U.S. Air Force dedicates Holaday Athletic Center

The United States Air Force Academy Endowment, on behalf of the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Association of Graduates, announced the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Holaday Athletic Center was held July 22.

The Holaday Athletic Center is the largest privately funded capital project in academy history, housing a regulation field sized to accommodate lacrosse, football, and soccer, in addition to many other athletic activities.

This project was made possible by a lead gift of $5 million from Bart and Lynn Holaday, Class of 1965 — the largest gift from a graduate to the academy in the institution’s history. Additionally, a similar contribution came from the estate of Colonel Joseph and Dorothy Moller, two longstanding supporters of the academy.

“Lynn and I shared a dream of creating a safe and weatherproof place for our cadets to develop as leaders on the ‘fields of friendly strife,’” said Bart Holaday, a Jamestown native. “Thankfully, many other members of our academy family shared this dream — it would not have been possible without their generosity, cooperation and support.”

More than 500 people attended the event.

“This tremendous athletic facility will help our cadet-athletes train year-round and stay competitive in Division 1-A athletics,” said Dr. Hans Mueh, director of athletics. “The generous gifts from Bart and Lynn Holaday and the Moller Foundation are vital as we continue to develop future leaders for the Air Force and the nation. We are grateful for their dedication to the Academy.”

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