West Virginia University Director of Athletics Ed Pastilong announced today that in recognition of the generosity of Wheeling entrepreneur S.J.”Dick”Dlesk, WVU ’s soccer stadium will be named in his honor.

In a combined outright and planned gift, Dlesk has made a commitment of $750,000 to help fund the construction and renovation costs of the stadium. The WVU Board of Governors authorized the naming of Dick Dlesk Stadium at its April meeting.

“I am very pleased with this strong show of support for soccer, one of the country’s fastest growing youth sports,”said President David C. Hardesty.”Private funding will continue to help college athletics to grow significantly in popularity and scope.”

Dlesks total financial commitment to the Mountaineer intercollegiate athletic program is in excess of $1 million.

West Virginia University is indeed worthy of our support,Dlesk said.The administrators, faculty and coaches are among the best in the country. Students and student-athletes at WVU perform admirably on a national level in academics and athletics.

Our family is proud to be a part of the Mountaineer Family and we are grateful for Gods blessings enabling us to share our good fortune with this outstanding university.

Private funds totaling $1.75 million have been pledged toward the new soccer stadium project, estimated to cost $2 million. Expected completion date is on or near Aug. 1.

“The new stadium is vital to having a strong Division I soccer program,”Pastilong said.”Mr. Dlesk’s generous support of the project has allowed WVU to take another step to be competitive with the nation’s best soccer programsoutstanding coaches, exceptional student-athletes and, now, excellent facilities.”

Dlesk is president and CEO of Dlesk Realty and Investments, Inc., which primarily handles large-scale commercial and residential developments in the Wheeling and Greater Ohio Valley areas. He also serves as chairman of the board of the First West Virginia Bank Corporation and the Wheeling Hall of Fame. He is treasurer of the Bethlehem Lions Club and past president of the Wheeling YMCA .

Dlesk and his wife, Rosalie, have two adult sons and six grandsons. His son, Randall, attended WVU , and grandson, Richard, graduated magna cum laude with a degree in business from the College of Business and Economics. Grandson, Ryan, will graduate in May with a degree in civil engineering from the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

The Dlesk gift was made to the WVU Foundation on behalf of the Mountaineer Athletic Club. The Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that generates and provides support for West Virginia University.