Aldrin to attend Army-Navy 'sprint' football game in Saratoga Springs

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Goot

Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, pilot of the first manned mission to the moon, will attend the annual Adirondack Trust Allegiance Bowl Saturday between the Army and Navy “sprint” football teams and participate in pre-game ceremonies.

Aldrin became the second person to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. He will present the American flag, which has flown over the U.S. Capitol and brought to the game via the Saratoga Skydivers parachute team. He will also officiate the ceremonial pre-game coin toss.

The game will be held at the Saratoga Springs High School football field. The pre-game activities will be held at 12:45 p.m. with kickoff at 1 p.m.

The charity football game will feature one of sport’s greatest rivalries: Aldrin’s alma mater, the United States Military Academy (Army), and the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis (Navy). Proceeds from the event will benefit the Saratoga Springs Pop Warner youth football and cheerleading programs.

Aldrin played center on the 1946 Montclair, N.J., state high school championship football team, and his love of the sport continues today. “I have seen many Army-Navy football games and know that the 2011 Allegiance Bowl will be an epic contest between two great teams,” he said.

The Adirondack Trust Allegiance Bowl features varsity teams from the (CSFL) and benefits local youth programs. Sprint football is regulation, varsity-level, Division 1 football with one exception: No player may weigh more than 172 pounds three days prior to game day. The sport is known for its quick, explosive play where there is an emphasis on athleticism and play execution rather than on player size.

Since its inception in 2005, the Allegiance Bowl has raised over $50,000 for local youth charities.