No Intramural Sport

usafa2020

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2014
Messages
2
Hi!

So I'm a sophomore in high school (I know it's early to be thinking about this but I'm not even sure if I want to apply for the USAFA yet! But in case I do :smile: ) and I was looking at the intercollegiate or intramural sport requirement that you had to fill while in the academy. I'm a swimmer and I get varsity times in my events, but I don't train off season or do a club swim team. So I obviously won't be good enough to swim for the intercollegiate team but there isn't an intramural swim team, so I don't know what I should do! Any advice?

Thank you so so much!
 
It's great that you are considering this stuff early. I did the same thing and I am a Junior, but I started really becoming serious about the Academies in Sophomore Year. It's good that you are also looking into the small stuff. A lot of small things make up an application. While you pay attention to detail, do not lose sight of the big picture. Now to your question: Just because you swim now in HS does not mean that you have to be a swimmer at the Academy. You can pick up a completely different sport. It does not matter if it's a varsity or intramural sport. For example, a high school varsity starting QB can enter the Academy and play intramural soccer. The reason there is an athletic requirement at all of the 5 academies is because they want you to keep in shape and learn time management skills. Both of these are important skills that are necessary to be an officer in any of the 5 branches. Find a sport that interests you besides swimming. If swimming is your true passion, have the courage to try a new sport, you might find yourself really enjoying it. Also, do not sell yourself short with being on Varsity Swimming at USAFA. It never hurts to contact the coach. The worst that can happen is that he/she knows your name and what you're all about. You might end up being recruited. You can't get recruited if you don't try, and you might even be surprised if they pick you up. Best of luck!!
 
Do you mean you are confused what you would/should do at the Academy?

Most NCAA sports allow walk-ons, but you have to be pretty good to be considered.

There are intercollegiate club sports which have a type of "limited on season (LOS)" status given to a certain number of cadets(changes with the sport) who perform at a competitive level. There are sports like marathon team, triathlon, ultimate frisbee and handball.

Finally there are intramural sports. Each semester 4-5 different sports are picked for the remained of the cadet wing not on a NCAA or LOS team. Last semester they had rugby, flag football, cross country, basketball and boxing.

It is MANDATORY that a cadet participate in one of these three options. Any way you cut it, it's a good idea to stay in shape for the Academy's rigorous physical fitness tests unless you want to risk being put on athletic probation and a reconditioning program.

As far as what you should do until you're ready to submit an application, do the sport you love and the rest will fall into place.
 
DS was a club swimmer and didn't have times to make the USAFA swim team and didn't really want to continue swimming after 12+ years of it. He is on the cycling team (intercollegiate club sport that races at the Div II level ). He has LOS status which exempts him from Intramural Sports and most importantly he loves being outside, spending time with his teammates, and racing. The cycling team is a great opportunity for a C4C to have some freedom and even get off base before Recognition.
 
DS was a club swimmer and didn't have times to make the USAFA swim team and didn't really want to continue swimming after 12+ years of it. He is on the cycling team (intercollegiate club sport that races at the Div II level ). He has LOS status which exempts him from Intramural Sports and most importantly he loves being outside, spending time with his teammates, and racing. The cycling team is a great opportunity for a C4C to have some freedom and even get off base before Recognition.


Could you shed a little more light on how the cycling team works? I too am a swimmer, but don't have times to make it onto the team. I've been mountain biking for the last 10 yrs and have raced for the last two years. How is the atmosphere on the team? How often do they practice? Is life more or less stressful because of the cycling team? Anything would be great! Thanks!


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