STILLWATER -- The home course of Oklahoma State’s nationally prominent men’s and women’s cross-country programs has a new name: The Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course. 

 

The course will be named after Don and Shellie Greiner, as well as Don’s father Ken, who have pledged a significant gift to Oklahoma State Athletics.

 

The name change becomes official following approval by the OSU Board of Regents. 

 

The Greiner family has allocated funds to the course itself, with additional resources directed to counseling services for student-athletes. Additionally, more funding has been pledged by the estate of Don and Shellie Greiner. 

 

“Our family has a long history with running sports and the Oklahoma State cross country course, dating back to my dad’s all-state days at Stillwater High in the 1950s,” said Don Greiner. “This gift combines that heritage, our love for Oklahoma State, our passion for running sports, and, of special importance to my wife Shellie and me, funds the student athlete counseling program, supporting and sustaining the entire student athlete - body, mind and spirit.”

 

Along with the naming rights, Oklahoma State has pledged to host, in partnership with the Simon Greiner Track and Field Program, high school track programs to help showcase both the world-class course and the prep programs. 

 

OSU coaches will also host coaching clinics, focusing on supporting the effort to get more kids involved in the sport of running in Oklahoma City. 

 

“This is a great day for the Oklahoma State cross country programs and for cross country and track and field in Oklahoma,” said Dave Smith, OSU’s director of track and field and cross country. “I am extremely grateful and humbled by the generosity of the Greiner Family and their commitment to our cross-country programs and to the continued development of the best cross-country course in the world. Even more so, we are excited to work with the Simon Greiner Track and Field Program to elevate the sports of track and field and cross country in Oklahoma City and around the state of Oklahoma. 

 

“The impact that the program has already had in providing opportunities to young track and field student athletes across Oklahoma City is inspirational. We cannot wait to be involved.” 

 

The state-of-the-art course underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2019 and is recognized as one of the elite courses in the country. It hosted the 2020 NCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships and the 2019 NCAA midwest regional. The course will also be the site of the 2021 Big 12 Championships and 2022 NCAA national championship races. 

 

“The Greiners are a great Oklahoma State family with a long history of supporting OSU Athletics,” said Chad Weiberg, OSU’s Director of Athletics. “They have an equally long history of involvement in the running community here in the state. We are honored and proud to be able to recognize the Greiners’ support for the health of young people and OSU Athletics by naming our beautiful cross-country course the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course.” 

 

* (pronounced: griner)