Sports Reporter

Bill Wagner

Bill Wagner has been a sports reporter for Capital Gazette since March 1987 and has built a reputation for his versatility. Wagner is currently the Navy Athletics beat reporter and also covers Anne Arundel County community sports. He has been the sailing editor for Capital Gazette for more than 30 years and also assists with high school sports coverage. Contact him at bwagner@capgaznews.com.

Navy coach Brian Newberry expects starting quarterback Blake Horvath to be able to play Saturday against South Florida. Horvath unexpectedly sat out last Saturday night's game against Notre Dame. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)

Navy football in must-win situation as it hosts No. 25 South Florida

November 11, 2025 at 5:36 p.m.

Coming off two straight losses, Navy football will look to get back on track when it hosts 25th-ranked South Florida on Senior Day in Annapolis.

Former Chesapeake softball coach Don Ellenberger is being inducted into the Anne Arundel Sports Hall of Fame. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)

Don Ellenberger never expected such a long, successful run with Chesapeake softball

November 10, 2025 at 7:19 p.m.

Don Ellenberger, who led Chesapeake softball to a 354-83 record and 3 state titles, will be inducted into the Anne Arundel Sports Hall of Fame.

Former Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk, shown in June, was recently given the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award — the highest recognition that the Secretary of the Navy may pay to a civilian not employed by the Department of the Navy. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)

Former Naval Academy AD Chet Gladchuk receives prestigious honor

November 10, 2025 at 9:01 a.m.

Chet Gladchuk earned the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award for his years leading the Naval Academy's athletic department.

Notre Dame's Jaiden Ausberry forces Navy's Braxton Woodson, left, to fumble Saturday. The Mids lost, 49-10, with starting quarterback Blake Horvath out because of an injury. (Paul Beaty/AP)

Bill Wagner: Notre Dame usually beats Navy, but it still matters | COMMENTARY

November 10, 2025 at 3:13 p.m.

Notre Dame's blowout win over Navy football shouldn't come as a major surprise, but it doesn't take away from the importance of the game.

Navy quarterback Braxton Woodson scrambles as Notre Dame's Tae Johnson, center, and Madden Faraimo close in during Saturday night's game in South Bend, Indiana. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Navy football no match for No. 10 Notre Dame without Blake Horvath in 49-10 loss

November 9, 2025 at 10:56 a.m.

With Blake Horvath sidelined by an upper body injury, Notre Dame routed Navy to hand the Midshipmen their second straight loss.

Giuseppe Sessi attended the national championship game in January 2013, between Notre Dame and Alabama in Miami with his grandfather Thomas, father Tom and mother Cynthia. (Tom Sessi/Courtesy)

Navy safety Giuseppe Sessi grew up a diehard Notre Dame football fan

November 8, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

Navy safety Giuseppe Sessi was raised on Notre Dame football after his father and grandfather graduated from the school.

FILE – Yale forward Nick Townsend, left, drives past Texas A&M guard Jace Carter, right, during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Navy hosts Yale in battle of top mid-major programs in Veterans Classic

November 7, 2025 at 11:53 a.m.

Two of the top mid-major teams in college basketball will square off in the 12th edition of the Veterans Classic on Friday at Alumni Hall.

Navy’s Zanai Barnett-Gay has been picked as the Patriot League's preseason Player of the Year, while the league's coaches voted the Mids No. 1 in the conference. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)

Navy women’s basketball picked as Patriot League preseason favorite

November 6, 2025 at 1:52 p.m.

Navy women’s basketball was picked as the preseason favorite in the Patriot League for the first time since 2014.

Navy’s Adam Klenk knocks the ball from Florida Atlantic quarterback Caden Veltkamp’s hand, causing a fumble which Navy recovers in the first quarter. The Navy Midshipmen host the Florida-Atlantic Owls in NCAA college football Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)

Navy football’s Adam Klenk perseveres through injuries, changes and tragedy

November 6, 2025 at 1:17 p.m.

Adam Klenk persevered through injuries, position changes and tragedy to earn playing time for Navy football.

Navy coach Brian Newberry, right, shakes hands with Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman after last season's game in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Q&A: Navy, Notre Dame football reporters break down the matchup

November 7, 2025 at 1:15 p.m.

Bill Wagner, Navy football beat writer for Capital Gazette, did a question-and-answer exchange with Tim O’Malley, of Irish Illustrated.

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