Should Notre Dame Establish a Yearly Football Game Rotation With Service Academies to Honor the Military and Strengthen Tradition?
In the ever-changing landscape of college football, tradition and purpose remain pillars of what makes the sport meaningful beyond the field. One program that exemplifies this dual commitment to excellence and heritage is Notre Dame. From its independence to its iconic rivalries, the Fighting Irish have long carved out a unique place in college football. But with new conference realignments, NIL debates, and playoff expansions shifting priorities across the sport, there’s a fresh opportunity on the table—one that blends patriotism, respect, and gridiron legacy. Should Notre Dame rotate one annual football game against a U.S. military service academy as a permanent fixture in its schedule?
The idea is not without precedent. Notre Dame has a long and storied relationship with the U.S. military. Its annual game with Navy, the longest uninterrupted intersectional rivalry in college football, began in 1927 and has persisted even through wartime, including World War II. The respect and mutual gratitude between the two institutions are well known. Notre Dame famously kept the rivalry going because the U.S. Navy once helped keep the university financially afloat during the 1940s. The series has often served as more than a football game—it’s a yearly tribute to service, honor, and brotherhood.
So why limit it to just Navy? Why not rotate the matchup each year to also include Army and Air Force, creating a meaningful annual showdown between Notre Dame and one of the three major military academies?
On a logistical level, Notre Dame is well positioned to make this concept work. As an independent program in football, the Irish have more scheduling flexibility than any other major Power Five team. They already have historical rivalries and annual matchups in place—USC, Stanford, Navy, and now an agreement with the ACC for five games per season. But there is often room on the slate for a purposeful, non-conference game that resonates with the fan base and strengthens the program’s brand.
By instituting a rotational series with Navy, Army, and Air Force, Notre Dame would reinforce its status as a national team with a national conscience. These games wouldn’t just be matchups—they’d be events, cultural celebrations of patriotism and sport. Each season could spotlight one service academy: one year playing Navy, the next against Army, then Air Force, before rotating back to Navy again. That ensures no rivalry is neglected while simultaneously promoting the dignity and valor of all U.S. service branches.
More importantly, rotating games with the troops aligns perfectly with the values Notre Dame says it upholds. The university frequently emphasizes its mission to develop both the mind and the heart, and its commitment to service and community outreach. Playing an annual game against a service academy reflects these ideals. It shows the student-athletes—and the tens of millions who follow college football—that respect, discipline, and sacrifice matter as much as touchdowns and trophies.
Critics might argue that such a rotation weakens the traditional bond with Navy. After all, the Navy-Notre Dame rivalry has historical depth, emotional significance, and fan investment that dates back nearly a century. Replacing it with a rotating series might dilute its power and risk alienating long-time supporters who cherish the continuity of that annual battle.
But preserving that tradition doesn’t have to mean eliminating it altogether. Instead of playing Navy every single year, the Irish could opt for a “three-on, one-off” model, in which they play Navy three out of every four years, with the fourth year reserved for either Army or Air Force. Alternatively, the Navy game could remain a regular staple every other year, with Army and Air Force rotating in the intervening seasons. In both models, the Navy rivalry endures, but the broader mission of honoring all service branches is expanded.
From a competitive standpoint, these games would also provide a unique and consistent test for Notre Dame. Service academies are known for their discipline, innovative schemes—especially in the triple-option offense—and their never-quit mentality. Preparing for one of these programs annually ensures Notre Dame remains sharp against less conventional styles of play. That can be a hidden asset, especially when transitioning into postseason games where unpredictability reigns.
There’s also a recruiting and public relations angle. While service academies may not produce NFL-ready rosters, the games themselves are loaded with storytelling potential. National broadcasts of Notre Dame vs. a service academy become easy sell jobs for TV partners, corporate sponsors, and military appreciation events. The game could be played at neutral military bases, in historic stadiums like West Point’s Michie Stadium or Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, or continue to alternate home-and-home.
For Notre Dame’s recruiting image, the annual game enhances the program’s reputation as a values-driven institution. Families of recruits want to send their sons to schools where character matters. An annual matchup with the troops reinforces Notre Dame’s alignment with those values, sending a strong message to recruits, their parents, and high school coaches nationwide.
There’s also something to be said about the modern cultural moment. America’s relationship with its military remains complicated but respectful. In an era when college football is increasingly about money—whether through NIL deals, mega-conferences, or television contracts—this tradition would serve as a grounding force. A Notre Dame vs. military academy game each year would remind everyone of football’s deeper connections to sacrifice, loyalty, and purpose.
Imagine a primetime game between Notre Dame and Army, played at West Point on the anniversary of 9/11. Picture Notre Dame hosting Air Force at Notre Dame Stadium on Veterans Day weekend, complete with flyovers, tributes to fallen heroes, and both teams walking out hand in hand. These moments transcend football and become national touchstones, woven into the social fabric of the sport and the country.
Of course, there would be logistical hurdles to consider. Scheduling difficulties are inevitable in a world where conference alignments dominate the sport. There’s also the matter of strength of schedule. While military academies are tough, they rarely carry the same national ranking weight as playing a top-tier SEC or Big Ten opponent. But these games could coexist with more high-profile matchups. After all, no one questions the validity of the Army-Navy Game each December, even though it often lacks playoff implications. Tradition matters. Meaning matters. Purpose matters.
And let’s not forget the mutual benefit for the service academies themselves. Notre Dame’s national spotlight brings attention and visibility to their programs, recruiting pipelines, and institutional missions. It’s a win-win scenario, both practically and symbolically.
For Notre Dame alumni and fans, the appeal of such a rotation is clear. The Fighting Irish have always seen themselves as more than a football program. They are a symbol of faith, character, and legacy. Committing to an annual game with the troops embodies all three.
In conclusion, Notre Dame has an opportunity to set a precedent in college football—one that isn’t driven by money, market size, or media rights. Rotating an annual football game against one of the three military academies would elevate the program’s already strong sense of purpose. It would offer a standing tribute to those who serve while enhancing the cultural value of college football. It would be a new tradition rooted in old virtues, and in a world where everything is constantly changing, those are the kinds of traditions worth building.
