Oklahoma Celebrates Championship

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) â€” A crowd estimated at 30,000 turned out Sunday to celebrate Oklahoma's football championship. <br><br>``It is truly a privilege to be the head football coach at Oklahoma,''

Monday, January 22nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) â€” A crowd estimated at 30,000 turned out Sunday to celebrate Oklahoma's football championship.

``It is truly a privilege to be the head football coach at Oklahoma,'' coach Bob Stoops told those who came to Memorial Stadium on a cool but sunny day.

``For the last time, I hope you'll have me for a long time.''

The Sooners capped their 13-0 season with a 13-2 victory over Florida State in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3.

``There is a great legacy and history and tradition here,'' Stoops said after he introduced former coach Barry Switzer who coached three national championship teams at OU.

``In the few years we went without a few trophies, we made up for them this year, didn't we?'' he said on a stage adorned with the various national championship trophies and the Orange Bowl trophy.

``For the past two years it's been an honor and privilege to call Oklahoma my home,'' said quarterback Josh Heupel, runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. ``It's been great to be part of this university and play on Owen Field.''

Each senior player was introduced, along with several members of the state Legislature and the members of the university's board of regents.

``You have restored glory to college football's finest program, and you will forever have a special place in the hearts of Sooners everywhere,'' said regents chairman C.S. Lewis III of Tulsa, who then read a resolution that the regents had adopted honoring the team.

Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin drew a loud ovation when she told Heupel that, ``In the eyes of Oklahomans, and I would say in the eyes of many across the nation, you are the Heisman Trophy winner.''

At one point, the publisher and editor-in-chief of Oklahoma Today magazine unveiled a poster showing that the football team had been chosen as the magazine's 2000 Oklahomans of the Year.

The ceremony included the national anthem by country singer Toby Keith, along with traditional school songs by the Pride of Oklahoma marching band and the OU Chorale.