Since its inception in 2012, Fields & Futures has been a catalyst for transformation in Oklahoma City Public Schools. Founders Liz and Tim McLaughlin envisioned a future where every Oklahoma City Public Schools student has access to safe, high-quality athletic fields and opportunities to play team sports.
The goal will always be to put more kids on more teams and a better path to graduation. With 12 years and 70 completed projects behind us, we have laid the groundwork for lasting change. Now, it’s time to shift our focus from building fields to building programs that give student-athletes, coaches, and teams from elementary to high school the opportunities and support they deserve.
This shift is supported by a dynamic new leadership team focused on collaborating with community partners such as the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Police Athletic League, and OKCPS Athletics to create free sport-specific programs, clinics, and team experiences. By creating a clear pathway for OKCPS students to participate in sports for free from elementary school through high school, we are equipping OKCPS athletes and coaches to thrive both on and off the field.
Proven Results and New Opportunities
For more than a decade, Fields & Futures has seen firsthand how sports can transform lives and entire communities. The stories we’ve helped write are powerful, authentic, and universal. But the data reveals even greater opportunities to amplify our impact.
Increased sports participation drives higher graduation rates, opens doors to higher education, and contributes millions to the local economy. Each field built, program launched, and team supported is not just an investment in a single athlete—it’s an investment in the future of Oklahoma City.
By creating more access and opportunities for student-athletes, the return on impact is exponential.
Setting the Foundation for Future Impact
At Fields & Futures, we believe every child deserves the chance to play, grow, and thrive, and we understand the transformative power of sports in achieving this goal. Unfortunately, sports participation is not equitable for all children. Financial obstacles, resource limitations, and access to quality athletic facilities deter too many children right here in Oklahoma City from ever stepping onto a field.
Since 2012, we have helped transform the landscape of OKCPS with 70 completed projects on 17 school campuses. These projects include:
- 15 Soccer/Football Fields
- 13 Futsal Courts
- 10 Baseball Fields
- 11 Softball Fields
- 9 Asphalt Tracks
- 5 Basketball Courts
- 3 Tennis Courts
- 2 Putting Greens
- 2 Practice Fields
Each field, court, and track is more than just a place to play a sport. They are the foundation for programs and partnerships that provide stability for students, support for coaches, and resources for athletic departments.
Creating Access and Opportunities Through Programming
Our has always been about more than just building fields; it’s about building stronger students, teams, and communities. Since 2021, we have introduced 40 new programs, camps, clinics, and student-athlete experiences designed to support the development of players and coaches across OKCPS.
From free sports clinics to team trips, our programs are designed in close collaboration with OKCPS Athletics and our community partners to ensure every athlete receives the development, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed. We also host free coaches’ clinics to provide coaches with ongoing education, information, and peer support so they can lead their teams effectively and confidently.
Higher Graduation Rates for Student-Athletes
Sports participation has a proven track record of positively influencing academic success. Up to 98% of high school student-athletes graduate on time, exceeding the district’s average of 70% for non-athletes.
Being part of a team teaches students valuable life skills such as discipline, perseverance, and teamwork—skills that directly translate to academic success. In a district where many students face significant challenges, the structure and mentorship of athletics play a critical role in keeping them on track to graduate.
Opening Doors to Higher Education
The connection between sports participation and educational opportunities is undeniable. Since Fall 2022, nearly 800 OKCPS student-athletes have enrolled in Oklahoma’s Promise. This state-funded program allows students who meet certain income, academic, and conduct requirements to earn tuition scholarships for higher education.
Oklahoma’s Promise is a game-changer for families in underserved communities where the financial barrier to college is often insurmountable. By leveling the playing field, Fields & Futures ensures that student-athletes aren’t just dreaming about college; they’re making it a reality. Even when an athletic scholarship is not attainable, student-athletes consistently exhibit the drive and resourcefulness to find other avenues to reach their goal.
Economies of Skill
The power of sports extends far beyond the field. When more students participate in sports, the entire community benefits. Research shows that a 1% increase in OKCPS sports participation would generate a $7 million lifetime economic impact on the community.
Kids who join sports teams are likelier to stay in school, pursue higher education, and become economically productive adults. This impact touches every part of Oklahoma City—whether through increased local spending, job creation, or the long-term benefits of an active, healthy population.
Each athlete who steps onto a field becomes part of a broader cycle of positive growth. More students playing sports means a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.
More Kids, More Teams, More Momentum
Over the past 12 years, we’ve seen how a landscape transformation can transform lives. Field construction has laid the groundwork for meaningful change, but we’re entering a new era of impact. This future focuses on collaboration and teamwork to develop programs that ensure athletes and coaches have all the opportunities and support they need to play, grow, and thrive.
Let’s put more kids on more teams and keep the momentum going!