STILLWATER – The continued resurgence of the most successful program in the history of college athletics has received a foundational boost from a pair of Oklahoma State University alumni.
The new Oklahoma State University wrestling facility, which will be named after Olympic gold medalist and long-time OSU head coach John Smith, has taken another step toward reality with a leadership gift from A.J. and Susan Jacques.
"A.J. and Susan epitomize the Oklahoma State family and what it means to be loyal and true," said OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg. "They have worked hard and are incredibly generous to the things they are passionate about. We are blessed that one of those things is OSU Athletics, and Cowboy Wrestling in particular."
"This transformational gift assures that our timeline for construction of the new wrestling facility remains on track. It also assures Cowboy Wrestling will continue to be the greatest program in the history of the NCAA."
"We're thankful to A.J. and Susan for a gift that keeps our program moving in the right direction," OSU head coach David Taylor said. "We want Oklahoma State to be the premier training destination for anyone in pursuit of greatness, whether it be in folkstyle or freestyle. This facility is an important part of bringing that vision to reality."
The new facility will be located on the north side of the OSU Athletics Center and will dramatically expand and modernize the day-to-day development of OSU wrestlers and of those who are part of the Cowboy Regional Training Center. Plans call for the training center to encompass more than 16,000 square feet, including more than 10,000 feet of mat space. The complex will also have space for meeting rooms and offices as well as cardio space and weight training.
OSU Wrestling has won 34 national championships, the most by any NCAA team in any sport at any level. Five-hundred Cowboys have earned All-America honors and 148 have won individual national championships. Each of those totals are the best by any program in America. OSU Wrestling has produced 41 Olympians, who have combined to win 20 gold medals.
