WEST POINT, N.Y. – Due in large part to drawing a Michie Stadium record crowd of 10,192 for last Saturday’s lacrosse game, Army’s historic program continues to climb the national ranks when it comes to attendance figures. The Black Knights currently rank fifth in the nation averaging just over 2,300 fans per home game.
In the 91st meeting between Army and Navy last Saturday at Michie Stadium, a record number of fans witnessed the Black Knights’ fourth-straight win over their arch nemesis. Not only did the crowd set a record for highest attendance at an Army lacrosse game, but it was the most fans to attend a game at Michie Stadium since 7,288 fans packed the stands for the 2006 edition of the Army-Navy rivalry.
“It was a tremendous atmosphere to play in and I know gave the team an added boost,” said seventh-year head coach Joe Alberici. “It was a great day for the Army program, the Academy and the entire West Point community. On behalf of the Army lacrosse family, I would like to thank each and every fan who came out and was a part of such a special victory.
“I also have to give credit to our entire marketing, facilities, team operations and all of the support staff for such an outstanding effort in making that game such a success,” Alberici added. “The effort all of those groups put forward in making it such an outstanding fan experience is something that should be commended.”
Army-Navy fan activities included a full Black Knights Alley, West Point Boot Camp, parachute demonstration, youth pregame “chalk talks,” a postgame autograph session with the team and more.
In addition, last Saturday’s event marked the highest-attended lacrosse game at a campus site by any team this season. It ranked ninth overall behind eight games played as a part of the Big City Classic and Face-Off Classic at MetLife Stadium and M&T Bank Stadium, respectively.
Army, which broke into the No. 20 spot in this week’s Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll, hosts Holy Cross in the Patriot League regular-season finale for both teams this Saturday, April 21, at Michie Stadium. As a part of Senior Day festivities, the Black Knights will honor 12 members of the Class of 2012 and their families prior to the noon face-off.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through www.goARMYsports.com, by calling 1-877-TIX-ARMY or by visiting the Army Ticket Office, located inside the Holleder Center.
Men’s Lacrosse Average Home Game Attendance
(as of April 16, 2012)
1. Syracuse – 4,375
2. Virginia – 4,085
3. Maryland – 3,471
4. Johns Hopkins – 2,977
5. Army – 2,304
6. Notre Dame – 2,108
7. Denver – 1,932
8. Hofstra – 1,820
9. Cornell – 1,778
10. North Carolina – 1,677