Simply loved the Drumline Battle - all 10 minutes and 38 seconds of it. Shared it to my own FB page and my own LovelandBeacon.com publication FB page too. Thanks Mark Motz. Oh yeah, good stuff on the game as well; especially enjoyed the Napoleum McCallum reminder.
Kind of you to say, Kevin, but one Pinch Hemingway does not a metro daily sports columnist columnist make. At the risk of appearing to brown nose, we've been pretty spoiled by Doc over the years.
Great article on a great topic. Thanks for your insight and doing the due diligence on the local connections. Are you the same Motz that was on the sports beat for a Clermont County publication back in the last century?
This game is an American tradition like no other. It puts the military academies in the spotlight once a year and emphasizes duty and commitment to country unlike any other activity. The academies have a historic purpose and continue to provide military leaders with a heightened sense of responsibility that would be difficult to replicate without the rigorous training in an academy setting. I will watch.
The only flaw in the process is the requirement of a nomination from a politician to receive an appointment. Maybe someday Americans will finally see that weakness and correct it.
Agreed on the tradition and the value of shining a spotlight on the academies.
Just out of curiosity, how would you change that appointment issue? I've honestly never thought of it as a problem until you just mentioned it. I mean, even if I hadn't been 4-F my math and science would have ensured I wasn't a viable candidate on my best day, so I never had to jump through those hoops. But I can imagine they are fairly daunting.
I was a junior, a member of the Reading Blue Devils football team. Our last game of the season we faced Milford. We were 0-9 coming in, and it was an ugly 0-9. We went into half-time up 16-0 and delirious, thinking we had a shot at pulling out a win in the finale. It was not to be. Milford ran "McCallum Left", "McCallum Right", and "McCallum Up the Gut" every play of the second half. I don't remember the final score, but needless to say we ended the season with a perfect record. In that second half he was truly a man among boys.
I wish I had seen McCallum play in high school - but kind of glad I didn't have to see it up close like you did. Yikes. Good as he was, his little sister Tammy might have been a better overall athlete at Milford. Four-year starter in hoops, won state in the shot put and three varsity letters in volleyball. She played college basketball at Rice where she joined the 1,000-point club.
Army-Navy is one of my bucket list sporting events. I’ll get there one day …
Rooting interest falls primarily with Army, due to my own service with that branch, but that’s just an aside to the game as a whole. The tradition and spectacle are what I truly root for, along with every single cadet on that field and in those stands. They’ve answered a calling not many of us can.
Agreed, James. What those kids bring to the field commands respect no matter which uniform they happen to wear. I've only ever seen it on TV, but told my uncle many times if my aunt ever wants to stay home, I'll take her ticket. No such luck yet.
Meantime, thank you for your Army service. Much appreciated.
I love TR and wish his like would reappear on the political scene. But I have to guess that his disdain for the easy life didn't extend to being born into fabulous wealth. There's nothing like a safety net to embolden a man.
You make a good case for Navy. I actually had an uncle who graduated from there myself. But he graduated in 1941, moved to Syracuse and died in 1968. So I never knew him. I'm also MHS, class of '77. So I have a Nap McCallum connection as well. Thanks for the excellent Hemingway!
Thank you, Pat. I think Doc pulled that TR pic/quote, but I tend to agree. He may have disdained an easy path, but that's maybe because he could. Regular Joes gotta work for a living. Still, he's an iconic American figure. Too may politicians these days and not enough statesmen.
Was Milford in the EHL by '77, or was it still part of the old Clermont County League?
We were still EHL in '77. I think we moved to the GMC in the '80s and I've lost track since then. I think you have to go back to the '50s to find Milford in the CCL.
Mark, now living in FL (after 40+ years on the West Side) I enjoyed your tit for tat recant of the mythical 1-75 dividing line. I have watched many of the Army-Navy games pulling for the Cadets representing the uniform my Dad (WW2) and Brother (Vietnam) wore. The true winners of this annual clash are everyone who has ever loved this great country and those men and women of the military whom provide such for us. #🇺🇸proud
One of my prized possessions is a framed, colorized version of Jim Borgman's outstanding Enquirer parody of the Berlin Wall coming down - a week of cartoons describing the east and west sides of Cincinnati, complete with Checkpoint Charlie Luken all in one print. Classic Borgman. Classic Cincinnati. And I wholeheartedly agree with your take on the winners of the game. Thanks for reading.
Isn't that terrific, John? I'm a sucker for a drum battle.
As for the portal, I honestly don't know the ins and outs. But if I had to guess, I would think those players are more likely to stay put for the education.
Great job Mark. My Eastside brother.
Great article Motzie! Nice to see you as the guest Hemingway. Look forward to more guest appearances when Doc takes a break.
Simply loved the Drumline Battle - all 10 minutes and 38 seconds of it. Shared it to my own FB page and my own LovelandBeacon.com publication FB page too. Thanks Mark Motz. Oh yeah, good stuff on the game as well; especially enjoyed the Napoleum McCallum reminder.
Better than John Bonham/Moby Dick and only about half as long. ;-)
I appreciate the kind words, Chuck.
McCallum was a flat-out stud running back.
You should go take Jason Williams' job at the Enquirer, you're a hell of a lot better.
