OU Football a Hot Item Again

July 18, 2002

Norman, Okla. - Oklahoma is building "it" and the Sooner fans just keep coming ... and coming ... and coming.

Again this season, some 65,000 season tickets have been purchased and the renewal rate was an impressive 98 percent. For the fourth consecutive year, a time frame that matches Bob Stoops' tenure as OU's head coach, every Sooner home game will be sold out.

"Our fans are once again creating momentum for this program," said OU Athletics Director Joe Castiglione. "Very few schools in the country benefit from a fan base that is as loyal as the one we have at Oklahoma. Obviously, this kind of support ensures the long-term stability of our department. It also sends a strong message to our student athletes that the alumni and friends of this university support their efforts. That kind of passion is central to any success we have now and in the future."

The unusual demand also presents challenges for the OU staff.

"The sale and distribution of our tickets is a priority to us," Castiglione added. "We appreciate how passionate our fans are about wanting to see the games so we work constantly to be as fair and service oriented as we can possibly be in dealing with the extraordinary demand for tickets."

According to OU Athletics Ticket Manager Tom Blubaugh, there are still many waiting for a chance to purchase season tickets should any become available. Some 7,000 accounts, which include an average of three tickets per account, are on the waiting list. With the addition of nearly 8,000 seats in the ongoing stadium project, the athletics department is moving closer to being able to accommodate more fans. This year, only 587 tickets were available through non-renewals.

Blubaugh noted that tickets for non-home games have become a hot commodity as well. Approximately 15,000 submitted orders for OU's game at OSU and 13,000 did the same for the game at Tulsa. The contracts for both games call for the Sooners to receive 6,000 tickets from the host school.

"At home and away, it is unfortunate for some of our fans that the demand far exceeds the supply. In Norman, we are addressing the issue to at least some degree by adding nearly 8,000 seats to Memorial Stadium."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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