OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 25, 2021) – More than $2 million worth of improvements to Oklahoma Christian athletic facilities – fueled by gifts from 332 alumni donors – were made during the 2021 calendar year or currently are in progress, according to OC Athletic Director David Lynn.

The improvements have positively affected the majority of the teams in the athletic department, including the university's track and field, cross country, soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball, softball and swimming programs.

Lynn credited the work of OC's Advancement office in helping raise the funds for athletic projects. A primary reason for the fundraising success, Lynn said, is the addition of Luis Lopez – a former OC student-athlete and assistant men's basketball coach – to the Advancement office staff.

"We appreciate everyone who's given toward projects in our athletic department," Lynn said. "We appreciate them sharing in our vision about what OC athletics can become. The impact they have made, and continue to make, has been enormous. We've got a lot of excitement and momentum going on here and we are looking forward to the future as we continue to try and improve our facilities."

Lopez said he's been "amazed" to witness the generosity of donors "when it comes to providing a first-class experience for our student-athletes here at OC.

"As an institution, we are looking to attract the most talented student-athletes from around the country," Lopez said. "We have made great strides with making improvements at every athletic facility this past year. We will build on this momentum and continue to position our student-athletes to reach their fullest potential both on their respective playing field and in the classroom."

Among the projects either completed or underway:

Ray Vaughn Track: Construction is nearly complete on a new iteration of Ray Vaughn Track on the northwest corner of the OC campus. The $800,000 project will OC's track and field teams a facility that will allow the Eagles to practice on campus and even host small meets with two or three teams. Three couples each gave sizable gifts to the project and OC track and field alumni contributed more than $165,000 in a little more than two months. In addition to a six-lane, all-weather track, field-event areas also have been upgraded. The refurbished facility also will include restrooms, improved bleachers and restoration of a building built by Vaughn – OC's first athletic director and track coach – in the 1960s.

OC track and field and cross country coach Wade Miller: "Our new track facility has been such a blessing for our program! The excitement to use our new track has been building and building since the fundraising campaign started last spring and we are looking forward to the first day that our team will be able to work together in one place. Our new track will provide a higher level of connectivity and energy amongst our athletes now that they will see each other more frequently and have a team-wide shared experience. We will also have much more time to work with our athletes as they will no longer have to commute somewhere else on a daily basis for training and we won't have to work around schedules of other schools and teams when planning practice. We hope to be able to host a small meet or two and create opportunities to connect a bit more to the campus and community at large. We are so very grateful to everyone who worked on the fundraising committee and to those who gave so generously to provide such a great opportunity to our program!"

OC Soccer Complex: A new building adjacent to the Eagle Soccer Field opened this fall, giving OC's soccer teams their own locker rooms for the first time and the programs a base of operations just feet from where they play. The 2,700-square-foot building includes locker rooms for both OC teams, offices for coaches, storage areas, laundry facilities for both teams, a ticketing area, a concession area and public restrooms for those who attend OC home games. A lead gift by a former OC men's player and two significant gifts by other donors provided much of the project's $650,000 cost.

OC men's soccer coach Mitchell Sowerby: "We are incredibly grateful for the donations we have received throughout the year, specifically the money donated to go towards our new locker room. Providing this environment for our players gives them a safe space to grow as a team and dramatically enhances the student experience for our players. Not only this, but it also will be helpful in recruitment as we look to compete on a national scale."

OC women's soccer coach Evan Dresel: "The new locker rooms and coaches' offices at the soccer field have been a great sanctuary for our players to spend time together. Besides providing a place to dress out and prepare, it has also given us a place to have team chapels and fellowship. Thank you to everyone that made this building and other updates to our field possible!"

Dobson Field turf and scoreboard: OC's baseball team will be play on an artificial-turf infield at Dobson Field and enjoy a new scoreboard during the 2022 season. Fundraising for the turf installation project was announced in July and donors contributed $305,000. Work on the project – which also includes a new paint job around the facility – began last month. Arvest Bank also is the sponsor of a new $140,000 digital scoreboard, which will replace the one used at the baseball field since the university resumed playing the sport in 2008.

