Statue unveilings, senior class recognition, a reunion for Oklahoma’s first two national championship teams and the celebration of long-time announcer Bob Barry are all part of the festivities planned around this Saturday’s OU-Texas Tech football game, the home finale for the Sooners. The game is slated for a 2:30 p.m., kickoff.
At 12:30 p.m., statues of former Oklahoma coaching greats Bennie Owen and Bud Wilkinson will be unveiled near the Wilkinson Dormitory on Jenkins Ave. The ceremony is free and open to the public.
Owen’s daughter, Dorothy Ann Owen Bryan, is one of 45 Owen family members who will be in attendance.
Several of Wilkinson’s family members, including his son Jay, and players also are expected to attend.
Owen was Oklahoma’s coach from 1905-26. He finished with a record of 122-54-16 and also is credited for launching and completing the first major stadium project at the school. Wilkinson led the Sooners from 1947-63. His teams went 145-29-4 and won three national championships.
Both Owen and Wilkinson also served as athletics director during their tenures.
Later on Saturday, the 17-member senior class will be recognized on the field prior to the game. Those players will be appearing on Owen Field for the last time as members of the OU football team. Also during that time, the 2010 Don Key Award winner will be announced.
During the game, members of the 1950 and 1955 national championship teams will be introduced. To date, 43 members of those teams have indicated that they will return. They’ll also celebrate with a dinner on Friday evening.
The 1950 team, which included 1952 Heisman winner Billy Vessels, went 10-1. The ’55 squad, one of the teams that built the NCAA record 47-game winning streak, fashioned an 11-0 mark.
At halftime of Saturday’s game, OU will recognize Bob Barry, who is stepping down after the men’s basketball season as the voice of the Sooners. Barry, now in his 50th year in broadcasting, called OU games from 1961-72 and again from 1991-2010.
Fans may sign a large banner for Barry at Sooner Fan Fest, located at John Jacobs Track, prior to the game.
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I am pretty sure this is NOT OU’s home finale for 2011. We play Texas A & M, Baylor and Iowa State in Norman.