KUDOS OF THE MONTH: Vince Westbrook
WALT BEASLEY, The University of Tulsa
A decade ago, the west side of the University of Tulsa was just beginning to blossom. Now the entire campus is expanding and many say a major contributor is Vince Westbrook.
Along with Michael Case, Westbrook, a tennis coach for 17 years at TU, has helped fuel the many renovations going on around campus.
The state of the art Michael D. Case Tennis Center built through a partnership between Westbrook and Case has helped bring the Tournament to Tulsa twice in the last four years, including 2008. The $15 million project began as a small indoor facility and grew to be one of TU’s diamonds in the rough.
The establishment of the tennis facility sparked renovations on H.A. Chapman Stadium at Skelly Field. Last fall the Case Athletic Center opened at the north end zone and a brand new press box, housing luxury suites, is expected to open for the 2008 Golden Hurricane football season.
Other renovations, including new sidewalks, apartments, a new administrative building (Collins Hall) and a redesign of Delaware Avenue have all been completed in the last few years. Projects still underway include an addition to McFarlin Library and a grand entrance to the campus from 11th Street.
But without Westbrook’s dream of a small, indoor tennis complex and hard work to see his dream through, these projects likely would have taken much longer to accomplish.
Updated 05-20-2008
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