Updated: 01/20/2009 4:35 PM KSTP.com | Print Story
By: Chikage Windler

1-8-09 Boomer Sooner, Baby!  Austen Roots for OU

Thursday, January 8th, 2009.

So if you've ever read my bio  Chikage Windler's Bio, You know I'm a BIG

 OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Fan.  That's where I went to school, at the University of Oklahoma.  In addition to having one of the top meteorology programs in the nation, I'm thrilled to say they also have a great football team!  It's only fitting that on this day...the day the Sooners play Florida in the BCS National Championship game...that I post "Chik's Pics" showing my Sooner Pride!

Ready for the Big Game!

There's nothing like a family photo filled with Crimson and Cream, OU's colors.  As you'll see on the right, my husband's wearing OU's National Championship Tee from back in 2000.  We were there to see the game in Miami and loved every second of it!  Now that my little girl Austen is around, it's a lot easier to watch the game on TV instead (though I'll bet it's a lot warmer in Miami than Minnesota!).

15-month-old Austen is one of OU's youngest fans!

There's something about college football that I just love.  I can truly say I'm a passionate fan.  When my team wins, the whole world seems right.  When they lose...well, I must admit, I've been know to cry (think Boise State a couple years ago).  As a parent, I know I've got to maintain my composure and set a good example for Austen, so I've made a gameplan for tonight.

Mother-daughter Quality time: Rooting for the Sooners

• (1) Don't cheer too loud
• (2) Avoid using four-lettered words no matter what happens on the field
• (3) Teach Austen to sing "Boomer-Sooner," OU's fight song
• (4) Anytime the Sooners score, teach Austen to give me a "high-five!"
• (5) Make sure Austen goes to bed at halftime
• (6) Turn the baby monitor up as high as it will go so I can hear Austen if she wakes up during the 2nd half

Austen's Sooner Spirit!

At school today, Austen wore her brand new OU outfit...thanks to Grandma and Grandpa.  They live in Oklahoma and made sure to put lots of OU stuff under the tree for Austen!  I was pleasantly surprised to see another parent at school wearing OU garb today.  Turns out, he's a Minnesotan with parents in Oklahoma.  Gotta love it!

At work today, I wore a red suit with a white tank underneath.  Subtle to most, but obvious to all my coworkers that know I'm cheering for the Sooners tonight.  My last station, I worked weekends and would wear red every Saturday when the Sooners were playing!  It's my little way of being the 12th man for my team :-)

Yes.  I'm officially a fanatic!  Go Sooners!  And thanks for reading my blog!

-Chikage