Draft:RUF/NEK Lil' Sis

  • Comment: For notability per WP:GNG, we need to see significant coverage, directly of the subject and not of any indirectly related matters, in multiple independent and reliable secondary sources.
    In fact, Wikipedia articles should be written by summarising what such sources have said, and citing the sources against the information they've provided. Given the large amount of unreferenced content here, my guess is that this has been written by someone with first-hand knowledge of the subject (and also a possible COI). However, that is not what we want, we need all information provided to be verifiable from reliable published sources. DoubleGrazing (talk) 16:14, 18 October 2023 (UTC)

Sara Wheeless, the first Lil' Sis to become a full-time driver of the Sooner Schooner, driving during the Bedlam football game in 2022.

The RUF/NEK Lil' Sis are a spirit organization for The University of Oklahoma, founded in 1973.[1] The Lil' Sis work alongside the Oklahoma RUF/NEKS to care for and drive the Sooner Schooner, as well as the two ponies that pull it, Boomer and Sooner, and fire the ceremonial shotguns during University of Oklahoma football games.

History

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The RUF/NEK Lil' Sis have a rich history, dating all the way back to before they were founded in 1973. In 1972, a female student sued the RUF/NEKS for discrimination on the basis of sex after she was declined admission to the Oklahoma RUF/NEKS because she was a woman.[2] This led the female student to form a "sister" program to the RUF/NEKS, the RUF/NEK Lil' Sis.

Historically, the Lil' Sis have accompanied the RUF/NEKS on Owen Field and participated in generating a passionate fan atmosphere during football games, riding the Sooner Schooner, and swinging their red and white paddles.[3]

Uniforms

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The embroidery on the back of the current uniforms.

Their uniforms have changed over the years, but the modern uniform consists of crimson corduroy dresses with white embroidery that reads "OKLAHOMA RUF/NEK Lil' Sis" and custom OU boots. For appearances in the colder months, the members wear knee-length beige peacoats and OU-branded ear warmers. A staple element of the uniform is a crimson lip, the shade of which is chosen by each individual member based on their complexions.

Each member as of the 2022-2023 football season has a patch sewn onto their dress in celebration of the 50-year anniversary of Title IX.

Special Uniforms and Uniform Elements

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According to the preference of the member, some members wear Western-style cowboy hats.

Members chosen to serve as Sooner Schooner drivers wear patches on their left arms with the Sooner Schooner Driver title embroidered onto them. Members serving as "Keeper of the Guns" wear an intricately decorated bandolier holding the organization's trademark red ammunition.

 
Members of the RUF/NEK Lil' Sis with their organization's flag.

New members that have not yet received their dresses are distinguished by their uniform of jeans, a RUF/NEK Lil' Sis t-shirt, and Nike tennis shoes.

Current Responsibilities

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Prior to 2019, the RUF/NEK Lil' Sis did not participate in the firing of the ceremonial shotguns at the end of each quarter during football games, nor did they have the opportunity to drive the Sooner Schooner.

However, on April 13th, 2019, the first Lil' Sis ceremonial shotgun was fired alongside the RUF/NEKS during the spring football game, making history for the RUF/NEK Lil' Sis. The shotguns allocated to the RUF/NEK Lil' Sis members are .410 gauge Henry single-shot shotguns. The guns are painted in the organization's traditional colors of crimson and cream.[4]

On November 21st, 2020, Darby Dean became the first woman to drive the Sooner Schooner on Owen Field. [5]

 
Jadyn Davis, the first African American woman to drive the Sooner Schooner, on the box of the schooner.

On April 22nd, 2023, Jadyn Davis became the first African American woman to drive the Sooner Schooner on Owen Field.

These events solidified the RUF/NEK Lil' Sis' place as the only women's spirit organization charged with the care and driving of the Sooner Schooner and the two ponies that pull it.[6][7]

Traditions

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2022 members of the RUF/NEK Lil' Sis after completing "Paint Texas".

The RUF/NEK Lil' Sis select three members each game to fire a ceremonial shot dubbed the "Sis Shot" during halftime before the RUF/NEKS complete their second FADADA run.

Members of the RUF/NEK Lil' Sis accompany their brother organization in the tradition of painting the words "Beat The Hell Out Of Texas" on the pavement of the University of Oklahoma's Norman campus. The painting traditionally occurs the weekend before the Red River Showdown.[8]


Category:University of Oklahoma Category:Oklahoma Sooners

References

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  1. ^ Athletics Communications (June 15, 2023). "OU Spirit - RUF/NEKS & RUF/NEK Lil' Sis". SoonerSports. University of Oklahoma Athletics. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  2. ^ Brestovansky, Mike (December 5, 2014). "All-female organization brings spirit to OU games". OU Daily. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  3. ^ RUF/NEK Lil' Sis (September 8, 2006). "RUF/NEK Lil' Sis Traditions". The University of Oklahoma. Archived from the original on 2019-11-30. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  4. ^ T., Tim. "Cosmetic Paints for Lil' Sis Guns". Cerakote. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  5. ^ Lyons, Dan (November 21, 2020). "Oklahoma's Sooner Schooner Made History This Evening". The Spun. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  6. ^ Carlson, Jenni (December 5, 2020). "How Darby Dean took Sooner Schooner reins, became first woman driver in OU history". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  7. ^ "Darby Dean Makes History at OU". Lemons Publications. November 30, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  8. ^ Mussatto, Joe (October 3, 2018). "Beat the Hell out of Texas' painting lives on with RUF/NEKS". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 18, 2023.