U.S. Marine Corps Captain is Ms. Military 2023 and a pilot on the Team USA bobsled team
Riley Tejcek, the reigning Ms. Military 2023 who aspires to become the first active-duty female Olympian in the U.S. Marine Corps, has been named the Grand Marshal of the Military Bowl Parade.
The 2023 Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com matches Virginia Tech and Tulane on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN. Tickets are on sale now.
Military Bowl pregame activities begin at 10 a.m. with the Military Bowl Official Tailgate at the stadium as well as the Military Bowl Parade, which begins at City Dock and proceeds through historic downtown to the stadium. The parade features both schools’ marching bands and spirit squads, Medal of Honor Recipients, pageant winners, military and community groups and youth football teams, among others.
Tejcek, who is from Carmel, Ind., played infield on the George Washington University softball team, helping the Colonials win the Atlantic 10 Conference title as a senior in 2019. She followed the lead of another GW softball player, Elana Meyers Taylor, in pursuit of a bobsledding career, while at the same time entering the Marine Corps.
“I like to wear several different hats,” Tejcek said in a recent interview. “I like to be able to put my hair up in a bun and be a Marine, right? I like to wear it down with the crown, and I like to flip back and tuck it under my helmet and just be a competitor. So everything that I do I want to compete. I want to be the best version of myself. I want to represent my country in all aspects and spheres and be a role model for young women.”
“It is an honor to have Riley join us and serve as the Parade Grand Marshal,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “She is an amazing person, dedicated to her sport and her country. We look forward to cheering her on as she chases her dreams of participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.”
Following the Parade, Tejcek will join Military Bowl partner Stars and Stripes in the Military Bowl Tailgate Festival.
The Bowl benefits Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation’s 294-acre retreat for wounded, ill and injured active-duty and veteran service members, their families and caregivers.
