Reflecting on a spring of championships and stadium energy, Oklahoma’s new AD outlines a vision for excellence, community impact, and the relentless pursuit of more national titles
Dear Sooner Nation,
This week marked my 100th day as a Sooner. In February, I arrived in Norman with an incredible sense of gratitude for and belief in what Oklahoma Athletics is and can become. What I could not have fully appreciated until stepping into this role is the passion, pride, and unwavering commitment that define Sooner Nation. Every one of these first 100 days has been a continuous reminder that the University of Oklahoma is home to the greatest athletics department and fanbase in all of college sports.
We have celebrated extraordinary competitive success together this spring.
- Our women’s gymnastics program earned its second consecutive SEC regular-season title and left Fort Worth with another national championship, further cementing what a dynasty looks like.
- Men’s gymnastics made us proud on the national stage after a tremendous season that saw them at the top of the rankings nearly every week.
- Men’s golf swept through regionals and is competing for a national championship of its own this week, and women’s golf’s top-30 finish was its best in a decade.
- Though our softball program’s season was cut short, our team won the SEC regular-season title and competed with the poise, toughness, and championship mentality that have made it the country's premier program.
- Baseball earned its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth and 43rd overall, and track and field produced a pair of SEC outdoor individual champions and is competing at NCAA regionals this week.
- Starting off with a home-court advantage, our women’s basketball team delivered an exciting postseason run to the Sweet 16, and men’s basketball caught fire down the stretch, carrying momentum to next season.
- Both our tennis programs gave us unforgettable moments deep into championship play, with the women’s squad also posting a regular-season SEC title.
This spring also gave us a glimpse of what’s ahead this fall. The energy surrounding the spring football game was electric. Seeing Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium full of excitement, anticipation, and pride reminded all of us what Saturdays in Norman are meant to feel like. I can’t wait for the full experience in September. We need Sooner Nation to show up, create the best atmosphere in college football, and help push our team forward in our chase for championship No. 8.
I’ve spent much of these first 100 days meeting with our fans, alumni, donors, letterwinners, and supporters across the state and beyond. I saw many of you on the Sooner Caravan alongside Coaches Venables, Moser, and Baranczyk and General Managers Jim Nagy, Lucas McKay, and Jared Boyd. I was able to spend time with some of you at Sooners in the Desert and Coaches vs. Cancer, alongside Coach Lon Kruger. Beyond events, I’ve had the privilege of meeting you, our supporters, in several smaller, more personal settings. And in every instance, one thing has become abundantly clear: we are all invested in the success of Oklahoma Athletics. Oklahoma comes with great expectations, but it also comes with a palpable excitement about our potential and a shared understanding that, together, we can lead our great program to even greater levels of success.
Earlier this month, we celebrated graduation for another remarkable group of Sooners. Watching these young men and women earn their degrees while competing at an elite level is a reminder of why we exist. Our responsibility is to create opportunity: opportunity to compete for championships, opportunity to grow as leaders, and opportunity to leave this university prepared for life beyond competition. We’re here to win championships at Oklahoma, and we always will be. But we’re also here to prepare our student-athletes for lifelong success.
As we look ahead, our department will continue to move forward guided by core values that will define how we operate and who we aspire to be. We will serve people exceptionally well. We will pursue excellence with urgency and purpose. And we will communicate honestly and directly. And we will win. But our mission will not stop there. We will leverage our success to enrich our university, our community, and our state. That is the impact we strive for. Nothing less.
The first 100 days have only strengthened my belief that the future of Oklahoma Athletics is incredibly bright. Thank you for welcoming my family and me into this community and for the passion you continue to show every single day.The best is still ahead.
Boomer Sooner,
Roger Denny
Director of Athletics
University of Oklahoma
