Oklahoma Sooners Mark Century of Memories at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium with Season-Long Celebration
In 2024, the air in Norman, Oklahoma, carries more than the usual buzz of college football season — it carries a century’s worth of history, pride, and tradition. The Oklahoma Sooners football program is rolling out a year-long celebration to honor the 100th season at their iconic home turf: Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
This isn’t just another milestone; it’s a testament to the generations of players, coaches, and fans who have poured their hearts into making the Sooners one of the most storied programs in college football. The 2024 season will be more than a quest for victories on the field — it will be a tribute to the home that has witnessed every triumph, heartbreak, and unforgettable moment in Oklahoma football’s modern history.
From Humble Beginnings to a Football Fortress
When the stadium first opened in 1923, it was a modest venue with limited seating, far from the towering and roaring structure it is today. Yet even in its early days, it was a place where the community gathered to rally behind their team. Over the decades, as the Sooners built their reputation as a powerhouse in college football, the stadium grew alongside them.
From small bleachers to a modern coliseum capable of holding over 80,000 fans, Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium has evolved into a fortress of noise and energy. Every expansion, renovation, and upgrade has been driven by a shared goal: to give the Sooners a home worthy of their excellence and to create a space where fans could experience the game at its most thrilling.
A Century of Unforgettable Moments
The stadium’s 100 years are woven with moments that have become part of college football legend. National championship runs, legendary coaches like Bud Wilkinson and Barry Switzer pacing the sidelines, and iconic plays that still make the highlight reels decades later — all of it has unfolded on this sacred patch of turf.
Sooner fans can recall the deafening roar when Adrian Peterson broke away for a long run, the wild celebrations after Red River Showdown victories, and the goosebumps from hearing the Pride of Oklahoma marching band play “Boomer Sooner” as the team storms the field.
This centennial season is about celebrating those moments, as well as the players, coaches, and fans who lived them.
Season-Long Festivities
To properly honor the 100th season, the University of Oklahoma has planned a variety of events throughout the 2024 campaign. Each home game will feature unique pre-game and halftime presentations highlighting different eras of the stadium’s history. Special guests, including Sooners legends, will be invited back to be recognized on the field.
The university is also introducing commemorative merchandise — from retro jerseys to limited-edition caps — so fans can take home a piece of history. Historical exhibits will be set up around the stadium, allowing fans to walk through a century of photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia that tell the story of Oklahoma football from the 1920s to today.
Fan Engagement at the Heart of the Celebration
The Sooners know that the stadium’s history isn’t just about the players and coaches — it’s about the fans who have filled the stands year after year, rain or shine. To recognize them, there will be interactive fan zones, opportunities to share personal memories of games past, and contests to honor the most dedicated supporters.
Long-time season ticket holders will be spotlighted, and stories of multi-generational fandom — where grandparents, parents, and kids have all cheered from the same seats — will be featured during broadcasts and social media campaigns.
Looking Back While Moving Forward
While this season is a celebration of the past, it’s also an opportunity to look ahead. The Sooners are on the cusp of a new era, soon joining the SEC — a move that will bring fresh challenges and opportunities. The stadium, with its century of memories, will continue to be the heartbeat of Oklahoma football as the team faces this next chapter.
Coach Brent Venables has acknowledged the significance of playing in such a historic season, reminding his players that they’re not just representing themselves, but carrying the legacy of every Sooner who came before them.
A Symbol Beyond Football
Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is more than just a sports venue. It’s a landmark in Norman, a place where the community gathers not just for football, but for moments of shared identity and pride. It has hosted graduations, memorials, and celebrations that extend beyond the gridiron.
The “Memorial” in its name stands as a tribute to the University of Oklahoma students and alumni who lost their lives in World War I, adding a deeper meaning to every cheer and chant that echoes within its walls.
The Season Everyone Will Remember
As the 2024 season unfolds, every snap, every touchdown, and every roar of the crowd will feel a little more significant. Each game will be another chapter in the living story of a stadium that has stood for 100 years as the home of the Sooners.
By the time the final whistle of the season blows, fans will not only have witnessed the pursuit of victories, but also taken part in a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of history, tradition, and community spirit.
In short, the Oklahoma Sooners’ 2024 campaign is more than just football — it’s a centennial love letter to Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. For a hundred seasons, it has been a place of pride, passion, and unshakable Sooner spirit, and this year, every fan is invited to help write its next unforgettable chapter.
