Naval Academy Athletics

This past weekend Navy Athletics celebrated the success of the Naval Academy's "Called to Serve, Daring to Lead Campaign" and the official dedication of the Ron Terwilliger '63 Center for Student-Athletes. The events kicked off on Friday, September 10^th with the Physical Mission Leadership Dinner, honoring the highest level of leadership donors who supported the Naval Academy Athletic Association during the campaign and whose generous investment in the Physical Mission has helped support midshipmen student-athletes, coaches, and teams.

The next morning in front of over 175 esteemed guests, Naval Academy Superintendent VADM Sean Buck '83, Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk, USNA Alumni Association & Foundation President and CEO Byron Marchant '78, and USNA Athletic & Scholarship Programs Chairman RADM Tom Lynch '64, formally dedicated the Ron Terwilliger '63 Center for Student-Athletes.

"This building goes back to a vision we had many years ago, thinking about the importance of the Physical Mission and how we can accentuate the values that make the Physical Mission so much a part of the USNA mission at large. The goal of this facility is to convey the commitment to the Physical Mission in a tangible way. So much of our history, traditions and achievements are now on display. This building is a reminder of what the Physical Mission means to each alumnus and midshipman," said Gladchuk.

The Terwilliger Center was made possible through the leadership gift of Ron Terwilliger '63 and the generosity of many alumni, friends, and Naval Academy Classes. The 25,000 square foot expansion to Ricketts Hall features a number of exhibits and spaces celebrating the Physical Mission at the US Naval Academy along with the history and success of Navy Athletics. For a complete list of project donors and exhibits, please visit navysports.com/TerwilligerCenter.

"When we first started discussing this building, we started brainstorming what we might do to celebrate the uniqueness of this Academy. It's been a long journey. I have had the privilege of being a part of this organization for a number of years, during which I have seen just how outstanding our midshipman are. The young people here are just so extraordinary---that's what we wanted to celebrate," said Terwilliger.

The underlining theme of the Terwilliger Center is the affirmation that every midshipmen is a student-athlete, along with the vision of "Who Will You Become" by attending the Academy. The Terwilliger Center exemplifies what it means to be a midshipman by honoring the past and celebrating the current student-athletes who compete for and represent the Academy.

"I remember 60 years ago asking myself the question, "who will I become?" One day I will be long gone but there will be other young men and women coming to this school from all over America who will look at this facility and learn about the quality of our distinguished graduates and our legends. They will say to themselves, "look who I can become." Because of this facility, there will be many aspiring prospective midshipmen who will step up and take on the challenge," said Lynch.

The $28 million Ron Terwilliger '63 Center for Student-Athletes was the focal point for the NAAA during the "Called to Serve, Daring to Lead Campaign" which ended in June 2021. Other Physical Mission priorities included the renovation of the Naval Academy's Golf Course, enhancements at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the construction of the Prager Family Squash Facility, Halsey Field House renovation, new lights and video board at Max Bishop Stadium, as well as increased and sustained support to The Fund for Athletic Excellence. Overall for the campaign, $111 million was raised in support of the Physical Mission to provide "Margin of Excellence" resources to all Navy Athletics teams to help them continue to excel at a championship level.

"The Physical Mission inculcates our graduates with resilience, stamina, a whole lot of grit and most importantly, the will to win—an attribute that is absolutely essential to every successful warrior. The Terwilliger Center for Student-Athletes has truly captured the essence of this essential pillar of our mission statement and is going to serve as an inspiration to all the midshipmen that are presently here and the thousands that will walk the Yard and consider joining our fine Navy and Marine Corps team," said Buck.

For more information on the Ron Terwilliger '63 Center for Student-Athletes, click here.
For a photo gallery of the weekend's events, click here.
To watch the video of the Dedication Weekend, click here.
To watch the video of the facility's journey & construction, click here. 
The Ron Terwilliger '63 Center for Student-Athletes was designed and fabricated in collaboration with Dimensional Innovations. To learn more, visit dimin.com.