Using an idea from billionaire donor Boone Pickens, Oklahoma State will purchase $10 million life insurance policies for 25 of its supporters in a unique fundraising program for the athletic department.

Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder said he believes the “Gift of a Lifetime” program is the largest such use of life insurance ever by a college athletic department. The university will pay the insurance premiums for the selected donors, with the athletics department being listed as the beneficiary.

The money from the policies will be used to endow athletic scholarships and pay for facilities and operations, Holder said.

“We believe we’re the first university athletic department to get it done,” said Larry Reece, the executive director of major gifts and development. “We’ve been told that this has been done with some churches, and successfully done.”

Reece said at least one other school had contacted Oklahoma State to inquire about the program.

“We really believe it will change and secure the future for Oklahoma State,” Reece said.

Reece expressed gratitude to the 55 individuals who agreed to take physicals and go through the process to try to qualify for the insurance plans. He said most of the 25 in the initial pool are donors and season-ticket holders. All are between the ages of 65 and 85.

Reece said the school would have to pay $20 million in insurance premiums, which it borrowed on credit.

The school is in the midst of a vast upgrade to its athletic facilities sparked by Pickens’ $165 million donation in January 2006 — the largest gift ever to an NCAA athletics program. The proposed athletic village will include new facilities for baseball, softball, track, soccer, tennis and equestrian at a price of at least $300 million. That total includes completion of an upgrade to the football stadium, which is named after Pickens.

“Our initial discussions with Boone on this subject quickly shifted from a ’what if?’ to a ’why not?’ conversation,” Holder said. “One thing led to another and we sought guidance of top insurance experts to research the idea.

“This program is evidence of our loyal supporters’ willingness to embrace new ways to help their university by leaving a lasting legacy that will benefit OSU Cowboys and Cowgirls for generations to come.”

Holder noted that Oklahoma State’s athletic department still faces a projected budget deficit, since Pickens’ gift and the insurance plan are aimed at long-term stability.

Pickens, the founder of Dallas-based energy investment fund BP Capital, has given more than $250 million to Oklahoma State, his alma mater, in recent years.

Alumnus Sherman Smith pledged $20 million in January toward the building of a $50 million indoor practice facility. Groundbreaking is expected this year.

The university has also begun a $114.5 fundraising initiative to endow all 229 of its athletic scholarships.