USAA has been a proud sponsor of the Army-Navy Game since 2009. This year's matchup between the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (Black Knights) and the U.S. Naval Academy (Midshipmen) is set for Saturday, December 14 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The 2019 Army-Navy Game marks the rivalry's 120th meeting and 89th time played in Philadelphia.
Eric Engquist, USAA Vice President Enterprise Brand Management chats with SportsJam Doug Doyle about the game, his military service and his company's role in a game that dates back to 1890.
Enquist says USAA will be sponsoring the game at least through 2025.
"USAA, a company founded by the military, for the military, so it's in our DNA to demonstrate our commitment to that community that created us almost a hundred years ago. This year we're building our activation around the theme of rivalry between the Army and Navy fans. We give them the opportunity through an immersive experience and levering augmented reality in placing them on the field and allowing them to compete against one another as either for the Army team or the Navy team in a series of events. Whether it's throwing passes, kicking field goals, and then answering trivia questions they can score points for their respective sides. They also get to interact firsthand with the uniforms of the Army and Navy teams."
Prior to joining USAA in 2005, Eric Engquist served in the Army as an Infantry Officer. During his military career, he served in the units both within the U.s and overseas, including deployments to Kosova and Iraq. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and received his MBA from the University of Texas, San Antonio.
This year's Army uniform tells the story of the soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division and the birth of air mobility during the Vietnam War. Navy will be sporting throwback uniforms that pay homage to the Midshipmen teams of the 1960's. The uniforms are paying trbute to two Heisman Trophy winners, quarterback Roger Staubach and the late running back Joe Bellino.
At one-point Navy had a 14-game winning streak in the series, but Army has won the last three games. Navy is 9-2 this season and headed to the Liberty Bowl on December 31st against Kansas St. Army's season ended with a 5-7 record. While Engquist wants to see a great game Saturday that has all the pageantry on and off the field, he has a prediction.
"I'll tell you throw the season out. Congrats to Navy for clinching a bowl. But I'll tell you Army is going to turn it on for this game and I predict an Army victory."
Click above to hear the entire interview with Eric Engquist.
