INTRODUCTION. Nike is the official footwear, apparel and equipment supplier and sponsor of the Oklahoma baseball team. THE PROGRAM OKLAHOMA BASEBALL

Transcription

1 LETTER FROM COACH GOLLOWAY Welcome to OU baseball, one of the most storied collegiate programs in the nation. The Sooners have built a strong tradition by winning National Championships in 1951 and After hosting NCAA Regionals in two of the last four years and advancing to the 2006 Super Regional, we believe OU baseball is on the brink of making the program s 10th College World Series appearance. As a Sooner coach, I have been fortunate enough to be a part of three College World Series and the last four regional titles at Oklahoma. So it s fair to say that Sooner baseball is second to none when it comes to its student-athletes enjoying success on and off the field. The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department is committed to excellence on the field and in the classroom and that is evident by the amount of resources available to our student-athletes. The expectations remain high and the goals are simple -- to present the studentathletes with the most competitive setting that will prepare them for success at OU and, in turn, in life. As a Sooner head coach, I recognize the outstanding leadership that has come before this coaching staff and the successful student-athletes who have represented this program. We acknowledge the awesome responsibility as care takers of this program and work very hard to build upon its rich tradition. We will continue to extend our right hand of fellowship to our alumni, fans and the dedicated people who represent this great university as we all work together to bring championships home to L. Dale Mitchell Park. 51 INTRODUCTION 2008 MEDIA GUIDE CREDITS The 2008 Oklahoma baseball media guide is a production of the University of Oklahoma Athletics Media Relations office. The guide was written, designed and edited by Assistant Director of Media Relations Craig Moran. Additional editing provided by Director of Publications Debbie Copp. Additional contributions provided by student interns Ryan Kasmiersky, Leslie Koch and Matt Wilson. COVER The front, back and inside covers were designed by Director of Graphic Design Scott Matthews with assistance from Craig Moran. Photos by Ty Russell and Shevaun Williams. PHOTOGRAPHY Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Matt Brown, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Wendy Egan, Kevin Ellis, Florida Marlins, Lisa Hall, Houston Astros, Simon Hurst, ICON Sports Media Inc., Kansas City Royals, Mark Kraus, Jackson Laizure, Jerry Laizure, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Stan Lui, Minnesota Twins, Bruce Newman, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, Elizabeth Roberts, Ty Russell, Aaron Sprecher, Ben VanHouten, John Williamson and Shevaun Williams. PRINTING This publication was printed by the Transcript Press at no cost to taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution (Feb. 2008). Nike is the official footwear, apparel and equipment supplier and sponsor of the Oklahoma baseball team. 1

2 51 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Table of Contents 2 Quick Facts 4 Team Information Roster Schedule 7 Baseball Tradition National Championship National Championship 12 College World Series 14 Conference Success 16 MLB Draft 18 Home Run Club 20 Sunny Golloway 22 Assistant Coaches 23 Offense 24 Defense 25 Media Attention 26 Community Service 28 Bedlam 30 L. Dale Mitchell Park 32 OU Facilities 34 Strength/Sports Medicine 36 The University 38 Academics 40 Athletic Excellence 42 Tradition and Spirit 44 Norman and Oklahoma City 46 SoonerSports.com 48 SEASON OUTLOOK 2008 Season Outlook Big 12 Championship 54 Oklahoma Media Policies 56 Radio Information 57 Oklahoma Media Outlets 58 OKLAHOMA STAFF Head Coach Sunny Golloway 60 Golloway Q&A 63 Assistant Coach Tim Tadlock 64 Assistant Coach Mike Bell 65 Support Staff 66 University President David Boren 70 VP/Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione 71 Athletics Administration 72 OU Head Coaches 73 OU Baseball Camp 74 RETURNER PROFILES Bryant Hernandez 76 Mike Gosse 77 Aljay Davis 78 Zach Hedges 79 Antwonie Hubbard 80 Andrew Doyle 81 Aaron Baker 82 Ryan Mottern 83 Drew Roberts 84 Bryan Groth 85 Garrett Richards 86 Jarod Freeman 87 Stephen Porlier 88 Zach Sawyer 89 Why Oklahoma? 90 NEWCOMER PROFILES Casey Johnson and Matt Harughty 92 Jamie Johnson and Spencer Selby 93 Chase Anderson and Jeremy Erben 94 Chad Colbert and Trey Sperring 95 JT Wise and Jake McCarter 96 Ryan Duke and C.J. Blue 97 Tyson Seng and Garrett Buechele 98 Elliott Blair and Doug Buser 99 Michael Rocha and Mark Guest 100 THE OPPONENTS Non-Conference Opponents 102 Big 12 Opponents REVIEW Season Recap/Highlights Results 110 Miscellaneous Stats 111 Overall Team Statistics 112 Big 12 Team Statistics 113 Hitting Game-by-Game 114 Pitching Game-by-Game 115 Big 12 Year-In-Review 116 HISTORY Baseball Timeline 118 Year-by-Year Statistics 122 Year-by-Year Results 123 All-Time Coaches 124 Game-by-Game Results 125 Conference Tournament History 136 NCAA Postseason History 137 Team Records 138 Individual Offensive Records 139 Individual Pitching Records 142 All-Americans 144 All-District Honorees 145 Conference Honorees 146 Postseason Honorees 148 Academic Honorees 150 Letterwinners 152 Series Records 157 Major League Alumni 176 A summary of the tradition established by Oklahoma baseball including two National Championships, nine College World Series Appearances, Sooners in Major League Baseball, the coaching staff, facilities, the Bedlam Rivalry, Media Attention, Community Service, the university and academics SEASON OUTLOOK A preview of the 2008 season. Oklahoma opens the year at UCLA on Feb. 22 and the home opener is slated for Feb. 26. Also included in this section is a breakdown of the Sooners by position and a projected depth chart and the services provided by the OU Athletics Media Relations office. OKLAHOMA STAFF A closer look at the people who run the Sooner baseball program, including the coachesand support staff. Sunny Golloway is entering his third full season as the head coach after taking over at the end of the 2005 season. He is joined by third-year assistant coach Tim Tadlock and first-year assistant coach Mike Bell RETURNER PROFILES Each of the 14 returning players from the 2007 squad are highlighted with complete bios, including freshman All- American Aaron Baker. Six seniors will look to lead OU back into the postseason after narrowly missing the program s 31st appearance in the NCAA Tournament in

3 HEAD COACH SUNNY GOLLOWAY TABLE OF CONTENTS 51 NEWCOMER PROFILES Complete bios on each of the 18 newcomers. The 2008 roster is filled with plenty of fresh faces, including transfers Jake McCarter (Alabama) and J.T. Wise (Louisiana State). In addition, several other newcomers are expected to compete for starting jobs on opening day, two of whom are freshmen THE OPPONENTS The Sooners will face 10 opponents that participated in last year s NCAA Tournament, including five 2007 Super Regional teams (UCLA, Rice, Wichita State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State). In addition, 29 home games at L. Dale Mitchell Park highlight the schedule REVIEW Oklahoma narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003 after finishing the season with a overall record. The Sooners finished seventh in the Big 12 regular season standings with an mark and went 2-1 in the 2007 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship. HISTORY Review the complete history that has helped OU establish itself as one of the premier collegiate baseball programs in the nation. OU is one of 13 schools to win multiple national titles and it also ranks in the top 15 among College World Series appearances and victories. 3

4 51 QUICK FACTS THE UNIVERSITY Location: Norman, Okla. Founded: 1890 Enrollment: 29,721 Nickname: Sooners Colors: Crimson and Cream Conference: Big 12 President: David Boren VP/Director of Athletics: Joe Castiglione OU HISTORY First Year of Baseball: 1898 All-Time Record (seasons): 2,158-1, (109) All-Time Big 12 Record (seasons): (11) Big 12 Tournament Titles: One (1997) NCAA Postseason Appearances (last): 30 (2006) College World Series Appearances (last): Nine (1995) College World Series Titles: Two (1951 & 1994) STAFF INFORMATION Head Coach: Sunny Golloway Alma Mater: Oklahoma Christian College (1984) Career Record (years): (11) OU Record (years): (3) Assistant Coach: Tim Tadlock - Hitting Coach Assistant Coach: Mike Bell - Pitching Coach Volunteer Assistant: Russell Raley Coordinator of Baseball Operations: Ryan Gaines Office Phone: STADIUM INFORMATION Stadium: L. Dale Mitchell Park OU Record: (.793) Capacity: 2,700 Surface: Grass Year Opened: 1982 Dimensions: LF - 335, CF - 411, RF Pressbox Phone: MEDIA RELATIONS Baseball Contact: Craig Moran Office: (405) Fax: (405) Cell: (405) cmoran@ou.edu Web site: Mailing and overnight shipping address: 180 West Brooks St., Suite 2525; Norman, OK The number of victories for the University of Oklahoma baseball team, including plus win seasons since The OU baseball program s first year of competition. The number of career wins by current head coach Sunny Golloway. The Sooners have won two National Championships in baseball. The first was in 1951 under Jack Baer and the second under Larry Cochell in OU MEDIA RELATIONS STAFF KENNY MOSSMAN Senior Associate A.D./Communications Football kmossman@ou.edu CRAIG MORAN Assistant Director Baseball, Soccer cmoran@ou.edu MIKE HOUCK Associate Director Men s Basketball mhouck@ou.edu JESSICA SUMMERS Assistant Director Softball, Volleyball jlsummers@ou.edu JARED THOMPSON Associate Director Women s Basketball jaredthompson@ou.edu DAVID BASSITY Assistant Director Cross Country, Track & Field dbassity@ou.edu 4

5 2007 TEAM INFORMATION 2007 Overall Record: Conference Record (Finish): (Seventh) 2007 NCAA Postseason: Big 12 Tournament Semifinals 2008 OUTLOOK Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/17 Position Starters Returning/Lost: 4/5 Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost: 2/3 Newcomers: 18 All-Americans Returning: 1 RETURNING POSITION STARTERS No. Name Class Pos. GP-GS Key Stats 2 Bryant Hernandez So. INF , 6 RBIs,.900 FLD% 8 Aljay Davis Sr. INF , 28 RBIs,.957 FLD% 15 Aaron Baker So. C/INF , 50 RBIs,.996 FLD% 5 Mike Gosse Sr. INF/DH , 13 RBIs, FLD% RETURNING STARTING PITCHERS No. Name Class APP-GS Key Stats 16 Ryan Mottern Sr , 5.63 ERA, 38.1 IP, 34 SO 37 Stephen Polier Jr , 4.18 ERA, 99.0 IP, 99 SO KEY NEWCOMERS No. Name Class Pos. Hometown (Last School) 3 Casey Johnson Fr. OF Mesquite, Texas (High School) 4 Matt Harughty Jr. INF Spring, Texas (Blinn College) 6 Jamie Johnson So. OF Calhoun, La. (Texarkana College) 9 Chase Anderson So. RHP Wichita Falls, Texas (North Central J. C.) 12 Jeremy Erben So. RHP New Braunfels, Texas (Weatherford J.C.) 20 Trey Sperring Jr. INF Cypress, Texas (Rice) 21 J.T. Wise Jr. C/INF Apopka, Fla. (LSU) 22 Jake McCarter Sr. RHP Kerrville, Texas (Alabama) 33 Tyson Seng Fr. INF/RHR Enid,Okla. (Northern Okla. College) 44 Micheal Rocha Fr. RHP Buda, Texas (High School) TEAM INFORMATION ROSTER BREAKDOWN By Class: Senior 7 Sophomore 10 Junior 6 Freshman 9 By State: Texas 19 British Columbia 1 Oklahoma 5 Florida 1 California 3 Illinois 1 Arkansas 1 Louisiana 1 BY POSITION (*) LHP - 3 C.J. Blue, Mark Guest and Zach Sawyer RHP - 11 Chase Anderson, Andrew Doyle, Ryan Duke, Jeremy Erben, Antwonie Hubbard, Jake McCater Ryan Mottern, Stephen Porlier, Garrett Richards, Micheal Rocha,Tyson Seng INF - 12 Aaron Baker, Garrett Buechele, Aljay Davis, Jarod Freeman, Mike Gosse, Matt Harughty, Zach Hedges, Bryant Hernandez, Drew Roberts, Spencer Selby, Trey Sperring, J. T. Wise OF - 8 Elliot Blair, Doug Buser, Chad Colbert, Mike Gosse, Casey Johnson, Jamie Johnson, Ryan Mottern, Drew Roberts C - 3 Aaron Baker, Bryan Groth, J. T. Wise Left-handed hitters - 5 Right-handed hitters - 15 * some players listed at multiple positions 51 RED/WHITE FALL SERIES 5

