An afternoon at an OU autograph session
I received a blessed gift Sunday afternoon. I was permitted to sit courtside at the autograph session of the five OU national championship quarterbacks. I wrote about it in Monday’s Oklahoman, of the novelty of having all five Sooner title QBs not only alive — from 84-year-old Claude Arnold to the 31-year-old Josh Heupel — but together in the same place. Heupel actually arrived after Jimmy Harris left to fly home to Shreveport, La., but any industrious OU fan could get the signature of all five in a matter of a couple of hours.
I enjoyed the day at the Sooner Schooner store, though with 75-100 people packed into the little shop at once, the air-conditioning was stretched, and my sportcoat turned a little warm. I wrote about the interaction between the five QBs, but I didn’t write much about the whole process of autograph sessions, which I found very interesting.
I was amazed — and frankly, the quarterbacks were amazed, too — at how much fans value these autographs. I’m not talking about operators who put the stuff up on e-bay, of which there were probably some in attendance. I’m talking about the fans who take their prizes home and treasure the ball or helmet or poster that contains the signature of a hero. It’s a remarkable thing, and while some of it is juvenile, some of it also is kind of charming, to see people of all ages hold dearly onto memories, not just their own, but the memories of the fathers. Several fans who were born decades after Arnold’s final game came by and told him their dads had spoken of seeing Arnold play.
I also was impressed with the cordialness of all parties. All the quarterbacks were very accommodating in difficult circumstances. Imagine sitting at a hot table, signing your name over and over and over, for anywhere from 21/2 to 31/2 hours. The mind numbs and the hand tires and the legs cramp. Yet the quarterbacks sat there and were pleasant and charming to all the fans.
Jamelle Holieway actually worked the room, deciding the table was a little small, so he got up and moved back down the line, signing on a display case while chatting with fans waiting. I had forgotten that Holieway had such natural charm. I first met Holieway in Los Angeles in January 1985, when he was a high school senior at Banning High School. Had dinner with him while on a recruiting trip with Scott Hill. Holieway’s had some hard times since he left football. It was fun to remember the personality I saw a quarter century ago. Davis and Harris, who between them went 57-1-1 as starting quarterbacks, showed a little of the qualities that produced such leadership, telling quick stories when a questioned jogged their memory, and generally making everyone feel like they weren’t imposing. And Arnold was the MVP of the day, as dubbed by Davis, for his tenacity. Arnold, who was born in 1925, sat and signed and signed and signed. The line never backed up because of Claude Arnold.
But I also was impressed by the fans. Most were very thankful and gracious that the quarterbacks had allowed them this chance. Most called everyone “Mister…” Even Holieway, who still acts young even though he’ll be 42 later this month and I promise hasn’t been called “Mr. Holieway” too many times in his life.
This was not a big-time organizational event. Author Jim Fletcher, who wrote The Die-Hard Fan’s Guide to Sooner Football, arranged the event as a book-signing and chose the Sooner Schooner store because that’s where his dad would take him as a boy to shop for OU memorabilia. The nice people at the Sooner Schooner did their best to host such an overwhelming turnout — probably 500 people came through the doors — but it’s obvious why veteran organizers of such events put on strict guidelines.
No limit was placed on the number of items signed, which is madness. You’ve got to cap it, at two or three. Some people brought in five items. One guy brought in a three-foot high box, full of stuff. An easy solution is this: two items signed, except no limit on items purchased in the store. That way, the business is rewarded for hosting, but fans who try to take advantage of the situation can’t step out of bounds.
Also, the venue clearly wasn’t big enough for something this special. Maybe if you have a signing of a couple of random Sooner greats — let’s use two of my all-time favorites, for example, Dewey Selmon and Clendon Thomas — maybe the turnout isn’t so abundant. But if you make it a special club — all three Selmon brothers, for example, or the surviving members of the 1956 backfield, Thomas, Harris and Tommy McDonald, well, get ready for a crush of fans.
I’m 48 years old, have been following OU football all my life, been covering it to some degree since I was 18 years old and consider myself a Sooner historian. And I’m not sure that I still fully realize the depth and passion of the fan base. If I do, I sometimes forget and am reminded during events like Sunday.
It was quite a day.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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Comments
Berry – I’m always amazed at some of the autograph collections fans have. I attend a lot of memorabilia shows and have a blog discussing the shows, signers, cards, etc. Too many times the collecting world gets a bad reputation from the guy stalking an athelete to sell his autograph on eBay. The majority of collectors like attending the shows so they can meet their favorite player, share a story, and collect a piece of their sports passion. Nice column – thanks for sharing.
Jimmy, nice job on commenting on something that was a personal insight to an event. Must be time to jack up your pickup more, add bigger tires since your male-ness is lacking.
I go back to 1950 Sooner football and have lived and died every year since with the red and white….I was born in Norman and attended every home game from 1949 to 1960 when I moved to Las Vegas…I was there during the 47 game streak and was in the stadium when they lost to ND…bummer…of all the Sooner teams, none were more exciting to watch than the fast break..wishbone…..whoa…what teams thru the years…go Big Red…..Neil
When did OU correct it? When they named a building after a guy that the Governor and every major Okie newspaper called on to be ousted? Only OU would be desperate enough to hold on to such a shameful period and pretend it was anything but a disgrace. Shame on you.
