We’re Ready!

Jan 28, 2021

Fields & Futures 2021 We're Ready Blog Post Feature Image of the new U.S. Grant Softball Field

When Oklahoma City Public Schools students return to campus and a more normalized school experience in February, they will see carefully maintained athletic facilities, ready and waiting for them to once again suit up for play. That day can’t get here fast enough.

And in south Oklahoma City, U.S.Grant Generals will see a beautiful new artificial turf softball field, as part of the Lopez Foods Sports Complex at U.S. Grant High School.

Thanks to OKCPS Athletics, Cimarron Construction, United Turf and Track, Wes Welker Foundation, multiple other build partners, and YOU, we were able to turn 2020 lemons into lemonade, at least where field construction and maintenance was concerned – a small silver lining in an otherwise distressing year.

The work continued. The stage is now set.

While students find their school/life balance again, we are more committed than ever to provide a renewed sense of hope and promise for the normalcy, structure, and resources they need and crave.

With 59 construction projects now completed at 17 campuses across the district, OKCPS athletic fields are in great shape and ready for play. But we’re not done yet!

With a few field projects still to go, and our continued push to complete funding on a $10,000,000 field maintenance fund, we hope you’ll stay with us and help send a strong message to OKCPS students, letting them know we’re ready when they are!

Game, Set, Impact: A Q&A With Our New Development Director, Emmy Hufnagel

Emmy Hufnagel is an avid tennis player, former triathlete, and the newest addition to the Fields & Futures team. As our Development Director, Emmy brings a wealth of experience in youth sports advocacy and nonprofit leadership. Having seen firsthand the impact of sports on young lives, Emmy is dedicated to helping us take the next big step—from building fields to filling them with kids.

Meet Cody Laurendi, Fields & Futures’ New Director of Soccer

Cody Laurendi is a former OKC Energy FC goalkeeper and the newest member of the Fields & Futures team. As Director of Soccer & Youth Sports Advocate, Cody has shifted his focus from playing the game to growing it. With his passion for the game and vision for increasing youth participation in Oklahoma City, Cody is a key player in helping us keep our goal of creating more opportunities on and off the pitch.

What Drives Capitol Hill and U.S. Grant Football?

U.S. Grant and Capitol Hill may be rivals, but their football programs have more in common than their annual "Southside Bedlam" rivalry game. From 2014-2020, the OSSAA allowed both programs to play as independents so they could create their own schedules and rebuild their programs. Now playing in Class 6A, neither team has found success in district play, but they also know the scoreboard isn't the only standard of success.

Fields & Futures