Few destinations do a kick-off event better than the Sooner State, at the meeting venue, in hospitality—and on the gridiron and other arenas of athletic endeavor.
Sports fandom is ingrained in Oklahoman culture, especially at the collegiate level. Originally coined over a century ago to describe wrestling contests between the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, the “Bedlam Series,” sponsored by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, was expanded to include football, track and then all sports between the two rivals.
Athleticism figured prominently in Oklahoma’s founding. At high noon on April 22, 1889, upon the firing of rifles, cannons and other signals, settlers on horseback, in wagons and on foot surged into the then unassigned territory in what is known as the “Oklahoma Land Run.” The “Sooners” nickname refers to individuals including deputy marshals, land surveyors and railroad employees who jumped ahead of the official starting “whistle” to claim their land parcels.
Over time, “Sooner” became synonymous with winning, or an “energetic individual who travels ahead of the human procession.” That same spirit animates the group experience in Oklahoma, where a diverse roster of sporting venues and activities are ready starters for winning agendas.
Oklahoma City
From the immensely popular Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA and a host of minor-league baseball teams, to horse racing, rowing and more, Oklahoma’s welcoming state capital—one of National Geographic Traveler’s top 20 destinations to visit in 2015—offers an all-star lineup of group choices.
“We have so many great things in regards to sports, with something for everyone to see and participate in,” says Sue Hollenbeck, director of sports business for the Oklahoma City CVB. “Along with the Thunder, the city is home to the OKC Barons of the American Hockey League, OKC Energy of USL Pro Soccer and OKC Redhawks, AAA affiliate of the L.A. Dodgers. Plus, we are home to two national sports governing bodies, USA Softball and USA Canoe/Kayak. These and other organizations and events, combined with our people, quality venues and hospitality, make Oklahoma City special for sports groups.”
Seating just over 18,200 people for Thunder basketball with varying configurations for other sports and concerts, Chesapeake Energy Arena offers private space for gatherings of up to 200-plus guests at the Courtside Club.
Home to USA Softball and the National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum, the ASA Hall of Fame Complex includes OGE Energy Field. Nearing completion on a $20 million renovation that will include meeting space, the venue’s OGE Energy Field is host of the NCAA Women’s College World Series through 2020.
The city’s Olympian muscle also includes the Boathouse District. Located on the Oklahoma River, this world-class urban aquatic venue includes the OKC National High Performance Center, where America’s top rowing and canoe/kayak athletes are training for 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. For groups, Riversport Adventures offers thrilling activities, including the world’s tallest sky trail and teambuilding competitions both on land and on the river. In October, the city broke ground on a new whitewater rafting and kayak center.
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Home to the Jim Thorpe Museum, named after the legendary Oklahoma-born Native American football player and Olympian (baseball and basketball, too), the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame offers event space for up to 600, museum tours included. Along with Thorpe, Oklahoma sports figures enshrined in the Hall of Fame include baseball icons Mickey Mantle and Johnny Bench, football coach Barry Switzer, and the king and queen of gymnastics, Bart Conner and his wife, Nadia Comaneci.
Norman
Like a seat at the 50-yard line of its massive Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, home to the University of Oklahoma, has a prime location in the center of the U.S., just 20 minutes from Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport. The city’s athletic atmosphere is irresistible.
“The championship tradition of the Oklahoma Sooners athletic teams sets the tone for sports in Norman, beginning with youth sports,” says Dan Schemm, executive director of the Norman CVB. “As a city containing a major university, there are people who originate from all corners of the U.S. and foreign countries who live in Norman, creating a natural cross section of people interested in every kind of sporting event. From the national motocross championships to national equestrian events, sports commissioners have found this to be a perfect locale for a variety of competitions.”
Recent sporting events held in Norman have included the state cheerleading championships, a competitive soccer tournament attracting nearly 200 teams and U.S. Tennis Association regional tournaments. In recent years, the Oklahoma Motor Sports Complex hosted the 2012 National Motorsports Association championships, and the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Course hosted the 2013 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links.
Opened in 1923 and expanded and relocated three times since, Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, seating 82,112, is among the largest stadiums in the nation. The newly renovated Chesapeake Energy Stadium Club offers versatile space for banquets of up to 500 people and receptions for 800, while the Jack Santee Lounge can host banquets for 400 and receptions for 600.
Recreational areas with sports fields in Norman include Griffin Park and Reaves Park.
Tulsa
Located on the Arkansas River in the heart of Oklahoma’s “Green Country,” this compact destination draws sports groups with an appealing mix of big-league action, fan-friendly venues and diverse options.
“Tulsa is unique for offering big-city amenities and premier sporting venues in a more up close and personal fashion,” says Vince Trinidad, executive director of the Tulsa Sports Commission. “All of our major facilities are within a 20-minute drive of restaurants, hotels, shopping and attractions, making it convenient for attendees and planners, as well as athletes and fans, to experience the area.”
Key venues include the event-capable BOK Center, home of the Tulsa Shock of the WNBA and Tulsa Pulse of the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League); the versatile Mohawk Sports Complex, which includes meeting space and an event pavilion; ONEOK Field; the Michael D. Case Tennis Center; and Jenks Aquatic Center.
Longtime Meetings Focus contributor Jeff Heilman had a field day driving across Oklahoma’s section of Route 66.
