ARMY FOOTBALL | ARMY FOOTBALL A TO Z B • B • B • B • B • B BELL HELICOPTER ARMED FORCES BOWL Army made its return to the postseason in 2010 with a 16-14 victory over SMU in the Bell Helicop- ter Armed Forces Bowl. It marked the fi rst time Army played in a bowl game since 1996 and the pro- gram’s fi rst bowl victory since a 1985 Peach Bowl win over Illinois. Stephen Anderson was named the Black Knights’ Most Outstanding Player after record- ing 14 tackles and intercepting a pass in his fi nal collegiate game. BICENTENNIAL On March 16, 1802, President Thomas Jefferson signed into law a bill of the United States Congress authorizing the establishment of “a military acad- emy to be located at West Point in the State of New York.” During 2002, the Bicentennial of the found- ing of the Academy was observed at West Point and at other designated places throughout the world. In addition to a host of high-profi le events, a com- memorative silver dollar and postage stamp were JORDAN TRIMBLE (LEFT) AND CARSON HOMME (RIGHT) WERE WERE NAMED TO THE issued to honor the Academy. ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA FIRST AND SECOND TEAMS, RESPECTIVELY IN 2010. BLACK KNIGHTS ALLEY The “fan-fest” area located on the east side of Michie A • A • A • A • A • A ANDERSON, BOB Stadium on Mills Road between the East stands and One of the great names in Army football history, Lusk Reservoir on game days is known as “Black ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAS Bob Anderson received the highest honor bestowed Knights Alley.” Black Knights Alley, which debuted in Seventeen different Army players (earning 19 dif- by his sport when he was elected to the National 2004, was completely revamped in 2008 and offers ferent honors) have been named an Academic All- Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame family entertainment for fans of all ages, particularly America since the program’s inception in 1952. In in 2004. One of 14 Army players to earn All-America youngsters, as part of Army’s pregame festivities. 2010, Jordan Trimble and Carson Homme were fi rst honors on two occasions, Anderson graduated from Following the Cadet Review, fans are transported via and second-team selections, respectively, marking West Point in 1960 as one of the fi nest running bus to Black Knights Alley, which opens to the pub- the fi rst time since 1990 that Army put two players backs in the Black Knights’ long, illustrious history. lic approximately three hours prior to kickoff. Once on the Academic All-America Team. Named to All-America squads during his sophomore there, fans can visit various photograph and auto- (1957) and junior (1958) campaigns, Anderson graph booths, enjoy infl atable activities courtesy of ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE appeared headed for a third consecutive citation Coca-Cola, military hardware displays and a host of Twenty different Black Knight players have garnered before an injury shortened his senior season. Only sponsor-related giveaways, listen to the sounds of 27 Academic All-District I citations since 1989. three Army players have earned All-America hon- local cover band Hudson Blue, and much more. Ap- Army has been represented on the District I club in ors three times. Anderson was elected to the Army proximately two hours prior to kickoff, the Army foot- 18 of the last 22 years. Since its inception in 2007, Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. ball team, led by the Cadet Band and Rabble Rous- the Black Knights have had eight players named to ers, marches through a cordon of cadets and Black the National Football Foundation Hampshire Soci- ARMY-NAVY Knight fans en route to the locker room. ety. The program honors players who complete their One of the most revered rivalries in all of sports will eligiibility with at least a 3.2 grade point average. In be revisited on Dec. 10, 2011, when Army and Navy BLACK LION AWARD 2010, Army was the only service academy to place clash in the service academies’ 112th grid battle One of the most prestigious and important awards two players on the list. hosted by Washington, D.C. It will mark the fi rst time Army’s coaching staff hands out every year, the the game will be played at FedEx Field, home of the Black Lion Award is presented in memory of former ALMA MATER NFL’s Washington Redskins. As part of a new 10- Army football great Don Holleder, who was killed The most beloved of all West Point songs, “Alma year broadcast agreement with CBS Sports reached in combat in Vietnam on Oct. 17, 1967, and the Mater” had its beginnings as a furlough song in in the fall of 2008, the game is played on the second men of the 28th Infantry Regiment (nicknamed the 1908. It was sung at the Baccalaureate Service on Saturday in December to conclude college football’s “Black Lions”), who died with him that day. Mike June 9, 1912, and took its place as a musical ex- regular season. Gann became the sixth Army player to earn the pression of the feelings of every West Pointer toward award last season. his alma mater. It is sung by the football team and ARMY FOOTBALL TAILGATE SHOW Corps of Cadets at the conclusion of every football The fast-paced Army Football Tailgate Show origi- BLAIK, EARL “RED” game. The lyrics were changed in 2008 in order to nates from Black Knights Alley in front of Michie Earl “Red” Blaik was credited with elevating Army’s make the song gender-neutral and better refl ect the Stadium on game days, beginning two hours prior to football program from the “pit to the pedestal” dur- sacrifi ces and contributions made by West Point’s kickoff. A video stream of the show is made available ing the 1940s. In 18 years at the Black Knight helm, female graduates. on Army’s offi cial Web site (goARMYsports.com) via Blaik compiled a 121-33-10 record and remains the ITT Knight Vision. The show features interviews with winningest grid coach in West Point history. Three AMERICAN FORCES NETWORK fans, special guests and visits from the Cadet Band, of his teams captured national championships and American Forces Network (AFN) will carry the Army Rabble Rousers and other dignitaries in attendance. seven were crowned Lambert Trophy titlists. He was Sports Network broadcast of the 2011 Army-Navy The Army Football Tailgate Show is co-hosted by long- inducted in the charter class of the Army Sports Hall football game, presented by USAA. Part of American time Army broadcasters John Minko and Bob Outer. of Fame in 2004. Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS), the American Forces Network provides stateside radio ARMY SPORTS NETWORK BLAIK FIELD AT MICHIE STADIUM programing to American servicemen and service- The Army Sports Network broadcasts more than 200 One of the nation’s most venerable athletic facilities women, Department of Defense civilians and fam- live events each year, providing comprehensive au- added a bit more nostalgia in 1999 when the play- ily members serving outside the continental United dio and video coverage of Army Athletics. The Army ing surface at West Point’s majestic Michie Stadium States. AFN will also carry the CBS Sports television Sports Network features a four-station cluster for was offi cially designated “Blaik Field,” in honor of broadcast of the contest. football, headlined by fl agship station WABC (770- legendary Army football coach and athletic director AM, New York, N.Y.). Additionally, the Army Sports Earl “Red” Blaik. The offi cial naming ceremonies Network will broadcast Army home games in Span- took place during pregame festivities of Army’s ish for the sixth consecutive year with those produc- home game versus Ball State on Sept. 25, 1999. tions heard on WSNW (1430-AM, New York, N.Y.). 126 | 2011 ARMY FOOTBALL ARMY FOOTBALL | ARMY FOOTBALL A TO Z BLANCHARD, FELIX “DOC” “Mr. Inside,” Felix “Doc” Blanchard, teamed with “Mr. C • C • C • C • C • C Outside,” Glenn Davis, to form one of the most her- CADET COLORS alded backfi elds in the history of college football. A There is great signifi cance to the Cadet colors of three-time All-America selection, Blanchard captured black, gold and gray. The components of gunpow- the Heisman Trophy in 1945, one year before Davis der are charcoal, saltpeter (potassium nitrate) and copped the honor. He was inducted in the charter sulfur, which are black, gold and gray in color. class of the Army Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. The Army Athletic Association retired Blanchard’s legend- CAGLE, CHRIS ary uniform number 35 during a halftime ceremony Chris “Red” Cagle gained All-America honors three on Oct. 10, 2009 when the Black Knights hosted times during the 1920s, the fi rst Army player to Vanderbilt on “Felix ‘Doc’ Blanchard Day.” Blanchard achieve that feat during his career. passed away on April 19, 2009, at the age of 84. CAMPBELL, CALEB BOBBLEHEAD Caleb Campbell became the fi rst Army football play- The Army Athletic Association (AAA) will produce er selected in the National Football League draft bobblehead dolls to help celebrate the career of since 1997 when he was chosen by the Detroit Li- one of West Point’s all-time football greats this fall. ons with the 11th pick of the seventh round (the An Earl “Red” Blaik bobblehead doll will be distrib- 218th overall selection) in the 2008 NFL Draft. uted to help celebrate the career of Army’s all-time winningest head coach on Oct.