See more of Oklahoma State Athletics on Facebook. Cecil O’Brate, former Oklahoma A&M student, was the main benefactor in building the new stadium for on the best college baseball programs in the country with his investment in … STILLWATER — It’s officially a presidential affair for Oklahoma State’s grand opening of O’Brate Stadium.Former President George W. Bush will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the first baseball game is played in the new stadium Friday, March 20, the university announced.Bush’s first pitch is set for 5:49 p.m. The stadium is the heart of what can only be described as a new Cowboy baseball complex. Similarly to his boyhood, O'Brate was often too busy working to attend sporting events. Read more ›. It was there that he learned what it meant to work hard and how to contribute to household expenses, all before turning 17 years old. His grandfather asked for help farming 3,000 acres his landlord had offered him, and O'Brate elected to return to Kansas. Oklahoma State Cowboy Baseball. “The design is fabulous,” OSU coach Josh Holliday told PFB. or. Pages Liked by This Page. Despite starting at was then Oklahoma A&M 70 years earlier, Cecil O’Brate had never attended a Cowboy baseball game before that June 2016 trip to Omaha, Nebraska. Oklahoma State Cross Country and Track. While Oklahoma State's new baseball stadium is still more than a year away from opening in 2020, the Cowboys now have a name for their new home: O'Brate Stadium. A former intern with The Oklahoman, Ruiz graduated from Oklahoma State in May of 2017 and also had internships with the Reno Gazette-Journal,... 70 years after exit, O’Brate returns to OSU as donor behind baseball stadium, OKC-County Health launches coronavirus vaccine scheduling website, Oklahoma weather closings: Schools, churches, other services. A former intern with The Oklahoman, Ruiz graduated from Oklahoma State in May of 2017 and also had internships with the Reno Gazette-Journal,... The Oklahoma State baseball team has been in the new O’Brate Stadium for about two weeks now after March’s cancellations put off the park’s opening day to the 2021 season. Holder's expansive praise was far more than O'Brate offered himself in a conversation with reporters Thursday, answering questions with a witty brevity befitting a man who can shine in but avoids the spotlight. Not Now. The organization has provided more than $2.5 million in college scholarships to about 400 students below the poverty level or in the foster care system. The complex, which is set to open in 2020, is named after Cecil O’Brate, who gave $35 million toward the project. But by all accounts, the new stadium has been worth the wait. He has spent the past six decades in Garden City, Kansas, investing more than $55 million into the community. Log In. He expects to have the same feelings when O'Brate Stadium opens in 2020. During a 2018 news conference in Stillwater, OSU athletic director Mike Holder (left) is pictured with Cecil O’Brate (center) and Cowboy baseball coach Josh Holliday. Oklahoma State Women's Tennis. “I couldn't hardly afford to eat when I was in school, so I took a little too much.”. “They said that's what they were going to do,” O'Brate said, “so I didn't argue with them.”. Cecil O’Brate has only been to one Oklahoma State baseball game, but in 2020 he will be going to a lot more. Driven by a $35 million gift from Cecil O’Brate, the construction of Oklahoma State’s $60 million baseball stadium should be completed before the start of … The home field of the Oklahoma State University Cowboys college baseball team, it is named after Cecil O'Brate. Former President George W. Bush was scheduled to throw out the first pitch. He tried to visit the building this week, but it was demolished in January. Although the stadium was nameless for months, the secret was revealed in October as Cecil O’Brate – a businessman and former Oklahoma State student in … It was scheduled to host its first game on March 20, 2020 against TCU. He spent his senior year of high school in Syracuse, Kansas, a small town about 75 miles north of the Oklahoma panhandle where he farmed while living with his grandparents. STILLWATER — Oklahoma State baseball will open O’Brate Stadium on March 20, 2020, for the Cowboys’ Big 12 Conference opener against TCU. Thursday, OSU announced its new baseball stadium, set to open in 2020, will be named O'Brate Stadium. It was announced by OSU on Thursday that the first-class diamond and the ballpark that will house it will bear the name of Cecil O’Brate, who gave $35 million towards the cause. STILLWATER –Cecil O'Brate grew up in Enid and moved as a senior in high school to his grandparents farm in Kansas, but he came back to his native state for college to Oklahoma A&M … STILLWATER -- Oklahoma State baseball will open O'Brate Stadium on March 20, 2020, for the Cowboys' Big 12 Conference opener against TCU. Holliday, seated to O'Brate's left, laughed at many of his remarks. On the sideline at OSU's football game last month at Kansas, Holder asked O'Brate what he did for fun when he has time amid his busy schedule. