Army West Point Athletics
From the Desk of AD #31
September 17, 2026 | Athletics
Welcome to another edition of From the Desk of the AD—a platform to keep you informed, engaged, and connected with everything happening across Army West Point Athletics and the Army West Point Athletic Association.
Through this message, I'll share important department updates, celebrate the accomplishments of our outstanding cadet-athletes, and offer perspective on the rapidly changing world of college athletics. All of this is grounded in the four pillars of our Fruits of Victory strategic plan: Competitive Success, Delivering an Extraordinary Division I Experience, Public Engagement and Revenue Generation, and Sustainability.
It's been a special few weeks here at West Point.
There are certain moments in this position when you have to remind yourself to stop, look around, and appreciate what is happening around us.
These past two weeks have provided plenty of those moments.
OPENING OF THE MICHIE STADIUM PRESERVATION PROJECT
After years of planning, fundraising, construction, problem-solving, and more than a few unexpected challenges, we officially opened the Michie Stadium Preservation Project. This $170 million, privately funded project represents the largest and most ambitious facilities investment in the history of Army West Point Athletics.
Thank you to our USMA leadership, West Point Association of Graduates leadership, our incredible donors, our construction and project partners, and the countless individuals across West Point who helped make this vision a reality.
What an incredible example of what can happen when the West Point community comes together around a shared mission.
And while opening Michie Stadium preserved by USAA was certainly the headline, there has been plenty more happening across Army West Point Athletics.
SEPTEMBER 11 – NEVER FORGET
Twenty-five years later, we continue to remember.
Our community gathered at Battle Monument to honor those we lost on September 11, 2001, and those who answered the call to serve in the years that followed. Throughout the day, cadets carried the American flag across West Point in tribute.
At Michie, our community also came together for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, honoring the first responders who climbed toward danger that morning and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Every step in remembrance. Every step a reminder.
Twenty-five years later, their courage and selfless service continue to give meaning to Duty, Honor, Country—and to our promise to Never Forget.
FAN EXPERIENCE - LISTENING TO OUR FANS
Following our first two home football games, we distributed our game day surveys and received valuable feedback from the Army West Point community.
We heard a lot about what went well. But we are spending even more time on where we can improve.
Across the responses, several consistent themes emerged:
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Parking & Transportation: Traffic flow, parking procedures, and getting to and from the stadium.
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Shuttle Operations: Frequency, wait times, and clarity surrounding pickup and drop-off locations.
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Communication & Wayfinding: Making information easier to find and understand before and during game day.
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Concessions & Amenities: Continuing to improve efficiency and the overall fan experience inside Michie.
This feedback is important to us. We are reviewing the data internally and with our partners across West Point to drive both short- and long-term decisions.
We won't get everything perfect. But we will listen, learn, and continue to get better.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to provide feedback. We read it!
CELEBRATING OUR BEST
We also had the privilege of welcoming the newest members of the Army Sports Hall of Fame back to West Point.
Congratulations to Jennifer Blatty '00 (Women's Tennis), Robert Dickerson '87 (Football), Thomas Garver '77 (Hockey/Men's Lacrosse), Kelsey Minato '16 (Women's Basketball), Lyle Nelson '71 (Skiing/Olympian), and Robert Steenlage '66 (Wrestling).
Our Hall of Fame celebrates extraordinary athletic achievement, but it also reminds today's cadet-athletes what Army West Point Athletics has always been about: competing at the highest level while developing leaders of character who will serve something greater than themselves.
Congratulations again to our Hall of Famers and their families. If you haven't already, I encourage you to visit the new Lessey Army Sports Hall of Fame, located on the lower concourse of the new East Stands at Michie Stadium preserved by USAA.
PROTECT COLLEGE SPORTS ACT
There was also a significant development in Washington this week that could have implications for the future of college athletics.
On September 15, the U.S. Senate voted 74–24 to clear a key procedural hurdle and move toward consideration of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026.
The legislation continues to move through the congressional process. While no legislation is perfect, greater clarity, consistency, and national standards around many of these issues would benefit college athletics as a whole and help preserve what we value most about the collegiate model: broad-based opportunities, competitive balance, and the educational mission at its core.
We will continue to closely monitor its progress and evaluate what any final legislation could mean for Army West Point Athletics and our cadet-athletes.
4,000 MEMBERS STRONG
Another milestone worth celebrating: the Army A Club has officially surpassed 4,000 members! That number represents much more than memberships—it represents thousands of people choosing to invest directly in our cadet-athletes and the future of Army West Point Athletics.
The continued growth of the Army A Club is critical to our ability to provide an Extraordinary Division I Experience across all 30 of our varsity programs. To every member of the Army A Club: thank you.
Mark your calendars—Army West Point Athletics Giving Day is Tuesday, December 1, 2026. Giving Day is an opportunity for the entire Army Athletics family to come together in support of our cadet-athletes with a focus on sport-specific giving!
HOCKEY KNIGHT IN JERSEY!
College hockey returns to the Prudential Center, Newark, N.J., with the inaugural Hockey Knight in Jersey!
The event features a marquee matchup between the Army Black Knights and Penn State Nittany Lions NCAA Division I men's hockey programs. This marks the return of NCAA Division I men's hockey to the Prudential Center for the first time since 2014.
IN OUR BLOOD
I really enjoyed a recent feature with cadet-athletes Daisy West and Grace Pohidal, who described the surreal feeling of suiting up in an Army uniform after growing up right here on post.
There is something truly special about growing up around West Point and then having the opportunity to represent the Academy as a cadet-athlete.
ON THE FIELDS OF FRIENDLY STRIFE
Of course, everything we do ultimately comes back to providing our cadet-athletes the opportunity to compete. Wish the best of luck to our soccer, golf, sprint football, volleyball, tennis, women's rugby and cross country teams as they head into competition this weekend and in the coming week!
To view the entire calendar for all sports, Click Here.
BLACK AND GOLD PODCAST
Excited to launch the new Black and Gold Podcast, hosted by the Voice of the Army Black Knights, Rich DeMarco.
I was honored to be the first guest—and I promise ratings will only go up from here!
I'm excited to hear from our coaches and other guests as we use this new platform to tell more of the stories of Army West Point Athletics. You can listen to our first episode on our YouTube Channel.
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Our first episode of the Black and Gold Podcast is now live with @TT_Army_AD kicking things off discussing the completion of the Michie Stadium Preservation Project that has enhanced the fan & cadet experience.
— ArmyWestPoint Sports (@GoArmyWestPoint) September 9, 2026
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THANK YOU
I'd ask you to continue to do what you can to support Army West Point Athletics and our cadet-athletes by:
• Planning to attend athletics events and competitions this fall – home and on the road!
• Purchasing season tickets, joining the Army A Club, and identifying a corporate partner
• Get others to do the same
Tom Theodorakis
Director of Athletics
Army West Point
Email:Â AthleticDirector@WestPoint.edu
X: @TT_Army_AD
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