Something to be Proud Of

            Every year the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University meet on the football field.  But what happens on the field is more than just a game—it’s a competition, a rivalry, and a battle.  Tickets sell for outrageous prices, fans travel to support their team, and the tension is high. 

            An important element of the game is the crowd and the participation of the fans.  If the crowd is excited, it often encourages the football players to perform at their best.

            The OU Pride practices all week in preparation for every game each week.  The dedication and energy they put into their practice reflects their performance on game day.  The band enhances the excitement of the fans; without the band it’s hard to say that the game day experience would be the same. 

            This year halftime is different.  On November 17^th of this year, OSU women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke died in a plane crash.  Assistant coach Miranda Serna, the pilot, and the pilot’s wife also died in the crash of this small private airplane.

            In recognition of OSU’s loss, the two teams’ marching bands decided to perform together at halftime.  They banded together and set the rival aside in order to honor the lives that were lost. 

            A member of the band, Tyson Misak, comments on why they are performing with the Cowboy Marching Band. “We’re doing this to show our support for our other fellow Oklahomans in a time when they’re struggling with a loss—a great loss.”

            No matter what team wins, the OU Pride is supportive of the Sooners and the University of Oklahoma.  Their job is to perform to their best ability during the game and at halftime in order to get the crowd excited for the game and to keep the OU tradition alive. 

            

Lead in:

            This year at Bedlam, the OU Pride and the Cowboy Marching Band performed Amazing Grace at halftime in honor of the OSU coaches who died recently.  OU Pride spends several hours practicing every week in order to perform their best on game day. 

[VIDEO: Slanchik, 1:57]