26 September Daily Shipmate

Friday, Sep 26, 2025

1915-  2LT William Nicholls '14, Royal Army was killed in action during the Battle of Loos on the Western Front in France. He was a member of the 30th Battery, 43rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He was appointed to the Naval Academy while a cadet at The Citadel; he resigned in April 1914, less than two months before graduation, to study law at his father's firm in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

 

1862 - RADM Samuel F. DuPont, a professor and leader at the U.S. Naval Academy, requested a coal hulk capable of holding 1,000 tons of coal to be loaded aboard man-of-war ships. This method of advanced base refueling foreshadowed the system of underway replenishment that remains a hallmark of the U.S. Navy today.

Academy & Graduate happenings

The Naval Academy community is honoring CAPT Gillooly, a WWII veteran, naval aviator, and Navy Football's oldest living player. He previously shared his remarkable story of surviving a kamikaze attack during the war as part of the Legacy of Valor series. Pictured last year with the magazine featuring his story, his courage, humility, and spirit remain an inspiration to the Brigade and beyond. Happy Birthday, CAPT Gillooly! We're grateful for you and your service. Go Navy! Beat Army!

Previewing Saturday's home game against Rice. The Navy Football Podcast team previews Saturday's home game against Rice. Former Navy greats Keenan Reynolds and Eric Kettani discuss Rice's unique version of option football and playing a game on the back end of six-week exams. Producer Chris Servello wonders when Navy will put together a complete game.

Putting the spotlight on Navy Triathlon. Navy triathlon took the team title at the Duquesne Collegiate Cup last weekend. It was the first collegiate cup competition victory in program history. We put the spotlight on triathlon by talking to head coach Billy Edwards and sophomore standout Natalie Wang. As always, Mike James of the Navy Football Radio Network joins for the opening segment to preview Saturday's football home game against Rice.

RADM Scott Sanders '80, USN (Ret.), has turned his 33-year military career into a new mission: reviving Southern Maryland's distilling tradition. As co-owner of Tobacco Barn Distillery, Sanders leads a veteran-run operation producing bourbon from locally grown grain. Once, he even used a bottle of bourbon as a goodwill gesture to a Chinese admiral during his time in the service. Now, Sanders channels that same spirit of connection into sustainable, community-focused, “ground-to-glass” bourbon making.

Government & Military News

The U.S. Navy carried out four scheduled missile tests of a nuclear-capable weapons system off the coast of Florida last week, according to the service. “The missile tests were not conducted in response to any ongoing world events,” a Navy release said.

The Pentagon spokesman confirmed DoD Secretary Pete Hegseth “will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week.” The directive did not offer a reason for the gathering next Tuesday, 30 September 30, of senior commanders of the one-star rank or higher and their top advisers at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia.

The Neptune Strike series is designed to demonstrate NATO's ability to integrate high-end maritime strike capabilities, strengthen deterrence and ensure freedom of navigation across critical waterways. It also aims to secure strategic maritime chokepoints while testing interoperability across air, land and sea,” reads a NATO news release published last week.

Local, Education & other academy news

This Sunday, 28 September 2025, is Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day. A day we honor Mothers and Families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. The United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation stands beside these strong individuals with deep gratitude and unwavering support. Always.

In 1845, the U.S. needed a professional naval force to protect its interests. With no money from Congress, Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft transformed Fort Severn in Annapolis, Maryland, into the U.S. Naval Academy. The institution began with 50 midshipmen that year. But since then, the Naval Academy has trained thousands.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Weekend Matchups

Intercollegiate Sailing at Hinman Trophy - Larchmont, N.Y. - All Day

Men's Cross Country at Gans Creek Classic - Columbia, Mo. - 9:15 a.m.

Women's Cross Country at Gans Creek Classic - Columbia, Mo. - 10 a.m.

Women's Tennis at Milwaukee Tennis Classic - Milwaukee, Wis. - 10 a.m.

Men's Tennis at Milwaukee Tennis Classic - Milwaukee, Wis. - 10 a.m.

Women's Tennis - Navy Blue & Gold Invitational - Annapolis, Md - Noon

Women's Soccer at Colgate - Hamilton, N.Y. - 5 p.m.
Sprint Football at St. Thomas Aquinas - Hamilton, N.Y. - 6 p.m.

Women's Volleyball at American - Washington, D.C. - 6 p.m.

 

Intercollegiate Sailing at Women's Atlantic Coast Championships, Round One - Annapolis, Md. - All Day

Intercollegiate Sailing at Carl Van Duyne MAISA Men's Singlehandeds - Kings Point, N.Y. - All Day

Intercollegiate Sailing at Danmark Trophy - New London, Conn. - All Day

Intercollegiate Sailing at Hinman Trophy - Larchmont, N.Y. - All Day

Women's Rowing at Georgetown (Scrimmage) - Washington, D.C. - 8 a.m.

Women's Tennis at Navy Blue & Gold Invitational - Annapolis, Md. - 9 a.m.

Rifle v. TCU - Annapolis, Md. - 9 a.m.

Rifle v. VMI - Annapolis, Md. - 9 a.m.

Women's Tennis at Milwaukee Tennis Classic - Milwaukee, Wis. - 10 a.m.

Men's Tennis at Milwaukee Tennis Classic - Milwaukee, Wis. - 10 a.m.

Men's Water Polo v. Mercyhurst - Annapolis, Md. - 11 a.m.

Men's Soccer v. Lehigh - Annapolis, Md. - 11 a.m.

Men's Rugby v. Mount St. Mary's (Md.) - Annapolis, Md. - 11 a.m.

