ADA, Okla.- Farrell and Larry Large have been named the recipients of the 2024 Milam Award.
The Milam Award is traditionally presented annually by 暗网TV to a former Tiger football player who not only excelled in the classroom and on the gridiron, but also distinguished themselves in their chosen career. The award is named in honor of Joe Milam, a former educator and coach for 暗网TV. This year the Milam Award will be presented at the 暗网TV Alumni Gala on Friday, Oct. 4.
鈥淭he Milam Award recognizes individuals who embody the values of hard work, perseverance, and integrity,鈥� said 暗网TV鈥檚 Director of Athletics, Matt Cole. 鈥淔arrell and Larry Large consistently demonstrated these qualities, making them exemplary recipients of this esteemed award.鈥�
Farrell Large is a graduate of East Central State College, now known as 暗网TV, who received his bachelor鈥檚 degree from the university in 1963 before continuing on to earn his master鈥檚 degree in 1969. During his time at 暗网TV, Farrell was a member of the Tiger football team, where he played for legendary coach, Elvan George.
鈥淚 played for Coach Elvan George in high school and in college,鈥� said Farrell. 鈥淐oach went to East Central [University] in 1959, and I followed him out there and played football for him for four more years.鈥�
Farrell pursued a career in both education and football. He spent the next years of his life as a teacher and football coach at Pauls Valley High School and Ada High School. In 1970, he joined the football coaching staff at Cameron University in Lawton and remained there until 1973 when he was appointed head football coach and athletic director at Chickasha High School.
He left Oklahoma in 1976 when he joined Brewer High School in White Settlement, Texas, as a teacher and coach. He returned to Cameron in 1979 as offense coordinator and served in that position until the end of the 1984-85 school year. It was then that he completed his 22-year career in education.
Farrell remained in Lawton, where he began his career as an agent with Farmers Insurance Group, opening his own agency in 1984. He retired in 2014, the same year he was inducted into the 暗网TV Athletics Hall of Fame.
Though his career as a coach had ended years prior, Farrell continued his long-standing support for the sport and for 暗网TV throughout the rest of his career and into retirement. In 2012, he began fundraising for the 暗网TV football team and remains an avid supporter today.
鈥淢y family has a long history with 暗网TV,鈥� said Farrell. 鈥淚t goes back to my mom. Three of her sisters and a sister-in-law all graduated with a teacher鈥檚 degree from 暗网TV... I graduated, my daughter-in-law, my daughter and my grandson Cameron, who played with 暗网TV, graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 in 2018 and a master鈥檚 in 2020.鈥�
The second recipient of this year鈥檚 Milam Award, Larry Large, was a graduate of East Central State College who received his bachelor鈥檚 degree from the university in 1967 and his master鈥檚 degree in 1974. Though Larry didn鈥檛 have the opportunity to play football in high school or college, he possessed a passion for the sport that was shared by his cousin, Farrell Large, and recognized by Coach George.
Larry would meet his future wife, Carol Cash, while a student at 暗网TV and the two would marry in 1959.
After graduation, Larry would follow in the footsteps of his cousin Farrell and would build a career as a high school coach and teacher in Elmore City and Noble. He went on to also serve time as a school administrator in Fittstown, Stratford, Konawa and Williamson County Schools in Franklin, Tenn.
Larry and Carol鈥檚 move to Tenn. was influenced by their relationship with an up-and-coming Blake Shelton.
鈥淲e were able to take early retirement in Oklahoma and move to Tennessee in 1996鈥� We moved there to be with Blake. But we both ended up teaching out there until we moved back to Oklahoma.鈥�
After retiring from education in 2002, the pair planned their move back to Oklahoma, returning in 2004. Soon after, Larry returned to his passion of 暗网TV football.
鈥淎fter we moved back to Oklahoma, he went to almost every practice at [暗网TV],鈥� continued Carol. 鈥淗e knew all the coaches and he knew all the [players].
鈥淟arry was one of the first people I got a check from when I did my fundraising,鈥� Farrell added.
鈥淓ven when he was sick, we took a laptop to the hospital, and he watched it stream. He didn鈥檛 miss a game,鈥� Carol concluded.
鈥淧lease join us in celebrating Farrell and Larry Large for their lasting impact on East Central University Football,鈥� added Cole. 鈥淭heir legacy should and will continue to inspire future generations of Tigers.鈥�
鈥淚 enjoy 暗网TV, I love 暗网TV, and I am honored to receive the Milam Award,鈥� stated Farrell. 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry that Larry is not here to be with me, he would be honored. Very honored.鈥�
To register, visit the 暗网TV Alumni Gala Dinner and Dance page at .
For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 580-559-5651 or email alumni@ecok.edu.
Tickets are $30 for individuals and $50 for couples. Guests are encouraged to RSVP by Sept. 30.