OSU release by Molly Brown, Oregon State University supporters have made philanthropic commitments totaling $25 million to construct a new facility that will support 150 student-athletes in softball, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s cross country and women’s track and field. This significant investment underscores the momentum for the future of OSU Athletics, alongside the $48 million Valley Challenge for Student-Athletes, which strengthens Oregon State’s revenue-sharing opportunities.  The building initiative, funded entirely by donors to the OSU Foundation, was launched with an $11 million commitment by an anonymous donor. Ten donor households – eight with gifts of over $1 million each and two with gifts of $500,000 – completed the funding for the project.  Located near competition venues, the field sports building will include spaces for training, treatment, nutrition, film study and team connection. At present, locker rooms and training facilities for these sports are spread out across campus.  The field sports building is the latest facility project identified in the 2018 OSU Athletic Facilities Development Plan, which included the transformation of Reser Stadium (2023) as well as construction of the Gymnastics Practice Facility (2021), Kelly Field (2001), Evans Family Grandstand at Whyte Track and Field Center (2023) and the Baseball Development Center (2024).  “A strong athletics program is critical to the advancement of the entire university,” said OSU President Jayathi Murthy. “We aspire to win decisively in the new Pac-12 and beyond, and beyond, and best-in-class facilities are critical to our success. The donors to this wonderful new facility exemplify the momentum for athletics at the university, which is so important for our campus life, for our community and for the university’s visibility. I am grateful to Scott Barnes, OSU vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics, and Shawn L. Scoville, OSU Foundation president and CEO, for their leadership and to our amazingly generous donors to this project, each of whom supports so many areas across the institution, for stepping forward for OSU time and again.”  Construction of the approximately 15,000-square-foot facility will begin in July.  “The field sports building will provide a unified home that will facilitate the social, training and support networks student-athletes need to perform at their best,” said Laura Berg, OSU’s softball head coach and a three-time Olympic gold medalist. “The project demonstrates that Oregon State is committed to competing at the highest level in all our sports.”  Louie Quintana, head coach for women’s track and field and cross country, credits the Whyte Track and Field Center as an important catalyst in the program’s development, laying the groundwork for a sustained run of record-breaking performances. The recent addition of the Evans Family Grandstands has further elevated the program by creating a competitive home environment where fans can be part of the experience. “These facilities have been critical to our success,” he said. “As we continue to invest – including the field sports building – we’ll be able to attract even better talent and reach an even higher level.”  In December, donor gifts for athletics surpassed the $300 million goal in the $1.75 billion Believe It fundraising and engagement campaign. Athletics fundraising for the 2025-26 fiscal year is significantly ahead of last year as well as exceeding historical benchmarks. “I am very proud to be part of this important initiative, which will do so much for our student-athletes, including four of our women’s teams,” said Mary Power, ’90, an OSU Foundation trustee, a member of the Campaign Steering Committee and a donor to the building project, with her wife Erin Power. “It allows us to deliver on our promise to student-athletes – that they can have a best-in-class experience at Oregon State and accomplish greatness. This new team home, and the vision behind it, will make it clear that their community is passionate about their success.”  Field sports building donors making gifts of $1 million or more also include: Gretchen Heesacker Evans, ’69, and Richard B. Evans, ’69; Diane Freres, ’73; Dennis W. Fritz, ’64, M.S. ’67, and the late Margaret Fritz; Robert Grover, ’83, and Theresa Kirsch, ’85; and Brent D. Leback, ’84, and Elaine Hill Leback, ’86.  “We are grateful to the donors who responded so decisively to the opportunity presented by the lead donor,” said Shawn L. Scoville, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “This was a well-executed development plan focused on achieving a priority goal for the university. We are committed to doing all that we can to support our coaches and student-athletes so they can compete at the highest level, positioning OSU for success in the new Pac-12 conference and beyond.”