Email sent 14 Feb 2018
Dear Class of ’85,
As some of us are hiding inside and counting down the end of the “Dark Ages” of winter, I thought I would throw a little sunshine into everyone’s life. I have been busy behind the scenes putting together and finalizing plans for the Navy away games at Hawaii against the University of Hawaii on Saturday September 1st and for the Navy vs. Notre Dame game in San Diego on Saturday October 27th. Below is some information about each weekend:
Honolulu, Hawaii Trip August 30-September 2, 2018:
Navy plays the University of Hawaii in football Saturday, September 1 with time TBD. I have reserved a block of rooms at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa. The block starts Thursday August 30th and has rooms until Sunday September 2nd at a special group rate of $204.00 per night for Ocean view rooms. As always, we will plan some sort of Friday night event and a pre and post game party. Those are still in the works and I will announce them as plans are finalized. For now, you can book rooms and get your travel arranged now. I will also have a Class of ’85 ticket block reserved and information on that will be put out after NAAA starts selling them to us, but we have a firm commitment on both games for our classmates to sit together, so please do not worry about purchasing tickets. You can reserve rooms at the Marriott by calling: (800) 367- 5370 or (808) 922-6611; tell them you want to reserve in the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1985 room block for the nights of 8/30-9/2 and make sure you are quoted the group rate.
San Diego, CA Trip October 25-October 28, 2018:
Navy plays Notre Dame at Qualcomm Stadium on Saturday October 27, time TBD. I have reserved a block fo 50 rooms at the Westin Gas Lamp District, San Diego for a group rate of $249.00 a night. The link to reserve rooms is: https://www.starwoodmeeting.
I anticipate we will sell more than 50 rooms and the hotel has agreed to open up more rooms if they have them available when we ask. This is why it is important that if you think you are going, to reserve early. You have until 10/22 at 4:00 pm to cancel without penalty. I have a Friday night Happy Hour event planned at the hotel and on Saturday I have pre and post game events planned at the Quad Gaslamp Tavern along with Bus transport to and from the Quad to the game. The Quad has a nice private room we can use and it is about 200 yards from the hotel. For this of you not familiar with the Gas Lamp District, our hotel is in the heart of a large dining and entertainment district that is quite famous for its restaurant and pubs right in the heart of San Diego; close to the waterfront and to the airport. There is no need to rent a car, as you can walk, Uber or take the local trains to just about anything. I am working on a golf event for Friday, if we have enough people interested to this and we will also have a small get together on Thursday for anyone coming to town that day. As with the Hawaii game, I have a firm commitment from NAAA for a Class block of seats at the game so there is no need to worry about tickets, just wait until I publish this information for purchase.
I am going to have a sign ups for both trips on the Class of ’85 website: http://1985.usnaclasses.net
Please sign up for rooms using the above information and for the events you want to attend on our website; this will allow me to have enough rooms and space at events; and to give NAAA a heads up on the number of game tickets we will be asking for. At some point, I will use the data collected to reach out will collect money for certain things such as the pre and post game parties and bus transport and to order our football tickets from NAAA. For now, I just need to get estimated numbers I can use for planning and will eventually use that to firm up my event numbers and money collection. So, for now, take a look at your fall schedules and make plans to join us in Hawaii or San Diego or BOTH! Get on those hotel sites and on the class website and sign up PLEASE. As always, if you have questions or suggestions, I am available. Email: robertsmith5@att.net or (502) 432-6185.
Stay warm for now!
Regards, Bob Smith ‘85