View source for Boomer and Sooner

{{Short description|Mascots for the University of Oklahoma's sports teams}}
[[Image:OklahomaSooners-BoomerSooner-Schooner.jpg|thumb|Boomer and Sooner pulling the Sooner Schooner.]]
[[Image:Boomer or Sooner Mascot.jpg|thumb|Sooner, the costumed mascot of the University of Oklahoma.]]

'''Boomer''' and '''Sooner''' are two matching white ponies who pull the [[Sooner Schooner]], a [[Conestoga wagon]] across the field when the [[University of Oklahoma]] football team scores. The Sooner Schooner is the true mascot of the team, bringing to mind the pioneers who settled Indian Territory during the 1889 Land Run and were the original "Sooners".  The Sooner Schooner represents the [[University of Oklahoma]] as a [[mascot]] for the university and its sports teams, the [[Oklahoma Sooners]].

==Boomer and Sooner ponies==
The Sooner Schooner and ponies were introduced in 1964 and became the official mascot in 1980. The Sooner Schooner is cared for, maintained, and driven by both the Oklahoma RUF/NEKS, OU's all-male spirit squad, and the RUF/NEK Lil' Sis, OU's all-female spirit squad. Mick Cottom, a freshman Ruf/Nek member from Liberty Mounds, Oklahoma, has the distinction of being the first person to pilot the Schooner across Owen Field in 1964. Darby Dean became the first woman to drive the Sooner Schooner during the Bedlam football game on November 21, 2020. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.oudaily.com/sports/ou-football-darby-dean-becomes-first-woman-to-drive-sooner-schooner/article_bf3a80b2-2c69-11eb-b304-cff877807f88.html | title=OU football: Darby Dean becomes first woman to drive Sooner Schooner | date=21 November 2020 }}</ref> The Sooner Schooner and ponies were kept at the Bartlett Ranch in [[Sapulpa, Oklahoma]], till 2011 when the university took over the care for the Schooner and ponies. Charley F. (Buzz) Bartlett and his brother, Dr. M. S. Bartlett, organized the Doc and Buzz foundation in 1964 for the purpose of presenting scholarships to deserving students, but the foundation also supports the OU mascot.

There have been five sets of ponies.
*Boomer and Sooner I
*Boomer and Sooner II
*Boomer and Sooner III
*Boomer and Sooner IV (1993–2007)
*Boomer and Sooner V  (2008 to present)
::Boomer and Sooner V are two crème white Welsh Ponies who were introduced in 2007 to replace the retiring Boomer and Sooner IV.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=208365599 | title=Boomer and Sooner IV Retiring | publisher=University of Oklahoma | date=November 20, 2007 | access-date=October 7, 2013}}</ref>

==Costumed mascots==
Non-animal mascots were needed to represent the University of Oklahoma at certain athletic contests, charity events and children's hospitals.<ref name="soonersports">[http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=209078563&SPID=127247&SPSID=854413 Mascots], University of Oklahoma Spirit Squads. (accessed October 7, 2013)</ref> The Boomer and Sooner costumed mascots represent the University of Oklahoma in these situations. They represent the two crème white ponies that pull the Sooner Schooner,<ref name="Spirit Squads">{{cite web|title=Mascots|url=http://www.soonersports.com/spirit/04_mascot.html|work=Spirit Squads|access-date=June 7, 2012}}</ref> a Conestoga wagon across [[Owen Field]] in a victory ride after every OU score. Boomer is the blue-eyed horse and Sooner is the brown-eyed Horse. Traditionally, Boomer wears crimson jerseys and Sooner wears white jerseys that match the team that they are supporting. The mascots replaced the '''Top Daug''' mascot at [[Oklahoma Sooners]] basketball games. Boomer has competed in Universal Cheer Association National Competition for 4 years, placing 2nd in 2012.

==See also==
*[[Boomer Sooner]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070811162821/http://www.soonersports.com/trads/schooner-mascots.html Boomer and Sooner]
* [http://newsok.com/article/3232806/1208747452 April 21, 2008 Daily Oklahoman article covering fan reaction and mascot evolution]
* [http://blackfin360.com/2007/07/31/top-daug/ Top-daug]

{{University of Oklahoma|athletics}}
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{{Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball navbox}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Boomer And Sooner}}
[[Category:Oklahoma Sooners]]
[[Category:Southeastern Conference mascots]]
[[Category:Horse mascots]]
[[Category:Anthropomorphic horses]]
[[Category:Real-life animal mascots]]
[[Category:Mascots introduced in 1964]]
[[Category:Mascots introduced in 1980]]