6 ROSTERS NUMERICAL No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. B/T Yr. Hometown (Previous School) 2 Bryant Hernandez INF R/R SO Camarillo, Calif. (St. Bonaventure H.S.) 3 Casey Johnson OF L/R FR Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite H.S) 4 Matt Harughty INF R/R JR Spring, Texas (Blinn College) 5 Mike Gosse INF/OF L/R SR Pitt Meadows, British Columbia (New Mexico J.C.) 6 Jamie Johnson OF L/R SO Calhoun, La. (Texarkana College) 7 Spencer Selby INF R/R SO Oklahoma City, Okla. (Southern Nazarene University) 8 Aljay Davis INF R/R SR Lakewood, Calif. (N.E. Oklahoma A&M) 9 Chase Anderson RHP R/R SO Wichita Falls, Texas (North Central J.C.) 10 Zach Hedges INF R/R SO Harrison, Ark. (Bentonville H.S.) 11 Antwonie Hubbard RHP R/R RS-FR Hooks, Texas (Hooks H.S.) 12 Jeremy Erben RHP R/R SO New Braunfels, Texas (Weatherford J.C.) 13 Chad Colbert OF R/R FR Allen, Okla. (Allen H.S.) 14 Andrew Doyle RHP R/R SO Rock Island, Ill. (Alleman H.S.) 15 Aaron Baker INF/C L/R SO Denton, Texas (Denton H.S.) 16 Ryan Mottern RHP/OF R/R SR Palestine, Texas (Palestine H.S.) 17 Drew Roberts OF/INF R/R SR Mesquite, Texas (Grayson County J.C.) 20 Trey Sperring INF R/R JR Cypress, Texas (San Jacinto J.C.) 21 J.T. Wise C/INF R/R JR Apopka, Fla. (Louisiana State) 22 Jake McCarter RHP R/R SR Kerrville, Texas (Alabama) 25 Bryan Groth C R/R SO Spring, Texas (Klein H.S.) 26 Garrett Richards RHP R/R SO Edmond, Okla. (Memorial H.S.) 27 Jarod Freeman INF L/R SR Oklahoma City, Okla. (Westmoore H.S.) 28 Ryan Duke RHP R/R FR Corpus Christi, Texas (Calallen H.S.) 32 C.J. Blue LHP L/L JR Terrell, Texas (Grayson County J.C.) 33 Tyson Seng INF/RHP R/R FR Enid, Okla. (Enid H.S.) 37 Stephen Porlier RHP R/R JR Sugarland, Texas (Tulane) 38 Garrett Buechele INF R/R FR Arlington, Texas (Lamar H.S.) 39 Elliott Blair OF R/R RS-FR Argyle, Texas (Liberty Christian School) 40 Zach Sawyer LHP L/L SR Plano, Texas (Navarro J.C.) 42 Doug Buser OF R/R JR Orinda, Calif. (San Jose City College) 44 Michael Rocha RHP R/R FR Buda, Texas (Hays H.S.) 45 Mark Guest LHP L/L FR Plano, Texas (Plano West H.S.) COACHING STAFF 18 Head Coach Sunny Golloway 50 Assistant Coach Tim Tadlock (Hitting Coach) 23 Assistant Coach Mike Bell (Pitching Coach) 51 Volunteer Assistant Russell Raley ALPHABETICAL No. Name 9 Anderson, Chase 15 Baker, Aaron* 32 Blue, C.J. 39 Blair, Elliott 38 Buechele, Garrett 42 Buser, Doug 13 Colbert, Chad 8 Davis, Aljay* 14 Doyle, Andrew* 28 Duke, Ryan 12 Erben, Jeremy 27 Freeman, Jarod** 5 Gosse, Mike* 25 Groth, Bryan 45 Guest, Mark 4 Harughty, Matt 35 Hedges, Zach 2 Hernandez, Bryant* 11 Hubbard, Antwonie 3 Johnson, Casey 6 Johnson, Jamie 22 McCarter, Jake 16 Mottern, Ryan*** 37 Porlier, Stephen* 26 Richards, Garrett* 17 Roberts, Drew* 44 Rocha, Michael 40 Sawyer, Zach 7 Selby, Spencer 33 Seng, Tyson 20 Sperring, Trey 21 Wise, J.T. * - letters earned PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Garrett BUECHELE Doug BUSER ALJAY Davis Sunny GOLLOWAY Mike GOSSE Bryan GROTH Matt HARUGHTY ANTWONIE Hubbard STEPHEN PORLIER Michael ROCHA Tyson SENG Trey SPERRING BOO-shell BYEW-zer AL-jay GAHL-a-way Goss Growth HARE-uh-tee ANN-twon STEVE-en POUR-lee-ay ROW-cha SING SPARE-ing 1B AARON BAKER The Sooners first baseman, a Louisville Slugger Freshman All- American, played in and started all but one game in The slugger was second on the team with 50 RBIs and sixth with a.323 batting average. 6

7 SCHEDULE DATE DAY OPPONENT LOCATION TIME 2/22 Friday UCLA Los Angeles, Calif. 8 p.m. 2/23 Saturday UCLA Los Angeles, Calif. 5 p.m. 2/24 Sunday UCLA Los Angeles, Calif. 3 p.m. 2/26 Tuesday Arkansas Pine Bluff Norman 3 p.m. 2/27 Wednesday Arkansas Pine Bluff Norman 3 p.m. 2/29 Friday Rice# Houston, Texas noon 3/1 Saturday Houston# Houston, Texas noon 3/2 Sunday Tennessee# Houston, Texas 11 a.m. 3/4 Tuesday North Dakota State Norman 3 p.m. 3/5 Wednesday North Dakota State - DH Norman 3 p.m. /6:30 p.m. 3/7 Friday Western Illinois Norman 6:35 p.m. 3/8 Saturday Western Illinois - DH Norman noon/6 p.m. 3/9 Sunday Western Illinois Norman noon 3/11 Tuesday Dallas Baptist& Frisco, Texas 7 p.m. 3/12 Wednesday Northern Illinois& Frisco, Texas 3 p.m. 3/14 Friday Washington State Norman 6:35 p.m. 3/15 Saturday Washington State - DH Norman 2 p.m. /5:30 p.m. 3/16 Sunday Washington State Norman 1 p.m. 3/18 Tuesday South Florida Tampa, Fla. 6 p.m. 3/19 Wednesday South Florida Tampa, Fla. 6 p.m. 3/21 Friday Nebraska* Lincoln, Neb. 2:05 p.m. 3/22 Saturday Nebraska* Lincoln, Neb. 2:05 p.m. 3/23 Sunday Nebraska* Lincoln, Neb. 1:05 p.m. 3/25 Tuesday UT-Arlington Norman 7 p.m 3/28 Friday Baylor* Norman 6:35 p.m. 3/29 Saturday Baylor* Norman 2 p.m. 3/30 Sunday Baylor* Norman 1 p.m. 4/1 Tuesday Dallas Baptist Norman 3 p.m. 4/4 Friday Texas* Norman 6:35 p.m. 4/5 Saturday Texas* Norman 2 p.m. 4/6 Sunday Texas* Norman 1 p.m. 4/9 Wednesday Wichita State Wichita, Kan. 7 p.m. 4/11 Friday Texas A&M* College Station, Texas 6:35 p.m. 4/12 Saturday Texas A&M* College Station, Texas 6:35 p.m. 4/13 Sunday Texas A&M* College Station, Texas 1:05 p.m. 4/15 Tuesday TCU Fort Worth, Texas 6:30 p.m. 4/18 Friday Missouri* Norman 6:35 p.m. 4/19 Saturday Missouri* Norman 2 p.m. 4/20 Sunday Missouri* Norman 1 p.m. 4/22 Tuesday TCU Norman 7 p.m. 4/25 Friday Texas Tech* Lubbock, Texas 6:05 p.m. 4/26 Saturday Texas Tech* Lubbock, Texas 2 p.m. 4/27 Sunday Texas Tech* Lubbock, Texas 1 p.m. 4/30 Wednesday Wichita State Norman 7 p.m. 5/2 Friday Kansas* Lawrence, Kan. 6 p.m. 5/3 Saturday Kansas* Lawrence, Kan. 2 p.m. 5/4 Sunday Kansas* Lawrence, Kan. 1 p.m. 5/9 Friday Kansas State* Norman 6:35 p.m. 5/10 Saturday Kansas State* Norman 7 p.m. 5/11 Sunday Kansas State* Norman 1 p.m. 5/16 Friday Oklahoma State*$ Tulsa, Okla. 7:30 p.m. 5/17 Saturday Oklahoma State*@ Oklahoma City 7:35 p.m. 5/18 Sunday Oklahoma State*@ Oklahoma City 4 p.m. 5/21-5/25 Wednesday-Sunday Phillips 66 Big 12 Oklahoma City TBA 5/30-6/2 Friday-Monday NCAA Regional Campus Sites TBA 6/6-6/8 Friday-Monday NCAA Super Regional Campus Sites TBA 6/14-6/25 Saturday-Wednesday NCAA College World Series Omaha, Neb. TBA - All times listed are central and subject to change. # Denotes Houston College Classic, played at Minute Maid Park * Big 12 game $ Game to be played at Drillers Stadium in Tulsa, Okla. & Game to be played at Dr Pepper Ballpark (Frisco, Games to be played at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark (Oklahoma City) 7

8 51 BASEBALL TRADITION Since the University of Oklahoma started its baseball program in 1898, the Sooners have recorded 83 seasons with a winning record, including 30 NCAA Tournament appearances, 10 regional/district titles, nine College World Series appearances and two National Championships. OU is one of 13 programs across the country to win multiple national titles and the only other school, except Texas, to do so in the Big 12 Conference. From the first conference championship in 1925 under head coach Bill Owen to the Sooners last regional title in 2006 under current head coach Sunny Golloway, winning is a regular occurrence in Norman. Tradition at the University of Oklahoma is second to none. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the 1994 National Championship, three CWS appearances and four regional titles and we look forward to adding on to the storied history. - Sunny Golloway, OU Head Coach The Sooners last National Championship came in 1994, when they 1994 defeated Georgia Tech, 13-5, en route to a overall record. Oklahoma captured its first NCAA title in 1951, led by hurler 1951 Jack Shirley. OU won a then-program record 19 games in The number of victories recorded by the 1976 Sooners under head 62 coach Enos Semore. The mark is a program best. Oklahoma has appeared in 30 NCAA Tournaments, a mark that ranks 30 third in the Big 12 Conference. The OU baseball program has captured 26 conference champion- 26 ships in the regular and postseason, the third best total in the Big 12. JACK BAER Architect of OU s first National Title in 1951, the same year he was named the National Coach of the Year. 11 The number of Major League seasons played by one of OU s most successful alum, L. Dale Mitchell (below). His.507 batting average in 1946 is a school record and OU s stadium is named in his honor. Only two other schools in the Big 12 Conference have made more 9 trips (9) to Omaha than the Sooners. L. DALE MITCHELL LARRY COCHELL Named the 1994 National Coach of the Year after leading the Sooners to the program s second National Championship. 8

9 2006 NORMAN REGIONAL BASEBALL TRADITION 51 FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS 16 players have been drafted in the first round, with Jackson Williams (above) the latest in Other notables include: David Purcey, Mark Redman, Jack Armstrong, Bobby Witt and John Russell. ALL-AMERICANS Greg Dobbs (above) was an All-American in 2001 and one of 53 Sooners to earn the accolade since Current Sooner Aaron Baker is the last player to collect the honor and he did so in ALL-CONFERENCE Seven Sooners have been named a first team all-conference honoree on three occasions in OU history and Casey Bookout (above) was the last to accomplish the feat ( ). ACADEMICS OU has seen three Academic All-Americans in the last two seasons, including Aaron Ivey (above) who was the first Sooner to be named baseball s Academic All-American of the Year. ENOS SEMORE The number of wins recorded by former OU head coach Enos Semore. 851 The total is the highest in school history. The number of years coached by Semore at Oklahoma ( ). 22 The Sooners averaged 38.5 wins per season during his tenure. Semore s clubs won nine conference championships, including two 9 Big Eight postseason titles (1977 and 1979). Oklahoma appeared in five consecutive College World Series from

10 NATIONAL CHAMPS OKLAHOMA POWERS TO SERIES TITLE For Immediate Release: June, 11, 1994 OMAHA, Neb. -- Twenty-five guys pulling on the same rope. The 1994 Oklahoma baseball team s season-long motto that inspired them to a regular-season record continued to spark OU during postseason play where the Sooners produced thier second baseball national title in school history with a 13-5 rout of Georgia Tech. The national title capped off an incredible NCAA Tournament run by the Sooners who went undefeated in both the regional tournament in Austin, Texas, and the eight-team double elimination World Series. At the time, OU became only the fifth team since the College World Series moved to Omaha in 1950 to accomplish such a feat. To further demonstrate the Sooners dominance during the postseason, Oklahoma trailed in just one of the 72 innings in the NCAA Tournament. OU finished the series as the top hitting (.327) and pitching (2.37 ERA) team, while ranking second in defense (committing only five errors). We got hot at the right time, said Oklahoma Head Coach Larry Cochell following the championship game. The momentum that we got in Austin carried over, and the two one-run victories here (against Auburn and Arizona State) gave us the confidence to keep it going. Leading the way for the Sooners was senior centerfielder Chip Glass, who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the series. Glass, who hit only three home runs during the regular season, nailed three round-trippers during the series, including one in the championship game. Over the four-game tournament, the Ukiah, Calif., native batted.389 with four RBI and three stolen bases. With the game tied at two after three innings, Oklahoma jumped ahead and claimed a commanding lead that it would not relinquish. Aided by four hits and three Yellow Jacket errors, the Sooners scored five runs in the fourth inning to break open a 7-2 lead. Two frames later, a two-run double by Tech s designated hitter Michael Sorrow (in the top of the sixth) brought the Jackets back to within three runs before a three-run homer by sophomore designated hitter Damon Minor capped off a four-run bottom of the sixth to put the game away for good. Junior leftfielder Aric Thomas and senior rightfielder Darvin Traylor led all Oklahoma hitters with three hits and runs apiece, while both drove in one run each. Junior righthander Tim Walton, who pitched five scoreless innings in relief a week before against Arizona State in the Sooners second game of the series, picked up the win for OU after throwing 2.1 strong innings in relief of senior starting pitcher Kevin Lovingier. Oklahoma s ace closer, junior righthander Bucky Buckles, came on for the final 3.2 innings of work to close out the game and record his school and Big Eight record 14th save of the season. Buckles performance earned him a spot on the all-tournament team along with five other Sooners: Glass, senior second baseman Rick Gutierrez, sophomore first baseman Ryan Minor, Traylor and junior pitcher Mark Redman. As a team, Oklahoma set a championship game record with its 13 runs and tied the record with 16 hits. We didn t have any superstars. This was a team in the truest sense of the word. We all pulled together and did what it took to win. - Chip Glass, 1994 College World Series Most Outstanding Player The Sooners ran the table during the 1994 NCAA Tournament 8-0 with a perfect 8-0 mark, including a 4-0 record in the CWS. OU displayed its dominance in the eight games of the tournament 71 by only trailing in one of the 72 innings played. 13 Oklahoma topped Georgia Tech, 13-5, off 16 hits in the championship game, setting a then CWS record. It marked the fourth time the Sooners scored 10 or more runs in the NCAA tourney that year. The OU pitching staff finished the 1994 CWS with the lowest ERA, , among all the participants. The sluggers also led all CWS teams in 1994 with a.327 batting.327 average. OU averaged seven runs per game in the series. 10