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Oklahoma State’s ambitious $60 million dollar baseball stadium officially has a name. OSU’s stadium will be called: “O’Brate Stadium.” Forgot account? A gift of $35 million from donor Cecil O’Brate was the driving force in a $60 million ballpark construction at Oklahoma State. [PHOTO COURTESY BRUCE WATERFIELD, OSU ATHLETICS]. A native of Reno, Nevada, Nathan Ruiz joined The Oklahoman in 2018 as an Oklahoma State beat writer. Oklahoma State announced Thursday that the university’s new baseball stadium, under construction at Washington and McElroy in Stillwater, will be named for Cecil O’Brate, an alumnus who donated $35 million of the $75 million needed for the project. “You can't quite see the end of the world from there, but just about.”. [Courtney Bay/OSU Athletics] Oklahoma State baseball coaches and players line up for the national anthem during an opening ceremony for O'Brate Stadium on Aug. 14. The new stadium is named for benefactor Cecil O'Brate. George W. Bush Celebrates Grand Opening of Oklahoma State's Cecil O'Brate Stadium March 6, 2020 by OSU Athletics STILLWATER – President George W. Bush will throw the ceremonial first pitch to headline the grand opening celebration of Oklahoma State’s Cecil O’Brate Stadium in advance of the Cowboys’ game against TCU on March 20. Despite starting at was then-Oklahoma A&M 70 years earlier, Cecil O'Brate had never attended a Cowboy baseball game before that June 2016 trip to Omaha, Nebraska. Holder first approached O'Brate in 2015, wanting him to know the university valued him. In time, O'Brate became compelled to make the long-sought donation for the baseball stadium. Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder, center, convinced O'Brate to donate $35 million to give baseball coach Josh Holliday's program a new stadium. “You have dreams, but for them to become a reality is a whole other experience, and that's what it feels like, to see a dream come true.”. “I knew what it was to be poor and I just knew that I … O'Brate Stadium is named in honor of Cecil O'Brate, the major benefactor for the new home of Cowboy Baseball. George W. Bush to help celebrate grand opening of Oklahoma State’s Cecil O’Brate Stadium Monday, March 9, 2020 President George W. Bush will throw the ceremonial first pitch to headline the grand opening celebration of Oklahoma State’s Cecil O’Brate Stadium in advance of the Cowboys’ game against TCU on March 20. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. “It has a little to do with baseball skills but a lot to do with leadership and life and how to be successful. COURTNEY BAY/OSU Athletics He lived with Frances in a trailer house his second year in Stillwater, which turned out to be his last. As Holder, Oklahoma State’s athletic director, spoke of his vision for Cowboy baseball’s future, O’Brate, of Garden City, Kan., smiled and pleasantly nodded, adding an occasional comment or jovial laugh. A native of Reno, Nevada, Nathan Ruiz joined The Oklahoman in 2018 as an Oklahoma State beat writer. Cecil O’Brate was born and raised on a farm in Enid, Oklahoma during the Great Depression. O'Brate Stadium is named in honor of Cecil O'Brate, the major benefactor for the new home of Cowboy Baseball. Oklahoma State University‘s upcoming ballpark has a name, as it will be known as O’Brate Stadium.. Story Links STILLWATER — Oklahoma State baseball will open O'Brate Stadium on March 20, 2020, for the Cowboys' Big 12 Conference opener against TCU. Log in or subscribe to read and leave comments. In his year there, he met his future wife — he and Frances celebrated their 71st anniversary in September — developed a love for farming and saved money to go to Oklahoma A&M, where he studied structural engineering. “I like to come to these games,” O'Brate told him, “because I never got to do it when I was younger.”. Capacity can be expanded up to 8,000 as needed. O'Brate Stadium features 3,500 permanent seats. An operations center that houses a sports medicine area, additional training space and a baseball-specific laundry center and equipment room. Baseball March 06, 2020 George W. Bush Celebrates Grand Opening of Oklahoma State’s Cecil O’Brate Stadium STILLWATER – President George W. Bush will throw the ceremonial first pitch to headline the grand opening celebration of Oklahoma State's Cecil O'BrateStadium in advance of the Cowboys' game against TCU on March 20. “He values education even though he didn't finish,” OSU athletic director Mike Holder said, sitting to O'Brate's right in a Gallagher-Iba Arena conference room. In addition to being the CEO of American Warrior, Inc., O'Brate founded The O'Brate Foundation with Frances in 2013. Cecil believes in that.”