Editor’s note: This is the first in an occasional series examining the people, events and impacts of Oklahoma’s 2000 national championship season 20 years later.
NORMAN, Okla. — Curtis Fagan strutted through campus as the University of Oklahoma’s fall semester began in August 1998, taking part in a cherished pastime for young men: Talking to the coeds.
One young woman in particular, though, seemed far from impressed when Fagan and his friends informed her that they were OU athletes.
“So what, you guys play for the football team?” she said. “You guys are horrible. Y’all suck.”
Fagan felt a rush of surprise but told her that his freshman class was special. He also noted that he’d never been part of a losing team before. Then he added one more thing.
“Remember this,” Fagan told her. “We will win championships here.”
Nearly 2 1/2 years after that…
