In his words: Rickie Fowler's 'Homecoming' to Oklahoma State

In May 2009, the chapter in my life titled “Rickie goes to college” ended. After two years as a student–athlete at Oklahoma State University, I decided to end my studies and begin a lifelong dream of playing professional golf. While beginning my pro career meant I would no longer live in Stillwater or compete with my boys on the Cowboy Golf Team, it did not mean that I would stop wearing orange or stop being a Cowboy! Stillwater, Oklahoma, had become my home away from home, Oklahoma State had become family, and I was a Cowboy for life!

I have come back almost every year since 2009. Each time I visit it feels like I never left. Last weekend I came “Home” again. The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association asked me to serve as Grand Marshal of “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration” 2017. What a great weekend! The agenda was packed: the Sea of Orange Parade, Homecoming and Hoops, checking out Walkaround, Cowboy Corral Pep Rally, leading the football team to Boone Pickens Stadium in the Spirit Walk with head coach Mike Gundy, hanging with some engineering students in the Grand Challenge Scholar program that I am proud to support through The Rickie Fowler Foundation, passing out trophies to the winners of the homecoming celebrations, and finally hanging with “THE MAN” T. Boone Pickens at the game watching our Cowboys whip the Baylor Bears. I got to pick up some fresh Orange Swag from my boys at DuPree’s, Eskimo Joe’s and Karsten Creek.

It was an awesome weekend. The Cowboy Nation welcomed me like they always do – like family!

Homecoming 2017 is in the books. Thank you Cowboy alums and fans for sharing it with me. My time in Stilly indelibly marked my life. I am proud to be a Cowboy and I will keep rocking orange around the world. Cowboy up and ride for the brand! Go POKES!