Madden secures $1 million for ESU Soccer Complex

East Stroudsburg University’s already successful soccer programs scored another critical goal this week by securing a $1 million grant to upgrade the Warriors’ soccer facility, state Rep. Maureen Madden announced today.

Madden, D-Monroe, supported the request for the $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant awarded to the East Stroudsburg University Foundation. The new soccer complex, Sheska Soccer Stadium, will be built in the heart of campus adjacent to Eiler-Martin Stadium and will include a new NCAA regulation turf soccer field, perimeter fencing, spectator seating, field lighting, a press box, scoreboard and sound system.

“I know how badly the East Stroudsburg community as a whole, and specifically the soccer programs, want – and deserve – a facility worthy of the outstanding women’s and men’s teams,” Madden said. “I would like to thank Governor Wolf for recognizing the importance of the project and for awarding this money to ESU. This is welcome news for not just students, alumni and coaches, but for the region as a whole.”

Additionally, Madden announced a $500,000 RACP grant awarded to the Hawthorne Mount Pocono Luxury Resort. The Paradise Township project will entail the development and construction of new family friendly suites, cabins and hotel rooms. It will also serve as a center for special events including organization dinners, conventions, conferences, weddings, graduation parties, concerts, camps, reunions and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.

As for the new soccer facility at East Stroudsburg, the new turf and lighting will allow for increased field utilization, and the facility itself will allow for greater community and collaborative engagement opportunities.

“Within East Stroudsburg University’s long and proud athletic history, there is a renowned legacy of accomplishments in both men’s and women’s soccer,” interim ESU President Kenneth Long said. “The immense support provided by this $1 million RACP grant will enable us to get closer to building a stadium that is reflective of the many achievements of our student-athletes, our alumni and our coaches while also providing immense opportunities for community engagement and collaboration. We celebrate this funding award knowing that we still have much work to do to make a soccer stadium at ESU a reality.”

The funding from RACP translates to opportunity for ESU’s student-athletes, said interim Athletic Director Dr. Nancy Jo Greenawalt.

“Our hope is that the foundational funding ignites an enthusiasm among soccer fans throughout our community to envision the potential that a new soccer stadium could bring to our campus and the Pocono region,” Greenawalt said. “I see potential beyond the brick and mortar. Continued support of this campaign will enable us to attract student-athletes who long to become part of our historic soccer programs, which own the most men’s (20) and women’s (6) soccer championships in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.”

The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, from which the grants were awarded, is a commonwealth grant program overseen by the Office of the Budget to assist with regional cultural, economic, civic and historical projects that improve a community’s economic growth by creating jobs and opportunities.

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