I don’t receive a lot of emails from Grant Vermeer, the Academy Insider, but when I see his name in the “From” field on my Gmail, I know it’s going to be worth reading.
So when one popped up a couple of weeks ago, I smiled, took a deep breath, and gave it a read. As expected, it was definitely worth my time. Grant explained that Rylan Tuohy, the mastermind behind some of the greatest USNA Spirit Spots every conceived, had prepared a script for his latest masterpiece. That’s pretty cool. But what came next was really cool.
This Spirit Spot needed funding, and Rylan would be relying on the N*avy community to provide support through a Kickstarter campaign. He wanted to keep the theme of the script under wraps, but knew he needed a way to make folks comfortable investing in something they hadn’t seen. Rylan’s plan was simple – he’d capture video of a few folks reacting to their first read of the Spirit Spot script with the hope that others seeing and hearing their reaction would give them confidence to back the project.
And he wanted me to be one of those people. I couldn’t say yes fast enough! Here’s the result on Kickstarter:
If you watch the video, you’ll hear me say the script is edgy. It is, but without crossing any lines. And like all of Rylan’s other creations, it is a perfect combination of humor, N*avy pride, clever word play, subtle surprises, and a sprinkling of inside jokes for the USNA community.
And if you watch the video, Rylan answers an important question – why the need for funds? He didn’t reach out for backing for any of his other incredible spots … including –
He explains it more thoroughly but in a nutshell, while he was at USNA and in the Fleet, he had a lot of resources at his disposal. Now that he’s finished his N*avy commitment, he needs some external support. But he also makes it clear that there’s no profit in it for him (or anyone else) from any money raised.
Of course, there’s another question. Why?
Well, everyone inside the USNA community knows the Naval Academy is superior to West Point in every conceivable way, including Spirit Spots for the Army-Navy game. But getting that message out to the rest of the country (and world, for that matter) needs to be done consistently and creatively.
That’s why I’m asking you to take my word for it – this spot is flat-out hilarious and something you will be proud to attach you name – and a few of your dollars – to. So, when you watch that Kickstarter video, and Rylan asks you to support this incredible project, I hope you will join me in saying, with the enthusiasm only a member of the USNA community member can muster, “Helm Yeah!”
Donate NOW: http://kck.st/47cdWy4
We are more than halfway to the goal, but the mission isn’t complete. Let’s get this across the goal line so we can celebrate a great Spirit Spot before we celebrate another victory over Army!
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My Kid The Mid 