News & Publications
26th Annual St. John's College-U.S. Naval Academy Croquet Match: A Rite of Spring in Annapolis
EDITORS NOTE: The match date has been changed to Sunday, April 20
FOR RELEASE: February 22, 2008
CONTACT: Patricia Dempsey, 410.626.2539
patricia.dempsey@sjca.edu
Who will take home the Annapolis Cup as the winner of the 26th Annual Croquet Match between St. John's College and the U.S. Naval Academy? The Johnnies and Mids face off on Sunday, April 20, at 1 p.m. for this trophy which is housed in the front window of 49 West restaurant in Annapolis. Passersby can view the trophy, adorned with the colors of the winning team. The Johnnies have earned the coveted Annapolis Cup 20 out of 25 years-can they make it 21?
The St. John's - U.S. Naval Academy Croquet Match is one of the most unique sporting events and lawn parties in the region. It is also quite possibly the world's most popular croquet match, rivaling even the Croquet World Championships in its numbers of attendees-more than 2,000 attended last year. The avid fans include stylishly dressed students and alumni from St. John's and the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as enthusiastic tourists and Annapolitans who enjoy lavish picnics with cucumber sandwiches, strawberries, and champagne.
"The idea of throwing a lawn party for the city of Annapolis strikes me as brilliant," says Rachel Bartgis, a junior at St. John's. "What better way to celebrate springtime with your neighbors than to have a party for the whole city?" Miss Bartgis says she likes to parade around, "to see how everyone goes all out, from the Naval Academy alumni tent with their silver chandeliers to the men in plus-fours and boaters."
At St. John's College, home to the great books program, students read and discuss seminal works of western civilization, and at the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen train for military careers. The annual croquet match allows Johnnies and Mids to come together for a civilized competition. This year, St. John's Imperial Wicket Ian Hanover, a senior from New York City, will lead the Johnnies. The match will open with performances by the St. John's Freshman Chorus and the Naval Academy's Trident Brass Band, then the first ceremonial ball is struck.
The match is rich with tradition. The Johnnies play in uniforms that change each year and is kept secret until the opening of the match. Last year's uniform was inspired by "Born in the U.S.A." as the players dressed as Bruce Springsteen and had their birthday and birthplace emblazoned on the back of white t-shirts. The Mids adhere to the United States Croquet Association's code, wearing spotless white shirts, pants, sweaters and shoes, and change only their ties from year to year.
DETAILS: The match starts at 1 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Grills and kegs are not permitted. Note: This is a Sunday. There will be no rain date. For more information, call 410-626-2539.