1/17/2003 - Football
Army-Navy Game Draws Significant Interest
ANNAPOLIS, Md.-- Determining the future site of the Army-Navy football game drew one step closer on Wednesday when the deadline passed for parties to submit official bids to host one of college football's greatest rivalries.
The service academies announced they have received bids from groups representing a significant number of cities from across the country. Due to the sensitive nature of the process, both academies have agreed that the number of cities
submitting bids and their names will not be revealed.
Agencies wishing to submit a bid for the five-year period of 2004 through 2008 were encouraged to do so throughout the fall. Representatives from 14 cities, stretching from the southern-most regions of the country to the great Northeast, had expressed initial interest in hosting the Army-Navy Classic. Many of those representatives attended this year's Army-Navy game in advance of submitting an official bid to host the event. The entire process for securing a long-term home for the treasured classic began in September with the 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 this year's battle.
"The bidding process has proven that the Army-Navy game is truly a national treasure as cities from around the country have expressed a sincere interest in hosting this classic event ," 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."
"We are very excited with the level of interest that has been displayed in hosting this great event," expressed Army Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan. "Since the process began last fall, there has been a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm generated by interested parties. We are very pleased with both the quantity and quality of the bids that have been submitted."
The selection process will now begin in earnest, with bidders extended the opportunity to make formal presentations. Committee members will also conduct facility reviews and site visits during the evaluation period. A decision date is set
for early spring.
Seventy-six of 103 Army-Navy games have been held within Philadelphia's city limits. Since 1945 the contest has been played in Philadelphia with but six exceptions. While the 1983 game was played at the Rose Bowl, the 1989, 1993, and 1997
and 2002 confrontations took place at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. and Baltimore served as host city in 2000.
This year's classic will be held in the Philadelphia Eagles' new home, Lincoln Financial Field, slated to open in September. The game will be played on Dec. 6 with national broadcast coverage by CBS Sports beginning at 4 p.m.
