Sooners vs. Cowboys Blood Drive Marks First Collegiate Tie for OBI
Oct. 6, 2010 – The highly anticipated Oklahoma-Oklahoma State in-state rivalry takes on new meaning this fall when the schools go head-to-head not only in athletics but in the inaugural “Bedlam Blood Battle” as well. Leading the effort with OSU and OU is Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI), which announced today it will serve as associate Bedlam sponsor.
The Bedlam Blood Battle comprises two separate events putting OSU and OU in a competition to see which Oklahoma campus can generate the largest blood donation during two select weeks throughout the 2010 -’11 athletic season – November 15 – 19 (prior to the November 27 Bedlam football game); and January 31 – February 4 (prior to the February 5 Bedlam basketball game). The winning school will earn bragging rights.
Through November, anyone who gives blood at an Oklahoma Blood Institute donor center or mobile drive will receive a choice of an OU or OSU donor T-shirt. Two lucky donors’ names will be drawn to each win a pair of tickets to the Nov. 27 Bedlam football game.
According to Oklahoma Blood Institute, one in three people will need blood in a lifetime. Donors with OBI provide every drop of blood needed by patients in more than 150 medical facilities across Oklahoma. Those who are generally healthy and age 17 or older are eligible to donate blood every 56 days.
“Many Cowboy and Sooners’ fans are loyal blood donors with Oklahoma Blood Institute who know that giving of themselves to save another’s life is the ultimate win,” said OBI President, CEO John Armitage, M.D. “Without a doubt, we’re thrilled to be a part of the Bedlam tradition between OSU and OU and know the addition of a blood drive between the neighboring schools will certainly add a new dimension.”
The OBI relationship with OU and OSU was secured through a combined effort of Sooner Sports Properties and Cowboy Sports Properties, the schools’ respective athletic multimedia rights holders. Both are properties of Learfield Sports, which manages rights for more than 50 collegiate institutions and associations including a total of eight Big 12 members.
Norman-based Sooner Sports Properties and Stillwater-based Cowboy Sports Properties will work closely with the non-profit blood center to promote the respective blood drives through concentrated online and on-campus marketing efforts.
“We’re proud to partner with the Oklahoma Blood Institute and Oklahoma State in a truly life-changing venture. I can’t think of a better use for our competitive spirit. I hope fans of both universities will turn out in large numbers to meet a critical need in our state, and, of course, I encourage Sooner fans to meet this important challenge,” said OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione.
Mike Holder, athletic director for Oklahoma State University adds, “OSU is proud to support OBI and the Bedlam Blood Drive. Our Cowgirls and Cowboys understand the need for this effort and have always responded in great numbers.”
Oklahoma Blood Institute is the twelfth largest non-profit blood center in America. In 2009, more than 140,000 donors provided blood used for transfusion and associated clinical services through OBI. Nearly 700 Oklahomans are employed by OBI, which works with an estimated 800 volunteers and 2,600 drive coordinators. To learn more about OBI’s 11 donor centers or mobile blood drives across Oklahoma, or to donate, visit OBI at obi.org or call 877-340-8777.
Posted on Wednesday, October 6, 2010