Game Day

Saturday, Sep 15 , was a very busy and long day... It started with a fantastic TailGate at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum for the incoming Army fans, and the behind-the-scenes-rumor is that we DID have to turn some away. The coliseum does have a finite number above which they cannot go. It is sort of nice to be loved. We arrived early to help with decorations - lots of black and gold table clothes which we were able to borrow from the home town, Wake Forest team. We did bring our own centerpieces and "Go Army" balloons.

The TailGate was even more enjoyable for me as I was able to see a number of West Point classmates from the "Best of the Line" class of 1969. Those who came by our set-aside tables included Chip Morgan, Kip Larson, John Hahn, Geoff Prosch, Jim Johnson, John Lucas, Denny Wance , Tom Mastagio, Steve Rhyne, John Bolger, and Bob Harper. I had not seen Bob, one of my B-2 roommates, since graduation so we tried to catch up on 38 years of history in just a few hours. There were promises to get together in the near future since we are only four hours away. The TailGate finished with a Pep Rally at which the Supe, Com, Pep Band, and Rabble Rousers pumped up the already-high enthusiasm.

The Pep Rally over, we walked across Stadium Drive to the under-construction BB&T Stadium for the game. After a flyover by two F-15's (which just barely cleared the "Go Army" balloons which we released), the game started with another roar as loud as the afterburner on the F-15. And another bang - Wake scored on a short-into-the -wind Army punt that was returned for their first TD. There were a few more bangs as Wake won the game with less than stellar play (by both teams) with a 21-10 score. Next year, I will fly my Army banner earlier in the season. I am becoming convinced that there is a correlation between flag time in the wind and win in the stadium. I have tried every other correlation and they have not worked. Next week - Boston College - maybe the site of another shot heard 'round the world!

After saying goodbye to Bob Harper, commiserating the just-played game by the Army football team, and participating in some old roommate photo sessions, the Hudnell-Hunt clan took off for some fine Mexican dining at Moe's Southwest Grill to further Saturday-afternoon quarterback the plays called by the Army football team. We have to start winning or we will lose one of our most loyal supporters. Davis loves to ride his tricycle around the kitchen island, stop at the refrigerator, press the center of the Army mule magnet, hear the "On Brave Old Army Team" song, and then very enthusiastically yell, "Go Army".

Until the next game...