The West Point Association of Graduates and Army West Point Athletics celebrated the historic groundbreaking of the Michie Stadium Preservation Project on August 14. This largest donor-funded project will rebuild and modernize the current East Stands, preserving the stadium’s rich 100-year history while providing a world-class experience for cadets, graduates, families, and fans alike.

During the ceremony, seven cornerstone donors were recognized for their support of the project: Lee Anderson ’61, Doug Black ’86, Bob Eisiminger ’88, Bill Foley ’67, Rob Healy ’86, Anthony Noto ’91, and Vinnie Viola ’77.

“The support of the Long Gray Line combined with WPAOG’s partnership with Army West Point Athletics and the Academy illustrates just how much we can accomplish together,” said COL (R) Mark Bieger ’91, President and CEO of the West Point Association of Graduates.

LTG Steven Gilland ’90, 61st Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, echoed the power of teamwork across the West Point community.

“We truly appreciate your generosity, your continued support, and all you do for the Academy, because developing leaders takes a village,” Gilland said. “We’re all in the same village, a village of excellence, and we all together make up that village.”

Featured aspects of the preservation project include premium seating and improved concessions. Director of Athletics Mike Buddie emphasized that this new East Stands project, combined with recent enhancements, will distinguish Michie Stadium as a premier venue for sports and special events.

The project is set to be completed in the summer of 2026.

Cornerstone Donors

“All seven of the cornerstone donors, representing gifts of $5 million or more, demonstrate the highest levels of generosity, commitment, and a shared confidence in the Academy and the ideals that have shaped us all, Duty, Honor, Country. As leaders within our Long Gray Line, all of them continue to make a difference in the development of our cadets, who will one day serve our Army and nation.”

— COL (R) Mark D. Bieger ’91, President and CEO, West Point Association of Graduates

Vinnie and Teresa Viola ’77

Vinnie is the Chairman, Owner, and Governor of Sunrise Sports & Entertainment and the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers, as well as Chairman of the Florida Panthers Foundation. He is Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Virtu Financial, one of the nation’s foremost providers of financial technology products and services, and former Chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Vinnie’s commitment to our nation’s security led to the founding of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point in 2003, the Madison Policy Forum in 2008, the General Wayne A. Downing Scholarship Program for the U.S. Army in 2009, and the Modern War Institute at West Point in 2015. Vinnie is a member of the West Point Ready Campaign Honorary Cabinet. The Violas are one of two Thomas Jefferson Lifetime Giving Society members, which recognizes donors who have given between $50M and $99.9M in support of West Point.

Lee and Penny Anderson ’61

Lee is former Owner and Chairman of APi Group Inc. At West Point, he was a three-sport cadet athlete as a member of the Football, Basketball, and Track teams. Lee was named a Distinguished Graduate of the Military Academy in May 2013. Over the years, he and his wife, Penny, have generously supported the construction of the Kimsey Athletic Center, the GEN Crosbie E. Saint Equestrian Center, the Anderson Rugby Complex, the Anderson Athletic Center, and the Michie Stadium Preservation Project. They have also endowed the Anderson Military History Staff Rides, the Men’s and Women’s Rugby programs, naming the Penny Anderson Women’s Rugby Coach, and the Men’s Basketball program, naming the Lee Anderson Head Basketball Coach. Lee is a member of the West Point Ready Campaign Honorary Cabinet. The Andersons are one of two Thomas Jefferson Lifetime Giving Society members, which recognizes donors who have given between $50M and $99.9M in support of West Point.

Bill and Carol Foley ’67

Bill is a Founder and serves as Non-Executive Chairman of Fidelity National Financial, Inc., the largest title insurance company in the United States. Bill is Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Black Knight Sports and Entertainment LLC, which owns the Vegas Golden Knights, an expansion team for the National Hockey League that began play in the 2017–18 NHL season and won the 2023 Stanley Cup. Additionally, Bill is a vintner and is the founder and owner of Foley Family Wines. Bill is a founder, trustee, and director of the Folded Flag Foundation. Bill is a member of the West Point Ready Campaign Honorary Cabinet. In 2016, Bill received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the United States Military Academy. Bill is one of the top three donors to West Point and a member of the Alexander Hamilton Lifetime Giving Society, which recognizes donors who have given between $25M and $49.9M in support of West Point. He contributed to the Foley Athletic Center and construction of the Foley, Enners, Nathe Lacrosse Center.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Healy ’86

Rob is a Founder and Managing Partner of L Squared Capital Partners. Rob served for nine years as an officer in the United States Army and was decorated for his combat leadership, commanding a Black Hawk squadron in Operation Just Cause. He was a quarterback for the Army Football Team as a cadet and was the most valuable player of the 1985 Peach Bowl, leading the team to their second bowl victory in history. Rob has served as the President of the Army Football Club and is a member of the West Point Ready Campaign Cabinet. Rob and Beth’s child, Robert R. Healy, is West Point Class of 2024. The Healys are members of the Douglas MacArthur Lifetime Giving Society.

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas C. Black ’86

Doug is Chairman & CEO at SiteOne Landscape Supply. Doug served as an Engineer Officer in the United States Army from 1986 to 1990. While on active duty, he completed construction projects in the Southeastern United States, Central America, and South America. As a cadet, Doug was a Division I-A AP All-East selection for the Army Football Team, set Army’s single-season rushing record, and was the recipient of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete awards. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund. The Blacks are members of the Douglas MacArthur Lifetime Giving Society.

Robert E. Eisiminger ’88 and Alison Eisiminger

Bob is the former co-founder/CEO of Knight Point Systems, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned business. Bob was commissioned an Air Defense Artillery Officer upon graduation and served as a tactical control officer and platoon leader in HAWK units in Germany and as a public affairs officer at Ft. Bliss, Texas. Bob also serves as the President of the West Point Class of 1988 and as a West Point Ready Campaign Cabinet member. Bob supported Army Soccer through the naming of the Eisiminger Press Box and is a member of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Lifetime Giving Society.

Anthony and Kristin Noto ’91

Anthony Noto is the CEO of SoFi and serves on its board of directors. Anthony was a United States Army Ranger and resigned in 1995 as a captain. An All-East and Academic All-American football player, he was the No. 1 graduate in mechanical engineering from West Point in 1991. He is a Gift Officer for the Class of 1991 and a member of the West Point Athletic Association (AWPAA) Board of Directors. The Notos supported Army Women’s Lacrosse through the naming of the Noto Family Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach and are members of the Ulysses S. Grant Lifetime Giving Society.