University of Oklahoma Athletics
Price Family Pledges Major Gift to OU Athletics
March 23, 2021 | Athletics
NORMAN, Okla. – Michael F. Price and the Price Family Foundation have pledged to make a $2.5 million donation to the University of Oklahoma Athletics Department. The announcement was made today by OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione.
This significant gift will benefit two vital aspects of the Sooner athletics program. The largest portion, $1.5 million, will be used to create the Michael F. Price Sooner Wellness System, which will help provide comprehensive support and strengthen a holistic wellness system for student-athletes, including sports performance, sports nutrition, sports medicine and psychological resources programs. Making a direct impact on student-athletes in their endeavors on the competition stage, in the classroom and in achieving optimum wellness both physically and mentally, the Michael F. Price Family Sooner Wellness System will be the transformative hub for young developing leaders.
The remaining $1 million will be added to the Michael F. Price Family Football Scholarship Fund that was established in 2001 to help offset scholarship cost for OU student-athletes who are members of the football team. With the new addition, the Michael F. Price Family Football Scholarship Fund will annually cover the expenses (tuition, fees and books) for three football student-athletes.
"The need for holistic wellness support has never been higher. As a self-sustaining athletics department, this meaningful gift is critical for us to make necessary enhancements, while achieving the level of excellence that has been established here at Oklahoma. We are abundantly grateful to Michael Price and the Price Family Foundation for their generosity and foresight in joining us in our mission of providing a world-class experience for our student-athletes."
- Joe Castiglione
"Michael Price and his family have continually played a vital role on our campus in providing opportunities and cutting-edge resources for young people and students, including those who participate in intercollegiate athletics," Castiglione said. "Michael's personal story is inspiring and relatable. We share the same vision of investing in the next generation of leaders."
Castiglione said the changing landscape of training underscores the importance of this gift.
"The need for holistic wellness support has never been higher," he explained. "As a self-sustaining athletics department, this meaningful gift is critical for us to make necessary enhancements, while achieving the level of excellence that has been established here at Oklahoma. We are abundantly grateful to Michael Price and the Price Family Foundation for their generosity and foresight in joining us in our mission of providing a world-class experience for our student-athletes."
Price grew up a Sooner football fan on Long Island in New York, which led him to Norman where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1973. During that time, he was able to experience up close the excitement of being a Sooner in the early '70s. Oklahoma was dominating the college football landscape with its remarkable wishbone offense and stifling defense. It was a period of time when a lot of fans fell in love with the program and dreamed of playing for the Sooners.
"Michael was undersized and full of toughness and passion," former OU head football coach Barry Switzer said. "He had a high IQ and we all immediately picked up on his business sense. I remember mentioning to Michael that instead of playing football he should use his unique ability and go to business school. Think we all see that worked out all right. Michael's vision and tenacity are what, I think, have made him so successful, and for him to keep helping and investing in the next generation, that is pretty special."
Price and the Price Family Foundation have continuously and generously provided opportunities to young people not only at OU, but globally.
"The University of Oklahoma holds a special place in my heart and in the hearts of my family," said Price. "I am proud to have the opportunity to strengthen scholarship support for football student-athletes and to assist in enhancing the wellness ecosystem for all OU student-athletes."
The Michael F. Price Sooner Wellness System provides comprehensive support for student-athletes, including sports performance, sports nutrition, sports medicine and psychological resources programs. If you are interested in learning more about how you can support these key areas, click here.
Additional Comments
"As the founding honorary recipient of the Michael F. Price Family Football Scholarship, I am eternally grateful for Mr. Price's generosity. The experiences I had at OU are some of my most cherished memories and Mr. Price's generosity has inspired me to also give back in meaningful ways to our alma mater. I commend Mr. Price and join in his commitment of providing educational opportunities for OU student-athletes today, tomorrow and into the future."
– Roy Williams, former OU football player
"In golf it is so important that you have a well-rounded approach to your game. For me, being able to receive care and support through the Michael F. Price Sooner Wellness System helps me be the best competitor I can be on the course and for that I am thankful."
– Kaitlin Milligan, current OU golfer
"Growing up in Tulsa, I always had a passion to play at Oklahoma. Now having the opportunity to be at Oklahoma playing the game I love and getting a world-class education is something I am so thankful for. I have been the honorary recipient of the Michael F. Price Family Football Scholarship for the past three seasons and words will never be able to describe how much his generosity has meant to me. I will never forget the impact Mr. Price has made on my life and am overjoyed two of my teammates will soon also be honorary recipients of the Michael F. Price Family Football Scholarship."
– Pat Fields, current OU football player
