By John Ingoldsby
WEST POINT, NY August 30, 2013 –History marches hand-in-hand with West Point, and more will be made Friday night when Morgan State University plays Army at Michie Stadium to kick off the season.
This is the first football game ever between the historically black college and the Black Knights, ironically occurring just 50 or so hours after the 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” in Washington.
A dream game that King himself would have been proud to see.
But one that the Baltimore-based Bears and its famous football alumni will indeed attend.
“I wish I could suit up for this game,” exclaimed MSU alumnus and former Dallas Cowboy cornerback Mark Washington last evening as he prepared for the trip to the HudsonValley. “We have formed a ‘Return to Greatness’ alumni committee at MSU, and having this game is a significant step toward restoring our history.”
Washington’s fellow committee member and NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier will be there as well, serving as an Honorary Captain for the game.
In addition to 1970 graduate Washington and 1967 graduate and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker legend Lanier, other notable Bear alumni who played in the NFL include Raymond Chester of the Oakland Raiders, John ‘Frenchy’ Fuqua of ‘Immaculate Reception’ fame with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and more recently, Tight End Vishante Shiancoe.
Army, a member of the Patriot League, is coached by Rich Ellerson in his fifth year. The Cadets, who were 2-10 last year, will be playing the 10th night game in Michie Stadium’s 89-year history.
MorganState, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, is coached by Donald Hill-Eley in his 12th year. The Bears record was 3-8 last year,
The rare Friday night 7 pm ET game will be nationally televised by CBS Sports Network.
The Importance of Morgan St. Vs. Army Game