My sister Beverly and I were trying to remember the name of a retired 30 yr OU marching band director who was the director while our cousin Gene French's son David was the Drum Major. David was quite famous with the fans, because he could lean back so far, keep marching and keep time with the baton etc. He now teaches school in OKC. (David's Grandmother Cornelia P'tree French, was the granddaughter of Thomas Andrew P'tree and Lemontine Dean P'tree who left Chotaw Cty., MS. for Texas way back.) Anyway when I found the band director online, it also mentioned the story below. We were living in Norman in 1983 but I certainly missed this story some way. You would have thought I would have heard about it, even if we didn't go to games etc. On one site there is even a pic of the game ball, so I guess it is true. Part of the article is below: ****************************************************************************** ********************************************** Gene "Coach" Thrailkill transitioned the Pride to emphasize technique and sound – but not at the expense of the overriding goal to support the Sooners. During the 1983 _Bedlam_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedlam) game at _Oklahoma State_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_State_University_(Stillwater)) in _Stillwater_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stillwater,_Oklahoma) , the Sooners fell behind 20-3 early in the 4th quarter. Stillwater police took Thrailkill off the field for not having a sideline pass. Incensed, Thrailkill told the Pride to "start playing and don't stop until we're ahead!" The band complied, and played "_Boomer Sooner_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boomer_Sooner) " non-stop – and after roughly 300 times, the Sooners were ahead 21-20. _Barry Switzer_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Switzer) and the Sooners awarded the Pride the game ball, and labeled it "The Day The Pride Won" as proof._[2]_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pride_of_Oklahoma_Marching_Band#cite_note-Sooner_Mag-1) We certainly could have used Thrailkill and that 83 band in Florida last Thursday!!!!! Those Gators were awesome!!!!! Nova **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62)