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OU to throw SEC welcome party July 1, including open house at Barry Switzer Center, Love's Field

headshotby:George Stoia•06/03/24•

GeorgeStoia

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OU wants its fans to be ready for the SEC. That’s why the university is throwing a party its first official day in the conference.

Oklahoma will officially become a member of the Southeastern Conference July 1, leaving the Big 12 along with Texas in a move that has changed the landscape of college athletics. And the Sooners are celebrating the move with several events for fans that Monday.

The party will include a 5K glow race the night before, open houses at the Barry Switzer Center and Love’s Field, and a “Party In The Palace presented by motorola razr” from 5-10 p.m. inside Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, which will include live music.

“This day is years in the making, so it’s appropriate for us to come together and celebrate,” OU athletics director Joe Castiglione said in a press release. “We couldn’t be more excited to join the SEC. Our teams are poised for success and look forward to the competition with many of America’s most outstanding universities. At Oklahoma, we have a story to tell. And we’re invigorated by the opportunity with which we’re presented to share with the world what makes OU so special. Our resolute commitment to our student-athletes and their success and to our fans and their experience will only strengthen with this move. We can’t wait to welcome thousands of new people to our community as well as spread Sooner Magic throughout the SEC.”

OU to the SEC events

Here are a list of all the events OU plans to have for the celebration:

  • Race to the SEC 5K Glow Run: 11 p.m. on Sunday, June 30. The 5K will begin on Brooks Mall immediately north of Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. It will conclude at Owen Field’s 50-yard line. $24.25 entry fee.
  • Midnight Madness Sale: Fans will have their first opportunity to purchase officially licensed OU-branded SEC merchandise.
  • “Wake Up in the SEC” Events in OKC and Tulsa: From 8-9:30 a.m. The Oklahoma City breakfast will take place at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill. It will feature OU President Joseph Harroz Jr., Vice President and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione and other special OU guests, including head coaches. In Tulsa, the breakfast will be held at Mother Road Market. It will include the SEC Network’s Dari Nowkhah, OU Vice President Susan Bynum, former OU head football coach Barry Switzer.
  • Sooner Schooner Roadshow Final Stops: Photo opportunity with the Sooner Schooner that will include stops in Tulsa and OKC.
  • Norman Pep Rallies: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at seven different Norman business districts.
  • Summer Equipment Sale: Can be found in the Mosier Indoor Track Facility from 2-7 p.m.
  • SEC Network Programming: The “Paul Finebaum Show” will be broadcast live starting at 2 p.m. in the North end of the stadium.
  • “Party In The Palace presented by motorola razr”. Will include live music, a pep rally and a drone show from 5-10 p.m.
  • Open Houses: Barry Switzer Center and Love’s Field will be open from 5-7 p.m.

For full details on the events, read more here.

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