11/27/2002 - Football
Army-Navy Game Draws National Interest
ANNAPOLIS, Md.- The outcome of the Army-Navy football classic has been wildy unpredictable over the years. One thing is certain: cities from across the country would like an opportunity to host one of college football's true national treasures.
Representatives from 14 cities, stretching from the southern-most regions of the country to the great Northeast, have expressed interest in serving as the long-term host for the Army-Navy classic.
The process for securing a long-term home for future Army-Navy football games officially began in September with the two service academies distributing a formal "Request for Proposal" to agencies representing more than 90 different cities nationally.
An agreement between the city of Philadelphia and the academies to host the Army-Navy game expires following next year's battle.
The deadline for parties to submit official letters of interest was Nov. 15.
The academies received official letters stating an interest in hosting the game from representatives of the following cities: Miami, Fla., Tampa, Fla., Jacksonville, Fla., Pittsburgh, Pa., the New England region (headed by Providence and Warwick, R.I.), Houston, Texas, San Antonio, Texas, East Rutherford, N.J., Chicago, Ill., Philadelphia, Pa., Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Md., and Buffalo, N.Y.
The academies will accept bids from prospective host cities through the middle of January 2003 with a decision date set for early spring. Any agency wishing to submit a bid for the five-year period of 2004 through 2008 is encouraged to do so. Bidders will not be limited to those submitting official letters of interest.
"It's obvious, based on the expressed interest to date, this big time event will clearly end up in a big time city," said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. "Each prospective host is in a major market, has a first-class venue and a proven track record of hosting special events. The selection process will be very interesting."
"We are pleased with the significant interest expressed by those wishing to serve as the long-term host for one of the greatest spectacles in all of sports," said Army Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan. "This expression of interest affirms the respect that the nation holds for this great game and the service academies."
Seventy-six of the 102 Army-Navy games have been held within Philadelphia's city limits. Since 1945, the contest has been played in Philadelphia with but five exceptions. While the 1983 game was played at the Rose Bowl, the 1989, 1993 and 1997 confrontations took place at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., while Baltimore, Md. served as host city in 2000, the last time the game was held outside of Philadelphia. This year's classic is once again set for Dec. 7 at Giants Stadium, while next year's Army-Navy game will be held in the Philadelphia Eagles' new home, Lincoln Financial Field, slated for a September 2003 opening.
