Norman in Cleveland County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

The Inception of Oklahoma Football

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 20, 2025

1. The Inception of Oklahoma Football Marker

Inscription. “Let's get up a football team!” It was at this location in September, 1895, that Jack Harts voiced a vision that would be credited as the spark that created the University of Oklahoma football program. At this present-day site of 121 E. Main St. once stood Bud Risinger's Barbershop, where Harts first introduced the idea of forming a football team to represent the town's university.

After Harts made the declaration in Risinger's Barbershop, he was elected as captain and coach, assembling a team and organizing daily practice. President David Ross Boyd designated the university's English teacher, May Overstreet, with identifying the school's colors. Overstreet and two students selected crimson and cream.
Among those on the first team were Jasper Clapham, Joe Merkle, John P. Evans, Bert Long, Horace Sommers, Ed Barrow, Fred Bean, Bernard Reuter, New Medlock, Bert Dunn and Will Short. The team's field was located near the intersection of Boyd St. & Elm Ave., running in a north-south orientation with a single wire fence marking the boundaries. STORE

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1895.

Location. 35° 13.287′ N,

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97° 26.546′ W. Marker is in Norman, Oklahoma, in Cleveland County. It is on East Main Street east of North Jones Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 E Main St, Norman OK 73069, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country

and in Greater Oklahoma City.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 100 Block – South (within shouting distance of this marker); 100 Block – North (within shouting distance of this marker); 200 Block – South (within shouting distance of this marker); 200 Block North (within shouting distance of this marker); Sooner Theater (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); “The Clock Plaza”

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 20, 2025

2. The Inception of Oklahoma Football Marker

(about 300 feet away); Norman and Oklahoma's Centennial (about 300 feet away); A History of Norman's “Bank Corner” at Main Street & Peters Avenue (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norman.

Regarding The Inception of Oklahoma Football. The University of Oklahoma's first football game, played on December 14, 1895, pitted the university against an Oklahoma City high school. The more-experienced high-schoolers won, 34-0. It was OU's only game that season. The 1896 team fared better, winning both games it played against high school teams. Many of OU's players were high-schoolers themselves, attending the university's preparatory school. Since then, the Sooners have compiled an overall record of 950-348-53 through the 2024 season.

1896 University of Oklahoma football team image. Click for full size.

from Sooner Magazine (November 1936), via University of Oklahoma Foundation (Public Domain)

3. 1896 University of Oklahoma football team

This is the earliest known photograph of a University of Oklahoma football team. Despite playing without a designated coach, the squad won both games it played that season. Pictured are: Front row (left to right): Alfred McAtee, right end; Elmo Richey, quarterback; John Prickett, right tackle; Gordon Hopping, right guard; Frank Taylor, left guard; Harvey Short, left tackle; Ray Hume, captain and left end. Back row (L to R): Back or top row, Ross Hume, referee; Harry Ford, right halfback; Paul Mackey, fullback; H.T. Burson, left halfback; and C.C. Roberts, umpire.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 26, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.