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Classmates:
For the first time in history, the ARMY NAVY game will be played in the National Capital Region in 2011 at FedEx field. Due to longstanding relationships members of our Class have with both the Redskins, who own FedEx field, and Chet Gladchuk, USNA Athletic Director, our Class has been asked to help coordinate events associated with the game.
The USMA Class of 1964 has joined us to form a joint USNA/USMA Classes of 1964 initiative to promote the success of the 2011 Army-Navy game. Our role will be solely involving those activities providing direct support to the Midshipmen/Cadets. Tom Lynch has led the city of Philadelphia to support the pre-game activities and host the Midshipmen/Cadets for many years. He has participated in various planning meetings with us to provide valuable lessons learned.
This Class activity was formalized in a resolution passed by our Executive Committee at its meeting on November 16, 2010. The resolution stated:
“Whereas the National Capital Region will host the 2011 Army - Navy football game and whereas the Greater Washington Sports Authority, under contract to the Washington Redskins, has requested the support of the USNA Class of 1964 in organizing functions supporting the Brigade and the game, resolved that the Class of 1964 Executive Committee agrees that the name "USNA Class of 1964" may be used under the title "Army - Navy Classes of 1964 Support Committee for the Nation's Classic". The USNA Class of 1964 will have no financial obligation, and the role of this committee is to assist in the preparations for the 2011 Army - Navy game and the events surrounding it, the first in the nation's capital.
The Academies’ Athletic Directors have negotiated a contract with the Washington Redskins in concert with the Greater Washington Sports Alliance (GWSA ) regarding Redskin/GWSA sponsorship of pregame cadet/midshipmen and Army-Navy patron activities. Our 64 classes (USNA/USMA) are members of the GWSA Host committee associated with this game. Jay Green has agreed to lead our participation on the committee along with his West Point counterpart, Dan Evans. Jay and Dan will work with GWSA and identify specific events that would provide “value added” support for the Midshipmen and Cadets. Our support will be volunteer labor and organization for those events that the Host Committee will sponsor. Our efforts will be a cooperative effort and fully coordinated with those organizations involved in the Army-Navy football game this year.
Detailed planning for the events will begin in earnest this spring. Jay Green will recommend to the Class Executive Committee what activities are appropriate for our Class support. Any classmate, any USMA ’64 classmate and more realistically anyone residing in the DC metropolitan area is welcome to join a support team. No action is required now, but classmates many communicate with Jay, at: d-jgreen@comcast.net and ask to be put on the mailing list of planning updates as they become available.
I want to emphasize that our only involvement is to foster a safe and lively event for our Midshipmen and Cadets where such efforts are deemed appropriate and fully approved by the Academies and other involved stakeholders.
GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY again for ten!
Bill Natter
Pres USNA Class of 1964
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