Andon Thomas thought the challenges of playing in a higher altitude was a myth.
That was until Army’s linebacker started warming up at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver for the Black Knights’ service-academy game against Air Force. Thomas noticed a difference when he was running 65-yard sprints.
“I’ll tell you the elevation is real,” Thomas said. “I’ve been to Colorado a couple of times but I hadn’t really worked out there. I thought it was a myth and no way this was real. Then, I started running and I was like,”Oh my gosh, this is horrible.”
Thomas and all of his teammates will be the visitors at Air Force’s Falcon Stadium for the first time (Army hasn’t played there since 1999). Waiting is a sign that reads, “Warning: Lack of Oxygen. Elevation: 6,612 feet above sea level.” A bit of a mind game, Army coach Jeff Monken says.
“We’ve never done anything or eaten certain foods,” Monken said on This Week in Army Football. “I know all of those teams in the West love to tell you how high their altitude is. Maybe, it does make a difference. We are going to go out there and try to play our very best.
Army flew out to Colorado Thursday to have a full day Friday in the elements to adjust.
“It’s going to be an adjustment but I’m glad we are getting out there a day earlier to adjust,” Thomas said. “We can’t let it be anything that affects us.”
Army senior cornerback Jabril Williams said the elevation and altitude is “definitely a factor” playing on a “competitive level with a certain amount of focus.
“Besides that, we could play in a parking lot,” Williams said. “I’m not really worried about that. I’m just ready to get after it.”
