University of Oklahoma Athletics
A Special Gift for One Sooner Fan
September 08, 2008 | Athletics
NORMAN, Okla. -- Dian Rowan provided a fellow Sooner fan with a once-in-a-lifetime gift.
Rowan, a native of High Point, N.C., won the online auction experience at SoonerSports.com to go behind the scenes during OU's game against Cincinnati on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Just days before the game, however, Rowan learned she would be unable to make the trip to Norman.
Rather than canceling the experience, Rowan directed OU personnel to donate the package to a patient at The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center.
Phone calls were made late Friday evening, and on Saturday morning eight-year-old Kiki Calton arrived at Memorial Stadium with her sister, Jasmine Sterling.
Kiki, who has been through two bone marrow transplants, had previously met Coach Stoops through his work with the bone marrow donor program. However, she had never been to an OU football game.
This young Sooner fan was in for an amazing experience.
"Dian reached out with a special gift for Kiki," said administrative assistant Anne Carter, who served as OU's host for the special guests. "This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I know she will always remember. Kiki and Jasmine were so appreciative and we had a great time together. I look forward to keeping in touch with them and hopefully seeing them at more OU games in future."
Kiki enjoyed VIP treatment throughout the day. She stood just outside the tunnel as the Sooners ran onto the field following the intro video. She watched Oklahoma score its first two touchdowns from behind the South end zone. She then got a bird's-eye view of the game from the press box high atop Memorial Stadium.
None of this, however, compared to the surprise she received after the game.
Kiki was invited inside the OU locker room following the 52-26 win over Cincinnati. Coach Stoops greeted her with a huge hug and an exchange of high fives.
Kiki basked in the moment as she watched the team celebrate its victory, not wanting to leave. After all, for someone who has been through so much in her young life, this was a scene to savor.
Thanks to the generous gift from one Sooner fan to another, it was a day Kiki won't soon forget.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Related Article
Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman: "A price of $2,500 earned Dian Rowan of High Point, N.C., a behind the scenes experience auctioned off for Saturday's Cincinnati game. Except she couldn't make the trip. So Rowan did the next best thing."
Read More >>
Rowan, a native of High Point, N.C., won the online auction experience at SoonerSports.com to go behind the scenes during OU's game against Cincinnati on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Just days before the game, however, Rowan learned she would be unable to make the trip to Norman.
Rather than canceling the experience, Rowan directed OU personnel to donate the package to a patient at The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center.
Phone calls were made late Friday evening, and on Saturday morning eight-year-old Kiki Calton arrived at Memorial Stadium with her sister, Jasmine Sterling.
Kiki, who has been through two bone marrow transplants, had previously met Coach Stoops through his work with the bone marrow donor program. However, she had never been to an OU football game.
This young Sooner fan was in for an amazing experience.
"Dian reached out with a special gift for Kiki," said administrative assistant Anne Carter, who served as OU's host for the special guests. "This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I know she will always remember. Kiki and Jasmine were so appreciative and we had a great time together. I look forward to keeping in touch with them and hopefully seeing them at more OU games in future."
Kiki enjoyed VIP treatment throughout the day. She stood just outside the tunnel as the Sooners ran onto the field following the intro video. She watched Oklahoma score its first two touchdowns from behind the South end zone. She then got a bird's-eye view of the game from the press box high atop Memorial Stadium.
None of this, however, compared to the surprise she received after the game.
Kiki was invited inside the OU locker room following the 52-26 win over Cincinnati. Coach Stoops greeted her with a huge hug and an exchange of high fives.
Kiki basked in the moment as she watched the team celebrate its victory, not wanting to leave. After all, for someone who has been through so much in her young life, this was a scene to savor.
Thanks to the generous gift from one Sooner fan to another, it was a day Kiki won't soon forget.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Related Article
Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman: "A price of $2,500 earned Dian Rowan of High Point, N.C., a behind the scenes experience auctioned off for Saturday's Cincinnati game. Except she couldn't make the trip. So Rowan did the next best thing."
Read More >>
The Huddle - 9/8/25
Monday, September 08
Sooner Sports Talk - 9/1/25
Monday, September 01
The Huddle - 9/1/25
Monday, September 01
The Huddle - 8/25/25
Monday, August 25
