Olympic-champion Army marksmen lead field entering 2012 Team USA trials
May 16th, 2012 | Army | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Sgt. Vincent Hancock, here on the Beijing range where he won Olympic gold in skeet shooting, leads a handful of Army marksmen into this week's Olympic trials. (Pekin/Presse Sport photo via US Presswire)
When it comes to Olympic shooting, champs don’t get a free pass.
Sgts. Vincent Hancock and Glenn Eller, reigning gold medalists in skeet and double trap, respectively, will have to qualify for the 2012 team this week in Tucson, Ariz. USA Shooting has previews of the skeet and trap events, which will run through the weekend.
Staff. Sgt. Josh Richmond, the 2012 World Cup double trap champ, already has a spot locked up for London (read more about the World Cup win here). Sgt. Jeff Holguin, another 2008 Olympic team member and the 2011 national double trap champion, will compete for a spot in London alongside Eller, while Hancock (who may also compete in double trap, per the release) will be joined on the skeet side by Staff Sgt. Mark Weeks, formerly the national shotgun coach for USA Shooting, who recently competed in a World Cup event in Tucson.
Well, “compete” might be an understatement. This USA Shooting article on his performance in the March event must be read to be believed: Weeks suffered second-degree burns on his legs after a jet-ski explosion, withdrew from the event, then shot anyway when a spot opened up as an extra filler. He wore bandages down both legs, sported Crocs on his feet and had to walk around the range, according to the article, to keep blood from building up in the wounds.
To recap: Jet-ski explosion, blood, shotguns and Crocs. Weeks barely missed qualifying for the Beijing games, but he might be a sentimental favorite this year just to see whether Hollywood picks up this movie script waiting to happen.
Want more on the marksmen? USA Shooting’s news site is a great place to start. The Army Marksmanship Unit’s website provides some competition updates, and The Outdoor Wire has this piece on the USAMU’s 2011 exploits.
And if you can sit through a short advertisement, there’s this trick shot from Eller. Because sometimes, one shotgun just isn’t enough.
Air Force’s Scott Thomas named to College Football Hall of Fame
May 15th, 2012 | Air Force Football | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Scott Thomas will join Air Force teammate Chad Hennings and coach Fisher DeBerry as members College Football Hall of Fame. (Air Force photo)
Air Force’s Scott Thomas, an All-American senior safety in 1985, will join his coach from that standout season in the College Football Hall of Fame.
The hall announced its 2012 enshrinement class Tuesday; Thomas, who intercepted six passes and had 89 tackles in his senior season, joins a 17-member class that includes NFL legends Art Monk and Dave Casper, Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer and coaches Phillip Fulmer, Jimmy Johnson and R.C. Slocum. Thomas’ coach at Air Force, Fisher DeBerry, was selected for enshrinement last year. Chad Hennings, another Air Force defender on that 12-1 1985 club, was inducted in 2006.
This year’s inductees will be enshrined in July as part of a two-day event at the Hall of Fame, located in South Bend, Ind.
Thomas was inducted into the Air Force Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame last year: Catch video of Lt. Col. Thomas’ acceptance speech here and read an article from his hometown paper on that induction here.
Monday football roundup: Short Ben Garland update, bad Big East news, Army film in heavy rotation
May 14th, 2012 | Air Force Army Football Navy nfl | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Air Force Academy grad Ben Garland talks to reporters Sunday after minicamp workouts in Denver. (US Presswire photo by Ron Chenoy)
A few service academy-related football notes to start off your week:
1. Praise from high places: We promised you updates on Air Force 2nd Lt. Ben Garland’s quest for an NFL job with the Denver Broncos, so we pass this along from Frank Schwab at The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette. Denver head coach John Fox offered some short remarks on Garland’s stellar work ethic during a post-rookie workout news conference late last week. Judging from the picture in that first link, the Air Force Academy grad’s strength and conditioning won’t be an issue.
