Midshipmen of the 13th Company gathered at 7am on this morning, for a motivational kick-off to begin the 84 mile trek from Bancroft Hall to Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium for the 33rd running of the Army-Navy game ball. The first relay team of Midshipmen were joined by USNA Superintendent, VADM Ted Carter and USNA Commandant of Midshipmen, CAPT William Byrne as the company makes the trek to the stadium for tomorrow’s game.
Midshipmen will run to D.C. and make remarks at the Capitol building beginning at 1 p.m. They will then run to various locations throughout D.C. including the Navy Memorial, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and will end with closing remarks on the White House lawn at 5 p.m.
The Army team will also run a game ball, beginning their trip from West Point. Both game balls will be presented by each team’s ball runners at the stadium prior to the start of the game.
Originating in 1982 as a desire to get the “unlucky” 13th company off the Naval Academy grounds, the Army-Navy ball run has evolved into a highly spirited event, demonstrating the pride and enthusiasm of the entire Brigade of Midshipmen as well as their excitement and support for the Army-Navy football tradition.
The Army-Navy football game will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Saturday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. This year’s game marks the 115th time the Naval Academy’s Midshipmen will compete against West Point’s Black Knights on the football field. The football rivalry began in 1890 with Navy beating Army, 24-0. Navy’s record against Army currently stands at 58 wins, 49 losses, and seven ties. With a win tomorrow, Navy will have defeated Army for 13 consecutive years.
All photos © 2014 Glenn A. Miller / Glenn A Miller Photography for Eye On Annapolis
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