College football is a world of contrasts, and nowhere is that more evident than at the U.S. Military Academy and the Naval Academy. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the lives of student-athletes at these institutions and explore the unique challenges and rewards they face.

Uncovering the Heart and Soul of the Army-Navy Rivalry

Daba Fofana: From Cumming to the Naval Academy

Daba Fofana, named after his paternal grandfather, grew up in Cumming, Georgia. His father is from the Ivory Coast. At the Naval Academy, he wakes up each morning in a tiny 100-square-foot dorm room without any decorations. He quickly makes his bed with hospital corners and leaves by 7:20 am, not returning until around 9 pm. The midshipmen live in Bancroft Hall, a sprawling dormitory complex with 3.8 miles of corridors and eight wings. Fofana has a 3.69 GPA and is majoring in applied physics while pursuing a career in medicine. He takes 16 credits this fall and finds the most difficult course to be Introduction to Aeronautics. Each sports team has its own table in-season, and Fofana sits at table No. 42 for breakfast. After class, he works on his physics research project using a confocal microscope.

Kalib Fortner: From Knoxville to West Point

Kalib Fortner and his twin brother Liam grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. They won back-to-back state championships together at Central High School and Kalib was a three-time all-state selection. They signed their scholarship papers with Army on Dec. 17, 2020. Fortner wakes up at 6:15 am and assembles in the quad for predawn formation. Breakfast in the mess hall is mandatory at 6:55 am, and he doesn't return to his barracks during the season until 8:30 or 9 pm. He lives on the second floor of Eisenhower Barracks with Charlie Barnett and shares a small room with very little space. There's no television or mini-fridge, but he uses his school-issued laptop to watch game tape. Every Monday, he has mandatory main inspection and is a squad leader in the First Regiment, inspecting seven cadets in his company.

Navy and Army Academies: A World Apart

Navy students need a valid picture ID to get past the MA at Gate 1 and can't drive on campus without a credential. There are more than 4,400 students in the Brigade of Midshipmen, all living in Bancroft Hall. In contrast, West Point covers 16,000 acres on the west bank of the Hudson River. Army cadets have a more regimented life, with mandatory classes, military exercises, and inspections. The mess hall at West Point serves 4,000 cadets and is a massive, majestic place with a history.

Football at the Academies: A Battle on and off the Field

For Fofana, football is a big part of his life. He participates in position meetings, practices, and film sessions. Navy's practices are intense, and coaches emphasize the importance of being a good blocker and having good eyes. At Army, practices are also regimented and unrelenting. Coach Jeff Monken is known for his tough coaching style and emphasizes discipline. Army's inside linebackers coach Justin Weaver is strict in his meetings and emphasizes execution.

Academics and Military Life: A Balancing Act

The academic demands on Navy and Army students are high. They have to balance classes, military responsibilities, and football. Navy coach Brian Newberry understands the pressure and wants football to be an outlet for the players. At Army, Kalib Fortner is taking 16½ credit hours this semester and has made the dean's list. The academies do not allow redshirting or sweeping roster changes from the transfer portal.

The Army-Navy Rivalry: A Global Spectacle

The Army-Navy rivalry game is unlike any other in the country. It draws a global audience of our nation's armed forces past and present. Signs of the rivalry are everywhere on both campuses, from stair steps to the locker room. The game is "sacred" for both sides, and winning means a lot. Mike Viti, Army's assistant head coach, played in the rivalry and understands its significance. A year ago, Fortner was the star of Army's win over Navy and his life changed.

The Future of the Rivalry

Entering Saturday's game, Army has won six of the past eight meetings with Navy. The pendulum has swung, but Monken knows any momentum in a rivalry comes with a caveat. While the AAC championship victory was a highlight, it won't define the season. The Black Knights take pride in holding themselves accountable in everything they do, and in football, that means beating Navy.