Norman in Cleveland County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
The S.J. Sarkeys Complex
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025
1. The S.J. Sarkeys Complex Marker, Side One
Inscription.
The S.J. Sarkeys Complex is named in honor of S.J. Sarkeys, energy industry leader, philanthropist and founder of the Sarkeys Foundation. The complex includes multiple facilities, which enrich the OU student experience by providing a myriad of fitness and wellness programs. The complex includes the Huston Huffman Physical Fitness Center and The Department of Health and Exercise Science. Three years after the groundbreaking ceremony in 1979, the S.J. Sarkeys Complex opened its doors to the University community in June of 1981. Funding for the facility was provided by generous donors like the Sarkeys Foundation and by The Student Facilities System Bonds, which were proposed by Governor David Boren and were approved by the State of Oklahoma in 1979. , S.J. Sarkeys came to America as an immigrant from Lebanon as a teenager. He was an entrepreneur from his early years, and after seeing the newly invented carbide lamp he developed a market for it across the Southwest. His travels led him to Cushing, Oklahoma, where he witnessed an oil well in full production. The excitement of the business captivated him. Oklahoma became his home. , After much success in the oil industry, he established the Sarkeys Foundation in 1962 to assist students with no-interest loans. The foundation grew into the sixth largest foundation in Oklahoma and has provided millions of dollars in support to charitable, scientific, and educational organizations. Within the Sarkeys Complex is The Huston Huffman Physical Fitness Center, which is used more than 300,000 times each year by different members of the university family who take advantage of the center's 104,000 square feet of training and athletic space. , Today, OU Recreational Services provides sports programs, including intramural sports, adaptive sports, and fitness services to compliment students' academic pursuits. The Huston Huffman Center features three state-of-the-art strength training areas, a climbing wall, cardio room, a 1/6-mile indoor track, eight basketball courts, volleyball, badminton, racquetball, and squash. Classes on health and fitness are taught here. The Sarkeys Complex includes Department of Health and Exercise Science, a nationally acclaimed program, which focuses on research in human body development and exercise techniques.
The S.J. Sarkeys Complex is named in honor of S.J. Sarkeys, energy industry leader, philanthropist and founder of the Sarkeys Foundation. The complex includes multiple facilities, which enrich the OU student experience by providing a myriad of fitness and wellness programs. The complex includes the Huston Huffman Physical Fitness Center and The Department of Health and Exercise Science. Three years after the groundbreaking ceremony in 1979, the S.J. Sarkeys Complex opened its doors to the University community in June of 1981. Funding for the facility was provided by generous donors like the Sarkeys Foundation and by The Student Facilities System Bonds, which were proposed by Governor David Boren and were approved by the State of Oklahoma in 1979.
S.J. Sarkeys came to America as an immigrant from Lebanon as a teenager. He was an entrepreneur from his early years, and after seeing the newly invented carbide lamp he developed a market for it across the Southwest. His travels led him to Cushing, Oklahoma, where he witnessed an oil well in full production. The excitement of the business captivated him. Oklahoma became his
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home.
After much success in the oil industry, he established the Sarkeys Foundation in 1962 to assist students with no-interest loans. The foundation grew into the sixth largest foundation in Oklahoma and has provided millions of dollars in support to charitable, scientific, and educational organizations. Within the Sarkeys Complex is The Huston Huffman Physical Fitness Center, which is used more than 300,000 times each year by different members of the university family who take advantage of the center's 104,000 square feet of training and athletic space.
Today, OU Recreational Services provides sports programs, including intramural sports, adaptive sports, and fitness services to compliment students' academic pursuits. The Huston Huffman Center features three state-of-the-art strength training areas, a climbing wall, cardio room, a 1/6-mile indoor track, eight basketball courts, volleyball, badminton, racquetball, and squash. Classes on health and fitness are taught here. The Sarkeys Complex includes Department of Health and Exercise Science, a nationally acclaimed program, which focuses on research in human body development
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025
2. The S.J. Sarkeys Complex Marker, Side Two
and exercise techniques.
Erected by The University of Oklahoma.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Sports. In addition, it is included in the University of Oklahoma series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1981.
Location. 35° 12.116′ N, 97° 26.645′ W. Marker is in Norman, Oklahoma, in Cleveland County. It is at the intersection of Asp Avenue and West 1st Street, on the right when traveling north on Asp Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1401 Asp Ave, Norman OK 73072, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma Frontier Country and in Greater Oklahoma City. It is also in the American South, specifically on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 19, 2025
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 28, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