11 1994 NATIONAL CHAMPS NCAA COLLEGE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP GAME OKLAHOMA 13, Georgia Tech 5 Sunday, June 11 * Omaha, Neb HARDWARE Oklahoma (50-17) Name (Pos.) AB R H RBI BB SO PO A Thomas, lf Hansen, lf Traylor, rf Gutierrez, 2b D. Minor, dh Bradshaw, ph Hills, ss Glass, cf Mariani, 3b R. Minor, 1b Soto, ph/1b Flores, c Lovingier, p Buckles, p Totals DEFENSE The Sooners defense, led up the middle by Rick Gutierrez (left) and Rich Hills, finished the College World Series ranked second with five errors. ACE IN THE PEN Bucky Buckles completed what was then a school-record 14th save for the season after tossing the final 3 2/3 innings in the championship game. POWER LINEUP The middle of the Sooners lineup (3-5) drove in seven runs in the title game, led by Damon Minor s threerun homer in the 6th inning. Georgia Tech (50-17) Name (Pos.) AB R H RBI BB SO PO A Garciaparra, ss McIntyre, 2b Payton, cf Varitek, c Hensley, 3b/1b Byers, 1b T. Barr, ph Lincoln, pr Easterling, lf Sorrow, dh M. Barr, ph Smith, lf/rf Saier, rf Ritter, ph/3b Gogolin, p Totals Score By Innings: R H E Georgia Tech Oklahoma x E - Hensley 2 (16), Saier (5), Varitek (9); DP - Georgia Tech 3, Oklahoma 1. LOB - Georgia Tech 8, Oklahoma 8; 2B - Payton (27), Sorrow (9), Hills (28). 3B - Traylor (3); HR - Garciaparra (16), Varitek (17), D. Minor (14), Glass (6); SB - Glass (26). CS - Garciaparra, Mariani. Oklahoma IP H R ER BB SO Lovingier Snyder Walton (7-3) Buckles (14) Georgia Tech IP H R ER BB SO Gogolin (12-3) Myers McGill Cason WP - McGill, HBP - by Myers (Hills). Umpires - Runchey, Pedersen, Nelson, Magnusson. Start - 12:07 p.m., Time - 2:50, Attendance - 21,053 DOGPILE CELEBRATION 11

12 NATIONAL CHAMPS SOONERS EARN FIRST TITLE For Immediate Release: June, 17, 1951 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME OMAHA, Neb. -- They weren t supposed to be there. They weren t even supposed to be that good, but the 1951 Oklahoma baseball team proved in the end that it could play with the best teams in the nation by sweeping through an impressive tournament field en route to its first baseball national title. Oklahoma came from behind to defeat the University of Tennessee, 3-2, in the championship game to become the first team in College World Series history to claim the title after winning the double-elimination tournament in straight games without defeat. The title also gave the University of Oklahoma the distinction of becoming the first school to win three national titles in one school year after the football and wrestling teams both captured national championships. It was a fine pitching performance by one of those good pitchers that lifted OU to victory in the championship game. Sooners starting pitcher Jack Shirley limited the Volunteers to two runs on three hits. He faced only five batters over the minimum and retired the side in order in seven of the nine innings. After surrendering a single and a double in the first inning, the righthander from Altus, Okla., quieted the Tennessee bats until the fifth inning when he gave up a RBI-single that drove in the Volunteers second run of the inning. The win was Shirley s second of the tournament after leading the Sooners to victory in their first game against Ohio State, and his eighth in nine starts that year. Offensively, Oklahoma pounded out 11 hits off of two Tennessee pitchers. Most of the Sooners offensive production came from catcher John Reddell (3-for-5), leftfielder Phil McKee (2-for-4) and first baseman Gene Sheets (2-for-5). However, it was centerfielder Charley Pugsley who delivered the key hit for the Sooners that day. With the game tied at two and two outs in the top of the eighth, Pugsley hammered his only hit of the evening into centerfield to score third baseman Ray Morgosh with the winning run. OU scored its first run of the game in the sixth inning when UT s starting pitcher walked in Reddell with the bases loaded. Reddell figured into the Sooners next scoring play when he singled home McKee from third to tie the game at two in the top of the seventh. After struggling with a 9-8 win in 10 innings over Ohio State in the opener, and a 7-1 win over Springfield (Mass.) College in the second game of the tournament, OU took its spot in the national championship game by defeating Southern California, 4-1. Another pitching star for Oklahoma, Floyd Murphy, led the Sooners to victory over the Trojans as Murphy scattered eight hits, while the Sooner defense aided the effort by turning four double plays in the game. After beginning the season with six straight losses, OU finished the regular season 12-9 and captured the Big Seven Conference crown after compiling a 10-1 mark in league play. The Sooners shaky start melted away into a hot streak which saw OU win its last 13 games en route to the title. The 13-game streak ranks in the top ten all-time as the longest win streak to end a season by a College World Series champion. 12 We just weren t a great team, but everybody worked hard. We had a couple of good hitters and two good pitchers, three really. - Jack Baer, OU Head Coach ( ) The Sooners were undefeated during the 1951 NCAA Tournament with a perfect 7-0 mark, including a 4-0 record in the CWS. Oklahoma s win total during the 1951 season, a school record for the first 72 years of OU baseball until 1969 (23). The Sooners won their last 13 games en route to the 1951 title. That mark ranks in the top 10 all-time as the longest win streak to end a season by a College World Series champion. The Sooners won the title game with three runs off 11 hits, opposite Tennessee s two runs scored off three hits. The University of Oklahoma won three national championships in With titles also claimed by the wrestling and football teams, OU was the first university to accomplish the feat.

13 1951 NATIONAL CHAMPS NCAA COLLEGE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP GAME OKLAHOMA 3, TENNESSEE 2 Sunday, June 17 * Omaha, Neb. GENE SHEETS After winning the 1951 National Championship as a sophomore, Sheets became OU s first two-time All-American, earning the honors in 1952 and Sheets was also OU s first, First Team All-American in JOHN REDDELL A three-year letterwinner in both baseball and football at OU, Reddell scored the Sooners first run in the national championship game and later drove in the game-tying run in the seventh inning against the Volunteers. Oklahoma Name (Pos.) AB R H RBI PO A Wich, ss Morgosh, 3b Sheets, 1b Pugsley, cf Antonio, rf McKee, lf Reddell, c Harrah, 2b Shirley, p Totals JACK SHIRLEY The Sooners ace during the championship run. His win in the title game was his eighth of the season in nine starts. Prior to limiting Tennessee to two runs off three hits, Shirley also helped OU defeat Ohio State in the CWS opener. JACK BAER The Sooners manager led Oklahoma to its first national championship in baseball and 281 wins overall during his 26 years. The Sooners won six conference championships and advanced to five NCAA Tournaments under Baer. Tennessee Name (Pos.) AB R H RBI PO A Asbury, lf Bell, ss Hopkins, 3b Hatfield, 1b/p Richichar, cf Anderson, c Payne, rf Huffstetler, p Powell, -b Totals Score By Innings: R H E Oklahoma Tennessee E - Richichar. 2B - Hopkins, Reddell, Morgosh. 3B - McKee. SB - Reddell. S- Powell. DP - Wich and Sheets; Hatfield, Bell and Powell. LOB - Oklahoma 16, Tennessee 3. BB - Shirley 4, Huffstetler 1, Hatfield 8. SO - Shirley 6, Hatfield 5. Winner - Shirley. Loser - Hatfield. HBP - Pugsley (by Hatfield).. WP - Shirley. PB - Reddell, Anderson. Umpires - Warneke, Alvarez, Tobin. Time - 2:12, Attendance - 6, TEAM PHOTO 13

14 51 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES Any Division I baseball program s success is measured in Omaha, Neb., the home of Rosenblatt Stadium and the College World Series. The Sooners have produced that success with two National Championships and nine CWS appearances, the third highest total in the Big 12 Conference and a top 20 mark across the country, respectively. OU also ranks in the top 20 in CWS wins (14) and games played (28). The Sooners crowning moments came during the 1951 and 1994 seasons when they ran the table with 7-0 and 8-0 marks, respectively. Head Coach: Larry Cochell CWS Record: 0-2 Overall: Team Stats - Batting Average:.312 Earned Run Average: 4.01 Head Coach: Larry Cochell CWS Record: 4-0 Overall: Team Stats - Batting Average:.319 Earned Run Average: 4.08 CWS CHAMPS Head Coach: Larry Cochell CWS Record: 1-2 Overall: Team Stats - Batting Average:.307 Earned Run Average: 4.99 Head Coach: Enos Semore CWS Record: 0-2 Overall: Team Stats - Batting Average:.318 Earned Run Average: 2.78 Head Coach: Enos Semore CWS Record: 2-2 Overall: Team Stats - Batting Average:.300 Earned Run Average: The last Oklahoma team to reach Omaha Head Coach: Enos Semore CWS Record: 1-2 Overall: Team Stats - Batting Average:.330 Earned Run Average: 2.32 Head Coach: Enos Semore CWS Record: 1-2 Overall: Team Stats - Batting Average:.320 Earned Run Average: 1.92 Head Coach: Enos Semore CWS Record: 1-2 Overall: Team Stats - Batting Average:.268 Earned Run Average: The Sooners set a school record with 62 wins Head Coach: Jack Baer CWS Record: 4-0 Overall: Team Stats - Batting Average:.232 Earned Run Average: 3.94 ROSENBLATT STADIUM

15 NCAA TOURNEY SUCCESS The Sooners first recorded NCAA Tournament appearance was in in They defeated Oklahoma A&M, 6-2, in the opener. OU s total number of NCAA Appearances, third in the Big 12 behind Texas and Oklahoma State. Twice, the Sooners have made six straight trips to the tourney ( and ). Sunny Golloway is as a coach in six of the Sooners last 10 appearances. He has been an assistant or head coach on each of OU s last four regional championships (2006, 1995, 1994 and 1992) NORMAN REGIONAL Under first year head coach Sunny Golloway, the Sooners won the 2006 Norman Regional at L. Dale Mitchell Park. After winning the program s 10th regional/district title, OU took then-no. 1 Rice to game three of the Houston Super Regional. Despite narrowly missing the program s 10th College World Series Appearance, the Sooners made their first appearance in a Super Regional after the format originated in In addition, Sunny Golloway became just the second coach in NCAA history to lead his club to a Super Regional in his first full season at the helm. 21 The Sooners scored 21 runs against Eastern Kentucky to open the 1986 Tournament, a program best for an NCAA Tournament game. OU has scored 10-plus runs on 15 occasions in NCAA postseason play The Sooners have recorded a winning record in 15 of their 30 NCAA Tournament appearances. OU is in 124 games played. The Sooners have enjoyed home field advantage on six occasions. OU has hosted NCAA Regionals in 2006, 2004, 2000, 1977, 1975 and MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER Chip Glass was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1994 College World Series. Glass is pictured above signing autographs in Norman after the team returned from Omaha with the programs second National Championship. Glass is one of 24 Sooners who have been named to a postseason All-Tournament team in the last 15 years. 15

16 51 CONFERENCE SUCCESS The Sooners national success begins with winning championships in one of the toughest conferences year in and year out. Oklahoma has won 25 conference championships, which includes three postseason titles in 1977, 1979 and TROPHY OU s 25 conference championships rank third among active Big 12 schools. Below is a closer look at the breakdown: Texas...87 Nebraska Oklahoma State...29 Baylor... 6 OKLAHOMA...25 Kansas... 4 Texas A&M...20 Texas Tech... 4 Missouri...15 Kansas State Oklahoma won the first Big 12 Tournament Championship in 1997 with four straight wins to close out the tourney. OU defeated Texas Tech, 19-17, to win the inaugural championship. 25 The Sooners 25 conference championships rank third all-time among active Big 12 schools. The Sooners have also finished second in the regular season standings on 20 occasions. SOONERS CLAIM 79 CROWN OU won its second Big 8 Tournament Championship in 1979 after defeating Missouri and Nebraska, twice. Nick Capra was named the Most Valuable Player of the championship and joined four other Sooners on the all-tournament team The Sooners hold the record for most runs scored in a Big 12 Tournament game. OU defeated Oklahoma State, 21-6, in 2006 and held the previous high with 19 against Texas Tech in the 1997 title game. Oklahoma won four straight regular season crowns from under head coach Enos Semore BIG 12 CHAMPS 16

17 CONFERENCE SUCCESS 51 DARRON COX Cox was named the 1989 Big Eight Player of the Year after a solid senior season. The Sooners catcher hit.362 with 56 RBIs in 58 games played in Cox also had 17 doubles and 19 stolen bases en route to earning all-district honors that season. MARK REDMAN Prior to helping lead the Sooners to the 1994 National Championship, Redman was named the Big Eight Newcomer of the Year. Redman led the Sooners in 1994 with 14 wins and 136 strikeouts in 135 innings pitched. He later broke his single-season strikeout record in 1995 with a 158 Ks, still a program best. GREG DOBBS Dobbs was named the 2001 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year after hitting.428 throughout the season with 10 homers and 62 RBIs. In conference play, Dobbs hit.423 with 27 RBIs and later was named a second team All- American by three different publications. RICK GUTIERREZ Gutierrez was one of several key players who helped OU claim its second national title in The second baseman was named the 1994 Big Eight Player of the Year after hitting.352 with 10 home runs and 68 RBIs. Gutierrez was also named a First Team All-American after the season. BRIAN SHACKELFORD Shackelford, a utility player, helped lead OU to the first Big 12 Tournament Championship in For his efforts, Shackelford was named the tournament s Most Outstanding Player. Shackelford hit three homers and drove in 13 runs in the six-game span. OLE SHELDON Sheldon was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in The Sooners first baseman hit.367 with 54 RBIs during the game campaign. In Big 12 play, Sheldon drove in half of his overall RBI total and hit.390 with a.996 fielding percentage SOONERS 17

