Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus Embrace Army-Navy Rivalry, Make Friendly Wager of Award-Winning Local Products

Posted December 4, 2021

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, a West Point graduate and Army combat veteran, is wagering Fruition Chocolate from Shokan, Keegan Ales’ award-winning beer from Kingston, and a bottle of world-famous Hudson Whiskey from Gardiner 

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves, is wagering an award-winning Riesling from Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, rye-barrel aged Maple Syrup from Finding Home Farms in Greenville, and Apple Cider doughnuts from Soons Orchard in New Hampton

KINGSTON, N.Y. – With the Army-Navy football game one week away, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus have embraced the spirit of the historic Army-Navy football rivalry, making a friendly wager on the game’s outcome between the two County Executives. County Executive Ryan, a West Point graduate and Army veteran, will wager some of Ulster County’s finest products, Fruition Chocolate from Shokan, award-winning Keegan Ales beer from Kingston, and a bottle of world-famous Hudson Whiskey from Gardiner, on what he states is the “small chance that Army loses.” Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves, is wagering an award-winning Riesling from Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, rye-barrel aged Maple Syrup from Finding Home Farms in Greenville and Apple Cider doughnuts from Soons Orchard in New Hampton.

“Every other week I am friends, neighbors, and colleagues with County Executive Steve Neuhaus.” Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said. “But this week, Steve, we are rivals! Even though I know that my Army team is going to defeat your Navy team…on the small chance that Army loses, I will offer up some of the best products that Ulster County has to offer. And of course, no matter the outcome of the game, I am so proud of the exceptional young men and women of our service academies, and deeply appreciate their commitment to serve our country.” 

“I think head coach Jeff Monken has done a phenomenal job at West Point and we are proud that the Black Knights represent Orange County,” Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said. “However, on Saturday, I’m pulling for Navy. The storied rivalry always brings out the best of both academies and I’m sure the 122nd edition of America’s game will be another classic.”

The Army–Navy game is one of the most storied and enduring rivalries in college football. This year's contest will take place on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. ET on CBS at MetLife Stadium. Navy won 14 straight games in the series between 2002 and 2015, but Army has taken control recently with victories in four of the last five.

Pat Ryan is a graduate of West Point and served two combat tours in Iraq as an Army intelligence officer.

Steve Neuhaus serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves, assigned to a Naval Special Warfare team. In 2019, Neuhaus served with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force on a six-month deployment to Iraq.

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View County Executive Ryan's challenge video.

View County Executive Neuhaus' acceptance video.