Army Navy Always Enjoyed

PHILADELPHIA-----Navy battered the Brave Old Army team,34-0, before a capacity crowd in the City of Brotherly Love. It was my 45th Army-Navy encounter. The teams meet here again in 2009 and then it is a question of where the 2010 classic will be played. Eight cities have expressed interest in hosting the Classic.
Over 80 of these 100 games have been played in Philadelphia and the City Fathers are going all out to convince Army and Navy officials that the game should always be held here. Over the years no other city has been a better host. The Army-Navy game I missed was the one played in the Rose Bowl where there was a major transportation problem getting all of the Midshipmen and Cadets non-football players to the Stadium.
Part of the package includes paying travel expenses for the Brigade and the Corps. Navy's Coach is Ken Niumatalolo, the first Samoan collegiate head football coach. Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk promoted the longtime assistant to the top job when Paul Johnson accepted the Georgia Tech assignment Stan Brock moved up at Army when Bobby Ross retired.
President George W. Bush, attending the game for the last time as Commander in Chief, walked towards the 50-yard line for the coin toss ceremony noted that the placekicker had left a football on the tee as he left warmup for the ceremony, delighted the crowd by kicking the ball quite impressively, making one wonder if Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would offer the outgoing President a job as a field goal and extra point specialist.
The night before a VIP reception was held for the Navy and Army brass and other notables in the beautiful Philadelphia Civic Center. A battle of the Bands highlighted the event with cheer-leaders dueling to a draw, while both bands played their hearts out. A lovely Navy cheerleader noted my presence and asked me if I wanted to dance with her. I could see why. Old Wagon Wheel dancers of downtown Jackson never die. Naturally I accepted the pretty lady Middie's invitation.
Sadler's dancing machine band was as great as ever. I look forward to returning to Philadelphia next year.
On another note as Bowl games were being announced I hasten to say that the All-American Football Foundation members, including over 150 colleges, do not vote until AFTER the post season games have been played. Only then do the members vote and select their All-America teams and Coaches of the Year in all divisions as well as National Champions in all divisions plus selecting 11 Colonel Red Blaik senior leadership Scholarship honorees.
While Oklahoma and Florida, once beaten, play in the designated major college championship game the All-American Football Foundation noted that the other contenders included two perfect record teams, Boise State and Utah plus once defeated Texas, Alabama, Penn State, USC, Ball State, and Texas Tech.
Penn State and USC have to think that which ever team wins the Rose Bowl the winner should have every right to share the national title with Oklahoma or Florida.
I will be in the Boston area for the AAFF's New England Banquet of Champions followed by the trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy festivities. I have attended every Heisman Dinner since my first one in 1962--46 years. It's always a pleasure to be there. Terry Baker of Oregon State was the winner .
Roger Staubach and Joe Bellino are Navy's Heisman winners. Army claimed three Heismans with Doc Blanchard, Glenn Davis, and Pete Dawkins. December in New York is a special time of the year for me. Sunday Mass at St. Patrick's , Lunch at the 21 Club, Dinner at Neary's. I lived in the City for 17 years, and worked there for almost three decades. New York, New York, a wonderful town.
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