Famed Air Force alum gives glowing approval as east side renovations make debut at Falcon Stadium

Chad Hennings typically attended one, maybe two, football games each year at his alma mater.

That was before the Kucera Legacy Center.

Now, the Air Force grad who later starred for the Dallas Cowboys, will be found at Falcon Stadium three or four times each year as a season-ticket holder “because of this.”

He assumes he won’t be the only one in that situation.

“If I’m a betting man, when a lot of people come back for reunions or games, they’ll get exposed to this and they’ll want to be a part of this and they’ll want to come more often,” said Hennings, who won the Outland Trophy with Air Force in 1987. “The academy’s never been able to have an experience like this.”

The center, the $95 million renovation that replaced the bleachers atop the bowl on the east side with an enclosed facility, opened on time for Saturday’s opener – a 21-6 Falcons’ victory over Merrimack.

The interior, which includes a merchandise shop and ticket offices on the concourse level in addition to a commercial kitchen which provides concessions throughout the stadium, includes Air Force-centric details throughout. For example, the main banquet area includes a display on the wall with 15 various Air Force football helmets.

“What a phenomenal facility,” Hennings said. “I compare it to an AT&T Stadium (in Dallas) in that it’s not only a football stadium, it’s a multipurpous venue. That’s the beauty, that the academy’s going to be able to utilize this for so many different functions, from reunions to weddings, you name it. But, for games, when you sit down on your seats you almost feel like you’re on the field. It is unlike any stadium that I’ve been to.”

A deck on the north side of the center is used for Air Force recruiting, and it was packed pregame with prospects.

“It’s an unbelievable setup,” coach Troy Calhoun said. “You can go across the country and it’s as quality as it gets.”