Sooner Saturday 2022 by OU Daily

OU DAILY SOONER SATURDAY

Dear Prospective Students SPRING 2022

Norman’s Essential Eats

Start your college experience strong by getting connected to a Christian community! • Bible Studies

• Solid Ground Ministry Series

• Community Groups

• Outings: hiking, spring break trip, game nights, and more!

Pursue righteousness, faith, love & peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

Top Reasons to Join the

Honors College Courses Small classes with outstanding faculty

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Admittance: From High School: • 3.75 GPA or Top 10% of graduating class • 30 ACT or 1390 SAT • Honors College application and essay

Diversity Every undergraduate college is

With College Credit: • 15 college credit hours with at least a 3.4 GPA • Honors College application and essay

Research Various programs for undergraduate

Requirements for Graduation:

represented in the Honors College

research opportunities

Extracurriculars Reading Groups, Discussion Groups,

• 18-24 total hours of Honors credit including: HON 2973 (Perspectives) – 3 hrs HON 3993 (Colloquium) – 3 hrs Reading and Research – 3 to 7 hrs • ‘C’ or higher in all Honors courses • 3.4 GPA or higher

Outdoor Adventure, Film Club

Recognition Earn cum lade, magna cum lade, summa cum laude at graduation and on your diploma

DAVID RAY INFORMAL READING GROUPS Each semester the Honors College sponsors over 40 groups open to all OU students, staff and faculty. No tuition, no tests, no grades, and books are provided at no cost. Learn more about the reading groups by visiting the Honors College website.

Dear Prospective Students,

As student body president and vice president, we are your voices inside and outside the University of Oklahoma community. We are so excited to welcome you to our beautiful campus. We are a campus built by leaders, innovators and changemakers. With a formidable year ahead, and grand opportunities in front of you, OU is a place where you can do all things. You will feel valued, celebrated and loved here, because you belong here! Each student is an integral piece of our OU Family. And like any family, we will embrace you with open arms. When we first set foot on campus, never did we think we’d be serving our fellow students in these positions. But like every OU story, many are constantly being rewritten with new opportunities offered at every turn. We hope to be a beacon of advocacy and a voice for all students. We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve as the student body’s representatives. We are pleased to welcome you to the University of Oklahoma.

Student body President Zack Lissau: On behalf of the entire student body at OU, welcome! Whether you are committed to OU or are still navigating your college decision process, know that you belong here! You are joining a class full of disciplined, talented, tenacious individuals who have already overcome so much. You and your peers have endured an ongoing pandemic, heightened political turmoil and more. However, you all have forged ahead even amid all the obstacles. A piece of advice I have as you embark on this new chapter in your lives is to invest. Use the OU community to create multifaceted experiences and forge a future that is meaningful to you. Invest the time in getting to know the community around you. Invest in the resources that are available to you. Invest in the new relationships you will create during your time in college. But most of all, invest in yourself. Throughout my time at OU I have invested in both my obstacles and successes. You can find inspiration and education in the midst of either. These pivotal moments in my time here at OU have allowed me to not only form strong relationships within the OU community, but also with myself. As you experience OU today, invest in that time. Four years will flash before your eyes. One moment, three years ago, I was just like you. I was filled with nerves for the future and excitement for the memories ahead. Your OU chapter starts the moment you walk onto campus. Invest in every step.

We hope you find your home at the University of Oklahoma. Knowledge is power, invest in the spaces around you and be who you are. On behalf of the entire student body, welcome to our beautiful campus. We are so glad to have you! Live on University, Zack Lissau and Denzel Akuffo

