The Army Black Knights of the U.S. Military Academy and the Navy Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy will face off at 3 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Washington Commanders stadium in Landover, Md., for one of the greatest rivalries in college sports.
This is the 125th Army-Navy Game where the two teams will compete for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
The historic rivalry started in 1890 when Cadet Dennis Michie accepted a challenge from a group of midshipmen for a pickup game between the Navy and the newly formed West Point team.
The teams met on the Plain Nov. 29, 1890, and the more experienced Navy team defeated the fledging Army team. However, in 1891, the Army would avenge the loss, beating the Navy 32-16.
Although that was the birth of the iconic rivalry, they didn’t start meeting annually until 1930.
“It’s one of the oldest rivalries,” said Army veteran Stan Goligoski, who lives in Arizona and will fly cross-country to attend the game. He said he was excited to see “our servicemen and woman that sign up to serve our nation … set aside the service portion for this rivalry and duke it out in the trenches.”
Goligoski once taught at West Point and frequently spectated the games on campus, but this will be his first time attending an Army-Navy game.
Besides getting to witness the two teams compete for the trophy and bragging rights, he said he was excited to witness the pomp and circumstance around the game as well.
Goligoski, who works as a production manager for Milgard Window and Door company in Prescott, will be attending the game with his boss, a Navy veteran.
“Every year there has been [competition],” Goligoski said of his relationship with the boss. “We would text on the day but this year we’ll be together and it’s super special opportunity for sure.”
The game will be especially personal for Goligoski as every year the Army and Navy tailor their uniforms to recognize a certain military unit and this year they are recognizing the 101st Airborne.
“That’s the unit that I served as company commander in Afghanistan with and went to Iraq with as well,” Goligoski said. “So, I’ll be donning the 101st Airborne memorabilia as well … it’s extra special.”
Goligoski isn’t the only one looking forward to the upcoming competition. So, obviously, are the players of each team, some of whom are from Arizona and will represent the Grand Canyon State in the game.
The Black Knights roster has three Arizonans including freshman safety Carlos Griffin from Phoenix, freshman wide receiver Dom Esposito from Queen Creek and senior defensive lineman Kyle Lewis from Scottsdale. Griffin attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Esposito went to Higley High School in Gilbert and Lewis attended Horizon High School in Scottsdale.
“Everything we do is to beat Navy,” said Lewis, who is also a captain on the team. “It’s a fight until the end every year. Beating Navy and winning the C.I.C. is a goal for us every year. It’s no different this year.”
“I know there’s hundreds of people who would die to be in the position I am today, and be at the Naval Academy especially playing football,” Velez said. “It’s an honor and it’s one that I don’t take lightly. I am just proud to represent this nation and Arizona.”
For Velez, that rivalry between the Black Knights and the Midshipmen is also a family affair between him and his oldest brother, Ryan, who played football at West Point and graduated in 2020.
“It’s a loving one [though],” Velez said. “I know that at the end of the day, he wants me to succeed, and if that means Navy winning then I think he’s okay with it because it’s deeper than just football.”
Velez added that his middle brother, Ross, also attended the Naval Academy and graduated last year, but did not play on the football team.
Velez during his time at the Naval Academy has faced the Black Knights three times.
“I learned that it doesn’t really matter what your record is when we go out there on Saturday,” Velez said. “We’re going to see Army’s best and Army’s are going to see our best. It’s just a physical game, and it really comes down to who’s more disciplined, who’s tougher in the trenches and who wants it more. I think going in knowing that and with that mindset, it’s allowing us to prepare the way that we need to prepare and then go out on Saturday and execute.”
Velez has been playing football since he was in first grade and was part of the varsity football team at Brophy College Preparatory.
“Playing at the Naval Academy [is] what keeps me so passionate is my love for my teammates,” Velez said. “The ones that have gone before, the ones that I’m currently playing with and the ones that will come in the future. It’s just a blessing to be able to play with the guys that I’ve played with. And that’s really what keeps me going.”
This will be Velez’s last Army-Navy game, but he said he is going to approach it like he would any other game.
“There’s a lot of hype and attention around the games, as it should be,” Velez said. “But when it comes down to it, I like to remain calm, cool and collected and just play my game and not allow the outside factors to influence me. So, when we get there on Saturday and it’s time to play, I’m just going to be focusing on doing my assignment and doing it to the best of my ability.”
Tickets for the Army-Navy have been sold out since May, but for those interested in watching Velez and Lewis and their teammates go head-to-head, it can be streamed on Paramount + with Showtime or on CBS Sports and on the CBS Sports app.
“I’m most looking forward to going out there and competing with my brothers and just playing good, clean, disciplined and physical football,” Velez said. “I’m also really excited to represent our country and out nation’s Navy on national television and bring home the Commander-in-Chief trophy.”
