University of Oklahoma Athletics
Hats Off to You Sooner Fans!
September 14, 2009 | Athletics
NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma has the greatest fans in all of college athletics.
We already knew that, but through the first two weeks of the 2009 football season we've received a few reassurances to justify that statement.
Saturday night was a perfect example. In the midst of a torrential downpour in a game that was decided by halftime, Oklahoma Memorial Stadium remained more than half-full with enthusiastic fans well into the fourth quarter.
And what better evidence of your support than, with beloved Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford unable to go, giving backup Landry Jones the biggest ovation during starting lineups. It probably sent chills up the kid's spine, and at the same time eased his nerves knowing you all were behind him.
Class. It's a word I think we all would like to be defined by. And it's a word that time and again is used to describe Sooner fans.
The most accurate measure of class is often found during adverse times. Well, the football season didn't exactly get off to the start we were all hoping for. Yet, you, the Sooner Nation, have not wavered and have continued to represent the University and this great state in a positive manner.
It hasn't gone unrecognized.
Props from BYU Fans
What better testament than to hear it from opposing fans. In the aftermath of OU's disappointing season-opening loss, we received a few emails from BYU fans commending Sooner fans for their class.
We thought it would be appropriate to share a couple of them with you here:
We couldn't have said it any better ourselves. Stay classy Sooner fans!
Renewal Contest Winner
And finally, in addition to displaying class, the loyalty of Sooner fans has also been well-documented. In 2009, the renewal rate for football season tickets came in at a staggering 99%, a record during Bob Stoops' tenure.
As part of the Ticket Office's initiative to push online renewals, one lucky fan won $200 in cash for being OU's 2009 Online Renewal Contest winner:
Sylvia Sawyer has been an avid Oklahoma football fan since the 1970s. She and her husband of 37 years live in Norman and have held OU football season tickets since 1991. Sylvia and her three children all hold degrees from the University.
At work, Sylvia is known as the biggest Sooner fan her co-workers have ever known.
"They just don't understand that most of us Sooners bleed crimson, live for OU football and pray for our next national title," Sawyer said.
Sawyer's passion for the Sooners is displayed everywhere she goes. You may see her driving around town in her crimson car with OU decals and the vanity plate OU 1 7X, which she hopes will need updating to No. 8 at the end of the season.
Thank you to everyone who renewed online in 2009, and to all Sooner fans, for your continued support. You truly are the best in all of college athletics.
Boomer Sooner!
We already knew that, but through the first two weeks of the 2009 football season we've received a few reassurances to justify that statement.
Saturday night was a perfect example. In the midst of a torrential downpour in a game that was decided by halftime, Oklahoma Memorial Stadium remained more than half-full with enthusiastic fans well into the fourth quarter.
And what better evidence of your support than, with beloved Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford unable to go, giving backup Landry Jones the biggest ovation during starting lineups. It probably sent chills up the kid's spine, and at the same time eased his nerves knowing you all were behind him.
Class. It's a word I think we all would like to be defined by. And it's a word that time and again is used to describe Sooner fans.
The most accurate measure of class is often found during adverse times. Well, the football season didn't exactly get off to the start we were all hoping for. Yet, you, the Sooner Nation, have not wavered and have continued to represent the University and this great state in a positive manner.
It hasn't gone unrecognized.
Props from BYU Fans
What better testament than to hear it from opposing fans. In the aftermath of OU's disappointing season-opening loss, we received a few emails from BYU fans commending Sooner fans for their class.
We thought it would be appropriate to share a couple of them with you here:
| "I am a BYU fan who was at the game on Saturday, and I just wanted to comment on your fans. I have been to games all over the country, and I have never met a classier group of fans anywhere. You should be proud of the way they represented OU and the state of Oklahoma." -- Joe Walker | ||
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||
| "As a long time BYU fan (we have had season tickets for over 30 years), we have had the opportunity to travel to many, many away games. Never have we come in contact with such classy fans as those from OU. In a society that seems to favor trash talking, rivalries, etc., it was so refreshing to see such a wonderful display of sportsmanship as we found in the Sooner fans. No sooner had we stepped out of our car at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, dressed in our BYU blue, we were approached by a Sooner fan. My first instinct was to say, "Oh boy... here we go." Much to my surprise, he asked if our journey here was safe, he thanked us for coming, wished us luck at the game, and then ended with "God bless and have a safe journey home." "Wow. This, however, was not an isolated incident. After the game, because of their loss we expected to have some contention with some of the OU fans. This was not the case. Many went out of their way to congratulate us. One fan even took the time to get out of their car and come and shake our hands at a gas station the next day. That is why I felt compelled to email you. "Thank you OU fans for your example of sportsmanship and kindness. You are indeed a class act... all the way around!" -- Sharon Westover |
We couldn't have said it any better ourselves. Stay classy Sooner fans!
Renewal Contest Winner
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Sylvia with Joe Washington |
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As part of the Ticket Office's initiative to push online renewals, one lucky fan won $200 in cash for being OU's 2009 Online Renewal Contest winner:
At work, Sylvia is known as the biggest Sooner fan her co-workers have ever known.
"They just don't understand that most of us Sooners bleed crimson, live for OU football and pray for our next national title," Sawyer said.
Sawyer's passion for the Sooners is displayed everywhere she goes. You may see her driving around town in her crimson car with OU decals and the vanity plate OU 1 7X, which she hopes will need updating to No. 8 at the end of the season.
Thank you to everyone who renewed online in 2009, and to all Sooner fans, for your continued support. You truly are the best in all of college athletics.
Boomer Sooner!
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