he game was the last of its . Their absence was valuable to the team in terms of T kind in America. It all began the final blow. evaluating personnel. "No on an April night in 1949 in one hates to see the end come "No question about it," he says . Oklahoma City's Taft Stadium with more than the Athletic Department," "We get to play more people. Plus 8,000 fans present. One of the touch- says Director . "I'm very working against the defenses we'll down passes that evening was thrown saddened . It was a great week for our face during the season. The alums by a Sooner halfback named Charles alumni -kept our former players un- played garbage defense - all that Sarratt, who in 1983 would be named ified. I hope we can keep these tradi- stunting and blitzing ." to OU's Board of Regents. tions alive with our new plans." Yet Switzer regrets the loss of the Although no one knew it at the These plans, put into effect this week when former greats and not- time, the tradition died on a windy, spring, were for an Alumni Weekend so-greats gathered to practice and chilly afternoon in Oklahoma Memo- including a Thursday night stag party and reminisce. rial Stadium in 1982. As time ran out party at which varsity seniors were "I've always thought that was one under overcast skies, 13,000 fans "initiated" into alumni ranks, a of the most enjoyable weeks of the watched as quarterback Jim Rockford golf tournament, and a Saturday football program, topped only by the was sacked for a 10-yard loss. night dinner-dance . The Varsity- week we beat Texas . All the guys The curtain had come down; OU's Alumni game itself was replaced by a you've heard about come back - that legendary Varsity-Alumni game had Red and White Intra-Squad game. great Thursday night stag party - a closed after a 34-year run. OU Head Coach be- fun week." lieves the intra-squad game is more The 1974 game, Switzer's first as head coach, is the one he remembers best. The game ended 10-10 when One reason for the game's demise Tony DiRienzo kicked a 55-yard field was economic - the increasingly goal for the Varsity. Earlier, taking higher expense of bringing alumni pity on the old grads, Switzer had let players back for the game. A second DiRienzo cross the field to kick a was the NCAA scholarship limit 40-yarder for the Alumni. The which has reduced the size of varsity Brazilian native was given the Wil- squads making it impossible to loan kinson Trophy as the game's out- players to the Alumni, a practice standing back. Afterward, Switzer begun in the first game. laughingly threatened to have him But the deciding factor was the deported. shrinking pool of available alumni "We won the national champion- talent . A number of OU players are ship that year," Switzer recalls. "The drafted each year by the National and only game we didn't win was Canadian Football Leagues - 25 cur- Varsity-Alumni because I gave them rently on NFL rosters alone - and Tony." pro teams are reluctant to risk their The players who stand out in money players in non-league games. Switzer's mind are Bob Harrison, The death knell was sounded by the All-America and UPI Lineman of the formation of the United States Foot- Year in 1958, who played in 25 of the ball League, whose winter-spring spring classics, and two of the players season overlaps OU's spring practice Switzer coached. when the game would have been During his 12 professional years, "Greg Pruitt and Derland Moore," played. Eight former Sooners were former O U great .Tommy McDonald he adds promptly . "The pros said they tapped by the New Jersey Generals, managed to play in all but two couldn't play, but they came back and coached by former OU Head Coach Varsity/Alumni games in Norman . played anyway because they liked it.

