University of Oklahoma - Sooner Yearbook (Norman, OK)

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In a way, it was a new national pastime. Bicentennialism had become a reality throughout the United States, as July 4, 1976 drew closer to the present. All the pomp and pageantry that could be imagined was being mustered for the celebration of the century, or for two centuries for that matter. From the rankest commercialism to the most sincere of recognitions of America's two-hundredth birthday, the nation was seeing itself become one huge fanfare, all keyed on saluting the bicentennial. And Norman, Oklahoma as well as the University was no exception, as it too found itself enveloped in the red, white and blue fervor. With the actual date of the two-hundredth anniversary of the proclaiming of the Declaration of Independence KNoEKifi-Wm OF T9: CYCl ' smnnww yr -11 -. Amar V-.-,w. Signs and decorations signalling OU's homecoming adorn the campus, one sign on a Cate Center dorm welcoming Bob Hope and Phyllis Diller to Norman. more than eight months away, OU found itself the home of the AIl-American Homecoming. The combined efforts of administrative as well as student interests had brainstormed to produce a revitalized homecoming celebration for OU. What for years had been a meaningless phrase attached to OPPOSITE: A busy day opens up for Norman as the ISU-OU football clash as well as the height of homecoming festivities approaches. one of the Sooner home football clashes, took on the meaning of a massive celebration. . homecoming for 1975 had been dedicated to the American bicentennial. The Universityts All-American Homecoming, centered around the October 25 gridiron battle between Oklahoma and the Cyclones of Iowa State University, was a myriad of events and activities. One of the more unique of these happenings was the student reception held at University President Paul Sharp's house on the Wednesday evening preceeding the game. The first affair of its sort at CU, it was billed as being for all students. Visitors to the open house were also greeted by another homecoming novelty, the homecoming king and queen. Jennifer Streightoff and Trey Boyd being selected to fill the posts, the homecoming royalty was a highlight of the homecoming parade which would weave through Norman the following Saturday. Thursday of the homecoming sequence was highlighted by the sights and sounds of brass and the cinema. A free performance Beer and beer distributors become favorite aspects of the homecoming celebration. by the OU jazz ensemble on the South Oval in the afternoon, was followed by an evening showing of Room Service, starring the ever-popular Marx Brothers, held on the Walker Tower Mall. The more traditional homecoming activities, typified by the stereotyped celebrations of the 40's, came to be Friday evening, October 24, at the new Lloyd Noble Arena. Not only were the age-old bonfire and pep rally a part of the evening's line up, but a cheering contest, open to all students, was held; The evenings excitement was perfect to whet everyone's whistle for the homecoming parade and the football game on the following day. Beginning at the hour of 9 a.m., a menagerie of homecoming royalty, floats, the OU Band as well as a list of dignitaries ranging from U.S. Representative Tom Steed to UOSA President Terry Womack, snaked its way from downtown Norman to the campus, coming to rest north of the stadium. Thus ended a week of bicentennial creativity as a format to the afternoons gridiron Clash. Though the Sooner's won the ensuing contest with lSU, 39-7, it was a game typified by sloppy playing on the part of the Big Red, OU losing a record thirteen fumbles. Still, a football victory was the topper to a sucessful 1 sequence of bicentennial events, which would long be remembered as the Universityts lfirst HAll-American : Homecoming. 29