OU Leads Conference In Softball Attendance

Jan. 14, 2003

Norman, Okla. - Sooner fans know a winner when they see it. NCAA softball attendance figures from last season show Oklahoma ranked fourth in the nation and first in the Big 12 Conference in average home attendance.

"The interest and excitement for women's softball has exploded across the country thanks in a large part to the success of the Sooners in recent years," said head coach Patty Gasso. "Attendance records at the OU Softball Complex and the Women's College World Series at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City have been shattered."

Oklahoma's meteoric rise to a national softball powerhouse is well documented.

Last season, OU advanced to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City for the third consecutive year and finished ranked No. 8 nationally with a record of 49-16. Over the past three years, OU has amassed an impressive 165-33 record (.833), the 2000 national championship, 2000 Big 12 championship, 2001 Big 12 tournament championship and three straight NCAA Regional titles.

Oklahoma's dominance at home is also well documented. The Sooners are 45-7 (.865) at the OU Softball Complex over the past three seasons.

"Our home crowd played a vital role in securing our 21-4 record last year at the OU Softball Complex and the big win over Texas in the regional to send us to our third consecutive Women's College World Series," said Gasso.

The Sooners will aim for an unprecedented fourth consecutive trip to the WCWS in 2003.

"This squad has a little of everything," said Gasso. "We return five seniors and welcome seven newcomers -- combining leadership with eager youth ready to learn. This team is very balanced with speed, power, great defense and a pitching staff which should be ranked in the top 10 in the country."

OU will need every bit of that talent with a fearsome schedule that features seven teams that finished in the top 25 of the final NFCA/USA Today poll last season.

Oklahoma, which began preseason practice last week, starts the season at the University of Florida Tournament on February 7. The Sooners open at home by hosting Long Beach State, Alabama-Birmingham and Creighton in the OU/Nike Classic on Feb. 14-16.

Season tickets are available now through the OU Athletics Ticket Office at (405) 325-2424 or (800) 456-GoOU. Fans can also purchase tickets online at www.soonersports.com.

Click here to learn more about 2003 Oklahoma Softball season tickets

University of Oklahoma Athletics

OU Leads Conference In Softball Attendance

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