For Anyone Considering Varsity Athletics At USNA

Is your son at USNA now or are you talking high school sports? We wondered if anyone does 2 varsity sports at USNA? DD is Div 1 Rower in Boston and her coach wouldn't allow it.

DS is about to get 5 Varsity letters for HS this year (water polo, kayaking, canoe paddling, track, and volleyball) and he does triathlons on top of that. Rowing coach has been in contact with him as well as triathlon coach a while back (we know this is club, but he's doing a half-IRONMAN in May) but the water polo coach has never replied to DS' emails.

He is a senior and being recruited for heavyweight Crew currently. I am guessing that it would be extremely difficult/out of the question to do 2 sports. Definitely not crew as in our last 5 years with the sport the season is very close to year round.
 
He is a senior and being recruited for heavyweight Crew currently. I am guessing that it would be extremely difficult/out of the question to do 2 sports. Definitely not crew as in our last 5 years with the sport the season is very close to year round.

Thanks! I understand the rowing schedule as they do head/foot races in the fall and then the regular season in the spring. I think it's the only sport that somehow skirts around the NCAA rules. Mine will be a lightweight.
 
First off, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.

How much does a varsity sport interfere with plebe summer? I've heard that most athletes become exempt from certain duties such as the pro-knowledge tests and such. What's the validity of that?

Depending on sport it will impact plebe summer a little, its not very much, but it makes a difference. We are exempt from some things, but not pro-knowledge. Its more like parades and formations.
 
My first question is what sport do you play? I plan on swimming for Navy in the fall and love the atmosphere of Bancroft and the guys on the team. First off, is it a good thing to have these preconceived connections to upperclassmen? Does every mid, whether NARP or athlete, do the same military drilling all four years or are there exemptions that athletes have over NARPs? I understand no matter what all midshipmen participate in PT unless of course you are in a varsity sport. However, can varsity athletes participate in say, the parachute team or SCUBA? Also during my official visit to Navy back during the Navy v. Delaware game, many plebe swimmers were in the stands watching the brigade march upon the field. Shouldn't they have been on the field as well performing the march? Perhaps I am asking too much but I still might have some other questions. If I am incorrect in any way please point that out. I don't want to seem arrogant in any way.

I run xc and track. Ok, so any connection with an upperclassmen can be good or bad, depends on how you treat it. For instance, my teammates help to get out of some things or stay out of trouble. We do not "drill". We do the same training, but most athletes are exempt from drill. You make your own time here, some athletes can do clubs, others can't. Some teams are also exempt from march on as you already saw.
 
Thank you for the opportunity to ask questions.

My son is very interested in playing Navy baseball. He participated very succesfully the past two years at the Navy basbeall camps and some major tournaments and does have offers from some JUCOs, D2s & D3s and, most recently, some interesting conversations with a very good D1 about his pitching but no offer, yet.

IF he is appointed what can you tell me about walk-on opportunities in regard to the baseball team? Number of current walk-ons?, etc. I think it will be tough since the team has 10 new pitchers alone in their 2014 freshman class.....

Regardless, my son has no questions about wanting to attend the USNA even if a D1 offer from another school came. His dream is to serve as an officer and, hopefully, earn his wings as a fighter pilot.

Thanks again.

I run cross country and track. Baseball isn't really my cup of tea and I don't know many people on the team, but he will have a chance to try out as a walk on
 
I have a similar question as Muffin Man except regarding football. My son barely played his senior year because of politics so tape is limited to mostly special teams on him. If he doesn't make the D1 team would he still be able to try out for the Sprint team? He has filled out the form on the Navy Sport site but has not received any calls from the coaches. Should he contact the coach regarding his interest? Also can you play more then one sport. My son also wrestles and is interested in that also? Thank you for your time.

It won't make a difference when it comes to playing sprint. Anyone and everyone can try out for the sprint team, but it is challenging to get on to the team.
 
Is there enough food to accommodate heavy bulking cycles or do you need to complement your diet with outside food (whey, oats, etc.)? Just wondering because it didn't seem like you could get a ton of food unless it was a weekend buffet.

From what I see there is no problem. I am a runner here so my issue is getting healthier and lighter options, which there aren't a lot of.
 
DS is a cross country/swimmer/track athlete. He is not D1 level and has thougtht about doing light weight crew at USNA. He was told by a parent who attended USMA that he would be ideal candidate for crew and this person rowed for Army. Any info on crew team? He is making contact with crew coach. thx

Not trying to rag on crew, but anyone can really do it as long as they meet the weight requirements. I run cross country and track and I have been approached multiple times asking if I wanted to be a crew coxswain.
 
I apologize for taking so long to respond! I didn't receive any email notifications and assumed there were no question!
 
Not trying to rag on crew, but anyone can really do it as long as they meet the weight requirements. I run cross country and track and I have been approached multiple times asking if I wanted to be a crew coxswain.

...said by those that have never done an erg piece.

Many times there are opportunities in crew because the sport options in high school are so small. That being said, it is a big endurance/pain sport and lasting in the sport is another issue.