Student body Vice President Denzel Akuffo: Knowledge is power, and it is also the key that drives the car of success, and what better place is there to gain that brainpower than at the University of Oklahoma? OU is an institution that emulates both rich and lasting traditions that stick with you forever. I would like to welcome you to our beautiful campus and congratulate you on all of your accomplishments thus far. It feels like just yesterday when I was starting to make my final decisions about my college of choice. I always Denzel Akuffo (left) and Zack Lissau (right) find myself reminiscing about my college experience up to this point. Not out of any feelings of sadness, wishing I could go back to those times (although, sometimes I wish I could), but more so to remember to use those lessons I’ve learned from the past to continue to better myself as a student and as a person. This university tends to bring out the best in you whether you see it coming or not, so be ready. This is a campus that promotes growth and allows you to be yourself in every space, and I can’t wait for you to feel that energy. I was born in the Oklahoma City metro area and did a lot in Norman growing up, so I thought I had an idea of what it meant to be “Sooner born and Sooner bred.” It wasn’t until I set foot on this campus that I learned how natural the support system is and how accessible the resources you need are. I’m not going to sit here and tell you that every day is going to be a happy day, but that’s what makes this campus different. Through a multitude of student organizations, events all across campus and a student body that pushes their peers to be better each day, it’s a good gig when you are in an environment that not only wants the best for you but also challenges you. If I can give you any advice, the most important would be to be yourself. Stay true to your values and the morals you were raised on. It’s never easy leaving a world that feels so comfortable for a new one, but you are ready for it. You’re ready to set high expectations for yourself, put yourself out there and get out of your comfort zone just a little bit. OU is the place where you will do all of these things and more. I’d like to end this letter with one last thing. You need to keep reminding yourself that the sky’s the limit, and you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. I understand it does sound a little bit cliche, but it’s the truth, and there is no other place where you will find the platform to be the yOU that this world needs.

‘I’m just who I am’: Dillon Gabriel elated with life in Norman as Sooners’ new quarterback MASON YOUNG masyoung@ou.edu

One of Dillon Gabriel’s favorite aspects of living in Norman is the restaurant options. Be it on Main Street or Campus Corner, Gabriel is always looking for his next meal. In fact, when he first moved to the Sooner State, eating out helped familiarize him with his surroundings. He also appreciates the city’s light traffic and easy commuting. Oklahoma’s new quarterback admits it’s a strange comparison, but Gabriel sees his homeland of Hawaii in the lifestyle of the college town he now calls home. Growing up in Mililani, he enjoyed the simplicity of island life, free from crowded metropolitan highways. He also sunk his fork into a wide variety of cuisines. Finding a similar station in Norman has comforted the former Central Florida left-hander, who announced his transfer to OU on Jan. 3 after initially committing to UCLA. Gabriel credits his Hawaiian upbringing with fostering a genuineness that, alongside his hard work, chill demeanor and love of dining, has helped him win the respect and rave reviews of his new teammates. “I think it’s just the way I was born and raised in Hawaii, never been one to fake it,” Gabriel said March 30, speaking publicly for the first time since his transfer. “I am who I am, and I continue to be myself with these guys because something I heard from Oklahoma is that they’ll pick out a fake right away, so for me, I’m just who I am. I’m genuine and I’m grateful to be here.” In transitioning to Oklahoma, Gabriel garnered additional support from Sooners offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, who previously recruited and coached him at UCF. After helping Gabriel throw for 3,393 yards and 27 touchdowns during his 2019 freshman season, Lebby left Orlando for Mississippi, where he developed 2021 Heisman Trophy finalist Matt Corral and a prolific Rebels offense. “I really trusted him,” Gabriel said of Lebby. “Loved playing in his offense, the way he’s able to strategically use people and put them in good positions to go play and win a lot of ball games while scoring a lot of points. So (that’s) something I really love about it, but most of all, I just love how he continues to push me to get to levels I didn’t think I had, and that’s obviously why we’re back together. “(I’m) super grateful for him, and I know every time I’ve played with him throughout just spring ball to fall camps to the season, I’ve progressed in a super positive

Ray Bahner/The Daily Redshirt junior quarterback Dillon Gabriel during OU’s open practice on March 24.

way.” Lebby and Gabriel will need help from other offensive players to accomplish their goals, though. Gabriel said he knew when he arrived at OU that proving his leadership in winter workouts was paramount to his teammates’ buy-in. So far he believes he’s done a good job of being vocal. Of course, appealing through food or picking up the dinner tab can only help. Wide receivers Marvin Mims and Jalil Farooq, running back Eric Gray and center Andrew Raym have all alluded to eating with Gabriel since his January arrival. In a Twitter video from OU football that asked players about their spring break plans, Gabriel joked “I’ll be in Norman getting good eats.” A highlight on Gabriel’s Instagram tracks his favorite stops, and teammates often tag along. From burgers at The Garage to grilled salmon at Redrock Canyon Grill, Gabriel seemingly takes head coach Brent Venables’ motto of a player-fed, player-led program to another level. “He had a lot of hype kind of coming in,” Raym said, “but definitely seeing him in the locker room and the way he interacts with us, and the way he puts himself out there and was willing to make friends with his teammates definitely made us trust him a lot more and be more comfortable with him being our quarterback.” With full stomachs, Gabriel and his teammates hit the practice field, where the quarterback’s rapport with his wide receivers has already exceeded expectations. Farooq said he had to adjust to how quickly the ball came out of Gabriel’s hands, while positionmates Theo

