What was once old will become new yet again if one report comes to fruition.
In a press release Monday, the Army athletic department revealed that they, “in partnership with Nike, will introduce a new brand and identity system that will include new logos, lettering and numerals showcased by all 28 athletic programs on Monday, April 13.” Part of that new brand, as it turns out, is expected to actually be a rebrand, Sal Interdonato of the Middletown Times Herald-Record tweeted a short time after the release was issued.
#Army Athletics will reveal new logo and nickname change (#BlackKnights to Cadets) at rebranding event on April 13 at Eisenhower Hall.
— Sal Interdonato (@salinterdonato) April 6, 2015
Prior to 1999, the football team -- and all West Point teams for that matter -- were known as both the Black Knights and Cadets, although mainly the latter. In 1999, the Black Knight moniker was officially adopted by the service academy.
The speculation regarding a nickname swap has actually been ongoing for months, with athletic director Boo Corrigan hinting as much back in November. One former Army player would be all for a name change if it meant reversing the downward trend against its biggest rival.
“I’m all for it if it reverses the streak against Navy,” 2002 captain Alex Moore told the Army Times. “We had more success with that when we were the Cadets.”
Army has lost 13 straight to Navy, with the last win coming in 2001. Since the Black Knights nickname was officially adopted in 1999, the Midshipmen have gone 15-1 in the annual matchup.