Jaleel Awini (12) and Air Force will take on Navy this weekend as planned. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Despite the partial government shutdown, Army, Navy and Air Force will play their scheduled games Saturday, Pentagon officials told multiple media outlets Wednesday night.
Expenses for Air Force’s game against Navy in Annapolis, Md., and for Army’s game at Boston College will be covered using money not appropriated by Congress, according to the reports.
Before Wednesday night’s news, Boston College athletic director Brad Bates offered to assist Army.
“We have been considering and engaging all possibilities in order to play Saturday’s football game, including offering financial assistance to Army for travel,” Bates said in a statement. “We have been told by officials at the U.S. Military Academy, however, that this is not solely a financial decision. I remain in close communication with Army AD Boo Corrigan and we expect a decision will be made by noon (Thursday).”
The Navy-Air Force game already is a sellout. The teams have met each year since 1972.
Division III Coast Guard will play its scheduled home game against Western New England on Saturday. Lt. Paul Rhynard, a Coast Guard spokesman, said the Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security and making its own decisions on home athletic events.
