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I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 11:56 pm
by George S. Patton
When the postgame handshake was over, I like every alum stood for Varsity. I guess it should not have surprised but it did to watch the Navy players come over and stand at attention for Varsity.

That really got me (tear in my eye now) because of who they are, what they represent and how they are great ambassadors for college athletics. Rightly so, our kids walked over for their playing of the Navy Blue and White.

This is exactly how you want sportsmanship and athletics to be played.

We know that Navy and Army always stand for each other's alma mater following their game, but I didn't know that at least Navy did this. I was just overwhelmed.

I just looked at my girls and said, "This is why you should always support the academies because of the kind of young men and women they produce and how they conduct themselves. They are role models for us all."

It put a lot into perspective. A proud moment at Ford Stadium. Glad to be a part of it.

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:02 am
by SMU89
Glad you posted this observation. Agree

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:07 am
by Statler
I got a chill down my spine when on the first note of the National Anthem, ALL the midshipman snapped their salute....I thank God that those who stand on the wall for us everyday, so that we can live in the greatest country in the world.

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:10 am
by SMU 86
Good post everyone.

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 1:53 am
by PonyPride
George S. Patton wrote:When the postgame handshake was over, I like every alum stood for Varsity. I guess it should not have surprised but it did to watch the Navy players come over and stand at attention for Varsity.

That really got me (tear in my eye now) because of who they are, what they represent and how they are great ambassadors for college athletics. Rightly so, our kids walked over for their playing of the Navy Blue and White.

Glad you mentioned that — very classy move by both schools.

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 1:58 am
by ponyscott
SMU 86 wrote:Good post everyone.



Totally agree as it was very cold and so easy to get out of there and I felt it was important to stay and pay respects.....to both teams...

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 2:17 am
by OR-See-Nee
Very classy by the USNA and SMU. That's the way college sports should be.

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:50 am
by ParkyPony
George S. Patton wrote:When the postgame handshake was over, I like every alum stood for Varsity. I guess it should not have surprised but it did to watch the Navy players come over and stand at attention for Varsity.

That really got me (tear in my eye now) because of who they are, what they represent and how they are great ambassadors for college athletics. Rightly so, our kids walked over for their playing of the Navy Blue and White.

This is exactly how you want sportsmanship and athletics to be played.

We know that Navy and Army always stand for each other's alma mater following their game, but I didn't know that at least Navy did this. I was just overwhelmed.

I just looked at my girls and said, "This is why you should always support the academies because of the kind of young men and women they produce and how they conduct themselves. They are role models for us all."

It put a lot into perspective. A proud moment at Ford Stadium. Glad to be a part of it.


Damn General, I teared up just reading your post. Very nice.

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:31 pm
by StangEsq
Agreed... another cool thing about watching a Navy game is the lack of taunting and poor sportsmanship... you don't see guys standing over opponents after tackles, dancing around for 10 seconds after a sack, celebrating after a big hit on a 10-yard gain, etc. Pretty refreshing.

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 1:14 pm
by KnuckleStang
Again, if anyone has not read Feinstein's excellent book about the Army-Navy rivalry, I highly recommend it

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 1:19 pm
by redpony
You can really notice the difference when you play a 'class' opponent. Sportsmanship is a real part of college football and truly enhances the experience.

GO PONIES!!!

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 1:28 pm
by CalallenStang
TCU tried to do this with us this year, but our players forgot and exited the field before "Varsity" was played.

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 2:27 pm
by Mestengo
It put a lot into perspective. A proud moment at Ford Stadium. Glad to be a part of it.[/quote]



I was absolutely certain you would be streaking the field at half time covered only in a Peruna t-shirt guns a blazing followed by an enormous entourage.

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:29 pm
by George S. Patton
Mestengo wrote:It put a lot into perspective. A proud moment at Ford Stadium. Glad to be a part of it.




I was absolutely certain you would be streaking the field at half time covered only in a Peruna t-shirt guns a blazing followed by an enormous entourage.[/quote]

I know I have my faults and my critics but I'm very disappointed by the tone of this post on a thread that was devoted to what I considered a very special moment at the statement. I'm not going to participate in this. I just hope the author would re-consider and edit this remark or speak of the great sportsmanship that was on display.

Great comments by all about what that moment meant to them, except for this one.

Re: I teared up at the playing of the alma maters

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:30 pm
by ALEX LIFESON
I stayed and witnessed this as well, but of coarse, I was dumb enough to stand there in that monsoon in Annapolis last year, to listen to the Navy Blue and Gold. Navy is my second favorite team, with my dad serving in the Pacific in WWII, and my step son in the Navy search and recue presently.