Notable All-Sports, In-State Collegiate Competition Marks 20th Year

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Oklahoma State University Athletics and University of Oklahoma Athletics put rivalries aside today to officially announce Phillips 66® as title sponsor of the Bedlam Series, highlighting the competitive spirit between the Cowboys and the Sooners in head-to-head sports each collegiate athletics season.

Phillips 66, an Oklahoma institution, will back Bedlam in a multi-year agreement. With roots in Oklahoma dating back to 1917, Phillips 66 understands the significance of the Bedlam rivalry for the student-athletes, the fans and the communities that support the two universities. Phillips 66 has been a long-standing corporate supporter of university athletics and is a premier sponsor of the Big 12 Conference of which both universities are members.

“Phillips 66 has a rich history in Oklahoma. Our company’s roots are in Bartlesville, we have local facilities and we provide fuel to people across Oklahoma at Phillips 66 stations,” says Rod Palmer, General Manager of Branded Marketing for Phillips 66. “While we can’t take sides in this storied rivalry, we appreciate the stop-at-nothing spirit the teams show and are proud to help both the players and fans Live to the Full.”

Oklahoma soccer will host the first Bedlam meeting in the upcoming 2019-20 collegiate athletics season on Thursday, August 29. Other head-to-head competitions throughout the year include women’s soccer in Stillwater (October 25); football in Stillwater (November 30); and other sports still to be scheduled. The 1999-2000 athletics season marked the official start of the Bedlam Series’ competition, although the two programs have competed against each other for over 100 years.       

“The Bedlam Series fully encompasses the state of Oklahoma and the college sports landscape,” said OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. “Year after year, the series brings out the best from both sides of the OU-OSU rivalry. We’re thrilled to partner with Phillips 66 and look forward to another year of spirited Bedlam competition.”            

 According to OSU Athletic Director Mike Holder, “We are grateful for Phillips 66’s participation in the Bedlam Series and are proud to partner with an organization that has had a long-lasting impact on our state.”

The relationship between Phillips 66 and the respective university athletics departments was secured by Learfield IMG College, multimedia rightsholder for both schools. Sooner Sports Properties in Norman and Cowboy Sports Properties in Stillwater are the respective Learfield IMG College teams collaborating on the comprehensive Phillips 66 sponsorship on behalf of OU and OSU.

About U.S. Marketing at Phillips 66®, 76® and Conoco®

Phillips 66 is a diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company. With a portfolio of Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties businesses, the company processes, transports, stores and markets fuels and products globally. Headquartered in Houston, the company has 14,400 employees committed to safety and operating excellence. Using a network of branded marketers and dealers operating approximately 7,500 outlets, its U.S. Marketing business supplies TOP TIER® Detergent Gasolines under the Phillips 66®, 76® and Conoco® brands. For more information, visit https://www.phillips66.com/ or follow us on Twitter @Phillips66Co.