Stormin in Norman
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Al Roker Storms Into Norman for ‘Today’ Show’s Rokerthon 3

By Chip Rouse

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 14: Al Roker at the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Winter 2017 TCA Press Tour at Tournament House on January 17, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Scott Kirkland/PictureGroup) *** Please Use Credit from Credit Field ***
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 14: Al Roker at the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Winter 2017 TCA Press Tour at Tournament House on January 17, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Scott Kirkland/PictureGroup) *** Please Use Credit from Credit Field *** /
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If you were watching television Monday morning, and in particular the “Today” Show on your local NBC affiliate, you were likely an unsuspecting witness to storming into madness that only an Oklahoma “Boomer Sooner” pep rally can provide.

Oct 15, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Members of the University of Oklahoma band enter the stadium prior to action between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Members of the University of Oklahoma band enter the stadium prior to action between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The University of Oklahoma was the first stop in a week-long promotional event in which the popular “Today” Show weatherman and personality is traveling to five schools in five days to give the weather and attempt to set a Guinness World Record of some kind.

This is the third year for Rokerthon. In its inaugural year, in 2015, Roker set out to establish a Guinness record by delivering the weather for 34 hours straight. That event was so popular “Today” officials chose to do it again in 2016, but this time having Roker deliver the weather in all 50 states, which also set a new Guinness World Record.

Donning an OU cap and jacket with the school logo, Roker was greeted by the Pride of Oklahoma marching band the Sooner cheerleaders and the school mascots, Boomer and Sooner and a large gathering of OU students.

As the home of the National Weather Center, University of Oklahoma students formed a human cloud and a separate formation of a lightning bolt on the field at Gaylord Family-OU Memorial Stadium, as well as a third formation of the sun, purely in a support role to the cloud and lightning bolt..

By holding the cloud and lightning bolt in place for five minutes, the student participants set  not one, but two new firsts for the Guinness Book of World Records.

It was also a rewarding day for a pair of OU students named Kelsie who each were awarded a $5,000 scholarship. When Roker drew the name of Kelsie Hawk out of box, Kelsie Hull thought he was saying her name when he called it out, only to find out that it was not her but the other girl who had won the scholarship.

Where are Steve Harvey or Warren Beatty when you need them? Both had been party to similar gaffs in the Miss Universe Pagent and this year’s Academy Awards, respectively.

Roker was quick on his feet, however, proclaiming that $5,000 scholarships would be awarded to both girls.

Although all in fun, it was nice recognition for the University of Oklahoma and an exciting kickoff to the week-long activities that will make up Rokerthon 3.

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