You see them at every football, basketball, sometimes gracing the floor at volleyball games or even at the occasional wrestling match. They are the Oklahoma RUF/NEKS, and they carry a lot of OU's school pride on their backs – or better yet, on the Sooner Schooner.
Alex McKitrick, president of the RUF/NEKS, has had nothing but a good experience throughout his four years as a RUF/NEK. He couldn't hardly even think of a bad memory.
McKitrick's journey started as a freshman when he was looking for an organization he would fit in with. His uncle was a RUF/NEK in 1976, and his brother joined in 2004. His family legacy sparked his interest, and he began looking into what it would be like to be a RUF/NEK.
Initially, McKitrick rushed a fraternity and ended up pledging Pi Kappa Alpha, better known as Pike. Once he realized the RUF/NEK tradition that his family was apart of was still a viable organization to join, McKitrick decided it was his best option to become involved on campus.
RUF/NEKS are are in charge of maintaining school spirit at large athletic events with large student involvement.
There are 17 members of the organization this year, but generally there's been an average of 16 members, McKitrick said. The largest the group has been is 90 members, but it's been as small as eight before.
The RUF/NEKS are involved at every football, basketball and volleyball game. They are also invited to different sporting events, such as the wrestling matches as well as other events.
McKitrick said his favorite part of the experience is the feeling when he walks out of the tunnel on game day.
"I mean, the game day atmosphere is amazing. Walking out of the tunnel is priceless", McKitrick said. "It is blinding when you walk out of the tunnel, and then you see all the fans."
Another favotire experience was McKitrick first away game as a RUF/NEK.
"My first away game, it was not even a big game. It was against [University of Texas at El Paso]", McKitrick said. "It was when I realized that we weren’t just a spirit team that we are all really good friends."
Although his experience with the RUF/NEKS has been more than favorable, McKitrick does have memories that are not his favorite.
"This last Baylor game, it wasn’t because of the loss. It was looking up at the start of the fourth quarter and the fact that our fans had lost hope", McKitrick said. "Something that the RUF/NEKS say is don't let the spirit die, and it was pretty close at the game."
Because of his four years as a RUF/NEK, McKitrick urges students to become involved on campus, whether in greek life, different student organizations, school spirit or wherever because he said being involved is important.
As a senior looking back, McKitrick said said he has done everything he wanted to as a RUF/NEK.
"No, I have kind of done it all. The only thing that I haven’t done, duty wise, was driving the schooner, and that wasn’t something that I had aspirations for," McKitrick said. "I would want to see the club continue to prosper after I am gone."