OC baseball coach Lonny Cobble: "From the turf infield to the new scoreboard and the exterior fencing, the upgrades going on at OC baseball facilities are very exciting. This will just add to the great facility we have here at OC. Oklahoma Christian takes athletics very seriously and these improvements just back that up. We appreciate everyone that has made this possible, from the donors to the workers to the people that have helped raise the funds. It's just another great example of teamwork here at OC." 

Payne Athletic Center scorer's table/chairs: Donors contributed $45,000 for the installation of a new LED scorers' table just before the start of the 2021-22 basketball season as well as for new chairs to be used by players and game workers, which should arrive early in 2022. The chairs currently used in the Eagles' Nest are more than 20 years old.

OC women's basketball coach Stephanie Findley: "I don't know what we would do without our donors. Their support helps us give our student-athletes a top-flight experience. Most recently, donors have helped us replace the scorers' tables in the gym with electronic media boards, which enhance the total game experience for fans and athletes alike. These boards will allow us to better promote each athlete and program, not to mention help us keep pace with our competitors in game and recruiting experiences."

OC men's basketball coach Kendre Talley: "The gifts that we have received over the past years have impacted our program tremendously. We recently renovated our whole locker room with new lockers, floors and wall art. It is a special place that our players value and gives a high-class feel. We have recently updated our main court with new wood and paint for our players. We have also been able to purchase new scorers tables and game day chairs. Both of these additions help our game-day environment and also are a huge recruiting tool. I am thankful for our support from our loyal supporters. Even during the pandemic they have still provided and supported us when we needed them the most. Because of them we can travel comfortably, eat nice meals and overall provide a great experience for our student athletes. Our Eagle family is truly a blessing!" 

OC volleyball coach Jason Skoch: Athletics, even at a fundamental level, can become pricey. Travel costs seem to always increase. We were blessed to make the playoffs and that extended our season another week, and we were on the road for 5 days. That is 20-plus people in hotels for 4 nights and 3 meals/day. These donations allow us to enjoy the rewards of post-season while we stay in different hotels and enjoy wonderful food from all over. I am excited to report that we are purchasing an in-ground volleyball standard (pole) system with money donated to the program. These poles will make set-up/tear-down significantly easier for the team. Storage will be easier as well. The hydraulic net system we have is heavy and takes up substantial space when not being used. Further, the NCAA will not allow a school to host playoff games without an in-ground system. This may be a lofty goal so early on, but we are using these funds to help make sure we are prepared when the team reaches its new expectations."

Lawson Softball Complex fence padding: Black padding has been added to the outfield fences, adding a measure of protection for fielders who might run into the wall while trying to track down fly balls or line drives. A sharp-looking "Eagles" logo was included on the section of the wall padding directly beneath the scoreboard. The scoreboard itself also has been updated, with two fading logos – original to the scoreboard, which was installed before the 2014 season – replaced with large new OC and NCAA logos. Donors contributed $34,000 toward the improvements.

OC softball coach Shalee Rodriguez: "We are more than thankful for the support from all of our donors, family and friends who gave to make Tom Heath Field even better than before. The outfield wall is now fully padded, which not only looks outstanding, but also brings safety to our own outfielders and also those who play on our field. The two new logos on the scoreboard help enhance the look of the stadium behind the outfield wall. These updates make the Lawson Softball Complex compete with any Division II complex in the country." 

Swimming pool starting blocks/lane lines: OC raised $27,000 for the installation of six new starting blocks and the painting of new lane lines in the pool inside the Payne Athletic Center. The current blocks are more than 20 years old."

OC swimming coach Josh Davis: "We so appreciate everyone who gave so that we can improve our swim facility! These new blocks will allow our student-athletes to continue to train at the highest level possible. We've gotten really fast and we want to take our team to the next level."

The Barn strength and conditioning equipment: The Barn, also known as the Dave Smith Athletic Center, now serves as a workout facility for OC athletes. The university recently added six new squat-rack stations and six new dumbbell stations, thanks to $20,000 in donations.

OC Athletic Director David Lynn: "As more and more of our athletes are training throughout the school year, we needed more equipment to allow them to use their time efficiently."