Oklahoma Football gears of for conference switch. Picture curtesy of Kerry Page Photography.

Known for its endless pitchers of beer, Wednesday night karaoke and good company, O’Connell’s Irish Pub & Grille is Campus Corner’s shining star. This 56-year-old pub has seen every era of Sooner sports, but as Oklahoma gears up to transition into the Southeastern Conference, O’Connell’s, known as O’Conn’s, has been making changes to better accommodate this new era of serving customers. 

OU announced it will move into the SEC along with rival school, University of Texas, back in 2021. The move was originally scheduled for 2025. However, both schools agreed to move into the conference on Jul. 1, 2024. As that date draws near, the University of Oklahoma, student organizations and local businesses have been gearing up for its departure from the Big 12. 

O’Conn’s is known in Norman as a game day staple, supporting local sporting events ranging from the high school to the collegiate level. 

Upon entering O’Conn’s, you’ll be greeted by the smiling face of owner Jeff Stewart, chatting and interacting with his customers.

“Obviously there will be an increase in sales and traffic,” Stewart said. “The SEC fans come in on Wednesday and stay until Sunday and there will be more of them, so we’re hoping that we can put our best foot forward and look good for everybody.” 

The walls of the pub are lined with football helmets, banners and flags of every school in the Big 12, but just like OU and the rest of Norman, they will be redecorating as the Sooners wave goodbye to the Big 12 and say hello to the SEC.  

OU recently announced its 2024 football schedule, which is one of the most challenging in college football this year, according to an article published on Mar. 28, by Sports Illustrated. 

Currently, the Oklahoma Sooners are 110-49-8 and have an overall winning streak against all current SEC teams. However, many are skeptical about how OU will perform this next season.

“Our performance the first year in the SEC could be a little rough, I mean we have one of the hardest schedules in college football,” said freshman business major, Aidan Beckham. “The buzz amongst fans will be something that’s never happened before in Norman. We just moved to the best conference in college football and that’s a big deal.” 

This year will end the east and west divisions of the SEC that have been in place since 1992. This change will create a 16-team league all competing in the same standing. 

“I think it’ll be nice not having east and west divisions with the new teams,” said Auburn University freshman, Landry Herrick. “In this new SEC era, all the teams will be lumped together, which will make it more fun because it’ll be like more teams are playing.” 

The excitement over this new era will undoubtedly bring more people to Norman, but this influx of visitors not only sparks change for businesses like O’Conn’s, but for the university as well.  

After last fall’s record-breaking incoming freshman class, the university is anticipating increased enrollment with the move into the SEC. 

“Already this year we are seeing growth in the number of out-of-state applications,” said Admissions and Recruitment Director of Communications, Danielle Dunn. 

Out-of-state students count for nearly half of the student body. 

“OU’s administration is constantly monitoring and watching capacity issues as we grow and plan for increased enrollments. This includes keeping a close eye on housing, parking, and meal options for all students on campus,” Dunn said. 

The OU Student Government Association has been hard at work, trying to make this transition as smooth as possible for the student body. 

“We are expecting great things like hopefully student involvement will increase, Greek life and Greek affiliates will increase their numbers, but we’re also expecting questions about housing and parking,” said SGA Interior Director and SEC Commissioner, Carter Strickland. 

In July, they will host the annual SEC Exchange Conference where schools from the SEC will come together to share ideas and collaborate. 

“It’s a really great time to show off what OU and Norman has to offer, and it will allow us to collaborate ideas and share experiences and really benefit student leaders,” said Strickland. 

While O’Conn’s and the SGA are preparing for this transition, another group is getting ready to hitch up for this season.  

For every Oklahoma touchdown, the iconic Conestoga wagon named the “Sooner Schooner” is steamrolled onto the field in celebration, driven by the Oklahoma RUF/NEKS and Lil Sis. This tradition is widely known as one of the best in college football.  

“There’s definitely an added pressure with my first drive being in the SEC,” said Schooner Driver trainee, Maura Mazerolle. “There’s pressure to make the drive safe, but I also feel like because the SEC is such a big conference, there’s going to be more eyes on us than usual.” 

Recently, the RUF/NEKS and Lil Sis took part in the SEC Schooner Roadshow, featuring the Sooner Schooner and live mascots, Boomer and Sooner. The tour visited every SEC school to unite OU fans nationwide in celebration of this new era.  

This conference move has great things in store for student organizations, the university and small businesses on Campus Corner like O’Conn’s. Jeff Stewart noted the restaurant’s preparation for next season is in full swing. “I’m excited! I can’t wait to beat the hell out of Alabama,” Stewart said. 

The future is bright at O’Conn’s; they have ordered more beer.

Published May 5, 2024.