Army beats Navy, sweeps series for first time since 1992
February 12th, 2012 | Army Basketball Navy | Posted by Phil Creed
It took double overtime, but Army completed its first season sweep of Navy since 1992 yesterday at Christl Arena in West Point. The Black Knights beat Navy 69-63 in the annual “Star” game, ending Army’s three-game losing streak.
The Cadets were led by sophomore guard Josh Herbeck, who scored a game-high 19 points. But freshman guard Maxwell Lenox made the play of the game for Army, driving the length of the court for a layup at the end of the first overtime to tie the game and force the second extra session.
Army beat Navy 75-62 on January 14 in the teams’ first meeting this season.
For Navy, the loss continued the misery of the 2011-2012 season. The Mids managed to outrebounded Army 47-31, but they also had 26 turnovers and could not capitalize on a poor shooting performance from Army.
The loss is Navy’s 17th straight, a record for the program. The Mids were again playing without forward J.J. Avila, who had been leading the team in points and rebounds. Avila was suspended from the team Feb. 3, and now it appears that he’s leaving Annapolis. Navy head coach Ed DeChellis confirmed to The (Annapolis) Capitol on Thursday that Avila submitted paperwork to resign from the academy and has left the school.
Military MMA links: Brandon Sayles video, Herschel Walker visit, Marine boxers win
February 10th, 2012 | Army Boxing Combatives Football Marine Corps Mixed martial arts UFC | Posted by Kevin Lilley
For those of you sick of the latest service academy basketball news (either here or here), try these combatives links:
Army (Superheavyweight) Strong: Staff Sgt. Brandon Sayles gets a nice video treatment from the folks at HDNet before his fight tonight at XFC 16:
Sayles, a three-time Army Combatives Championship winner, will face Chase Gormley live on HDNet; the fights start at 10 p.m. ET. Also on the card is former Marine Dustin West — check out an XFC news release on his work with the Wounded Warrior Project here. Not sure if you get HDNet? Click the “subscribe” tab here.
Football legend stops by: Herschel Walker is known for many things — a college football career that ranks among the best ever, his time as the face of the now-defunct USFL, the famous trade that sent him to Minnesota and helped create a Dallas dynasty (How famous? This famous), and a 2-0 record as a Strikeforce heavyweight as he rushes head-on toward age 50.
He’s also known for going public with his battle against Dissociative Identity Disorder. Multiple personalities may not be at the top of the priority list for military medicine, but mental health issues are. That’s why Walker’s message during his recent visit with soldiers and families at Fort Bliss, Texas, is so important. Staff Sgt Casey J. McGeorge, who wrote this release about the visit, put it best: “There is no shame in seeking help.”
Walker, who turns 50 in March, may have one more fight left in him, according to an SB Nation report citing a recent interview in a magazine After Action only reads for the articles.
Marines take gold: OK, the arts aren’t exactly “mixed,” but it’s big news anyway — the Marine Corps ended Army’s two-decade win streak at the Armed Forces Boxing Championship at Camp Pendleton, Calif., earlier this month. Click the previous link to read about Marine Sgt. DeJesus Gardner’s gutty performance in the 201-pound weight class to clinch the overall win, and get the Army write-up here.
Tweets earn Tim Kennedy a cool $5K
February 8th, 2012 | Army Mixed martial arts | Posted by Phil Creed
We all wish our employers rewarded us monetarily for wasting time on using Twitter. Turns out the UFC actually does.
Yesterday the UFC — whose parent company also owns Strikeforce — announced bonuses for its top tweeters, and Army Staff Sgt. Tim Kennedy was among the big winners.
Kennedy, a Special Forces soldier currently serving in the Texas National Guard, earned $5,000 in the “most creative” category, according to MMAJunkie.com.
Here’s some recent tweeting excellence from Kennedy’s account, which must include more non-sarcastic references to small arms and gardening than any other account on the planet:
Tim Kennedy: Stars Wars fan and Puzzlemaster:
If I was Kennedy’s neighbor I’d take care of my yard:
Top Army brass happy with Giants’ win
February 6th, 2012 | Army Football | Posted by Phil Creed
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin hugs Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The New York Giants have friends in high places in the U.S. Army.
Despite his resemblance to Fireman Ed, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno is actually a Giants big fan, having attended practices and talked to the team over the years. The general is friends with Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, and the two even traded texts in the week prior to the big game. And as you can see in the picture above, Odierno made the trip to Indianpolis to see the Giants’ come-from-behind 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots.
Odierno isn’t the only Army 4-star happy about the Giants victory. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey sounded off on Twitter in support of New York (twice) last week.
