Hoyer Congratulates Navy Football Team at White House Trophy Presentation
WASHINGTON, DC -Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) today joined President Bush and top military academy officials in presenting the U.S. Naval Academy with the Commander-in-Chief Trophy awarded to each season's winner of the triangular college football series among the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy. Rep. Hoyer, who is a former member of the U.S. Naval Academy Board of Visitors, attended the Army-Navy game held in Baltimore last December, in which Navy defeated Army 38-3. This is the 5th consecutive year Navy has received the honor.
"It is with great pleasure that I partake in the time-honored tradition of recognizing the seasonal winner of the three-way contest among the Navy, Air Force and Army football teams. I am particularly pleased that, for the fifth year in a row, the winner of that series is the U.S. Naval Academy.
"Last season, Navy finished with an 8-5 record, including important wins over Army and Air Force. This talent-rich team also scored victories against impressive football squads from across the country and came close to prevailing over a tough Utah team in the Poinsettia Bowl.
"I also extend my congratulations to this year's graduating Mids, who finished their college football careers with a school-record-tying 35 wins. Their contributions have helped build an impressive 43-20 record over the last five years, demonstrating Navy's dominance within the military series and establishing the Midshipmen team as a serious competitor within all of college football.
"More impressive than this team's athletic record, however, is its academic record. Navy has the number one football graduation rate in the country -a feat deserving major plaudits in and of itself.
"Once again, I congratulate the Naval Academy for this distinguished honor. We are extremely proud of the extraordinary leadership and dedication of mind and body demonstrated by the athletes of all of the U.S. Service Academies. Year after year, the nation looks forward to competition that is both friendly and fierce among these elite athletes, and we recognize them all for their efforts and achievements."