3 minute read
RON TERWILLIGER ’63 CENTER FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES DEDICATED
PHOTO BY LAURA HATCHER, WWW.LAURAHATCHERPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
RON TERWILLIGER ’63 CENTER FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES
On 10-11 September Navy Athletics celebrated the success of Called to Serve, Daring to Lead: The Naval Academy Campaign and the official dedication of the Ron Terwilliger 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 Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk.
The Terwilliger Center was made possible through the leadership gift of Athletic and Scholarship Programs Trustee Ron Terwilliger ’63 and the generosity of many alumni, friends and Naval Academy classes. The 25,000square-foot expansion to Ricketts Hall features a number of exhibits and spaces celebrating the Physical Mission at the
U.S. Naval Academy along with the history and success of Navy Athletics.
“When we first started discussing this building, we started brainstorming what we might do to celebrate the uniqueness of this Academy,” said Terwilliger. “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.”
The underlying theme of the Terwilliger Center is the affirmation that every midshipman 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?’” said A&SP Chair Rear Admiral Thomas C. Lynch ’64, USN (Ret.). “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.”
The $28 million Ron Terwilliger Center for Student-Athletes was the focal point for 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.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: USNA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND FOUNDATION PRESIDENT AND CEO BYRON F. MARCHANT ’78; ATHLETIC DIRECTOR CHET GLADCHUK; A&SP CHAIR RADM THOMAS C. LYNCH ’64, USN (RET.); RON TERWILLIGER ’63; AND SUPERINTENDENT VADM SEAN BUCK ’83, USN, CUT THE DEDICATION RIBBON AT THE RON TERWILLIGER ’63 CENTER FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES
THIS BLUE ANGELS REPLICA CAN BE SEEN INSIDE THE RON TERWILLIGER ’63 CENTER FOR STUDENTATHLETES
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR CHET GLADCHUK AND HIS WIFE KATHY (IN RED), STAND ALONGSIDE RON TERWILLIGER ’63 AND HIS FAMILY AS TERWILLIGER RECEIVES A FRAMED ILLUSTRATION OF THE RON TERWILLIGER ’63 CENTER FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES
