Boone Pickens donates $165 million to OSU athletics
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
STILLWATER, OK – Oklahoma State University officials announced today that legendary
oilman Boone Pickens has donated $165 million to be used to fund one of the nation’s
most comprehensive collegiate athletic complexes during the next five to 10 years.
Pickens’ gift is the largest single donation for athletics to an institution
of higher education in U.S. history.
“My passion for OSU has only intensified over the years as I recognize the link between
my education and my success,” said Pickens, 77. “I believe that developing teams that
are competitive in all sports requires the best facilities possible. Developing those
facilities will help move the university into a new era, both in athletics and academics.
Athletics have proven to be a significant contributor in the academic success of an
institution, both from a fundraising and a performance perspective.”
A key element of long-term success, Pickens said, is a broader base of alumni financial
support for OSU. “We are in a new era and I want to see all alums be a part of it,”
he said.
Pickens earned a degree in geology from OSU in 1951. He went on to found Mesa
Petroleum, which he grew into one of the nation’s largest independent oil and gas
firms in his four decades of leadership there. He left the company in 1996 to found
BP Capital, an energy investment firm that has consistently ranked as one of the most
successful hedge funds in the U.S.
Pickens’ gift will help build the west end zone at Boone Pickens Stadium, a multi-purpose
indoor practice complex, new soccer, track and tennis facilities, a new equestrian
center, a new baseball stadium and new outdoor practice fields.
OSU System CEO and President David Schmidly says the gift is an important complement
to the school’s strategic plan, “Achieving Greatness,” that calls for the spending
of about $500 million on various academic, student life and related initiatives.
“This is a truly remarkable gift,” said Schmidly. “Mr. Pickens’ $165 million donation
to our athletic program is a critical component of our three-pronged approach to developing
a top-tier university. Athletics, academics, and student life must all fit together
to build a competitive institution.
“We’re pleased with Boone’s confidence in the leadership of the athletic program
and the university, and that he believes so strongly in the overall direction of our
institution.”
Pickens has been a generous supporter of OSU athletics and academics, having
previously contributed and pledged more than $100 million. In recognition of his academic
and athletic gifts, the OSU School of Geology and the university’s football stadium
are named in his honor.
Pickens is rapidly earning status as one of America’s greatest philanthropists.
His non-profit gifts in 2005, including his latest OSU contribution, total about $230
million. Of that, OSU giving in 2005 was $190 million. Other major recipients of his
giving include the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina disaster relief, the Ronald
Reagan Presidential Library Foundation, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children,
the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
“Boone is a winner with a vision and high expectations,” OSU Athletic Director
Mike Holder said. “It’s now up to us to deliver. His gifts are an inspiration to all
Cowboy followers. It is imperative that all Cowboy alumni contribute at a greater
level than ever before, and we are dedicating ourselves to making that happen.”
“This is indeed a historic day for Oklahoma State,” said OSU Board of Regents
Chairman Burns Hargis. “On behalf of OSU and the OSU Board of Regents we want to
say thank you to Mr. Pickens for his indescribable generosity and commitment to OSU.
His example the past few years has inspired others to support OSU’s academic and athletic
initiatives.”
Big 12 Conference Commissioner Kevin Weiberg said, “We congratulate Oklahoma
State and commend the leadership of the university and athletic department for this
historic announcement today. The Big 12 Conference enjoys celebrating success whenever
one of our member institutions achieves a significant goal. We are pleased a Big
12 institution is the recipient of the largest single gift ever given to an NCAA collegiate
athletic program. Big 12 institutions are fortunate to have committed donors who
generously support their programs. You cannot be a championship program on a consistent
basis without solid financial support. Oklahoma State is blessed to have a donor
like Boone Pickens who is willing to invest at an extraordinary level.”
“I cannot say enough about how much we as coaches appreciate Mr. Pickens’ generous
support of OSU’s total athletic program,” commented OSU soccer’s coach Karen Hancock.
“This gift means a lot to me personally because it will enable us to build the championship
soccer facilities to support our student athletes. On behalf of the coaches, we say
thank you, Mr. Pickens, and we hope this unprecedented gift will lead to more OSU
supporters giving to academic and athletic programs.”
OSU’s athletic projects
The total cost of the proposed OSU athletic facilities is currently projected to be about $300 million, which includes architectural fees and land acquisition. Those projects, their estimated costs and proposed timelines, include:
· New outdoor practice fields; $6 million; completed by 2007.
· Closing in of the west end zone at Boone Pickens Stadium; $120 million; completed by 2008.
· A new equestrian center; $4 million; completed by 2008.
· Construction of a multi-purpose indoor practice complex; $50 million; completed by 2009.
· A new soccer/track complex; $30 million; completed by 2009.
· New tennis facilities; $15 million; completed by 2009.
· A new baseball stadium; $30 million; completed by 2011.