M - Dinner with Barry...........Switzer

Dana and I had a very unique opportunity on Thursday night to have dinner with Barry and Becky Switzer at their house in Norman. I had a fantastic time and appreciate very much my bride's willingness to tag along with me even though she really does NOT enjoy social settings like this. What a good sport!

You might be wondering, "Mike, how did you end up at Barry Switzer's house for dinner?" As it turns out this is something we've been doing once a month for most of 2008.

Uhhmmm...okay, maybe not. Actually, a very gracious colleague of mine invited Dana and me, along with a handful of other people, after he won an auction for the casual dinner at a Ronald McDonald House fundraising event. The Switzers are very involved with Ronald McDonald House and it's always great to see someone using their social status to help those in need.

Becky Switzer was the OU Women's gymnastics team coach for 18 years and led them to three NCAA National Championship appearances plus tons of other interesting accolades. She was also the coach of the 1988 US Women's Olympic team in Los Angeles. How cool is that? Of course, Dana thought Mrs. Switzer was more interesting to listen to than Barry! Indeed it was fun hearing stories about her time with Bella Karolyi on his ranch.

Coach Switzer's office was a mecca of football memorabilia both college and professional. His college coaching career ended with an incredible overall record of 157-29-4.









Some of the cool things in his office:

A collection of his championship rings and such. We'll talk more about the Super Bowl ring in a minute. It's the only one he doesn't keep in the case.







His University of Arkansas letter jacket:









Game ball and other stuff from Super Bowl XXX:










Look at at the large version of this picture and check out the Big 8 Championship balls along the top row of the shelf.










To be brutally honest, it was pretty darn cool to stand right next to a genuine Vince Lombardi Trophy! These tropies are generally valued at about $25,000 each.









For dinner, we really lucked out and ended up at a table with Barry and Becky Switzer and the Development Director for Ronald McDonald House charities in Oklahoma City. I really enjoyed the conversation. Both Switzers were great storytellers and genuinely seemed to enjoy having guests in their home. As it turns out, Barry Switzer and I both spent time at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO after joining the military and I think he enjoyed telling some old stories about his time in the Army but mostly back in that time he said he was just ready to get back to coaching as soon as he was discharged. He spent about 2 years in the Army right out of college.

1) Hors d'oeuvres – Stuffed Mushrooms with Spinach & Feta Cheese and Smoked Salmon
2) Appetizer - Cantaloupe and Prosciutto
3) Salad - Marinated Seafood on Bed of Boston Bib Lettuce
4) Entrée - Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin with Mango &Pineapple Salsa, Rice Pilaf and Sugar Snap Peas & Carrots (or roasted asparagus)
5) Dessert - Shortcake with fresh Mixed Berries and Whipped Cream

There was lots of wine there but I think Coach Switzer had more than everyone else combined! With Dana and I being teetotalers as we are, we had some fine tasting water for the evening. Who knew you couldn't get a glass of iced tea at something like this?!



























Of course their ~7000 sq. ft. house was beautiful and we had the run of the place if we wanted. I didn't venture far but in hindsight wish I'd taken more time to look around. There was a really pretty pool in the backyard along with a very nice playground for all the grandkids. We also got to meet their 13yr old German Shephard named Blitz. He said he never really thought about the football connection so much as the German word Blitzkrieg. Blitz has her own room in the house which was recently added on.

We heard lots of great stories during the evening. My two favorite ones follow:

One night eight Japanese football coaches showed up at 11pm and rang their doorbell. Becky was in the kitchen in her bathrobe and was afraid to answer the door. Coach Switzer opened teh door and let them in and showed them all around. He also signed all the OU stuff they brought in with them. He said there was ALOT of bowing and they didn't speak a word of english.

He also told the story of an autographed tequila bottle on his shelf. It was from an old friend and teammate who really wanted a job with the Cowboys. Coach Switzer wouldn't hire him because the man was an alcoholic. Coach told him if he quit drinking he'd talk to Jerry Jones about getting him a job. The guy said he'd do it and that same day Coach took him to rehab. The tequila bottle was apparently the last drink the guy ever had and is still 'dry' to this day. In fact, he recently just retired from the Cowboys organization.

Becky Switzer at the table telling a tale. She was a very fun lady and quite energetic.


















Here is a picture of their house from the street view feature at Google maps (I forgot to take a picture myself). Their house is directly across the street and to the west of the Natural History Museum on the OU campus.





Here is a picture of Coach Switzer at his desk signing autographs or anything else someone wanted signed. He was extremely gracious and was obviously enjoying himself. One of the guests brought about a dozen footballs to have signed for some of his friends and clients.














Here is my favorite picture. By golly this is THE 1995 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Championship ring. Dana couldn't quite understand why this is such a big deal. Sheesh...women! Coach Switzer said this is the only ring he wears and keeps out of the case I showed you earlier. He said that's because it is worth more than all the other ones combined. Anyone who has ever competed in any endeavour, athletic, musical or otherwise, can appreciate the trophies and awards that usually come with being the best of the best. I once rode on the same plane as Barry Switzer on a flight to Las Vegas and I remember how much his Super Bowl ring stood out as he walked by. I never thought I'd be wearing that sucker for a few short moments!