Wease and Drake Stoops have also been impressed by the 6-foot lefty. A junior who led the team in receptions last fall, Mims remembers receiving a call from either Lebby or receivers coach Cale Gundy informing him Gabriel would be phoning him that night for an introduction. Mims compared it to “getting ready for a first date,” not knowing if the initial encounter might be uncomfortable. He was pleasantly surprised, as he and Gabriel hit it off immediately. “Probably one of my best friends,” Mims said. “When he first got here, we spent a lot of time and talked not just about football, just learning about each other and stuff like that.” Whether Gabriel, who holds three years of remaining eligibility, can rival his predecessor’s achievements or live up to OU’s Heisman quarterback billing remains unknown, but fans will get their first taste of his abilities at the annual spring game on April 23. Until then, his goal is to continue enjoying a Hawaii-esque Norman while feeding his teammates along the way. “I kind of let them say what they say, but for the most part I’m just being me,” Gabriel said. “And being myself has been the strongest thing for me. I am who I am every single day. From my side, it’s been easy to connect with a lot of those guys. “Likewise, them saying the same thing about me, I’m saying the same thing about them. They welcomed me with open arms and I’m just super grateful to be with them.”

MAYFIELD JOINS OU HEISMAN PARK

Caitlyn Epes/The Daily

AUSTIN CURTRIGHT austincurtright@ou.edu

Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield’s Heisman Trophy statue will be unveiled during halftime of the Sooners’ spring game on April 23. The statue will reside in OU’s Heisman Park, located east of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. A broadcast of the statue’s unvieling will be televised to fans attending the spring game. Mayfield became the Sooners’ sixth Heisman winner in 2017 after leading OU to a College Football Playoff appearance behind 4,627 passing yards and 49 total touchdowns. Mayfield’s statue is the first of three set to be

revealed, along with Kyler Murray’s Heisman statue, and a sculpture of All-American brothers Lucious, Dewey and Lee Roy Selmon. The release dates for the Murray and Selmon statues have yet to be announced. Mayfield’s statue reveal was originally slated for the 2020 spring game before the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’m a Sooner for life and incredibly grateful for all of the success my teammates and I had at OU,” Mayfield said in the release. “It’s humbling and surreal to think about having a statue in iconic Heisman Park. I can’t wait to be back in Norman and reunite with the most passionate fans in college football.” OU began spring practice on March 22. The ensu-

ing spring game will be the Sooners’ first under new head coach Brent Venables, who was hired on Dec. 5 to replace Lincoln Riley. “The love and support from Sooner Nation since my family stepped off the plane in Norman has been absolutely phenomenal,” Venables said in a March 27 press release. “We were quickly reminded about how incredibly passionate our fan base is, and we truly appreciate that unbridled enthusiasm — it’s one of the many things that makes OU Football so special. “I can’t wait to see that passion on display on April 23, and my challenge to the fans is to fill up the stadium. As we say all the time inside our walls, ‘Best is the standard.’ Let’s pack the Palace and make it a great day for everyone.”

OU DAILY SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY

BAKER MAYFIELD’S HEISMAN TROPHY ACCEPTANCE SPEECH, NEW YORK, DEC. 9, 2017

I WAS ALWAYS SOONER BORN SOONER BRED’

‘ALTHOUGH I WAS BORN IN

H E I S M A N PA R K S TAT U E U N V E I L I N G E D I T I O N | A P R I L 2 3 , 2 0 2 2

SAXET NITSUA

Essential Eats Be sure to try these iconic eateries during your time at OU Even on a college budget, students can still enjoy a great meal from a local restaurant. If you’re new to town, these places may be hard to find. Here’s a list of the best places to grab grub in Norman. by Mason Young // masyoung@ou.edu

BISON WITCHES BAR AND DELI 211 E. Main St. A long-standing local sandwich shop with some wacky combinations and toppings. Call 405-364-7555 to order. Open 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday to Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. from Wednesday to Saturday.

