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and post notes and photos about your poem like Robert Candler.
If you enjoyed this poem, particularly if you happen to be a Sooners Fan, you may also enjoy: The Victory Dance, Sooner Magic, The Legend of the Red October Run, The Sooners Recruit.
Barry Switzer, credited as the originator of the term Sooner Magic and arguably the greatest coach in OU history, said while reading my poem, Sooner Magic, that for 30 years people had been trying to define Sooner Magic. Then, I saw all the hair on his arms stand up. He looked at me with soft eyes and said, "This is it. This is it." I still have that autographed copy.
The Legend of the Red October Run is the story of the 2000 National Champion Sooners. In the year following the victory over FSU, I sent it to a few friends. A year later, I had received over 800 emails from prOUd SoONErs all over the world. It's a pretty good read.
The Sooners Recruit is a fairly accurate look at a single recruit, his path to OU, his expectations and ordeals in becoming a Sooner.
I've written several others, but have posted only my favorites. My proudest moment as an author of Sooners poetry came when, during a Sooner Caravan dinner, Bob Berry Sr., well known local TV news journalist and Voice of the Sooners for many years, read 5 of my poems. I had asked him to autograph 'Because They Play the Game' when he asked if he could read it first. He seemed quite taken back and asked if I had written others. I had 4 others with me (for autographs), so he read them all. Then, he read 'Because' again. He looked at me and said quite seriously as he offered his hand, "Sir, I compliment you. I would regard you as the Poet Laureate of Sooners Football." I was flattered beyond belief and it is a very special moment to me. I have always hoped he was sincere. Sadly, he recently passed away; but his son and namesake are filling in admirably.