<p>Because the first Saturday in December is not cold enough -
beginning in 2009 the game will be played the second Saturday in December....</p>
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Because the first Saturday in December is not cold enough -
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<p>Good one! :D</p>
<p>I just wish they'd go back to Baltimore. The weather was a pleasure last year.</p>
<p>...and there are so many reasonable flights into the airports there....and we have friends there to stay with...so many reasons for a switch!</p>
<p>I agree Baltimore was great! We will going to the game again this year - who else is going? I got to meet momoftwins last year :)</p>
<p>"The coldest winter I ever spent was NOT a Summer in San Francisco, but an afternoon at the Army/Navy game".</p>
<p>The coldest I have ever been in my life was not in Moutains at Ranger School, but rather Army/Navy 2002 as a plebe at the meadowlands (I think '03 was colder, but being a yuk, I was much more prepared). How I did not lose some of my extremities to frost bite is still a mystery to me.</p>
<p>I, unfortunately will not be going this year. However, I am looking for someone who is going to have a video camera to help me out. My daughter is in the quartet that will be singing the National Anthem prior to the game. I'm not sure if they sing out on the field or not, but if they do, I would LOVE for someone to record it for me. She is singing it solo at the Army/Air Force game, and I will be at that one. But anyway, if there are some people who would be willing to try to get a recording of some type of the National Anthem at Army/Navy and get in touch with me so I can get a copy I would be eternally grateful.</p>
<p>Kate</p>
<p>KateMac - I am going and will do my best. I sent you a pm.
Congratulations to your daughter this is quite an honor!</p>
<p>For anyone attending - do NOT underestimate the amount of clothing you will need! Snow boots and wool socks are perfectly acceptable! Then again - maybe this year it will be sunny, 50 deg and no wind. (I doubt it though!)</p>
<p>Kate, if possible, record the game on TV. They normally have the National Athem on there along with some of the other pregame stuff for Army/Navy.</p>
<p>It is my goal to make it to one of these games someday..</p>
<p>If you have never been to the game in Philadelphia, you cannot appreciate how cold and windy it can get! I have learned by trial and error and perfected my "stay warm" strategy over the last 6 years. In addition to wearing most of the clothing I own, two years ago I used therma-care heat wraps -- the kind meant for backaches-- to keep my core warm, and footbed warmers in my shoes. In addition I took a tightly rolled light-weight artic sleeping bag with me and climbed in. With just my face exposed I was the envy of everyone around me! It really wasn't as difficult to get in and out of as you would think -- I just unzipped it, laid it on the seat, sat down and zipped up. Using this combination I actually stayed warm and comfortable the WHOLE game for the very first time. The BEST plan is to get ahold of club level tickets if you can -- did that route last year in Baltimore and swore to never again do it any other way! Can't wait to try out club level this year in Philly! :-)</p>
<p>Want to see a Army-Navy classic with minimal costs and crowds at a terrific football facility and with the football sides which for both academies have close to the best wining record of any team sport? </p>
<p>Go and catch the Army-Navy Rugby Football Classic on November 15th at 500 PM at the Anderson Rugby Clomplex at West Point. ARC facilities are one of the best rugby venues in the nation, on a terrific natural turf field with great lighting and great seating.</p>
<p>Dare I say the level of play, physical contact, and speed equals if not dusts American football? No pads, no time outs for commercials - just full out play for two 40 minute halves.</p>
<p>Check out what collegiate football use to look like.</p>
<p>(Double check the time to make certain it isnt changed)</p>
<p>I'll be there this year. I'm buying anything that promises to help keep me warm. Since we had snowflakes in Chicago yesterday, I'm planning on the worst for the game. I'll complain, but it'll still be an absolute blast. It's my 4th consecutive game and I sure could stand to see Army win, which would make me complain a lot less. ;)</p>
<p>I was at West Point last week for the Louisiana Tech game and heard a number of cadets comment on the change of date for the Army/Navy game in an unfavorable way. Believe it or not, they were concerned that the delay in playing the game by one week would make it more difficult to prepare for finals and could possibly change the tenor of Army-Navy week. I hope that the powers that be took into consideration that having a mandatory game a weekend away in some cases from Term Ending Exams could be problematic. </p>
<p>As for playing in Baltimore, I went last year and I didn't like the fact that it was practically a home game for Navy. If the game needs to be somewhere other than Philadelphia, how about somewhere warmer or in a covered stadium? If the game is going to be in Baltimore sometimes, why not schedule a game in either the Giant's or the Jet's stadiums? The distance is about the same...</p>
<p>FWDad - I agree with the concern about coming back from A/N and going into finals. I am sure not much studying will be done that weekend.
The change, no doubt, was made to appease CBS and for TV. Unfortunately, the finals schedule is going to make it tough.</p>
<p>I haven't been to A/N in Baltimore but it is essentially a "home" game for Navy. The "problem" is Baltimore is a great city to have the game since the inner harbor is right there. It is easy to get in an out of via the airport - light rail goes right to the stadium and you can walk from many hotels to the stadium.</p>
<p>The game has been at The Meadowlands - home of both the NY Giants and Jets but E.Rutherford, NJ is not a great place to stage A/N game and events. (No offense to anyone from E. Rutherford). I even <em>heard</em> that Baltimore is so much nicer than E. Rutherford that Army agreed to give up it's "home" advantage for Baltimore.
Philadelphia is the neutral site and LFF is a very nice stadium. Not as visitor friendly as the Inner Harbor.</p>
<p>GMRobertson: I agree - rugby is a great game!</p>
<p>ScreamingEagle, That was the same game I was talking about! It had snowed a day or two before and it was like sitting on a block of ice up at the top of the stadium with the wind howling. Wind chill was most definitely below zero as the game time temp was well below freezing. Our son was a plebe that year also. As I recall, you guys had to stand outside more or less in formation for like three hours or so before the game actually began.</p>