Michie Stadium, home to Army football, is a critical portal through which the Academy engages and connects with America.  For many Americans, this venue, built in 1924, might be the only lens through which they see and learn about West Point.  For nearly a century, Michie Stadium has showcased the grit, tenacity, discipline and values of our cadet-athletes and the Corps of Cadets at large.

History of Michie Stadium

Michie Stadium, built in 1924, is named for Dennis Mahan Michie (USMA Class of 1893), who organized, managed and coached the first football team at West Point in 1890.  The stadium’s original seating capacity was 16,000 with temporary seating for an additional 5,000.  In their first game at Michie Stadium, Army defeated St. Louis University 17-0.  The stadium has undergone several renovations and upgrades over the years, beginning with the addition of a press box and lighting in the 1930s.  1962 saw the addition of the East Stands, followed by the addition of the upper deck on the west stands in 1969, which increased seating capacity to more than 41,000.  In 2003, the Hoffman Press Box on the west upper deck was completed. (Click here for historical photos and a detailed history of Michie Stadium).

The Michie Stadium Preservation Project (MSPP) is a proposed, fully donor-funded effort that will modernize the east stands section of the stadium and upgrade stadium systems and operations, while retaining the distinct architectural aesthetic of West Point as well as the stadium’s well-known panoramic views.  Additionally, the resulting facility will communicate West Point’s history, its strategic contributions to our nation since 1775, and the critical role our graduates have played in making those contributions. 

Built in 1962, the East Stands lags behind other modern college athletic venues in supporting the fan experience and the athletic program.  The MSPP calls for the removal of the existing East Stands, to be replaced with a new 160,000-square-foot structure that will feature premium club-level seating, a variety of hospitality options, a new fan store, upgraded concessions and amenities, and improved stadium accessibility.  Additionally, seating for the 4,400-strong Corps of Cadets will stretch from end zone to end zone, ensuring cadets are a central focus as well as amplifying game-day support of the cadet athletes on the field.

Along with the new East Stands will be a reconfiguration of the stadium’s surrounding landscape that will improve accessibility while capitalizing on the panoramic views of Lusk Reservoir, the Cadet Chapel, Fort Putnam, and the scenic Hudson Valley.  Central to this reconfiguration is the creation of Victory Plaza, a pedestrian-only area that allows for greater access to the reservoir’s edge and will celebrate the life achievements of notable West Point graduates and their contributions to the nation.  This reconfiguration will also include the relocation of the Athletics Hall of Fame to the first level of the new East Stands, making it accessible to all visitors.