Exploring the Role of the Oklahoma Sooners Mascot in College Sports

The University of Oklahoma, known as OU, is home to the Oklahoma Sooners, a collegiate sports team that competes in various sports. The Sooners' mascot, known as "Boomer," is one of the most recognizable symbols associated with the university. Boomer is a horse that represents the pride and spirit of the Oklahoma Sooners. The tradition of Boomer as the university's mascot dates back to 1965 when the university acquired a horse from a ranch in Ada, Oklahoma. This horse, named "Traveler," quickly became a beloved figure among the students and fans. In 1968, the university decided to officially adopt Traveler as the mascot and renamed him Boomer Sooner, after the university's fight song.

I have never heard of it but I will surely look into it. Lori I thank you so much for your kindness Bless you ! for your response it made me feel better.
Thank You,
Jo-Ann

every prayer and every bit of advise keeps me going and renews my faith that there are still some caring and loving people in the world thanks Lori and Nicole for being part of that world. When I found this site and read the ritual and the many comments I began feeling like I was in good company and that I had invisible friends who are on my side as I work through this most recent experience.

In 1968, the university decided to officially adopt Traveler as the mascot and renamed him Boomer Sooner, after the university's fight song. Boomer is known for his vibrant crimson and cream-colored saddle, adorned with the university's logo. He can be seen at most of the university's athletic events, including football games, basketball games, and other major sporting events.

Coshell Charcoal Review: Coconut Charcoal

While perusing my favorite local grocer a few months ago, I swung by their grilling aisle to see if they had any wood chunks. I always stop and check, even though they rarely do (and I rarely actually NEED them). This time, though, I noticed an alien product there on the shelves in place of where the massive stash of never-selling and always-on-sale Cowboy Charcoal was. At first I assumed it was something generic and crappy due to it’s super glossy plastic bag. I pulled a bag from the shelf and noticed pictures of coconuts!

Extruded coconut charcoals are an almost mythical and magical fuel that I had only read about on the internet. It’s almost as if these fuel-making techniques were passed down from gods and are the best kept secrets of the monks or jungle-dwelling tribes who make this stuff. They’re known to burn SUPER hot, SUPER clean, and burn for a long time while producing very little smoke, smell, or even ash. They’re also known for coming in weird shapes like hexagonal blocks with round holes in the center.

The bag had some heft to it. I groped it up a bit trying to feel what geometrical shape the charcoal was. Briquettes. Damn. I’ve long been a briquette hater – although it is completely illogical and unjustified. It’s worth noting that several people took note of my excitement of seeing a new charcoal AND my ‘groping’ of the charcoal. It’s possible that I made some whimpering or gasping sounds as I rushed over to the bag and gropingly embraced it.

At $8.99 for an 18-pound bag, the price sounds about right unless you compare it to the price of Kingsford. However the bag DID seem small. Definitely smaller than a 20lb bag of Kingsford – but just as heavy.

First Cook
My first cook with this charcoal was a couple thick cut pork chops. I didn’t really know what to expect with it, so I used 2/3 of a chimney. I expected my total cooking time to be about an hour (with all the veggies and shtuff). As the Coshell charcoal lit, there was very little smoke. Significantly less than Kingsford. It didn’t light quite as fast as other charcoals – but by no means was it slow to light.

I let the gas-assist feature of my grill work its magic for about 7 minutes. After another 10 minutes I went out to check if it was ready. The chimney itself was glowing orange and thick white and blue flames were rising from the top like an afterburner on a fighter jet. The handle on the chimney was too hot to hold for more than 20 seconds. As I poured the coals into the kettle, the hair on the back of my hand and wrist curled up and melted. My eyeglasses made little crackling sounds as the heatwave hit my face. I poured the coals into a 3 zone configuration, but it really ended up being closer to 2 zones.

The coals were still burning a white and blue flame, so I put the cooking grate on and left the lid open for a while to let the charcoal burn down.

I came back after about 10 minutes to find my cooking grate had changed from it’s shiny black seasoning to a grayish white. There was an area about 5″ x 5″ that was actually glowing orange. This charcoal burned the seasoning off my grates! 😐
I was giddy with excitement and wished I had some tuna steaks to sear instead of pork chops.

These thick pork chops cooked in 3 minutes per side.

The heat was so intense that my thick cut pork chops were cooked perfectly at 3 minutes per side.

I grilled some sides (potatos, onions, mushrooms) before shutting the vents to extinguish the coals.

This is where it gets fun. The next day, I went out to light the grill. The leftover charcoal seemed to be in its original size! I moved them around with some tongs and very little ash actually fell off. The remaining briquettes were still big and mostly unused!
I tossed them into the chimney and lit them again without adding ANY fresh charcoal (I’ve never done this).

I cooked steak and baby yukon potatoes. The cook took about an hour and I once again closed the vents to extinguish the coals.

On the 3rd day, I went out to light the coals. This night’s menu was turkey breasts.
The coals had gotten smaller, and some split in half when I picked them up, but they were still VERY usable! For this cook, I added 6 new briquettes.

The 6 fresh, and dozen+ remnants held my grill at 400+ for an hour. After the cook I decided to season my grates and let the coals burn out. I seasoned the grates at 7:30pm. When I went to bed at midnight, the temp gauge on the lid was still around 300.