18 51 18 SOONERS IN THE PROS The OU baseball program has a long standing tradition of producing top talent for the professional level. Six Sooners were selected in the 2007 MLB Draft, including Jackson Williams, who was taken in the first round by the San Francisco Giants. Williams was the second first round selection in the last four years at OU (David Purcey ) and the 16th in program history. During Sunny Golloway s 14 years as a coach, he has helped produce 75 drafted players, including 51 while serving as an assistant or head coach at Oklahoma. 51 SOONERS DRAFTED UNDER GOLLOWAY Player Position Year Round Team Jackson Williams C st San Francisco Giants Joe Dunigan OF th Seattle Mariners Heath Taylor LHP th Cleveland Indians Stephen Porlier RHP st Oakland Athletics Aaron Reza INF st Boston Red Sox Brad Burns RHP th New York Mets Ryan Rohlinger INF th San Francisco Giants Daniel McCutchen RHP th New York Yankees Russell Raley INF st New York Yankees Kody Kaiser OF th Los Angeles Dodgers William Savage RHP th Philadelphia Phillies John Brownell RHP th Philadelphia Phillies Chuckie Caufield OF th Milwaukee Brewers Kevin Smith INF th New York Yankees Ryan Mottern RHP/OF th Cleveland Indians Garrett Patterson LHP th New York Yankees Daniel McCutchen RHP th St. Louis Cardinals Ryan Rohlinger INF st St. Louis Cardinals Tyler Gooch RHP th Philadelphia Phillies David Purcey LHP st Toronto Blue Jays Jarod McAuliff RHP th Oakland Athletics Mark Roberts RHP th Texas Rangers Ole Sheldon INF th Houston Astros Casey Brown RHP th Houston Astros Mike Swindell RHP th New York Mets Daniel McCutchen RHP th Tampa Bay Rays Mark Redman LHP st Minnesota Twins Russ Ortiz RHP th San Francisco Giants Ryan Minor INF th New York Mets Damon Minor INF th New York Mets Rich Hills INF th San Diego Padres Steve Connelly RHP th Oakland Athletics Tim Walton RHP th Philadelphia Phillies Toby Wilmot RHP th Minnesota Twins Jerry Whittaker OF nd Chicago White Sox Bucky Buckles RHP th Texas Rangers Kevin Lovingier RHP th St. Louis Cardinals Ricky Gutierrez INF th Cleveland Indians Chip Glass OF th Cleveland Indians Rich Hills INF th Atlanta Braves Greg Norton INF nd Chicago White Sox Drew Christmon OF th Detroit Tigers Tim Cossins C th Texas Rangers Ricky Gutierrez INF nd Milwaukee Brewers Byron Mathews OF rd Chicago White Sox Clifton Foster RHP th Oakland Athletics Jason Evans INF th Chicago White Sox Brian Eldridge INF th Oakland Athletics Casey Mendenhall RHP th Detroit Tigers Zak Krislock RHP rd Houston Astros Tim Cossins C th Pittsburgh Pirates 2007 * 24 players from Oral Roberts were drafted during Golloway s tenure ( ). GREG DOBBS (LEFT) AND GEOFF GEARY Jackson Williams is the last Sooner to be drafted in the first round of MLB s Amateur Draft in Williams was the second first round draftee out of OU in the last four years (David Purcey ) Number of draftees since Sunny Golloway s return to Oklahoma in In the four previous seasons, 15 Sooners were selected in the draft. Nine Sooners were drafted in 2006 following head coach Sunny Golloway s first full season at the OU helm, the most since the 1998 season when 10 Sooners were selected. Eight former Sooners were on Major League rosters in 2007, including Jason Bartlett (Minnesota Twins) and Reggie Willits (Anaheim Angels), both everyday starters for their respective clubs. Seven current players on the 2008 OU roster have been drafted in their careers, including Jake McCarter, who has been selected on four occasions. Former Sooner John Russell ( ) enters his first year as the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates in Russell was hired after successful coaching stints in MLB and the minor leagues.

19 OKLAHOMA ALL-STARS Mark Redman, now with the Colorado Rockies, became the eighth Sooner to earn a spot in the MLB All-Star Game with his selection in 2006 while with the Kansas City Royals. Below is a look at the other Sooners who have earned all-star status in professional baseball: 2006 Mark Redman Kansas City Royals 2003 Russ Ortiz Atlanta Braves 1994 Danny Jackson Philadelphia Phillies 1990 Jack Armstrong Cincinnati Reds 1988 Danny Jackson Cincinnati Reds 1965 Eddie Fisher Chicago White Sox 1961 Don Schwall Boston Red Sox 1960 Lyndall McDaniel St. Louis Cardinals 1952 L. Dale Mitchell Cleveland Indians 1949 L. Dale Mitchell Cleveland Indians FIRST ROUNDERS Since 1967, 16 Sooners have been selected in the first round of Major League Baseball s Amateur Draft. Below is a look at each of those players and the team s that selected them: Player Position Year Team Jackson Williams C 2007 San Francisco Giants David Purcey LHP 2004 Toronto Blue Jays Mark Redman LHP 1995 Minnesota Twins Jack Armstrong RHP 1987 Cincinnati Reds Bobby Witt RHP 1985 Texas Rangers Ray Hayward LHP 1983 San Diego Padres Craig Reid SS 1983 San Diego Padres Paul Williams OF 1983 Houston Astros John Russell C 1982 Philadelphia Phillies Billy Irions RHP 1981 Philadelphia Phillies Bob Shirley LHP 1976 San Diego Padres Billy Severns OF 1975 Milwaukee Brewers Mike Swenton OF 1971 San Francisco Giants Mike Swenton OF 1971 St. Louis Cardinals Mike Swenton OF 1970 Cleveland Indians Ralph Rickey OF 1968 Chicago Cubs MAJOR LEAGUE AFFILIATION Off the playing field, several former Sooners are still involved with the sport on the Major League level, including first-year manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, John Russell. Below is a look at some of the Sooners working in professional baseball: Name (years at OU) Position Organization Rickey Bennett ( ) Assistant General Manager Houston Astros George Frazier ( ) Television Broadcaster Colorado Rockies Mickey Hatcher (1977) Hitting Coach Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Stan Meek ( ) Scouting Director Florida Marlins Ryan Minor ( ) Minor League Assistant Coach Baltimore Orioles John Russell ( ) Manager Pittsburgh Pirates Joe Simpson ( ) Television Broadcaster Atlanta Braves SOONERS IN THE PROS 2007 MAJOR LEAGUE SOONERS During the 2007 MLB season, eight Sooners played significant roles on various teams across the country. Included in that group was hurler Rocky Cherry, who made his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs on April 23, 2007 with an inning of relief pitched against Milwaukee. Cherry, who pitched at Oklahoma from and holds several records, was traded late in the year to the Balitmore Orioles. Two other Soooners were traded after long stints with professional clubs. Jason Bartlett ( ) was a three-year starter at shortstop for the Minnesota Twins and was moved in the offseason to join another former Sooner, Greg Norton, in Tampa Bay with the Rays. Geoff Geary ( ) was the other Sooner traded in the offseason. After five solid years in Philadelphia, Geary was dealt to the Houston Astros. JASON BARTLETT Current...Tampa Bay Rays Minnesota Twins At OU ROCKY CHERRY Current...Baltimore Orioles Chicago and Baltimore At OU GREG DOBBS Current...Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies Other...Seattle Mariners At OU GEOFF GEARY Current...Houston Astros Philadelphia Phillies At OU GREG NORTON Current...Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay Rays Other...Detroit, Colorado & Chicago WS At OU RUSS ORTIZ Current...San Francisco Giants Baltimore and San Francisco Other...Arizona and Atlanta At OU MARK REDMAN Current...Colorado Rockies Chicago and Baltimore Other...KC, Pit, Oak, Fla, Det, Min At OU REGGIE WILLITS Current...LAA Angels LAA Angels At OU

20 51 HOME RUN CLUB For more than 20 years, the Home Run Club has been a helpful source of financial support for the Oklahoma baseball program. Joining the Home Run Club provides a chance for Sooner fans to help make sure that the tradition that is OU baseball will prosper well into the new millennium. The club provides a great social opportunity as well as a chance to be a part of one of the best programs in the country. The club begins each baseball season with its annual kickoff banquet. Put on by the club, the banquet allows fans and supporters of the program to socialize with other members and staff of the baseball team. The banquet includes speeches from distinguished guest speakers and from Head Coach Sunny Golloway. Golloway previews the upcoming season and introduces each member of the team to the gathering. The event usually takes place in late January or early February, depending on the opening of the season. The University of Oklahoma Home Run Club is the official presenter of the event. Those interested in joining the Oklahoma baseball team s official support group can do so at the banquet, or by contacting the Oklahoma baseball office, with a donation of $50. During past years, the Home Run Club has helped provide the resources to enable the team s facilities to be among the best in the nation. They raised money to provide the washers and dryers for the new equipment room, as well the medical equipment for the training room in the new clubhouse at L. Dale Mitchell Park. One of the club s main fund-raising events every year is its annual golf tournament held at the Jimmie Austin Golf Course. The tournament, which is attended by both OU coaches and players, allows participants a chance to have a great time while supporting the Sooners. Drawings are held for door prizes as well as prizes for a Hole-in-One, closest to the hole on all par 3s and team prizes for first-, second-, and third-place teams. The Home Run Club also supports the Sooners with its presence at both home and away games. The club organizes road trips for members to travel to away games together, such as the series against Oklahoma State held in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. At home games, members have the chance to sit together in some of the best seats inside L. Dale Mitchell Stadium. Club members have also become crowd favorites with their Home Run Candy Toss. Each time a Sooner hits a home run, members throw candy throughout the crowd. Those Interested in joining the Home Run Club can contact the OU baseball office at (405) DIAMOND DINNER HONOREES At the annual Diamond Dinner, former Sooner greats are honored by the program. Below is a look at the 12 honorees who have been recognized over the past five years, including the 2008 selections, Bob Stephenson and Reggie Willits. Stephenson was a letterwinner on the 1948, 1949 and 1950 teams under head coach Jack Baer. He signed as a free agent in 1950 with the St. Louis Cardinals and later made his debut and played in 67 games during the 1955 season. Willits is one of the program s most recent professionals to make his Major League debut. Willits lettered at OU in 2002 and 2003 and made his MLB debut with the Angels in EDDIE FISHER Oklahoma Letterwinner, GEOFF GEARY Oklahoma Letterwinner, L. DALE MITCHELL, SR Oklahoma Letterwinner, JEFF BAJENARU Oklahoma Letterwinner, RICH HILLS Oklahoma Letterwinner, KYLE DENNEY Oklahoma Letterwinner, DAMON MINOR Oklahoma Letterwinner, RYAN MINOR Oklahoma Letterwinner, PAST HONOREES BOB STEPHENSON Oklahoma Letterwinner, RUSSELL ORTIZ Oklahoma Letterwinner, REGGIE WILLITS Oklahoma Letterwinner, MARK REDMAN Oklahoma Letterwinner,

21 LETTER FROM COACH GOLLOWAY The baseball program at the University of Oklahoma is poised to return to the nation¹s elite and continue its storied tradition. We invite you to be a part of this collective effort by joining the Home Run Club. 51 HOME RUN CLUB Through your membership in the Home Run Club, you will be supporting our student-athletes, both financially and with your presence at the numerous functions held throughout the season. The OU Baseball team looks forward to the opportunity to get to know the individuals who contribute to the team¹s success on and off the field. Your donation give us a competitive advantage and helps us reach our goals of winning Big 12 and National championships. Together, let s support our players in their journeys to winning championships. Boomer Sooner, Sunny Golloway - Head Coach GOLLOWAY AT THE 2007 BANQUET DIAMOND DINNER Q&As At each Diamond Dinner, the inductees participate in a question and answer session with the audience. Pictured left, Geoff Geary, Andy Mitchell and Eddie Fisher participate in last year s banquet. HOME RUN CLUB TENT PARTIES Prior to select home games throughout the season, the Home Run Club offers a tailgate for its members. Players and coaches also speak at the function, which also serves as an opportunity for fans to learn more about the current team. TOP NOTCH FACILITIES Donations over the years by the Home Run Club have helped provide the Sooners with the top resources in the country, including recent upgrades to the team s clubhouse present This is a great event for fans of OU baseball to not only get to see the current players but also the former players who helped build this program into what it is today, said OU head coach Golloway. It s always an honor to have the former Sooner greats come back to celebrate the great tradition of this program. I think all the players, past and present, have enjoyed this event over the past five years and its a tradition we look forward to continuing. POST GAME AUTOGRAPHS After select home games, the players and coaches are available down the third base line to sign autographs for the fans in attendance. 21

