference titles and an undefeated season while at Ensign and Spearville, Kan., over four seasons, while coaching basketball for six years, registering a 61-35 mark, which included 3 conference championships.
He returned to Connors State in 1965 as assistant football coach for Harold Cagle, teaching GPS and History. In 1967 he returned to high school teaching but got the call from CSC President Dr. Melvin Self to teach history and assist C.W. Lynch in basketball, while also serving as the Dean of Men.
Spring 1969 he made the career decision to remain in public school, taking a position at Warner High School, where he remained for 9 years, coaching basketball and football.
He served as high school counselor and was the elementary and middle school principal.
He then moved to Ketchum High School in 1978, coaching football and basketball, before moving to Chouteau in 1985 as head football coach and girls’ basketball coach.
During his 36 years as an educator and coach, he was 41-28 as head football coach, 321-150 as boys and girls head basketball coach and 255-134 on the junior high level for an overall record of 576-284. He won 14 conference titles, 13 district championships, 8 regional crowns, 1 area title and reached the state semifinals one time.
He also wrote a manual on 8-man football, while being named Oklahoma Coaches Association Region 3 Coach of the Year twice, and serving as its director one year.
Evans and his wife Vivian have been married 56 years, and reside in Tahlequah.