Looking Beyond Football and Basketball

                At most universities, football and men’s basketball are the varsity sports that receive the most attention. The University of Oklahoma is no different. This was especially true in 2008 when Blake Griffin received the John Wooden Award and Sam Bradford won the Heisman trophy. Oklahoma is only the second school to have athletes receive these high honors in both basketball and football in the same year. But what about the other seventeen varsity sports at the University of Oklahoma? With the College World Series underway, let’s put the University of Oklahoma’s baseball team in the spotlight for a change.

                Although the University of Oklahoma didn’t make it to College World Series this year, they are no stranger to the tournament. The Oklahoma Sooners have made ten College World Series appearances, most recently in 2010. Prior to 2010, the Sooners made appearances in 1951, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1992, 1994, and 1995. The Sooners captured their first national title in 1951 under Coach Jack Baer beating Tennessee 3 to 2. In 1994, Larry Cochell coached the team to a 13 to 5 victory over Georgia Tech to bring home another national title. Sooner outfielder, Chip Glass, was crowned the most outstanding player of the College World Series in 1994 in addition to making the All College World Series team. Four Sooners, Ryan Minnigor, Rick Gutierrez, Darvin Traylor and Mark Redman also made the All College World Series team along with Glass. As you can see, the Oklahoma Sooners have done well when they make appearances in the College World Series! Hopefully the University of Oklahoma will be back in the College World Series soon, but until then which team are you rooting for to win College World Series?