Midshipmen To Run Football To NJ, Host Pep Rally For Army-Navy Game

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A team of midshipmen will run 230 miles to deliver a football for this weekend's Army-Navy game in New Jersey. The U.S. Naval Academy will also host a pep rally before its 122nd match-up against the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Game Ball Run

About 150 midshipmen will gather Thursday at noon in T-Court for a motivational kick-off to the game ball run. The 13th Company will split the trek to the New York City suburbs into 22 legs of about 9.7 miles each. The Naval Academy’s superintendent, commandant and deputy commandant will all participate in the first leg.

The 40th annual run will span 43 hours. The tradition started in 1982 as a way to get the "unlucky" 13th Company away from the Naval Academy.

Army cadets will run their own game ball down from their New York campus. Both teams will jog onto the field before the contest to present their game balls.

"The Army–Navy ball run has evolved into a highly spirited event, demonstrating the pride and enthusiasm of the entire Brigade of Midshipmen," the Naval Academy said in a press release.

Pep Rally

The "Beat Army" pep rally starts Thursday at 7 p.m. in T–Court. Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Sean Buck and other school leaders will speak during the hour-long event.

Football players and cheerleaders will pump up the crowd before the Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps performs "Anchors Aweigh." The Brigade will sing the academy’s alma mater, "Navy Blue and Gold," at the end of the rally.

Patriot Games

Midshipmen and cadets will also square off in the Patriot Games to test their strength, endurance and teamwork. The games begin Friday at the American Dream Mall near the stadium. They continue Saturday at the field with an obstacle relay for the teams of 10. Other competitions include a tug-of-war and a pull-up challenge.

Army-Navy Game

The Navy Midshipmen (3-8) will take on the Army Black Knights (8-3) on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. CBS will air the game nationally.

Army beat Navy 15-0 in last year's contest. The Black Knights have won four of the last five match-ups, but the Midshipmen lead the all-time series 61-53-7.

RELATED:

• Army Nabs Navy Goat Mascots In 2nd Heist Before Rivalry Game: NYT
• Army Cadets Try To Steal Navy's Live Mascot Before Game: Report
• Retired Naval Academy Mascot Passes At Age 14

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