Division 1 Athletes

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johnnytsunami88

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Another question I had was how much harder is it to balance all of the commitments, (ie: academics, military training etc...), when playing a Division one sport. One major concern I have is doing so effectively. As the military is the ultimate focus, I would feel that a lot of energy towards the sport may deter me from performing well in the more important areas for my future. I'd like to hear some thoughts on that.
 
That is definitely a personal question. I know some D1 athletes at the academy who maintained the top 10% in their class. Some who have even applied for medical school and similar after graduating. Having said that; there are also many who had a difficult time managing athletics, school, and their military training/responsibilities. Some gave up athletics. I even know some recruited athletes who by the time BCT was over, already knew they couldn't handle all of that, and they didn't do athletics at all. So while I understand you're asking the question, it's difficult to answer. It's an individual thing. Best of luck. mike....
 
Thanks for the info, but what if an athlete is blue chipped and basically committed to playing a specific sport? Doesn't that person HAVE to participate in that sport, or they will be sent home?
 
No, there is not commitment to playing a sport after you have been appointed to the academy.
 
As skykitty said, there are no commitments for athletics. The academy doesn't give athletic scholarships. Matter of fact, when it comes to large teams like football, they will "Blue Chip" approximately 50 new players a year. Knowing that they'll only keep about half of them after the first season.

Even signing day isn't official like it is for other schools. They have signing day to make the recruited athlete feel part of the pageantry. That same athlete could change their mind a week later and sign a "Real" scholarship and commitment with a different school.
 
Another thing to consider is that since the academy does not offer athletic scholarships, you will see a ton of walkons in certain team sports. There are some outstanding athletes who don't get recruited and if the coach feels strongly about them, they will get playing time - even over a recruited athlete. Point is that you need to want to be at an SA and all that entails, sports can be gravy, but it ought not be the meal. As Christcorp alluded to I know of recruited athletes who left before they got on the bus, shortly after BCT, or immediately after the first term. It's not for everyone and it is a big commitment. That said, it can also be incredibly rewarding.
 
it is a personal choice. Best bet would be to give it a shot if it becomes too much drop the D1 sport. There is no shame you are moving on to more important things. It does give you a mental break especially your first year and travel games/meets are always nice (food, hotel bed...) Of my DS recruited class of 8 only one is still on the team. Some got out of the academy, some decided after BCT that they need to focus on academics, some dropped after their first year and some dropped it in the middle of the second year as the team/coach chemistry had gone (saying it nicely:biggrin:).

DS did find many other things to do like training the freshman for recognition, and programs like satellite monitoring that he could do before and as a nice side benefit his test averages jumped 10 points.

So my advice would be to give it a try and then decide if it works for you or not.
 
Recruited IC

My DS was also a recruited athlete. I agree that, whether or not you are able to (or want to) juggle athletics, academics, and the military comittment is a very individual issue. A number of my DS's closest friends are also ICs (in a variety of sports) and, so far (they're all freshmen), I think they are all glad they have their sport as a relief-valve and as another group with whom to form close connections. His squad is very accepting of the ICs, so the ICs and non-ICs work quite well together in his squad. And he thoroughly enjoys his time with his team. It is difficult to juggle everything - he generally doesn't get back to his room to start homework until after dinner (which he gets to at around 7). One of his teammates did decide during the 1st week of basic that the military component wasn't for him and he left. Another had a tough time adjusting to the academics and military component and left mid-way through the first sememster. However, most seem to be handling it all quite well; they may not have a 4.0 (neither do his other non-IC friends), but I don't think any of his teammates or closest other IC friends are on academic probation, and a few of his teammates (upper classmen) are, in fact, pushing that 4.0.
 
My sons were recruited athletes (I'll let you guess which sport), but were more committed students! Neither had trouble really with the daily practice - but the travel! Now that can get difficult.

You can pm me if you have specific questions.
 
My daughter runs XC/track. Since most of meets are Fri/Sat. its not too bad. She enjoys the break, but sometimes it can be stressful. She is a 4C She wonders how basketball, sooccer, hockey, volleyball, etc. athletes cope with the mid-week travel.
 
I never met the womens coach but the men's coach (and asst.) are very nice, and from what they've told me, their workouts look really good....
 
our son just recieved his appointment to the AFA-( very excited) one question that I have is this... he can probably play football for the academy but... he is worried that he might not be able to keep up with the academic demands if he plays football. Any advice?
 
momofpatriot said:
our son just recieved his appointment to the AFA-( very excited) one question that I have is this... he can probably play football for the academy but... he is worried that he might not be able to keep up with the academic demands if he plays football. Any advice?
Click to expand...

I was on the track team for two years...and the balance: military requirements, track, academics...in the end, I spoke with my coach and said that graduation was my #1 priority and he COMPLETELY agreed with me!

I left the track team, busted my bu**, and graduated with my class.

Folks there are very understanding...I applaud any athlete that is able to balance all of it. At that time, I wasn't.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Flieger 83 Thank you for your advice.... I am very proud of our Son for getting into the academy and I want what is best for him. I know he will make the right decision on sports at the academy. ( I guess I am just having a hard time letting go)- some of my best memories of him was when I was watching him on the football field, or interacting with his team mates and coaches. He is my oldest child and I suppose I need to just leave all of this up to him and not try to influence his decision too much.
 
I was an athlete on the tennis team my first two years, but then got injured. During those two years it was extremely tough, but definitely possible. I am a physics and math double major and my sophomore year I had tennis on top of 7 academic classes and two PE classes for a total of 22 credit hours. I did well both freshman and sophomore years. I would say it is definitely possible, but you won't know until you get here. There is also a starting offensive lineman who is a math and physics double major and will be a physicist in the Air Force.
 
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