McCasland Foundation Pledges Major Gift to OU Athletics

[OUBeliever56A]

McCasland Foundation Pledges Major Gift to OU Athletics
https://soonersports.com/news/2022/3/23 ... etics.aspx

NORMAN – The McCasland Foundation has pledged $1.75 million to support Oklahoma Athletics and the shared mission of providing a world-class experience for its nearly 600 student-athletes. The announcement was made Wednesday by OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione.

The gift will significantly support facility renovations to McCasland Field House, with $1.25 million pledged to the project. The remaining $500,000 of the gift will be directed to the construction of the OU softball program's new home, Love's Field.

"The McCasland Family and The McCasland Foundation have been intertwined with the University of Oklahoma for decades because of the generosity, support and commitment they have shown in providing opportunities to young people," said Castiglione. "Together, we have accomplished great things – championships have been won, lives have been positively impacted and leaders have grown and developed here in Oklahoma."

McCasland Field House is home to the Oklahoma men's gymnastics, volleyball and wrestling programs. These programs have combined for 52 NCAA Championships appearances, 19 NCAA team titles and 119 NCAA individual championships. The gift will go toward updating the field house lobby, team locker rooms, coaching offices and training areas.

"McCasland Field House has such rich history and those who pass through the distinct wooden doors feel it right away," added Castiglione. "This unique intersection of honoring and celebrating the past while continuing to move forward in supporting our elite-level programs that call McCasland Field House home is extremely important and we are incredibly thankful to the McCasland Foundation and the McCasland Family for joining us in this mission."

T. Howard McCasland established the McCasland Foundation in 1950 under the philosophy of granting money as giving back to the community the opportunities and generosity received. As part of this legacy and philosophy, The McCasland Foundation has a long philanthropic history with the University of Oklahoma. Including previous gifts that allowed for the renovation of McCasland Field House in 2005, the foundation has given more than $11 million to the University of Oklahoma since 1970. Its generosity has impacted numerous areas across the university, including The Pride of Oklahoma and University Bands, Gallogly College of Engineering, Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy, the Michael F. Price College of Business and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

While a student-athlete at Oklahoma in 1915, T.H. McCasland was awarded the Letzeiser Medal for outstanding achievement as a scholar. A member of the 1915 football team, he was also captain and center on the 1915-16 basketball team. "The University of Oklahoma has provided our family life-changing opportunities," said Barbara Braught, executive director of the McCasland Foundation. "We believe in the tremendous impact Oklahoma can have on young people's lives. We are passionate about supporting OU student-athletes, and when Joe Castiglione shared his vision, we were thrilled to be able to support these strategic initiatives."

[AustinTXSooner]

I was wondering if the pool was still there. I finally found one article that acknowledged the existence of the pool, but said that it had long since disappeared. I know it was there in the early 80's.