In an 8:34pm bulletin, the AP is currently reporting that the game scheduled for Saturday will go on as planned.
A senior defense official says U.S. military academy football teams will be on the field this weekend, despite the ongoing government shutdown.
The official said Wednesday the decision affects this weekend’s games only, and future games will be evaluated as events unfold in the coming days.
The teams will be allowed to play because the games are paid for with non-appropriated funds, and have been long planned. Army is scheduled to travel to Boston College this weekend, and Air Force will play at Navy in Annapolis, Md.
The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly so spoke on condition of anonymity.
Non-appropriated funds generally come from outside sources and are not approved through Congress.
There has not been an official statement yet from the USNA or the USAFA. Eye On Annapolis has messages into Academy officials.
@eyeonannapolis @NavalAcademy No confirmation on our end. We will let you know when we know.
— Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) October 3, 2013
Commander John Schofield, Naval Academy Public Information Officer, has confirmed to The Capital that Navy-Air Force game will be played.
— Bill Wagner (@BWagner_CapGaz) October 3, 2013