Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU-OU Bedlam Battle Becomes More Enticing Than Ever
September 08, 2000 | General
Sept. 8, 2000
The Oklahoma-Oklahoma State Bedlam Rivalry will now be bigger and better than ever before!
Bank of Oklahoma, N.A., with 65 locations throughout the state, has made a three-year commitment to sponsor the Bedlam Series and will be the series title sponsor. In addition, Oklahoma Ford Dealers have made a three-year commitment to serve as a series sponsor.
The Cowboys and Sooners annually meet head-to-head in eight sports: football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling, women's soccer and men's and women's tennis. The series winner in each of these sports will be awarded a traveling trophy, the Bank of Oklahoma Bedlam Cup, an award representative of the storied athletic rivalry between the two schools. Each award will remain with the respective series winner on an annual basis. There will also be an overall year-end awards program, details of which will be announced at a later date.
"When the concept of Bedlam sponsorship first arose, one of our primary objectives was to ensure that any corporation with which we partner exude class and prestige," said Oklahoma State Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips. "Bank of Oklahoma is the state's largest locally owned and managed financial institution and will be a fantastic title sponsor. We appreciate their commitment and are also excited that the Oklahoma Ford Dealers have decided to join us in this venture."
"We are excited that Bank of Oklahoma has chosen to be the first-ever "title sponsor" of this great rivalry, which is unlike any other in college athletics," said Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione. "Their sponsorship will enable us to further enhance the exposure of our athletic programs through a variety of media including television, radio, print and the Internet. For example, through the support of Bank of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Ford Dealers, we will be televising Bedlam events in sports such as women's basketball, baseball, softball and wrestling, that otherwise may not be televised."
"Few in-state rivalries in all of college sports can match the spirit and intensity of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. It is our hope that this sponsorship will add even more to the spirit of competition, and will heighten awareness of these two outstanding universities. Our entire organization is very excited to be the title sponsor of the series," said Stan Lybarger, president and chief executive officer of BOK Financial Corporation.
"Bank of Oklahoma has strong ties with both of these universities. Our hope is that formalizing the competition between the Sooners and the Cowboys will heighten awareness even more, and draw more attention from around the region to these two outstanding programs," added Mark Funke, president, Bank of Oklahoma, N.A., Oklahoma City.
"We are very excited to be involved with the Bank of Oklahoma Bedlam Series," said Kyle McQuaid, partner, J. Walter Thompson, speaking on behalf of the Oklahoma Ford Dealers. "We hope that our support of the rivalry between OU and OSU, in all sports, will bring additional awareness and attention to this great Oklahoma tradition. The Oklahoma Ford Dealers look forward to sponsoring the Bank of Oklahoma Bedlam Series, The Best in Oklahoma."
The first official event in the Bank of Oklahoma Bedlam Series is October 28, when OU and OSU meet in women's soccer.
Series results and information on upcoming Bank of Oklahoma Bedlam events will be included in releases from the respective media relations offices, and also carried on the school's radio networks and Web sites.
