Sooners

Sooners is a term with two principal meanings in Oklahoma. It refers both to residents of the state and to the athletic teams of the University of Oklahoma. The name has historical roots in the opening of the Oklahoma Territory to settlement in 1889, when people rushed to stake claims in the unassigned lands. Those who arrived early to claim land are commonly associated with the label, and the term later became part of the state’s identity as The Sooner State. Oklahoma’s cultural heritage and early settlement history are often linked to this word.

The University of Oklahoma adopted Sooners as the nickname for its athletic programs in the early 20th century. OU teams are known collectively as the Sooners, and the program has developed traditions such as the Boomer and Sooner rally cry and the Sooner Schooner, a wagon that appears at home games. OU’s sports programs compete at the highest levels of American college athletics, fielding teams in the NCAA and playing prominent roles in national competitions. The school colors, crimson and cream, are closely associated with the Sooners’ identity.

In contemporary usage, Sooners designates both people from Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma’s athletic teams. The term remains a common shorthand for the state’s heritage and for its public universities, reflecting both the land rush history and the long-standing prominence of OU athletics.