2. Conference calamity: Speaking of early outs, they’re not just for academy grads anymore — the University of Pittsburgh is suing the Big East to escape the league a year earlier than planned. Pitt wants to join the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2013 instead of 2014. According to The Associated Press, Pitt will argue that it shouldn’t have to adhere to the league’s 27-month waiting period before shifting conferences because the Big East recently allowed West Virginia to bolt for the Big 12 without a wait. Syracuse is slated to leave for the ACC with Pitt in 2014; the results of Pitt’s case — a school spokesman told AP the goal still was to settle the matter out of court — could alter the Orange’s plans.
Also, CBSSports.com’s Brett McMurphy, who has been breaking all kinds of news on the changing college conference landscape, reports that Boise State hasn’t pulled the trigger on its departure from the Mountain West Conference — something it must do by the end of next month to join the Big East as a football-only member as planned in 2013. Instead of explaining the move away, a school spokesman simply told McMurphy: “We are actively monitoring the changing landscape in college athletics and remain committed to making the best long-term decisions for Boise State.” Navy will enter the Big East as a football-only member in 2015.
3. Documentary deluge. Did you miss “Army Spring Football Mission: Fort Benning,” a documentary on CBS Sports Network that traces the Black Knights on the road to their historic spring game? Well, get the DVR ready or just find CBSSN on your local cable provider; the documentary is in heavy rotation. When you can catch it this week (all times Eastern, per the CBSSN website): Monday at 4 p.m.; Tuesday at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Wednesday at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.; and Thursday at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Air Force’s Calhoun top service academy football coach on Sporting News list
May 10th, 2012 | After Action Air Force Army Football Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Air Force's Troy Calhoun is tops among service academy coaches in a recent Sporting News ranking. (US Presswire photo by Ron Chenoy)
The Sporting News just released its ranking of all 124 college football coaches. It gives new meaning to the word “complete.” Also, possibly new meaning to the word “long.”
We’ll simplify for you service academy football fans: Air Force gets bragging rights, with head coach Troy Calhoun checking in at No. 29.
Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo checks in at No. 35, while Army’s Rich Ellerson rounds out the academy pack at 79. The SN folks don’t spell out their methodology, but if you went by traditional metrics — you know, like their records from last year — you’d have the same order of finish.
These rankings don’t quite line up with the coaches’ paychecks — if the SN folks are right, Air Force might have themselves a good deal.
Former Annapolis head man Paul Johnson, now at Georgia Tech, ranks 19th. Alabama’s Nick Saban leads the rankings. Charley Molnar of the University of Massachusetts ranks last — UMass is new to the Football Bowl Subdivision, and Molnar’s entering his first season.
Big East reaction roundup: Opinions fly after commish steps down
May 9th, 2012 | After Action Football Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
After Action weighed in Monday on what the resignation of Big East Commissioner John Marinatto might mean to the Navy football program, which will begin play in the Big East in 2015 and was brought in as part of a Marinatto-led football expansion.
We weren’t the only ones. Click through for links to four other pieces on the future of the conference, plus some Navy-themed notes on each.
Football-in-Ireland update: Check out the cleats, prep school tournament, Notre Dame history
May 8th, 2012 | After Action Football Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Three quick updates on the hoopla surrounding Navy football’s season opener, including a reason to watch the game in black and white, if possible.
1. Tricolor cleats. This is the reason — Notre Dame players will honor (?) the host country with footwear resembling the Irish flag, according to multiple reports (like this one). Will they mesh with Notre Dame’s blue-and-gold uniforms? Will Navy attempt to answer this opening outfit salvo with one of its own? (Update: Navy’s quick Twitter response to the cleats) Will somebody try for a Navy working uniform version of this Army gem? Only the equipment managers know for sure.