22 51 HEAD COACH Golloway s.672 winning percentage ranks in the top 20 among current coaches in Division I baseball. In just over two years at the helm, Golloway has won 91 games. At the end of the 2005 season, Golloway took over as the interim head coach and OU won 10 of its last 12 regular season games. Golloway won 45 games in his first full year at the Sooners helm in The total was the highest since 1994, the year OU won its second national title and Golloway was an assistant on the staff. The Sooners have advanced to six NCAA tournaments during six of his eight seasons as an OU coach (1992, 94, 95, 2004, 05 and 06). He accomplished the same feat in eight years at Oral Roberts. In a 12-month period, Golloway won three national championships. The summer before and after OU s 1994 NCAA Championship, Golloway led his Kenai Peninsula Oilers to NBC titles. The Sooners scored 21 runs against Eastern Kentucky to open the 1986 Tournament, a program best for an NCAA Tournament game. OU has scored 10 or more runs on 15 occasions. The Sooners have recorded a winning record in 15 of their 30 NCAA Tournament appearances. OU is in 124 games played. The Sooners have enjoyed home field advantage on six occasions. OU has hosted NCAA Regionals in 2006, 2004, 2000, 1977, 1975 and HEAD COACH SUNNY GOLLOWAY A native of Oklahoma, Sunny Golloway s dream of becoming the head coach at the University of Oklahoma became a reality in 2006 when he was named the Sooners skipper on July 15. Prior to officially taking over the reins of the program, Golloway served as the interim head coach in 2005, when the Sooners won 10 of their last 12 regular season games and played in the regional final against Ole Miss. After helping OU clubs in 1992, 1994 and 1995 reach the College World Series as an assistant coach, Golloway traveled northeast to take over the Oral Roberts program. The Golden Eagles dominated the Mid-Continent Conference under Golloway, winning six conference titles in eight years. ORU became one of the nation s winningest programs during his tenure, averaging 46 victories per season. In 2004, Golloway returned to Oklahoma to help his former mentor, Larry Cochell, bring the Sooners program back to national prominence. That goal has been accomplished in a short time as three top-10 recruiting classes have been signed at OU while the Sooners enjoyed three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament. Included in that span was a postseason run that was one win short from recording the Sooners 10th trip to the College World Series in OKLAHOMA VP/DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS ON GOLLOWAY His passion for this program is obvious and his enthusiasm never falters. I know that we have a coach who is devoted to the University of Oklahoma and one that is completely committed to the long-term success of the program. - OU VP/Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione PROMINENT PUPILS Coaching for various successful teams has given Coach Golloway the opportunity to work with several outstanding players. Below is a list of some of those prominent pupils: Ryan Christenson J.D. Drew Joe Dunigan Braden Looper Greg Norton Russ Ortiz Daniel McCutchen Doug Mientkiewicz Damon Minor Ryan Minor Garrett Patterson David Purcey Mark Redman Ryan Rohlinger Heath Taylor Jackson Williams

23 SURROUNDED WITH SUCCESS Head coach Sunny Golloway has hired two of the game s best in the last three years in Tim Tadlock and Mike Bell. ASSISTANT COACHES 51 The OU baseball program is in good hands as Golloway, Tadlock and Bell each served as recruiting coordinators in Division I programs in the last four years and have landed some of the best amateur talent in the country. Tadlock was hired away from Grayson Junior College prior to the 2006 season. He won two NJCAA World Series and made five appearances in the championship series overall while at Grayson. In nine seasons at the helm, Tadlock recorded 435 victories and a.770 winning percentage. The Sooners have thrived with him on the recruiting trail since his arrival in Norman and have hit over.300 in each of his two seasons on the staff. Bell is the latest addition to the OU staff after three successful years at Tennessee. In his first year, the 2005 Volunteers returned to the College World Series for the first time since In addition, Bell helped tutor the 2005 Roger Clemens Award winner and first overall pick of the 2006 MLB Draft, Luke Hochevar..323 The Sooners posted the program s highest batting average (.323) since 1999 during Tadlock s first year on the staff in TIM TADLOCK Assistant Coach Third year at OU 17 years of experience Hitting and Recruiting GOLLOWAY ON TADLOCK Tim brings a wealth of knowledge to the areas of recuirting and hitting. He is a proven winner and his success speaks for itself. What is even more impressive about Coach Tadlock is how his players speak so highly of him. PROMINENT PUPILS: John Lackey...LAA Angels - MVP of the 2002 World Series Brian Tallet...Toronto Blue Jays Brandon Fahey...Baltimore Orioles Victor Diaz...Texas Rangers Andy LaRoche...Los Angeles Dodgers 17 4 Tadlock brings 17 years of collegiate coaching experience to Oklahoma and is entering his third year with the Sooners in Tadlock landed the fourth best recruiting class in the country in 2007 for the Sooners. It was the highest ranked class in program history since MIKE BELL Assistant Coach First year at OU Seven years of experience Pitching GOLLOWAY ON BELL Mike has proven to be a true asset to this program in a short time. Our student-athletes are working with an outstanding and knowledgeable coach, who has had success every where he goes. PROMINENT PUPILS: Luke Hochevar...Kansas City Royals - First overall draft pick in 2006 James Adkins...Los Angeles Dodgers Sean Watson...Cincinnati Reds 15 3 At Tennessee, Bell was in charge of recruiting and landed back-to-back top 15 nationally ranked classes in 2005 and The 2005 group was ranked sixth nationally. In addition to coaching Tennessee to the 2005 College World Series. Bell was also a member of the 1994 and 1995 teams at Florida State that advanced to the College World Series. 1 Bell coached Luke Hochevar, the 2006 No. 1 draft pick, for two seasons ( ) at Tennessee. Hochevar was also the winner of the 2005 Roger Clemens Award (top pitcher). 23

24 51 OFFENSE SOONERS GET OFFENSIVE The OU offense has rejuvenated itself in the last two years, producing over six runs per game in 2007 and more than seven runs in In addition, for the first time since the seasons, the Sooners recorded a team batting average over.300 in consecutive seasons. Prior to the 1999 and 2000 seasons, OU enjoyed one of its best offensive seasons with 606 runs scored and a.335 team batting average. The 1998 Sooners also averaged more than nine runs per game that season. In 2007, OU hit.305 as a team (fourth best average in the Big 12 Conference) and had seven regular starters hit better than.300, including five over the.330 mark. Junior Joe Dunigan, who was drafted in the fifth round following the 2007 season, was one of those sluggers and the last Sooner to be crowned the team s batting champion. Dunigan led OU in nearly every offensive category in 2007, including batting average (.352), homers (11), RBIs (54), slugging percentage (.584) and total bases (128). Each of the Sooners last eight batting champions have been drafted or signed as a free agent the following season. In addition, five of those eight individuals were selected in the first 10 rounds of the draft, with Dunigan and Ryan Rohlinger (6th round selection in 2006) being the last Sooners to hold that distinction. AARON BAKER Sophomore Aaron Baker was one of the Sooners most productive players at the plate and in the field last season. Then a freshman, Baker led the team with a.996 fielding percentage and 16 doubles. In addition, Baker recorded the third longest hitting streak in school history at 22 games, a freshman best, and ranked second on the team in RBIs (50) and sixth in batting average (.323) The number of combined runs scored since Coach Golloway s return to Oklahoma in The Sooners plated 1465 runs in the previous four years before his arrival. 492 The 2006 Sooners scored 492 runs en route to a regional championship, the most since the 1998 OU team recorded In 2006, OU led the Big 12 in hitting with a.323 average, the highest for an OU squad since 1998 (.335). OU hit.305 in 2007 and is averaging a.303 clip in Sunny Golloway s four years since his return, up six points from the previous four (.297). 96 The 2007 Sooners ranked second in the Big 12 in stolen bases with 96, the most since the 1996 season (103). In addition, OU had four double-digit stealers for the first time since ALJAY DAVIS The senior outfielder was key to the Sooners success around the base paths in Davis hit a majority of the year out of the leadoff spot and had success reaching base nearly half of the time. Davis ranked third on the team with 17 stolen bases in 2007 and will look to improve upon that mark in Davis comes to Norman after stealing 78 bags in two years at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Freshman Aaron Baker hit in 22 consecutive games to start the 2007 season (second longest in the Big 12 in 2007). The mark established an OU freshman record and ranks as the third longest streak in program history. The number of regular starters who hit better than.300 for the entire 2007 season. The last time OU had that many starters record a.300 clip or higher was during the 2000 season.

25 DEFENSE Oklahoma led the nation with a.983 fielding percentage in 2006, the highest in school history and the second best in NCAA history The combined number of strikeouts recorded by Nick Conaway (85), Stephen Porlier (99) and Heath Taylor (80) in The only other time a trio of pitchers each had 80-plus Ks in OU history was 1975 (Marty Kunkler -100, Breen Newcomer - 80 and Bob Shirley -126). In 2006, OU shortstop Aaron Reza did not commit an error in his first 219 chances. Reza s only error of the season came in the Houston Super Regional. 99 Sophomore Stephen Porlier recorded 99 strikeouts in 2007, the most by a Big 12 hurler during the 2007 regular season. Porlier accomplished the feat in 99 innings pitched. STEPHEN PORLIER In his first year in Norman, junior Stephen Porlier was moved to the No. 1 spot in the rotation and he responded in Porlier finished the 2007 regular season ranked first in the Big 12 Conference with 99 strikeouts. The right hander earned All-Big 12 second team honors and was selected in the 2007 MLB Draft. Porlier tossed 99 innings last year and looks to build upon that success in Number of errors committed in 2006, the second fewest in school history and the lowest since the NCAA schedule was expanded to 56 games. The number of errors committed by freshman first baseman Aaron Baker in Baker played in every game and started every contest except the season opener. DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS A common heard statement throughout the history of sports, defense wins championships could not have been more true during Sunny Golloway s first full year at OU s helm. In 2006, the Sooners led the nation with a.983 fielding percentage, the best mark in program history. The mark also ranks as the second best all-time in NCAA history. Behind the strength of its defense, the 2006 Sooners won a regional championship and advanced to the program s first Super Regional appearance (format originated in 1999). Coach Golloway stresses fundamental baseball at OU and fans can expect to see strong defense accompanied by solid pitching. The 2007 OU pitching staff ranked second in the Big 12 with 466 strikeouts and was led by Stephen Porlier (above). Three Sooners in 2007 had 80-plus strikeouts and combined for 264 Ks. The last, and only other time, three Sooner hurlers had 80 or more strikeouts was during the 1975 season when Mary KUnkler (100), Breen Newcomer (80) and Bob Shirley (126) led the staff. Since 2004, Golloway and company have helped develop some of the conference s top pitchers. Sixteen of the 26 draft picks selected since Golloway s return have been pitchers, including five who were selected in the first 10 rounds. GARRETT RICHARDS Sophomore Garrett Richards returns in 2008 to help anchor the Sooner bullpen. Expected to share the role with senior Jake McCarter, Richards enters the season ranked fifth on the career saves list at Oklahoma with nine. The nine saves recorded in 2007 is tied for the fourth highest total in a single season at OU and helped land Richards name on the mid season watch list for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award. 25

26 51 MEDIA ATTENTION SOONER BASEBALL IN THE SPOTLIGHT Oklahoma Athletics is a household name due to the overwhelming media attention that hovers around the Sooners. Writers and broadcasters representing the nation s most recognized media outlets regularly interact with Sooner players and coaches and routinely spend time in Norman. And when they can t come to campus, those same observers keep tabs on OU thanks to extensive television coverage. The Sooners are at the very center of the college athletics and everybody is watching. Being a major Division I athletics program in a state without a high-profile professional team has its advantages. Oklahoma athletics receive more coverage than any other entity in the state. OU baseball benefits from that coverage. Behind football and the basketball programs, baseball and softball are next on the food chain. Throughout the spring, several media outlets cover the Sooners on a regular basis. The media attention blossomed in 2006 when the Sooners came one win away from advancing to their 10th College World Series in program history. Oklahoma was not only one of the most popular stories in the state, but also drew attention nationwide. Located on page 27 are a few examples of the various front page stories from local publications in Also shown are other recent stories and clippings from OU s last National Championship run in COACH GOLLOWAY ADDRESSES THE MEDIA The number of consecutive games televised for the OU football team. In addition, ESPN College GameDay has been on site for 17 of OU s games in the last seven years. During the season, the men s and women s basketball teams combined to make 57 appearances on television, including 20 nationally televised games. Every contest of the baseball team s 56-game schedule is broadcast live on OU s flagship station KOKC 1520 AM or on the internet. Each year, over 80 percent of the games can be heard live on the radio. More than 50 million people logged on to SoonerSports.com last year, making the official Web site of the Oklahoma Athletics Department one of the top collegiate sites in the nation. Since 2000, OU student-athletes have appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated nine times. Sooner football is one the most popular subjects for SI with 30 cover appearances. OU baseball has enjoyed 22 television broadcasts over the last three seasons, including 13 contests on the ESPN family of networks. The popularity of the Sooners is evident in the significant amount of products and apparel purchased by fans. OU ranks eighth nationally in the sales of licensed merchandise. 26

