NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma announced the launch of a new suite of signature student experiences designed to foster connection, school spirit and memorable traditions among the student body. The Soval Series, taking place this fall on the historic South Oval on OU’s Norman campus, will feature three signature student experiences: Showtime on the Soval featuring Dan + Shay, Beat Bevo Bash and Holiday Lights.
The new slate of signature events directly supports OU’s “Lead On, University: The Next Phase” Strategic Plan by empowering students for a life of meaning and impact while fostering their social and emotional growth.
“At OU, the student experience extends far beyond academics; it’s about building community, generating pride and creating a true sense of belonging,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “These signature student experiences will spark new traditions, strengthen campus connections and celebrate what it means to be a Sooner. The memories students make here don’t fade after graduation – they become part of who they are for life.”
Beat Bevo Bash
The Soval Series will kick off on Wednesday, Oct. 8, starting at noon with a revamped Beat Bevo Bash, a high-energy tradition for the OU community to showcase their spirit, pride and connection ahead of the Red River Rivalry in Dallas, Texas. The state fair-inspired experience will feature Bevo Burgers, limited edition “Beat Texas” shirts, rides, photo opportunities with the OU Spirit Squad and a Sooner version of Big Tex: Big Boomer.
By centralizing Beat Texas Week activities on the South Oval, this immersive signature event creates a dynamic hub where students, faculty, staff and fans can forge connections and create lasting memories in celebration of one of the biggest rivalries in college football.
Showtime on the Soval featuring Dan + Shay
Showtime on the Soval featuring Dan + Shay will take place during Homecoming Week on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. Over their storied 12-year career, three-time Grammy Award-winning duo Dan + Shay have become one of country music’s most recognized artists. Their most recent, fifth studio album, Bigger Houses, features their tenth No. 1 country single, “Save Me Trouble,” which also received the 2024 CMT Music Award for Duo/Group Video of the Year. The duo is the only group to win the GRAMMY Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance three consecutive times. They have also earned multiple CMA and ACM Duo of the Year awards while amassing nearly 13 billion streams worldwide. In 2024, Dan + Shay became the first-ever coaching duo on NBC’s Emmy-winning program The Voice.
Showtime on the Soval featuring Dan + Shay will be open exclusively to OU students, faculty and staff. The event is free to attend, and tickets will be made available later in the fall semester. The concert is closed to the public.
Holiday Lights
OU will also bring the community together to ring in the holiday season with an expanded Holiday Lights event on the South Oval on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. The event will serve as the kickoff to a nightly light show projected onto Bizzell Memorial Library, continuing throughout the holiday season. OU students, faculty, staff and the general public are invited to join this year’s festivities, which will also feature the seasonal lighting of the South Oval trees. Other activities include carriage rides, live reindeer, food trucks, s’mores and calls to Santa Claus. The reimagined Holiday Lights event is an opportunity for friends and families to create a new tradition and connect with loved ones while celebrating the festive season alongside the OU community.
The South Oval, formally named Van Vleet Oval, is the central green space on OU’s Norman campus. In recent years, it has affectionately become known as the “Soval.”
For more information about OU’s signature student experiences, visit ou.edu/soval-series.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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