Designed Specifically for Harry & Jane Pefanis

DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR: HARRY & JANE PEFANIS

The Champions of Magic campaign began in its initial fundraising phase in 2017 and will continue through 2026. Since the start of the campaign, generous donors have made investments in the future of Oklahoma Athletics and our constant pursuit of excellence. Throughout the campaign, fundraising efforts 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.

Proposal for Harry & Jane Pefanis

The University of Oklahoma deeply appreciates Harry & Jane Pefanis for their continued support of the University of Oklahoma Athletics Department. Because of that support, OU Athletics is among the nation’s best with a well-established tradition of excellence. Much of that tradition has been etched into the history books right before your eyes as long-time fans and supporters of OU. As in successful businesses, championship programs emanate from years of consistent investments in programs and people, a foundation of academic excellence, continual support and leadership from a loyal community, and a fierce competitive spirit.

To build on our past success and to accommodate the needs of the future of our athletics programs, the University of Oklahoma is striving to address the challenges created by aging and limited facilities and continual increases in tuition costs. The financial impact we are experiencing now is undoubtedly great. However, we remain confident in our pursuit of and commitment to education and opportunity. The Champions of Magic Campaign specifically addresses facility projects that are currently not up to the OU Standard.

We are in constant pursuit to be “leaders of the best” in the resources provided to enhance the experience of our student-athletes. For Oklahoma to continue its position of leadership both in the Big 12 and across the country, we need additional private support.

In regards to our Champions of Magic Capital Campaign and our need to address specific facilities, the OU Athletics Department respectfully asks you to consider participating at a leadership level with one of the following philanthropic opportunities:

Capital Contribution of $2.5M – Softball & Gymnastics Foundational Gift

Foundational Gift that associates the Harry & Jane with 1 of 9 positions on the softball field and 1 of 5 rotations in the Gymnastics Training Facility.
Establishes Harry & Jane as the 1st Gymnastics Foundational donor and the 2nd Softball Foundational donor.
Prominent recognition inside each venue forever etching the Pefanis Family into both programs’ history.
Accounts for 20% of the Gymnastics Training Facility Cost & provides necessary momentum for the projects to break ground as soon as possible.
150,000 championship priority points.
Donor Rank would improve dramatically from 114 to top 10 out of approximately 11,000 donors and the Pefanis Family would be in the Legacy Sooner Club level for the life of the account.
Payable over a 5-year period.

Capital Contribution of $2M – Softball Foundational Gift & Gymnastics Major Gift

$1.25M Foundational Gift that associates Harry & Jane with 1 of 9 positions on the softball field. Prominent recognition inside the facility.
$750,000 Major Gift to the Gymnastics Training Facility project. Donor recognition available.
120,000 championship priority points.
Payable over a 5-year period.

Capital Contribution of $1.25M – Softball Foundational Gift

$1.25M Foundational Gift that associates Harry & Jane with 1 of 9 positions on the softball field. Prominent recognition inside the facility.
2nd Softball Foundational donor that would sustain positive momentum towards starting construction as soon as possible.
75,000 championship priority points.
Payable over a 5-year period.

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: $5.9 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.