Friday, February 19, 2021
Spring Sports Preview Issue
what’s inside
Building O’Brate
Joshua Cleary
Mike Holder almost thought it wouldn’t happen, but O’Brate turned into something special.
Cecil O’Brate committed to donate $30 million toward OSU baseball’s dream home.
far off the radar that hardly anybody knew of him. Not even Mike Holder, who makes it his business to know anyone who may qualify as an OSU athletics donor.
did just that. Holder made the 5 1/2 hour drive to O’Brate’s hidden oasis: Garden City, Kansas. When he arrived, one There’s not really a way thing was evident: this was no to prepare yourself for that, easy task at hand, confirmed Ryan Breeden but something that had been by the Kansas State license just a concept for so long – a “That’s just who I am,” plate on the front of O’Brate’s Josh Holliday reclined in much-needed stadium upgrade O’Brate said. car. Though he attended OSU a chair in his Stillwater livto match the Cowboys’ rich from 1946-48, O’Brate left to ing room, watching a little TV tradition – now trended toward If there’s one thing Holder pursue business opportunities. with his wife Jenny on a Dereality. prides himself on, it’s manag- Also his grandchildren atcember evening in 2016. ing money and fundraising. So tended K-State, explaining the The Cowboys were getwhen a friend made a comlicense plate. Suddenly, the sounds ting that stadium, and the ment about a wealthy “farmer” from the TV were overpowdonor’s name was destined to in Kansas who is generous and “If we don’t accomplish ered by the ringtone blaring be written all over it. has ties to OSU, Holder deanything else here,” Holder from Holliday’s cell phone. He cided to reach out. told O’Brate, “you’re going to answered the call from athSelling Cecil acknowledge the fact that you letic director Mike Holder, and On a whim, Holder called went to OSU and be proud of what he heard from his boss In his 92 years on earth, O’Brate and proposed meeting that.” would change everything. Cecil O’Brate has done two in person. things masterfully: Eventually, it was time to “Mr. O’Brate is in. He’s “You went to Oklahoma hit O’Brate with the $20 milgonna build us that baseball 1. Become an influential State, and we’ve never met,” lion dollar question. Holder stadium.” CEO in the oil and gas indus- Holder told O’Brate in that approached it in a good newstry and a wealthy philanthroinitial conversation. “We need bad news type of way. Josh recalled chuckling pist. to do something about that.” out of utter disbelief. With some prodding from Holder, 2. Keep the first thing so A year later, in 2015, they Continued on pg. 2 & 3
Sports | 5a
Sports | 6a
news | 4b
lifestyle | 6b
i came here for a reason
retirement can wait
that’s a lot of damage
snow day bucket list
Carrie Eberle seeks to accomplish her singular goal.
A different type of spring: soccer ramps up with everything on the line.
Fallen ceilings, frozen pipes, fire alarms, oh my!
Favorite activities to make your snow day sepcial.
Virtual Career Fairs at OSU
Virtual Career Fairs at OSU The Virtual Career Fairs at OSU are the ideal place to learn about job opportunities, meet industry professionals, and practice your networking skills. The fairs are free and open to all OSU students and Alumni.