Leonard Wood [Basketball '17]

Leonard Wood enjoyed playing basketball. His career began at Sallisaw High School, where he was a three-year NOAA Conference Champion, a two-time state qualifier, and a state tournament finalist.

After graduation, he accepted a full scholarship to play basketball with Connors State College. During his freshman year, the Connors team placed second, by one point, in the junior college regional in Amarillo, Texas; the team placed second in the Oklahoma Junior College Conference his sophomore year; and received the honors of All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-Region.

Wood spent his next two years at Northwestern State University in Alva completing his bachelor’s in education. There he was a two-year starter, and was an Honorable Mention All-Conference in Oklahoma Collegiate Conference. He received his master’s in education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, and his principal and superintendent certifications from the University of Tulsa.

Wood coached varsity basketball and baseball; while teaching social studies on the high school level for 11 years, and was a part of school administration for 32 years. During his years in education, Wood was selected as the Oklahoma District Five Superintendent of the Year and was also involved in numerous professional and civic organizations. He retired in 2000.

Wood now serves as Legislative Chair of Tulsa Metropolitan Area Retired Educators Association and also is involved as a board member Connors State College and Friends Association.

Wood and his wife, Joyce, have a son and a daughter, who is married with two children. In his spare time, Wood and his wife operate a Charolais cattle ranch.