Navy Midshipmen Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Football

Head Coach: Brian Newberry

Team Mascot: Bill the Goat

Year Opened: 1959

Capacity: 34000

City / State: Annapolis / Maryland

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Commander-in-Chief's Trophy

Rival Team: Army Black Knights, Air Force Falcons

The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is awarded to the winner of the three-way rivalry between Army, Navy, and Air Force. While Army and Navy typically play on a neutral site, the Navy-Air Force matchup alternates between Annapolis and Colorado Springs, so if you want to see this matchup be sure to attend the game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on the first Saturday of October. The Midshipmen’s 17 victories are only three short of Air Force’s 20, so they’ll look to knot things up soon.

Navy vs Notre Dame

Rival Team: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame and Navy have met every year since 1927 when Notre Dame took down the Midshipmen 19 to 6. Unfortunately, victories have been few and far between for Navy since the 1960s as the Irish won every matchup from 1964 to 2006. Navy hopes to thwart Notre Dame’s four-game winning streak when these teams meet next.

Gansz Trophy

Rival Team: SMU Mustangs

Navy and SMU play for the Gansz Trophy, which is named after former Navy player and coach Frank Gansz. The two teams first met in 1930 when SMU bested Navy 20-7. However, Navy have the edge in the all-time series 9-7. Navy’s move to the American Athletic Conference means these two will be seeing a lot of each other over the next few years.

Navy Midshipmen Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Tailgating is taken quite seriously at Navy as tailgates start as early as 7:00 am and go until kickoff. Navy tailgates are famous for the large variety of foods that can be found here. They’ve got everything from your traditional burgers and hot dogs to barbecue  to crab. If you’re looking for a tailgate that offers a feast fit for a king looks no further than a Navy tailgate.

Navy tailgates are also a lot more civilized than tailgates at other schools as the students here observe the naval code and are on their best behavior. You won’t find any drunk and disorderly students here, so you won’t have to worry about rowdy fans ruining your good time.

Traditions

Brigade of Midshipmen March-On

Here at Navy, it isn’t the players who march into the stadium, but the students. The students here march into the stadium in full uniform as the band leads the charge. If attending a Navy game be sure to get there early to see this spectacle.

play Watch video

Tecumseh

The original wooden Tecumseh figurehead was salvaged from a shipwreck and given to the Naval Academy in 1866. However, the bronze figure that currently stands on the Navy campus has been there since 1930. Before every game, Midshipmen throw pennies and give the figurehead a salute for good luck.

Enterprise Bell

The Enterprise Bell is rung during special ceremonies to celebrate the Midshipmen winning the majority of the sporting events against Army during a sports season. Make sure to attend one of these events if you want to celebrate beating Army with fellow Navy fans.

Navy Fest

Navy Fest offers premium tailgating that featuring a wide variety food served right to you. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of setting up a tailgate, then Navy Fest is the tailgating spot for you.

play Watch video

Where to tailgate

Navy Midshipmen Stadium Guide

In Game

Navy football games provide an excellent game day atmosphere as they are steeped in history and tradition. History plays a large part in the atmosphere here as all throughout the stadium you will see memorials and tributes to those brave men and women who served in the Navy. These tributes give a Navy game a unique feel as they remind the fans that there is more to the academy than football.

The students at Navy games dress in full uniforms to attend games, which shows off their pride and support for the Naval Academy. The students here are also very well behaved as they are held to the Navy code and as a result are very respectful in both victory and defeat. While Navy students may not be as wild as those at others schools that don’t mean they aren’t very passionate as the fans here stand and cheer on the Midshipmen throughout the game.

Things to check out

Memorial Plaque Wall

Located in the North Memorial Plaza, the Memorial Plaque Wall displays hundreds of memorial plaques. Stop by the wall and remember all of the Navy officials who have lost their lives serving our country over the years.

Battle Names

The name of each major naval battle appears in front of one of the seating sections at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. They are displayed in chronological order and are an excellent way to honor those who have served in the Navy.

Touchdown Celebration

After every touchdown, a cannon is fired and the freshmen run to the end zone and do twenty push-ups. Other students also celebrate Navy scores by throwing their hats up into the air.

play Watch video

Fight Songs

  1. Anchors Aweigh

    Navy’s primary fight song

    (Verse 1)
    Stand Navy out to sea,
    Fight our battle cry;
    We’ll never change our course,
    So vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y.
    Roll out the TNT, Anchors Aweigh. Sail on to victory And sink their bones to Davy Jones, hooray!  

    (Verse 2)
    Anchors Aweigh, my boys,
    Anchors Aweigh. Farewell to foreign shores,
    We sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay. Through our last night ashore, Drink to the foam, Until we meet once more.
    Here’s wishing you a happy voyage home.  

    (Verse 3)
    Blue of the mighty deep:
    Gold of God’s great sun.
    Let these our colors be
    Till all of time be done, done, done, done.
    On seven seas we learn
    Navy’s stern call: Faith, courage, service true,
    With honor, over honor, over all.

