History of Oklahoma Sooners in Timeline
The University of Oklahoma's athletic teams, known as the Sooners, compete in the NCAA's Division I Southeastern Conference (SEC). The nickname "Sooners" refers to those who staked claims before the official start of the 1889 Land Run, which opened the Unassigned Lands of Oklahoma to non-native settlement. The university's athletic director is Joe Castiglione. The university fields 19 men's and women's varsity teams.
1905: "Boomer Sooner" Written
The University of Oklahoma's fight song, "Boomer Sooner," was written in 1905 by Arthur M. Alden. It's a combination of "Boola Boola" (Yale University's fight song) and "I'm a Tar Heel Born" (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's fight song).
1914: Joining Southwest Athletic Conference
The University of Oklahoma became a charter member of the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWC) in 1914.
1915: Unacknowledged National Championship
The NCAA record books list an additional national championship for the Sooners in 1915, primarily determined by math rating systems, but it is not officially recognized by the university.
1915: RUF/NEKS Spirit Group Formed
The RUF/NEKS, the spirit group that cares for the Sooner Schooner Conestoga wagon at football games, was formed in 1915. Their name originates from a spectator at a basketball game telling them to "Sit down and be quiet, you roughnecks!"
1919: Joining Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Five years later, in 1919, OU left the SWC and joined the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
1920: Wrestling Program Established
The Oklahoma Sooners wrestling program was founded in 1920.
1928: Forming the Big Six Conference
In 1928, the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association split, and OU became part of the newly formed Big Six Conference.
1936: Start of AP Poll
Since the start of the AP poll in 1936, OU has held the highest winning percentage of any team.
1936: First NCAA Wrestling Championship
The Sooners won their first NCAA wrestling championship in 1936.
1949: Unacknowledged National Championship
The NCAA record books list an additional national championship for the Sooners in 1949, primarily determined by math rating systems, but it is not officially recognized by the university.
1950: National Championship Win
The Sooners won a national championship in the 1950 season based on the Associated Press final poll.
1951: Second NCAA Wrestling Championship
The Oklahoma Sooners won their second NCAA wrestling championship in 1951.
1951: National Championship Win
The Sooners baseball team won a national championship in 1951.
1952: Third NCAA Wrestling Championship
The Oklahoma Sooners claimed their third NCAA wrestling title in 1952.
October 10, 1953: Start of NCAA Record Consecutive Wins
On October 10, 1953, Bud Wilkinson's Oklahoma team began their NCAA Division 1 record 47 consecutive wins against Texas.
1953: Unacknowledged National Championship
The NCAA record books list an additional national championship for the Sooners in 1953, primarily determined by math rating systems, but it is not officially recognized by the university.
1955: National Championship Win
The Sooners won a national championship in the 1955 season based on the Associated Press final poll.
1956: National Championship Win
The Sooners won a national championship in the 1956 season based on the Associated Press final poll.
1957: End of Consecutive Wins Streak
In 1957, Oklahoma's 47-game winning streak ended with a loss to Notre Dame.
1957: Fourth NCAA Wrestling Championship
In 1957, the Oklahoma Sooners secured their fourth NCAA wrestling championship.
1957: Unacknowledged National Championship
The NCAA record books list an additional national championship for the Sooners in 1957, primarily determined by math rating systems, but it is not officially recognized by the university.
1960: Fifth NCAA Wrestling Championship
The Oklahoma Sooners earned their fifth NCAA wrestling title in 1960.
1963: Sixth NCAA Wrestling Championship
The Oklahoma Sooners won their sixth NCAA wrestling championship in 1963.
1965: Revival of OU gymnastics program
In 1965, the University of Oklahoma revived its gymnastics program under the leadership of new coach Russ Porterfield, marking the beginning of a new era for the team.
1967: Unacknowledged National Championship
The NCAA record books list an additional national championship for the Sooners in 1967, primarily determined by math rating systems, but it is not officially recognized by the university.
1968: Simultaneous Basketball and Football Awards
In 1968, UCLA became the first school to have top award winners in both basketball and football in the same year, with Gary Beban winning the Heisman Trophy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar winning the USBWA "Player of the Year" award. Oklahoma accomplished the same feat with Blake Griffin and Sam Bradford.
