Q: Why did you create the Varsity Club Tent at football games?
Understanding the significant sacrifices that varsity athletes make in order to earn a varsity letter while at the Academy, isn't the letter, etc., earned while at USNA reward enough? It would be more appropriate to have a tent for football players (lettered or not) or NAAA life members. - asked by: Chris Thomas -
A: Chris, it's just simply an exercise in friendship and reaching out to our varsity letter winners. Obviously, classes meet all the time; alumni gatherings bring classmates together on a regular basis. We recognize that there was not an opportunity anywhere to bring varsity letter winners back together to rekindle memories and enjoy each other's company. The Varsity Club Tent has no hidden agenda; it's simply an expression of appreciation for those that have competed for the Academy and have worn the Blue and Gold, coupled with our reaching out and saying it's great to have you back. I imagine there are many groups that should be accommodated one way or another, however, as the Athletic Director, I feel this is something that is consistent with most institutions across the country and an opportunity to bring good people together.
- answered by: Chet Gladchuk
Q: Great job on the stadium renovations and for crafting a quality schedule that should help Navy put together a winning season. My question: What was the motivation behind creating the Letter winners hospitality tent in the stadium? I never lettered in a varsity sport during my four years at Navy, but I have been a loyal fan of Navy athletics since I started attending football games as a child in 1979. If you're trying to increase NAAA membership by reaching out to the former athletes, then I guess I understand the move, but I think you may be barking up the wrong tree. Many letter winners from sports other than football resent that football and basketball get so much attention and are already turned off by Navy sports. When I have been stationed in the DC area, I've made most home football games, and since graduation I've made many away games and regardless of where I am I find myself cheering on the Blue and Gold. On these trips I don't find myself in the company of a lot of letter winners; I end up tailgating with or going on a road trip with other regular run-of-the-mill former Mids, who love the Academy and love Navy football.
If you're trying to increase NAAA membership, I recommend having an NAAA hospitality tent, not a tent where someone gets special treatment because they were a varsity whatever player 20 years ago, but have never really been a loyal supporter of USNA or NAAA since graduation. Again, I think you're doing a terrific job, and we're lucky to have you aboard. - asked by: Chris Thomas -
A: Chris, thanks for your comments. First, it is not a letter winner's tent, but a Varsity Club Tent for all former midshipmen who were student-athletes at one time or another at the Naval Academy. You do not have to be a letter winner to participate. We started the Varsity Club Tent because we, as an athletic department, wanted to give our former student-athletes a place to mingle with former teammates and coaches. I apologize if you feel left out; that is not our intent. We very much appreciate your loyal support. We just wanted to do something nice for our former student-athletes.
- answered by: Chet Gladchuk
