Okla-homey
11/4/2006, 10:32 AM
In the newest edition of "The Chronicles of Oklahoma," the official journal of your Oklahoma Historical Society -- and a suh-weet benefit of membership.
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5878/110412ok4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The article, Practically a Military School: The University of Oklahoma and World War I is written by David W. Levy.
In the article, Prof. Levy points out that when America entered the war, then university President Brooks told the assembled student body (on April 11, 1917) that the 907 men enrolled for the semester would remain enrolled and attend classes, but they would form a volunteer regiment and train daily until the end of the school year.
The next day, the student newspaper "Oklahoma Daily" heralded SPIRIT OF WAR INVADES SOONERLAND.
Two days later the "Daily" began reprinting US Army "Infantry Drill Regulations" and a fifteen page booklet appeared titled "Military Rules of the University of Oklahoma."
The entire campus took on the air of a military training camp and most shockingly, Coach (now lieutenant colonel) Bennie Owen (of Owen Field fame) announced that all athletic practices were cancelled until further notice so athletes could train alongside their classmates each afternoon.
The following fall, Coach Owen's edict was devastating to intercollegiate sports at OU. The 1917 football season was notable for the fact the largely unpracticed Sooners lost (for the first time ever) to the aggies of Stoolwater 9-0.:(
The 1918 season was even weirder. Military service continued to claim most of the lettermen, and Coach Owen had to rely mostly on freshmen. Nevertheless, that frosh dominated Sooner team scored 279 points to a total of only 7 by all opponents combined. 1918 was Coach Owen's third undefeated team and joined 1911 and 1915 as Sooners perfect seasons.:D :D
Not to be outdone, even before the men sprang into action, on April 10, OUr women students organized a massive Red Cross Society on campus and began nurses training under the tutelage of Edna Holland of the School of Medicine.
The coeds volunteered for one of three levels of commitment. Class A volunteered for posting to anywhere in the world they were needed. Class B volunteered for service in the US and Class C wanted to serve at home in Norman. By the end of April, 160 coeds had stepped up.
By war's end in November of 1918, more than 2300 students had contributed to the war effort. Of these, 1139 served in the active military. 885 volunteered (77.6%) and 254 were drafted. 21 students died in service, including one woman who joined and served as a nurse.
Most of the undefeated 1915 football team served in combat in France. Two were killed.
Bottomline: Take that aTm! Suck it you poser soldier bastages!
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5878/110412ok4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The article, Practically a Military School: The University of Oklahoma and World War I is written by David W. Levy.
In the article, Prof. Levy points out that when America entered the war, then university President Brooks told the assembled student body (on April 11, 1917) that the 907 men enrolled for the semester would remain enrolled and attend classes, but they would form a volunteer regiment and train daily until the end of the school year.
The next day, the student newspaper "Oklahoma Daily" heralded SPIRIT OF WAR INVADES SOONERLAND.
Two days later the "Daily" began reprinting US Army "Infantry Drill Regulations" and a fifteen page booklet appeared titled "Military Rules of the University of Oklahoma."
The entire campus took on the air of a military training camp and most shockingly, Coach (now lieutenant colonel) Bennie Owen (of Owen Field fame) announced that all athletic practices were cancelled until further notice so athletes could train alongside their classmates each afternoon.
The following fall, Coach Owen's edict was devastating to intercollegiate sports at OU. The 1917 football season was notable for the fact the largely unpracticed Sooners lost (for the first time ever) to the aggies of Stoolwater 9-0.:(
The 1918 season was even weirder. Military service continued to claim most of the lettermen, and Coach Owen had to rely mostly on freshmen. Nevertheless, that frosh dominated Sooner team scored 279 points to a total of only 7 by all opponents combined. 1918 was Coach Owen's third undefeated team and joined 1911 and 1915 as Sooners perfect seasons.:D :D
Not to be outdone, even before the men sprang into action, on April 10, OUr women students organized a massive Red Cross Society on campus and began nurses training under the tutelage of Edna Holland of the School of Medicine.
The coeds volunteered for one of three levels of commitment. Class A volunteered for posting to anywhere in the world they were needed. Class B volunteered for service in the US and Class C wanted to serve at home in Norman. By the end of April, 160 coeds had stepped up.
By war's end in November of 1918, more than 2300 students had contributed to the war effort. Of these, 1139 served in the active military. 885 volunteered (77.6%) and 254 were drafted. 21 students died in service, including one woman who joined and served as a nurse.
Most of the undefeated 1915 football team served in combat in France. Two were killed.
Bottomline: Take that aTm! Suck it you poser soldier bastages!