Feb. 2, 2012

WEST POINT, N.Y. - In an ongoing effort to strengthen its bond with the men and women of the U.S. Army, the Army football team will hold its annual Black/Gold Game at Fort Benning's Doughboy Stadium on March 9. The event begins at 2 p.m.

"It's something we're anxious to do," Army head coach Rich Ellerson said. "It makes too much sense. As spring football games have become a little bit more of a media event, it's a chance for us to showcase the program and articulate that connection with the U.S. Army. Maj. Gen. (Bob) Brown (the Fort Benning commanding general) shares that vision as well. It will be a great experience for us and hopefully for the folks at Fort Benning. It's a first-time thing. We had to get an exception from the NCAA, but it makes sense given the institutional relationships. We'll see where it leads us."

Doughboy Stadium was constructed in 1924 to honor the infantry soldiers, or "doughboys" who gave their lives during World War I. One of the Fort Benning team's original assistant coaches was West Point graduate and future president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was a captain at the time. The event is the latest in Fort Benning's renewed commitment to reviving football at the facility in an effort to build and maintain morale among the community. The Doughboys, the nickname of the post's football team, played six games last season.

Maj. Gen Brown has announced that the theme of the event and the focus of the day at Fort Benning will be, "Duty." Prior to the start of the scrimmage, there will be military displays and combat vehicles on hand to demonstrate the capabilities of the Maneuver Center of Excellence which is housed at Fort Benning.

In addition to the scrimmage, the Black Knights will attend Fort Benning's basic training graduation ceremony before taking a tour of the National Infantry Museum.

The annual scrimmage will cap the Black Knights' spring practice sessions, which begin on Monday, Feb. 13. The full practice schedule will be released next week.