Army-Navy and College Swimming’s Attendance Boom: A Significant Shakeup
December 6 was a typical Thursday night in West Point, New York, with hundreds briskly shuffling in to watch their Knights compete. The stands were packed shoulder-to shoulder, anxious in their anticipation of the big event. This competition would be unlike any across the country, the crowd was sure of it.
But it wasn’t a big basketball game, or a football game, or an event typically known to draw this type of crowd. No, about 1,311 spectators had gathered for the Army-Navy swim meet, one of the biggest turnouts in college swimming and a smashing success for all involved. In a sport which has largely struggled to draw crowds, these two programs shattered expectations, creating a historic atmosphere in a rivalry that has long been deep in tradition.
But how did they defy the odds? And is it replicable?
Rivalry and Tradition
One thing the Army-Navy swim meet has always represented is tradition. Since 1939, the schools have squared off, creating a rich history around the rivalry.
“It really fosters a team culture,” said Army Senior Wes Tate. “The team bonds around a common goal: Beat Navy.”
It’s a culture which has seemingly extended into the stands, with a plethora of service academy alumni showing up to provide support. This year, Army even created a “VIP” section for these alumni, roping off a section of the pool deck for their most distinguished supporters.
“These are two schools working toward the same goal of making the best Midshipmen and Cadets for the United States,” said Navy senior Sydney Bare, explaining the rivalry “means so much more in the long run” for both past and current participants.
Bare’s comments underline the uniqueness of the meet. Servicemen and servicewomen are given the opportunity to compete in a celebration of their hard work and commitment, unlike any other “rivalry.” However, as Navy Coach Bill Roberts suggested, there’s still ways for other college swim programs to put on a similar spectacle, albeit without the pageantry that is built into any Army-Navy clash.
“If you’re able to find a rival, there’s truly a way to make it work,” the coach suggested, implying competitive animosity is the key to building a great environment.
Meets like Georgetown-Howard, Texas-Indiana and others have succeeded with this formula, drawing record crowds by hyping a matchup between two competitive schools. Although Army-Navy’s tradition is unmatched, new traditions can spark a much needed growth in the sport.
Putting On A Show
Courtesy: West Point
While an electric competitive environment draws a crowd, it’s not the only way Army-Navy has broken the mold. West Point employed a variety of new crowd-pleasing techniques this year: a new lighting system, a belly-flop contest, an appearance by swim influencer Kyle Sockwell, a performance by the school’s band, and Olympian Elizabeth Beisel performing the national anthem.
“We took it upon ourselves to make the college swim meet more marketable,” said Army Coach Brandt Nigro. “Something for a widespread audience, not just swimmers’ and divers’ families.”
The entertainment aspect of the meet created a fierce atmosphere, one similar to those made popular in sports like basketball and football. But as Coach Roberts pointed out, it’s a fierceness that with hard work and focus, could definitely be replicated.
“It just takes a little creativity,” the coach interjected, adding that the addition of “live performers” like Beisel and the band stood out in making the meet a spectacle.
Providing additional “entertainment” at meets has become a trend across college swimming, with many providing this “creativity.” From free t-shirts at Wisconsin, to free food at Georgia, programs have come up with many ways to draw crowds. Through making meets an event, rather than just a competition, the sport can continue to evolve.
Increasing Intensity
While creating such an environment is great for the growth of college swimming, it does create a unique challenge for the athlete. Swimmers are often not used to such an intense environment, given its rarity in the sport. But for Army and Navy, the meet lit a unique fire under them.
“The adrenaline really gets going,” said Navy sophomore Ben Irwin. “It brings potential for big swims and big drops.”
Twelve program records were set at this year’s event, backing Irwin’s claim.
In elevating both the performances of its swimmers and the experiences of its spectators, the 2024 edition of Army-Navy made history. But it’s obvious to all involved that the meet represented something greater: a formula for college swimming’s future.
“There’s a lot of untapped potential to make this something people want to go to,” implored Coach Nigro. “We just have to continue innovating and bringing excitement.”
A college swimming revolution may just be on the horizon, one splash at a time.
