Navy Football Weekends

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What are the must-do activities for a Navy football weekend? I know there is a march on the field the day of, but a friend just asked me if there is still a parade the day before the game? I'm the daughter of an ND grad so I have seen how storied programs like ND or Navy have a lot going on during a game weekend...we don't want to miss any Annapolis traditions...so seeking advice from the experts :)
 
There is usually a parade on Fridays in the fall, but not always. The USNA public affairs site will post them. You can access it here: https://www.usna.edu/PAO/events/index.php.It doesn't seem to be very updated right now, but class just reconvened this week, so I am sure it will shortly. You can always call ahead if its not updated and ask. Thursday nights are usually the pep rally. On Fridays you can always tour the yard and watch lunch formation. The parade will be right after class around 4 ish. There is Saturday March over from the yard to Stadium and then the field march on for the game.
 
https://www.usna.edu/PAO/events/index.php
Friday parades usually show up here, usually in conjunction with Saturday home games.

There is usually a pep rally, sometimes outside the Yard at City Dock, usually in T-Court on the Yard. Usually Thursday. It's more for the Brigade, but plenty walk onto the Yard for it.

Hitting the Mid Store, which is open on home game Saturdays. Class reunions don't just happen at the designated Homecoming, but at nearly every home game, especially in Sep-Oct, the best weather. The Mid Store is cheerful bedlam with everyone stocking up on their Blue and Gold factor.

Dressing with some degree of Blue and Gold. Or your I've-been-there vet gear.

Dropping by Naval Bagels or the Amish Market or any other favorite breakfast places on game day morning. See The Annapolis Food Thread.
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com...t-2016--I-Day-CVW-Visit-Graduation-PPW.47991/

If you're not tailgating, walk around downtown and enjoy lunch there. Or treat yourself to the Naval Academy Alumni Assn catered tailgate tent. If you're going to buy $$$$ stale pretzels and $$$$ soft drinks to eat in the stands, you might as well enjoy a catered tailgater and sit down at a table before the game.
https://www.usna.com/tailgates

Get your exercise in and park in DTA. Watch the Brigade march over and walk to and from the stadium yourself. Build an appetite.

Read up on game day info and allow plenty of time for traffic, starting well before the game.
http://m.navysports.com/m/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/16-gameday-guide.html

And I may regret doing this, but here's my locals' way to the stadium that avoids Rowe (be really local and pronounce to rhyme with "how") Blvd and US 50 ramp clog:
- Take West St. from either direction, from Mall/US 50 Exit 23 or from downtown.
- Turn into Admiral Dr.
- Make quick right onto Poplar Ave.
- Follow Poplar around to Windell Ave. This takes you past a game day parking lot at Germantown School.
- From Windell, turn right on Cedar Park Rd., which runs along the back of the Blue side of the stadium.

Stadium parking is pre-purchased pass only. See game day guide for options. You will also see local residents who offer parking in their driveways and yards for $20-$25.

I depart the stadium the same way, getting out to West St. and avoiding Rowe Blvd and the outgoing clog to 50.

Believe the signs at the Graul's Grocery/Naval Bagels shopping center across from the stadium that say cars will be towed.

Edit: Parallel posted with Hoops as usual! Noon formation always nice to watch.
 
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Capt MJ is letting all the secrets out on stadium traffic!!!!!
 
My DD called last night ------- boy, is she happy at USNA. Odd to think that she was crying and sick as she hugged me goodbye at the end of PPW.

Back to football! My DD mentioned that she'd like to come out for the Air Force Game on Oct. 1st, and wondered if her Mom and I would like to meet her there. Just Checked and my team isn't playing that weekend, (we play Stanford on Thursday the 3oth).

I have a couple of questions for those that know. 1) Is my DD jumping the gun? is away game attendance open to Plebes? 2) Is her attendance at of an away game contingent upon anything; (class preformance, leadership performance, inspection results, etc), or does she just sign up? (Note) DD said it sounded like Administration was anxious to have a Mid presence at the game and was inviting all Mids to attend. 3) We find ourselves in Colo. Springs for a USNA football game my daughter is also attending; do we really have a shot at spending a few hours with her, having dinner, that kind of thing?

(Note) Thinking we might go whatever the answer/s. I LOVE college football, my team isn't playing that weekend, its a rivalry game, short of a bowl venue, Colorado Springs is as close as the USNA Football team is likely to get to Washington State, and the game looks compedative with USNA a slight underdog

Shoot!! "30days has September" UW v Stanford Fri. night,
or USNA v USAFA on Sat.: That sucks!
 
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Mids, including plebes, can sign up for something called a "movement order" or "MO," for away events. Academy-Academy games are a good bet for this, and can be a lot of fun. If your DD is sat in academics, conduct (not on restriction) or any other issue, she should be cleared. She will be able to tell you what free time she has before and after the game, as she will get the "gouge" on how it works from other mids. She will be in uniform with other mids attending on the MO.

You can stop by Thudgate and meet SAF stalwarts!
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/Thudgate:-Falcon-Football.50652/

I think there is usually a big pre-game tailgater for mids and alumni. See my post above with the link to Alumni Assn tailgaters. There is one for AF away.

Check with the USNA Parents Club for that area and see what they have planned. They may even have a ticket deal.
http://www.usna-copc.org/aboutus/about.html

Academy-Academy games are almost guaranteed to be a sell-out, so that is your first order of business. I can't recall if mids can requisition tix for away games. You can check www.navysports.com
 
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Just Dad said:
Very helpful Thanks.
Click to expand...

She will figure all this out. She should look at her academic sked and try to plan accordingly for the following week. She won't get much done that weekend.

The mids usually get great "toys" - cowbells, etc. I remember the gold ten-gallon foam cowboy hats with Go Navy for some Texas away game, and every couple of years, the foam destroyer hats appear.

Away games can be some great memories.
 
I think this could work! 6PM game at Husky Stadium Friday Night Sept 30----------- 5AM flight to Denver on the 1st. Wife just dropped out... the 5AM Sat. flight is now do-able.

Time to firm things up with DD over the next week.

Thanks again

Oh yah-------------------- I already have the foam Destroyer
 
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Foam destroyer hats, a personal favorite. Worn fore and aft, or if you are feeling particularly jaunty, commodore-style, sideways.

ImageUploadedByService Academy Forums®1471812876.427598.jpg
 
Yup, and with all the parents-brothers-n-sisters of Mids flying in (and out again) from all over the country, the ONLY way you can buy a Destroyer at the Mid-store is fully assembled? LOL

Hadn't thought of commodore style ---nice
 
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