Kind of you to say, Kevin, but one Pinch Hemingway does not a metro daily sports columnist columnist make. At the risk of appearing to brown nose, we've been pretty spoiled by Doc over the years.
(That said, it WOULD be a pretty cool gig.)
I have attended 6 Army/Navy games in my life, and I can say without hesitation that it is the greatest sports spectacle I've witnessed.
Nothing can touch it.
Go Navy, Beat Army!
That's super cool, Whit.
I have to think for sheer spectacle the only thing that might approach it would be an Olympic opening. It's definitely on my bucket list.
Great article on a great topic. Thanks for your insight and doing the due diligence on the local connections. Are you the same Motz that was on the sports beat for a Clermont County publication back in the last century?
Glad you enjoyed, Frankie.
And yes, I was sports editor for the Community Press for many years, many years ago.
Go Army, beat Navy!
I think you have it backwards, Ray. ;-)
No. I'm kidding. Enjoy the game.
I served in the Army from 1974-77 and National Guard from 77-82.
I appreciate your service. Thank you.
And congrats to Army. That was an exciting game.
This game is an American tradition like no other. It puts the military academies in the spotlight once a year and emphasizes duty and commitment to country unlike any other activity. The academies have a historic purpose and continue to provide military leaders with a heightened sense of responsibility that would be difficult to replicate without the rigorous training in an academy setting. I will watch.
The only flaw in the process is the requirement of a nomination from a politician to receive an appointment. Maybe someday Americans will finally see that weakness and correct it.
Agreed on the tradition and the value of shining a spotlight on the academies.
Just out of curiosity, how would you change that appointment issue? I've honestly never thought of it as a problem until you just mentioned it. I mean, even if I hadn't been 4-F my math and science would have ensured I wasn't a viable candidate on my best day, so I never had to jump through those hoops. But I can imagine they are fairly daunting.
My Napoleon McCallum connection:
I was a junior, a member of the Reading Blue Devils football team. Our last game of the season we faced Milford. We were 0-9 coming in, and it was an ugly 0-9. We went into half-time up 16-0 and delirious, thinking we had a shot at pulling out a win in the finale. It was not to be. Milford ran "McCallum Left", "McCallum Right", and "McCallum Up the Gut" every play of the second half. I don't remember the final score, but needless to say we ended the season with a perfect record. In that second half he was truly a man among boys.
I wish I had seen McCallum play in high school - but kind of glad I didn't have to see it up close like you did. Yikes. Good as he was, his little sister Tammy might have been a better overall athlete at Milford. Four-year starter in hoops, won state in the shot put and three varsity letters in volleyball. She played college basketball at Rice where she joined the 1,000-point club.
Army-Navy is one of my bucket list sporting events. I’ll get there one day …
Rooting interest falls primarily with Army, due to my own service with that branch, but that’s just an aside to the game as a whole. The tradition and spectacle are what I truly root for, along with every single cadet on that field and in those stands. They’ve answered a calling not many of us can.
Agreed, James. What those kids bring to the field commands respect no matter which uniform they happen to wear. I've only ever seen it on TV, but told my uncle many times if my aunt ever wants to stay home, I'll take her ticket. No such luck yet.
Meantime, thank you for your Army service. Much appreciated.
I love TR and wish his like would reappear on the political scene. But I have to guess that his disdain for the easy life didn't extend to being born into fabulous wealth. There's nothing like a safety net to embolden a man.
You make a good case for Navy. I actually had an uncle who graduated from there myself. But he graduated in 1941, moved to Syracuse and died in 1968. So I never knew him. I'm also MHS, class of '77. So I have a Nap McCallum connection as well. Thanks for the excellent Hemingway!
Thank you, Pat. I think Doc pulled that TR pic/quote, but I tend to agree. He may have disdained an easy path, but that's maybe because he could. Regular Joes gotta work for a living. Still, he's an iconic American figure. Too may politicians these days and not enough statesmen.
Was Milford in the EHL by '77, or was it still part of the old Clermont County League?
We were still EHL in '77. I think we moved to the GMC in the '80s and I've lost track since then. I think you have to go back to the '50s to find Milford in the CCL.
Gotcha. I didn't realize they bailed on the CCL that early. They definitely were GMC in the '80s.
Great job! I love the Army/Navy game focus and facts.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed.
Mark, now living in FL (after 40+ years on the West Side) I enjoyed your tit for tat recant of the mythical 1-75 dividing line. I have watched many of the Army-Navy games pulling for the Cadets representing the uniform my Dad (WW2) and Brother (Vietnam) wore. The true winners of this annual clash are everyone who has ever loved this great country and those men and women of the military whom provide such for us. #🇺🇸proud
One of my prized possessions is a framed, colorized version of Jim Borgman's outstanding Enquirer parody of the Berlin Wall coming down - a week of cartoons describing the east and west sides of Cincinnati, complete with Checkpoint Charlie Luken all in one print. Classic Borgman. Classic Cincinnati. And I wholeheartedly agree with your take on the winners of the game. Thanks for reading.
The video was great! Are athletes who play for Army or Navy allowed to enter the portal ?
Isn't that terrific, John? I'm a sucker for a drum battle.
As for the portal, I honestly don't know the ins and outs. But if I had to guess, I would think those players are more likely to stay put for the education.
It was bit shocking to me when I read it a year or so ago, but they can and they have entered the portal.