1973: Unacknowledged National Championship
The NCAA record books list an additional national championship for the Sooners in 1973, primarily determined by math rating systems, but it is not officially recognized by the university.
1974: Seventh NCAA Wrestling Championship
The Oklahoma Sooners secured their seventh, and most recent, NCAA wrestling championship in 1974.
1974: Rugby Football Club Established
The Oklahoma University Rugby Football Club was founded in 1974.
1974: National Championship Win
The Sooners won a national championship in the 1974 season based on the Associated Press final poll.
1975: National Championship Win
The Sooners won a national championship in the 1975 season based on the Associated Press final poll.
1975: Controversial National Championship
The Sooners' 1975 National Championship is considered controversial, as they finished 11-1 while Arizona State went undefeated at 12-0.
1977: OU wins first national gymnastics title
In 1977, the University of Oklahoma men's gymnastics team won their first national championship, beginning a legacy of excellence in the sport.
1978: Unacknowledged National Championship
The NCAA record books list an additional national championship for the Sooners in 1978, primarily determined by math rating systems, but it is not officially recognized by the university.
1980: Unacknowledged National Championship
The NCAA record books list an additional national championship for the Sooners in 1980, primarily determined by math rating systems, but it is not officially recognized by the university.
1980: Rugby Reaches National Quarterfinals
During the period from 1980 to 1990, the Oklahoma Sooners rugby team reached the national quarterfinals five separate times, starting in 1980.
1983: Undefeated Season for Rugby
The Oklahoma Sooners rugby team went undefeated during the 1983-1984 season.
1984: Undefeated Season for Rugby
The Oklahoma Sooners rugby team completed an undefeated season in 1984.
1985: National Championship Win
The Sooners won a national championship in the 1985 season based on the Associated Press final poll.
1986: Unacknowledged National Championship
The NCAA record books list an additional national championship for the Sooners in 1986, primarily determined by math rating systems, but it is not officially recognized by the university.
1988: National Championship Game Appearance
The Sooners men's basketball team played in the 1988 national championship game, losing to Kansas after beating them twice during the regular season.
1989: Sooners win NCAA Championship
In 1989, the Oklahoma Sooners secured an NCAA Championship victory, adding to the program's storied history of success.
March 1990: OU women's basketball program almost cut
In March 1990, a statement was released indicating that the OU women's basketball program would be terminated due to low attendance. However, the decision was reversed eight days later following a strong response from fans.
1990: Rugby Reaches National Quarterfinals
The Oklahoma rugby team reached the national quarterfinals in 1990.
1991: OU wins third national gymnastics title
The University of Oklahoma men's gymnastics team claimed their third national championship in 1991, further establishing their prominence in collegiate gymnastics.
1994: National Championship Win
The Sooners baseball team won a national championship in 1994.
1996: Forming the Big 12 Conference
After several name changes and additions, the Big Eight Conference transformed into the Big 12 Conference in 1996 with the inclusion of four Texas schools.
2000: National Championship Win and BCS Championship
The Sooners won a national championship in the 2000 season based on the Associated Press final poll and also won the Bowl Championship Series National Championship.
2000: First Women's College World Series Title
In 2000, the Oklahoma Sooners softball team won their first Women's College World Series (WCWS) title, defeating UCLA. This marked the first national championship for any women's athletic program in the university's history.
2002: Sports Illustrated Ranking
In 2002, Sports Illustrated ranked the University of Oklahoma's sports program as the third best in America.
2003: Ice Hockey Program Begins
Oklahoma began its ice hockey program in 2003, playing in Division 1 of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) as a founding member of the Western Collegiate Hockey League.
2003: Unacknowledged National Championship
The NCAA record books list an additional national championship for the Sooners in 2003, primarily determined by math rating systems, but it is not officially recognized by the university.
2004: Todd Hamilton wins Open Championship
In 2004, former Sooner Todd Hamilton achieved a career milestone by winning the Open Championship, highlighting his success in professional golf.