  2. Navy Blue & Gold

    Navy’s alma mater sung after games

    Now colleges from sea to sea
    May sing of colors true,
    But who has better right than we
    To hoist a symbol hue:
    For sailors brave in battle fair
    Since fighting days of old,
    Have proved the sailor’s right to wear
    The Navy Blue & Gold.
    So hoist our colors, hoist them high,
    And vow allegiance true,
    So long as sunset gilds the sky Above the ocean blue,
    Unlowered shall those colors be Whatever fate they meet,
    So glorious in victory,
    Triumphant in defeat.
    Four years together by the Bay,
    Where Severn joins the tide, Then by the Service called away,
    We’re scattered far and wide;
    But still when two or three shall meet,
    And old tales be retold,
    From low to highest in the Fleet,
    We’ll pledge the Blue and Gold.  

  3. Eternal Father, Strong to Save

    Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
    Who biddest the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep;
    Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
    For those in peril on the sea!
    O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
    And hushed their raging at Thy Word,
    Who walked on the foaming deep, And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
    Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
    For those in peril on the sea!
    Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
    Upon the chaos dark and rude, And bid its angry tumult cease,
    And give, for wild confusion, peace; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
    For those in peril on the sea!
    O Trinity of love and power!
    Our family shield in danger’s hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
    Protect us wheresoever we go;
    Thus evermore shall rise to Thee Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

  4. The Goat is Old & Gnarly

    The Goat is old & gnarly & he’s never been to school,
    But He can take the bacon from the worn out Army mule;
    He’s got no education, but he’s brimmin full O’fight,
    & Bill will feed on Army mule tonight!
    Army, Army, call the doctor
    Army, Army, call the doctor
    Army, Army, call the doctor
    You’re all in down and . . .
    Whoa Ensign had a break today, no??
    Take one!!
    Army, Army call the doctor,
    You’re all in, down & out!

  5. Navy Victory March

Navy Midshipmen Bars & Restaurants

  1. Castlebay Irish Pub

    Castlebay Irish Pub

    Traditional fare & pints come among mahogany furnishings, stained glass & memorabilia.

    193A Main St, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-626-0165

    Bar website

    - $

  2. Harry Browne’s

    Harry Brownes

    Upscale American fare & wines are served to a power crowd at this classy art deco dining room & bar.

    66 State Cir, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-263-4332

    Bar website

    american - $$

  3. DRY 85

    DRY 85

    Intimate nook with 1920s flair offering whiskey & beer, plus refined takes on American comfort food.

    193B Main St, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    443-214-5171

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. Dock Street Bar

    Dock Street Bar

    A local favorite, bi-level tavern in the former city jail serves cocktails, seafood & classic grub.

    136 Dock St, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-268-7278

    Bar website

    american - $$

  5. O’Brien’s Oyster Bar

    OBrien's Oyster Bar

    Laid-back American eatery in an 18th-century building, serving steaks & local fish, with a full bar.

    113 Main St, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-268-6288

    Bar website

    steakhouse - $$

  6. Fado Irish Pub

    Fado Irish Pub

    Victorian-style Irish tavern serving pub grub & pints in atmospheric digs with TVs showing sports.

    1 Park Pl #7, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-626-0069

    Bar website

    european - $$

  7. Rams Head Tavern

    Rams Head Tavern

    Brick-walled tavern with a wisteria-covered heated patio serving pub fare & regional seafood dishes.

    33 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-268-4545

    Bar website

    american - $$

  8. Heroes

    Heroes beer

    Firehouse-themed pub featuring 40+ draft beers & live music nightly, plus casual seafood & burgers.

    1 Riverview Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-573-1996

    Bar website

    american - $$

  9. Acme Bar & Grill

    Acme Bar and Grill

    The mission is simple: serve delicious, affordable food that guests will want to return to week after week.

    163 Main St, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-280-6486

    Bar website

    american - $$

  10. Stan and Joe’s Saloon

    Stan and Joes Saloon

    Chill sports tavern offers American bar bites, game-day specials & a weekend lineup of local bands.

    37 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-263-1993

    Bar website

    american - sportsbar - $$

  11. Café Normandie Restaurant

    Cafe Normandie Restaurant

    Warm & casual French bistro preparing classics such as crêpes, quiche Lorraine & beef bourguignon.

    185 Main St, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-263-3382

    Bar website

    european - cafe

  12. Chick & Ruth’s Delly

    Chick and Ruths Delly

    Lively landmark diner featuring greasy-spoon breakfasts & piled-high sandwiches in kitschy environs.

    165 Main St, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-269-6737

    Bar website

    american - $$

  13. The Federal House

    burger fries

    The menu includes local favorites like their award-winning cream of crab soup, sandwiches, and fresh seafood.

    22 Market Space, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-268-2576

    Bar website

    american - $$

  14. Buddy’s Crabs & Ribs

    Buddys Crabs and Ribs

    Casual, family-owned restaurant featuring a raw bar, seafood classics & all-you-can-eat buffet.

    100 Main St, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-626-1100

    Bar website

    american - $$

  15. Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub

    Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub

    Convivial pub featuring classic Gaelic grub & American standards in warm, brick-walled environs.

    63 Maryland Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-263-8333

    Bar website

    european - $$

  16. Pip’s Dock Street Dogs

    Pip’s Dock Street Dogs

    Pip's is a family run business that offers classic Nathan's natural casing all beef hot dogs.

    118 Dock St, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

    410-990-9009

    Bar website

    american - $