By: Buzz Candler, OU Alum

Buzz Candler, OU Alum — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 14:38:34 +0000

Does anyone in the media do the slightest bit of homework before making suggestions like fans ‘striping’ the stands with red & white for the Notre Dame game?
Did someone really believe that the approximately 85,000 fans would wear white or red outerwear based on odd and even section numbers? I guess that will be Joe Castiglione’s next ‘control’ measure. You MUST wear white in odd sections and red in even sections. Of course, if you have failed to do so, you are invited to go to the Student Union and drop an additional $50-$60 so you can comply with Joe’s ‘entry rules’.
First, OU’s predominant color is RED…hence the many references to Oklahoma’s ‘Big Red’. As is obvious from any OU home game attended or viewed by anyone, the dominant color is red. Red is a ‘power’ color and OU, year after year demonstrates football power. Why would anyone want to change the ‘sea of red’ that opposing players and fans see when they come into our stadium. It is beautiful. It is overwhelming. It is a sign of absolute faith and unity to visitors….but, more importantly, to our coaches and staff and to our team, each and every member, whether he plays or not. Red is exciting…and fast. Red is humbling. Red is a glorification to OU fans when they scream at each other across the field, “BOOOMER!”, then “SOOONER! “ Red is again an inspiration when , at the end of our National Anthem, “ …and the home of the…., OU fans scream in grand unison “…..SOONERS!” Red just feels good!
Second, OU fan’s have never ‘striped’ the stands in the ‘Modern Era’ and, while I do not object to the concept or establishment of a neo-tradition, I do object to any attempt to implement such for presence of Notre Dame. As a staunch fan, I do not wish to offer quite that much respect to Notre Dame for a myriad of reasons expressed by many. It implies an unearned ‘reverence’ for their program and could possibly communicate a ‘fear’ possessing OU fans, coaches, and , most importantly, players regarding yet another loss to the hallowed Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Notre Dame… the same team who has, certainly fearful of a thrashing, cancelled three previous appearances in Norman since 2000. They don’t deserve the ‘striping’. All they deserve is a thrashing.
Third, most white OU wear consists of t-shirts, a few collared shirts and sweatshirts. 95% of OU ‘fall weight’ outerwear (appropriate for late October night games), particularly jackets & ‘hoodies’ are red w/white, gray w/red or black, or black w/red or white, but more rarely white w/red. White w/red was more popular in past years. Newer generation OU fans seem partial to darker fashions. However, red on gray is mindful of Ohio State, not OU. Red on black is mindful of Texas Tech, not OU. The point is there is not just a plethora of white ‘fall weight’ outerwear, so it is fairly ludicrous the ask fans to go out and drop another handful of bucks on white jackets and ‘hoodies’, preferably with OU logos of some sort on them……just for this occasion. Well, it is not ludicrous to the Athletic Department. They can ‘back door’ a scheme almost as well as the Mathis brothers or the Gaylord family.
Finally, and what stimulated the first three, but is most telling, is that the temperature at kick-off is predicted to be in the mid 40s, dropping by game’s end to mid 30s. It will the coldest evening for the last 7-8 months. Perfect weather IF you’re playing; but not so perfect if your sitting in the stands. NOAA, right there in Norman, made this cold front prediction BEFORE the ludicrous suggestion to ‘stripe’ the field. In the meantime, not very many folks own a white jacket, OU or otherwise. Not sure whose grandiose idea this was, but someone should be linking bits of information and maybe even getting a second opinion BEFORE announcing such ludicrous suggestions to fans.
WEAR RED AND ROOT LIKE HELL!

By: Betty Nunley

Betty Nunley — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 19:31:57 +0000

The Story on Mike & Becky Nunley was a very moving story. Just Beautiful! They are a very Special couple. Thankyou for sharing with everyone.

Comments on: Power Lunch Chat with Jenni Carlson

By: Buzz Candler, OU Alum

By: Betty Nunley