Big Friendly Love
We previously profiled how the MAPS initiative, passed by voters in 1993, catapulted a struggling Oklahoma City into the 27th largest city in the United States.
A big reason why MAPS was so successful was the opportunities it created through sports.
Funds allotted in the MAPS program were pivotal in building facilities to help Oklahoma City become a legitimate home for professional sports.
Citizens passed the fourth edition of the program in 2019 by a landslide so its legacy could continue.
Seventy percent of the funds are dedicated to neighborhood and human needs including parks and athletic fields, youth centers, and a new multipurpose stadium.
With these new improvements, the Big Friendly is setting an inspiring example that other metropolitans are sure to follow.
Fields & Futures
We profile the impact of Fields & Futures every month on Power of Sports. Since its founding in 2012, Fields & Futures rebuilt 22 fields across Oklahoma City increasing participation in sports in schools across the city.
Higher participation has resulted in more athletes being motivated to stay in school.
It’s also helping them set ambitious goals off the field.
Celebrating this success, Fields & Futures hosted its annual Bowtie Ball event and invited NBA legend and Hall of Famer Bill Walton to speak about the inherent power of sports.
National Lacrosse League (NLL)
More Native Americans live in the state of Oklahoma than in any other state in America. The group represents more than 7 percent of the population across the Sooner State.
Native people are the most underrepresented group in professional sports.
But groups like Right to Play are teaming up with professional leagues like the NLL to empower Indigenous children.
With the right tools and support, these kids will break into the professional sports world and represent their culture on the playing field.
