Army Rugby “Field of
Dreams” to Break Ground
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West Point, NY- The Association of
Graduates (AOG) of the United States Military Academy (USMA) announced on
Friday, May 5th that Mr. and Mrs. Lee Anderson have raised their total
gift from $7.5 million to $8.2 million in support of the construction of a
new Army Rugby Sports Complex. In addition, the Andersons have accelerated
their pledge schedule so that the complex can begin construction in fall
2005. An effort is picking up steam among other Army rugby supporters to
complement the Andersons lead gift by collecting some $2.7M in additional
funds to complete this project.
The plan for the Complex includes a
two-story rugby center and two full-sized, floodlit rugby pitches
(fields). The Center will include a strength development room, a training
room, home and visitors showers, four locker rooms, catering facilities, a
cardiopulmonary fitness area, a coaches' office, remotely controlled
camera stations, classroom space, exhibit space, a Great Room
(multi-purpose room), and an observation balcony overlooking the pitch.
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In addition to the Center and two pitches, the
exterior facility will also include a seating area with permanent
seating for 550, space for portable stands to accommodate thousands of
special-event spectators, and two rugby specific scoreboards. The
completed project will set the bar for rugby training facilities in
the US.
“Lee and Penny Anderson are great friends of West
Point. The Andersons continue to provide extraordinary leadership
through their generosity and selfless service to the United States
Military Academy in both the academic and athletic arenas”, said Mike
Mahan, Vice President for Development at the AOG. “A commitment of
this magnitude stirs up the emotions of all who have experienced West
Point and have taken something away - the Andersons are now giving
back.”
Lee and Penny Anderson were Leadership Donors during the
Bicentennial Campaign for West Point, making extremely generous
gifts to both the Department of History's Staff Ride Endowment and
the Kimsey Athletic Center.
“I appreciate the Andersons’ generous contribution to our efforts to
educate, train and inspire officers for our nation’s Army,” said LTG
Gen. William J. Lennox Jr., the Superintendent of the US Military
Academy. “The Military Academy is deeply grateful to Lee and Penny
Anderson for their support of West Point, the U.S. Corps of Cadets
and Army Rugby.”
Mr. Anderson, a football, basketball and track
participant while at the Academy, firmly believes that athletics
played a critical role in his success throughout life. “It’s a great
privilege for Penny and me to help make this state of the art complex
available to the Army ruggers. It is our sincere hope that we can be
present someday to see a national championship played there with one
team wearing the ‘black, gold and gray.’ We’d like to be standing
there with all the past Army players and experience along with them
the thrill of victory.”
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For over 45 years, Army Rugby has been West
Point's most winning sport and continues to preside among other top
programs in the country, but has yet to win a national championship.
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"I still can’t stop smiling,” said Army Head Coach Rich Pohlidal.
“With the increased capacities of the Anderson Rugby Complex, we will
have leveled the playing fields for the Army Rugby Team. Our goal is
to reach a level of training sophistication that sets a new bench mark
for collegiate rugby in this nation; Mr. and Mrs. Anderson share that
goal. The Anderson Rugby Complex is a success story for the national
and international rugby community.”
Army Rugby secured 13 wins in league play and finished
with a season-ending loss to BYU in the national quarter finals. They
have their eye on the ball for the fall season of 2005. “Getting so
close to the final was very exciting for the team, our new complex will
allow us to train during the winter months and keep stride with those
teams out west that consistently have success in the National
Championship Series.”
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For more information on the Anderson Rugby
Complex or to give a donation, please contact Mr. Mike Hogan of the
Association of Graduates @ 845-446-1553 or Coach Rich Pohlidal @
845-446-1557.
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Exterior:
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Natural Turf Field One with Lights
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Synthetic Field Two with Lights
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Electronic Scoreboard Field One
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Electronic Scoreboard Field Two
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Limited Parking for Medical support,
Handicap and VIPs
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Scrum Drill Area
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Building 13,650 sq
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First Floor:
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Entrance Lobby
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Locker Room #1 (Capacity 80)
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Referee Locker Room
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Locker Room #3 (Capacity 40)
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Locker Room #2 (Capacity 40)
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Shower Room #1 and Toilets (Capacity
80)
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Locker Room #4 (Capacity 40)
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Shower Room #2 and Toilets (Capacity
40)
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Commercial Quality Laundry Room
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Mens' Room with External Access
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Ladies' Room with External Access
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Field Maintenance & Storage with
External Access
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External Permanent Seating for 550
people
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External Handicapped Seating
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External Pads for Additional
Temporary Seating
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Elevator
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Trainer's Room
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Second Floor:
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Multi-purpose Room
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Fitness Center (Sixteen stations)
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Catering Kitchen
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Observation Balcony (1800 sq ft)
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Coaches’ Office
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Mens' Room
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Ladies’ Room
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Elevator
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To learn more about Army Rugby click here --
Army
Rugby.
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To make a gift to the Anderson Rugby
Complex click here --
Give A Gift.
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