Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus East Texas A&M on November 2, 2026
Men's Basketball
vs East Texas A&M
University of Oklahoma Athletics
One Sooner Fan's Gift to Another
January 20, 2009 | Men's Basketball
NORMAN, Okla. -- One Sooner fan reaching out to another... It is a story we have told you before but definitely one worth repeating.
Earlier this year, we brought you the story of Kiki Calton, an eight-year-old cancer patient at The Children's Hospital who received a once-in-a-lifetime gift to go behind the scenes during OU's football game against Cincinnati.
Last week, Ruben Contreras and his father Jaime were afforded a similar opportunity for the men's basketball game against arch-rival Texas. This time, however, the giver and receiver were able to share the experience together. The result was memorable night for both sides.
Billy and Guyma Neace, Oklahoma alums who now live in Monahans, Texas, won the online auction experience to receive the VIP treatment prior to OU's clash with the Longhorns. The experience included an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Lloyd Noble Center and four premium level seats for the game.
The Neace's, however, only planned on using two of the four tickets.
Rather than letting the seats go unused, they asked for the tickets to be donated to a charitable cause.
The OU Athletics Department helped find a recipient for the tickets through Belinda Anderson at Ally's House, a nonprofit organization in Norman which provides support to Oklahoma children with cancer and their families.
That's where Ruben entered the picture, and while he and his father had always been Sooner fans, they had never been to an actual game.
Thanks to the Neace's, this was one they won't soon forget.
“Billy and Guyma's donation was such a nice gesture," said Tim George, OU's Director of Ticket Sales who served as the host for the auction winners and their guests. "They definitely gave Ruben and Jaime an experience they will never forget. It says a lot not just about the Neace's but our fanbase as a whole. Our fans are always looking out for their own."
Ruben and Jaime arrived at Lloyd Noble Center a little more than two hours before tipoff decked out in their Sooner gear.
After taking in some of the history and tradition of Oklahoma basketball in the trophy cases at Legacy Courty, they were escorted downstairs to the men's basketball team facilities. There, they went inside the locker room and stood wide-eyed as some of OU's players began arriving at the arena. Freshman guard Willie Warren even stopped to chat with OU's special guests for a few moments before settling into his pregame routine.
Minutes later, just outside the locker room, Ruben and Jaime met the benefactors who had afforded them this opportunity. From there, the two parties would share the rest of this memorable night.
From the locker room to the retired jerseys of past Oklahoma greats to Head Coach Jeff Capel's office, they saw it all. Then, they stood in the tunnel as the Sooners took the floor just before pregame introductions.
All the while, from their pregame VIP access throughout OU's 78-63 beatdown of the Longhorns, they laughed, smiled, cheered and shook in excitement during an unforgettable experience.
It was a perfect night, and another perfect example of Sooner fans reaching out to one another.
Earlier this year, we brought you the story of Kiki Calton, an eight-year-old cancer patient at The Children's Hospital who received a once-in-a-lifetime gift to go behind the scenes during OU's football game against Cincinnati.
Last week, Ruben Contreras and his father Jaime were afforded a similar opportunity for the men's basketball game against arch-rival Texas. This time, however, the giver and receiver were able to share the experience together. The result was memorable night for both sides.
Billy and Guyma Neace, Oklahoma alums who now live in Monahans, Texas, won the online auction experience to receive the VIP treatment prior to OU's clash with the Longhorns. The experience included an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Lloyd Noble Center and four premium level seats for the game.
The Neace's, however, only planned on using two of the four tickets.
Rather than letting the seats go unused, they asked for the tickets to be donated to a charitable cause.
The OU Athletics Department helped find a recipient for the tickets through Belinda Anderson at Ally's House, a nonprofit organization in Norman which provides support to Oklahoma children with cancer and their families.
That's where Ruben entered the picture, and while he and his father had always been Sooner fans, they had never been to an actual game.
Thanks to the Neace's, this was one they won't soon forget.
“Billy and Guyma's donation was such a nice gesture," said Tim George, OU's Director of Ticket Sales who served as the host for the auction winners and their guests. "They definitely gave Ruben and Jaime an experience they will never forget. It says a lot not just about the Neace's but our fanbase as a whole. Our fans are always looking out for their own."
Ruben and Jaime arrived at Lloyd Noble Center a little more than two hours before tipoff decked out in their Sooner gear.
After taking in some of the history and tradition of Oklahoma basketball in the trophy cases at Legacy Courty, they were escorted downstairs to the men's basketball team facilities. There, they went inside the locker room and stood wide-eyed as some of OU's players began arriving at the arena. Freshman guard Willie Warren even stopped to chat with OU's special guests for a few moments before settling into his pregame routine.
Minutes later, just outside the locker room, Ruben and Jaime met the benefactors who had afforded them this opportunity. From there, the two parties would share the rest of this memorable night.
From the locker room to the retired jerseys of past Oklahoma greats to Head Coach Jeff Capel's office, they saw it all. Then, they stood in the tunnel as the Sooners took the floor just before pregame introductions.
All the while, from their pregame VIP access throughout OU's 78-63 beatdown of the Longhorns, they laughed, smiled, cheered and shook in excitement during an unforgettable experience.
It was a perfect night, and another perfect example of Sooner fans reaching out to one another.
Monday, August 10
Monday, August 10
Thursday, June 11
Sunday, April 05
