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Recognizing and honoring the 114th playing of the annual Army-Navy game on Saturday, December 14, 2013 in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field.
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WHEREAS, The first football game between the two service academies was played in 1890, and has been played annually since 1930; and
WHEREAS, The rivalry began when Cadet Dennis Mahan Michie accepted a challenge from the Naval Academy. Michie was the first coach of Army's newly formed football team, and also served in the Spanish-American War where he was killed in action. Army's home football stadium at West Point was dedicated in his honor in 1924, and is still called Michie Stadium today; and
WHEREAS, The Naval Academy's football team played its first game in 1879 and holds an overall advantage in the series of 57 wins, 49 losses and 7 ties; and
WHEREAS, After playing several games at each other's campus, a neutral location for the game was sought. Philadelphia was a perfect point nearly equidistant to each school, and the first rivalry game was played here at Franklin Field in 1899; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia has hosted the annual game more than all other cities combined, and this year's game will be the 85th played in the City of Philadelphia. Franklin Field has hosted the game 18 times, John F. Kennedy Stadium hosted the game 42 times, Veterans Stadium hosted the game 17 times, and to-date Lincoln Financial Field has hosted the game 7 times; and
WHEREAS, Hosting the Army-Navy game has a tremendous economic impact on Philadelphia. A recent study found that the event generates $35 million for Philadelphia, attracting nearly 50,000 visitors and filling 17,000 hotel rooms; and
WHEREAS, At the end of the game, each team's alma mater is played and sung, and the winning team stands alongside the losing team in a showing of mutual respect and solidarity; and
WHEREAS, The cadets and midshipman that participate and attend this game are some of the best and brightest this country has to offer, and we look forward to hosting this annual affair for many more years; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and honor the 114th playing of the annual Army-Navy game on Saturday, December 14, 2013 in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Larry Needle, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Sports Congress as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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