Just 2 cents from someone in the cheap seats watching the sport unfold.
 
CREW is tough!

...said by those that have never done an erg piece.

Many times there are opportunities in crew because the sport options in high school are so small. That being said, it is a big endurance/pain sport and lasting in the sport is another issue.

Just 2 cents from someone in the cheap seats watching the sport unfold.

My daughter has been recruited for the Women's Crew varsity team, and let me tell you Crew is REALLY tough.

First, it is a year round sport, with Spring being the big season.
Second, as currey indicated, go to your local gym and get on an Erg (rowing machine) and do a 2k. If you are under 8 minutes you aren't at competition speed.
Third, it is a full body sport. If you dare to get on that erg, your legs, abs, back and arms will feel it.
Fourth, unlike a sport like football, with specialty positions requiring either speed or strength, rowing requires both.

Finally, it hurts. I ran track in HS and college and I ran the 400, which hurts. Rowing is like that because the distances and the action. They didn't have slaves row 100's of years ago because it was easy and fun.

BUT, I will tell you one thing, my daughter is in kick-ass shape! :cool:
 
@LWS95 I have a plebe sort-of-friend who walked onto the track team. You probably know her at least a little. :p My question for you is do you know of anyone who has walked onto a team/sport that he/she did not play in high school?

They are a blast and worth it, if its something you truly want to do.

It is something I truly want to do, but I'm at a slight disadvantage. How can I work and train myself to try out for a team sport that I haven't played since junior high (my school doesn't have team sports, too small)? I already have some skill, but it's difficult to get better at a team sport without being able to play it (funny, I've always said that about tryouts for sports; you can't play until you go get better at playing). I know and well understand that the flagship sports like football are heavily recruited for and could do just fine without ever looking at me. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to try.

Ever since elementary school and junior high (when I went to large 5A schools), I've always been that lanky kid who couldn't pass tryouts and ended up with piles of participation medals/trophies/ribbons from the B teams (good try *clap clap* good effort, anyone ever been bad at Little League baseball? You know where that comes from, then :thumb:). Now, even though I don't have to deal with tryouts (there are only three sports here, XC, golf, T&F), I'm still not what I'd call a great athlete. Even in the 1A Conference (UIL conference for schools under 200 students or so), I never place in anything athletic. I've never been a team captain, and I always get shown up at track meets and golf tournaments. Even in practice and outside of it, it seems like I have to work three times as hard as everyone else just to be average or mediocre. I'm the only one of the sprinters and jumpers who works on it outside of practice (the others choose to party on weekends), and all they do during practice is complain, whine, and half-a** everything because they're "bored". Then we go to a meet and they get first in everything they do while making it look so easy. I never have anything to show for all of the hard hours of work I put in. My grouchy Vietnam vet grandpa always tells me not to worry about it, that I smoke them all in the classroom, anways (his words), but I do worry. Is there a place in varsity sports for people who weren't born with God-given athletic talent?

I could always take the "face it, kid, you're not good enough" side and just cheer from the stands (nothing wrong with cheering; fans are what make the games go 'round), but I'm too stubborn for that. I'm willing to put in whatever work it takes, my question is whether or not I would even have a chance without the playing experience. Don't SAs want resilient people, anyways? :biggrin:

tl;dr I work harder and I'm still not good enough. I can't get experience playing with a team because I can't make a team to begin with. I feel like I missed my chance to be good by not playing for years and years like many others (I realize there are special cases, I'm just wondering if I can become one of those special cases). College sports are well past the developmental phase for an athlete, which is why this kind of embarrasses me to post, but it needs to be done because I need guidance. Thus, voila!
 
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For me I was personally considering running either xc or track if I get an appointment to the academy, however I know that the teams are very competitive. When you, or your other teammates, were in high school what times were you running? I am also interested in soccer but I know that soccer is more difficult to give advice on than xc or track were you can just look at times. Any advice on how to look further into these sports?
 
Can't speak of XC or track, but cruise around the Navy sports website. Take a look at the times for the teams. This will tell you if you are in the ballpark or not. Also, as I am sure LWS can speak to distance runners, but they run XC, indoor and outdoor track. That is 3 seasons, all year round! That takes a toll on the body, grades, social life, etc. You are almost always "in season" and have to have some serious time management skills. That is no easy task!

Not trying to dash dreams for anyone, but remember Navy is a D1 school, just because they do not hand out athletic scholarships like traditional schools, doesn't mean the sports are taken less seriously and everyone can play. Men's soccer has really become a solid program and made the tourney this past year. You know if you are a D1 caliber soccer player. Are you being recruited by other schools? Have you reached out to the coach? Has he asked you to walk on? Remember coaches feed their families based upon your athletic success. They recruit the best they can (obviously this is a unique challenge at a SA).

Some of the sports that tend to have more walk ons than others are crew and sailing. Although they do have recruits, they also have a lot of walk ons as there are just not alot of high schools with these sports. Crew also can row many different boats in different races, because the sport is built that way. Cannotbedisplayed... guessing its football that you are interested in? If you haven't played since junior high, it won't happen at Navy. You have a better shot a lightweight football. Some years they are just looking for enough bodies that can make weight and others they have tryouts.

