University of Oklahoma Athletics
OU Athletics Announces “Oklahoma Sooner Schooner Roadshow” Tour of SEC Country
March 08, 2024 | Athletics
NORMAN — With the University of Oklahoma set to join the Southeastern Conference on July 1, the OU Athletics Department announced it is launching a spring tour of the other 15 SEC cities with the iconic Sooner Schooner today.
The purpose of the "Oklahoma Sooner Schooner Roadshow" is to introduce OU's famous Conestoga and ponies "Boomer" and "Sooner," as well as members of OU's RUF/NEKS and RUF/NEK Lil' Sis student spirit groups, to fans of OU's soon-to-be conference cohorts. The goodwill initiative will also provide the opportunity for OU content creators to capture and share with the Sooner fanbase some of the traditions, history and unique aspects of other SEC programs ahead of the anticipated conference switch.
"We believe the 'Oklahoma Sooner Schooner Roadshow' will contribute to the anticipation surrounding this new era of OU Athletics as a member of the esteemed Southeastern Conference," said OU Executive Associate Athletics Director for External Engagement Leah Beasley. "While preparations for our transition to the SEC and our relationship-building process with current members of the league have been in full swing for a while, our hope is this tour will foster additional camaraderie and collaboration with our soon-to-be fellow institutions. We want to help introduce the OU brand in person and in their backyards, at the same time help highlight for our fans the pride and passion of the nation's most prestigious conference."
The Schooner was introduced in the fall of 1964 and became the official mascot of the Oklahoma Sooners in 1980. The RUF/NEKS and RUF/NEK Lil' Sis OU spirit squads maintain and drive the Schooner. Mick Cottom, a RUF/NEK member from Liberty Mounds, Okla., has the distinction of being the first person to pilot the Schooner across Owen Field in 1964, while Darby Dean, a Lil' Sis member from Sanger, Texas, became the first female driver during a game in 2020.
The Sooner Schooner rolling across the field is one of the most famous traditions in college athletics.
The purpose of the "Oklahoma Sooner Schooner Roadshow" is to introduce OU's famous Conestoga and ponies "Boomer" and "Sooner," as well as members of OU's RUF/NEKS and RUF/NEK Lil' Sis student spirit groups, to fans of OU's soon-to-be conference cohorts. The goodwill initiative will also provide the opportunity for OU content creators to capture and share with the Sooner fanbase some of the traditions, history and unique aspects of other SEC programs ahead of the anticipated conference switch.
"We believe the 'Oklahoma Sooner Schooner Roadshow' will contribute to the anticipation surrounding this new era of OU Athletics as a member of the esteemed Southeastern Conference," said OU Executive Associate Athletics Director for External Engagement Leah Beasley. "While preparations for our transition to the SEC and our relationship-building process with current members of the league have been in full swing for a while, our hope is this tour will foster additional camaraderie and collaboration with our soon-to-be fellow institutions. We want to help introduce the OU brand in person and in their backyards, at the same time help highlight for our fans the pride and passion of the nation's most prestigious conference."
About the Sooner Schooner
The Sooner Schooner is a smaller model of a Conestoga (covered wagon), reminiscent of the mode of travel used by pioneers who settled Oklahoma Territory in the late 1880s. Powered by matching white ponies named "Boomer" and "Sooner," the Schooner races across Owen Field in a triumphant victory ride after every OU score.The Schooner was introduced in the fall of 1964 and became the official mascot of the Oklahoma Sooners in 1980. The RUF/NEKS and RUF/NEK Lil' Sis OU spirit squads maintain and drive the Schooner. Mick Cottom, a RUF/NEK member from Liberty Mounds, Okla., has the distinction of being the first person to pilot the Schooner across Owen Field in 1964, while Darby Dean, a Lil' Sis member from Sanger, Texas, became the first female driver during a game in 2020.
The Sooner Schooner rolling across the field is one of the most famous traditions in college athletics.
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