Whyte T&F Center Takes Another Step Forward
CORVALLIS, Ore. – First impressions are often the most important, and sometimes only, opportunity to put one’s best foot forward. Seemingly unassuming and inconsequential meetings mold viewpoints, shape ideas and determine the course of long-lasting relationships.
In the case of the Oregon State track and field program, the Beavers have consistently taken this notion to heart. Their open and inviting culture has paid dividends – most recently in the form of Andre Auskaps, whose $220,000 donation to the Whyte Track & Field Center is the latest sizeable gift towards the completion of its construction. His contribution will fully fund the warm-up, staging and javelin practice areas.
A 1974 graduate of Oregon State, the current Monroe, Ore. resident recently moved back to the valley in November 2012 after spending 20 years in Bend. An active volunteer with the Summit High School track and field squad as well as the numerous running and cycling events held in central Oregon, Andre was connected with the Beaver track and field team by former OSU greats Steve Banton and Dave Turnbull, both coaches at Summit.
“Those two recommended to Andre that when he moved over here, he should ask about volunteering,” Oregon State head coach Kelly Sullivan said. “Last spring we hosted our first track meets in 25 years. We had two to run; we didn’t have equipment, stands or anything and needed too much of everything. He was one of about 80 people who literally came out of the woodwork and said we want to help with no idea of anything more than the value of aiding us in putting these two meets on, which was enough.”
His first interaction with the program came last March 23, when he assisted in the shot put at the first home track and field meet for the Beavers since 1988. A month later Andre again stepped forward to lend a hand with the set up needed for the OSU High Performance on April 26, 2013.
“We worked him silly for six hours,” Sullivan joked of that second encounter. “Our first moments together were about as innocent, blue collar and roll-up-your-sleeves as they could be.”
Despite the innocence, Andre’s continued interactions with the Beaver coaching staff, its student-athletes, parents and alums at their historic meets helped build his excitement for what could be accomplished. He learned more about the needs and plans for the continued expansion of the new facility and was greatly influenced by the team’s infectious energy and enthusiasm
In what has truly been a grassroots effort built upon relationships, friendships and word-of-mouth, more than 350 donors, including Andre, have each contributed some amount, both small and large, to this project since it was announced in late 2007.
“I met Kelly, his assistants and the team at their first track meet in 2013 when I volunteered out of the blue and was very impressed with their energy and caring for athletes from all institutions,” Andre said. “I loved the vision and how this was a project being bolstered by everyday folks who cared about OSU and remembered what it meant to them.”
Following that OSU High Performance Meet on April 26, emails were exchanged, phone calls swapped and meals shared to solidify a bond which has reconnected Andre with his alma mater. More accustomed to the high school level and unaware of the financial needs for such a project, the alumnus initially was considering a smaller gift. It only took a short conversation with a member of the OSU Foundation to change his mind and decide to fully fund a portion of the next step of the facility’s construction.
Andre’s gift puts Oregon State well on its way to fulfilling the matching $2 million donation it received in early 2014. His philanthropic works aren’t limited to OSU, however, as he is also part of a matching fundraiser at Summit High School with Turnbull.
“At our first meet last year he was able to help officiate the shot put with alumna Kam Johnson, the school record holder in that event, who came all the way from The Dalles area,” Sullivan said. “To see the passion our alums have by all coming back, it really provides a ripple effect. This is touching so many lives that you cannot simply state it’s a facility for the track and field program. The effect it has had on alums, the young women in our program, the community and the volunteers and officials who love to work these meets is astounding.”
It is that sense of community that has Andre aiming to make a difference and expand the fabric of goodwill.
“This is an incredibly motivating program that will make a positive difference in the lives of these students and perhaps they will find themselves paying it forward later in their careers as well,” Andre said of this project. “To fully appreciate their dedication and caring you need to attend a meet, or better yet, volunteer. This group of young women is truly incredible.”
“Once people meet the young women in our program, if you’re not impressed by them, you’re not going to be impressed by anyone,” Sullivan added. “The gift Andre has given is just a mind-boggling amount. Ultimately, the impact is to evolve this program and be able to recruit the best, not only in Oregon and the Northwest, but around the country and internationally.”
On a personal level, Andre has taken his recent experiences with OSU a step further. He attended Oregon State’s first-ever officials clinic in late February, earned his USATF certification and has since officiated more collegiate track meets in the area, including the Linfield Icebreaker.
The Whyte Track & Field Center opened in September 2012 following a lead contribution from Jim and Luana Whyte. The scope of the initial project included an International Association of Athletics Federation certified Olympic-caliber polyurethane surface, FieldTurf infield, nine-lane track, dual high jump aprons, long jump, triple jump runways, pole vault and javelin runways, shot put throw sectors and discus rings.
Phase II, for which fundraising is ongoing and which Andre’s gift will help support, consists of a larger portion of the infrastructure needed to host a meet. Those items which will be constructed first as part of this phase include areas for hammer throw competitions, javelin practice, sprint starts, hurdle practice, staging and warm-up, as well as additional lighting and a distance plaza where coaches can gather during races.
Grandstands with concessions and a heritage wall honoring past OSU track and field greats, a press box, seating for viewing in the shot put competition area, berms on the west end to buffer the wind and an entry plaza to welcome visitors are also slated to be completed as part of Phase II.
In early 2014, Oregon State Athletics received a $2 million challenge gift in support of the second phase of the Whyte Track & Field Center, one which propelled the project forward and will allow the facility to be completed if others donate to fulfill the match.
Those wishing to support this exciting initiative with a tax-deductible gift of any size should contact Doug Oxsen at 541-737-7486 or doug.oxsen@oregonstate.edu. Any further questions in regards to the second phase of the facility can be directed to Kelly Sullivan at kelly.sullivan@oregonstate.edu.