Yes, Im so jealous.
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1126571/index.htm
Bud was a great great coach. Most people outside of Norman consider the Switzer ear a fraud. That’s just a fact.
Jimmy, Paul, and Ken- So which team do you clowns root for? I was a freshman here at OU in 1985 and was around alot of the players. Remember guys named Troy Aikman, Tony Casillas, Spencer Tillman? They all came out of this so called “period of shame”. And 99% of the players in the Switzer era were good people. If you guys are UT fans, why don’t you put it on a banner and fly your opinions around a little and cry some more. If you are not, then go admire whoever else has 7 National Championships like us (good luck) and enjoy the a** kicking we’ll hand down once more.
7 National Titles? In your dreams perhaps. Only one went undefeated while not on NCAA probation for major NCAA violations. Poor insecure OU fans. Have to brag about disgraced Barry Switzer to ease their inferiority complex.
1950 crushed by Kentucky in Bowl game
1955 on probation
1956 on probation(didn’t beat a top 25 team)
1974 on probation
1975 blackedout from TV/pimpslapped by Kansas in Norman
1985 wooped by Miami in Norman
2000 John Blake’s boys brings home the bacon
John Blake’s boys? OK, I guess the previous year with Stoops at the helm didn’t count. 85- I was at that game and if they hadn’t hurt Aikman, we would have won that one too.By the way, it’s “whooped” not “wooped”.If you want to talk trash, at least spell everything right.And your school of choice is?
Oh, didn’t mean to put Paul in that category with Jimmy and Ken.My bad. Also, spell check no. 2 Jimmy, “Switzer ear a”? Looks like hooked on phonics worked for you.
jimmy i think its hilarious that you think someone other than yourself has an inferiority complex. keep leaving messages. they’re killing me.
Jimmy can’t leave any more messages. They opened the soup line up downtown and he is getting his evening meal.Never did let me know who his team was.
Well well well…looks like I touched nerve and not a one of you can defend Switzer,LOL! Thanks. Thanks for the spelling tips too boys. I know that word processing is a popular major at a glorified community college like Zero U. Oh yea and did the OU brass have an inferiority complex when they forced Switzer out amid a cascade of scandal including some major NCAA violations? How bout all the major sports publications in America who condemned Switzer and his program before and after his ouster. You poor poor losers clinging desperately to your tarnished legacy because that’s all you have. 50 years of OU football and the only thing that doesn’t stink to high heaven is one title thanks to John Blake’s recruiting. So sad.
All schools have had NCAA violations, and that includes Texas. Switzer wasnt a monk by any means but his violations were not paying players to come to OU. If you think Texas doesnt pay its football players in some way you are a delusional fool. OR OSU, or any other of our rivals for that matter. If you are a UT fan, I dont think Id be casting any stones at a program being a “disgrace”. Seems UT had an issue with keeping their players out of the police blotter, uh, not too long ago as they pretty much led the league in arrests. Cheating or not, the very reason homeboy even comes to this article and comments is his insane hatred and jealousy of OU’s tradition of winning. The cheating thing is tired, come up with something new. Or, win more so you dont have to come over here and be such a whiny, inferior b1tch.
Jimmy…show me a program that hasn’t been successful and cheated? The answer is there are none. Switzer was an absolute monster in the mid 70′s to late 80′s. There’s not a program out there during that time that wouldn’t want to trade places. Even Miami whose fame was the late 80′s. When your program can boast the winningest program in the modern era, then come talk. Must be a slow day for a lurker of another program to poke their nose in on what happens at Oklahoma. If your a Texas fan…go name another part of your stadium after an Okie and former Sooner player.
Thanks Berry, I wish I could have been there to add to my small juvenile collection. I was in school with Jamelle, but never tried to get autographs back then, so it would have been cool to see him again and get some ink. It’s going to be another great season. Boomer Sooner !
Great article but unfortunatly started reading the comments and I cant believe Men would talk so low about a game young men play for the teams of there choice and for the love of the game. I just have a funny feeling they wouldnt go to the stadium and announce such ludicrous statemnts outloud as they wouldnt be talking to long. There are no more loyal fans in any sport than Sooner fans and If you want to ramble abusive statemnts then do it in a mirror were your words arent heard or read by the youth of America. I just cant help thinking that the Men writing out of hate or complete ignorance have anykind of allegence to anything worthwhile and must really be alone which they deserve. Hopefully if they have have children or offspring as Im sure that is what they would call them are running as fast as Billy and as far Little Joe to get away from them.
great article. I too made a mistake and started reading the thread. I’ve never understood why people come to sites just to talk smack. Just be a fan of your team and try to enjoy it a little. It’s not really about the winning, it’s about enjoying the sport by following a team you are committed to, and thats what I love about OU football. I live in Texas and have plenty of UT AND A&M friends and we all enjoy our teams, and stay friends. But I suppose any program that has won as much as the Sooners is always going to draw fire from some poor whiner who can’t stand for anyone else to enjoy life. I feel sorry for you Jimmy,life must be hard where you live.But I will pray for you.
An OU football historian??? Not once have you owned up to the fact that the Switzer era was a disgrace and that OU football is one of the biggest cheats in NCAA history. You’re just another pathetic OU homer with his head buried in the sand.
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1126571/index.htm