NORMAN — Brian and Kim Kimrey of Bartlesville, Okla., have pledged a historic $20 million gift to the University of Oklahoma baseball and football programs, OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione announced Monday. The Kimreys’ $20 million pledge marks the largest single commitment in OU Athletics history and brings their total support to $25.1 million.

The latest donation, $10 million each to baseball and football, marks the third gift pledged to OU’s baseball program by the Kimrey family, pushing their support for baseball stadium upgrades to over $15 million. Their major gift to the football program will support future Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium enhancements.

The Kimreys’ most recent gift introduces a new “Road to Omaha” campaign for OU Baseball supporters — a $10 million gift challenge to all fans that, if met, will help ensure the program continues to recruit the nation’s best and to fuel OU’s road back to the Men’s College World Series in Omaha. Each supporter’s contribution is crucial to successfully reaching this challenge goal. Overall, to date, $25 million has been raised for the baseball stadium project.

In February 2020, the Kimreys contributed their first major gift of $1.1 million toward OU’s planned baseball stadium upgrades before upping their support to $5.1 million with a $4 million gift in 2022 that included a gift challenge for others: to participate. The historic run to the 2022 World Series and the support of other Sooner Club members successfully unlocked the $4 million gift.

“We cannot exhaust our gratitude to Brian and Kim for their consistent faith in and support of OU Athletics,” said Castiglione. “This gift demonstrates their selflessness, yes, but it also illustrates the importance of investing in people and programs, a foundational tenant of how we’ve been able to sustain success across our department. The size of this gift is undoubtedly significant, and we’re thrilled for what it means for the future of OU Baseball and the possibilities it presents for potential future football facility projects.

“The Kimrey’s generosity isn’t limited to what they’ve given monetarily to OU; they have a deep generosity of spirit which has resonated immensely with our student-athletes and staff. We’re ever so grateful for their belief in what we are building for OU Baseball and their trust that we will steward their resources well.”

The Kimrey’s generosity isn’t limited to what they’ve given monetarily to OU; they have a deep generosity of spirit which has resonated immensely with our student-athletes and staff.

The eight-figure gift is the fifth in OU Athletics history and the fourth since the start of the university’s “Lead On” campaign. Since the campaign began in 2019, Sooner Club members have generously committed 39 donations of $1 million or more each (out of 76 such gifts in OU Athletics history).

“Our family has a profound belief in the action Oklahoma Athletics is taking to develop these young men on and off the field,” said Brian Kimrey. “We have great admiration for the values, hard work and commitment both Skip Johnson and Brent Venables are instilling in their programs. As the SEC embodies an elite level of competition, we are devoted to the success of our student-athletes and know the future is bright. Our passion for OU is deeply felt throughout our family, and we are honored to be able to provide these vital and necessary resources.”