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Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023

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Tuesday, February 28, 2023

OSU Athletics

OSU’s vision plan still just a concept Aerial shot of OSU’s planned $325 million upgrades.

Ben Hutchens Staff Reporter Behind a lectern in Boone Pickens Stadium, Chad Weiberg fielded questions but didn’t offer any real answers. That’s not because the OSU athletic director was being evasive. In fact, his replies were generally thoughtful. It’s just that he didn’t have answers. Monday morning, amid much promotion,

OSU’s athletics department unveiled a $325 million vision plan. The presentation kicked off with a dramatic eight-minute video intended to get the juices flowing. Plans for a new softball stadium, football facility, and indoor track facility highlight one of the largest financial campaigns in OSU history. But once the video ended and the questions began it became clear the vision is far from reality. OSU has no timeline, priority order or lockedin donor support. As Weiberg put it, the plan is still in “conceptual stages.” Here are the elements of the plan: Softball Stadium A new softball facility partially located on the former site of Allie P. Reynolds Stadium. The

See Vision on page 3

OSU releases plans for indoor track and field facility

OSU announces plans for new softball stadium will be relied on for funding. Cowgirl softball has three consecutive WCWS appearances and has emerged as one Sam Hutchens of the nation’s top programs. The program’s Staff Reporter success has led to a stadium consistently The Cowgirl overflowing with fans. softball team will get Cowgirl Stadium, a stadium to match its OSU’s current stadium, recent success. has a capacity of 750. Oklahoma State The overflow capacity announced plans to is 1,374. It was built for build a new stadium, $2 million and opened according to a Monday in 2000. A new stadium press release. It will be would give OSU an partially located where opportunity to house Allie P. Reynolds Stamany more fans and dium stands. provide luxury tickets. It is one of 10 “Typical chair projects unveiled as back seating, tailgatpart of OSU’s Athleting corrals, and family ics Vision Plan. While friendly areas to enthere was no time frame hance the fan experiincluded in the report, ence are planned,” the OSU promises a toppress release said. tier venue to house the Coach Kenny Cowgirls. Gajewski has expressed “The new home his desire for the new of Cowgirl Softball stadium to look “like a will provide modern mini O’Brate” to match amenities suitable for a Cowboy baseball’s prepremier collegiate soft- mier O’Brate Stadium. ball program and will The plans include include championship demolishing Allie P. caliber player-develop- Reynolds Stadium. ment areas,” the press There will be more release said. space for parking when Weiberg said no OSU’s previous baseprojects have priority ball stadium is leveled. when starting construction. OSU is not willing to incur debt, so donors sports.ed@ocolly.com

new home of Cowgirl softball will provide modern amenities suitable for a premier collegiate softball program and will include championship caliber player-development areas. In addition, typical chairback seating, tailgating corrals, and family friendly areas are in place to enhance the fan experience. Following the demolition of Allie P. Reynolds Stadium, the project will also create opportunities for additional parking for on-campus residents. Human Performance Innovation Complex and Football Center In December of 2022, Oklahoma State University announced its new Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute with the goal of impacting every community in Oklahoma.

Jaiden Daughty OSU unveiled plans of updating the Pedigo-Hull Equestrian Central along with several other facility updates in its $325 million athletics vision plan.

OSU announces upgrades to the Equestrian Center

Ashton Slaughter Staff Reporter The national champion gets champion-level upgrades. According to an OSU Athletics press release, upgrades will be underway for the Pedigo-Hull Equestrian Center as part of the estimated $325 million athletics vision plan, timeline unknown. “Building off the historic 2021-22 season in which the program captured its eighth Big 12 Conference title and its first overall NCEA

national championship, several updates to Pedigo-Hull Equestrian Center are planned,” OSU Athletics said in a press release. A covered arena similar in both size and scope to the Atherton Family Arena will be added to the PedigoHull Equestrian Center. “Currently the primary practice arena, the Atherton Family Arena is a 135x270 square foot covered arena.” In 2021, a new multipurpose team building that includes a lounge with a study area and a fueling station was completed, these new upgrades will now add to Cowgirls facilities. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Adam Engel Editor-in-Chief

priority of what changes are made when. OSU’s plans for an indoor track and field facility were one of several released along with its $325 million athletics vision plan on Monday. All plans are in its “conceptual stages.” OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg called the vision a “roadmap.” “We can go from contending for national titles in cross country to contending for national titles in indoor track, cross country and outdoor track,” Smith said. No more semi-frequent trips to Arkansas — one of the closest Division I indoor tracks. The plan proposes an indoor track facility south of OSU’s outdoor track and field complex, according to a press release. McElroy Road will border the facility to the north, the Sherman E. Smith Training Center to the south, the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center to the west and North Knoblock Street to the east.

OSU pole vaulter Ariadni Adamopoulo won a Big 12 championship on Saturday. The Cowgirls beat No. 1 Texas to win its first Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships. Oh, the team doesn’t boasts its own indoor facility. On cold days, Adamopoulo and her fellow field athletes practice in an annex gym at the Colvin Recreation Center. Only team in the Big 12 without one. No official plans for one. Until now. Soon Dave Smith, OSU’s Director of Track and Field and Cross Country and his perennial power will have a home. The timeline is to be announced. The donors are also not announced. OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said donors will determine the See Track on page 2


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Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 by The O'Colly - Issuu