I long for the days when bowl games give this kind of swag to band and spirit squad members as well as to the athletes:

Gift-giving:

In the spirit of Christmas, the Sooners are getting a Holiday Bowl haul. The NCAA allows bowls to give merchandise worth up to $500, and allows schools to match that figure.

From the Holiday Bowl, OU players will receive a 30GB video iPod, an iPod car adapter, a commemorative Holiday Bowl sweatshirt and hat, and a $15 music gift certificate.

From OU, the Sooners have already received a Sony PSP portable videogame, a Holiday Bowl bag, a Nike warmup suit and Nike shoes.

"It's real good," freshman receiver Malcolm Kelly said. "We're not able to be at home for Christmas, so we're getting gifts - especially that iPod video. Tha's one of the hottest things on the market.

The NCAA doesn't limit gifts to non-athletes, so the bowls wouldn't be breaking any rules - and the spirit kids usually have a lot more difficult a time getting to the bowls and back. The football team flew in last Friday and will fly out this coming Friday. Some spirit personnel leave Norman on buses at 2:00 AM tomorrow morning, December 26th, for a 30-hour bus ride so they can be prepared to perform at scheduled events on December 28th, the day before the bowl.

It'd be nice if they got more than diesel fumes and a T-shirt for the effort. Maybe someday. Merry Christmas!