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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Kimrey Family Ups Baseball Support to Over $5 Million
June 22, 2022 | Baseball
NORMAN — Brian and Kim Kimrey of Bartlesville, Okla., have pledged a second gift to the University of Oklahoma baseball program, pushing their support for L. Dale Mitchell Park upgrades to over $5 million. The announcement was made today by OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione.
In February 2020, the Kimreys contributed $1.1 million toward OU's planned baseball stadium upgrades. Now their support to the ballpark has increased to $3.1 million with an extended challenge to other donors. The Kimreys will match every other donation dollar for dollar up to an additional $2 million as part of project fundraising. Once fulfilled, the match will result in a total gift of $5.1 million from the Kimrey family.
"This additional gift from the Kimrey family propels our goals for our baseball program forward," Castiglione said. "Their generosity is exceptional as these facility enhancements will create immense opportunity for our student-athletes and fans. We know the best is yet to come for Oklahoma Baseball and we have a deep appreciation for this significant contribution."
This significant gift comes at an exciting time for the Oklahoma baseball program as the Sooners are 2-0 in the 2022 Men's College World Series heading into Wednesday's semifinals contest. OU is making its 11th appearance in the Men's College World Series and first since 2010. The Sooners won national titles in 1951 and 1994.
Brian Kimrey has been a longtime baseball fan and holds many memories of coaching the youth summer teams of his two sons, Adam and Andrew. Throughout these years, Brian saw firsthand the development that can take place on the field with the right opportunities. As his sons' careers came to an end, his love for Sooner Baseball grew deeper.
"Supporting Oklahoma Baseball was an easy decision for our family – the way our student-athletes and coaches represent the University of Oklahoma makes us proud to be Sooners," said Brian Kimrey. "Improvements to our facility are paramount for the team to have every opportunity to succeed and we hope others will join us by investing in the baseball stadium project."
Enhancements to the baseball facility will dramatically impact the student-athlete facilities and the overall fan experience. This project will transform the look of the ballpark from both the interior bowl and the exterior of the stadium. New locker rooms, training areas, coaches' offices and team meeting areas combined with multiple seating concepts, terraced berms and additional awnings and concourses will provide a first-class facility for fans and student-athletes.
In addition, a new state-of-the-art performance and player development center will be added. A new entry to the team facility will include a Champions Lobby, displaying the success and tradition of the Oklahoma baseball program.
OU head baseball coach Skip Johnson expressed his gratitude and excitement for what this gift means to the future of his program.
"Our philosophy within our program is you have to first carve your name on a student-athlete's heart before you can carve it in marble," said Johnson. "Brian and Kim have etched their names in the hearts of our team and shared in our belief that Oklahoma Baseball can be a perennial winner on the national stage."
Once the $2 million matching gift has been realized, total contributions to the Oklahoma Baseball Stadium Project will exceed $10 million, with total project cost estimates around $30 million.
Individuals interested in giving to the project and participating in the Kimrey Family Matching Gift Challenge should contact the Sooner Club at 405-325-8000 or visit TheSoonerClub.com/baseball.
In February 2020, the Kimreys contributed $1.1 million toward OU's planned baseball stadium upgrades. Now their support to the ballpark has increased to $3.1 million with an extended challenge to other donors. The Kimreys will match every other donation dollar for dollar up to an additional $2 million as part of project fundraising. Once fulfilled, the match will result in a total gift of $5.1 million from the Kimrey family.
"This additional gift from the Kimrey family propels our goals for our baseball program forward," Castiglione said. "Their generosity is exceptional as these facility enhancements will create immense opportunity for our student-athletes and fans. We know the best is yet to come for Oklahoma Baseball and we have a deep appreciation for this significant contribution."
This significant gift comes at an exciting time for the Oklahoma baseball program as the Sooners are 2-0 in the 2022 Men's College World Series heading into Wednesday's semifinals contest. OU is making its 11th appearance in the Men's College World Series and first since 2010. The Sooners won national titles in 1951 and 1994.
Brian Kimrey has been a longtime baseball fan and holds many memories of coaching the youth summer teams of his two sons, Adam and Andrew. Throughout these years, Brian saw firsthand the development that can take place on the field with the right opportunities. As his sons' careers came to an end, his love for Sooner Baseball grew deeper.
"Supporting Oklahoma Baseball was an easy decision for our family – the way our student-athletes and coaches represent the University of Oklahoma makes us proud to be Sooners," said Brian Kimrey. "Improvements to our facility are paramount for the team to have every opportunity to succeed and we hope others will join us by investing in the baseball stadium project."
Enhancements to the baseball facility will dramatically impact the student-athlete facilities and the overall fan experience. This project will transform the look of the ballpark from both the interior bowl and the exterior of the stadium. New locker rooms, training areas, coaches' offices and team meeting areas combined with multiple seating concepts, terraced berms and additional awnings and concourses will provide a first-class facility for fans and student-athletes.
In addition, a new state-of-the-art performance and player development center will be added. A new entry to the team facility will include a Champions Lobby, displaying the success and tradition of the Oklahoma baseball program.
OU head baseball coach Skip Johnson expressed his gratitude and excitement for what this gift means to the future of his program.
"Our philosophy within our program is you have to first carve your name on a student-athlete's heart before you can carve it in marble," said Johnson. "Brian and Kim have etched their names in the hearts of our team and shared in our belief that Oklahoma Baseball can be a perennial winner on the national stage."
Once the $2 million matching gift has been realized, total contributions to the Oklahoma Baseball Stadium Project will exceed $10 million, with total project cost estimates around $30 million.
Individuals interested in giving to the project and participating in the Kimrey Family Matching Gift Challenge should contact the Sooner Club at 405-325-8000 or visit TheSoonerClub.com/baseball.
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