Delaware Military Academy announces plans for groundbreaking

Delaware Military Academy will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for an academic and athletic center on July 29. The new building will include eight classrooms and a gymnasium with seating for 750, as well as offices, locker rooms and an athletic training facility. The 27,000 square- foot, dome-shaped structure will be constructed on a six-acre lot adjacent to DMA’s campus.

“The groundbreaking is historic,” says Anthony Pullella, Commandant of Delaware Military Academy. “The building will be state-of-the-art and will include a monolithic dome, the first of its kind in Delaware.”

According to Pullella, Delaware Military Academy has outgrown its current campus, and has a shortage of classrooms and office space and no true athletic facility. The academic and athletic center will allow DMA to provide an enhanced athletic program and expanded course offerings in business and STEM.

The construction of the new building marks the second phase of a three-phase plan of expansion for Delaware Military Academy. Phase I of the plan began in 2002 and included the construction of the two school buildings, a wrestling center, a drill field and on-campus parking. Phase III will include an all-purpose turf field.

A capital campaign has been established to raise the 6 million dollars needed to complete construction of the academic and athletic center. Delaware Military Academy has already received donations, including a $2.5 million-dollar-pledge from local real estate developer and philanthropist, Anthony N. Fusco, Sr. The building will be named for Fusco and his late wife, Catherine.

Delaware Military Academy was established in 2003 and is the country’s first and only full, Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps High School.