Army and Navy, the most unlikely of partners when it comes to thebusiness of football, are orchestrating a merger. Athleticdepartment officials at the academies have hired a communicationsfirm to form a joint radio network that will carry both schools'football games this fall.
The Army-Navy network also will carry basketball games andperhaps coaches' shows on a nationwide basis, Navy Athletic DirectorJack Lengyel said yesterday at a luncheon with Washington Posteditors and reporters. The number and distribution of affiliates areyet to be determined.
'It'll be as big as there is interest to sustain it,' ArmyAthletic Director Al Vanderbush said by telephone. 'Hopefully thisformat will provide us with a larger network than we've had in thepast. . . . We get along pretty well with Navy when we're notplaying them on the football field.'
Lengyel said he hopes to have a large Washington station includedin the network.
The Midshipmen's second-year athletic director has been busy inrecent months, having hired football coach George Chaump and arrangedNavy's move in other sports from the Colonial Athletic Association tothe newly formed Patriot League. Renovations have been made toNavy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium-including installation of $100,000worth of new turf-and a new basketball arena is on the way as well.
'I'm pleased with the direction we're taking,' Lengyel said.'We're a leadership academy, so the bottom line in every sport is towin more than we lose. We want to be nationally competitive, and Ithink we will be.'
