This week it was announced that the Notre Dame - Navy football game will not be played in Ireland this year as planned. I don’t think this was a surprise to most people, given the state of the world. And I am disappointed for the players and fans who were looking forward to an amazing weekend in Dublin. However, I personally was thrilled to hear the news.

Living in Annapolis, MD, for the past 16 years, the United States Naval Academy holds a special place in our heart. While neither my husband nor I served in the military, we have “served” the Navy in a different capacity: as a Sponsor Family. We have welcomed Midshipmen into our home for 16 years, and many have become close friends as we follow their lives as Naval officers, husbands, and fathers.
We have also been Navy Football season ticket holders and attended many games at Navy Marine Corps Stadium, and it is an amazing place to watch a football game.

The annual Navy vs Notre Dame football game is my favorite game of the year. I have always said, “I am a Navy fan 364 days year, and on the 365th day, I cheer for the blue and gold.” I love the respect between the two institutions. But what I think I love the most is no matter where they are, around the world, on a sub or an aircraft carrier, I always hear from our Mids on that day: “Go Navy.”
Several times over the past 16 years, my husband and I have said, “Notre Dame needs to play at Navy Marine Corps Stadium.” It has been a dream of ours to see our two teams, both blue & gold, play in our hometown; to see the Fighting Irish warming up (and scoring) in the Navy checkerboard end zones; and to have the players experience a visit to the Naval Academy. And while we’ll most likely be watching from home, we couldn’t be more thrilled. I’m only sorry it took a pandemic for it to happen.

Go Irish. Welcome to Annapolis!