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News & Events

Message to Class Regarding 60th Reunion

Posted: 5/1/2020

Classmates,

A number of classmates have expressed concern about the certainty of our plans for the 60th Reunion. It is timely to address the matter in this message. The Naval Academy has an official website that addresses the impact of Covid-19 on all of us related to USNA. It is updated frequently, and I recommend it for those who wish to closely follow the situation. You can access it at:

www.usna.edu/COVID-19/index.php

I’ll try to briefly review some of the matters that relate to our reunion:

– All of the current plans are tentative, and contingency plans are being developed by USNA in the event that the current severe health impact on the community remains or worsens.
– Commissioning and graduation will be remotely done.
– Base plans are for incoming plebes to arrive on campus at some point this summer and have a plebe summer experience. The length of plebe summer is undetermined at this time.
– The brigade will reform on schedule. Contingency plans for a later start are being developed.
– The Director of Athletics, Chet Gladchuk, is “optimistic” that the Navy/ Notre Dame game on August 29th will take place as scheduled.

So, how realistic are these plans? The short answer is that no one knows for sure at this point. Just as there is an urgency to return to “normal” for our economy, there are also tremendous incentives for USNA, the Navy and Marine Corps, and yes, Navy Athletics to do so. I won’t go into the issues for USNA and the Navy/Marine Corps – I’m hardly qualified to do so. I can comment on NAAA and Navy Athletics:

– Navy and almost all universities rely on football revenue to fund their entire athletic programs. NAAA receives only a small amount (less than 5%) of their budget from the government to cover midshipmen physical ed, etc. All of the 33 varsity programs and club sports, with the exception of football, operate in the red. Without football revenue and private donations, our entire varsity/club sports program would be in jeopardy. Some schools are already cancelling varsity sports like wrestling, soccer, etc.
– The NCAA policy group has published a report that football teams need six weeks for conditioning and practice before they play their first game. If you deduct six weeks from the Notre Dame game, you come up with July 18th.
– Chet Gladchuk has said in meetings I have attended that a mid-June decision on firm plans is likely.

If the base optimistic thinking is correct, we can continue to plan on our September 10 – 12th reunion. What can go wrong?

– the virus doesn’t recede
– State/City government and USNA/Navy continue to ban large gatherings.
– The football season is delayed/shortened/ only allowing conference games/ or is cancelled.

How soon do we need to make a decision on revising our reunion plans?

– Hotel bookings at the Doubletree or Best Western can be cancelled as late as 72 hours prior to scheduled arrival without penalty.
– If the N Room is unavailable for our Saturday game/banquet we have no penalty.
-I’d recommend that no one should book flights that cannot be cancelled without penalty.
– Any deposits already made on our registration site will be returned.
– Bottom line is that, while waiting too long to change plans may be inconvenient for personal planning, we can wait until mid-summer to get clear guidance from USNA/NAAA/ State of Maryland.

I hope this helps. We’ll stay on top of matters as they develop. Stay safe and Stay well! We’re still looking forward to seeing you in September!

John Michalski


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