. O’Brate Stadium, named for principle donor Cecil O’Brate, is not just a new gameday home for the program. ... Named after major benefactor Cecil … “For Cecil to care about us and give us this opportunity to create a once-in-a-lifetime environment for our players, it's an amazing opportunity,” Holliday said. Born and raised in Enid, O'Brate worked as a newspaper delivery boy, grocery store stocker, butcher, gas station attendant and used car salesman, all before he turned 17. President George W. Bush will throw the ceremonial first pitch to headline the grand opening celebration of Oklahoma State’s Cecil O’Brate Stadium in … There, he began a career that included farming, banking, oil and various entrepreneurial endeavors. During his first year in Stillwater, he lived in Cordell Hall. “I tell everyone everyday that Josh Holliday teaches one of the best classes on campus,” Holder said. The complex, which is set to open in 2020, is named after Cecil O’Brate… O’Brate’s gift to the OSU baseball program speaks loudly. ... Named after major benefactor Cecil O’Brate… video platform powered by CBS Sports Digital. Frances O'Brate, middle, cuts a ribbon inside O'Brate Stadium next to her husband, Cecil, and OSU coach Josh Holliday, right. He wanted to meet the man who would make his dreams come true. “He's passionate about young people because he knows what's possible. Holliday sees great symbolism in the future ballpark's name, O'Brate Stadium's initials pairing with the interlocking O and S the Cowboys wear on their caps. O'Brate Stadium is a baseball park planned to open in Stillwater, Oklahoma. STILLWATER — During a College World Series rain delay three summers ago, Oklahoma State baseball coach Josh Holliday made his way into the stands of TD Ameritrade Park. O'Brate, an 89-year-old entrepreneur who attended the university from 1946-48, donated $35 million of the $60 million OSU needed for the ballpark. He worked in a bowling alley, where the backroom was “hotter than hell.” He got a job in an on-campus ice cream shop, one that has since gone to “Never-Never Land.” He was permitted a scoop or two now and then. Oklahoma State’s new home for baseball now has a name — O’Brate Stadium. ... “The stadium will be a physical manifestation of Oklahoma State University’s commitment to excellence in baseball,” said Athletic Director Mike Holder. Create New Account. In 2⃣ 0⃣ 2⃣ 0⃣ Cecil O'Brate made it happen. (STILLWATER, Oklahoma / October 18, 2018) – The under-construction home of Oklahoma State baseball has its name – O’Brate Stadium. Commenting on NewsOK requires a NewsOK Pro or Oklahoman subscription. Seventy years after he left the university to farm with his grandfather in Kansas, he was involved in an announcement that meant he will be a part of the Oklahoma State baseball program for years … O'Brate Stadium, which is set to open for the start of Big 12 play on March 20 against TCU, is named after Cecil O'Brate, a former Oklahoma State student that attended from 1946-48. The name of the new stadium becomes official on approval by the OSU Board of Regents. He's the manifestation of the American dream.”. The complex, which is under construction, will be named after Enid native Cecil O'Brate, who … He was born in Enid and attended Oklahoma State (Oklahoma A&M) from 1946-48 and went on to become a successful entrepreneur. The O’Brate Foundation recognizes that the future is in the hands of today’s youth.We strive to improve opportunities of success for Kansas youth (ages 17-25) who have been in foster care or who have limited resources through our Scholarships and Immediate Needs Assistance Program. Seventy years after he left the university to farm with his grandfather in Kansas, he was involved in an announcement that meant he will be a part of the program for years to come. Cecil O'Brate, left, went to Oklahoma A&M from 1946-48. COURTNEY BAY/OSU Athletics A gift of $35 million from donor Cecil O’Brate was the driving force in a $60 million ballpark construction at Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State is gearing up for its final season at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium, but anticipating is building for O'Brate Stadium--its new home opening in 2020. The Cowboys' first 14 home games of 2020 will be played at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium, beginning with a weekend series against UT Rio Grande Valley opening on Feb. 21 and concluding March 15 with the finale of a three-game series with Fresno State. That meeting led to a visit to Boone Pickens' ranch, where the two benefactors bonded, and several trips to Stillwater. Any talk of what's to come at McElroy and Washington in Stillwater brings a smile to his face. A 7,400-square-foot locker room and player lounge, as well as a nutrition center and a tiered-seating classroom. “It has been an uphill struggle, but eventually if you do it right, you might make it.”. 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