NEWS
NORMAN, Okla. – The Soval Series, the University of Oklahoma’s suite of signature student experiences, will return to the historic South Oval on OU’s Norman campus this fall, including Showtime on the Soval featuring Chris Young, Beat Bevo Bash and Holiday Lights. The Soval Series is designed to foster connection, school spirit and memorable traditions among the student body and entire OU community.
“The response to the Soval Series in its first year was incredible, and it showed us just how much our students value opportunities to come together and experience what makes OU so special,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “From celebrating our greatest traditions to creating entirely new ones, these experiences strengthen the sense of connection and community that is at the heart of the OU experience. We’re thrilled to build on that success this year and create even more unforgettable moments for the OU Family.”
Beat Bevo Bash
The first event of this year’s Soval Series, Beat Bevo Bash, will kick off on Wednesday, Oct. 7 starting at Noon. Taking place the week of the Red River Rivalry, Beat Bevo Bash is a high-energy tradition giving the OU community a chance to showcase their spirit, pride and connection ahead of one of the biggest rivalries in college football. The state fair-inspired experience will once again 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.
Showtime on the Soval featuring Chris Young
During homecoming week, the university will host Showtime on the Soval featuring
Chris Young on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. Named one of Billboard’s Top 20 country artists of the decade, Young has amassed more than 11 billion global streams with 14 No. 1 singles as an artist and 11 as a songwriter. His 56 RIAA certifications include multiplatinum tracks “I’m Comin’ Over,” “Famous Friends,” “Tomorrow,” “Gettin’ You Home,” and “Think of You.” He has won two CMT Awards trophies for “Collaborative Video of the Year for “Famous Friends” (2021) and “Performance of the Year” for “Drowning” (2020). Young was inducted into the membership of the Grand Ole Opry on Oct. 17, 2017. His most recent album, I Didn’t Come Here to Leave, released on the eighth anniversary of his Opry induction.
Showtime on the Soval featuring Chris Young 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
The OU community is also invited to ring in the holiday season at Holiday Lights on South Oval starting Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. This year’s festivities will include 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 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 healthcare needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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The Soval Series, the University of Oklahoma’s suite of signature student experiences, will return to the historic South Oval on OU’s Norman campus this fall, including Showtime on the Soval featuring Chris Young, Beat Bevo Bash and Holiday Lights. The Soval Series is designed to foster connection, school spirit and memorable traditions among the student body and entire OU community.
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