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October 26, 2012

Tradition-rich programs worthy of the build-up

The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — The build-up to this Saturday’s home football game is especially intense this week. Notre Dame and Oklahoma haven’t played each other enough to call it a rivalry, but whenever two institutions with rich football traditions meet, it’s worthy of a little hype.

Local football fans have been sharing their memories of the 1957 game when Notre Dame came to Norman and ended the Sooners’ 47-game winning streak. Some went to that game, others listened on the radio and others just dreamed of getting a ticket.

Hotels are booked up and fans are staying in surrounding communities. Officials expect about 400 RVers to park in the Lloyd Noble village. Fans began arriving at mid-week. The ESPN Game Day trucks were unloading on campus early Thursday. They’ll be set up on the South Oval.

Convention and visitors officials estimate an economic impact of as much as $8 million from the weekend’s spending. The national television exposure can’t hurt either.

Tickets to this Saturday’s game are at a premium, with some students opting for the higher price. One told us he and a roommate made enough to buy a large television set, delivered just in time for Saturday night’s game.

Another hot item is white sweatshirts and jackets. OU officials have encouraged ticketholders in even-numbered sections to wear red and those in odd-numbered sections to wear white.

Notre Dame, with its national appeal, travels well. An estimated 35,000 of them made the trip to Ireland earlier this year to watch their team take on Navy in Dublin. Getting to Norman will be much easier.

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