WEATHERFORD – Longtime supporter and SWOSU alumnus Mark McLean has been selected to receive the Cecil Perkins Service Award for the year 2026.
McLean will be recognized for the award next week at the SWOSU athletic department's annual All-Sports Awards Ceremony, held on Tuesday, April 28th at the Pioneer Event Center. For a second consecutive year, Lucille's Hotel & Restaurant and ASAP General Stores are the presenting sponsors of the event.
"It means everything," said McLean. "It's probably one of the most honored things I've received outside of my family. I don't do things to be recognized, but when it comes from Southwestern and the athletic department, it's very special."
McLean has spent nearly two decades actively supporting SWOSU Athletics, playing a key role in events such as the department's annual auction, golf tournaments, and most recently with the rodeo program. Through his work in the food service industry, McLean has consistently donated, sourced, and helped prepare meals for events, often working behind the scenes to enhance the experience for student-athletes and supporters alike.
His involvement with the athletic auction alone spans nearly 20 years, where he has consistently helped provide and coordinate food, at times covering the entire event, while working behind the scenes to enhance one of SWOSU Athletics' premier fundraising efforts.
"I've always just looked at it as giving back," McLean said. "This was my college. A lot of my life I owe to Southwestern. If I can help in any way, whether it's food, time, or whatever it may be, I'm going to do it."
A native of Yukon, Oklahoma, McLean graduated from Yukon High School in 1984 before attending SWOSU, where he earned both his bachelor's degree in business and his MBA. From 1984-88, he was a member of the SWOSU Track & Field program, building lifelong relationships that helped shape both his personal and professional life, including meeting his wife of more than 35 years.
After graduating, McLean began his career in food sales and eventually returned to Weatherford in 1997 to raise his family. He has since built a successful career in the industry, spending more than 20 years with Ben E. Keith as a district manager covering much of western Oklahoma.
While his career has kept him busy, McLean has remained closely connected to SWOSU. In addition to his athletic department involvement, he serves on a business advisory board for the university and has supported various programs across campus, including the track program.
"Being from a small town, you grow up helping each other," McLean said. "If you want to get something done, everybody has to jump in and make it happen together. That's kind of how I've always looked at it."
One of McLean's most defining memories as a student-athlete continues to shape his approach to both business and service. Competing in the 1984 Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (OIC) track meet, McLean found himself far behind late in the two-mile race before being encouraged by a teammate to push forward. He ultimately rallied to win the race, as McLean and the Bulldogs claimed the 1984 OIC Championship that day.
"That day taught me three things," McLean said. "No matter how far behind you get, you can always catch up. You've got to have someone there pushing you, and you've got to have a team. I've lived by that ever since."
Today, McLean continues to stay involved wherever he can, whether assisting with event planning, supporting fundraising efforts, or simply lending a hand when needed. Much of that support has directly benefited SWOSU student-athletes through improved events, resources, and fundraising success.
His contributions, both seen and unseen, have played a significant role in supporting SWOSU Athletics and enhancing opportunities for its student-athletes.
"I love Southwestern, and I love this town," McLean said. "We chose to come back here for a reason. It's been good to us, and I just want to make sure I do my part to give back."
This is the 14th year that the Cecil Perkins Service Award has been presented. The award is named for Perkins, the former SWOSU Athletic Director who passed away in September 2013. Perkins helped pioneer the direction of the Bulldogs' athletic programs for more than a quarter century, elevating the SWOSU Athletic Department to the NCAA Division II level. His philosophy of putting the student-athlete first in any decision has led to hundreds of individual success stories that continue to positively impact the new generation of students, coaches, and teams at SWOSU and beyond.
Cecil Perkins Service Award Recipients
2025: Valerie Fariss
2024: Mike Brown
2023: Jim Loomis
2022: Rouben Tourian
2021: President Randy Beutler
2020: Herschel Brewster
2019: Stan Garrison
2018: Les Crall
2017: Jim Litsch
2016: Jimmy Harrel
2015: Rick Koch
2014: Max & Judy Pyron
2013: Joe Phillips