The Varsity/Alumni Game Thanks for the Memories

By MARY LYLE WEEKS

28 SOONER MAGAZINE

When we made the change (to the wishbone), our quarterback, Jack Mildren, wasn't very happy. But after he got involved in the wishbone, he did a fabulous job. It was like having a coach on the field." Fairbanks expresses sadness that the game will no longer be played. "This is the first time it's come to my attention that our league (the USFL) was a factor in the game's end," he says . "It's unfortunate that we've interrupted it. But we are offer- ing a number of men the opportunity to play pro ball - and also providing other people with jobs ." , now chairman of the board of Public Employees Bene- fit Services Corp. in St. Louis, was OU's head coach when the game began . He finds the demise of the game sad but not surprising . "The whole world is a different place now than when it began," he says . "We had one-platoon football The legendary Greg Pruitt promised the Cleoeland Browns "never to get involved in anything physical" in order to join the Alumni squad as a wide receioer. then -the pro game was not as popu- lar -- there were no agents in the ath- letic world. Then I remember Ron Fletcher and In 1979 when the scoreboard "The value of the game was the his white head gear." Switzer laughs. wouldn't work, time was kept on the continuity and camaraderie it pro- "One year I let a doctor from Clinton field by an official . The second half vided. Tradition is difficult to devel- - friend of Ron's - middle-aged or was about half as long as the first and op but remains vitally important older - I let him wear an Alumni ended, conveniently, just as the still." uniform and cover a kickoff - he was Alumni tied the score 31-31 . The old Wilkinson's Varsity team victory in thrilled. One time, Rod Pegues was grads' final scoring came after they 1949, 14-13 in the closest win ever, returning a kickoff, and Billy Sims "recovered" a fumble, scored on a was the only Varsity win until 1957. runs on the field - in street clothes touchdown pass with more than 11 The pro-laden Alumni teams consis- - breaking down like he was going to players, and passed for a two-point tently outmanned collegians. Intro- tackle him." conversion on what the alumni time- ductions for the 1952 game included keeper said was the game's final play . four active and seven recently retired The game Fairbanks recalls was "We was robbed," said Switzer, pros. his first in 1966 . laughing, after the game. "The thing I remember about my "We played in a torrential down- Fairbanks also remembers the first game," says Louisiana oilman pour. It was a close game. We were 1970 game . Jimmy Harris, quarterback from just happy to win. The Alumni had a "No particular plays stand out, but 1954 to 1956, "is pure fear. I'm lined lot of good, tough, hard players." we had a young team and were trying up to take my first snap and there, The final score was 7-0, and the to run the veer offense . That game across from my center, is J. D. game included one bizarre play. Var- was the first indication to me that Roberts (1953 Outland Trophy win- sity end Ben Hart ran 29 yards on a maybe I was making a mistake trying ner; AP and UPI Lineman of the double reverse and appeared headed to run it." After a shaky season start, Year). I'll tell you, walking into the for a touchdown when one Alumni de- the Sooners switched to the wishbone Cotton Bowl to play Texas the first fender knocked him into another. The a week before the Texas game . Texas time was nothing after lining up play, however, cost the Alumni 15 won 41-9, but it was the dawn of some across from J.D." yards because the first defender was OU glory years. Harris, who played in the game for not in the game . He had come off the Although both the veer and the 10 years and was an Alumni coach for bench to hit Hart. wishbone are triple-option offenses, 16, says the friends he has made Through the years some of the of- Fairbanks explains that there is a mean the most. ficiating, performed by alumni, had major difference . "I've been fortunate to get to know been questionable. More than once an "The veer requires you to have the the younger guys - and the older Alumni goal line stand had involved ability to be an effective passer. We ones - through the week back on 12 or even 13 players. found we didn't have that ability . campus . We're a closely knit group. 30 SOONER MAGAZINE

years," he adds, "it certainly has been Crowds reached a peak in the early a unique experience for all of us in- 1970s when as many as 28,000 at- volved." tended . The highest scoring game ,: came in this period, a 56-40 Varsity The Varsity's second win, 20-13, in victory in 1972. But the star of that 1957, was followed by four more game was Alumni quarterback Ron Alumni wins. But the game was Fletcher with a record-setting 297 changing. From 1962 to 1982, the yards passing. Fletcher, who never Alumni won only twice and achieved earned a football letter at OU, was two ties. voted the Wilkinson Trophy for the In 1960, the "O" Club, sponsor of game. the game, began dedicating the game Surprisingly, one of OU's truly to the Alumni team of 10 years ear- greats, Greg Pruitt, never won the lier, honoring both the 1949 and 1950 Wilkinson Trophy. Now with the Los teams in that first year. The first Angeles Raiders after nine years with game dedicated to an individual was the Cleveland Browns, Pruitt has re- in 1956, honoring early Sooner coach turned all but one year to play in the Ben G. Owen - "Oklahoma's Grand game despite his pro status. Man of Football." "I'm very disappointed the game is Other dedicated games were 1957 over," he says. "Playing in it was a to W. J . "Bill" Cross, OU quarterback dream come true. You see, as a run- in 1904-07; 1967 to the late Jim Mac- ning back, I have to wear all this kenzie, head coach who had died only armament, and I always envied the six days earlier; 1969 to long-time wide receivers - they don't have to wear pads. So to come back Owens brothers, Tinker and Steue, Sports Information Director Harold and play wear Sooner red for the Alumni. Keith; 1971 in memory of the late as a receiver was great fun." , former head coach and Pruitt gained permission to play by athletic director ; 1978 in memory of assuring the Browns he "would never Sometimes it was a sacrifice to take a the late Morris Tennenbaum, "Keep- get involved in anything physical ." week out of your life - but we all er of the Gate," who had guarded the came back because of what OU means OU dressing room door and supplied and what it's done for us. I'm ex- the players with chewing gum; and The most trophies won in the series tremely proud that OU's game lasted 1979 in memory of the late Ken Raw- were five Gomer Jones Trophies as the longest. That's because ofthe type linson, head trainer for many years. the game's outstanding lineman by alumni we have." The player Harris thinks of first is Harrison . He also recalls an incident on the sidelines in a recent game. "Jack Santee (former OU Regent) and I were on the sidelines. And these big guys start coming right at us. I moved fast, trying to get out of the way. Jack was behind me, and I knocked him to the ground - just decked him." Harris also provided a sketchy ex- planation of the "initiation" of seniors. "It's called Cardinal Puff. They have to pass a - well, call it a'ritual'. If they don't, they have to pay the consequences ." Santee remembers two aspects of the game. "What stands out," he says, "are the four games I played in - and the Thursday night stag parties." Santee, a Tulsa attorney who served as an Alumni coach for several years, says it has become increasingly difficult to Tackles like this made Bob Harrison a man to be feared in the annual field an Alumni team . "But over the Varsity/Alumni clash long after his college and professional days were over. 1983 SPRING 3 1

