Vietnam era Sooners?

[achiro]

I was born in 1970 so really not aware of what was going on at the time. I was just wondering how/if the war affected Sooner Football? As far as recruiting, players leaving for the military, fan base, etc.
Just curious more than anything.

[OKLA21FAN]

'son, there aint no draft no more'
http://images.dawgsports.com/images/admin/Dewey_Oxberger_with_Sergeant_Hulka.jpg

[OUDoc]

There was one?

[fadada1]

lighten up, francis.

[Billy_Baller]

http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/buffalo/KalsuBuf.jpg


Bob Kalsu (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_19_228/ai_n6126452)

[achiro]

Man, I got some AWESOME conversatin going here!:(

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Well, 1971-1975 were certainly some of the most successful in Sooner football history!

[fadada1]

Well, 1971-1975 were certainly some of the most successful in Sooner football history!
but do we really consider 71-75 true vietnam era?? or was this the "i'm sick of this stupid war and men are still dying for no reason but OU is still really freaking good" era?

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

but do we really consider 71-75 true vietnam era?? or was this the "i'm sick of this stupid war and men are still dying for no reason but OU is still really freaking good" era?So, you're only calling '63-69 the Vietnam era? Sooners were pretty good after '65, eh?

[fadada1]

So, you're only calling '63-69 the Vietnam era? Sooners were pretty good after '65, eh?
no, no. 71-75 is more like the post(ish) height of the vietnam war. OU's been good since before bear bryant invented the solar system.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

no, no. 71-75 is more like the post(ish) height of the vietnam war. OU's been good since before bear bryant invented the solar system.Sooners were pretty good when Bennie Owen coached, Dewey "Snorter" Luster, and Tom Stidham Sr., too. Great under Bud, Barry and on verge of great under Bob, IMHO.

[fadada1]

yep.

[BoomerJack]

I attended from fall '68 thru Dec. '72. I don't think it affected OU football much since as long as the players stayed in good academic standing, they could hold on to their student deferments.

I don't recall anyone doing what Pat Tillman did. Simply giving up their 'ship and joining the military.

[Miko]

http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/buffalo/KalsuBuf.jpg


Bob Kalsu (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_19_228/ai_n6126452)

Great read!

[OUinFLA]

During the Vietnam era, even though the draft was still in effect, there was an automatic student deferment for those who could successfully keep their grades up and stay in school. Once you graduated or dropped out, you were fair game for the Selective Service. And due to the high number of armed forces personel at that time, service was almost guranteed. Unless, you were physically unable, or engaged in an occupation that was considered necessary to National interests.

In the years you are refering to, the draft lottery (birthdate) was instituted, and a lot of young men avoided being drafted if they were born on higher ranking dates. In most of Oklahoma though, it didnt matter much as most of the Selective Service Centers had so few young men on the rolls, that they went through all the lottery dates just to meet their required number of inductiees. In the larger population centers, there was a better chance of catching a break and not being drafted due to the lottery.

As far as effecting the Team, most young men at that time tried real hard to stay in school. Vietnam was not a desirable place to spend a year.

[fadada1]

During the Vietnam era, even though the draft was still in effect, there was an automatic student deferment for those who could successfully keep their grades up and stay in school. Once you graduated or dropped out, you were fair game for the Selective Service. And due to the high number of armed forces personel at that time, service was almost guranteed. Unless, you were physically unable, or engaged in an occupation that was considered necessary to National interests.

In the years you are refering to, the draft lottery (birthdate) was instituted, and a lot of young men avoided being drafted if they were born on higher ranking dates. In most of Oklahoma though, it didnt matter much as most of the Selective Service Centers had so few young men on the rolls, that they went through all the lottery dates just to meet their required number of inductiees. In the larger population centers, there was a better chance of catching a break and not being drafted due to the lottery.

As far as effecting the Team, most young men at that time tried real hard to stay in school. Vietnam was not a desirable place to spend a year.
my dad graduated college in '66 and taught for a year. he saw the proverbial handwriting on the wall (and a draft number that was a real possibility), and quickly joined the air force as an officer. the viet cong never invaded biloxi or OKC.