27 51 MEDIA ATTENTION THE SOONERS MEDIA COVERAGE BLOSSOMED DURING THE 2006 SUPER REGIONAL RUN. 27

28 51 IN THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS OU OU lives by a clear and strong motto in dealing with its student-athletes...inspiring Champions for Today, Preparing Leaders for Tomorrow. ELLIOTT BLAIR To fulfill that promise, the athletics department and student-athletes take an active role in a number of community service projects. Sooner student-athletes are exposed to life outside of sports and school work with opportunities to serve and help others. In conjunction with OU s CHAMPS/Life Skills Program, all 20 intercollegiate athletics teams participate in community service efforts each month. Oklahoma s student-athletes recognize that wearing the Crimson and Cream means representing a popular sports program and themselves as individuals. They are encouraged to respond to a public that adores them, while learning important lessons about making a positive impact in the lives of others and in the community in which they live. It is always an honor for our team to participate in such worthwhile causes, said OU head coach Sunny Golloway. Our student-athletes are presented with a great opportunity to give back to the community, which is always a priority for us at the University of Oklahoma. Below is a list of some of the community service efforts that the OU baseball team participates in each year: SPECIAL SPECTATORS The Special Spectators is a national organization that invites seriously ill children to attend a sporting event and meet the players and coaches. More than 30 children from several Oklahoma City hospitals have been hosted by football, basketball, baseball and gymnastics over the past year. The Sooner baseball team has participated in the event for the past three years. On top of meeting the players and coaches and participating in batting practice, the children throw out the ceremonial first pitch for that day s game. WILLOW SPRINGS BOYS RANCH Since 2005, Oklahoma baseball has partnered with the Willow Springs Boys Ranch in Chandler, Okla., to interact with the children and participate in a day of various landscaping duties and team building exercises. The Willow Springs Boys Ranch is a long-term residential childcare facility that accepts applications from boys between the ages 7 to 12 years old. Boys are able to live on the ranch until they graduate from high school, obtain their G.E.D. or participate in an independent living program after graduation. It is the program s goal to provide an environment where boys can become successful and develop into productive adults. SOONERS VISIT KENNEDY ELEMENTARY Sophomore Elliott Blair was one of several Sooners who participated in a weekly program in the fall of 2007 which features baseball players interacting with children at local elementary schools in various classroom activities. MIKE GOSSE AND JAMIE JOHNSON MIRACLE LEAGUE For each of the last three seasons, the OU baseball team has traveled to Mitch Park in Edmond, Okla., to play in a Miracle League Game. The Miracle League, founded in 1997, is an organization that gives special-needs children an opportunity to play baseball. Miracle Leagues across the country play in specialized complexes that include custom-designed fields with cushioned rubberized turf fields that prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible dugouts and a completely flat surface that eliminates any barriers or obstacles for wheelchair bound or visually impaired athletes. HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE Founded in 2000 by OU assistant football coach Josh Heupel, various athletics programs, including baseball, participate in the annual Holiday Food Drive. The event has grown to help hundreds of families in Norman over the past eight years. In 2007, the Holiday Food Drive targeted 750 families in eight different communities across Oklahoma. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Along with other teams at OU, the Sooner baseball team helped out the local Habitat for Humanity Organization last fall. The program was founded in 1976 and is designed to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness around the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. 28

29 IN THE COMMUNITY 51 THE MIRACLE LEAGUE AT MITCH PARK IN EDMOND, OKLA. WILLOW SPRINGS BOYS RANCH - FALL 2007 We are grateful for their influence and their investment in the young men at Willow Springs Boys Ranch and our program. It is important for our guys to have strong male role models. The OU baseball team had a huge impact on the ranch during their visit. This is an exciting tradition that has been established with them coming to the ranch, naming captains, performing community service, and talking about the importance of character on and off the playing field. -- J. Todd Vinson Founder and Executive Director of Willow Springs Boys Ranch J.T. WISE WILLOW SPRINGS BOYS RANCH - FALL 2007 This trip is becoming a tradition of this program after we first visited the ranch in 2005, said OU head coach Sunny Golloway. The day is rewarding for our team on so many levels. It give us a chance to give back to the community while also bringing the members of this program closer together. -- Sunny Golloway Oklahoma head baseball coach SPECIAL SPECTATORS AT L. DALE MITCHELL PARK 29

30 51 BEDLAM SERIES OKLAHOMA-OKLAHOMA STATE RIVALRY The Ford Bedlam Series, played each year between OU and Oklahoma State baseball at neutral sites, plays a huge part in giving each program bragging rights across the state and national prominence. The Sooners and Cowboys represent two of the most successful programs, not only in the Big 12 Conference, but also across the country. The series is the only rivalry in Division I baseball that is played each year at neutral sites during the regular season. Since 1986, the Sooners and Cowboys have battled at a neutral site at the All Sports Stadium in Oklahoma City. In 1991, the series moved to Tulsa, Okla. at the Drillers Stadium (Class AA ballpark) for the series opener and the remaining two games were played at the All Sports Stadium. In 1999, games two and three were moved to the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark (Class AAA ballpark) in Oklahoma City. The facility, built in 1997, is also home to the Big 12 Championship and the Oklahoma City Redhawks (AAA affiliate of the Texas Rangers). Close to 12,000 fans will pack the park in Tulsa and over 13,000 fans will watch the Bedlam Series for each of the remaining two games in Oklahoma City. While OU trails the all-time series by a narrow margin, three of the last four games have been decided by one run, including the last meeting where OU pulled off a dramatic comeback victory in the Big 12 Championship. Down 8-4 in the bottom of the ninth, the Sooners scored five runs to record the victory, their eighth straight in postseason play over the Cowboys. The rivalry was recently tabbed one of the best by Rivals.com: The Sooner State is consumed by the Oklahoma-Oklahoma State rivalry. Tabbed Bedlam by state natives, the annual series between the two schools is intense on the field. That energy is often channeled into the stands. The series usually starts with a single game in Tulsa, Okla. It then moves to AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City for games two and three. In 2007, the Cowboys swept the Sooners in the regular season series before dropping a single game to OU in the Big 12 Tournament. Though OSU experienced a wealth of success last season, they lead the overall series just , which equates to a winning percentage over 51%. - Kendall Rogers, Rosenblatt Report 13,000 12, Over 13,000 fans are in attendance for each of the two games of the Bedlam Series played at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. Since 1991, close to 12,000 fans pack Drillers Stadium in Tulsa, Okla., for the series opener each year. The Sooners and Cowboys have met 280 times in the series dating back to the early 1900s. Ten of the last 17 meetings between OU and OSU have been decided by three or less runs. Five of the last nine regular season meetings in the Bedlam Series have been televised, including two national broadcasts by the ESPN Family of Networks. Three of the last four games in the Bedlam series have been decided by one run, with OU winning the last such meeting in the 2007 Big 12 Championship, 9-8. AT&T BRICKTROWN BALLPARK 30

31 51 BEDLAM SERIES WHAT S AT STAKE Every good college rivalry has the tradition of rewarding the winner a trophy at game s end and the Ford Bedlam Series is no different. The Bedlam Bell (pictured right) is presented to each yearly winner on the field following the third and final game of the baseball series. The Ford Bedlam Series is not only contested in baseball, but all of the sports that OU and OSU compete against each other. At the end of the academic year, the winner, based on a points system, earns bragging rights until the next athletic year rolls around. The University of Oklahoma has won the overall competition and brought home the Bedlam Bell in three of the last four years BEDLAM CHAMPIONS 31

32 51 L. DALE MITCHELL PARK L. DALE MITCHELL PARK QUICK FACTS Year Opened: 1982 Seating Capacity: 2,700 Dimensions: LF - 335; CF - 411; RF First Game: Feb. 27, 1982 (Oklahoma 15, Cameron University 4) Largest Crowd: 4,544, vs. Texas (May 4, 1995) Overall Record: (.793) BACKGROUND Named for the mid-1940s Sooner letterman who still holds OU s career and single-season batting records, L. Dale Mitchell Park was dedicated prior to the 1982 season. Originally constructed at a cost of $1.27 million, the facility s second phase was recently completed. The latest project increased seating capacity and provided state-of-the-art team and crowd facilities. With a $1.3 million price tag, the first phase of the renovation was completed during the 1998 season and included an upper concourse, additional rest rooms and additional concession stands. Phase two of the plan has provided for new locker rooms, a training room facility and an equipment room for the Sooners. Prior to the 2002 season, OU completed one of the final stages of the project as the press box facility underwent state-of-the-art improvements. The press box and radio broadcast booths were significantly expanded as well. VIP suites and a handicap-accessible elevator were also added. FUTURE PROJECTS Plans are in the works to add a National Championship team meeting room and indoor batting/pitching facilities contained within an addition behind the third base dugout. Once this project is completed, L. Dale Mitchell Park will provide Sooner players and fans alike with one of the most exciting atmospheres for collegiate baseball in the Big 12 Conference and the nation. RECORD CROWD An L. Dale Mitchell Park-record 4,544 fans jammed the stadium on May 4, 1995, to witness the Sooners record a 3-2 win over rival Texas en route to OU s second consecutive NCAA College World Series appearance. POSTSEASON HISTORY In 2006, the facility hosted its first NCAA Regional. It marked the third time in the history of the OU baseball program that it has been chosen to host an NCAA Regional in Norman (1975 and 1977), but first at L. Dale Mitchell Park, which opened in Additionally, the Sooners have hosted a regional in Oklahoma City on three occasions and last hosted one in 2004 at the Bricktown Ballpark BEAM CLAY FIELD OF THE YEAR The University of Oklahoma baseball program was awarded the top honor in the collegiate division of the Beam Clay Baseball Diamond of the Year Award in The award, sponsored by Beam Clay and Baseball America, recognizes the best playing surfaces in three levels of baseball: professional, college and schools, municipalities and parks. The honor marked the second year in a row that OU s L. Dale Mitchell Park was selected as one of the best college baseball fields in the nation after finishing second in the competition in Oklahoma took first place honors in the competition in 1994 for the first time. The 2006 season was OU s latest entry as programs can enter the competition only once every five years after taking first place honors. Four major league head groundskeepers served as the judges in the competition. DIRECTIONS TO THE FACILITY: OU s facility is located east of the intersection of Chautauqua Ave. and Imhoff Rd. in Norman. From Interstate 35, exit east on Lindsey St. and proceed approximately one and a half miles. Take a right (south) onto Chautauqua Ave. and continue for about a half a mile then turn left (east) onto Imhoff. The facility is located on the left, directly north of the Lloyd Noble Center. OU IS (.793) IN GAMES PLAYED AT L. DALE MITCHELL PARK. 32

33 L. DALE MITCHELL PARK 51 TOP 25 ATTENDANCE MARKS AT L. DALE MITCHELL PARK Rank Attendance Date Opponent Result, Score 1. 4,544 May 4, 1995 Texas W, ,531 June 5, 2006 Wichita State* W, ,522 April 14, 1998 Arizona State L, ,288 April 25, 1995 Oklahoma State W, ,168 May 9, 1998 Texas W, ,123 April 25, 1992 Oklahoma State L, ,895 April 20, 1993 Oklahoma State L, ,861 April 19, 1994 Oklahoma State W, ,838 June 2, 2006 TCU* L, ,657 April 18, 2006 Rice W, ,608 March 20, 2004 Texas W, ,558 June 4, 2006 Wichita State* W, ,517 April 14, 2002 Texas L, ,450 March 21, 1990 Oklahoma State W, ,419 April 30, 2005 Nebraska L, ,374 May 15, 2004 Texas Pan American W, ,312 April 30, 1996 Texas W, ,240 March 31, 2006 Texas L, ,228 April 17, 1989 Texas L, ,227 April 12, 2002 Texas W, ,217 April 19, 1997 Nebraska W, ,205 March 28, 2004 Baylor W, ,183 Feb. 4, 1995 Missouri Southern W, ,182 April 2, 2006 Texas W, ,130 April 1, 2006 Texas L, 4-9 OU ENJOYS RECORD ATTENDANCE IN 2006 The 2006 season was one to remember for the OU baseball team and its fans, not only because of the postseason run to the Houston Super Regional, but because the Sooner nation s presence at L. Dale Mitchell Park was stronger than ever. OU enjoyed a single-season record seven crowds of 2,000 or more in 2006, including two games over the listed capacity of 2,700. The 3,531 on hand to witness the Sooners win the 2006 Norman Regional Championship on June 5 was the largest crowd at L. Dale Mitchell Park since 4,544 packed the park to watch Oklahoma host Texas on May 4, Having been a part of so many of the top attended games, I can testify first hand to the advantage that a sellout crowd gives our players, said OU head coach Sunny Golloway. The players feed off that energy from the fans and it was never more evident than during the 2006 Norman Regional. We look forward to many more games with capacity crowds on hand, especially during future postseason runs. * Indicates NCAA Tournament Game 33

34 51 OU FACILITIES FIRST CLASS FACILITIES With one of the greatest winning traditions in intercollegiate athletics, the University of Oklahoma, its players, coaches and fans understand the meaning of Great Expectations. OU hopes for and expects great things from its athletics teams -- and the athletes and coaches expect the same from themselves. Time and time again, the Sooners have delivered on this expectation: 25 national championships, 225 conference titles and more than 1,000 All-Americans. The University of Oklahoma s goal is to provide first-class facilities and resources for all the programs and endeavors sponsored by the institution. OU Athletics captures so much attention and interest that it requires the help and support of all Sooners to continue the tradition that all have enjoyed. With that in mind, OU launched Great Expectations...The Campaign for Sooner Sports in Great Expectations - The Campaign for Sooner Sports, a recently completed fundraising effort, was about the continuation of a proud championship tradition. It was a five-year campaign launched with an eventual goal of $100 million, making possible an extraordinary era in new athletics facilities that has led to unprecedented athletic and academic success for OU student-athletes. GAYLORD FAMILY - OKLAHOMA MEMORIAL STADIUM The $75 million expansion and renovation of OU s football stadium, completed in 2004, transformed a towering concrete structure into a beautiful facility featuring the brick and cast stone that characterize OU s historic buildings. The expansion added 8,000 seats, including 56 suites, on the east side. At the same time, the press box was remodeled and outfitted with several state-of-the-art features. This historical facility is the largest sports arena in the state, and following its recent expansion, now ranks among the 15 largest on-campus facilities in the nation. EVEREST TRAINING CENTER Considered one of the premier indoor facilities in the country, the Everest Training Center is a 74,000-square-foot center that includes a full-size playing field, simulated stadium lighting, a complete scoreboard with play clocks, LED 40-yard timing devices and a ceiling that hangs 65 feet above the playing surface to allow for all kicking and throwing drills. GAYLORD FAMILY - OKLAHOMA MEMORIAL STADIUM MCCLENDON CENTER FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS While the football gameday facilities in the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium may be more familiar to OU supporters, the north side McClendon Center for Intercollegiate Athletics is one of the most vital areas for OU s entire athletics program as it is the center of student learning and athletics administration activities. ROBIN SIEGFRIED & FAMILY STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COMPLEX This 13,000-square-foot facility serves more than 400 athletes in OU s 20 sports. The stateof-the-art facility inside the Barry Switzer Center has been central to OU s success in recent years and helped develop OU s reputation as the strength and conditioning field. BARRY SWITZER CENTER A special feature is the Barry Switzer Center on the south side of the Gaylord Family- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, where OU s storied football history is displayed, media conferences are held and recruits are entertained. The center recently experienced a significant upgrade to reflect this success and to fully realize the original vision as an exhibit area focusing on OU s greatest victories and most successful coaching eras. HENRY J. FREEDE, M.D., SPORTS MEDICINE FACILITY This 8,000-square-foot sports medicine facility within the Barry Switzer Center treats athletes from all 20 sports, ensuring the best possible health for OU student-athletes through preventative medicine and post-injury treatment and rehabilitation. FRED & MARY EDDY JONES FOUNDATION RED ROOM The Red Room is where OU football players meet as a team or offensive/defensive units to watch motivational videos before each game. OU s offense and defense post their goals for each week, and the Sooner coach holds his post-game press conference in this area. HEADINGTON FAMILY TENNIS CENTER The construction of the $1.4 million, 12-court championship facility created for the tennis teams during the athletic campaign was particularly notable because it was donations exclusively from tennis lettermen who made the new courts possible. The tennis teams will also enjoy a mult-purpose building in between the courts and the OU Soccer Complex. The facility includes locker rooms, meeting and video rooms and offices for the coaches and student athletes. A 55,000 square-foot indoor facility, which will be located east of the Headington Family Tennis Center, is scheduled for completion in December