pros - that was something. There was - Stan West. "West like to beat my head off. It sure helped you grow up." Beginning as the #2 draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers, Harrison was a pro nine years, six with the 49ers, then with the Eagles and the . His bonus was $15,000, and his first contract for $9,000. "After I retired from the pros, the Varsity-Alumni game was the only chance I got to play again. The game made you feel good . I finally had to quit - my mind said go but my feet said no." The player Harrison thinks of first is Pruitt . "He didn't have to show up and Quarterback Jimmy Harris, right, compares notes withpredecessor Gene Calme. play, but he always did." Harrison came back for the first Alumni Weekend, jokingly defining Jim Weatherall, all as an alumnus. schools where any one person could his role as someone to "caddy and Close behind with four Wilkinson say that." drink beer." But there is a note of Trophies is Tommy McDonald, now Sandefer's first game was a bit in- sadness in his voice as he comments the owner of a successful portrait auspicious . on the end of the era. studio in Pennsylvania . He is one of "It was my freshman year. I was "I feel like a member of the family two players (the other is Dean Ble- back to receive a punt from the has passed on." vins) to win as both a Varsity (once) Alumni . I fumbled it - it goes into and Alumni (three times) player. the end zone - and they score a In 1960, Oklahoma City sports- McDonald says learning that the touchdown. So I'm walking off the writer Volney Meece wrote his "So game has been discontinued `just field - they're playing "Boomer They Tell Me" column prior to the took the wind out of my sails . Sooner" - only for the wrong team!" 12th Varsity-Alumni game, "It was a great tradition," he con- winner Steve enumerating the Who's Who of OU tinues. "Returning brought back so Owens recalls the fierce hitting. Football who had appeared in the many "I memories - my experience at was carrying the ball headed series : Cactus Face Duggan. Joe was OU just unbelievable. During my north, and Wes Skidgel hit me so Golding. Dee Andros and Jack Mitch- three years, we didn't lose a game and hard - when I opened my eyes, I was ell and Darrell Royal. Junior Thomas won two national championships. I pointed back south." Owens, who and Leon " :Mule Train" Heath . Eddie was in the right place at the right played for the Alumni after retire- Crowder. . Jack Jacobs time. I'll always appreciate those ment from the Detroit Lions, remem- and Jack Ging and Buck McPhail . guys who blocked for me and made bers his freshman year. "Here I was, Bob Bodenhamer and Carl Dodd. me look good ." actually carrying the ball, playing . . During his 12 years as a pro with against guys I had watched when I Since then there have been other the Philadelphia Eagles and four was in high school. Believe me, I felt names . and Joe other teams, McDonald missed only fear." Washington and Reggie Kinlaw . two Varsity-Alumni games. Later, playing for the Alumni pro- Billy Sims . Tom Brahaney and "The first two years, the Eagles vided satisfaction for Owens. "It was Kenny King. Three Selmons. John didn't give me any static. After that, nice to know that even though you're Carroll and Bobby Warmack and it was a little harder to get permis- over the hill, you can still play." Steve Zabel . sion to play." a Meece concluded his column with The friendships and the contacts Harrison is the game's most legen- these words: were the most important aspects of dary player. The cast changes; the show goes on. the game to Houston oilman Jakie "I feel honored that people said It goes on no longer. Sandefer, a late '50s running back. they think of me first when they After a record run, after giving "Because of the Varsity-Alumni think of the game," he says . Now a players and fans hundreds of game, there are very few former rancher in Stamford, Texas, he well memories, after helping to create the players - from the mid-1940s right remembers his first game as a Var- great tradition that is OU Football, it up to today - whom I haven't met," sity player. is no more. he says. "There are very few other "Lining up across from all those The show has closed . 32 SOONER MAGAZINE