clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Army football receives CIC Trophy from President Trump at the White House

For the second year in a row, President Trump will present the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to the Army football team.

By Joe Kramer
President Trump Presents The Commander In Chief’s Trophy To The U.S. Military Academy Football Team Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

After failing to secure the Commander in Chief’s Trophy for over 20 years, the Army football team has now made its second consecutive trip to the White House to accept the trophy from President Donald Trump. Prior to 2018, the last time Army won the Commander in Chief’s trophy was 1996. 1996 was also one of Army’s most successful seasons in recent memory, before current head coach Jeff Monken’s arrival. The 1996 Black Knights went 10-2 and lost a hard-fought 32-29 game to Auburn in the Independence Bowl in addition to securing the CIC.

Under Jeff Monken, Army football has experienced a resurgence in national prominence in addition to Service Academy dominance. In the past three seasons, the Black Knights have gone 8-5, 10-2, and 11-2, defeating Navy in all three seasons, claiming bowl game victories in each season, and securing the CIC in the last two seasons. Not one to rest on his laurels, Monken continues to cultivate an environment among the team where winning is an expectation.

The Commander in Chief’s Trophy has been awarded annually to the Service Academy football team that has won the series between the other academies since 1972. In its almost 50-year history, the CIC has been awarded to Air Force 20 times, Navy 15 times, and Army 8 times.

After Army’s 1996 CIC win, Air Force proceeded to claim the trophy for six straight years from 1997-2002. Not to be outdone, Navy responded with seven straight CIC wins from 2003-2009, setting a CIC streak record. The trophy passed back and forth between Navy and Air Force from 2010 to 2016 with neither team retaining the trophy for more than two seasons in a row.

Army has now won the trophy in 2017 and 2018, and will look to extend their streak this upcoming season. For now, the 2018 Black Knights will enjoy their trophy win and look back fondly on an extremely memorable and successful 2018 campaign. The Army football team will officially be presented the Commander in Chief’s Trophy this afternoon at the White House.

Check out the Tweet below to view the presentation ceremony live!