Representatives of both the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy joined with local civic and tourism officials, game sponsors and others on Dec. 10 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., for media day for the Army-Navy Game presented by USAA.
While there was a lot of talk about pride in the game being played in the Washington, D.C., area, as well as CBS extending its television coverage of the game another 10 years, there also was common theme throughout the event: Army-Navy is more than a football game.
“There’s nothing like this football game,” said Navy coach Brian Newberry, who has led Navy to an 8-3 record this season. “It’s the best rivalry in college football for a lot of reasons. I think what makes this rivalry special is it is rooted in deep respect for the rival. It’s not a rivalry that’s based on being on the wrong side of the river or a state line.
“Despite whatever animosity or friction there is between the two teams, a respect transcends all of that stuff. I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it.”
Army head coach Jeff Monken and his players – who have put together an 11-1 season and are No. 22 in the College Football Playoff ranking – were unable to attend the event because of transportation issues due to both mechanical and heavy fog factors. But Army Athletic Director Mike Buddie was in attendance.
“It’s been a hell of a year for both academies,” Buddie said. “It’s been a special year, obviously, for us. But we know that Saturday’s game is paramount. It’s always important to come home with that Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. We’re thrilled that we’ve had the season that we’ve had, but we also know that the game that is … in a lot of eyes the only game that matters, will take place here on Saturday.”
Buddie was one of many speakers who took time to thank the game’s sponsors. In doing so, he also recognized The American Legion for this year becoming an associate sponsor and official veterans service organization of the game.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV, Senior Vice President of Military Affairs for USAA and a West Point alum, spoke about those who play the game and the path that they’ve chosen.
“You think about these young adults that are going to be out on the field and those student bodies that are going to be behind them 100 percent,” Richardson said. “They do truly represent the greatest part of our country: Young men and women who have raised their hand in support of defending the Constitution. This is truly a great rivalry, and one that really captures the essence of what college football is all about.”
Saturday’s Army-Navy Game will be broadcast by CBS at 3 p.m. ET.
