President Donald Trump recognized the Army Black Knights’ football victories by awarding the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy in a White House ceremony this week. For the second consecutive year, he presented the coveted trophy to the team, led by Coach Jeff Monken.
The Commander-in-Chief’s trophy is awarded to the service academy football team that leads the rivalry between the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Army has come onto the field with a strong team for the past two seasons, winning the CIC trophy both years.
“For the first time ever, the West Point football program became back-to-back winners of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy,” said Trump. “With 11 victories last season, you won more games than any other Army team in history.”
Army quarterback Kelvin Hopkins told the president and other attendees that the team would be back next year. He was recognized by Trump for his 77-yard touchdown run in the 2018 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl against the Houston Cougars.
While President Trump talked about the possibility of postponing required military service for service academy athletes who are prospects for professional sports, Coach Monken recognized the incredible commitment that the team has to both Army football and their future role as Army officers.
“What makes me most proud is the commitment that they make beyond the field—the accomplishments still to come for this group of young men, as each of them will serve as officers in the United States Army,” he said. “As most college football players prepare for upcoming seasons while earning their degrees, preparing them for a career beyond football, ours also prepare to fight our nation’s wars.”
Congratulations to the Army Black Knights for their victories on the field and recognition as recipients of the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy. As a Navy graduate, I can’t help but wish that trophy was back in Annapolis, but it is equally impossible to wish anything but the best for the cadets at West Point as they prepare to take on Navy football again next year and our nation’s enemies in the years to follow.
