For OU, Meet the Sooners Day is Friday morning.
At OSU, Fan Appreciation Day is set for Saturday afternoon.
For attending fans of either school — or in rare instances, both — that means one thing. Stock up on Sharpies and grab something worthy of putting on the mantel to display the autographs of your favorite Cowboys or Sooners.
Oh, and arrive early to take full advantage of the top opportunity at up-close encounters with your football heroes. Lines leading to the most popular players will be looong.
Popularity of these fan days has taken off in recent years at OU and OSU, becoming somewhat of an early August checkpoint, signaling the start of each new season.
"Aside from a football game, it has the potential to be one of the largest events we host each year,” said OU sports information director Kenny Mossman.
"It's a favorite for us because it provides some of the best interaction we get with our fans in terms of players and coaches actually coming face-to-face with the people who attend.”
Similarly at OSU, the Cowboys have reached out to their fans in recent years and found swelling interest. An expanded event has drawn an estimated 5,000-plus the past two years.
"This is a big day for the staff and the fans,” said OSU associate athletic director Amy Weeks. "It's a great day for children and families as well as the players. It has grown every year, and we want to make it as fan-friendly as possible.”
The Sooners have mingled with their fans in some shape or form for decades, although recent editions have been more organized and more popular.
"The event has grown substantially over the years, to the point that we now routinely expect 10,000 to 15,000 to be in attendance,” Mossman said. "Our staff is in awe of the people that attend.
"It is very sobering to see numbers like that braving hot weather to show their support. It is common to hear the players and coaches talking about how overwhelming that day is to them.”
OSU fans beat the heat, thanks to the proximity and availability of Gallagher-Iba Arena, where the autograph sessions are staged on the concourse level.
"We're blessed to have the facilities that enable us to host the event inside,” Weeks said. "We want to make it as comfortable as possible for everyone.
"It truly is a fan appreciation day.”
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The basics
A few pointers for navigating the fan days at OU and OSU:
•Essentials: Sharpies, or some other form of smooth-writing permanent marker. And bring backups, in case one dries out or is lost or "borrowed.” Basic black is classic, although Sharpie offers school colors — orange, as well as tangerine and pumpkin for Cowboys fans; red and brick red for Sooners. Silver ink looks pretty cool on crimson, too. Wear comfortable shoes. This will take awhile.
•Pack light: Don't show up with an armful of footballs and posters to be signed; one for you and several to hawk on eBay. The limit is one autographed item per person. A backpack might come in handy, since you'll be standing in line a while. Something to drink, too, or risk your spot in line only to stand in another line at the concession stand.
•No posing: Your best chance to get a picture with your favorite player is to have Mom or Dad positioned to capture the moment when you're at the table getting the autograph. Otherwise, there are no photo ops. It slows the process.
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