2005: Boomer and Sooner Mascots Introduced
In 2005, two new mascots, Boomer and Sooner, were created for the Oklahoma Sooners. These mascots are costumed versions of the ponies that pull the Sooner Schooner wagon.
2005: Successful Rugby Season and First Professional Player
The Oklahoma Sooners rugby team finished the 2005 season with a 19-1 record. Tyson Meek, captain of the squad and All-American, played for the U.S. national rugby team and went on to become OU's first professional rugby player.
2005: Baseball Season Start and Disappointing Early Season
The Sooners baseball team started the 2005-2006 season ranked No. 5 but had a disappointing start. The team began the following season with the same ranking and a similar start.
2005: Disappointing Early Season and NCAA Tournament Loss
The Sooners men's basketball team began the 2005-2006 season ranked No. 5 but had a disappointing start and ultimately lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
March 29, 2006: Kelvin Sampson leaves Oklahoma
On March 29, 2006, Kelvin Sampson departed from his position as head basketball coach at the University of Oklahoma to take on a new role at Indiana University. This marked the end of his tenure at Oklahoma, during which the program faced scrutiny from the NCAA.
April 11, 2006: Jeff Capel III named head coach
On April 11, 2006, Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione appointed Jeff Capel III as the new head basketball coach. Capel faced challenges early on as several recruits withdrew their commitments following Sampson's departure.
2006: Big 12 Championship Victory over Nebraska
The Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 21-7 in the 2006 Big 12 championship game.
2006: Super Regional Loss and College World Series
The Sooners baseball team won their home regional in 2006 but lost in the Super Regional to Rice University. Oregon State University went on to win the College World Series.
2006: Sooners win NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championship
In 2006, the University of Oklahoma men's gymnastics team won the NCAA Championship. Despite having a largely inexperienced team with many freshmen, they managed to secure the title, demonstrating their skill and potential.
2006: Hosting Regionals at On-Campus Stadium
Due to scheduling conflicts, the Sooners began hosting regionals at their on-campus stadium in 2006 after previously using minor league parks.
May 10, 2007: Addition of women's rowing program
On May 10, 2007, the University of Oklahoma announced the addition of a women's rowing team to its intercollegiate athletics program, with well-respected rower Candie Garrett playing a key role in its establishment.
May 24, 2007: NCAA restrictions on Kelvin Sampson end
On May 24, 2007, the NCAA's restrictions on Kelvin Sampson, which barred him from recruiting off-campus and making phone calls, concluded after a year. These sanctions were a result of recruiting violations involving over 550 illegal calls to recruits during his time at Oklahoma.
2008: Leeanne Crain hired as rowing head coach
In 2008, Leeanne Crain was appointed as the head coach of the University of Oklahoma's newly formed women's rowing program, marking the start of a new chapter for the team.
July 28, 2009: Oklahoma City River becomes U.S. Olympic Training Center
On July 28, 2009, the Oklahoma City River, where the University of Oklahoma women's rowing team practices, was designated as a U.S. Olympic Training Center for kayaking, canoeing, and rowing.
2009: Blake Griffin drafted as No. 1 overall
In 2009, Oklahoma Sooners' basketball player Blake Griffin was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, marking a significant milestone for the program.
2009: OU women's basketball reaches Final Four
In 2009, the University of Oklahoma women's basketball team advanced to the Final Four, continuing their strong presence in the NCAA Tournament during the 2000s.
2010: Final Big 12 Championship Meeting with Nebraska
In their final conference meeting before Nebraska moved to the Big Ten, Oklahoma defeated Nebraska 23-20 in the 2010 Big 12 championship game.
2010: OU women's basketball reaches Final Four again
The Oklahoma women's basketball team once again reached the Final Four in 2010, solidifying their reputation as a competitive force in collegiate basketball.
2012: SoonerSports.tv Launched
SoonerSports.tv, a streaming network dedicated to University of Oklahoma sports programming, was launched in 2012 as part of an agreement with Fox Sports Networks.
2012: SoonerSports.tv Created
SoonerSports.tv was created in 2012 through a partnership with Fox Sports Networks.
2013: Second WCWS Championship
The Oklahoma Sooners softball team dominated the 2013 season and secured their second WCWS title.
