Hopefully this is the first step towards Army becoming a quality program like Navy

Jackson




Rule change is winner for Knights

Army's archaic facilities became state-of-the-art digs. But Army needed another enticement to draw elite football players. The Academy needed an early release program.
Credit the United States Military Academy for taking a bold step toward football excellence. The measure, to be official soon, will give athletes with a signed pro contract an out from their five-year military commitment after two years.
All sports are covered. But seriously, is a high school basketball star with the wildest dreams of a pro career attending Army, 20 years since its last winning season?
This is a groundbreaking rule designed to improve Black Knights football.
And as we know, Black Knights football needs improvement.
The program can no longer thrive off West Point's academic reputation alone. It must offer more for players. It must offer more for fans.
The Black Knights need to win. They have lost 33 of their last 36 games. They last had a winning season in 1996.
We can respect the Academy's mission, if not the politics. But real sports fans need a reason to adopt Army football. The program must draw much more than curiosity seekers and folks there for the tailgate.
Army has a sparkling new contract with ESPN to televise every home game the next five years. Now the program needs to create a buzz among college football diehards. Adding pro-caliber players will help immensely.
Army will take heat for the change, especially in wartime. Cries of inequity will resonate.
But there is no such thing as pure equality. The future rocket scientest doesn't draw paying fans to physics class. We all know teachers have greater influence on our youth than pro athletes – but at an iota of the salary.
The Academy took a much-needed stand. Army can't be a Division I force with Division I-AA players.
Bobby Ross' coaching brilliance can only take the program so far. He needs to recite more than historical poetry upon entering a recruit's living room. For once Ross will step into that room on the same starting line as Navy, which incorporated the rule five years ago.
The measure will benefit baseball as well, though Joe Sottolano's teams already play like they are ahead during "The Star Spangled Banner."
Army football, though, is the clear centerpiece to West Point sports. It brings in all the money. Its results shape public perception nationally.
Army is getting itself back in the game since Todd Berry's ruinous tenure. New coach. New facilities. Now a new rule, a groundbreaking rule, that will change the face of Army football.

Army has a very accomplished new coach, new tv contract, now I can tolerate having army in the BE. The question is will they want to come? Judging from Air Force's success out west, I think they would.

Air Force has maintained a decent, competitive football program for a while now. What's the difference with them?

And once again, I think you will find most UofL fans opinion of Army in the Big East unfavorable.

We love those guys for what they stand for, but we spent many years in a conference with them; you get no props for beating them, and they are the type of school that will give you the "mid-major" label.

Until they get to the status of an Air Force, their quality of football will only hurt the Big East more then there tradition or location will help us.