9/10/2002 - Football
Army-Navy Game Request For Proposal Hits Streets
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ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The process for securing a long-term home for future
Army-Navy football games officially began today as the service academies distributed a formal "Request for Proposal" to agencies representing 75 different cities.
A long-term agreement between the city of Philadelphia and the academies to host the Army-Navy game expires following next year's battle.
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, not just those that were distributed through formal RFPs.
"This is a great opportunity for cities across the country to put their best foot forward and bid on one of the nation's premier sporting events, the Army-Navy football game," said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. "We are looking forward to working with the United States Military Academy in finding the best possible venue for this storied event."
"The Army-Navy game is one of America's national treasures. Agencies from many cities across the country have expressed a great deal of interest in hosting this great classic," said Army Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan. "This process will help to identify the candidates that are best suited to host such an event."
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. 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.