2. Other games in town. Ten high schools and two small colleges will play football on the Emerald Isle the weekend of the big Notre Dame-Navy clash. Global Football Inc. is putting on a six-game event called — what else — Dublin Friday Night Lights. Contests will be spread out across the city, including games at Donnybrook Stadium, which might be the greatest stadium name ever. Click here for a Philly.com report on Father Judge, a Philadelphia school planning its trip. Navy fans can expect to see a good number of prep-school faithful on hand for the big college game, as many of the travel packages offered by the high schools and event organizers include tickets to watch the Mids and the Irish.
3. Irish history. Notre Dame has begun its online countdown of 125 great moments in the school’s 125-year football history. Navy’s been a major part of that storied past, facing the Irish since 1927. Will Roger Staubach come up? Or maybe this 2007 highlight reel? Anything’s possible.
Big East commissioner steps down: 5 reasons Navy fans should care
May 7th, 2012 | After Action Football Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
John Marinatto, who has led the Big East's recent expansion efforts, including the addition of Navy football, resigned as the league's commissioner Monday. (AP file photo by Stew Milne)
John Marinatto is out as Big East commissioner. His departure was first reported by CBS Sports’ Brett McMurphy, who also reported that Marinatto may have jumped before he was pushed — league presidents asked for his resignation Sunday, according to McMurphy’s sources.
Marinatto extolled the virtues of the academy’s football-only move to the Big East alongside Navy officials shortly after the official announcement was named. The commish since 2009, he was behind the conference’s expansion efforts that have ranged from next-door neighbors to Conference USA refugees to schools on the other side of the country. He’s also been on hand for the defection of West Virginia to the Big 12 and the planned defections of Pitt and Syracuse to the Atlantic Coast Conference sometime after this football season. An interim successor has been named, but no timeline has been set for a permanent replacement.
Why would Navy fans need to worry about Marinatto’s departure, years before the Mids begin conference play? Click through to find out.
Army Olympian update: Secretary stops by, Lester takes top honor, WCAP web update
May 7th, 2012 | After Action Army Wrestling | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Army Secretary John McHugh, middle right, chats with soldier-athletes including Sgt. 1st Class Dremiel Byers, far right, during a recent visit to the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army photo)
Some quick Olympic updates while you attempt to schedule a therapy session after watching the latest Tim Kennedy video:
1. Hosting the secretary. It’s the setup to the oldest joke in the book: Some wrestlers, a racewalker, a bobsledder and the secretary of the Army walk into a cafeteria …
No, seriously — Army Secretary John McHugh made the trip to Colorado Springs, Colo., to chat with soldier-Olympians and Paralympic athletes over lunch May 2, giving him a close-up look at competitors who’ll represent his service on the world stage this summer. Tim Hipps of the Army’s Installation Management Command has the full report here, including snippets of conversations McHugh had with London-bound wrestlers Sgt. Spenser Mango and Sgt. 1st Class Dremiel Byers. (Byers identifies himself as a heavyweight. McHugh: “I can see that.”) McHugh also related his experience on a bobsled run at Lake Placid, N.Y., and praised the soldiers in the Army World Class Athlete Program for their commitment to both sport and service.
2. Web makeover. We’d prefer you get all your military Olympics news here, but if you absolutely, positively have to go somewhere else, check out the revamped WCAP Olympian site for full bios on all Army participants, including coaches. Tell them we sent you.
3. Lester’s spotlight. Speaking of elite Army athletes, Spc. Justin Lester added another title recently — the best U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler of 2011. Lester, who qualified for the Olympics in the 66-kilogram weight class last month in Iowa City, earned USA Wrestling’s Wrestler of the Year honors after winning U.S. Open titles in two weight classes (74 and 66 kg) in 2011. He also took fifth in the 66-kg class at the 2011 World Championships in Turkey, which qualified the U.S. for the Olympics in that weight class.
It was the first such honor for Lester. Fellow WCAP and Team USA wrestler Byers has won the award three times (2009, 2002, 1999).
