USA Today
Friday, August 24, 2007


Jump on The Bandwagon; Literally: Sooner Fans Among Least Educated

Norman, OK – A new study released last month by the Sports Statistics Foundation, a research and statistical think-tank based in Dallas, Texas, shows that Sooner fans are among the least educated in the nation, and dead last in the Big 12.

The study was commissioned by the Big 12 last year to assist the sports marketing department. "We thought the information would be valuable in determining where to place our TV, radio, and print advertisements", said Bill Brenner, Big 12 Executive Director, "but we never expected these results."

The study looked at the percentage of each school's fans that have a college education. Only 4.7% of sports fans identifying themselves with The University of Oklahoma had completed a college degree, lowest among the Big 12 teams. OU ranked in the lower 5th percentile nationally. Additionally OU ranked 3rd in the nation in number of high school dropouts claiming allegiance to the school as a percentage of the total fan base.

The survey results were both good and bad for the State of Oklahoma. Oddly enough the study showed the Oklahoma State University had some of the most educated fans. According to Brenner this wasn't so surprising, "OSU is known nationally and internationally for several programs that are consistently recognized for their quality. It's not all about cows and corn there in Stillwater."

OU fans, get ready. Change is on the way. "Due to the surprising results, we're going to have to reevaluate our entire advertising campaign", says Joe Castiglione, University of Oklahoma Athletic Director. "Historically our strategy has been to target wealthy, educated professionals in an attempt to increase season ticket holder revenue which carries higher profit-margins. Now we see a more targeted economic class approach being appropriate, focusing on the low-income, uneducated fan base."

What does that mean for the fans in Norman? "We'll have to explore more non-traditional ad spaces, says Castiglione. We've started a pilot program in two separate trailer parks in the OKC metro area in an attempt to increase the Sooner brand awareness there, passing out OU car flags and lawn signs to residents. We've also purchased ad space in several gentlemen's clubs."

These tactics may seem extreme and even bizarre, but this could be just the tip of the iceberg according to Castiglione, "We've just begun to explore innovative advertising for the low-income, low-education demographic. We're currently in discussions the Oklahoma State Prison system about providing free televised OU football games, as well as plasma TVs in exchange for exclusive broadcasting rights within the State's prison system."

It's hard to say if the campaign will be successful according to Brenner, "We commissioned the study to help schools generate athletic revenue through improved marketing. How they choose to implement ad campaigns is up to them. Though I can't imagine the prisoner fan-base is the way to go. I wouldn't want to be known as the official school of the state penitentiary".

-Stanley Greer is an AP sportswriter covering college and Olympic athletics and can be reached at sgreer@usatoday.com


Discuss -

Nice fake story.

I googled the title... the only other place this story appears is in some thread on orangepower.com.

There's nothing to discuss -- the story is fake.

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It's a friendlier OKCTalk!

Just did the same...faux.

The REAL question is did the poster know it was fake? Likely so, but I have my doubts.

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My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind
Albert Einstein

Well, this should be a fun thread! Whatcha got, Brado? (not that we are trying to single anyone out or anything...)

someone already posted that i found it on the orangepower board - the advertising in trailer parks and strip clubs really sets it off as a fake

I thought trailers and strip clubs were OSU recruitment tools.

Colorado actually.

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It's a friendlier OKCTalk!

Nah, I lived there...They just say "John Elway" and a line forms.

They also think that all their problems are caused by the Californians moving there.

For a minute there my heart dropped.

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" You've Been Thunder Struck ! "

Doug Gottlieb thought it was real. He has quoted it on the air.

hahaha douche..

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It's a friendlier OKCTalk!

I love how all the OSU folks jump on the bandwagon without checking the story out first . . . I have received it several times from O-State "friends" and they assume it is real. But then I get the supreme pleasure of telling them it is a fake story!

UNIQUE CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDING IN STILLWATER

September 17th, 2007

AP - STILLWATER, OK:

A seven year old boy at the center of a custody fight in Stillwater, Oklahoma was given a unique choice usually reserved for older children in custody battles. He got to choose his custodial parents.

"Typically, we don't allow the child to select their custodial parent until they're a little older. Usually 13 or 14" said local attorney Felix McCarthy.

The child had been subject to repeated domestic abuse at the hands of both parents following a DHS investigation. Temporary custody was awarded to the child's aunt. Following an in-chambers interview, however, the child told the judge that his aunt beat him even more than his parents did. The judge raised the prospect of placing him with his grandparents and to that the boy responded that they beat him even more.

After two days of hearings, the court allowed the boy to be placed with the Oklahoma State University football team. Judge Donald Worthington announced in his order "This Court takes judicial notice that the Oklahoma State University football team is incapable of beating anyone, therefore, in the best interest of the child, the Oklahoma State University football team will be granted full custody."

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OMG! I can't believe the Judge said that!

(haha)

two words: comedy. genius.

wow, that's a really good one. -M

It's on par with the original poster's contribution. Juvenile.

Difference: one is good natured humor directed at a team which admittedly can't win.

The other is a personal attack on the fan base.

Don't take it so personal.

--also, while I did write that version, it wasn't my idea. I've read similar versions elsewhere.

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It's a friendlier OKCTalk!

It's juvenile nonetheless.

Ok. Whatever you say.

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You think that is juvenile...Check out this fan:

YouTube - Lloyd Carr Protest

What a douchecanoe.

of course OSU fans all have college diplomas, you can get one from OSU without even being able to read - see dexter manley

Maybe, but he's the World's Greatest Dad.

ICV, are you fka Pugalicious? His old stuff goes to your profile? If not what the hell happened to Pug?