The Oklahoma Sooners represent the University of Oklahoma's athletic program, known for its successful sports teams, particularly in football. Based in Norman, Oklahoma, the Sooners are part of the Big 12 Conference and compete in various NCAA Division I sports, with men's football being the most famous and successful team.

Logo Evolution

The Oklahoma Sooners’ logo has evolved over time, reflecting the program's rich history.

• 1951 – 1966: The original logo featured a covered wagon with the word "Sooners" written across the canopy. This symbol referenced the state's history, particularly the "Sooners" who settled in Oklahoma during the Land Rush of 1889.
• 1966 – 1979: The logo shifted to a more modern design with the letters "O" and "U" (representing Oklahoma University) positioned to overlap, with the "U" piercing through the center of the "O." This design utilized a simple sans-serif font and burgundy coloring.
• 1979 – 2000: Further refinements were made to the lettering and color palette, continuing to modernize the look while maintaining the iconic "OU" combination.
• 2000 – 2018: The logo solidified into its current form, keeping the "OU" monogram but with sharper, more defined features.
• 2018 – Present: A deeper red hue was adopted, enhancing the visual identity of the program.

Oklahoma Sooners Football

Oklahoma Sooners football is one of the most prestigious college football programs, with seven consensus national championships and 48 conference titles. The team is known for its dominance in the NCAA, consistently ranking among the top teams in the country.

Other Sports

Apart from football, the Oklahoma Sooners program excels in several other sports:

• Basketball: The men’s basketball team has reached the NCAA Final Four five times and was a runner-up twice. The women’s team has also had significant success, reaching the Final Four three times and finishing as runners-up in 2002.
• Softball: The Sooners softball team has won four NCAA Championships and has made 25 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 13 appearances in the Women's College World Series.
• Baseball: The Oklahoma Sooners baseball team won NCAA Tournament titles in 1951 and 1994.

Helmets and Uniforms

The design of the Oklahoma Sooners helmets and uniforms has evolved significantly over the years:

• 1962 – 1965: The helmets were white with a dark red stripe and player numbers on the sides.
• 1966: The helmet became dark red with a white stripe and the "OU" monogram, which started to be used in place of player numbers.
• 1977 – 2008: The design became more minimalist with a white grille and a simplified version of the "OU" logo.
• 2005 – 2018: The logo on the helmet was emboldened, giving it a more aggressive and modern look.
• 2018 – Present: The helmet's shape was made more modern and masculine, with the "OU" monogram becoming more prominent.

The Oklahoma Sooners uniforms are predominantly crimson and white, with specific variations for different teams. The football team, for example, has uniforms in both crimson and cream, while the basketball team wears white with crimson or all-crimson designs.

Mascot

The official mascot of the Oklahoma Sooners is the Sooner Schooner, a covered wagon drawn by two ponies, named Sooner and Boomer. First introduced in 1964, the Sooner Schooner became the official mascot in 1980, symbolizing the historic land rush and the spirit of the Sooners.

Stadiums

The Oklahoma Sooners have several state-of-the-art facilities:

• Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium: The football team’s home, with a capacity of over 80,000, making it one of the largest college stadiums in the U.S.
• L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park: The home of the baseball team, holding almost 3,200 spectators.
• Lloyd Noble Center: Home to the basketball teams, with a seating capacity of 10,000.
• McCasland Field House: Previously used for basketball, now serves for volleyball, wrestling, and gymnastics.

Colors

The Oklahoma Sooners are known for their official colors:

• Oklahoma Crimson: A deep red (#841617), representing passion and strength.
• Oklahoma Cream: A soft cream color (#FDF9D8), used in contrast with crimson for balance.

These colors are reflected in the Sooners' uniforms, logos, and merchandise, symbolizing the program’s heritage and competitive spirit.