The University of Central Oklahoma is providing free admission to its home athletic events for fans displaced by the postponement of the Oklahoma Sooners football game.
The SEC announced early Saturday that the matchup between Oklahoma and Ole Miss was moved to Sunday due to a nationwide Federal Aviation Administration ground stop, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
The delay stemmed from the inability of the Ole Miss team to depart Oxford, Mississippi, in time for the original Saturday kickoff.
Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny criticized the decision, stating that it was not fair to the institution or the fans, according to the Oklahoma athletic department.
In response to the schedule change, Central Oklahoma athletic director Stan Wagnon issued a statement offering free tickets to any SEC fans currently in the region.
Fans may present their Oklahoma-Ole Miss tickets to gain free entry to the university’s football game against Missouri Western or a men’s basketball game against Oklahoma Christian.
Wagnon also mocked the assertion that Ole Miss had exhausted all travel options, suggesting that fans who cannot reach the Edmond campus should watch the school’s volleyball team in the conference championship.
The university is located approximately 32 miles from Norman, a drive that typically takes about 42 minutes.
The scheduling conflict was part of a broader series of disruptions impacting multiple college football programs across the country, per reporting from Yahoo Sports.
While several other games experienced delayed kickoffs, the Oklahoma matchup was the only one fully rescheduled for Sunday.
The Bronchos volleyball team is set to face Pittsburg State for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association title.