Meet the OU fan who saw the end of the 47- and 71-game win streaks
As Harry Hewlett walked out of Love’s Field Sunday, following OU softball’s historic loss that ended its 71-game win streak, his son, Andrew, reminded him that it wasn’t the first time he’s seen an incredible Oklahoma winning streak end.
Hewlett, 75, was also at Owen Field on Nov. 16, 1957. That was the day Notre Dame upset the Sooners and ended OU’s 47-game win streak, which is still the longest in college football history. He was only 9 years old and it was his first ever OU football game. His mom and dad had bought him tickets for his birthday.
He doesn’t remember much of the game, sitting “somewhere in the cheap seats.” But he does remember the feeling.
“I don’t recall what all happened in the game,” Hewlett said. “The end is what I remember the most. I was seeing grown men who had tears in their eyes. And at 9 years of age, I didn’t really understand that. My dad was having to explain to me the significance of the game and the loss. Once I saw grown men crying, I knew this was a big deal. I remember it the rest of my life, obviously, as a Sooner fan.”
From Tulsa, Hewlett grew up an OU fan. While his dad went to the University of Tulsa, Hewlett fell in love with the Sooners. How couldn’t he? All they did was win.
“Bud Wilkinson was just such a charismatic person and as a child, watching a team that virtually won all of their games, it was just something that was very appealing to me as a child,” Hewlett said.
Hewlett has remained a Sooner fan all his life. He didn’t attend OU, instead graduating from Northeastern University. But he did continue to attend OU football games, with some of his fondest memories being during the Barry Switzer era.
Both his his kids attended OU. And his son, Andrew, graduated from OU in 2009 and is now a football season ticket holder. The two often attend football games together. Andrew is also the one who first introduced Hewlett to softball, taking him to games in the 2010s.
“Being an OU fan, you support all the sports, but softball was so much fun to go to, probably because they rarely lose,” Hewlett said. “I watch every game, just like football.”
Little did he know on Sunday that he would see them lose to Louisiana. But he didn’t see any grown men cry like he did 66 years ago.
“It was a bit shocking,” Hewlett said. “But what a remarkable run by them. I don’t think anyone thought that was possible, similar to the football streak.”
He isn’t superstitious. But Hewlett’s family has given a hard time for being at two of the most historic losses in OU athletics history. He has no regrets, though. He just hopes it doesn’t happen again.
“I hope I’m not bad luck. Maybe I am though,” Hewlett said with a laugh. “I guess I’ve seen history. Not particularly great history, but history nonetheless.”
Hewlett’s hopeful he doesn’t see history again. OU fans are hopeful, too.
