Rapid-fire military-sports links for a Wednesday morning: Irish invasion. Notre Dame will play Air Force at Falcon Stadium in 2013, according to this report by Frank Schwab in The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, as school officials decided against moving the game to Sports Authority Field, home to the NFL’s Denver Broncos. Jim Trego, the school’s senior associate athletic director, told Schwab the move was designed to keep the marquee matchup, set for sometime in late September (Update: Make that Oct. 26, 2013), “in front of our home fans.” Those home fans could be busy in the coming years: Air Force…
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Five quick military-sports hits for a Monday morning: 1. Who gets ‘The Count’? While the smack talk between former Marine Capt. Brian Stann and Michael “The Count” Bisping has reached impressive proportions, it’s important to remember the proposed September middleweight clash between the two is still just that — proposed. Bisping’s initial blast called out both Stann and Alan Belcher, whose 18-6 record includes a four-fight win streak dating back to mid-2009. As usual, there’s no shortage of opponents eager for a piece of the controversial Bisping, and Belcher wants to be at the front, telling our good friends at…
The Navy may be “A global force for good,” but that global reach has its limits — especially when it comes to playing Notre Dame in Dublin. Out of the nearly 50,000 fans expected to pack Aviva Stadium on Sept. 1, only 5,000 will be rooting for the Midshipmen, according to Independent.ie — Notre Dame sold 30,000 tickets, and IrishCentral.com reports ND fans scooped up the remainder through other channels. (UPDATE: Navy PR folks weigh in with official ticket tallies here — No. 5 on the list) Both reports make it clear the game’s impact goes beyond ticket sales: $30…
Before the big reveal, two quick notes: 1. Betting on sports is illegal in most states. In the one state where single-game sports wagering is legal, many of the places that accept such wagers are very large and very shiny — that is not because they make a habit of losing. In fact, removing money from these locations often requires multiple movie stars. So when somebody says a point spread is “for entertainment purposes only,” it’s best to play along. 2. Legalities aside, compulsive gambling is a serious problem that can ruin your bank balance, affect your security clearance and…
Another one for the “too good to be true” file — recent reports suggesting the Army football team was on track to play Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium in 2013 have been shot down by a Notre Dame spokesman, who told ESPN.com blogger Matt Fortuna that the Irish won’t play the Black Knights in 2013. Fortuna had picked up the initial report from the Times-Herald Record on Friday. The Record cited an unnamed source who claimed the deal for a 2013 game at Yankee Stadium was already done. According to an Army news release from 2011, the Black Knights are…
It’s the day after the unofficial start of summer. So, time for football news: 1. Singleton still a standout. As part of a 2007 Navy offense that included Eric Kettani, Shun White and Tyree Barnes, slotback Zerbin Singleton managed 484 yards rushing and a team-high 263 yards receiving. Those numbers may earn him a spot in the Navy’s media guide, but not in the annals of military history. Don’t worry — he’s got that covered. Marine 1st Lt. Singleton recently became the last in a long line of CH-46 pilots; the “Phrog,” in service since Vietnam, is being phased out.…
Cold Warriors, stand down. Despite recent reports, the U.S. remains ahead of the Russians when it comes to the next generation of naval warfare — namely, hosting sporting events on aircraft carriers. English-language all-Russian-news site RT.com reported Monday that the Major Hockey League, which is actually a minor hockey league (those wacky Russians) to the big-time KHL, is planning to hold a game on a flattop anchored in the Gulf of Finland. The host team would be HC VMS St. Petersburg, the Russian navy’s official hockey club, according to the report. No date is set, no opponent is named, and…
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…
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…
Could the college football postseason be closed to the Army Black Knights and, for at least a year or two, the Navy Midshipmen? A CBSSports.com report says an NCAA task force will propose turning over regulation of the 35-game holiday TV filler known as bowl season to football conferences, leaving the governing body out of everything except sponsorship approval. That means conference would decide how many bowls are played and who plays in them — leaving independent teams such as Army and Navy on the outside looking in. The Navy folks already have a solution in place come 2015, and…
