The annual Army-Navy college football game is something millions of Americans look forward to each year. It is a legendary matchup full of classic moments to be cherished over many decades. These two service academies first faced off in 1890 and have played each other 125 times. These two service academies also play the Air Force Academy annually and all 3 compete for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. All three play in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of college football teams which constitutes the highest level of the sport.
But there are two other U.S. Service Academies. Both the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Merchant Marine maintain academies. Located near each other in New London, CT and Kings Point, NY, these two have suited up and played football against each other since 1949. As they play in the Division III of college football their rivalry is lesser known and is not televised on the national tv networks. However, many of their matchups are equally exciting. Traditionally played as a home and away series of games, the contest known as the Secretaries Cup moved to a neutral location for the first time in 2025. The Merchant Marine Mariners prevailed in a thriller over the Coast Guard Bears by one point winning 39 to 38. It certainly will be a game to be remembered by all who were present at Fenway Park in Boston to see it.
Holding the game in such a historic venue brought a great deal of extra publicity to both of these service academies. Both of whom certainly deserve it as do the other three U.S. Service Academies. The Cadets and graduates of all five of them deserve our respect and appreciation. Those with high school students engaged in a college search might wish to include both the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Merchant Marine Academies on their list of options to investigate. Links to their respective admissions pages are below.
