There is a movement gathering steam in Oklahoma City, one that has the power to change young lives and instill new pride in neighborhoods.
I’ve seen it first hand.
It’s called Fields and Futures.
This is what it looked like a week ago when hundreds of proud parents and students turned out to christen Webster Middle School’s new football field.. named after Webster alum and OU now Tampa Bay star Gerald McCoy.
That’s not all the girls have a new softball field, the boys a new baseball field, and former students told me their only regret was that it was all done after they left.
Tim McLaughlin, a wealthy local businessman and his wife Liz hopped on a bus tour of some of Oklahoma City public schools.. a tour sponsored by a former school mate.. NFL All Pro pass catcher Wes Welker.
Welker had caught a vision for helping the young athletes of the Oklahoma City public school system.. by helping to renovate their rundown sports fields.
Once Tim McLaughlin had seen the hard packed worn out lots some Middle schoolers were playing on, he knew he had to help.
So far the organization they formed, Fields and Futures has rebuilt 6 fields at 2 schools, and they’re planning on 44 fields in all.
The goal is to get more students involved in sports and other related activities.. from what I’ve seen it’s working.. and the numbers don’t lie.
At the first school students participating in athletics has jumped by 35 percent.