Elevate the Game A dynamic sculpture celebrating community athleticism
Community is important to everyone, especially for children as they find ways to explore their identities and creativity. Community centers serve an important part in this development. The Young Family Athletic Center, a sports complex in Norman, OK, is a central part of family-friendly recreation as people of all ages can participate in basketball, aquatics, and volleyball in the new and modern building.
To commemorate the mission of the complex, the city of Norman commissioned Vito Di Bari to create Elevate the Game, a 17’ height by 8’ width by 8’ depth sculpture made of steel rods and coated with powder. Installed in 2024, this brand-new public artwork represents the center, its
vision, and the people from Norman.
As Jason Olsen, Director of Park and Recreation at the City of Norman, said:
The community of Norman takes so much pride in our public art. DiBari’s “Elevate Your Game” is the perfect art for the location at the Young Family Athletic Center. It not only represents our facility with beautiful, towering, three-dimensional athletes who are constantly in motion and moving in Oklahoma winds, but it also embraces our community in so many ways through its thoughtful colors and representation of the variety of athletes who will enter this incredible facility.

The sculpture honors athleticism through intertwining lines that generate dynamism and movement, creating the apex
of athletic gestures.
In conceiving Elevate the Game, Di Bari’s objective was to craft a landmark that transcends mere aesthetics, serving as a profound tribute to The Young Family Athletic Center, its visionary ethos, and the dynamic Norman community. Rooted in a deep appreciation for the diverse sports practiced within the center – basketball, swimming, and volleyball – the sculpture embodies the intrinsic qualities of kinetic energy and movement.
Crafted from intersecting steel rods, “Elevate the Game” orchestrates a visual symphony of perpetual motion. The fluid swirl of lines, weaving, crossing, and converging, manifests a captivating representation of dynamism and kinetic energy. It’s an intentional dance, where each viewing angle unveils a unique perspective, offering viewers an immersive and evolving encounter with the artwork. The amalgamation of these sinuous elements seamlessly portrays the silhouettes of three athletes, frozen in the zenith of their athletic gestures. Imbued with the spirit of unity, these figures are adorned in vibrant hues of red, white, and blue – a symbolic homage to the resilient community of Norman.

The figures represent the sports offered at the center and the color palette reflects the local community of Norman,
OK, making this sculpture a unique, site-specific landmark.
The circular base highlights the qualities of these athletes: determination, sportsmanship, and perseverance. The intertwining lines that emerge and entangle at the base serve as a reminder that although each sport is different, all athletes share these same qualities.
A poignant layer of symbolism enriches Elevate the Game as it pays homage to the Young family. In particular, Trae Young’s indelible mark on basketball is immortalized in the sculpture. The NBA athlete, who attended Norman North High School, is captured mid-action, executing a three-pointer with the unmistakable pose that defines Trae Young’s contribution to the sport and the enduring legacy of The Young Family Athletic Center.
Elevate the Game is more than a static art piece; it is a dynamic celebration of athleticism, community spirit, and the unwavering legacy of The Young Family Athletic Center, symbolizing a shared journey that transcends the boundaries of sport and art.

Vito Di Bari at the commemoration of Elevate the Game which appears right in front of The Young Family Athletic
Center, making clear the values and goals of the center.