University of Oklahoma Unveils New Toby Keith Tribute
The university will name a new student-athlete training facility the Toby Keith Family Performance Center.
Toby Keith’s legacy in his home state of Oklahoma will continue with the University of Oklahoma’s latest reveal.
The institution plans to name a new student-athlete training facility the Toby Keith Family Performance Center. The state-of-the-art building will be attached to Kimrey Family Stadium, home of OU baseball, following a significant philanthropic commitment from Keith’s family. Construction is expected to begin in the coming months, with completion projected for 2028.
“Naming this performance center in [Keith’s] honor is something that truly reflects his impact, and his legacy will continue to live on,” said OU Head Baseball Coach Skip Johnson in a statement. “Toby changed so many lives, and this player development facility will further change the lives of future student-athletes that step foot into the building.”
“We’re proud to support Skip, this program and these student-athletes, and to carry forward something Toby cared so deeply about,” Keith’s widow, Tricia Covel, also shared on behalf of the family. “I know he would have loved being a part of it. We’re honored to help shape this next chapter and excited to see what the future holds for Oklahoma Baseball.”
A lifelong supporter of OU and its sports teams, Keith remains a presence on campus beyond the new facility. During Sooners football home games, fans continue to sing along to his patriotic hit “Courtesy Of The Red, White and Blue” between the third and fourth quarters. The tribute began following his death in February 2024 and has since become a game-day tradition.
The performance center is the latest in a series of honors recognizing Keith’s enduring connection to Oklahoma. Earlier this year, the state legislature approved naming a new 28-mile east-west turnpike connector the Toby Keith Expressway. The measure passed both legislative chambers, with Keith’s family subsequently recognized by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. Construction on the $3 billion project is set to begin soon, with completion estimated by 2033.
Keith emerged as a country star with his 1993 debut single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” launching a massive career that produced 42 top 10 singles, 33 No. 1 hits, and more than 44 million albums sold. He was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024.
