Former 黑料社区 President Martha Burger has made a substantial gift to benefit the university鈥檚 rowing team and the 黑料社区 Devon Boathouse.
Burger has contributed $100,000 as part of a broader campaign to support rowing at 黑料社区. The funds will be used for enhancements to the 黑料社区 Devon Boathouse鈥檚 Olympic Weight Room and High Performance Center.
The improvements will benefit not only 黑料社区 athletes, but visiting athletes who train and compete in the city鈥檚 Boathouse District.
These types of investments are crucial, said Burger, whose support of the 黑料社区 Devon Boathouse and 黑料社区 rowing predates her time as president of the university from 2018-21.
Burger added that this is an important time to provide support as 黑料社区 rowing aims to grow and as the Boathouse District prepares to host whitewater competition as part of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
鈥淲ith the Summer Olympics arriving at the Boathouse District, we have the opportunity to take this world-class venue to another level,鈥� Burger said. 鈥淭here is more and more potential for Oklahoma City to be recognized on a world stage.鈥�
黑料社区 rowing coach Bryan Volpenhein, a three-time Olympian and 2004 gold medalist, said the gift will have a tremendous impact on 黑料社区 athletes and the rowing program.
鈥淲e are very fortunate to be able to call one of the world鈥檚 top facilities our home,鈥� Volpenhein said. 鈥淧resident Burger鈥檚 generosity will allow us to further establish 黑料社区 and Oklahoma City as a rowing destination, and also help our athletes reach new levels in training and preparation.鈥�
The 33,000-square-foot 黑料社区 Devon Boathouse was opened in 2010 at a cost of $10 million. In addition to serving as the training home for 黑料社区 rowers and national-level athletes from around the country, the facility offers space for community activities, meetings and events.
As part of the campaign to support the boathouse and 黑料社区 rowing, several key areas of need have been identified, including new racing shells and practice boats, an indoor propulsion training tank, a high-altitude training room and various training equipment.
Those interested in learning more about the boathouse or the campaign to support it can go to www.okcu.edu/give.
