BEAT ARMY!!!!

Today will have me digging out of the snow storm and perhaps a medium run on the treadmill. But then today is the day of some big football games, and the biggest for me is the Army-Navy game.

When one is a "plebe" at the Naval Academy, one has to yell things at certain times. For example, when one makes a right angle turn in a hallway, one has to stamp one's foot on a metal plate and make a "square corner". One typically yells "Beat Army, Sir". This is all school year long.

Hence, "Army Week" is a big deal; there are lots of spirit related activities on campus.

This is a real release from the pressure of the semester.

Both student bodies go to the game; so you have the Corps of Cadets and the Brigade of Midshipman. Both march on the field prior to the game; frankly Army looks much better during the march on.

Afterward, both student bodies stand at attention for each other's song; it is an atmosphere of mutual respect.

The game itself is spirited, even if the level of play is far from elite (by NCAA division I standards). Though there have been some upsets over the years, what usually happens is that both teams come in high and the better team ends up winning. This year, that is us.