The Oklahoma Sooners mascot is one of the most recognizable symbols associated with the University of Oklahoma's sports teams. The mascot, known simply as "Boomer," represents the spirit and energy of the school's athletic program. Boomer is a Sooner Schooner, which is a replica of the 19th-century Conestoga wagon used by settlers during the Oklahoma Land Run. The Sooner Schooner is pulled by two white ponies named Boomer and Sooner, hence the name of the mascot. The tradition of the Sooner Schooner dates back to the 1960s when it was first introduced at football games. It quickly became a beloved symbol of the university, and its appearance at games is highly anticipated by fans.
Urban Autocare is glad to arrange for a shuttle to your home or work within 5 miles of our City Park West or our Lakewood repair shops, however we do ask that you schedule this ahead of time with our staff. We do our best to accommodate our client's needs while we handle any necessary auto repairs and maintenance, so please let us know how we can help!
Urban Autocare is glad to arrange for a shuttle to your home or work within 5 miles of our City Park West or our Lakewood repair shops, however we do ask that you schedule this ahead of time with our staff. Jeff Speck writes in his book Walkable City that streets made cooler with trees help people vulnerable to heat stress and exhaustion, such as outdoor workers, the homeless and the elderly.
It quickly became a beloved symbol of the university, and its appearance at games is highly anticipated by fans. Boomer, the Sooners mascot, is known for his vibrant personality and energetic presence. He can often be seen leading cheers, interacting with fans, and providing entertainment during timeouts and breaks in the game.
The magic of urban trees
In a city like Seattle, more than 100,000 trees could be planted at intersections alone. These trees would provide enormous psychological, social, environmental, and economic benefit.
DOUG KELBAUGH AUG. 10, 2020We are hard-wired to love trees, ever since we looked out from their dappled light for predator and prey on the edge of the African Savanna millions of years ago. It’s now a timely love affair as we wage war against our greatest challenge – climate change.
Here’s a list of the numerous benefits of trees, compiled with my students over the years:
Where to plant more trees is a question. The answer is lurking in plain sight: Seattle has about 15,000 street intersections, two thirds of which are in single-family zones. Installing curb bulb-outs that are one parking space long on every single-family corner—eight spaces per intersection—would make room for 160,000 trees.
In 2007, Seattle also became the first in the United States to adopt the “green factor,” a scorecard of vegetative cover. Components include existing and new trees (preferably native species), rain gardens, green walls and green roofs. Trees, especially large ones, bump up the score considerably.
Globally, an estimated three trillion trees dot the earth. That’s over 400 trees per person. Against their continuous loss, American citizens and forest product companies plant about 1.6 billion trees a year, according to GreenandGrowing.org. The more trees we plant, the less environmental damage there is to repair, with fewer severe heat waves and less intense urban heat islands. Foliage provides cool “micro-climates” in hot cities. With less competition than in a forest, trees grow much bigger in cities.
The thermal impacts of trees are not trivial, even in our cool climate. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the cooling impact of a single healthy street tree is equal to 10 room-size air conditioners operating round the clock! As deadly heat waves become more common, shade becomes a civic resource, returning our bodies to more normal equilibrium. Temperatures on exposed streets compared to canopied ones tend to be anywhere from 5 degrees to 15 degrees F cooler, according to National Geographic.
This thermal image shows the dramatic impact of greenery in Australia (City of Melbourne)
Jeff Speck writes in his book Walkable City that streets made cooler with trees help people vulnerable to heat stress and exhaustion, such as outdoor workers, the homeless and the elderly. He feels that shade can be a matter of life and death.
There are also significant economic benefits, both to individual homeowners and to the cities they live in. A study at the University of Pennsylvania found that a single tree planted near a house raised its value 7 to 11 percent. According to a 2017 issue of Yale Environment 360, trees in 10 megacities around the world save $500 million per year in heat costs, energy expenses and environmental protection. They reduce air pollutants, reduce storm water run-off and air conditioning costs. Another study—joint between UC Davis and the US Dept. of Agriculture— determined that in the wet Pacific Northwest, a tree saves $3,000 per year! In 2014, Olaf Ribiero on insidebainbridge.com wrote that over a 50-year lifespan, a tree generates $161,000 in total benefits, while releasing enough oxygen to support two humans.
Trees are an immense breathing system for the earth that is essential for both plants and animals, including humans. They breathe out what we breathe in; we breathe out what they breathe in. They do much to combat climate change—from street trees to the giant Amazonian Rainforest, the lungs of the earth. Urban trees are like little hospitals, enhancing micro-climates and making us feel better psychologically and physically. It’s no wonder that we love them. The earth needs more trees. Humans need more trees. Cities need more trees.
My wife and I are currently planting one new tree and moving some small trees at our Seattle home. As I type, I can hear the aerial treeman’s buzzsaw thinning an existing pine tree, soon to move on to pruning five more trees. Our trees are becoming healthier and more beautiful, while making us healthier.
Here are a couple of my photos illustrating the magnificence of trees:
An majestic Sequoia makes this Seattle house seem positively Olympian.
Doug Kelbaugh, FAIA FCNU, is Dean Emeritus of the Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning at the University of Michigan. He is an author of many articles and books, including The Urban Fix. He lives in Seattle, Washington.
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Public Square: A CNU Journal Congress for the New Urbanism
Trees are an immense breathing system for the earth that is essential for both plants and animals, including humans. They breathe out what we breathe in; we breathe out what they breathe in. They do much to combat climate change—from street trees to the giant Amazonian Rainforest, the lungs of the earth. Urban trees are like little hospitals, enhancing micro-climates and making us feel better psychologically and physically. It’s no wonder that we love them. The earth needs more trees. Humans need more trees. Cities need more trees.
In addition to football games, Boomer also makes appearances at other sporting events and university functions. His presence symbolizes the pride and unity of the Oklahoma Sooners community. The role of the Sooners mascot extends beyond just sporting events. Boomer makes community appearances and participates in charitable events, representing the philanthropic values of the university. Overall, the Oklahoma Sooners mascot, Boomer, is an iconic figure that embodies the spirit, tradition, and pride of the University of Oklahoma. With his energetic personality and unwavering support for the Sooners, Boomer is a beloved symbol that brings fans together and creates a sense of camaraderie among the Oklahoma community..
Reviews for "The Oklahoma Sooners Mascot: More than Just a Costume"
- John - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy the Oklahoma Sooners mascot at all. Firstly, it looked more like a random cowboy than a defining symbol of the team. The design felt outdated and didn't match the energy and enthusiasm of the players and fans. Secondly, the mascot's antics were quite tame and predictable, unlike some other college mascots that bring a lot of excitement and entertainment to the game. Overall, I was very disappointed with the Oklahoma Sooners mascot and feel that it needs a major upgrade.
- Emily - 1 star - The Oklahoma Sooners mascot was a complete letdown for me. The costume itself looked cheap and poorly made. The mascot's movements were awkward and clumsy, lacking any real coordination or finesse. It failed to engage the crowd and didn't contribute to the game atmosphere in any meaningful way. I hope the university considers revamping their mascot to create something more visually appealing and captivating.
- Mike - 2 stars - As a fan of the Oklahoma Sooners, I expected more from their mascot. Unfortunately, I found it to be quite underwhelming. The design of the mascot felt uninspired, and it lacked the charm and charisma that other mascots bring to the game. It seemed to go through the motions without much enthusiasm, and that translated to a dull experience for the fans. I believe the Oklahoma Sooners could benefit from reimagining their mascot to better represent the team's spirit and ignite the crowd's support.