Designed Specifically for Michael and Dana Birkes

DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR: michael & dana birkes

First, I want to say thank you for all that you continue to do to support the University of Oklahoma and our nearly 600 student-athletes. This past year has been challenging but through support from families like yours, we are able to pursue championships across all of our programs. I have included some information below about our upcoming Champions of Magic campaign. This campaign will be geared towards: facility projects / improvements, student-athlete scholarships and planned giving. Every component of the campaign is strategically aligned to enhance the student-athlete experience today and position Oklahoma Athletics for future excellence.

campaign goals

Double our Scholarship Endowment
Scholarship Endowment donors leave their legacy by investing in a principal gift that will perpetuate over time. Donors can participate in the OU Athletics’ Scholarship Endowment program by adding to the OU Athletics’ General Scholarship Fund, creating a sport specific scholarship or by fully endowing a scholarship. Our scholarship costs have increased by over 450% since 2000 making scholarship endowments vitally important to help underwrite these costs of tuition, room and board and books for OU student–athletes.

Enhance our Athletic Facilities
Our athletic facilities have a deep impact on the total student-athlete and fan experience and there is a growing need to once again transform our facilities. With no student fees or general university funds, each facility project is funded through private support. When committing to a facility project gift, donors have various opportunities to leave a meaningful legacy with OU Athletics via naming opportunities recognizing their generous support. Facility contributions significantly change the future of OU Athletics.

Grow our Planned Giving Program
Planned giving is the ultimate way to leave a legacy with OU Athletics and make an impact on our student-athletes for generations to come. Planned gifts strengthen OU Athletics by allowing us to fiscally plan for the future through an accurate accounting of future gifts. Planned gifts can be designated for specific use such as facilities and scholarships or for general athletic department operations. Plan a gift to OU Athletics when planning a will, drawing up estate plans or declaring beneficiaries on insurance policies.

scholarship endowments

Establishing endowments to underwrite the costs of tuition, room, board, books, academic support, and other student services for the athletes in every OU sport is a vital Athletics Department priority. Such expenses are not options; they come off the top of each year’s budget – and they continue to rise. Full scholarship support is the only way our programs can compete for the best and brightest student-athletes.

When fully implemented, the Scholarship Endowment program will provide a perpetual source of funding for athletics scholarships, freeing department funds to meet the myriad other needs of a major athletic program – from technology and facilities to coaches and support staff.

oklahoma softball complex

The current OU Softball Complex, with a seating capacity of 1,378 has been stretched to its limit in recent years. The OU Softball Program featured 18 sellouts in 2018 and sold out all 19 home games in 2019. On May 26, 2018, aided by the addition of temporary bleachers, a record crowd of 1,927 watched the Sooners defeat Arkansas to clinch a Women’s College World Series berth. Due to this high level of interest, a new softball facility has been approved with a proposed location on the high-visibility, northwest corner of South Jenkins Avenue and Imhoff Road. The new facility will address the seating capacity issue by expanding to 3,000 seats and will enhance fan amenities such as concession stands, restrooms and parking. Team facilities including an indoor practice facility, locker room, and training room will provide our student-athletes with a world-class experience.

•   Seating capacity for approximately 3,000 fans; doubling the current capacity.
•   New concession stands and restrooms to enhance the fan experience.
•   OU Softball championship display.
•   10,000 square-foot indoor practice facility, doubling the current facility.
•   Several team spaces including a training room, locker room and classroom.
•   Access to existing parking in the immediate vicinity.

Total project costs: $25 million

AMOUNT RAISED TO DATE: $6.8 MILLION

oklahoma gymnastics project

Originally opened in 1982, The Sam Viersen Center has been the home to sixteen National Championship teams. Over time, more dedicated team space has become an undeniable need for both the men’s and women’s gymnastics programs. Addressing this need will create a world-class facility for our student-athletes to train and develop their skills. The proposed expansion and renovation will create an unmatched recruiting advantage that will allow for the continued pursuit of conference and national championships that both programs have become known for.

•   11,700 gross square feet of new construction.
•   New entry lobby for the facility.
•   New team suites consisting of a locker room and team lounge.
•   New sports medicine suite for athlete training, exam and recovery.
•   New sports performance space for plyometrics and strength training.
•   New Team Meeting Room and support facilities.
•   Corridor system to move between all spaces without impacting training activities.