Army West Point Athletics
Thursday, Feb. 4 - Say it Ain't Snow...
February 04, 2010 | General
As a kid, forecasts like this weekend's made me giddy.
Now, they're a pain.
Dallas here with you today on what's predicted to be the metaphorical calm before the literal storm expected to batter much of the east coast this weekend. Normally I wouldn't pay much mind to which part of the country is getting snow in February (being recently transplanted from upstate New York, I think it's strange NOT to have a few feet on the ground this time of year), but given that the winter forecast has already led to the cancellation of events, it's got my full attention.
Winter storm warnings have already been issued up and down the eastern seaboard, most notably in and around the D.C. metroplex, which includes Baltimore and Annapolis, Md. On Saturday in Annapolis, Army and Navy are scheduled to renew their rivalries in the following sports: wrestling (All-Academy Championships), track & field (Star Meet), Rifle, and gymnastics. We received word that gymnastics has been cancelled, and I wouldn't be surprised if others are soon to follow.
As I mentioned in a previous blog about how many moving parts there are to these types of events, a serious winter storm becomes a problem - not only for the student-athlete's safety, but for the safety of fans, officials, and other administrators as well. It's terrible to cancel a competition, but at times the best decision may be to do what you can to keep from traveling. That's to say nothing of the extra cost that could be incurred from extra hotel room, meals, and transportation should a team get snowed in. This seems like a very real possibility.
Growing up, there was always a heightened sense of excitement when the weather seemed ominous in the winter months. If you ever had a snow day as a kid, you know exactly the type of excitement I mean. The kind where you wake up early and turn on the TV to see your school listed among those that have called off classes for the day. The excitement that keeps your eyes glued to the screen as the list scrolls around the alphabet again, hoping that what you saw was real and not some cruel typo.
While I hope that all the Army teams get their chance to take down Navy (no wrestling pun intended) this weekend, my greater hope is that those in the affected areas make it through the weekend safely.
Go ARMY! Beat Navy! Then help shovel!
