First African American Female Schooner Driver At OU

There is no question, game day in Norman can get pretty rowdy. Leading the craziness and hyping the crowd are the OU RUFNEKS.

“There are 20 RUFNEKS and 20 Little Sis,” said RUFNEKS and Lil Sis coach, Mark Chaney.

Despite their game day craziness, they are actually quite the opposite.

“They are the top notch of their high school, most of them are the valedictorians or salutatorians. They were captains of their football teams, basketball teams, cheer teams,” said Chaney.    

Even to be on the team requires a lot of hours of community service.

“Out of all of our spirit programs, the RUFNEKS Little Sis, are right up there with the highest community service hours of the entire university,” said Keegan Hubbard, assistant director of spirit programs.

The team was started in 1915, making them the originators of spirit teams.

“The oldest in the country the second in the world,” said Hubbard.

They introduced the Sooner Schooner 59 years ago and, in that time, they have never had an African American female driver…until now.

“It’s the coolest experience that I’ve ever gotten to do here. It’s just surreal, that’s the biggest word I can say, surreal, for the experience,” said Lil Sis, Jadyn Davis.

For OU’s first game of the season Davis made history as the first African American female to drive the Schooner in a game.

“The minute I said like, let’s go, the ponies went perfect. I looked up at the screen and I saw myself, which you’re not supposed to do, but I did see myself and I was like wow, I can’t believe I just did that,” said Davis.

It was an inspiring moment for Davis, a moment that she hopes will inspire others.

“I want young girls, that are maybe coming to Oklahoma or just inspiring to do anything. I want them to see me and see like they achieve their dreams if they want to also,” said Davis.

When the RUFNEKS and Little Sis aren’t going to class, hyping the crowd or doing community service, they’re at the farm taking care of Boomer and Sooner.

“They get three square meals a day, massages twice a week, and just absolutely pampered,” said Hubbard.

Friday evenings before home games the team comes to the farm to take care of the horses. Giving them some attention, a good brushing and a good cleaning before the big game, while other members of the team wash and shine the trailer.

“Just make sure everything is picture perfect, because this is the University of Oklahoma, and we only want the best,” said Davis.