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Boomer Sooner!
Oklahoma University
Location: Norman, OK
Nickname: Sooners
Type of School: Public Research University
Mascot: “Boomer” & “Sooner” (Welsh Ponies)
Total student body: 27,772 (Fall 2024)
University Established: 1890
Football Stadium: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Capacity: 80,126
Team Colors: Oklahoma Crimson and White (Cream)
Alma Mater
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/us-college-sports-ou-chant-ou-lyrics.html
Traditions
The Spoonholder
On the Oklahoma University North Oval lawn in Norman, OK, a structure called the “Spoon Holder” sits as a cherished landmark with a rich and endearing history.
The name “Spoonholder” harkens back to an old dating practice where couples would sit side-by-side with one person’s arm over the other as they gazed at the stars together.
Over time, a popular campus myth began that suggests if you kiss someone sitting in the “Spoonholder”, you are destined to become engaged and eventually marry that person later in life.
"The Seed Sower" Statue
There is a beautiful and poignant bronze statue, over-looking the South Oval, named “The Seed Sower”, on the campus of Oklahoma University in Norman. It stands as a reminder of the importance of sowing the seeds of knowledge, so that they can bear fruit in the future.
The face of the Seed Sower also adorns the university seal as they were both designed in the likeness of the first president of Oklahoma University, David Ross Boyd.
An amazing sidenote ~ Mr. Boyd used half of his first year’s salary and bought, planted, and even watered the very first trees on the then-barren OU campus.
"Play Like a Champion Today"
Legendary Head Football Coach, Bud Wilkinson, placed a sign in the Oklahoma Sooners locker room in the late-1940’s. Upon leaving for the field, each player would reach up and touch the board, giving it an almost mystical property.
The sign continued to overlook great Sooner players and teams during Barry Switzer’s tenure, into the Bob Stoops era at the turn of the century. Even today, every Sooner player touches the sign to tap into the mojo of OU teams past before going out onto Owen Field.
Just like the great tradition of the Oklahoma University football program itself, Sooners of all walks of life strive to perform like a champion. When aspiring scholars and athletes step on campus, they walk upon much of the same ground as champions did before them. By going into each classroom, lab, gym, or arena, Sooners aim to execute to the best of their abilities live “like a champion today!”
Interesting Facts
- For a time, the video game NCAA Football struggled to create a digital version of OU’s official mascot, the Sooner Schooner (a covered wagon). The game developers instead created a new “personal” mascot: a strange-looking character that fans jokingly called “horse-pigs”.
- The phrase “Boomer Sooner” originates from the 1889 Land Rush. “Sooners” were those who snuck across the starting line early, while “Boomers” were the legitimate homesteaders.
- Oklahoma University is one of the few universities to have won the prestigious quiz show University Challenge two times.
- OU Law is the largest provider of law graduates in the United Kingdom.
- Four-time Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner Ed Harris studied drama at OU.
Trivia
- Oklahoma University pre-dates the state of Oklahoma by 17 years. The university was founded on December 19, 1890, while the Oklahoma Territory became the 46th state in 1907.
- OU’s original name was the Norman Territorial University.
- OU is the only program to have had four different coaches that have each won over 100 games.
- OU and the University of Texas play in “The Red River Rivalry”, each year, for the “Golden Hat” trophy.
- OU plays their in-state rival, Oklahoma State University, annually, in a game known as “Bedlam”.