Spirited football crowds jam West Point

By Jeff Dahncke
For the Poughkeepsie Journal

A cannon is being fired, yielding a cloud of white smoke, while a swarm of cadets makes its presence known, rooting for an Army victory.

This sounds like a description from a battlefield — and in some ways it is. Army football at Michie Stadium at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point has been a fixture in the Hudson Valley for 74 years, and with it comes a tradition like no other.

Joe Steffy, an all-American offensive lineman in 1947 and member of two national championship teams (1945 and 1946) at West Point, thinks the atmosphere is incomparable.

U.S. Military Academy Glenn Davis, right, and "Doc" Blanchard led the Cadets to national titles in the 1940s.

“The parade, the music, the band, the beautiful scenery; there’s nothing better anywhere in the country,” said Steffy, who lives in Newburgh. “The school generates spirit, and from it you get better performance out of the players.”

Cadet parade precedes game

That spirit he mentioned is generated in mass amounts. A cadet parade precedes each home game, taking place three hours before kickoff. A group known as “The Cannon Crew” sits in the north end zone, firing a shot following each Army score, as well as at the beginning and end of each quarter.

And the Corps of Cadets, known as the “12th Man,” piles into its section of the stands, cheering loud enough to provide an obvious home-field advantage for their fellow cadets.

This all has contributed to create one of the most prestigious college football programs in the country, one that is greatly treasured in the Hudson Valley.

“It’s just really fun to follow the Army football team,” said Kyle Wood, 20, of Hopewell Junction. “Even if they are having a bad season, I still want to see them play every week. You become such a dedicated fan.”

People outside the area have become dedicated as well, evidenced by Fred Wills of Scranton, Pa. An Army fan since 1957, he has been a season ticketholder for 13 years, making a nearly two-hour trip for every home game.

According to Wills, the abundance of tailgate parties and other activities creates an entire social scene on Saturday afternoons at West Point.

“The facilities are incredible. There is so much more going on than just football,” said Wills, who now also compiles statistics in the press box during the games. “Once I started, I never stopped. I’ll keep on going there as long as I go anywhere.”

As long as anyone visits Michie Stadium, one thing will remain the same — the tradition of excellence.

That tradition began during the 1940s, a decade that saw Army win 42 consecutive home games, including three straight national championships between 1944-46.

Highlighting those teams was the famous backfield of Felix ‘‘Doc’’ Blanchard and Glenn Davis, nicknamed “Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside,” who won consecutive Heisman trophies in 1945 and 1946.

Army holds good record

While Army has never regained such a dominant position in college football, it has managed a remarkable 284-97-7 record at Michie Stadium since it opened in 1924.

That alone, according to Steffy, is reason to keep coming back.

“I’ve seen every home game since 1952,” the 73-year-old Steffy said. “I may have missed one along the way, but I don’t remember it. All of West Point means a lot to the Hudson Valley.”

Relevant Web link: For more coverage of the U.S. Military Academy, log on to http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/projects/west_point