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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Perimeter TailgatingIf you want to set up a tailgate for your group make sure to go through the NAAA and make a reservation for your group.
Navy FestNavy 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
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.
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.
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!
Watch video
