KINGS POINT, N.Y, September 21, 2023 – This Saturday, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point is hosting its Second Annual First Responders Day. The event will honor members of the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County Sherriff’s Office, the Kings Point Police, and the Great Neck Estates Police. The occasion will be marked by the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opening football matchup between rival teams, the Privateers of State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College and the USMMA Mariners. 

To make this game even more exciting, the two institutions will compete for the Captain James Harvey Tomb Trophy, which is awarded annually to the institution that wins the most sporting matchups between them. The trophy is named for Captain James Harvey Tomb, who served as the superintendent of both New York State Merchant Marine Academy (now SUNY Maritime College) from 1927 until 1942, and as the first Superintendent of USMMA, which will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its dedication on September 30, 1943.  

Saturday's pregame events will commence on Tomb Field at 11:30 a.m., with a regimental march-on by the USMMA Regimental Band, “George M. Cohan’s Own,” accompanied by the Regimental Color Guard and Regiment of Midshipmen. Weather permitting, there will also be a flyover by the NCPD and a performance by the NCPD Emerald Society Pipe Band.

Additionally, several youth groups have been invited as honored guests, including Islip Buccaneers Football Team 9U, Saint James/Nesconset Bulldogs Football Team, Cub Scout Pack #153 (Little Neck/Douglaston), and Cub Scouts Pack #147 (Rockaway Beach).

In celebration of this special occasion, the American Merchant Marine Museum, on the Academy’s McNulty Campus, will be open to visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There is no charge to attend the game or visit the museum.

###

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, N.Y., educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is administered by the Maritime Administration under the auspices of the Department of Transportation.