Cliffs Notes: Final Thoughts on Coshell Charcoal
This is truly the first ‘re-usable’ charcoal I’ve ever used. I think that is one of the best benefits of it. Even though I’ve managed to burn through 3 bags of it since I discovered it this summer, the fact that a chimney of charcoal can provide fuel for several serious cooking sessions is really impressive.

I LOVE that it doesn’t produce shit-tons of ash. If you’re used to kingsford (which produces a pathetic amount of ash) this stuff will be a major change for you.

It burns REALLY hot. If you’re used to kingsford, this may be a problem. I’m used to lump, which burns a lot hotter than kingsford, and coshell seems to burn hotter than lump. So hot in fact, that it burned off some of the high heat paint on my red 26″ weber. A chimney of this stuff will seriously hit 1100 degrees.

It actually works out to be affordable. At $9/bag, and with a bag lasting 7 cooks with proper and careful re-use, it comes down to

Comments on this entry are closed.

I’ve gotten a couple bags of Coshell and I want to like it more than I do. I really liked it on my first cook but since have been unimpressed. I don’t find that it burns hotter than K Comp, it takes forever to light, and I find it produces quite a bit of thick, heavy ash – not as much as KBB but that isn’t saying much. I do think it is the most reusable charcoal I have ever used, and it does burn for a long time. I’m going to keep playing with it. I like that it’s a green product. Maybe I’m getting crappy bags.

I was recommended that brand here in Costa Rica by a fellow BBQ lover a few years ago, and I absolutely love it, I’ve cooked for 8 hours with 1 chimney and it still running hot, and it is the most re-usable charcoal I can find, and the cleanest,

Nice write up,I take it didn’t give you any additional flavor with the coconut.
I’ll have to see if i can find these where i am.

Thanks meatninja! My experience generally mirrors Austin’s. I basically like and would probably buy it again (if available, which it now isn’t near me) but can’t say it’s my favorite due to long ignition time and ash (compared to lump.) Perhaps no briquet should be “compared” to lump … they’re that much different. Suffice to say Coshell is nicer than regular Kingsford.

I don’t think it produces a lot of ash. You have to consider how dense these briquettes are. The heat output and burn time are far greater than others. The ash produced per mass of the briquette isn’t abnormal, but since the briquettes are incredibly dense, the ash tends to hold its shape and appear more voluminous. The lumps i’ve compared it to produce equal or greater ash per weight of starting fuel. I’m working on a scientific review and will happily provide the details in it 🙂

Wow! Well written and great read ! I am so happy you enjoy the product . I am happy to gear anyone to a store near you carrying Coshell email me @ [email protected]
Thanks,
Coshell Charcoal

I would love to know where you bought an 18lb bag for $8.99. I can’t find anything close to that. Amazon has 18lb bags at $35.00!!

I cooked steak and baby yukon potatoes. The cook took about an hour and I once again closed the vents to extinguish the coals.

Boomer's presence adds excitement and energy to the games, rallying the fans and motivating the athletes to perform their best. The role of Boomer extends beyond just being a mascot. He represents the rich history and tradition of the university, embodying the sportsmanship, determination, and competitiveness of the Oklahoma Sooners. Boomer symbolizes the connection between the university and its loyal fan base, sparking a sense of pride and unity among the students, alumni, and supporters. In addition to his appearances at athletic events, Boomer also participates in parades, community events, and charity functions. He serves as an ambassador for the university, spreading the Oklahoma Sooners' spirit and promoting the values and achievements of the institution. Overall, Boomer the horse serves as a captivating and iconic figure for the University of Oklahoma and its athletic program. The mascot represents the rich history, tradition, and passion associated with the Oklahoma Sooners, bringing joy and excitement to the fans and creating lasting memories for everyone involved..

Reviews for "The Oklahoma Sooners Mascot: A Tradition Passed Down through Generations"

1. John Smith - 1 star - The Oklahoma Sooners mascot is absolutely ridiculous and out of touch. It's a cartoonish, overly aggressive depiction of a Native American which perpetuates harmful stereotypes. As someone who values diversity and cultural sensitivity, I find it incredibly offensive and insensitive that a major university would continue to use such a mascot. It's time for the Oklahoma Sooners to retire this outdated and offensive symbol.

2. Sarah Johnson - 2 stars - I understand that the Oklahoma Sooners mascot has a long history and tradition associated with it, but that doesn't excuse the fact that it's a caricatured representation of an entire Native American culture. It's uncomfortable and inappropriate, especially in today's society where cultural appropriation and insensitivity are being called out. I think it's time for the university to reconsider and find a more inclusive and respectful representation for their mascot.

3. Mark Thompson - 1 star - The Oklahoma Sooners mascot is a prime example of cultural insensitivity and disrespect. It's shocking to me that a respected institution like the University of Oklahoma still chooses to use such an offensive symbol. Native Americans have long been marginalized and mistreated in this country, and this mascot serves as a reminder of that painful history. I urge the university to listen to the voices of those who are offended by this mascot and make a change for the better.

4. Emily Davis - 2 stars - While I understand the historical significance of the Oklahoma Sooners mascot, I can't help but feel uncomfortable with its portrayal. The exaggerated features and wild behavior of this mascot seem more like a caricature than a respectful homage to the Native American culture. In an era where cultural sensitivity is of utmost importance, it's disappointing to see a university hold onto such an outdated and offensive symbol. I hope the university will consider a more inclusive and respectful mascot that represents the values of diversity and unity.

The Oklahoma Sooners Mascot: More than Just a Symbol