Titans owner hosting GIs at Super Bowl
February 5th, 2012 | After Action Army Football | Posted by Sean Smyth
Titans head coach Mike Munchak signs autographs for Fort Campbell soldiers after a training camp practice in Nashville on Aug. 18. The Titans invited 250 soldiers to come and watch practice. (Mark Humphrey / The Associated Press)
Here’s a classy move: Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams is recognizing soldiers at Fort Campbell, Ky., and he’s hosting some of them at today’s Super Bowl.
Thirty-three Campbell GIs took off early today and made the 300-mile trip to Indy.
Black Knights to play spring game at Fort Benning
February 3rd, 2012 | Army Football | Posted by Phil Creed
Army’s football team will play its annual spring game — known as the Black/Gold Game — at Fort Benning, Ga., this year.
The “spring” game will be held March 9 at Doughboy Stadium at Benning, which promises to be warmer venue than last year’s 35-degree affair at Michie Stadium. It’s the first time Army has played the Black/Gold game away from West Point, according to Assistant Athletic Director Brian Gunning. The academy had to get a waiver from the NCAA to hold the event at a different location.
Aside from the (hopefully) warmer conditions, playing the game at Benning is seen as way to showcase the program at one of the more famous posts in the country. Benning is home to elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment, the U.S. Army Armor School and the U.S. Army Infantry School. The annual Best Ranger competition is held at Benning, and a good chunk of the training to become a Ranger happens at the post.
“It’s something we’re anxious to do,” Army coach Rich Ellerson said in a release. “It makes too much sense. As spring football games have become a little bit more of a media event, it’s a chance for us to showcase the program and articulate that connection with the U.S. Army.”
Army’s “spring” practices begin Feb. 13 — much earlier than most programs. Ellerson prefers to give the players as much recovery time as possible before preseason camp begins, Gunning said.
Joe Paterno: 1926-2012
January 22nd, 2012 | After Action Air Force Army Football Navy | Posted by Sean Smyth
You can’t deny Joe Paterno’s impact on college football, on sports. Paterno, who died Sunday at age 85 after a brief battle with lung cancer, prided himself on success with honor and dignity — hallmarks our armed forces strive for daily.
Of course the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal overshadowed much of this. But that shouldn’t wipe out the totality of the pre-November 2011 slate: his service to our country (briefly in the Army around the end of World War II), the thousands of men who graduated and later made great impacts on the sports world and other segments of society, the affection and dedication he showed to Penn State.
Paterno wasn’t a saint; he’d come off as dismissive if your question didn’t meet his liking. “That’s a dumb question” or “that’s a stupid question” were words you’d hear in his news conferences if you listened or watched frequently enough. His role in the Sandusky case, much debated, fell short of what many expected from this larger-than-life figure.
His teams went 17-3 against the service academies, with Air Force (0-2), Army (1-9) and Navy (2-8) occasional foils for the Lions, mostly in the early years. Penn State and Navy will renew their series this fall in State College after a 38-year hiatus.
With the Sandusky trial looming, the Paterno story isn’t complete. Much remains to be written, but one thing stands out today: Joe Paterno made a mark on many, for better or for worse.
Hoops rivalry doubleheader this Saturday
January 12th, 2012 | After Action Army Basketball Navy | Posted by Andy Charest
What: Army vs. Navy men’s and women’s basketball
When: Sat., Jan. 14; women’s game at noon; men’s game at 2:30
Where: Alumni Hall, Annapolis, Md.
TV: CBS Sports Network
The storied Army vs. Navy rivalry hits the hardwood Saturday in two nationally televised games at the Naval Academy’s Alumni Hall.
While the basketball incarnation may lack the luster of the gridiron version, both the men’s and women’s teams are just a couple games into the meat of their Patriot League schedule, and the rivalry should prove a springboard for the rest of the season.
The schools’ women’s teams will play at noon, followed by the men’s teams at 2:30.
Forward Ella Ellis grabs a rebound in a game earlier this season against The Citadel. Ellis, a junior, is Army's top scorer. (Associated Press photo)
Men’s matchup
Last meeting: Navy 75, Army 58
Army: Junior forward Ella Ellis leads the Black Knights with close to 18 points and 5 rebounds a game. The team is banking on success from beyond the arc to stay competitive; roughly a third of Army’s scoring comes from 3-point range. Army has been averaging 14 assists a game, No. 1 in the Patriot League. The Black Knights are 0-2 in the Patriot League, losing to Bucknell and Lafayette.
Navy: The Mids’ disappointing 3-13 start has coincided with a scoring dropoff from senior guard Jordan Sugars. Sugars is averaging 11 points a game, five less than his average in 2010-11. But the Mids’ real Achilles’ heel is their inability to finish games strong: the team is 2-9 in games decided by single digits, and 0-4 in games decided by four points or less. Navy is 0-2 in the Patriot League, losing to Lafayette and Holy Cross.
