Malek Soccer Stadium Groundbreaking

Love for the Newest Stadium at West Point

West Point has broken ground on its newest facility. Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Fred V. Malek ’59, a 2014 Distinguished Graduate, the Army West Point men’s and women’s soccer teams will soon have Malek Stadium at Clinton Field, which will have individual chair and premium seating, restroom facilities, and a 1,450-foot elevated press box to enhance the game experience of this ever-growing popular sport. PHOTOS | VIDEO

“Everything matters when you are a prospective college student,” said Boo Corrigan, Director of Athletics, before the groundbreaking ceremony on the new stadium. “When they come here and see this stadium that resembles the military Gothic architecture of West Point and realize what it represents, they are going to fall in love.”

Coincidentally, it is love for West Point that prompted Mr. Malek to make his donation in the first place, although he admits that it took about two decades after graduation to realize this love. “Moving through my career, I became more and more conscious of the things I had in my being that helped me succeed: balance, determination, discipline, and a sense of purpose,” he said. “These qualities were forged during my cadet days; so, to the degree that I have been successful, I can attribute almost all of it to West Point.” During his remarks at the ceremony marking the groundbreaking, Mr. Malek acknowledged the staff, faculty, and coaches at West Point who instill these characteristics in cadets.

Prior to Mr. Malek’s remarks, LTG Robert L. Caslen ’75, the 59th Superintendent of West Point, recognized the accomplishments of this Distinguished Graduate, including his service as an Airborne Ranger in Vietnam, working for two U.S. Presidents, advising the Virginia state government, and chairing the West Point Board of Visitors. “Fred’s contributions and support to West Point and the nation have been so extraordinary that ‘distinguished’ seems a bit of an understatement for this graduate,” LTG Caslen said.

Before placing the shiny ceremonial shovels in the dirt to mark the groundbreaking, Mr. Malek joked with assistant men’s soccer coach Rich Costanzo about the coaching he needed as a member of the plebe and later B-squad soccer team. “I was a terrible soccer player,” Mr. Malek said, “but one thing I looked forward to everyday to escape the rigors of West Point was playing on the soccer field, even if it was just dirt back then.” Thanks to the vision and support of Mr. Malek, today’s high-caliber players have a spectacular setting to play the game they love.