UConn Soccer Receives $3 Million Pledge Toward New Stadium

The UConn athletic department announced Wednesday that it has received a $3 million commitment toward the construction of a new soccer stadium.

The anonymous pledge, according to a UConn athletic department spokesman, was made by a former student-athlete who wished the gift be directed to the “Morrone Stadium Enhancement Fund.”

UConn said the first $1 million was an outright gift and the remaining $2 million will be given over the next five years.

“We are grateful that a former UConn student-athlete has given back to the university and the sport of soccer,” interim athletic director Paul Pendergast said in a statement released by the schoo. “Our men’s and women’s soccer teams are nationally-competitive programs. It is critical that they have facilities comparable to peer institutions, in order to maintain UConn’s standard of excellence.

“I also wish to acknowledge Coach Ray Reid’s ongoing participation in our fundraising efforts for this project, which helped us secure this historic commitment for our soccer programs.”

UConn has more than $4.5 million in pledges earmarked for the soccer facility project.