University of Oklahoma Athletics
Valero Helping OU Advance Student-athlete Care
September 27, 2021 | Athletics
NORMAN, Okla. – As part of the $1 million gift announced last month, Valero and the Valero Energy Foundation (VEF) have also partnered with the University of Oklahoma (OU) Athletics Department to advance holistic care for student-athletes.
A portion of the $1 million gift will amplify the resources provided to nearly 600 student-athletes via the Inspiring Champions Fund, which supports a variety of key areas impacting the complete student-athlete experience, including nutritional, medical and psychological care throughout the year.
As OU continues advancing comprehensive care for student-athletes, this gift is another marked improvement for the department in its pursuit to privately fund all student-athlete resources within the next five years. The VEF's generous donation is the largest gift to the Inspiring Champions Fund since its inception in 2018.
"We continue to seek opportunities to elevate the comprehensive care we provide for our student-athletes," said Castiglione. "However, these goals are only possible by locking arms with those who share an ambitious vision for the future. We truly are 'Advancing Excellence' with Valero's commitment and are extremely grateful for their partnership in ensuring each student-athlete has the best resources needed to excel as a Sooner."
"We truly are 'Advancing Excellence' with Valero's commitment and are extremely grateful for their partnership in ensuring each student-athlete has the best resources needed to excel as a Sooner."
Joe Castiglione
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, additional OU programming was created to meet the realities many student-athletes faced at home or on campus. Areas of focus included destigmatizing mental health disruptions to promote in-house counseling services, championing the academic pursuits of first-generation student-athletes and elevating the department's support for diversity and inclusion initiatives. As another year of Sooner Athletics has returned to Norman, Valero's gift ensures these important initiatives will continue for years to come.
"When student-athletes come to Oklahoma, our promise to them and to their families is that we will prepare them to become champions for life," said OU head women's gymnastics coach K.J. Kindler. "As we all know, various challenges are often presented along life's journey, which makes the resources provided by Inspiring Champions Fund so critical for all of us. Valero's gift allows us to meet those challenges head on and to properly care for all of our student-athletes."
True to its values, Valero is driven to make a difference in the communities in which it operates, seeking opportunities to be a good neighbor and improve quality of life. In 2020, more than $58 million was distributed among Valero's four pillars of giving: basic needs, health care, education and civic initiatives.
About the Inspiring Champions Fund
Established in 2018, the Inspiring Champions Fund provides the resources necessary for championship excellence. If you are interested in learning more about how you can support these key areas, more information can be found here.
