Looks like our ol’ buddy Bruce is at it again. Like a toddler who behaves badly just to get attention, he has gotten our attention once again, and here we sit discussing his writings, which is exactly what he wants.
Luigi, I tend to agree with you - Fleming is not lying. At times perhaps stretching, but not lying. Though much of what he wants and suggests will never happen.
Once a football program reaches D1, which is based on the number of tickets a program can consistently sell, you almost never see a drop down the ladder in status. The visibility that football brings to the academies is undeniable. The administrations know this and use this to their advantage. The television contracts that the academies hold are worth much more than simply the dollar pay-out to their respective athletic departments. They are recruiting gold, and not just for getting athletes into the officer pipeline either. As much as anyone wishes for athletics to be de-emphasized or scaled back at the academies, this will never happen.
Fleming also points out that the academies are antiquated. Well, to a certain degree, he’s right. Some have been arguing for the demolition of the academies and training of officers solely through ROTC for years now. As I don’t want to see any of those beautiful, historic buildings actually demolished, I do tend to agree with those who say the academies could become a one-year finishing school of sorts for those who have completed ROTC. As a taxpayer, this dollar savings appeals to me. But I’d have to be a completely delusional taxpayer to think that this would ever happen. Not only do the academies remain, but Congress appropriates ever more money for their development. Have you seen the beautiful new gym and library at West Point? (You should…… you paid for them!)
Fleming is just raging against the machine, as he always will. I love the suggestion that he teach at St. John’s. His view of athletics could be placed in the proper perspective as well by becoming their croquet coach. Mint julep anyone?