OU Gooners

[NellieBly]

USA Today
Friday, August 24, 2007


Jump on The Bandwagon; Literally: Sooner Fans Among Least Educated

Norman, OK – A new study released last month by the Sports Statistics Foundation, a research and statistical think-tank based in Dallas, Texas, shows that Sooner fans are among the least educated in the nation, and dead last in the Big 12.

The study was commissioned by the Big 12 last year to assist the sports marketing department. "We thought the information would be valuable in determining where to place our TV, radio, and print advertisements", said Bill Brenner, Big 12 Executive Director, "but we never expected these results."

The study looked at the percentage of each school's fans that have a college education. Only 4.7% of sports fans identifying themselves with The University of Oklahoma had completed a college degree, lowest among the Big 12 teams. OU ranked in the lower 5th percentile nationally. Additionally OU ranked 3rd in the nation in number of high school dropouts claiming allegiance to the school as a percentage of the total fan base.

The survey results were both good and bad for the State of Oklahoma. Oddly enough the study showed the Oklahoma State University had some of the most educated fans. According to Brenner this wasn't so surprising, "OSU is known nationally and internationally for several programs that are consistently recognized for their quality. It's not all about cows and corn there in Stillwater."

OU fans, get ready. Change is on the way. "Due to the surprising results, we're going to have to reevaluate our entire advertising campaign", says Joe Castiglione, University of Oklahoma Athletic Director. "Historically our strategy has been to target wealthy, educated professionals in an attempt to increase season ticket holder revenue which carries higher profit-margins. Now we see a more targeted economic class approach being appropriate, focusing on the low-income, uneducated fan base."

What does that mean for the fans in Norman? "We'll have to explore more non-traditional ad spaces, says Castiglione. We've started a pilot program in two separate trailer parks in the OKC metro area in an attempt to increase the Sooner brand awareness there, passing out OU car flags and lawn signs to residents. We've also purchased ad space in several gentlemen's clubs."

These tactics may seem extreme and even bizarre, but this could be just the tip of the iceberg according to Castiglione, "We've just begun to explore innovative advertising for the low-income, low-education demographic. We're currently in discussions the Oklahoma State Prison system about providing free televised OU football games, as well as plasma TVs in exchange for exclusive broadcasting rights within the State's prison system."

It's hard to say if the campaign will be successful according to Brenner, "We commissioned the study to help schools generate athletic revenue through improved marketing. How they choose to implement ad campaigns is up to them. Though I can't imagine the prisoner fan-base is the way to go. I wouldn't want to be known as the official school of the state penitentiary".

-Stanley Greer is an AP sportswriter covering college and Olympic athletics and can be reached at sgreer@usatoday.com.

[Renaissance]

I mean, if you're going to try to pass off a fake article, try not to misuse a semicolon in the headline.

Idiot aggies.

[NellieBly]

Geez -- touchy touchy OU fans.

All my OU friends believed thought it was real.

[Renaissance]

quote:Originally posted by NellieBly

Geez -- touchy touchy OU fans.

All my OU friends believed thought it was real.

Ha, well if it makes any difference, I was smiling as I typed.  []  This being the Sports Talk forum, flaming has got to be expected, right?

Oh and I'm an OU grad.

[MichaelC]

I imagine that's probably true, seriously, take Texas for example.  The only people that care about the Longhorns are grads and students.  

In Oklahoma, or Nebraska for that matter, for years there's only been one show in town.  Every backwoods redneck is on the band wagon.  So to speak.

Oh, and OU sucks!  Go Pokes!

[iplaw]

quote:Oh and I'm an OU grad.

Really!  I'm surprised you're able to speak in complete sentences, let alone use a compooter []

[cannon_fodder]

I cheer for all 3 "home teams" in D-I football.

I like to see OU play for championships, its fun to watch OSU gear up and try to become a major player, and TU has had a fun run lately.

That said...

TU v. OSU - Culture vs. Agriculture

TU v. OU -  (nothing clever yet, damn it)

[dbacks fan]

Aahhh, that time of year again. The days are getting shorter, the leaves will begin to turn, the fair is coming to town and those that bleed OU red or Cowboy orange stand toe to toe to argue who has the better team.


Oh and  by the way for you Texas fans.........

Bevo's Gay![}:)]

[Renaissance]

quote:Originally posted by iplaw

quote:Oh and I'm an OU grad.

Really!  I'm surprised you're able to speak in complete sentences, let alone use a compooter []

Perhaps we can thank my Tulsa high school experience for that, and my OU experience for my haughty demeanor.  [^]

[cannon_fodder]

Do you have any idea how much money UT could have made if they ground Bevo up and sold him to OU fans for game day burgers?  I have to imagine most OU fans would pay dearly for the privilege of eating Bevo.

Mmmm, Bevo burger.

[iplaw]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

Do you have any idea how much money UT could have made if they ground Bevo up and sold him to OU fans for game day burgers?  I have to imagine most OU fans would pay dearly for the privilege of eating Bevo.

Mmmm, Bevo burger.

If they did that...who would the UT football players make sweet, tender love to after a game?

[cannon_fodder]

lol, thanks for the chuckle.

But I was talking about when Bevo was dead.  Or are you also referring to the dead Bevo.

OU could reciprocate by donating their stupid little ponies when they die.  I'm sure the Texan's would just fry 'em and eat them like everything else.

[iplaw]

What should TU do with our little mascot with a head that looks like a giant sugar pop?

[RecycleMichael]

Did you know that OU is 33% easier to spell than OSU?

[cannon_fodder]

Are you talking about the Golden Shower that runs around at games from time to time?  I wondered what he was doing there.  I found his interest in children particularly alarming.  Mascot you say.  Interesting.