Check out the club sports lists too. These are great opportunities too. Company intramurals are not a bad deal either. This gives you the most schedule flexibility to join other clubs, study more and really get to know your companymates.
 
@LWS95 I have a plebe sort-of-friend who walked onto the track team. You probably know her at least a little. :p My question for you is do you know of anyone who has walked onto a team/sport that he/she did not play in high school?



It is something I truly want to do, but I'm at a slight disadvantage. How can I work and train myself to try out for a team sport that I haven't played since junior high (my school doesn't have team sports, too small)? I already have some skill, but it's difficult to get better at a team sport without being able to play it (funny, I've always said that about tryouts for sports; you can't play until you go get better at playing). I know and well understand that the flagship sports like football are heavily recruited for and could do just fine without ever looking at me. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to try.

Ever since elementary school and junior high (when I went to large 5A schools), I've always been that lanky kid who couldn't pass tryouts and ended up with piles of participation medals/trophies/ribbons from the B teams (good try *clap clap* good effort, anyone ever been bad at Little League baseball? You know where that comes from, then :thumb:). Now, even though I don't have to deal with tryouts (there are only three sports here, XC, golf, T&F), I'm still not what I'd call a great athlete. Even in the 1A Conference (UIL conference for schools under 200 students or so), I never place in anything athletic. I've never been a team captain, and I always get shown up at track meets and golf tournaments. Even in practice and outside of it, it seems like I have to work three times as hard as everyone else just to be average or mediocre. I'm the only one of the sprinters and jumpers who works on it outside of practice (the others choose to party on weekends), and all they do during practice is complain, whine, and half-a** everything because they're "bored". Then we go to a meet and they get first in everything they do while making it look so easy. I never have anything to show for all of the hard hours of work I put in. My grouchy Vietnam vet grandpa always tells me not to worry about it, that I smoke them all in the classroom, anways (his words), but I do worry. Is there a place in varsity sports for people who weren't born with God-given athletic talent?

I could always take the "face it, kid, you're not good enough" side and just cheer from the stands (nothing wrong with cheering; fans are what make the games go 'round), but I'm too stubborn for that. I'm willing to put in whatever work it takes, my question is whether or not I would even have a chance without the playing experience. Don't SAs want resilient people, anyways? :biggrin:

tl;dr I work harder and I'm still not good enough. I can't get experience playing with a team because I can't make a team to begin with. I feel like I missed my chance to be good by not playing for years and years like many others (I realize there are special cases, I'm just wondering if I can become one of those special cases). College sports are well past the developmental phase for an athlete, which is why this kind of embarrasses me to post, but it needs to be done because I need guidance. Thus, voila!

Try crew. If you are still tall and lanky you could be a good fit for lightweight crew. It's a lot about desire and they are open to walk-ons with no experience -- crew as a sport has a "novice" level. You'd have a decent chance of getting to experience part of being a team, which it sounds like what you want. Come to USNA in great aerobic shape and ready to work hard and go from there.

If it is a "ball sport" like football or baseball or soccer or basketball and you have not excelled at prior levels, it will not happen for you at USNA. As Navy Hoops said, USNA is a Division I school, and that's a high hurdle. Grandpa is right. Think of all the kids willing to work hard on their academics who still can't crack 1800 combined on their SATs -- hard work and persistence can take you a long, long way, but native ability still counts for a lot and sports is an area where it counts for a whole lot.
 
So, for school sports I am on my high schools varsity tennis team, and I was wondering, is it difficult to make the Navy Tennis team? I know for sure I am no where near D1 level, but I would still be interested in playing. Also, I've been doing Muay Thai and Judo for about 3 years now, and was curious as to how I could continue at the academy? I am aware that boxing is something everyone is required to do, but can I also do boxing as my main sport?
 
Boxing has a great club team and is one of the top in the nation. Navy also has a club judo team. If you go to the Navy Sports website or simply google these sports it will take you to their pages. Boxing is a ton of really hard work, but has a great reputation on campus. The boxing smokers are great to attend. There are novices and experienced folks who try out for the team. Its alot like wrestling in the fact that you may be on the team, but never "compete." For instance wrestling often has a rather large team, but only one guy wrestles at each weight in a meet. Guaranteed you get in amazing shape boxing. Boxing as a PE class vs. being on the club boxing team are two different things. I would say if you aren't being looked at any level for college tennis your shot at making Navy's team is very long. Tennis is another sport that has had success at Navy and done well.

Also just another note of reality. Going to USNA isn't going to be like high school in that fact that you can take every class under the sun, be in 10 clubs, play 3 sports, volunteer for dozens of hours, etc. You have to pick and choose your priorities. Your plate is full there with intramurals, class, military duties alone. Adding a more time demanding sport, clubs, etc only takes away from studying, sanity, etc. Get your feet wet there and go to the intial meetings, make sure these activities are really for you.
 
If you are going to be recruited for a sport when does that typically happen? How many athletes can a coach recruit? Are these only varsity level?
 
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