McLaughlin is a supporter of local schools and founded the Fields & Futures Program in 2012.
McLaughlin’s passion for OKC dovetailed this week with Prodigal owner Bob Funk Jr.’s own vision of good Oklahoma sportsmanship. McLaughlin was the primary backer for a plan to bring a North American Soccer League (NASL) league, which would have been an Energy FC competitor, to OKC.
“It brings us one step closer to our shared vision of bringing a Major League Soccer (MLS) team to Oklahoma City in the future,” Funk said in a press release.
Fields & Futures is a program founded by McLaughlin and his wife, Liz, to provide funds and resources to build and maintain sports fields throughout the OKC Public Schools district. The program’s long-term goal is the overhaul of more than 40 fields within the city.
The Energy will play its first game April 5 in California versus the Orange County Blues FC. Its first home game will be April 26 at Clement E. Pribil Stadium at Bishop McGuinness High School.
According to a press release, Energy FC will then play its spring 2015 season at Taft Stadium, which is undergoing a complete renovation.
A portion of ticket sales for the spring 2015 season will be donated to Fields & Futures.
For more information about the team or to purchase tickets, contact EnergyFC.com or call 235-5425.
This article appears in Mar 26 – Apr 1, 2014.