East Stroudsburg University gets $1 million for new soccer facility

The East Stroudsburg University Foundation received a $1 million grant to build a new Warrior’s soccer facility. 

State Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, supported the request for the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant to build a new soccer complex, Skeska Soccer Stadium, in the heart of the campus adjacent to Eiler-Martin Stadium. 

The complex will include a new NCAA regulation turf soccer field, perimeter fencing, spectator seating, field lighting, a press box, scoreboard and sound system, she said. 

“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 [Tom] 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 include 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, she said. 

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,” she said. “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.”