Navy Weekend News and Notes

With the football team taking a three week break before the small matter of a game against Army here are a few items of note from around the athletic department.

Navy player critical after car accident

Navy freshman quarterback Ralph Montalvo is critical in hospital after being involved in a serious car accident at home in Florida on Thanksgiving night. Montalvo was the passenger in the single vehicle accident and though few details have emerged it is not believed that alcohol was a factor. Montalvo was put into a medically induced coma on arrival at Kendall regional Medical Center though head coach Ken Niumatalolo has said there have been small signs of improvement.

Analysis: Incidents like this remind you that football is just a game. We, like everyone involved with Navy athletics, wish Ralph and his family well and are hoping to see him make a swift and full recovery.

Pssst....Basketball has started

Unless you are at a basketball centered school like a Georgetown or Villanova the round ball season often sneaks up unnoticed in the fever that is November football. The Mids men's team has started the season 3-4 which includes a 1-3 performance in the South Padre Island Invitational Tournament. The women are sitting at 3-3 with their next game being a grudge match on the road at Air Force. Both squads have the ability (despite worthless preseason polls) to make a little noise in what looks to be a pretty evenly balanced Patriot League this year.

Analysis: The men in particular could have a much more impressive record if they can work out how to finish in close games. After an early season overtime loss to Siena the Mids dropped two tournament games by a combined four points, including one to TCU of the Big 12. These tournaments are designed to give coaches a look at how their teams perform during pressure and it will be interesting to see how Navy fairs in close games during conference play.

Women's golf joins the party

The number of varsity level sports that the Academy fields teams in increased by one this month as Women's Golf was promoted to that level. The golf team will begin play immediately and will be eligible for postseason play in the Patriot League this coming April.

Analysis: The more the merrier when it comes to this kind of news. A school as prestigious as the Naval Academy should be involved in every sporting opportunity possible at the very highest level. Best of luck to the women's golfers as they begin to represent the Mids.