Who should sing the Alma Mater?

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brewmeist

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I saw a FB post with the Blue & Gold Lyrics in case people wanted to 'sing along.' My thoughts have always been to stand for a different school's Alma Mater out of respect, but only students, faculty, and alumni have the 'right' to sing it. Of course there is the Army/Navy tradition, but outside of that, should everybody be able to take part?

Not trying to start a debate, but I am very curious how others feel about this.
 
I’m not A Grad. When I was on staff there, I sang it, hand over heart, yelled Beat Army. I am no longer on staff, I don’t sing it (but heck, if I’m in the stands at a game and everyone else is, I sing along). I always yell Beat Army.

I don’t think it’s a thing. My DH, who is A Grad, has never said anything about it or given anyone the stink eye. I think if the spirit and intent are right, it’s fine.

I’ll be interested in what our SAF USNA grads think.
 
An interesting discussion. I lived at West Point for years and years, attending countless football games. Though my degree is from somewhere else, I will always sing West Point's Alma Mater when it is played out of respect for the institution, all of its graduates, and all that it has meant to me.
 
When my kiddo was a Plebe (I've aged since then) I went to some venue I can't recall where they encouraged us all to sing it.
 
+1 to @Soldiergriz. If you want to show respect for the school — or if the spirit just moves you — sing away. Sing loud, sing proud. At the Army-Navy game, it’s hard for non-grads to not get caught up in the moment, especially if a family member attends.
 
My mother learned it so she could sing it at games. It touched me that she cared enough to do so. I don’t think she did the “Beat Army,” however.
 
Thanks for your thoughts.

It's not even a Navy thing. The only Alma Mater I sing is at Rutgers games, since that is my Alma Mater. That is of course, if I'm still at the game when they are actually playing the Alma Mater. I'm usually leaving the beginning of the 4th qtr when they are down 7 scores. At my kids' HS, the Alma Mater is a huge thing. The entire school knows it and sings it. My youngest son asked me why I wasn't singing one game. I told him, "I didn't go here." Of course I stand tall for it and applaud at the end.

I am not used to be in the minority thought, but I appreciate your answers.
 
Frankly, I've never given it any thought, so I guess that means SING !

usna1985 said:
I don’t think she did the “Beat Army,” however.
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I'm not sure I have ever seen (or at least paid attention) to the written words of the Alma Mater, but always thought BEAT ARMY was part of the song --- as well at part of the National Anthem. (Sometimes people look at me strange when I punctuate the National Anthem with a fist pump and Beat Army sound off!) ;)
 
Being new to USNA, it feels like it's all a part of the "Navy family" esprit de corps being fostered. (E.g., they played song and everyone sang at IDay picnic, my correspondences with other more experienced mid parents often end with Go Navy! or Beat Army! etc) So we will sing, shout Go Navy! and wear USNA shirts in appreciation of that.
 
USNA is not my alma mater and I don’t feel it is proper to sing B&G. This is my son’s school and I support it on his behalf but as an interested observer. I am not a midshipman. As a parent who is not alumnus or was in the military I think i need to give my DS the space to carve out his identity apart from his parents. That means honoring his own traditions by not usurping them.
 
brewmeist said:
Thanks for your thoughts.

It's not even a Navy thing. The only Alma Mater I sing is at Rutgers games, since that is my Alma Mater. That is of course, if I'm still at the game when they are actually playing the Alma Mater. I'm usually leaving the beginning of the 4th qtr when they are down 7 scores. At my kids' HS, the Alma Mater is a huge thing. The entire school knows it and sings it. My youngest son asked me why I wasn't singing one game. I told him, "I didn't go here." Of course I stand tall for it and applaud at the end.

I am not used to be in the minority thought, but I appreciate your answers.
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I grew up sailing on the old Raritan and have a son (and many friends) who went there but I don't sing it.
 
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Alma Mater ... Kind & Nourishing Mother ... Mother B
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Seriously, it’s a Navy and Academy anthem ... not a universal one, like the Star Spangled Banner, or a lot of Church Hymns. So I am inclined to listen.
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Don’t disrespect it by messing up the lyrics .... For that matter, don’t disrespect any Great Lyrics.
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at NASS we were required to learn and sing the lyrics every night at Blue and Gold. We also sang it at the awards ceremony together.
 
at Navy football games, they put the lyrics up on the jumbotron during Blue and Gold. i assume they do that because they think that alumni and/or mids need the help?
 
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