Batson Family Pledges $1 Million to Softball Project

NORMAN – Philanthropists Robyn and Mike Batson, longtime supporters of the University of Oklahoma and OU Athletics, have pledged a $1 million gift to the Oklahoma softball program. The announcement was made today by OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione.

As a reflection of the Batson family's passion for OU softball, this significant gift will go directly toward the building of Love's Field, the new 3,000-seat home of the Sooners' softball program that is expected to break ground this year and open for the 2024 season.

The Batson family has long been instrumental in building the Oklahoma softball program, as Robyn's father, Robert Earl Young, was among the first supporters of the softball team in 2000. His gift at the start of the century helped build the team's first locker room and served as a foundation for the two-plus decades of excellence the program has since experienced.

Robyn Batson's stepmother and Young's wife, Linda, was known to aid with planting flowers and tending to the landscape around the new locker room in the early 2000s. A successful business owner herself, Linda has committed $200,000 to the new stadium project.

"We are so grateful to Robyn and Mike for their generous commitment to OU softball yet again," said Castiglione. "When one thinks of Oklahoma softball, what immediately comes to mind are the national championships, the relentless effort of our players and the incredible leadership from Coach Patty Gasso. However, I also think of the pivotal and early support, when fewer were following, that helped establish OU softball as we know it today. It is people like Robert Earl, Linda, Robyn, Mike and the Young family, who believed in how special this program could be – even before all the trophies. To have their unwavering support all these years truly means so much to OU and our department. We are extremely grateful."

Gasso echoed her extreme appreciation for the Batson and Young families and their generosity.

"As a young coach, there are certain things you look for to bring you peace and confidence early in your career, and for me it was seeing Robert in the stands supporting our team. This gift is meaningful to OU softball, but especially for me, as their support continues to be a reminder of their investment years ago and what it did to shape the future of our program."
- Patty Gasso

Robyn went on to work with her father at 1st Bank & Trust in Broken Bow, Okla., where she recently retired as the bank's chairperson, president and CEO. Today, the Batsons' passions have centered around supporting community initiatives within Broken Bow and re-investing in the future of OU's softball program.

"It was an easy choice to give to this program," said Robyn Batson. "To follow up on what Dad started was a no-brainer for us. We like to give to a lot of things, but this softball program is special and it's easy to be proud of. To be able to do this a little over 20 years after my father cut that ribbon for the current locker room is special, and I really feel that, of course, we want to remember him, but I am really doing what he taught me."

Love's Field will be the new home to the five-time national champion Oklahoma softball team. It will include a 10,500-square-foot indoor training center, nearly doubling the current training area, and will feature space to highlight the rich tradition of OU softball, including the program's national championships, All-Americans and other outstanding, unprecedented accomplishments.

The new facility will be constructed at the northwest corner of the South Jenkins Avenue and Imhoff Road intersection, approximately one-half mile south of the current Marita Hynes Field. It will accommodate seating for 3,000 and is being designed to allow for expansion. The current stadium has a seating capacity of 1,378, and temporary seating is added annually to increase the capacity to approximately 1,520. To date, nearly $28 million has been raised for the project.

"You look at the young women coming out of it, and we really enjoy their sportsmanship. Of course, the games are fun, but I want those young women to go out into our world and give, volunteer and lead our world to goodness," said Robyn Batson.

Supporting OU softball is truly a family tradition for the Batson and Young families. All told, the lineage of support from the families has totaled $1.2 million for Love's Field.

"When you think about where this program started and the opportunity we now have to see a crowd of thousands each game, you think to yourself, 'Wow, this is a special place,'" said Linda Young. "When you can make an impact on a young person's life – that's what it's all about. Whatever you can give makes a difference."

Those interested in giving to the Love's Field project should contact the Sooner Club at (405) 325-8000 or visit TheSoonerClub.com/softball.

For updates and more information on Oklahoma softball, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Softball) and like Oklahoma Softball on Facebook.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Batson Family Pledges $1 Million to Softball Project

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors