Giants Stadium to host 2002 Army-Navy Game

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- One of the most revered rivalries in all of sports returns to the New York metropolitan area when the Army-Navy game is played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., in 2002, it was announced by Navy Director of Athletics Jack Lengyel and Army Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan.

It will mark the fourth time that the Army-Navy Classic will be held at Giants Stadium and the first time the battle has been played at the Meadowlands since 1997. The three previous Giants Stadium matchups were held in 1989, 1993 and 1997 with Navy prevailing in two of those three affairs. While Navy won in 1989 and 1997 by the counts of 19-17 and 39-7, respectively, Army registered a 16-14 triumph in 1993.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to play the 2002 Army-Navy game at the Meadowlands," Lengyel said. "We have played this game at Giants Stadium on three previous occasions and the administration and staff have always been wonderful hosts."

The 103rd edition of the storied Army-Navy series was originally scheduled for Dec. 7, 2002 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pa.. When a scheduling conflict with the city of Philadelphia recently arose, the academies were forced to move the contest to an alternate site.

"We are pleased that the Meadowlands stepped forward in an expeditious manner to assist us in overcoming a difficult situation," added Greenspan. "Giants Stadium is one of the finest football facilities in the country, and we are very excited about having the opportunity to return this great game to the New York metropolitan area."

The Army-Navy game has been held in nine different cities and 14 different venues since the arch rivals first collided in 1890. The city of Philadelphia has served as site of the contest on a record 75 occasions. New York City has hosted the event 11 times, the second-highest total among U.S. cities, followed by East Rutherford, N.J., Baltimore, Md., West Point, N.Y. and Annapolis, Md., all of which have hosted the classic three times.

"On behalf of the nation's greatest sports venue, Giants Stadium, and the country's best football fans, the Sports and Exposition Authority is proud and grateful that the Army-Navy Classic will return to New Jersey in 2002," said New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority President James A. DiEleuterio Jr.

The Army-Navy football series has attracted nearly seven million fans in its previous 101 editions, more than any other collegiate rivalry in the nation. Army holds a slim 48-46-7 lead in the fabled pairing. This year's Army-Navy game will be played on Dec. 1 at Veterans Stadium, the final time the service-academy clash will be played at "The Vet."