CLASSIC 50’S DRIVE-IN 1521 W. Lindsey St. The O.G. Sonic and a neon-lit staple of Norman serving sodas, shakes, burgers and other drive-in items. Call 405321-2271 to order ahead. Open 10 a.m. to midnight on weekends and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays.

DIAMOND DAWGS 753 Asp Ave. A Campus Corner favorite serving loaded hotdogs and other ballpark favorites. Call 405-364-3294 to order. Open Thursday to Saturday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

EL HUEVO MEXI-DINER

GABERINO’S HOMESTYLE ITALIAN RESTAURANT 400 Ed Noble Parkway. A local homestyle Italian fixture offering traditional pizza, pasta and sandwiches. Call 405-310-2229 to order. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

GRAY OWL COFFEE 223 E. Gray St., Suite 7205. A favorite coffee supplier and study spot for OU students. Call 405-701-2929 to order. Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

GREEK HOUSE 768 S. Jenkins Ave. A Mediterranean diner serving gyros, falafel and other Greek dishes. Call 405-364-6300 to order. Open 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.

HIDEAWAY PIZZA 577 Buchanan Ave. An Oklahoma chain with a variety of unique pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and salads. Call 405-292-4777 or go to hideawaypizza.com to order. Open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday to Saturday.

INTERURBAN RESTAURANT 1150 Ed Noble Parkway. A classy American restaurant with several dinner plates, sandwiches, salads and a brunch buffet. Call 405-307-9200 to order. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.

MIDWAY DELI

3522 24th Ave. NW. A Mexican brunch option with tacos, burritos and some American fare. Call 405-310-3157 or go to elhuevomexidiner.com to order. Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

601 W. Eufaula St. Former OU football coach Barry Switzer’s home away from home. A grocery store and market that also serves some of the best sandwiches around. Open for outdoor dine in or carryout with ChowNow. Call 405-321-7004 or go to midwaydeli.com to order. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

FUZZY’S TACO SHOP

NEIGHBORHOOD JAM

752 Asp Ave. An Austin-based chain — and now an Oklahoma favorite — serving tacos, burritos, enchiladas and salads. Call 405-701-1000 or go to fuzzystacoshop.com to order. Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

102 W. Main St. A breakfast and brunch spot with pancakes, breakfast bowls, sandwiches and eggs benedict. Call 405-310-2127 to order. Open 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

O’CONNELL’S IRISH PUB AND GRILLE

TASTE OF INDIA

769 Asp Ave. A favorite lounge of students serving some of the best burgers in town while offering trivia and karaoke nights. Call 405-217-8454 to order. Open 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.

1000 Alameda St., Suite 140B. A local eatery with some of the best traditional Indian foods such as saag paneer and lamb curry. Call 405-2591072 to order. Open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

PEPE DELGADO’S

TEA CAFE ON THE CORNER

786 Asp Ave. A local Mexican establishment serving burritos and tacos. Open for dine in, carryout and delivery. Call 405-321-6232 to order. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.

788 Asp Ave. Offering a variety of Asian dishes along with several kinds of boba tea. Call 405-310-6655 to order carryout. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.

PICKLEMAN’S GOURMET CAFE 759 Asp Ave. A deli chain offering sandwiches, pizzas, soups and salads. Call 405-310-3333 or visit picklemans.com to order. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with delivery available 10 a.m. to mightnight.

RAY’S BBQ 1514 W. Lindsey St. Owned by former Sooner football player Darrol Ray. A casual barbecue place with brisket, ribs, chicken and other smoked meats. Call 405-329-4040 to order. Open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

THAI DELIGHT 761 S. Jenkins Ave. Serving Asian specialties including sushi rolls and spicy curries. Call 405-321-8838 to order. Open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday.

THE LIBRARY BAR AND GRILL 607 W. Boyd St. One of Norman’s top bars, serving pizza, sandwiches and other bar cuisine. Open for dine in or carryout. Call 405-366-7465 to order. Open 11 a.m. to midnight daily.

