Featured Athlete: How Bode Gallagher became a Blue Devil

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  • Bode Gallagher guards an ooppent during a basketball game against Mangum. PHOTO BY FLORA WALTERS
    Bode Gallagher guards an ooppent during a basketball game against Mangum. PHOTO BY FLORA WALTERS
  • Bode Gallagher signals to his team during a football game earlier this year. PHOTO BY FLORA WALTERS
    Bode Gallagher signals to his team during a football game earlier this year. PHOTO BY FLORA WALTERS
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Senior Bode Gallagher is a “do-it-all” kind of athlete, making himself well known by Cordell football and basketball audiences since 2014.

The Gallagher family moved to Cordell from Enid in the summer between Bode’s sixth- and seventh-grade years.

This uprooting was hard on Gallagher.

“There was definitely a struggle to kind of fit in at first. I was in an entirely new social environment. Enid and Cordell are vastly different places, so it took some time to adapt and make new friends,” Bode said.

Fortunately, athletics allowed Gallagher to get a foot in the door with the Cordell crowd.

“Sports definitely helped me meet the kind of people that I wanted to associate with at the time.”

Gallagher’s classmates welcomed him with open arms, their friendly nature easing the awkwardness of trying to adapt to a new lifestyle.

“Back then I didn’t really hang out with too many people, so guys like Raydon Kuehne and Cameron Cochran were really a few of the only people that talked to me. I definitely have a lot more friends in my life now then I did back then. But the guys in my class were the first ones to ever make me feel like I had friends here.”

Gallagher’s relationship with his classmates flourished and soon evolved into a deep bond, one that continues to strengthen and grow with each challenge presented.

This basketball season, Gallagher is the starting center for the Cordell Blue Devils, led by his father, head basketball coach Brandon Gallagher.

For Gallagher, withstanding the pressure of his father’s eye can be overwhelming at times.

“It always feels like he’s tougher on me than anyone else, even if he’s not. It’s definitely difficult, especially when I have to hear it at home, too,” Bode said.

Gallagher admits that he returns his father’s critiques more often than he should.

“My criticisms are usually untrue and said out of frustration. It’s definitely unfair to him because he’s usually in the right,” Bode said.

Even though it’s not a walk in the park, Gallagher wouldn’t trade his father for the world.

“There are definitely a lot of ups and downs, but overall, I enjoy the experience of spending time with my dad. He’s always pushed me to be a better player, and that mentality has definitely carried into other parts of my life, such as academics.”

Inspired by his dad’s strong will and effective leadership skills, Gallagher has dedicated himself to being a team leader this year.

“Growing up, I saw all the great players that my dad had and how strong leadership allowed the teams to accomplish anything they set their hearts on. I’ve had hundreds of role models over the years that have shown me how important a great leadership is to team success,” Bode said.

Gallagher shares his passion for leadership with his senior teammates, who proved themselves to be effective leaders during football season

“The football seniors, for example, changed the culture as far as things in the locker room and work ethic goes,” Bode said. “It wasn’t like last year where we just laid down and got beat every single game. We competed at almost every game we had this season and dang near won every game we played. We always stuck together and fought for each other when we did what we did.”

These boys have blazed their own trail their entire high school career and have kicked it into overdrive this year to ensure they make their mark.

“I’ve tried to be a good leader for my team, especially this year,” he said. “I try to set a good example for our young guys so that hopefully they can continue the winning tradition that me and all of the other seniors have tried to bring back to Cordell.”

 

BODE GALLAGHER FILE

SCHOOL: Cordell High School

YEAR: Senior

SPORTS: Football, Basketball, Baseball

HOBBIES: fishing with Brady, playing video games, watching sports

PARENTS: Tiffani Gallagher and Brandon Gallagher