Air Force unveils new Kucera Legacy Center

The Air Force Academy hosted a ribbon cutting on Friday, Sept. 6, at the Kucera Legacy Center. Jack and Vianne Kucera were joined by Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Air Force Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation CEO Mark Hille, Director of Athletics Nathan Pine and head football coach Troy Calhoun for the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, guests were welcome to take tours of the facility.

Air Force Athletics hosted a dedication ceremony of the venue on Saturday, Sept. 7, before the Falcons took on San Jose State. Director of Athletics Nathan Pine was joined by Art Loureiro, representing the leadership team from L3 Harris, for the ceremony. A champagne toast followed the ceremony.

East Club Presented by L3Harris at the Kucera Legacy Center

• The Air Force Academy officially broke ground on Jan. 24, 2023, at The East Club Presented by L3Harris at the Kucera Legacy Center with a ceremony at the construction site.
• The Academy hosted a Topping Out Ceremony on Dec. 8, 2023, signifying the final steel beam being placed into the construction on the Falcon Stadium East Club modernization construction project.
• The Falcon Stadium modernization is a fundraising priority within the Defining Our Future comprehensive campaign publicly launched in September 2021. The Air Force Academy Foundation and the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation have partnered to achieve the fundraising goals for the stadium as part of the athletics component of the campaign.
• The investment required for the initial phase of the Falcon Stadium modernization project totals $90 million. Philanthropic support through the Air Force Academy Foundation will provide $35 million as part of the campaign and the remaining $55 million investment will be financed by Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation.
• The East Club Presented by L3Harris at the Kucera Legacy Center will provide Falcon fans with an unmatched setting to enjoy Air Force football, lacrosse and special events. The facility will enhance the existing east concourse and feature 1,200 premium seats and a state-of-the-art club-level experience. The project included a modern and efficient entrance, a heritage plaza, open-air hospitality decks, enhanced food and beverage options, updated restrooms, a new merchandise area and a ticket office.
• In addition to the Kuceras, several donors have made significant donations to the modernization, including the Chapman Foundation, the El Pomar Foundation, Brion Applegate, Erik Davis (’95) and two anonymous graduate donors.
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  ile the federal government and the U.S. Air Force provide adequate funding for the Academy’s core needs, private support from donors is required to enhance the educational and leadership opportunities necessary to fully develop future officers for the Air Force and Space Force. Falcon Stadium, as a prime venue for Air Force athletics and a physical representation of the athletics mission element, is donor-funded and its modernization requires private support.

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  Air Force announces L3Harris as corporate naming sponsor for Kucera Legacy Center

• L3 Harris is the naming sponsor for the East Club Presented by L3 Harris at the Kucera Legacy Center.
• The sponsorship is part of a long relationship between L3Harris and the Air Force, which began with the service’s predecessor the U.S. Army Air Corps. L3Harris supported the Air Force upon its creation in 1947 and similarly was already working with the Space Force when it was created in 2019.

For more information on the East Club presented by L3Harris at The Kucera Legacy Center and to purchase tickets, click HERE.

*This is an issued press release from the Air Force Academy.