The University of Oklahoma is well known for their long lasting traditions and their strong fan base. These traditions have been around for many of years, and the cheerleaders at OU are a big reason for keeping those traditions alive today.

Tatum Texada and Gabby Littles take pride in Game Day at the University of Oklahoma and they shared eight of their most popular traditions that they get to be a part of!

“I think the anticipation to game day is insane,” said Texada. “Every time I walk up to the first game I shed a tear just because of all of the excitement and energy, and really all of the love that Oklahoma brings to the fans, athletes, students, cheerleader. There’s just so much joy, love and excitement. It’s like no other thing I’ve ever experienced.”

“OU Game Day starts when we wake up,” said Littles. “If we have an early game at 11 AM we start at 6 AM setting up the field, getting everything ready and warming up our skills. Getting ready for the game and being with my team and putting together this big production for all of the fans to see is my favorite part of game day.”

8 OU Game Day Traditions

Walk of Champions

The players pull up on a bus and all of the fans, cheerleaders and Ruf Neks line up and create a tunnel for the players to walk through as they get off the bus and enter the stadium.

Wall Tap

A sign that reads “Cheer Like A Champion” is located in the tunnel that the cheerleaders, Ruf Neks and band walk out of before each home game. Everyone taps the sign on their way out to the field.

Pre Game Hype Video

Before each home game, a hype video is played before the game with current players, past players, famous players, current coaches, past coaches and video of big plays. This is another opportunity to get the fans pumped up for the game to start!

Drum Major Intro

The band is a big deal at OU. They are also known as The Pride! Before pre game, the drum major marches out to his introduction video, leans back and uses a lot of energy to kick off the pre game show. This is the cue for everyone to stand up!

“My favorite tradition is when the drum major comes out. It’s all eyes on that person and then it just gets bigger and grows from there. The Pride starts walking out, then the cheerleaders and we get to start doing our pregame. That’s when you know it’s starting!” -Gabby Littles

National Anthem Flyover

At the end of each National Anthem, a Flyover takes place over the stadium and the crowd yells “Home of the Sooner!” at the end.

Boomer Sooner Crowd Yell

This tradition is done a few times throughout the game. One side of the stadium yells “Boomer!” and the other side yells  “Sooner!” The crowd usually does this about eight times after pre game or until the coin toss. This also happens before kick offs to get the fans excited!

“The Boomer Sooner is my favorite game day tradition. Just being able to be in the middle of that and being able to lead is kind of insane. 80,000 people yelling with you is crazy!” -Tatum Texada 

Touchdown’s

Every touchdown the ponnies run onto the field with the Ruf Neks. The ponnies run halfway across the field while the cheerleaders run flags, tumble and create a line of standing tucks. The crowd participates in the OU Chant which really hypes up the game!

Ruf Neks Celebration

The Ruf Neks fire their guns on kick offs and touchdowns. It’s really loud and adds to the overall Game Day atmosphere at OU.