SCRATCH KITCHEN & COCKTAILS

THE MONT

132 W. Main St. A craft American restaurant serving dinners, sandwiches and salads. Call 405-801-2900 to order. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

1300 Classen Blvd. A popular hangout with a shaded patio and a variety of American and Mexican favorites. Open for dine in and curbside pickup. Call 405-329-3330 to order. Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

SYRUP 123 E. Main St. A cozy breakfast and brunch joint with pancakes, waffles, benedicts and soup. Open for dine in, carryout or delivery with Doordash. Call 405-701-1143 or visit www.syrupbreakfast.com to order. Open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 2 p.m Saturday and Sunday.

TORCHY’S TACOS 2050 24th Ave. NW., Suite 130. A taco chain serving some of the spiciest Mexican food around. Call 405-364-0286 or visit torchystacos.com to order. Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.

TARAHUMARA’S MEXICAN CAFE & CANTINA

VICTORIA’S PASTA SHOP

702 N. Porter Ave. A family-owned cantina serving fajitas, tacos, quesadillas and other Mexican fare. Open for dine in and carryout. Call 405360-8070 to order. Open 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday.

215 E. Main St. A Norman staple formerly on Campus Corner, offering made-from-scratch pasta dishes and other Italian delicacies. Call 405-329-0377 to order. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday.

Sooner Glossary

Just like any close-knit community, OU students have developed a lingo. Lots of students on campus use shortened phrases and sayings to refer to people, places and groups you need to know to be part of campus life. Maybe by the end of your freshman year, there will be new words to add to the list. by Julia Weinhoffer

THE BIZ

THE DAILY

O’CONN’S

The place to be right before a midterm or final: OU’s Bizzell Memorial Library.

OU’s student-run newspaper. Follow us on Instagram @theoudaily, and on Twitter @OUDaily and @OUDailySports

A beloved bar on Campus Corner, O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille is home to trivia and karaoke nights.

THE BLENDER The Physical Science Center is the riot-proof building home to most math classes and tutoring at OU.

THE BOOKMARK This Starbucks-like coffee shop is located on the lower level of the Bizzell Memorial Library. Students love to stop here and drink coffee while studying.

THE CAF Also known as Couch Restaurants, this cafeteria is home to the only all-you-caneat Chick-fil-A in existence, and it is the perfect place to spend your meal swipes freshman year.

CROSSROADS Crossroads is the iconic burger and fries restaurant in the Union. If you don’t have fond memories of getting food here in the middle of the night by the end of your freshman year, you may be doing something wrong.

SARKEY’S Sarkey’s Fitness Center is the place to use the gym, take workout classes and attend games for most intramural sports. Some students may still refer to Sarkey’s as The Huff, a nickname from its former title, the Huston Huffman Fitness Center.

THE LIBRARY No, this isn’t a real library — it’s a bar on Boyd Street. The Library Bar and Grill is the go-to spot for after school or work meet-ups.

LNC or LLOYD NOBLE The Lloyd Noble Center is the home of OU’s basketball games, gymnastic competitions and other sporting events, as well as commencement ceremonies. You might hear it referred to because of its expansive parking lot — most of the Lloyd Noble Center’s parking lot can be used free of charge, and a shuttle bus regularly takes students and others back and forth from campus.

SGA The Student Government Association is basically the student council of college — but it gives a lot more money to student organizations than student council.

SOVAL/NOVAL Shorthand for the South Oval and North Oval, where most classes are located. Are they really ovals? Not really. But Sectangle and Nectangle don’t sound great, now do they?

UPB The Union Programming Board puts on various events across campus, such as movie nights in the Union. Students can get involved to help plan events and other activities.

XCETERA! Located in the bottom of Walker Center, this convenience store is perfect for a late-night snack where you can use points instead of dollars.

EL HUEVO & PATIO SEASON

Sales Team reasons to

Work on campus, selling and marketing advertisements published by the OU Daily.

• sell ads • real clients • real results

go together like Chips and

Queso

Bring the fiesta out on the patio this spring! Stop by for the freshest Mexi breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Norman.

Marketing Team • run social media • create campaigns • client communication

Get the real world experience employers want most, and get paid for your hard work! Run by a small, close-knit group of students pursuing careers in print and digital advertising. 3522 24TH AVE. NW | NORMAN, OK 73069 ELHUEVOMEXIDINER.COM

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The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. www.ou.edu/eoo.

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