Sophomore forward Jade Geif helps lead a Navy women's squad that won the Patriot League championship last year. (Patriot League photo)
Women’s matchup
Last meeting: Army 57, Navy 46
Army: Sophomore guard/forward Jen Hazlett and junior guard Anna Simmers, Army’s two leading scorers, scored 19 and 27 respectively during Army’s win over Bucknell in its Patriot League opener. Army also won its next game, beating Lafayette 44-43 on a layup by senior Meagan Doucette with six seconds left. The two wins kept Army atop the league standings, and Simmers was named the Patriot League player of the week.
Navy: The Mids have opened their Patriot League schedule 1-1, edging Lafayette 60-55, then losing to Holy Cross, 55-38. The team has a young nucleus led by sophomore forwards Audrey Bauer (11.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Jade Geif (10.4 ppg, 8 rpg), and is tops in the Patriot League in rebounding, 3-point percentage and scoring defense.
Mark your calendars: Military sports 2012
January 5th, 2012 | Air Force Army Army-Navy game Basketball Football Hockey Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
From hoops to Olympics to football, the new year means a new sports calendar. (AP photo by Bebeto Matthews)
Not the hardest of hardcore sports fans? Saw the Orange Bowl score cross the bottom of the screen this morning and wondered out loud, “Say, Clemson’s 3-point shooters must be terrible”? Don’t want to be caught off-guard in the new year? Here are five important military sports dates to circle on your brand-new desk calendar.
1. Jan. 14, rivalry renewal: The first Army-Navy game of the new year takes place on the hardwood, with the women’s hoops teams squaring off at noon in Annapolis, followed by the men’s teams at 2:30 p.m. (both games on CBS Sports Network). Patriot League play for all four teams begins Saturday, when Army visits Bucknell and Navy travels to Lehigh. There have been few bright spots on the court for either school this year — of the four hoops teams, the Navy women hold the best record at 7-7. Bonus rivalry game: The Army ice hockey team hosts Air Force on Jan. 20 and 21, with the first game airing on CBS Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. Army is 2-9-6 entering Friday’s game against Canisius, while Air Force (10-5-2) is coming off its fourth Atlantic Hockey Association championship in five years.
2. July 27, the world is watching: Military athletes will abound at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The Defense Department tracked 15 athletes with military affiliations in Beijing in 2008, including Army gold medalists Sgts. Walton “Glenn” Eller III (double trap) and Vincent Hancock (skeet). Shooters will get the first crack at the medal stand in London; the air rifle and air pistol finals take place the day after the opening ceremony.
3. Sept. 1, Irish eyes: From London to Dublin, as the Navy Midshipmen open the 2012 football season with the road game to end all road games — a 3,300-plus-mile trek to take on Notre Dame. A few more details are here.
4. Nov. 9, back to the (steel) beach: Nothing official from the folks at Quicken Loans, but the second edition of the Carrier Classic will be played on this date and will include the Connecticut Huskies — according to UConn, at least. Arizona is the likely opponent. Last November, North Carolina downed Michigan State 67-55 in the first-ever classic.
5. Dec. 8, brotherly love: Army-Navy football returns to Philadelphia, with the Black Knights attempting to end Navy’s 10-game win streak. The Mids are a perfect 7-0 against Army at Lincoln Financial Field, but the Black Knights’ last win did come in Philly — a 26-17, on Dec. 1, 2011, at the since-demolished Veterans Stadium. It will be the 83rd Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia, which will also host the 2013, 2015 and 2017 games; M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore is scheduled to host in 2014 and 2016. Mark your calendars accordingly.
NHL alumni saves Christmas for Army family
December 21st, 2011 | Army Hockey | Posted by Blair Tomlinson
Army Staff Sgt. Patrick Jacobson and his family were robbed earlier this month, just weeks before Christmas, reported the local ABC affiliate. Their home was ransacked, with computers, games systems, a TV and all the Christmas gifts gone.
Also gone: The money Jacobson had saved to visit his sons in New York after selling his truck. Jacobson had hoped to see his sons before deploying in less than two months.
“It’s just pure evil,” said Jacobson’s stepdaughter, Tatianna Young.
After hearing the horrible news, Shane Willis, a former Carolina Hurricanes hockey player, decided to take action. Willis and the Canes mascot, Stormy, will visit the Jacobsons on Dec. 22 to deliver holiday presents. Willis also got an assist from members of the Carolina Hurricanes Alumni Association, who helped purchase the gifts.