The Belk Falcon Statue

Just outside of Falcon Stadium, on the east side, soars the largest falcon statue in the United States.  ----more----

The bronze sculpture, valued at $400,000, has a wingspan of 24 feet and weighs 10,000 pounds.  Jon Hair, the “Official Sculptor to the United States Olympic Team,” created it.  Dedicated on August 29th, 2008, the sculpture was given to the Academy by philanthropist Irwin “Ike” Belk, who was present at the dedication.  He commissioned the statue “to honor United States Air Force Academy graduates for their selfless service to our nation.”  Belk, who passed away in 2018, served in the intelligence career field in Europe during World War II as a member of the famed Eighth Air Force.  After the war, he became a Belk Department Store executive.  He funded similar giant mascots at more than 40 other colleges and universities, many in his native North Carolina.

 

 

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