Croquet: US Naval Academy Vs. St. John's College

An Unlikely Sports Event

Where in the world does one still go to experience the charm of a croquet tournament? Why, to St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, of course. There you will witness the traditional game played by the St. John’s croquet team against, of all groups, the United States Naval Academy. If you go to the campus lawn, there you will see between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators viewing the five-match tournament. You will see the crowd dressed in their “Easter Sunday best,” complete with flower-topped straw hats. You’ll even see more creative costumes such as hoopskirts topped with old-fashioned white-lace gowns and suits from the 1920s. You’ll see spectators sitting on blankets under the trees nibbling cheeses, breads, and wines from picnic baskets. You’ll see the alumni tent serving champagne, cucumber sandwiches, and chocolate-covered strawberries. You’ll hear the Naval Academy Band playing old Dixieland and Big Band favorites. Later in the afternoon, the band will be replaced by a DJ playing the same favorites, and St. John’s students, affectionately called “Johnnies,” and other spectators will dance on the concrete sidewalk in front of the steps leading up to Barr-Buchanan Centre, while the croquet ball continues to be tapped through the wickets by the mallets. (It’s not exactly a parquet dance floor, but it works.)