OKLAHOMA CITY — One of Jeff Provine’s favorite tales involves the exploits of Mex, the University of Oklahoma’s first mascot.

The Boston terrier mix, rescued as a pup by a military medic patrolling the Mexican border back in the early 1900s, came to OU when the medic was hired to treat the football team.

Amused by the little dog, which hung out on the sidelines during football games, supporters trained him to howl at every kick and bark at every touchdown.

When little Mex died at age 120 — in dog years — half of Norman shut down to mourn his loss. He was buried on the 50-yard line of Owen Field.

Though Mex died nearly 90 years ago, players and those standing along the sidelines in OU’s football stadium swear that they can feel something lick their fingers, but when they look around, there’s nothing there.

Supposedly, if you listen closely over the roar of fans, you can still hear Mex bark during touchdowns.

Provine has one of the most interesting or morbid hobbies, depending upon your outlook.

He spends his days developing curriculum to train state employees how to collect child support. At night, when the weather gets chilly and the sun sinks on the horizon, he dons a long, black coat and leads curiosity-seekers on a free tour of OU’s campus. He tells spine-tingling tales of exorcisms, stranglings, library hauntings, and even the story of a young ghost who skates down the hallways of a building that used to serve as a medical ward.

Provine’s been conducting OU ghost tours since 2009. The tour has even garnered the endorsement of the university.

“I wanted to do something to make the world, I guess, a little more interesting,” he said.

Some might raise their eyebrows at the notion that a campus as vibrant as OU by day could be haunted at night. Even Provine admits that he’s never encountered an actual ghost there.

But, he contends it’s possible that such and old and storied campus has a few restless spirits. Plenty of people with no reason to lie will swear they’ve encountered ghosts there.

Provine, 31, who grew up on an old farm in Enid and now lives in Norman with his wife, of course, is a believer in ghosts. He’s authored two books on the topic — “Campus Ghosts of Norman, Oklahoma” and “Haunted Norman, Oklahoma” — and co-authored the recently released “Haunted Guthrie, Oklahoma.”

“I have always liked ghost stories,” he said. “They’ve always really appealed to me, those extra bits of magic, fairy tales.”

Last year, more than 400 people attended his tours. Already this October, more than 150 have signed up.

The OU tours are so popular, Provine is expanding. During the week leading up to Halloween, he’ll lead visitors through the streets of downtown Norman.

He’ll tell the story of the Blue brothers, trading post owners who died a terrible death at the hands of a posse. He’ll tell the story of the Midway Barber Shop, where objects today move on their own.

He promises that there will be talk of Bigfoot and a giant red octopus supposedly living in muddy waters of Lake Thunderbird.

Tickets for the downtown Norman tour are $10. The OU tours remains free, though Provine encourages attendees to donate.

Last year’s donations — nearly $1,000 — were gifted to Oklahoma’s children’s advocacy centers, Provine said. This year donations are being used to fund a scholarship that will likely benefit a student who guides tours around campus.

Tour guides, he said, “work so hard and don’t get as much recognition as they should.”

For dates and times, or to reserve space on the OU tour, email tour@ou.edu. For information on the new downtown Norman tour, visit jeffprovine.com.

Because some OU campus stories can be graphic, Provine said he gives his tours a “PG” rating. Some content may not be suitable for young children.

Janelle Stecklein covers the Oklahoma Statehouse for CNHI’s newspapers and websites. Reach her at jstecklein@cnhi.com