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OU Board of Regents approved changes to the Sooner baseball park and the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

Baseball park name change approval

The OU Board of Regents decided to accept the recommendation to rename the OU baseball park to "Kimrey Family Stadium."

“We’re incredibly excited to take this next step for Oklahoma Baseball," OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said. "This project is vital to our future as we compete in the SEC, the nation’s premier league for baseball. None of this would be possible without the support of the Board of Regents, President (Joseph) Harroz (Jr.) and our generous donors, especially the Kimrey family."

OU football seating update

OU Board of regents approved an updated look for the renovations on the west side of the stadium, including 47 suites, 64 loge boxes, roughly 4,000 new club seats and more improved fan amenities The project is being funded entirely from athletics funds and private donations, and construction is expected to begin following the 2027 season.

"When (fans) look at this project, hopefully, what they see is an enterprise that isn't sitting still, that is disciplined, that is thoughtful about what today and tomorrow will likely look like," Harroz said.

Agenda context

OU Board of Regents will consider renaming of L. Dale Mitchell Park and parts of the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

The meeting will be held Tuesday at 9 a.m. at OU’s Health Campus in Oklahoma City. The meeting was previously scheduled for the OU Norman Campus.

L. Dale Mitchell Park renaming

OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. will recommend renaming L. Dale Mitchell Park to "Kimrey Family Stadium" at the meeting.

The Kimrey family has contributed financially to the OU baseball program since 2018 when it made its first donation of $250,000. The Kimrey family has since expanded its support of OU athletics to over $25 million, including baseball and football. The Kimreys currently have $15 million dedicated to baseball to support the construction of a new clubhouse, premium seating enhancements and a modern performance center.

The baseball stadium has been named L. Dale Mitchell Park since 1979, and the change will go into effect in 2026 if enacted. 

OU football tunnel name change

Harroz will also recommend naming the OU tunnel at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium the "McCartney Family Tunnel of Champions" in honor of financial contributions.

Jonathon and Shannon McCartney, OU Price College of Business alums, donated $250,000 to support the athletics director's discretionary fund in December. They also have given an additional $1.25 million to the Inspiring Champions Fund.

The change would go into effect in fall 2025 if enacted.

Extending Valero's naming rights

Harroz will also propose a two-year extension of the south end zone premium areas at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium being called "Valero Champions Club, Valero Loge Boxes and Valero Suites” to honor Valero Energy Corporation’s financial contributions.

Valero contributed $1 million to OU athletics in June 2021 and $3.8 million in April. Valero has also given an additional $1.5 million, making its support $6.3 million.

Valero’s support has gone toward the Inspiring Champions Fund, the "Lead On, University" Fund and the S.O.U.L. Mission.

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