NORMAN – University of Oklahoma alumnus Michael Wilson, who is the founder and CEO of Healthcare Highways, has made a $1 million donation to support Oklahoma men's and women's gymnastics, aiding in the $12 million expansion and renovation of the Sam Viersen Gymnastics Training Center. OU Vice President and Athletics Director Joe Castiglione made the announcement on OU Giving Day.
 
Wilson, who graduated from OU in 1979 with a degree in business administration and finance, was a five-time All-America gymnast for the Sooners and won the 1979 NCAA floor exercise title. He was also a member of the 1978 and 1979 U.S. World Cup and World Championship teams, and earned a position on the 1980 U.S. Olympic squad. Previously donating $300,000 toward the project, his most recent $1 million investment increased his total pledge to $1.3 million and is part of the University's "Lead On" capital campaign.
 
"This tremendous gift is further evidence of Michael Wilson's steadfast commitment to OU Athletics and our mission to create an environment suitable for our student-athletes to compete and thrive," said Castiglione. "In addition to his extreme generosity, Michael is a treasured alumnus with a storied history of competing at the highest level on behalf of the University of Oklahoma, so he knows what it takes to be successful. We're incredibly grateful to him for the vision he has for OU gymnastics and for his continued willingness to help advance our programs. Michael is a dear friend to us, and we are so fortunate he has chosen to support OU Athletics in this way."
 
The Lead On campaign, which will extend through 2027, has a goal of $2 billion and will impact every area of campus. The campaign is the most ambitious one in OU Athletics history and will focus on world-class facilities and a transformative student-athlete experience.
 
"Michael Wilson has been a long-time supporter of our program and his generosity will be felt by every future gymnast," said OU head women's gymnastics coach K.J. Kindler, whose team is competing at this weekend's NCAA Championships and is seeking the program's sixth national title in nine seasons. "This project is years in the making and we have done everything possible to make it the best of its kind. Michael's passion for both the men's and women's team is a testament to the loyalty our alumni feel when they leave the university. The power of his gift will be felt for generations to come. We are grateful for his continued kindness."
 
Originally opened in 1982, the Sam Viersen Center has been the home to 17 national championship teams. Over time, more dedicated team space has become an undeniable need for both the men's and women's gymnastics programs. The upgrades will create a premier facility for student-athletes to train and develop their skills.
 
"This generous contribution from Michael Wilson will bring necessary upgrades to our facility and advance the overall recruitment of the best student-athletes in gymnastics," said head men's gymnastics coach Mark Williams, who has won more national championships (nine) than any coach in OU Athletics history. "As an NCAA national champion in 1977 and '78 and Olympic alternate in 1980, Michael knows the value of hard work and the commitment to building championship teams, cultures and facilities. His gift will go a long way toward keeping Oklahoma gymnastics in the hunt for future national championships."
 
The proposed 11,700-square feet expansion and renovation will create an unmatched recruiting advantage that will allow for the continued pursuit of conference and national championships for both programs. In addition, the state-of-the-art facility will feature new team suites, recovery areas, meeting rooms and sports performance spaces.
 
Healthcare Highways is a pioneer in the creation of high-performance networks that embrace innovation and align providers, employers and individual members. 
 
To learn more about OU's "Lead On" campaign, click here. You can give today by clicking here.