University of Oklahoma Athletics
We Will be Back
January 12, 2009 | Athletics
NORMAN, Okla. -- Of course it hurts. It's supposed to. That's what sports are all about -- the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
Sooner Nation was dealt an emotional blow Thursday night in Miami as it watched Oklahoma's eighth national championship denied by the Florida Gators.
While no one is criticizing their effort or performance, the Sooners are not looking for the sympathy treatment.
Sure, the loss was a tough one to swallow, especially considering the chances that slipped away. But the fact remains that only one team can walk away at the end of the year as the champion.
While opportunities to play in the national championship game do not come around very often, they are definitely much more frequent here at Oklahoma than at most other places. The Sooners have been to the national title game four times in nine seasons. They have won three straight Big 12 titles and six of the last nine.
No matter how you look at it, those are some pretty impressive statistics.
The point here is not to deflect attention away from the loss in lieu of what the program has accomplished in recent years. Rather, the point is that the loss hurts us all, from Sooner fans around the world to those right here in Norman, from those who are only remotely attached to the program all the way through to the players, coaches, staff and administration.
It hurts to lose, and that is what drives coaches and student-athletes to succeed, and also what motivates them to push forward during tough times.
So this offseason, while many will want to talk about what could have been, everyone affiliated with the Sooner football program will be solely focused on what lies ahead, in other words -- what could be.
The "we're just happy to be here" sentiment is not something that applies at Oklahoma. Every fall, the expectations are not only to compete for a national championship, but to win it. When those expectations are not met, disappointment ensues.
The disappointment everyone is feeling now will serve as motivation to make another run at it next year.
Coach Stoops even alluded to this shortly after the national title game. "We'll do our best to be trying again next year," he said. "And we'll keep going after them."
Getting back to the national championship game is certainly not easy to do, but it is an annual goal for the Sooners. It is important to remember that not many programs have that hope.
While nothing is a guarantee, considering our recent history, it's a pretty sure bet that Oklahoma will soon be back in the national championship game.
And without implying that we're due, the Sooners will someday bring home title No. 8.
Boomer Sooner!
Sooner Nation was dealt an emotional blow Thursday night in Miami as it watched Oklahoma's eighth national championship denied by the Florida Gators.
While no one is criticizing their effort or performance, the Sooners are not looking for the sympathy treatment.
Sure, the loss was a tough one to swallow, especially considering the chances that slipped away. But the fact remains that only one team can walk away at the end of the year as the champion.
While opportunities to play in the national championship game do not come around very often, they are definitely much more frequent here at Oklahoma than at most other places. The Sooners have been to the national title game four times in nine seasons. They have won three straight Big 12 titles and six of the last nine.
No matter how you look at it, those are some pretty impressive statistics.
The point here is not to deflect attention away from the loss in lieu of what the program has accomplished in recent years. Rather, the point is that the loss hurts us all, from Sooner fans around the world to those right here in Norman, from those who are only remotely attached to the program all the way through to the players, coaches, staff and administration.
It hurts to lose, and that is what drives coaches and student-athletes to succeed, and also what motivates them to push forward during tough times.
So this offseason, while many will want to talk about what could have been, everyone affiliated with the Sooner football program will be solely focused on what lies ahead, in other words -- what could be.
The "we're just happy to be here" sentiment is not something that applies at Oklahoma. Every fall, the expectations are not only to compete for a national championship, but to win it. When those expectations are not met, disappointment ensues.
The disappointment everyone is feeling now will serve as motivation to make another run at it next year.
Coach Stoops even alluded to this shortly after the national title game. "We'll do our best to be trying again next year," he said. "And we'll keep going after them."
Getting back to the national championship game is certainly not easy to do, but it is an annual goal for the Sooners. It is important to remember that not many programs have that hope.
While nothing is a guarantee, considering our recent history, it's a pretty sure bet that Oklahoma will soon be back in the national championship game.
And without implying that we're due, the Sooners will someday bring home title No. 8.
Boomer Sooner!
Tuesday, June 09
Monday, April 13
Monday, April 13
Monday, April 06
