History
The Sooner football team won OU’s first conference crown, a Southwest Conference Championship. This was also the first season football was ever in a conference.
Since 1915, OU has claimed 50 conference titles in football, including six straight from 2015-20 and a total of 14 Big 12 crowns since 2000.
Men's track & field claimed a conference title in 1918 and since that time, men's tennis (36 titles), baseball (28), men's gymnastics (27), softball (24), wrestling (24), men's basketball (20), women's gymnastics (20) and men's golf (19) have all displayed eras of dominance in conference play. Softball currently boasts a streak of 12 years with a regular season or postseason conference championship (or both) from 2012-24.
Since 1915, OU has claimed 50 conference titles in football, including six straight from 2015-20 and a total of 14 Big 12 crowns since 2000.
Men's track & field claimed a conference title in 1918 and since that time, men's tennis (36 titles), baseball (28), men's gymnastics (27), softball (24), wrestling (24), men's basketball (20), women's gymnastics (20) and men's golf (19) have all displayed eras of dominance in conference play. Softball currently boasts a streak of 12 years with a regular season or postseason conference championship (or both) from 2012-24.
The University of Oklahoma "O" Club was founded as the Letterman's Club. It was as much a social organization as it was an athletics club. Prior to this time, there weren't many opportunities for student-athletes to enjoy all the social aspects of college.
To meet this need, the "O" Club was established and opened to all OU lettermen and their guests. They could get together and share the various experiences of student life beyond their particular sports. They sponsored dances and involved themselves in other campus activities in which other social groups participated. Funds were limited, particularly during the Great Depression, and the club's existence was pivotal to some student-athlete's enrichment.
To meet this need, the "O" Club was established and opened to all OU lettermen and their guests. They could get together and share the various experiences of student life beyond their particular sports. They sponsored dances and involved themselves in other campus activities in which other social groups participated. Funds were limited, particularly during the Great Depression, and the club's existence was pivotal to some student-athlete's enrichment.
OU’s first national championship in any sport came when head coach Paul V. Keen led the wrestling program to the NCAA title.
Oklahoma currently boasts a streak of 11 consecutive years (not including the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season) with at least one national championship, including four in 2017 and three in 2016.
Oklahoma currently boasts a streak of 11 consecutive years (not including the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season) with at least one national championship, including four in 2017 and three in 2016.
Port Robertson, legendary wrestling coach and assistant athletics director, was the sponsor of the early Lettermen's Club and collaborated with Shocky Need, assistant baseball coach, to formalize the club by writing its original rules and by-laws. Robertson also worked to find funding sources for the club. His efforts eventually resulted in a dedicated space for student-athletes to study as well as a place they could host Thursday night dances.
As the years progressed, Robertson found additional funding for an "O" Club tutorial program to complement the mandatory study halls he proctored. All of this was designed as a service support element for the athletics department.
As the years progressed, Robertson found additional funding for an "O" Club tutorial program to complement the mandatory study halls he proctored. All of this was designed as a service support element for the athletics department.
The term “Sooner Magic” was born on a cold and windy afternoon in Lincoln, Nebraska when the fourth quarter found the Sooners trailing the Cornhuskers 17-7. With three minutes to play, and the lead down to four, hope for a comeback had all but vanished into the Nebraska clouds. Sooners’ halfback Elvis Peacock scored the winning touchdown with 30 seconds remaining, vaulting the Sooners into a three-way tie for the conference championship.
Sooner Magic lives on within our current student-athletes, coaches, and athletics department staff members. The Athletics Department proudly boasts Sooner Magic as its core values - Masterful, Accountable, Gracious, Inclusive, and Competitive.
Sooner Magic lives on within our current student-athletes, coaches, and athletics department staff members. The Athletics Department proudly boasts Sooner Magic as its core values - Masterful, Accountable, Gracious, Inclusive, and Competitive.
Women’s softball claimed the first title by a women’s athletic program at Oklahoma. The Sooners finished the season with the best record in the country at 66 – 8. Since 2000, University of Oklahoma women’s athletic programs have won 13 more national championships. The women’s sport programs with national championships are softball (8) and women’s gymnastics (6).
OU expects great things from all of its athletic teams, which is why the University of Oklahoma owns one of the greatest winning traditions in intercollegiate athletics. Time and time again, the Sooners have delivered with 44 team national championships.
OU expects great things from all of its athletic teams, which is why the University of Oklahoma owns one of the greatest winning traditions in intercollegiate athletics. Time and time again, the Sooners have delivered with 44 team national championships.
The Varsity O Association’s appreciation for the importance of all athletic programs and athletes have transformed the original vision of the “O” Club. The vision has evolved since inception and has become a leader nationally for letterwinner organizations. The Varsity O Association’s roots are nearly 100 years deep, but they are as firmly planted in our rich Sooner soil as the tradition of excellence in our athletics program. We continue to sow seeds to lay a foundation for those who follow to experience and cherish the same memories and successes we share and to honor those who have come before us with great pride.
