The University of Oklahoma's new indoor performance center at Kimrey Family Stadium will bear the name of the late country music star Toby Keith, the OU Board of Regents approved Tuesday, Sept. 15.

The Toby Keith Family Performance Center is part of a $49 million renovation and expansion of the Sooners' baseball stadium. A philanthropic commitment from the Norman-based Covel family made the naming possible, OU Athletics announced. The university did not disclose the gift's dollar amount.

OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Roger Denny said Keith and his family had been longtime supporters of the baseball program.

"Every player who walks through those doors will be reminded of Toby's heart for Oklahoma," Denny said in a statement.

Tricia Covel, speaking on behalf of the family, said Keith would have loved seeing the Sooners win the 2026 College World Series (CWS) title. She called the naming personal.

"Toby loved Oklahoma and he loved being a Sooner, so I know how much this would have meant to him," Covel said.

Head coach Skip Johnson referenced the Covel family's presence in Omaha during OU's championship run in June. He said seeing the family throughout the CWS was one of the most impactful moments he experienced and that Keith "would have been right there with us on the field celebrating after the title."

Keith, a native Oklahoman known for hits including "Should've Been a Cowboy" and "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," died Feb. 5, 2024, at age 62 after a battle with stomach cancer, the Associated Press reported.

The performance center will house player development, training and sports performance resources. Construction falls under Project 2 of the stadium overhaul, scheduled to begin in fall 2026. Student-athlete areas, including the performance center, are expected to be complete by spring 2028.

Project 1, finished before the 2026 season, upgraded the outfield wall, batter's eye, bullpens and spectator areas beyond the outfield fence. Project 2 will also add new concessions, restrooms and a fan plaza.

No state funds or student tuition will subsidize the project, according to OU Athletics.

The stadium carries the name of Brian and Kim Kimrey of Bartlesville, who in July 2024 pledged $20 million to OU's baseball and football programs. OU Athletics called it the largest single commitment in the department's history at the time, bringing the Kimreys' total support to $25.1 million.

The Sooners won their third Division I baseball national championship on June 22, beating North Carolina 13-2 in Game 3 of the CWS. It was OU's first title since 1994.

The 2027 College World Series is scheduled for June 18-28 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.