Army-Air Force Game Postponed Due To Coronavirus

WEST POINT, NY — A new coronavirus outbreak at the U.S. Air Force Academy has forced the postponement of Saturday's football game at West Point.

The Commander-in-Chief's Trophy game between the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy was to have been played at Michie Stadium at West Point.

The game was postponed because of an outbreak of the coronavirus at the Colorado Springs, Colorado, academy.

In a Facebook post, officials at the U.S. Air Force Academy said the game was put off "due to upward trends of COVID-19 cases here at the Academy, the football program and in the surrounding community." The game was scheduled to nationally televised.

The school said it will work to reschedule the game with West Point "if possible."

The Times Herald-Record is reporting there are 110 West Point cadets in quarantine at the campus. However, there are no cadets who have tested positive.

West Point spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Ophardt did not confirm the number of cadets in quarantine but told Patch the academy has seen a few new cases over the last three weeks and is adjusting its protocols to successfully finish the semester and protect athletes who will compete in a nationally televised setting.

He said cadets — for now — are not allowed to have any visitors in their barracks. Only their roommates can be there. Also, meals are being staggered in the cadet mess hall for the roughly 4,000-member Corps of Cadets. Other eating places on post, such as Grant Hall, are being limited to takeout service only.

The football team had been moved out of the barracks and to a local hotel in order to socially distance. They are attending classes as normal.

Ophardt said West Point is currently one-third virtual, one-third hybrid and one-third in-person classes.

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