
History of the Midshipmen
The Navy Midshipmen are the athletic teams that represent the United States Naval Academy. The academy sponsors 33 varsity sports teams and 12 club sports teams. Both men's and women's teams are called Navy Midshipmen or "Mids." They participate in the NCAA's Division I as a non-football member of the Patriot League, a football-only member of the American Athletic Conference in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), and a member of the Collegiate Sprint Football League (men), Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges (men), Eastern Association of Women's Rowing Colleges, Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastics League (men), Mid-Atlantic Squash Conference (men) and Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association. The Navy is also one of approximately 300 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) members.
College Sports Established
1845
Location
Annapolis, Maryland
College Name
United States Naval Academy
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division I
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
1991 - Present / Patriot League
1879 - 1991 / Independent
Nickname
Midshipmen - At the Naval Academy, the Midshipmen nickname not only applies to the school's athletic teams, but to all of its students as well. While the Midshipmen term has a long association with the Academy, it's English roots date back to the 17th century. Early uses of the word described men who were stationed in the middle of a ship while on duty and for boys who served on ships as an apprentice. It was common during the time period for boys as young as seven years old to work under sea captains in an effort to learn the sailor's trade. The spirit of apprenticeship continued during the early days of the American Navy when midshipmen trained aboard ships until they were commissioned as ensigns. When the Academy was founded in 1845, the Midshipmen term applied to the process of entering the Navy from civilian life. Congress changed the name of Naval Academy students several times between 1870 and 1902 before finally deciding to return to the original Midshipman title. Besides Midshipmen, Navy's athletic teams are sometimes referred to as the Mids. The term "Middie's" is sometimes used, but Academy officials are quick to point out that it is inappropriate.
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 1
1964
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.