University of Oklahoma Athletics

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The goal for The Campaign for Sooner Sports has been raised from $25 million to $100 million, OU President David L. Boren announced today

University Of Oklahoma Raises Sooner Sports Goal to $100 Million

Project is scheduled for completion in 2003.

Oct. 26, 2000

  • Captial Campaign Renderings

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  • Oklahoma President David Boren
  • Oklahoma Athletic Director Joe Castiglione

    NORMAN, Okla. - To ensure that the University of Oklahoma's athletic facilities and programs remain nationally competitive, the goal for OU's Great Expectations: The Campaign for Sooner Sports has been raised from $25 million to $100 million, OU President David L. Boren announced today. The announcement was made at a news conference on the OU Norman campus attended by Boren, Athletics Director Joe Castiglione, Chairman of the OU Board of Regents C.S. Lewis III, and several OU coaches.

    The five-year campaign, launched in 1997 with a goal of $25 million, is being expanded to a goal of $100 million with a completion date of 2003 to ensure that OU maintains its tradition of excellence in athletics.

    "As in academic programs OU intends to reach the highest possible standard of excellence in our athletic programs. Championship programs require top-flight facilities, and this drive will bring OU into the ranks of the nation's best," Boren said.

    The campaign has been supported by more than 6,000 of the university's alumni and friends. This reflects almost a 40 percent increase in the number of alumni and friends contributing to athletics in the past two years. Boren noted that more impressive campaign achievements are just ahead. Gifts to the fund-raising drive and the campaign total to date will be announced Friday.

    Gifts to the $100 million Campaign for Sooner Sports will be designated in three important categories: capital projects, endowments and annual programs. The gifts will enable the university to complete funding for major capital athletic projects, Boren said. These projects include:

  • Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Master Plan ($50 million). The plan increases seating capacity, improves overall stadium facility structures, concession stands, restrooms and other amenities, and includes construction of a new north end zone entryway. The renovated stadium also will provide the OU coaching staff with a powerful recruitment tool.

    Stadium Master Plan projects include:

  • The Barry Switzer Center ($2.7 million)
  • Football Grass Practice Fields ($1.5 million)
  • Indoor Training Facility ($3.5 million)
  • Lester Wilkonson Football Locker Room Expansion ($750,000)
  • Academic Center/Athletic Offices Expansion and Renovation ($4 million)
  • Expanded seating and additional lounge facilities on the east side of the stadium

    Other campaign projects are:

  • Lloyd Noble Center Renovation ($16.8 million) and Lloyd Noble Center Banquet Facility ($1 million)
  • Soccer Complex ($3 million)
  • Tennis Center ($1 million)
  • Softball Addition ($750,000)
  • Field House Renovation ($3 million)
  • Track and Field Complex ($3 million)
  • Housing/Dining Center for student-athletes ($1 million)
  • Gymnastics Training Center ($500,000)
  • Baseball Press Box ($500,000)

    An innovative goal of the campaign is to begin endowing the positions of the head coaches and starting positions in every athletic team, both men's and women's. The goal to endow athletic scholarships of the starters and coaches on men's and women's teams is approximately $12 million.