Women's Swimming & Diving v. Virginia (Scrimmage) - Annapolis, Md. - 11 a.m.

Men's Swimming & Diving v. Virginia (Scrimmage) - Annapolis, Md. - 11 a.m.

Men's Lightweight Rowing at Temple (Scrimmage) - Philadelphia, Pa. - 11 a.m.

Women's Rugby at Princeton - Princeton, N.J. - Noon

Football v. Rice - Annapolis, Md. - 3:30 p.m.

Women's Volleyball at Loyola, Maryland - Baltimore, Md. - 4 p.m.

Men's Water Polo v. Mount St. Mary's - Annapolis, Md. - 5 p.m.

 

Intercollegiate Sailing at Hinman Trophy - Larchmont, N.Y. - All Day

Intercollegiate Sailing at Danmark Trophy - New London, Conn. - All Day

Intercollegiate Sailing at Carl Van Duyne MAISA Men's Singlehandeds - Kings Point, N.Y. - All Day

Intercollegiate Sailing at Women's Atlantic Coast Championships, Round One - Annapolis, Md. - All Day

Men's Tennis at Milwaukee Tennis Classic - Milwaukee, Wis. - 9 a.m.

Women's Tennis at Milwaukee Tennis Classic - Milwaukee, Wis. - 9 a.m.

Women's Tennis v. Navy Blue & Gold Invitational - Annapolis, Md. - 9 a.m.

Women's Triathlon at Robious Landing Collegiate Cup - Midlothian, Va. - 10:30 a.m.

Men's Water Polo v. Bucknell - Annapolis, Md. - 11 a.m.

USNA and AA&F Events

SEPTEMBER

26 Sep - Class of 2020 Happy Hour - Fluegel Alumni Center

26 Sep - Council of Annual Giving meeting - Fluegel Alumni Center

27 Sep - Navy Football vs Rice, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

30 Sep - USNI Panel Discussion: Beyond Shipyards to Unmanned Systems in the Future Fleet

 

OCTOBER

1-22 Oct - Class of '75 Gulf to Goat Charity Bike Ride

2 Oct - President Circle Welcome Reception, Fluegel

2-4 Oct - President Circle Weekend

2-5 Oct - Class of 2015 10th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1995 30th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1990 35th Reunion

3 Oct - 2025 Navy Rugby Alumni Association's 10th Annual "With You" Dinner and HOF Induction

4 Oct - 1958/2008 tailgate for 50 for 50 celebration - Open invitation to A/F and USNA grads and mids to celebrate 50 Years of women - 10 a.m.

4 Oct - Navy Football vs Air Force, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD - Noon

8 Oct - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Business Mtg. - 4:30 p.m. EDT Brudergarten

22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 Online event: BOD https://meet.google.com/toh-nvgs-yvn

9-16 Oct - Celebrating The Navy and Marine Corps' 250th Anniversary - Philadelphia

10 Oct - USNA Founder's Day - 180th Birthday of the Naval Academy

10 Oct - Army-Navy Cup XIV - Soccer doubleheader vs Army at Subaru Park, Philadelphia. Women's Match - 4 p.m., Men's Match at 7 p.m.

11 Oct - Navy Football @ Temple, Lincoln Financial Stadium, Philadelphia, PA

13 Oct - U.S. Navy Birthday

13 Oct - Surface Navy Museum Grand Opening - Battleship Iowa - Los Angeles

15 Oct - USNI Conference: Dominance Through Disruption: The Evolving Military Advantage - 8:00am

23-26 Oct - Class of 2005 20th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1975 50th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1965 60th Reunion

24 Oct - Anchors Aweigh Open - Alumni Golf Tournament - Naval Academy Golf Course

25 Oct - Navy Football vs Florida Atlantic, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

25 Oct - United States Naval Academy Homecoming

25 Oct - Welcome Home Event, Fluegel Alumni Center

25-31 Oct - Eugene, Oregon Navy Week

26 Oct - USMC Marathon w/ Run to Honor SIG participating and presenting the Penguin Award to final finisher

30 Oct - Austin Chapter roadshow - 5:30 p.m. - Fast Friends Beer Co, Austin

31 Oct - North Texas Chapter + NAPC of North Texas Roadshow - 4:30 p.m. - Bitter Sisters Brewing Co, Addison

 

NOVEMBER

1 Nov - Navy @ North Texas, DATCU Stadium, Denton TX

5-6 Nov - US Naval Academy Foundation Fall Board of Directors Reception/Meeting

6-9 Nov - Class of 1980 45th Reunion

8 Nov - Navy @ Notre Dame, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN - 7:30 p.m.

10 Nov - Marine Corps Birthday

10-16  Nov - Santa Fe, New Mexico Navy Week.

12 Nov - GSMC Social & Business Mtg. Brudergarten - 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EST - 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 - Online event: Meet - toh-nvgs-yvn

14 Nov - Run to Honor's annual pre-Honor Our Fallen Heroes Gathering (FAC) - 6:30 p.m. - Register

14 Nov - US Naval Academy Athletic & Scholarship Program Fall Meeting, NMCMS

15 Nov - Navy vs University of South Florida, NMCMS

15 Nov - Honor Our Fallen Heroes - Location TBD

17 Nov - Council of Class Presidents Fall meeting, Fluegel

18-19 Nov - US Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustee Fall Meeting, Fluegel

19-20 Nov - SACC Chicago

27 Nov - Navy Football @ University of Memphis, Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN

 

DECEMBER

5/6 Dec - American Conference Football Championship Game, TBD

6 Dec - Distinguished Graduate Selection Committee Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

13 Dec - Army-Navy, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD