Recruited Athlete

RSR

5-Year Member
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Sep 2, 2011
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I am new to this forum so I am not sure if this has already been covered. My son is being recruited by the USAFA and several other highly regarded colleges including some from the Ivy league. His GPA is only 3.2. We have discussed this with the other college coaches and were told that he met their "minimum" GPA standards and not to worry. He really wants to go to the USAF but I am worried about his ability to get a nomination. We live in one of the most competitive districts in the nation. His last correspondence with the coaches from the Academy said that they will be able to make him an "Offer of Appointment" before the NLI signing date. Will they help him with his nomination? I am not sure that his grades will hold up well against the other kids going for nominations.
 
My DD is also a recruited athlete but with a little different spin. Most colleges offer their recruits a spot in the class and an oral commitment is made. The Academies can't do this so they offer a letter of agreement which both parties sign. I was told that this was our assurance that if she maintains her academic standard, she will be appointed. If I am not wrong, which I could be, it would be with one of the 100 superintendent appointments. This is in all likelihood how they are guaranteeing appointment to you which means they really want him as they did my DD. If his grades, class selection or tests aren't up to par, they might want to put him in the prep school for a year. My DD's grade point average and SAT are higher though so we are pursuing the traditional route of congressional nomination and application to the USAFA and she was listed as competitive and is now a candidate. Regardless though, we know that no matter which course works out, she has been guaranteed admission which is a relief to all. She was also recruited by several D1 schools but, to her credit, understands the unbelievable opportunity presented to her which works out for everyone including her thin 529.
Good Luck!
 
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I wouldn't worry so much about the nom, but the academic issue. AFA is known as the Little Engineering School in the Rockies. If your child does not have the academic foundation compared to his counterparts it is going to be a struggle. Many of these cadets are entering with a much higher gpa, and college profs, be it AFA or Princeton aren't going to the slow down the class because you are a recruited athlete. Not saying that this is the case for your child, just saying these are things to investigate.

This is not an IVY where you play your sport and have down time between classes or as a freshman can work the schedule to have Monday and Friday off. Nor can you major in General Education.

Additionally, has he realized that he will owe 40+ hrs a week, 52 weeks a yr, for 5 yrs at least when he graduates? He can't just say thanks for recruiting me, but the NBA/NFL, or Goldman Sachs, etc are knocking at my door so I am out of here!

As I stated, before you start worrying about the noms, look at the AFA and the requirements to see if this is a match.

Best Wishes.

PS Big Boy, you need a nom from a nom source, that is the law. The Supe can be charged, but the cadets charged to the SUPE have a nom. No nom = no apptmt regardless of LOA. Supe's are not able to nominate anyone.

Please read this link on this site, but for USNA.
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=21672
 
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My son did inform me today that he was told by the coaches that since he attends what the Academy considers "one of the top prep schools in the nation" that they do take that into account (100% of last years graduating class went to 4 year universities). Guess I should have mentioned that his school does not weight GPA's so he is hoping that all of the AP courses he has taken will be also considered. I am not concerned with him being able to do the work he did great in AP calculus and chemistry last year, just wondering about the nomination. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
 
Got it Pima...was told by our congressman's office that once the AFA delivers a letter of assurance/appointment, done deal. Do I have it right or is it backwards...nomination then appointment?
 
Nomination MUST be awarded before an appointment can be given. That's federal law.
 
BobBigBoy,

It appears that your MOC will be giving him a nom because he knows that he has an LOA. MOC's are not necessarily charged for that LOA candidate... pretty sure this is where you came in with the Supe charge.

However, for lurkers and posters, the way your post read was that the Supe had the ability to nominate, and they don't.

If your child does not apply for a nom the Supe can not appoint them. Until the AFA has a nom for him even with an LOA, there will be no chance of admittance.

Additionally, LOA's are conditional. If your child goes through the DoDMERB exam and need a waiver, even with a nom, they can't get appointed until they have a waiver.
You'd be amazed how many kids that play sports didn't know they were DQ even after yrs of sports physicals. Check out this thread...the cadet is AFROTC, but he is now DQ.
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=21586

DoDMERB is an issue, and yrs ago waivers were handed out like candy canes on Xmas Day, now even as a scholarship recipient, contracted the AF said, BUH BYE! DoDMERB is the one that gives the DQ, the branch is the one to waive the DQ.

Eyes are even a bigger issue, start searching this forum and you will see how many are DQ'd for eyes. Farsighted is okay for school, because glasses correct the issue and you think nothing about it since it is corrected to 20/20. Not so much for AF.

Food allergies, is another. The list can go on and on. It was never an issue in your life, but according to DoDMERB it is a DQ, and with the expected competition this yr 3 Q is going to be a big factor.

The one thing I am very curious about is that the AFA expects to have only 1050 for the class of 16, a smaller group than even 15. Is the AFA reducing the amount of recruited athletes from prior yrs or are they maintaining that number? If they are retaining that number for recruited it will mean for non-recruited a harder path to get in.

Congrats on the LOA, but until that BFE is in your hand, I would not start preparing for I DAY. Even when you have that BFE, since your child is a recruited athlete, I would be concerned with any injury...reason why people say wrap them in BUBBLE WRAP.

FWIW, I am known as Janie Raincloud, but I would prefer you enter understanding the What IFs than pretending it is all sunshine and rainbows once you have the BFE!
 
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You got me thinking and I phoned our MOC and you are right...once the LOA is received and she passes her interview, she will get an nom from someone not necessarily the congressman. But, if they want to claim her as their own, they can but she would move to the bottom of the list so others can have chance and they wouldn't be charged. Interesting that he mentioned that they have rejected athletic candidates that didn't pass the interview.
 
HUH? Confused.

BobBigBoy said:
once the LOA is received and she passes her interview, she will get an nom from someone not necessarily the congressman.

You are implying that the MOC's hold 1 interview for all 3 MOC slates. An MOC cannot speak for another MOC. Boards/interviews are held independently. Sen. Webb is not going to say Cong. Connolly you give the nom. if his slate has stronger candidates. They all have their own constituents. Yes, they may talk regarding spreading the wealth of noms, but until that slate is in front of them, they can't guarantee squat. Your MOC has no idea yet how many LOAs are coming in.

BobBigBoy said:
Interesting that he mentioned that they have rejected athletic candidates that didn't pass the interview.

Glad you stated that because every time this yr LOA's and recruited athletes become a big issue. Most believe they can now rest on their laurels with that quote/unquote golden ticket. YOUR MOC just stated to you, this is not something you should do, because it is not a given yet.
 
The one thing I am very curious about is that the AFA expects to have only 1050 for the class of 16, a smaller group than even 15. Is the AFA reducing the amount of recruited athletes from prior yrs or are they maintaining that number? If they are retaining that number for recruited it will mean for non-recruited a harder path to get in.

Coach at USAFA that we have been in contact with told us their number of "blue chips" has been reduced.
 
That doesn't shock me. I am curious of the %. In other words, the incoming class for 14 was 1300, the incoming class was @1150. That is @ 15%. 2016 class is to be in the 1050 number.

So my question really is for blue chip recruited athletes, did the coaches reduce the LOAs by 15-20%?

Anyone who follows collegiate sports understands that the university receives money for televised games and Bowl games.

If they don't recruit it may equate into being non-comp, and that means loss of revenues. If they do recruit they are playing into the system of revenues and not the mission of military leadership.

Now with the reduction of incoming class size, which path will they choose?
 
Pima,
What I meant was, say a senator nominates my DD, the congressman won't unless they want her as one of their nominees. Regardless of class size, they still have to field competitive teams. Their record in the Mountain West across the different sports isn't exactly stellar. Compared to the other two academies, AFA plays in a top 10 conference and doesn't really have the easy conference schedule as the other two. Getting beat week in, week out might fly for other sports but if they start heading downhill in football, it won't go over well. There is a lot of positive publicity, money and goodwill gained by a strong football showing which includes bowl games. Granted, you are competing with Stanford and the like but according to the coaches, it is an easy job because the recruit either wants to be a cadet or doesn't and they go from there.
 
So my question really is for blue chip recruited athletes, did the coaches reduce the LOAs by 15-20%?

Don't know the answer for that but it is likely not to be even across all sports. Coach said there was a "battle" among the different coaches on dividing up the available blue chips.
 
Another point on a competitive football team; a top 25 ranking and post season appearance is an invaluable marketing tool for general enlistment and positive statement about all of the academies/military. It is worth millions of dollars of free marketing/advertising that augments a standard military marketing program. Strong teams keep our armed forces in the spotlight of the public and informs them about the role of the academies in our society. Believe me, when my daughter tells people she is going to the USAFA, half of them don't even know about it and think she is joining the Air Force. I know you all know how clueless most people are about the academies and the role they serve. Yes, standards must be high but getting your ass continually whipped in sports doesn't reflect well either.
 
BobBigBoy said:
What I meant was, say a senator nominates my DD, the congressman won't unless they want her as one of their nominees

In other words your MOC's TALK. Before the submit their slates they try to insure that nobody has multiple noms.

BobBigBoy said:
There is a lot of positive publicity, money and goodwill gained by a strong football showing which includes bowl games

Please tell me I am reading you wrong. Tell me you aren't saying that an SA, any SA should place these issues at the top of the list when handing out appointments?


BobBigBoy said:
Another point on a competitive football team; a top 25 ranking and post season appearance is an invaluable marketing tool for general enlistment and positive statement about all of the academies/military

OOPS, I guess that I wasn't incorrect you ARE implying that people enlist or join a branch because they won a Bowl Game and saw it on tv!

OMG...I am at the :bang::bang::bang::bang::bang: point. You are saying our AD military members are so ignorant or stupid that watching a game on ESPN makes them say I want to be in the AF for the next 4-5 yrs!

That the recruiters hand over docs and say sign here!

BobBigBoy said:
Believe me, when my daughter tells people she is going to the USAFA, half of them don't even know about it and think she is joining the Air Force

Weren't you the one to state that your MOC said not every LOA gets a nom?

BobBigBoy said:
Yes, standards must be high but getting your ass continually whipped in sports doesn't reflect well either

Sports for the WCS is less than 20%, and @80%+ of all cadets have Varsity sports in their packet.

THE MILITARY IS NOT, NOR WILL IT EVER BE A RECRUITMENT GROUND FOR SPORTS. Your DD, irregardless of her athletic ability will spend 5 yrs in the ADAF. Her OPR for promotion to O4 won't have any remarks about how hard she can kick a soccer ball, how fast she can run/swim, cheer or hit a tennis ball. Once an officer commissioned it is all about her ability to get the job done.

I wish the very best to your DD and hope she will be a member of the class of 16, but isn't it a bit presumptive to say "when my daughter tells peeople she is going to the USAFA..." and she has no nom in hand? You, yourself has stated that the MOC acknowledged they have had LOA's not receive a nom.

I am known as Janie Raincloud, I could take that tag as a negative, but instead I wear it with PRIDE because at least some will think twice.

Again good luck.
Thank your family and DD for stepping up to the plate and defending this great country.

P.S. Do you realize how harsh your post reads to kids/parents when it reads as if "my DD is better because she is a jock" than your DD, and s*ck it!

I don't think that is your intention, but that is how it is appearing.

The problem with forums like this is that intonation and time lapse can hurt.

No offense, but this is what I walked away with:

MY DD got an LOA because her team didn't have her ass continually whipped in sports(YOUR WORDS). Sorry, but I have yet to read she is academically an all star. I only have read her about her athletic ability... what's her gpa, SAT/ACT, rank AP scores, etc.. Not saying she isn't gifted academically. Just saying you have yet to acknowledge that gift and it appears that it is all about her athletic ability.

I believe that is not what you want to say as a parent regarding athletics vs acadameics. You want to say she academically earned the spot and because of her athletic ability she got an LOA. JMPO as a parent.
 
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Pima,
Uh, I think you might need to have a mental margarita here....take deep breath and breath you your nose. You kind of ran off with some of the topics I stated and took some liberties.

What I am saying is, bottom line, if they don't want to be competitive and continue to be a door mat of the Mountain West (football excluded), they should consider stepping out, become independent or join the Big Sky. Academic and moral standards should and will be high, that is the main purpose of all of the academies, no one questions their purpose or need. You would have to be brain dead to think that any Academy will ever be a sports first school. But, if that means continually being whipped because they can't draw good athletes because of the high standards, drop the athletic pretense that they can compete at the D1 level. Just take a look at the results in the all of the sports beside hockey or football, improvement can be made.

Any positive image of the Academy and the best our country has to offer is great for the public to see via any medium. You should know, half of America doesn't even know any of the Academies exist. In your most knowledgeable opinion, what is the purpose of NCAA athletics at the Academy then?

Don't be naive in thinking that they don't like the money and publicity a top 25 ranking brings to the Academy and they aren't trying to improve all of the programs. I saw it first hand on her recruiting trip and if you want physical proof, look at the $15mm Holaday facility. I bet the expenditure on that drove you crazy. Why don't you wander out to Falcon Stadium this weekend or next weekend against TCU and check out the popularity of athletics at the USAFA. What do you think it would be like if they went 0-12 this year? A lot of long faces, disappointment and a loss of contributions from the fans.