Friday football roundup: Army home schedule, Big East payoff, Military Bowl date set
April 27th, 2012 | Army Football Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Michie Stadium under a blanket of snow before the Army-Fordham game Oct. 29. This season, every Army home game will start at noon -- and will be on national cable TV for those not braving the elements. (US Presswire photo by Danny Wild)
A few Friday updates, from kickoff times to TV money to a football with cartoon eyes:
1. Lunchtime football for Black Knights: Navy announced it’s home football schedule and TV plans earlier this week, and Army followed suit Thursday, putting out its plan for 12 p.m. kickoffs in all seven of its home games.
Like Navy, all Black Knights home contests will air on CBS Sports Network. That sets up service academy doubleheaders Sept. 29 (Army-Stony Brook, Navy-San Jose State), Nov. 3 (Army-Air Force, Navy-Florida Atlantic) and Nov. 17 (Army-Temple, Navy-Texas State). The rest of the Army home slate: Sept. 15 (Northern Illinois), Oct. 6 (Boston College), Oct. 13 (Kent State) and Oct. 27 (Ball State). The Nov. 3 Army-Air Force game had been set for Yankee Stadium, but a possible World Series conflict reportedly scuttled those plans and moved the game to Michie Stadium.
Army’s season begins Sept. 8 at San Diego State, time to be determined.
2. Speaking of TV: Still wondering how a move to the Big East might benefit Navy football? Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson gave a pretty good reason in a recent radio interview, saying each league member could pull in a TV contract worth $13 million. Navy’s pie slice would be smaller come 2015 because the Mids will be football-only members, but the school still would benefit from a potential bidding war between ESPN, Fox, NBC, CBS … heck, let’s throw in TBS for the fun of it. NBC is an especially attractive target thanks to its rebranding of the NBC Sports Network (formerly Versus) and integration with its Comcast sports properties.
The conference also could start its own network. Or the deal could be split, sending games to multiple channels. Just make sure your remote has batteries.
3. Winter bowling: Aside from its home slate, Army also knows where it’ll play if it finishes .500 or better — the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman will be Dec. 27 at RFK Stadium in Washington, according to a news release on the bowl’s website. Army will face a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference, unless there’s a repeat of the 2011 scheduling gymnastics that resulted in a service academy team that wasn’t originally scheduled (Air Force) facing a team from a conference that wasn’t originally scheduled (Toledo, out of the Mid-American). As always, follow @sgtstripesMB on Twitter for your latest Military Bowl news — we at After Action were worried about the sergeant until he chimed in with an NFL draft tweet late Thursday, but he’s back in business as one of the most popular photo-manipulation-generated football mascots around.
Navy football home games set: Same Mid times, same Mid channel
April 25th, 2012 | After Action Football Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Navy cornerback Albrey Felder warms up at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium before last season's Nov. 5 home finale against Troy. All of Navy's games at Annapolis this year will have a 3:30 p.m. start time and air on national cable TV. (US Presswire photo by Evan Habeeb)
Going to Annapolis for a football game this year, or just planning to watch a home game on TV? The Naval Academy has made it easy to set your schedule.
All five games set for Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium this fall will be played on Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. and televised on CBS Sports Network, according to a news release. Not sure if you get CBS Sports Network? Check here to see whether it’s part of your current cable package — or if an upgrade is in order.
The home slate doesn’t begin until mid-September, after season-opening trips to Dublin (vs. Notre Dame, Sept. 1) and Happy Valley (vs. Penn State, Sept. 15). Then come home games against VMI on Sept. 22 and San Jose State on Sept. 29 before a trip to Air Force on Oct. 6 to begin the Commander in Chief’s Trophy series.
The home schedule rounds out with Indiana (homecoming, Oct. 20), Florida Atlantic (Nov. 3) and Texas State (Senior Day, Nov. 17). The Army-Navy game will be in Philadelphia on Dec. 8 with a time to be announced, according to the release.