“Go Army! Beat Navy!” Cadets at West Point hear the chant from their first day. Army and Navy first played football on November 29, 1890, at West Point. Navy won. In 1917 and 1918 the War Department canceled the games. In 1928 and 1929 the academies could not agree on rules for player eligibility. The game has been played every year since 1930.
Before the game, the two academies exchange “prisoners,” so that cadets and midshipmen can cheer from their own side. After the game, both teams sing both school songs. The losing team’s song comes first.