2013: Ice Hockey Reaches National Semifinals
In 2013, the Oklahoma Sooners ice hockey team achieved a No. 2 national ranking before losing in overtime during the national semifinals of the ACHA National Tournament.
2014: Sooners win gymnastics co-championship
In 2014, the University of Oklahoma women's gymnastics team won a national co-championship with Florida, marking a significant achievement for the program.
2014: Sooners Finish 10th in NCAA Wrestling
The Oklahoma Sooners wrestling team finished 10th in the NCAA championships in 2014 under coach Mark Cody.
2015: Sooners break NCAA scoring record in gymnastics
In 2015, the Oklahoma Sooners men's gymnastics team broke the NCAA scoring record in a dual meet against Michigan, achieving a score of 456.4 points. They later surpassed their own record with a score of 457.3 points against Illinois.
2016: Mark Cody Resigns as Head Coach
After five years as head coach, Mark Cody resigned from his position with the Oklahoma Sooners wrestling program in 2016.
2016: Third WCWS Championship
In 2016, with a young team composed of four sophomores and four freshmen, the Oklahoma Sooners softball team achieved their third WCWS national title.
2016: Sooners win national gymnastics championship
The Oklahoma women's gymnastics team captured the national championship in 2016, demonstrating their skill and competitive edge.
2017: Sooners win another gymnastics title
In 2017, the Oklahoma women's gymnastics team secured another national championship title, highlighting their continued success and dominance.
2017: Sooners win NCAA Championship again
The Oklahoma Sooners captured another NCAA Championship title in 2017, further cementing their legacy in collegiate athletics.
2017: Sooners win fourth consecutive gymnastics title
In 2017, the Oklahoma men's gymnastics team made history by winning their fourth consecutive national championship, showcasing their dominance in the sport.
2017: Fourth WCWS Championship and Back-to-Back Titles
Despite being seeded 10th in the 2017 postseason tournament, the Oklahoma Sooners softball team won their second consecutive and fourth overall WCWS championship. Game One of the championship series was a memorable 17-inning game against Florida, with the Sooners winning 7-5.
2018: Abraham Ancer wins Emirates Australian Open
In 2018, Abraham Ancer, a former Sooner, triumphed at the Emirates Australian Open, showcasing his professional golfing prowess.
2018: Sooners win another gymnastics championship
The Oklahoma Sooners men's gymnastics team continued their winning streak by capturing another national championship in 2018, solidifying their status as a powerhouse program.
2019: Sooners win gymnastics championship again
The Oklahoma women's gymnastics team added another national championship to their accolades in 2019, showcasing their consistent performance at the highest level.
July 2021: Accepting SEC Invitation
In July 2021, Oklahoma and the University of Texas at Austin accepted invitations to join the Southeastern Conference.
2021: Fifth WCWS Championship
After losing their opening game to James Madison in the 2021 WCWS, the Oklahoma Sooners softball team rallied to reach the championship series against Florida State. They defeated the Seminoles in three games to capture the program's fifth national championship.
2021: Bally Sports Takes Over SoonerSports.tv
Following the rebranding of Fox Sports Networks to Bally Sports in 2021, Bally Sports assumed operation of SoonerSports.tv.
May 5, 2022: SoonerSports.tv Rebrands as Soonervision
SoonerSports.tv ended and was rebranded as Soonervision on ESPN+ on May 5, 2022, under a multi-year deal with ESPN.
2022: Sooners win sixth national gymnastics title
In 2022, the University of Oklahoma women's gymnastics team won their sixth national championship title, affirming their position as a leading program in the nation.
May 2023: New Wrestling Coach Appointed
In May 2023, Roger Kish was appointed as the new head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners wrestling program.
May 2023: Contractual Agreements Approved
In May 2023, both universities approved the necessary contractual agreements to officially join the SEC.
2023: Sooners secure another gymnastics championship
The Oklahoma women's gymnastics team secured another national championship in 2023, continuing their legacy of excellence in the sport.
July 1, 2024: Joining the Southeastern Conference
Oklahoma and the University of Texas at Austin will officially join the Southeastern Conference (SEC) on July 1, 2024.