President Donald Trump hosted the Navy Midshipmen football team at the White House on Tuesday afternoon to present them with the prestigious Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. The award, a longstanding tradition, is given each year to the winner of the round-robin football competition between the United States Military Academy (Army), the United States Naval Academy (Navy), and the United States Air Force Academy.
The Navy clinched the trophy last December after a commanding 31-13 win over Army in the 125th meeting of the two storied rivals. That victory not only secured bragging rights but also marked a return to dominance for the Midshipmen in one of college football’s most revered rivalries.
The presentation ceremony, held at the White House, celebrated the team’s grit, discipline, and commitment—traits that reflect the values of the service academies and the armed forces. President Trump, known for his strong support of the military, praised the players for their excellence on and off the field, emphasizing the honor of wearing the Navy uniform both in sport and in service to the nation.
This victory continues a legacy of competition between America’s service academies that stretches back more than a century. The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy itself was first awarded in 1972 and has since become a symbol of interservice rivalry and camaraderie.
The Navy’s win in 2023 adds another chapter to the proud history of the program. Beyond the scoreboard, the event serves as a reminder of the deep bond between the military and the Office of the President, and the role of athletics in building leadership among future officers.