And, just so you are clear, my DD had plenty of D1 opportunities to pick from and has chosen to pursue an appointment to the USAFA because she wants to serve her country proudly and obtain the best possible education. She has worked her ass off for grades, athletics and made the right social decisions to put her in a position to obtain such an honor. The fact that she can combine service, the best education and NCAA athletics is an opportunity that is unmatched outside the service academies...she is smart enough to realize it.

Best of luck to you too

P.S. She carries a 4.0 grade point average, served as class president, volunteers at homeless shelters, recognized as one of the best athletes in her sport in our state and teaches Sunday School at our church. Like I said, she has her pick of schools....feel stupid yet?
 
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DD

It's time to let this thread rest and let the situation all shake out.
 
Time out.

1. Best of luck to you too...thank you, I will pass you wishes onto our DS..
Our DS will be commissioned May 2012 with a UPT slot.
~ I HAVE NO BONE IN THIS FIGHT for 2016.

My kid is not your DD's competition.

2."Uh, I think you might need to have a mental margarita here....take deep breath and breath you your nose. You kind of ran off with some of the topics I stated and took some liberties. "

I care about the site and place that as my number one priority. Many are lurkers and many don't understand the system, taking "LIBERTIES" hurts because lurkers and new posters take your "LIBERTIES" as GOSPEL.

~~~ You already disseminated mis-information by stating an LOA will be charged to the SUPE, and implied that the Supe has the ability to nom. FALSE INFORMATION. Supe has no ability to nom anyone!

Your comment of mental margarita, and breathe not breath through my nose was down right offensive to me.

3. Any positive image of the Academy and the best our country has to offer is great for the public to see via any medium. You should know, half of America doesn't even know any of the Academies exist. In your most knowledgeable opinion, what is the purpose of NCAA athletics at the Academy then?

Holy crap your opinion is that the SA's should recruit athletes like UCONN? UM. sorry, but if the SA's get to the point that they are all about recruiting athletes and not future officers in the military, our country is doomed.

4. Don't be naive in thinking that they don't like the money and publicity a top 25 ranking brings to the Academy and they aren't trying to improve all of the programs

Did I ever imply or infer that I was naive or they weren't thrilled with the influx of money?

What I stated and will NOT break from; is the AFA does not exist to be a pool for the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, etc. Recruited athlete at the SA does not, will not ever equate to becoming the next Colin Powell.

Their prime objective is to develop future leaders for the DOD to fight wars. Not the Final 4 or the Cotton Bowl for bragging rights.

5. The majority of appointed cadets have Varsity for their sports.

You inferred that because their teams had their arses handed to them they were inferior.

WOW!

Did you say that to your DD when she lost a game/match? I doubt it. I bet you were a great parent and said: Honey, you played the best you could."

So why would you be pompous now?

As I stated earlier, thank your DD, thank your family for defending this great nation. I am sorry from the bottom of my heart if you think I offended your DD, that was never my intention.

Finally I expect this thread to be locked. Thus, before it is my best thoughts to you, I hope she gets an appointment. When you hear the roar of a plane over your house next yr, I hope you realize it might be our kid flying over your home.

When you are 4 yrs down this pipeline I would hope that no poster who has yet to walk this life as a parent tells you to take a mental margarita or breath(e) or says "feel stupid yet" to you. Especially if you lived 20+ yrs as an AD spouse, moved/lived 11 times, and your child is about to be commissioned as a 2nd LT in the AF.

INSANELY PROUD PARENT OF A 2012 GRAD! INSANELY PROUD WIFE OF A RETIRED 05 (20 yrs). INSANELY PROUD WIFE OF AN AF GS 15 FOR THE 35.
 
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Pima, I think you are reading too much into BBB's comments.
Take a step back and relax. There is no need for internet fireworks or locks.
 
However, for lurkers and posters, the way your post read was that the Supe had the ability to nominate, and they don't.

Incorrect.

The Superintendent gets 50 nominations. Federal Law.

TITLE 10 > Subtitle D > PART III > CHAPTER 903 > § 9342

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

Cadets: appointment; numbers, territorial distribution

(d) The Superintendent may nominate for appointment each year 50 persons from the country at large.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/usc_sec_10_00009342----000-.html

:cool:
 
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