USNA-Net Parents' Handbook

Game Day - When to arrive...

Your Midshipmen will be on the move toward THE Game almost before dawn.  They will caravan in buses which arrive at the stadium parking lot on the Northeast corner of the Stadium at about 1000 to 1030.  The freeway (I-95) runs East-West across the South end of the field.

When the Mids arrive they will form up prior to the March On in the East Parking Lot as shown on the map to the left.  The March Ons begin early so you don't want to be late in getting to the Stadium. The first March on is at 1145 and the second is at 1225 with who goes first alternating each year.  Serious tailgaters arrive between 0800 and 0930 so that they can tailgate prior to having to go into the stadium.  Once you go inside, if you leave, you may not re-enter.

What to wear...

Pay particular attention to the weather forecast for game day and dress for the weather.  December on the East Coast can be unseasonably warm with temps in the 60's or even the low 70's.  If this is the case, a light jacket over a sweater can be all you need.  Remember that layers work especially well when temps start out cool, warm during the day and then chill quickly after sunset.  Temps can also be bitter cold as they were in 2003 when the high for the day was barely 15°F.  No sunshine and wind blowing steadily making the air feel like it was -10°F.

If it's going to be cold, you will want to wear multiple layers of heavy sweaters and a hooded parka, mittens, two layers of socks (Thick over Thin) and heavy soled boots.  Find hand and foot warmers at your local sporting goods store.  They can be a real life saver.  If rain is in the forecast, you will want to wear a disposable poncho which also may be found at that same sporting goods store.  Not only will it keep you dry, it will keep you warm, too.  Since Umbrellas are prohibited inside the Stadium, the disposable poncho is your only way to enjoy the game in the rain.

Remember...  Football is played in all weather unless there is danger of lightning.  Rain, Wind, Snow, Sleet.  It's all part of the game.  One last thing...  No matter what the weather, comfortable shoes are a must.  There is a lot of walking and the wrong shoes can make a great day, a real pain.

Tailgating...

Tailgating is a very informal social practice.  Fans, Alumni and Parents arrive early for the game and depending on the individual tastes, share food, beverages, good times and exchange tales of games and adventures past and present.  Do any of us really need an excuse to brag about our kids?

So if you want to do your own tailgate, with others or just your small group, all you need to do is basically pack a picnic, take a few folding chairs and get there early.  How extensive you want to do this is entirely up to you.  A folding table is a nice extra but not necessary.  Some families cook on portable grills or camping stoves, bring canopy tents and even show up in Class A Motor Homes.  Others just bring precooked items, sandwiches, cold cuts, fruit platters, veggie trays...  Whatever suits your taste buds.  We see many groups who bring a very wide variety of beverages.  Which beverages you serve at your tailgate is up to you.

It is not uncommon to see groups of fans tailgating together.  Remember...  Parking is DIRECTED by staff who will point you to the next closest spot in your lot.  It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that if you want to tailgate together with more than one vehicle, all vehicles should get together somewhere outside the stadium lots and convoy into the parking lot together.  That way you will be guided to parking spaces adjacent to each other.  If you show up at different times or come from different directions and enter at different points, you may NEVER locate the other cars.  You almost certainly will not be permitted to drive to the other car's location.  Also, in most cases, you will NOT be permitted to save a parking spot next to yours for a late arrival or otherwise use a parking space for cooking or sitting.  You are required to do all tailgating in the aisle behind or in front of your car.

What if you don't drive your own car?  You can always meet up with members of your local Parents Club who are going to the game.  Some groups welcome Navy fans to share in the festivities, some charge a nominal fee for walk ups.  But whatever the case, you can almost certainly find a tailgate to join and have a little fun.  So whether you tailgate before or after the game (or both), enjoy yourself, welcome others into your festivities and wander about, stopping at other tailgates to swap stories and share your enthusiasm for Navy Football.

When to head inside...

You will definately want to enter the Stadium in time to watch the March Ons.  In 2004, with a KickOff time of 1430, Army Marched On at 1145 and Navy Marched On at 1225.  It is expected that the March On times alternate each year so Navy should go first in 2005, Army in 2006, etc.

Your group should plan on getting inside and to your seats before the First March On regardless of who goes first.  It's a really great experience watching either, but at this game, both student bodies participate and nothing is quite like it anywhere.  Since it will take a while to enter the Stadium (There is security screening.), you should plan on it taking about a half hour to get from your car to your seat.  Longer if you plan on buying a program, some drinks on the way to your seat or that souvenir T-Shirt at the Kisoks in the concourse.

The shortest lines will be found at the West Side Entrance or at the Southwest Corner Entrance to the Stadium.  You will find these both illustrated on the Map of the Stadium above.  The Longest Lines are those nearest the North Parking Lots.   Remember...  You may enter at any gate regardless of where you are sitting, even if you have Club Level Seating.

And speaking of Club Level Seating... On a cold December day, those Club Level seats have unrestricted access to the Club Lounges.  They're fully enclosed, carpeted, heated lounges with CCTV Monitors of both the Stadium Cameras and the Network Coverage of the game, Buffet Meals, Sit Down dining and several full service bars.  It really can be worth the extra cost.

Things you may NOT bring into the Stadium...

A complete and more up-to-date list will be included with your tickets.
• Bags larger than 12" x 12" x 12"
• All Cans, Bottles (Glass or Plastic) and Thermoses
• All food items not wrapped in clear plastic.
• Hard Sided Coolers, Umbrellas or Strollers
• Signs on poles or which obstruct the view of others

Between March On and Kickoff...

The next question Parents ask is "What is there to do between the March On and Kickoff?"  The answer, of course, is plenty.  The most obvious is that you can warm up with a cup of Hot Chocolate or Coffee and swing past the souvenir kiosks.  (All Concessions accept Visa, MC, Amex & Discover.)  Read through the Program.  And watch the constant stream of entertainment provided by both the Army and Navy Special Forces.

There will be parachutists landing at mid-field from the Army Rangers and Navy Seals.  There are two fly overs, one of Army Helocopters and another of Navy planes.  You can watch the two teams go through their warm up drills and gage which is better that year.  And of course, there is a never ending stream of things on the Jumbotron upon which to focus your attention.  The hour and a half between the last March On and the Kickoff will fly by.  Just remember, you can't exit the stadium and expect to re-enter during the game.

Prisoner Exchange...

Each semester, about a dozen Midshipmen attend the each of other Service Academies as part of an Interservice Echange Program.  It is designed to give our future Naval Officers a better understanding of their sister branches of the service.  

Prior to each A/N game, those Mids who have been attending West Point for the fall semester and those Cadets who have been attending USNA, are formally reunited with their respective classmates in what is called the Prisioner Exchange.  The Mids and Cadets are brought to the center of the playing field and exchanged with the other Academy's prisoners in a formal ceremony.  It's fun to watch as subtle protests and antics find their way into the somber exchange ceremony.  The Mids and Cadets, once reunited with their classmates, then watch the game from their side of the stadium before having to return to the wrong Academy for the balance of the semester.

Spirit Spots...

Throughout the course of the game, you should pay attention to the Jumbotron.  At various "time outs" during regular play, the Stadium will run Spirit Spots.  These are short video productions made by Cadets and Midshipmen at the Academies and by Army and Naval Personnel around the world, each promoting their support for their Team.  They are very well done and are extremely funny.

Like new TV commercials during the Super Bowl, these "commercials" are shown for the first time at the Army/Navy game and their premier highlights the creativity and imagination of our young men and women.  They usually are shown only once per game, so pay attention when they pop up during a lull in the action on the field.