Late Football Recruit

My son is a late football recruit hoping to get in to the AFA. He has completed all of the required paperwork and physicals. He had knee surgery before Christmas this past year. When I received the results from DODMERB, it said that he did not qualify due to knee surgery in the previous 6 months. He was heart broken and called his recruiting coach who said don't worry, he would get a waiver. When I checked with the DOD, they told me that he wouldn't be eligible for a waiver until a few days before he needed to report for BCT. Called the coach again and he said not to worry, my waiver had already been submitted. Ok, I felt a little better. Next, he has written his letters and sent them to both Senators and a State Representative requesting nomination. Today I get a call from one of the State Senators office and they said he is too late and all nominations were taken. He will not get in. I called the coach again and he assured me that they would take care of it, all is ok, and that he would get in. What can you tell me about this process? Can the coaches get him the appointment? Is all ok? The coaches told me that they would take care of everything except the physical and eye exam. They have no control over that. Am I getting worked up over nothing? He want to be a commissioned officer and serve our great country! But very frustrated at the process. Help!!

There are several sources of nominations for any candidate. Congressional, Vice Presidential, and a few that are left to the service academy itself for this very reason. Every year there are candidates that the SAs want so they have some nominations in thier back pocket. For Recruited Athletes if the coach says they are working it, don't sweat it. All your son can do is control what is within his control. Finish all the actions he has and stay in touch with the coach and his admissions counselor. Is it a done deal? No, I would continue working on other plans until you have the appointment in hand, see the waiver approved, and the Dr has cleared your son.

Wannabee, your son will most likely get what is known as a SUPE's nom. What this is is a nomination reserved for athletes or an emergency nomination for someone they want at the academy but did not get a nomination. The superintendent of the academy gives this out (you do not apply for it). The coaches are working on it so don't sweat it. Keep in touch with the coach and keep checking for the waiver to be approved. Best of luck

wannabee said:

My son is a late football recruit hoping to get in to the AFA.

Today I get a call from one of the State Senators office and they said he is too late and all nominations were taken.

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mdrob214 said:

There are several sources of nominations for any candidate. Congressional, Vice Presidential, and a few that are left to the service academy itself for this very reason.

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TheUnderdog said:

Wannabee, your son will most likely get what is known as a SUPE's nom. What this is is a nomination reserved for athletes or an emergency nomination for someone they want at the academy but did not get a nomination.

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Or more likely, they will offer an appointment to Prep to redshirt him for a year as they do with many many D1 football players.

Thank you so much for the information. This is a great site! Glad I found it. I did not know about the Academy holding some nominations, or that he could be nominated from another state. My son had many opportunities to play at the D1 level but after his visit to the AFA it was a no brainer. The process to get in is unlike any other school in that you still have to go through the same process as any other student entering. When the process went beyond the initial signing date I became concerned that if he didn't get in, the other offers may dry up. He is a great student ranking at the top of his class of over 350 kids, and has a 4.0 gpa (weighted at 4.4) and scored very high on the ACT with a near perfect math score. I do know that they do not redshirt athletes. We were told that he has a great shot at playing at the varsity level his first year. If not, the JV team will keep him playing and not sitting. He plans on a computer engineering degree and working on cyber-terror threats. It has been very interesting having a computer geek for a son who is also a 6'4, 240lb 3 sport all-state athlete!! He has taken his mom and I on a great ride so far but I think that ride has really just started!

Thanks again!

wannabee said:

Thank you so much for the information. This is a great site! Glad I found it. I did not know about the Academy holding some nominations, or that he could be nominated from another state. My son had many opportunities to play at the D1 level but after his visit to the AFA it was a no brainer. The process to get in is unlike any other school in that you still have to go through the same process as any other student entering. When the process went beyond the initial signing date I became concerned that if he didn't get in, the other offers may dry up. He is a great student ranking at the top of his class of over 350 kids, and has a 4.0 gpa (weighted at 4.4) and scored very high on the ACT with a near perfect math score. I do know that they do not redshirt athletes. We were told that he has a great shot at playing at the varsity level his first year. If not, the JV team will keep him playing and not sitting. He plans on a computer engineering degree and working on cyber-terror threats. It has been very interesting having a computer geek for a son who is also a 6'4, 240lb 3 sport all-state athlete!! He has taken his mom and I on a great ride so far but I think that ride has really just started!

Thanks again!

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Just my personal opinion, but it sounds like you have raised an awesome son. Good luck and let us know the outcome.

Cheering for you in Illinois.

PS. A student at the school I work at is also being recruited and they have heard similar things from their coach as well. Happy waiting and visit the AFA portion and post on the 2016 Mailbox stalker club.

Now we have a new problem. We received the remedial letter wanting all of the surgery files, rehab, etc... When we received the surgical report, everything stated the WRONG knee!! He had surgery on the right knee but the records showed left knee. We are now on attempt 5 to get revisions from the surgeon's office. Each copy we get has some changes and amendments but it is still not completely taken care of. Also, the initial report was sent to the rehab Dr. and everything they have in their reports says left instead of right.
That initial report has had a domino effect on down the ladder. My question is; do we send the partially amended reports along with a letter stating that it was the right knee and some of the reports mistakenly identify the left? Also, DS hasn't completed the physical assessment due to not being able to cut with the leg as required by the shuttle run. Rehab is ahead of schedule and the knee is feeling great, no pain, joint is tight, better than it has felt in 20 months!

Thanks in advance!!

wannabee said:

Now we have a new problem. We received the remedial letter wanting all of the surgery files, rehab, etc... When we received the surgical report, everything stated the WRONG knee!! He had surgery on the right knee but the records showed left knee. We are now on attempt 5 to get revisions from the surgeon's office. Each copy we get has some changes and amendments but it is still not completely taken care of. Also, the initial report was sent to the rehab Dr. and everything they have in their reports says left instead of right.
That initial report has had a domino effect on down the ladder. My question is; do we send the partially amended reports along with a letter stating that it was the right knee and some of the reports mistakenly identify the left? Also, DS hasn't completed the physical assessment due to not being able to cut with the leg as required by the shuttle run. Rehab is ahead of schedule and the knee is feeling great, no pain, joint is tight, better than it has felt in 20 months!

Thanks in advance!!

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This question might be better asked on the DoDMERB part of the website. I believe that they have a help desk that you can call/e-mail. The e-mail is HelpDesk@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil . They should be able to answer your question there.

Good luck