Homecoming + Halloween + Tradition = ...

I realize some of you think that adds up to “costumes,” but sadly, no more. It’s a different world than in the go-go 80’s, and since every game is now televised (I think only two games in the past ten years have not been), everyone wants legal clearance for any trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property that might appear on anyone’s costumes. (They even ask for proof, every year, that The Pride has the rights to play Boomer Sooner and Oklahoma! It’s mind-boggling.) Nonetheless, two years ago, we had a home game on November 1, the day after Halloween, and a night game at that. The Pride responded with a timely show that got more applause than The Noble Men (and Women) of Kyle—The Pulse of the Spirit of Aggieland Nationally Famous Fightin’ Texas Aggie Marching Band, ending with a great classic pop song. It was so popular that the members voted to repeat it for that year’s bowl performance. With the recent death of Michael Jackson, I’m sure members of the 2007 Pride and those familiar with the show have thought about it. Jackson’s music has been everywhere since June 25, and I simply cannot hear or see any part of Thriller now without thinking of that night on Owen Field. You can click here to see videos of the performance on YouTube. Have you figured out the equation yet? This week, Mr. Britt informed us that with Homecoming 2009 taking place on Halloween itself, the game’s halftime show will end with a joint Pride of Oklahoma and Alumni Band performance of Thriller. Both bands together, on the field, doing… …well, doing Thriller things. I’m not going to try to predict what any part of it may look like, but you can watch the videos from last time to get a good idea of why this was so much fun. Some of you reading this know because you performed it in 2007. If your time in the Pride has ended, come back for Homecoming this year and perform it again! This is going to be a lot of fun. Posted by Webmaster on 6/30/09; 6:14:03 AM from the Homecoming 2009, Pride History dept. Discuss #

Homecoming 2009: October 30-31!

Mark your calendars now, for we know when Homecoming 2009 is: it’s Halloween! The page linked above is for “Reunion,” an OU Alumni function with extra activities for specific graduating classes each year. They seem to be paired with significant anniversaries plus those from the following year, probably to account for things like five-year degrees for degree holders who felt more strongly aligned with their classmates who got their degrees in four years. This year, Reunion honors the classes of 1954-1955 (55th anniversary), 1959-1960 (50th), 1964-1965 (45th), and the President’s Medallion Club. However, after contacting the Alumni Office, they confirmed that this is also the date for Homecoming 2009: October 30-31, with Homecoming 2009 assigned to the Kansas State game on Halloween at Owen Field. Kickoff time probably won’t be set until 13 days before the game, as usual. (OU has set some kickoff times for the season, and those are now entered on our Events calendar.) Obviously this is just the first bit of information that will be posted (and sent to our mailing list) as we receive and determine it. When we have a fee schedule for dues and tickets and everything else, we will again have those online as we did for last year’s fees, so you can easily and securely pay online via PayPal and order shirts, lunches, or whatever happens to be available.* So keep your eye on this page, or subscribe to the mailing list, and we’ll let you know what we know as soon as we can. Homecoming vs. the Wildcats, once again coached by Bill Snyder, who is one of Coach Stoops’ mentors. It should be a good game! BOOMER SOONER! (*Having no additional information at this time, this is no promise that there will be shirts, lunches, or anything else: it depends upon logistics and game times. They might be sweatshirts and breakfast for all I know. I’m just reporting dates. Don’t blame me.) Posted by Webmaster on 6/17/09; 2:51:22 PM from the Homecoming 2009 dept. Discuss #

2009 Pride of Oklahoma Golf Tournament: June 18!

Pride of Oklahoma Golf Tournament — June 18 The Second Annual Pride of Oklahoma Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held at the OU Jimmie Austin Golf Club on Thursday, June 18. This event provides Pride staff and students the opportunity to interact with band alumni, supporters, and friends, all while raising funds for the band scholarship endowment. A wide array of participation and sponsorship opportunities are available to fit virtually everyone’s interest and availability. Space is limited so act now to ensure you have a spot for this terrific event. We hope to see you there. Boomer Sooner! Click here for more information. Posted by Brian Britt on 5/22/09; 5:55:39 AM from the Alumni sightings, Membership, Pride of Oklahoma dept. Discuss #

Too soon to think about football?

Maybe not—the Red & White Game is this Saturday, and members of The Pride of Oklahoma will be there to root on both teams. Clearly, though, some people haven’t stopped thinking about the 2008 football season, as this picture from the University of Texas’s Moncrief-Neuhaus training facility shows: (Via The Crimson and Cream Machine. ESPN’s Tim Griffin reports that Mack Brown “wasn’t aware” of it and “will have it fixed.” You can’t make this stuff up, though you could get rich if you could.) Update: ESPN now reports that Texas assistant football coaches (but not Mack Brown) will receive Big 12 Championship bonus pay for 2008, even though the team didn't even make it to the conference championship game. Posted by Webmaster on 4/7/09; 1:05:46 AM from the Gameday dept. Discuss #

Congratulations to Larry Wade

Did you know that one of our own is on the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents? Not only that, but this past week, Larry Wade was selected as vice-chairman of the board! I’m not even inferring the connection: he says so himself! A longtime supporter of his alma mater, Wade is an endowed President’s Associate and a lifetime member of the Alumni Association and also has endowed several scholarships. He served on the Reach for Excellence Campaign board and on search committees for two OU deans and the director of the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band. He is a member of the Touchdown Club, the Tip-in Club and the Pride of Oklahoma Alumni Club. Emphasis added in case you didn’t know that, on some university lists, OUBAA is “Pride of Oklahoma Alumni Club,” or as seen on this donation page for our general (non-scholarship) fund, “OU Club of Band Alumni.” But it’s all OUBAA—that’s us! Congratulations, Larry! Posted by Webmaster on 3/28/09; 6:06:15 PM from the Alumni sightings dept. Discuss #