|
SHARE TRUST PROVIDES $1.5 MILLION LEAD GIFT
TO REBUILD FOOTBALL, BASEBALL FACILITIES
 |
|
The proposed
new football locker room at Northwestern
Oklahoma State University includes more locker
room space, a weight training facility for the
athletics department, an expanded sports
medicine area, meeting rooms and public lobby.
A press box for the baseball stadium is
incorporated on the north side of the
facility. |
The Charles Morton Share Trust of Alva has pledged a
lead gift of $1.5 million to Northwestern Oklahoma
State University to begin the school’s “Vision for
Victory” plan of rebuilding its intercollegiate
football and baseball facilities.
The gift ties the largest gift ever given
to Northwestern, also from the Share Trust, and
represents the largest gift ever given to the
university’s athletics program.
Northwestern recently completed a plan
that calls for approximately $4 million in new
construction for the football and baseball complexes.
The plan is broken up into four projects, including the
construction of a new football locker room and athletics
weight training facility, a new press box and public use
facility at the football stadium, new permanent seating
at the baseball field, and a new indoor practice
facility to be shared by the baseball and softball
programs.
“Today is an historic day in the history
of athletics at Northwestern and the members of the
Share Trust deserve credit for having the vision and
demonstrating the leadership to transform the face of
Ranger athletics,” said Dr. Janet Cunningham, president.
“The Share Trust members have my personal gratitude and
the appreciation of the entire Northwestern family.”
Members of the Share Trust include Jim
Holder, Ray Dean Linder, Johnny Jones and Darrell Kline
of Alva and B. Michael Carroll of Oklahoma City.
“Our ability to attract the region’s top
students and athletes will be enhanced by these
facilities, which will be among the best in small
college athletics,” Cunningham said. “Players,
cheerleaders, parents and fans will want to be a part of
this athletic renaissance.”
 |
|
A two-story
press box at the NWOSU football stadium will
feature concession and retail space, along
with public restrooms on the ground floor. The
second story will include working space for
game management staff, media and a University
suite. |
Cunningham said this lead gift is a tremendous start
to the plan but also challenged Northwestern alumni
and fans to play their part in the “Vision for
Victory” plan.
“The
Share Trust gift represents a great start but now we
need other alumni and fans to step forward and support
the vision for Ranger athletics,” Cunningham said. “This
is a great opportunity for people to make the gift of a
lifetime.”
Cunningham said she hopes sufficient
gifts are received to begin construction work on initial
projects within the next six months.
Alva High School’s football teams also
will benefit from the gift as the Goldbugs use Ranger
Field for home games.
This latest gift from the Share Trust
continues its long history of support for Northwestern.
The organization also contributed $1.5 million in 1996
for the construction of the J.R. Holder Wellness Center
and is a long-time supporter of the Northwest Oklahoma
Concert Series, homecoming band activities and the
Heartland BEST robotics competition.
 |
|
A multi-sport
indoor practice facility is planned for the
NWOSU baseball stadium. It will be constructed
along the west side of the field, down the
third base line. |
 |
|
Permanent
seating is planned for the NWOSU baseball
stadium incorporating the modern sports use of
brick and iron work. |
|
