Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione named APR group chairman: Joe Castiglione, vice president for intercollegiate athletics programs and director of athletics at the University of Oklahoma, has been appointed by NCAA President Myles Brand to chair the Football Academic Progress Rate (APR) Working Group to review the academic progress rate as it pertains to Division I football student-athletes. APR just concluded its fourth year as the measuring device relative to academic performance. "This is an interesting, important and timely initiative" Castiglione said. "Dr. Brand has assembled a dynamic group of intercollegiate leaders to review the program and I feel privileged to be involved in the process. "The NCAA's academic reform package consists of enhanced academic standards, improved measurements of academic success and consequences for the academic performance of teams. This is an appropriate time to examine the impact this effort has had on the sport of football." OU President David L. Boren said, "This well deserved recognition of Joe Castiglione is also an affirmation that the University of Oklahoma is playing a leading role nationally in setting high standards for intercollegiate athletics." Castiglione said the group, which consists of presidents, chancellors, conference commissioners, faculty athletics representatives, athletics directors and head football coaches, already has split into sub-committees to begin the work. (SoonerSports PR)

ESPN.com Bowl Predictions: ESPN.com writer Mark Schlabach offers his early bowl predictions.

The Eric Thunander file: The Oklahoman

Former Sooner tells all: The Oklahoman

Excerpt from 'Silent Thunder': The Oklahoman

Big 12, Big Ten, SEC dominate bowl forecast: ESPN.com