35 51 OU FACILITIES JOHN CRAIN FIELD AT THE OU SOCCER COMPLEX The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department and the soccer program enjoyed a $4.5 million expansion to the soccer stadium in In addition to a press box and a permanent grandstand, a multi-use building is located between John Crain Field at the OU Soccer Complex and the Headington Family Tennis Center at the corner of Chautauqua Avenue and Imhoff Road. The multi-purpose complex includes locker rooms, meeting and video rooms and officesfor the student-athletes and coaches. SOFTBALL COMPLEX In 2002, the Robert E. Young and Family Softball Locker Room was added to the Softball Complex, giving the team a spacious and comfortable gathering place for preparation and relaxation. In 2003, the softball field was named in honor of retired softball coach and women s administrator Marita Hynes. BASEBALL EXPANSION Renovations to L. Dale Mitchell Park were completed when the press box underwent state-of-the-art improvements including four suites and a press area, the Mike Treps Media Room. The facility, which opened in 1982, hosted its first NCAA Regional in 2006 and is currently in the process of adding a state-of-the-art indoor hitting facility. JOHN JACOBS TRACK AND FIELD COMPLEX The project, which was completed in spring 2004, includes a 25,000-square-foot building connecting the Mosier Indoor Practice Facility with the Everest Training Center. This new building includes track and field locker rooms, a sports medicine room and a video teaching room. The John Jacobs Track was altered and re-surfaced to include European Oval turns for a faster track and nine 48-inch wide lanes. Other improvements include upgrades of field event areas, placing them directionally north/south and east/west to take advantage of wind conditions; spectator seating for 2,000; new restrooms and concessions; and the installation of championship lighting. HOWARD MCCASLAND FIELD HOUSE The Field House is one of OU s most historic buildings. Many OU alumni fondly recall the field house as the home of OU s basketball program, which it was until Lloyd Noble Center opened in In 2005, the Field House underwent a $6 million facelift that included a complete interior renovation comprised of a resanded and repainted floor with four efficient practice courts and chair-back seating that offers fans more comfort. In addition, the entire facility was repainted and improvements were made to the HVAC system, sound system, lighting and scoreboards. The Sooners have also enjoyed renovations done to the training room as well as an upgrade to both the volleyball and wrestling locker rooms. MARY JANE NOBLE WOMEN S BASKETBALL CENTER In 1975, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation of Ardmore made the first million-dollar gift in OU history with its contribution to OU s campaign to build a multi-purpose arena. In 1999, the foundation made another gift to support the renovation of the original center, adding first-class matching facilities for the men s and women s basketball teams. The Lloyd Noble Center addition includes two new full-sized practice courts for the men s and women s basketball teams. BOB AND ANN COLEMAN MEN S BASKETBALL CENTER The nearly 63,000-square-feet Lloyd Noble Center addition offers a matched set of men s and women s facilities, including full-sized practice courts, new team and coaches locker rooms, training rooms and steam/spa/sauna rooms. Office facilities and conference rooms provide views of the practice courts as special features and a shared weight training facility was created. The Keer-McGee Courtside Club gives fans a new venue for special events. LLOYD NOBLE CENTER 35

36 51 STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING Oklahoma s weight training program is a pioneer in the development of strength and conditioning, and is a vital part of the Sooners traditional success. OU strength and conditioning coaches utilize their expertise along with a wide array of equipment and tests to produce national championship-caliber athletes. Located at the south end of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, the Barry Switzer Center houses administrative offices, the football locker room, the equipment room, the 8,000-squarefoot Sports Medicine Facility and the 7,000-square-foot Touchdown Club Legends Lobby in addition to the Siegfried Strength and Conditioning Complex. Evaluation, goal-oriented programs, supervision and state-of-the-art facilities help Oklahoma athletes become bigger, faster, stronger and more flexible. The Robin Siegfried & Family Strength and Conditioning Complex, located in the Barry Switzer Center, has 13,000 square feet to facilitate the intensive training of OU athletes. The objective of the strength and conditioning program is to ensure each student-athlete in every sport is provided with a sound in-season and off-season program. This program of activity includes strength, conditioning, flexibility and nutrition. A strength and conditioning coordinator for each sport is provided to assist athletes in reaching the highest possible training levels. JERRY SCHMIDT - Director of Sports Enhancement Nine Years at Oklahoma Schmidt is recognized nationally as one of the best in the business and his work, along with his staff, serves as one of the key components to OU athletics excellence. 36

37 COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION The Oklahoma Athletics Department feels a strong responsibility to help its athletes reach and maintain their optimum health and achieve conditioning goals. For this reason, OU has developed excellent training and conditioning programs to lessen the possibility of injuries. However, should injuries occur, the department is committed to a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Complete athletically-related medical services are provided to Oklahoma student- athletes by team physicians and OU s certified athletic trainers. The University of Oklahoma obtains the services of the best medical consultants available. The base of operation for the Sooners medical care is the state-of-the-art Henry J. Freede, M.D. Sports Medicine Center in the Barry Switzer Center. Head athletic trainer Scott Anderson says the addition to the Barry Switzer Center has allowed the university to upgrade to a new edition of rehabilitation equipment that can best benefit the studentathletes. From simple therobands to taping tables, the new facility offers everything a school can have or hope to have. The Sooner training room is equipped to perform isokinetic joint evaluation for preventive medicine and for post-injury rehabilitation. The therapy room is supplied with the latest modalities on the market. 51 SPORTS MEDICINE A total team effort is the key to OU s efficiency in preventing, treating and rehabilitating injuries sustained by student-athletes. These measures keep Sooner athletes at their highest level of performance as they compete for championships. SCOTT ANDERSON - Head Athletics Trainer 11 Years at Oklahoma Anderson, the 2005 College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year, supervises a staff of six full-time certified athletic trainers, one physical therapist, eight graduate assistants and 20 undergraduates who provide a bulk of the care for OU student-athletes. 37

38 51 THE UNIVERSITY FLAGSHIP EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OF THE SOONER STATE The University of Oklahoma is experiencing a golden era in the history of a great institution. The quality of new students is soaring and donor confidence is at an all-time high. Over the last 11 years, OU s donor base has expanded at a staggering rate, moving from 17,000 to 108,000. President David L. Boren has spurred significant changes that have resulted in a learning environment of the highest order. As a result, the state of Oklahoma enjoys resources that impact everything from medical science to the arts for many years to come. The University of Oklahoma has long embraced the great tradition of Sooner athletics. With competitive facilities all located on the main campus, including several near the heart of the university, student-athletes and their classmates mingle comfortably in an environment that fosters an attitude of excellence, regardless of the endeavor. 30 OU boasts an enrollment of nearly 30,000 students and more than 2,000 full-time faculty. The Norman campus maintains a student to instructor ratio of 20:1. 20 OU has 20 colleges offering 152 majors at the baccalaureate level and 160 majors at the master s level. The university s annual operating budget is more than $1.3 billion. 10 OU is included on Princeton Review s Top 10 Best Value Public Colleges list, which ranks the best colleges in the nation based on academic excellence per value. 5 The University of Oklahoma is in the top five in the nation among all comprehensive public universities in the graduation of Rhodes Scholars. 1 The University of Oklahoma ranks number one among comprehensive public universities in the per capita number of freshman National Merit Scholars. 38

39 51 THE UNIVERSITY WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT OU? OU is the highest ranked public university in the history of Oklahoma. The latest U.S. News and World Report rankings place OU in the top tier among national public universities. OU ranks in the top 10 in the nation in the Freshman Year Experience, according to a national study by the Policy Center on the First Year of College. The study recognizes OU s initiatives for first-year students and its commitment to put students first. OU has the highest-ranked student body in state history at a public university. Oklahoma is also number one per capita among public universities in the number of National Merit Scholars enrolled. Six hundred National Merit Scholars currently are enrolled at OU. OU has over a $1.5 billion impact annually on the state s economy each year. Over the past decade, research and sponsored programs expenditures at Oklahoma have more than doubled, and OU continues to set new records for funding for externally sponsored research. OU continues to break private fund-raising records, with more than $1 billion in gifts and pledges over the past decade, which has provided funding for dramatic capital improvements, the growth in faculty endowment and student scholarships. 39

40 51 ACADEMICS PREPARING LEADERS FOR TOMORROW The recent Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium expansion and improvement included remodeled office space in the facility s north end. The largest piece of that project was the Prentice Gautt Academic Center. Some 35,000 square feet are dedicated to the academic pursuits of Sooner student-athletes. Indeed, there is considerable emphasis on classroom performance at OU. The center staff has achievement as its focus, a fact that is reflected in a graduation rate that exceeds that of the general student body. In addition to its academic work, the staff assists in several life skills areas designed to enrich students in a broad range of tasks. 90 The Prentice Gautt Academic Center is available more than 90 hours per week for OU student-athletes. 84 The graduation rate for University of Oklahoma student-athletes who complete their eligibility is 84 percent. 38 Legendary running back Prentice Gautt wore No. 38 during his Sooner career from The first African-American scholarship player at OU, the academic center is named in his honor. 35 Some 35,000 square feet are dedicated to the academic pursuits of Oklahoma student-athletes at the Prentice Gautt Academic Center in the stadium s north end. 2 The Prentice Gautt Academic Center maintains two computer labs for OU student-athletes with more than 100 desktop units and over 40 laptops available to check out. ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN OF THE YEAR Former OU player Aaron Ivey was a two-time Academic All-American and, in 2007, became the first Sooner in baseball to be named Academic All-American of the Year. Ivey was a four-year letterwinner and hit.351 with 23 stolen bases during his senior season in

41 51 ACADEMICS THE LEGACY OF PRENTICE GAUTT The OU Academics Center that today s student-athletes use everyday now bears the name of the man who left an indelible legacy for Sooner Athletics and helped change a society in the process. It is appropriate that this center be named after Prentice Gautt, University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren said. His personal values and character, along with his leadership as associate commissioner of the Big 12 Conference, continue to bring pride to his alma mater. His personal example of quiet courage, grace under pressure, and dedication to the university helped open the doors of opportunity for countless number of African-American and minority student-athletes who have followed him into collegiate athletics. MCCLENDON CENTER FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS 41

42 51 ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE COURTNEY PARIS VOLLEYBALL The Sooners recorded their second straight 20-win season, going overall. Oklahoma was once again the surprise of the Big 12 as the Sooners were picked to finish ninth in the conference during the preseason but finished fourth in the league with a 13-7 mark. Under fourth-year coach Santiago Restrepo, the Sooners were selected for their second consecutive NCAA Tournament and fifth trip in school history. CROSS COUNTRY Jessica Eldridge closed out her impressive OU cross country career with a fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Cross Country Championships. Eldridge was named to the 2007 Division I Midwest All-Region Cross Country team along with sophomore Jon Grey and freshman Kevin Schwab after the trio recorded top-25 finishes in the NCAA Midwest Regional. All individual scorers for the men finished in the top 50 at the NCAA Midwest Regional as the team finished fifth. SOCCER Oklahoma finished the 2007 season with a overall record and a mark in Big 12 play. Eleven of the Sooners games were decided by one goal or less. Freshman Whitney Palmer was named to the All-Big 12 Newcomer Team with six goals. She is the third Sooner in school history to be named to the team and the first since Lauren MacIver since WOMEN S BASKETBALL The Oklahoma women s basketball team finished the season with a 28-5 record, a No. 9 ranking, the Big 12 regular season championship, the Big 12 postseason championship and a Sweet 16 appearance. The Sooners became the first program in Big 12 history to collect back-to-back regular season and postseason championships. The success in 2007 gives the Sooners more Big 12 regular season (5) and postseason (4) championships than any team in the Big 12. Courtney Paris, the AP National Player of the Year and consensus All-American, led the Sooners. MEN S BASKETBALL Following the release of three signed recruits from their letters of intent, a team of 10 scholarship players and two walk-ons finished the season with a record. OU s winning record was the program s 26th straight, preserving the longest streak among Big 12 schools. The Sooners held opponents to just 59.6 points a game, the lowest figure by an OU team in 29 years. FOOTBALL The Sooners (11-3) became the first football team in the Big 12 Conference to win back-toback Big 12 Championships as Oklahoma knocked off No. 1 Missouri, 38-17, in the Big 12 Championship game in San Antonio. The Sooners claimed the program s fifth conference title in eight seasons and 41st overall. Oklahoma narrowly missed playing in the national title game as it finished in third in the final BCS standings. However, the conference champions advanced to their sixth BCS bowl game in the past eight seasons with match up against West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl. The squad also made history with its ninth consecutive bowl game, the longest stretch in the program s history. 42

