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| Sunday, January 21 Oklahomans turn out to celebrate Sooners' title Associated Press | |||
| NORMAN, Okla. -- A crowd estimated at 30,000 turned out
Sunday to celebrate Oklahoma's football championship.
"It is truly a privilege to be the head football coach at
Oklahoma," coach Bob Stoops told those who came to Memorial
Stadium on a cool but sunny day.
"For the last time, I hope you'll have me for a long time."
The Sooners capped their 13-0 season with a 13-2 victory over
Florida State in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3.
"There is a great legacy and history and tradition here,"
Stoops said after he introduced former coach Barry Switzer, who
coached three national championship teams at OU.
"In the few years we went without a few trophies, we made up
for them this year, didn't we?" he said on a stage adorned with
the various national championship trophies and the Orange Bowl
trophy.
"For the past two years it's been an honor and privilege to
call Oklahoma my home," said quarterback Josh Heupel, runner-up
for the Heisman Trophy. "It's been great to be part of this
university and play on Owen Field."
Each senior player was introduced, along with several members of
the state Legislature and the members of the university's board of
regents.
"You have restored glory to college football's finest program,
and you will forever have a special place in the hearts of Sooners
everywhere," said regents chairman C.S. Lewis III of Tulsa, who
then read a resolution that the regents had adopted honoring the
team.
Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin drew a loud ovation when she told Heupel
that, "In the eyes of Oklahomans, and I would say in the eyes of
many across the nation, you are the Heisman Trophy winner."
At one point, the publisher and editor-in-chief of Oklahoma
Today magazine unveiled a poster showing that the football team had
been chosen as the magazine's 2000 Oklahomans of the Year.
The ceremony included the national anthem by country singer Toby
Keith, along with traditional school songs by the Pride of Oklahoma
marching band and the OU Chorale.
| ALSO SEE
Stoops rails at report saying he's due another hefty raiseStoops calls report misleading, still says 'I'm not going anywhere' Stoops given Byant Award as nation's coach of year honor | ||
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