Pay Attention to Army Football
Because things never stay the same.
When I was a kid, I went to Army Football games and sat in the “Peanut Gallery”, where, for $4.00 a ticket, I goofed off, ate popcorn, and watched the Black Knights lose. Because mostly, that’s what happened in the late ‘90s and early 2000s — Army lost.
It stung watching the other team catch an interception and run it back for a touchdown, but what was worse was seeing 4,000 cadets’ faces twist with agony. Their lives were already so challenging in the barracks; and they got so little pay off on the one day they got to act like real college kids. Still, they sang “On Brave old Army team,” and chanted “Rocket”, and whenever Army scored, the entire corps of cadets would drop down and do pushups — seven, fourteen — maybe twenty-one if the offense was having an exceptionally great day. I cared little about football, but absorbed the terms by osmosis: Wishbone, option, special teams — and of course, Hail Mary. (And believe me, we prayed.) But for the most part, those prayers went unanswered.
Those were difficult years at West Point — and not just on the football field. The losses sustained on Saturdays were a painful reminder of more significant losses happening abroad. After the horrific events of 9/11, cadets that graduated West Point were immediately placed on a conveyer belt that led straight to Iraq or Afghanistan. We watched countless friends leave for war. Some never came home.
Pat Conroy, in his memoir My Losing Season about his time on Citadel’s basketball team, wrote: “Loss invites reflection and reformulating and a change of strategies. Loss hurts and bleeds and aches. Loss is always ready to call out your name in the night. Loss follows you home and taunts you at the breakfast table, follows you to work in the morning.”
As a kid, I remember feeling very opposing emotions about our country and its military. I was exceptionally patriotic, convinced that America was a force for good in the world, and proud of our military’s history, particularly the role we’d played in winning World War II. And, at the same time, I was scared. There is a difference between reading about history and living it in real time. In real time, you know the names. You know the widows. You know the families.
That’s why this year’s Army football season is particularly poignant for me. As of this morning (Monday, November 18, 2024 — My father’s 70th birthday!), that brave old Army team is undefeated. They are number one in their conference and 16th in the nation. They’ve been ranked in the AP Top 25 for four consecutive weeks, which is the first time that’s happened since 1958. I’ll be the first to say it: I never thought I’d see the day. But here we are. Coach Jeff Monken has been at West Point 11 years — enough time to build a culture, change strategy, and recruit and retain talent. He’s transformed a place touched by loss into a place where winning is still possible.
In a time when things in politics and the world at large feel terrifying (at worst) and uncertain (at best) — watching Army football succeed helps me to feel like maybe just maybe not all is lost. Three things come to mind when I see “Army” and “9-0” roll past on the ESPN ticker. (1) Good leadership makes a real difference; (2) Success is cyclical; and (3) Achievement requires both endurance and time.
It’s probably reckless to assign too much meaning to the rise of a formerly fledgling football team. And I know that Army football doesn’t dictate trends in American foreign policy. But the Black Knight’s current success will inevitably direct more attention at West Point in general, and that is a very good thing. There’s never been a more important time for West Point and other service academies to recruit and train the next generation of military leaders. There are conflicts brewing across the world. China, Russia and Iran are collaborating to make gains in both Ukraine and Israel. It’s impossible to know what might happen next. But here’s a possibility: Army’s success will expose high school students across the country to a college they otherwise wouldn’t have considered. And at West Point, recruitment isn’t about building a football team, but the future of our nation’s armed services.
At the end of the day, Army’s sudden rise is the best kind of Cinderella story.
Whatever you are facing in your life right now. Whatever headline is currently making you feel sweaty and spirally. Whatever situation is happening in your family, your job, or your heart. Whenever you are tempted to think that something is a lost cause, a sunk cost, or generally hopeless? Just think. Army Football is undefeated this year.
Things change. Anything can happen.
And hopefully what happens is that this coming Saturday, Army beats Notre Dame.
Fun weekend escapades at Climb Nashville. (A favorite date spot too!)
Recent Favorites
I have two television shows to recommend this week — one is obvious and one is a diamond in the rough.
Watch: First up is The Diplomat (Season 1 and 2 now on Netflix). I am a ride or die Kerri Russell fan, and if you haven’t seen The Americans, then watch that first, but this show about the ambassador to London is a great follow up for those of us who love seeing her kick butt and take names (This time for the actual Americans).
Watch: Love (Seasons 1, 2 and 3 on Netflix). This show — written and created by Judd Apatow in 2016!! — is about two young 30-somethings living in Los Angeles trying, failing, and later succeeding, at love. Viewer warning: It has entirely too much gratuitous sex IMHO, and prepare to use the fast forward button, if like me, you’re not interested. But if you can get past that, what remains is a heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud comedy that leaves you feeling hopeful.
Kid Toy: My son’s 7th birthday was this week and we got him this tactile Tetris game (thanks Dalicia for spotting it!) at Target. It’s super fun and sort of hypnotizing. Kids have played it non stop. Would make a great Christmas present.
One More Thing…
I hate it when bloggers explain their “absence,” (it feels insane to think people even notice or care). But in case you’ve wondered where The Forest is Mostly Dark has been lately — three things have been keeping me away. First, revisions on my novel manuscript. Second, a veteran Hollywood actor is working with me to shop Beyond the Point to production companies for television (!!). And third, my kids have been sick for about as long as I can remember. These are excuses, but there they are.
Much love to all of you during this time before the holidaze.
Congrats on all you've got going on Claire! I was at a Wedgwood Circle event last week and was stoked to see Beyond the Point when they put the cover up on the screen. Inspired by you my friend.
I’m always up for a great football analogy and this one is particularly timely. Once a visitor of my then-plebe bf and guest in the Thayer dorm rooms back in the day, I hold a unique appreciation of your message. Thank you!