The University of Oklahoma is preparing for its highly anticipated move to the Southeastern Conference.
OU officially joins the SEC at midnight on July 1, marking the beginning of a major day of celebration for OU Athletics.”
“The next day, we’re all going to wake up in the SEC,” said Leah Beasley of OU Athletics. “We’re going to give the fans a real treat.”
The celebrations begin on Sunday evening and last almost 24 hours.
“We have waited a long time for this and planned for a long time,” she said.
On Sunday evening, the festivities begin with a 5K light run through the campus, ending at the 50-yard line in the stadium.
“We will have fireworks at midnight and the fireworks will mark our official joining of the SEC,” Beasley said.
Next up is a “Wake Up in the SEC” breakfast event from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill. In attendance will be OU President Joseph Harroz Jr., Vice President and Athletic Director Joe Castiglione and other special OU guests, including head coach.
The Sooner Schooner will also be on a roadshow through the state before ending the day at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Starting at 2 p.m., the Paul Finebaum Show will be broadcast from outside the stadium on the SEC Network. OU Athletics invites fans to attend and directs them to Gate 6 and McCasland Field House.
“So we really need a big crowd to showcase Oklahoma and our pride on Monday at 2 p.m., and we will have T-shirts for the first 500 guests,” Beasley said.
At 5pm, guests will be taken to the stadium where there will be a party in the palace with games, food trucks and live music. The party will end at 10pm.
“We have really enjoyed our relationship with the Big 12 and it is time for a new era in OU sports,” Beasley said.