43 ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE 51 MEN S GYMNASTICS The Oklahoma men s gymnastics team pushed host Penn State to the final event at the 2007 NCAA Championships, but couldn t overcome the Nittany Lions. The Sooners, gunning for the program s first NCAA three-peat, settled for national runner-up. Jonathan Horton made history at the event, winning NCAA event titles on the high bar and floor exercise. With five career individual national titles, Horton broke Bart Conner s school record. Oklahoma once again led the nation, adding 11 total All-Americans at the meet. JONATHAN HORTON WOMEN S GYMNASTICS Led by senior Brittney Koncak-Schumann who won a share of the floor exercise title, OU finished second at the Big 12 Championships on March 31 in Columbia, Mo. The Sooners headed back to Tuscaloosa for the NCAA Central Regional on April 14. The final qualifying spot was decided by a tiebreaker with Oklahoma edging the Cyclones to earn a schoolrecord fourth straight trip to the NCAA Championships. The Sooners finished eighth at the NCAA Championships, the highest finish in program history. MEN S TENNIS Led by a roster that included just one senior, the 2007 Oklahoma men s tennis team was one of the most successful in program history. OU faced a tough schedule with 19 of its 29 matches versus ranked opponents. With four of eight players new to the team, OU head coach Paul Lockwood quickly blended the team into a national contender. The Sooners climbed from No. 54 to No. 23 in the ITA polls. The jump into the top 25 ended a 15-year absence. WOMEN S TENNIS A seasoned squad knows how to win at home and that was the case for the Sooner women s tennis team. OU finished with a 5-2 home mark and was 9-13 overall for the season. A 4-3 win over Kansas, the second of the season, sent the Sooners to the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Championships. The season ended with a 4-0 loss to Texas A&M in that round. Oklahoma ended the season with a 5-6 record in the Big 12, good for a sixth place finish. MEN S GOLF With eight of the OU men s golf team s 10 players earning tournament spots for the Sooners for the first time in their collegiate career, it would be easy to chalk up last season as a learning experience and look to next year. Head coach Jim Ragan had other ideas as he made sure the Sooners finished the season the same way they had every year of his OU tenure earning a berth in NCAA postseason play. WOMEN S GOLF The women s golf team posted nine top-10 team finishes on the season, the most since Juniors Heather Wright and Jacques remained constant in the lineup and produced three and five top-20 finishes, respectively. Jacques saved her best for last, firing a threeround 229 in the Big 12 Championships. She earned a spot on the Big 12 All-Tournament team with her fourth place tie. TRACK AND FIELD A program-record 14 men and women earned All-America honors at the NCAA Track & Field Outdoor Championships to cap one of the most successful seasons in school history. The men s team won its first Big 12 Championship, the first conference title for OU in 29 years, and NCAA Midwest Region titles. The women s team recorded a program-best finish of sixth at the Big 12 Outdoor. Head coach Martin Smith was named the Big 12 and Midwest Region Men s Coach of the Year. WRESTLING Head coach Jack Spates, in his 14th season at the helm, led the team to an 11-7 record and an 0-5 record in Big 12 competition. Of the 18 matches, 11 were against top 25 teams, including all four Big 12 teams. For the second consecutive season, OU produced individual Big 12 champions. Led by All-American Sam Hazewinkel, six Sooners qualified for the NCAA Championships. BASEBALL The 2007 Oklahoma baseball team narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003 after finishing the season with a overall record. The Sooners finished seventh in the Big 12 regular season standings with an mark and went 2-1 in the 2007 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship. A strong showing in the Big 12 Championship, which included wins over No.11 Missouri and No. 21 Oklahoma State, was not enough for the Sooners to qualify for their fourth straight NCAA Tournament. 43

44 51 TRADITION AND SPIRIT A STORIED AND ACTIVE TRADITION The University of Oklahoma athletics program boasts a tradition that few schools can rival. Over the years, Sooner squads have combined for 25 team national championships including seven in football, seven in wrestling, seven in men s gymnastics, two in baseball, one in men s golf and one in softball. The Sooner tradition isn t something buried in the past. It inspires OU s student-athletes to greater heights every season. Oklahoma continued its excellence during the school year as football, softball, women s basketball and men s track all won Big 12 titles. The University of Oklahoma has a long and storied history. The rich tradition has given birth to some of the most recognized pageantry in all of college athletics. Here is a look at the origin of some of the elements that create the wonderful atmosphere so unique to OU: SOONERS College sports fans are hard-pressed to find a nickname that is as unique and as tied-in to a state s history as a Sooner. The University of Oklahoma is the only school known as Sooners and those who claim that they are Sooners say it with pride. The Oklahoma Territory opened with the Land Run of Settlers from across the globe, seeking free land, made their way to the prairies of the plains to stake their claim. One of the few rules to claiming a lot of land was that all participants were to start at the same time, on the boom of a cannon. All settlers who started then were labeled as Boomers and the ones who went too soon were called Sooners. OU athletic teams were called either Rough Riders or Boomers for 10 years before the current Sooner nickname emerged in The university actually derived its name from a pep club called The Sooner Rooters. The success of University of Oklahoma athletic teams over the years has made the nickname synonymous with winning. PRIDE OF OKLAHOMA The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band has been supporting Sooner Spirit for nearly a century. Unlike many other college bands, which began as military drill units, the Pride of Oklahoma had its beginnings as a pep band. In the early years of the 1900s, both townspeople of Norman and students of OU participated in a band that played for football games. Professor John Merrill started the first band in 1901, which was composed mostly of townspeople and disbanded after each football season. Lloyd Curtis, a cornetist, founded the first continuous student band in Today, the 300-member Pride of Oklahoma has members representing virtually every college and major on campus. The Pride of Oklahoma stands for excellence in musicianship, academics, school spirit, and commitment to our role in the surrounding community. Boomer Sooner rings out at the end of each rehearsal, and that song is the defining element of the University of Oklahoma. Maybe that is why Sooner fans love the band so much. Not much can compare to the first go-go at a football game when the Pride of Oklahoma marches the interlocking OU down the field playing Boomer Sooner. BOOMER SOONER One of the most recognizable college fight songs in the country, Boomer Sooner immediately evokes enthusiasm from OU fans and sends chills down the spines of those who dare to oppose them. In 1905, Arthur M. Alden, a student in history and physiology whose father was a Norman jeweler, wrote the lyrics to the fight song, borrowing the tune from Yale University s Boola Boola but improvising the words. A year later, an addition was made to it from North Carolina s I m a Tarheel Born and the two combined to form the university s fight song today. Though the tune was first made known by Yale, the everlasting success of Sooner squads has taken the melody of Boomer Sooner to national popularity. Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner Boomer Sooner, OK U! Oklahoma, Oklahoma Oklahoma, Oklahoma Oklahoma, Oklahoma Oklahoma, OK U! I m a Sooner born and Sooner bred and when I die, I ll be Sooner dead Rah Oklahoma, Rah Oklahoma Rah Oklahoma, OK U! 44

45 TRADITION AND SPIRIT CRIMSON AND CREAM In the fall of 1895, Miss May Overstreet, the only woman on the faculty, was asked to chair a committee to select the colors of the university. The committee decided the colors should be crimson and cream and an elaborate display of the colors was draped above a platform before the student body. 51 MASCOTS The Sooner Schooner is a Conestoga, or covered wagon, reminiscent of the mode of travel used by pioneers who settled Oklahoma. The Schooner is powered by matching white ponies named Boomer and Sooner, and it ventures onto Owen Field in a triumphant victory ride after OU scores. Although the Schooner was introduced in 1964, it did not become the official mascot until The Schooner is well-recognized by college athletics fans across the country and makes regular appearances at university functions. During OU football and baseball games from , Mex the Dog wore a red sweater with a letter O on the side. Mex died of old age on April 30, 1928, and he was so popular among students and faculty that the university closed for his funeral and procession on May 2, In the fall of 2005, the OU Athletics Deparment introduced costumed mascots. The new characters will act as an extension of the Sooner Schooner and its horses to be enjoyed by fans -- especially children -- at all OU athletics contests. The costumes feature traditional collegiate gear as part of their regular uniform, but will don team uniforms for football and men s and women s basketball. They were voted Most Collegiate by the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA). The student body approved with great enthusiasm and immediately pennants, banners, badges and decorations of every description appeared on the streets, in the windows, at chapel, in classrooms, and all public places; however, local merchants could not supply the demand. Even though the school colors have evolved to red and white over the years, you can ask any self-respecting Sooner what the colors are and they will proudly announce Crimson and Cream. On gamedays, a sea of crimson rolls through OU s home venues and all Sooners are urged to wear the official colors to show the rest of the country what school spirit and Sooner Pride is all about. OU CHANT The OU Chant is a loyalty song that is sung before every home football game, before and after every men s and women s basketball games and at the end of many athletic and university functions. Every fan who wears the official colors, each current student and student-athlete and all OU alumni are encouraged to stand and raise one finger in the air during the playing of the Chant -- a symbolic gesture that shows those who do not know what it means to be a Sooner, the greatness of the university and the unity between all Sooners. The Chant was written in 1936 by Jessie Lone Clarkson Gilkey, who directed the OU girl s glee club from 1936 to 1938 and was voted Outstanding Faculty Woman in O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A Our chant rolls on and on! Thousands strong Join heart and song In alma mater s praise Of campus beautiful by day and night Of colors proudly gleaming Red and White Neath a western sky OU s chant will never die. Live on University! 45

46 51 NORMAN GAMEDAY ON CAMPUS CORNER NORMAN - HOME OF THE SOONERS Norman is an ever-changing city of nearly 100,000 residents. Located in the heart of the state, it has grown to become the third largest city in Oklahoma. Despite its continuous growth, it has maintained the spirit and serenity of a small, close-knit community. Since the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889, Norman has grown into a popular and smart city. The spirit of Norman and its citizens is unwavering and uncompromising. While other towns were clamoring to become the state capital, Norman residents wanted to have the first state university. When the first OU president got off the train and saw a prairie, he saw opportunity. As home to the state s premier educational institution, Norman boasts an excellent quality of life and is a city that thrives on and celebrates the diversity of its community. Legendary University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer called Norman a university town with a championship spirit. Norman continually exhibits its love for sports by hosting numerous local and national athletic events Due to its central location, Norman is a quick 196-mile drive from Dallas. Roughly 20 percent of OU s students are from Texas and choose to come north. The average annual temperature in Norman. The area enjoys a temperate climate with mild winters. Residents experience four distinct seasons with a warm spring and fall. Located just 18 miles north of Norman, the state s capital, Oklahoma City, offers all the trappings of a large metropolitan area within an easy drive. Norman is the third largest city in the state with more than 100,000 residents. Despite its growth, the city nurtures and maintains its small, college town atmosphere. The Oklahoma City metropolitan area has a population of more than one million people. OKC is the largest city in the state and the 29th largest city in the nation. 46

47 51 OKLAHOMA CITY OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma City, the state s capital, is located just 18 miles north of the Norman campus. It was the first city settled in the Land Run of 1889 because of its position at the center of the state. Oklahoma City offers a variety of attractions and activities different from any other place in the country. Oklahoma City sprawls across 625 square miles of America s heartland. The city s metro population numbers more than one million -- a third of the entire state s population. Oklahoma City has become a haven for exciting sports action. It is home to three minor league teams and is the host of the NCAA College Softball World Series. Located just southeast of downtown, Bricktown is Oklahoma City s entertainment and dining district. Restaurants with a total capacity of more than 4,000 seats, shopping, and a generous helping of turn-of-the-century charm has turned Bricktown into a hotspot for Oklahoma City nights. DOWNTOWN OKC 47

48 51 SOONERSPORTS.COM The University of Oklahoma, in conjunction with its multimedia rights partner, Sooner Sports Properties, recently signed on to become the latest partner in CSTV s industry leading Online Network. CSTV operates Oklahoma s official athletics Web site, providing Sooner fans with the most in-depth coverage and interactive content of Oklahoma sports that has ever been available. The new and improved Web site, SoonerSports.com, launched on July 1, The OU Athletics Department and CSTV committed considerable research, planning and design resources in developing the new SoonerSports.com. OU is recognized as a leader in intercollegiate athletics and its official site follows in that tradition. For many, the site serves as the front door to the Sooner experience. SoonerSports.com also provides an integral link between OU student-athletes, their families, coaches, Oklahoma students, fans, prospective student-athletes, alumni, media, donors, corporate partners, the University and peer institutions in the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA. The new site strengthens Oklahoma s commitment in bringing its fans the most extensive coverage of the Sooners direct from Norman. By utilizing the latest technology, including webcasts, podcasts, RSS feeds, wireless services and more, OU presents fans with unprecedented opportunities to access official Sooner news, features and multimedia. In addition to Oklahoma All-Access, CSTV launched a custom Web site with a variety of online features including an e-commerce store, photo galleries and CSTV s exclusive GameTrackerTM technology, which allows fans to follow live simulated game action, details and full play-byplay of their favorite Sooner sports. SoonerSports.com will also receive CSTV s industryleading online and new media solutions, including access to new distribution platforms such as CSTV2Go mobile and podcasting. Sooner Sports Properties is a division of Learfield Sports, which administers multimedia rights for nearly 35 collegiate institutions and associations including fellow Big 12 members Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas State, Missouri and Texas A&M. The Dallas-based company also secures marketing partnerships for the Black Coaches Association (BCA) and provides exclusive sports programming to more than 1,000 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, Team Services, LLC, a Learfield Sports company, specializes in venue naming rights, marketing research and sales consultation. CSTV Networks, Inc., now part of the CBS Corporation, is the leading digital and cable programming company dedicated to college sports. Connecting more fans to more college sports than any other company, its many platforms for programming distribution include CSTV: College Sports TV, televising regular-season and championship events for 35 men s and women s college sports; CSTV.com and its network of more than 215 official athletic sites; CSTV All Access, broadband services providing live audio and video of more than 10,000 events annually; as well as satellite television and radio, in-flight entertainment, wireless networks and more. Further information is available at 48