Sports at USMA

2023_usma

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I am a college re-applicant who has already accepted an appointment to USMA for the class of 2023.

I am a part of my school’s Army ROTC program, and participate in PT on weekdays. Because of my ROTC and my college course load i did not join any college sports. I was also the battalion commander of my JROTC unit in high school along with many other extracurricular. Again, I did not play any sports in high school, because of all the other things I was involved in.

My question is: If I haven’t played a Varsity sport, but I must play one at USMA, which one should I do? Also, if I have never played that sport, do they take walk-ons?
 
You certainly don't have to try out for a division 1 sport at USMA, there are plenty of club level sports offered to cadets which would fulfill your obligation.
 
Congrats on your appointment! I’m a FFR, so I wanted to clarify. While it’s 100% true that “every cadet an athlete applies”, there are 3 options - Varsity, Club and Intramural levels. Pick a level based on your interests and abilities and go for it. Go Army! (And yes, varsity and club certainly consider walk ons)
 
Congrats on your appointment! I’m a FFR, so I wanted to clarify. While it’s 100% true that “every cadet an athlete applies”, there are 3 options - Varsity, Club and Intramural levels. Pick a level based on your interests and abilities and go for it. Go Army! (And yes, varsity and club certainly consider walk ons)

I have another question, say I wanted to try a sport I haven’t played before, could I do that? Or should I stick to the sports that I have played?
 
Let's be real. USMA plays DIVISION I NCAA sports. Even "walk-ons" have extensive experience in the sport and may have already contacted the coach who knows they are coming. To play division I sports you need to be an elite level athlete and based on what you say you are not. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING. USMA has one of the best intramural programs in the country and often you can try and play sports you have never played before. Most cadets do not play a varsity sport and many who start on a varsity team will not be on the team within a year or two.
 
Congrats on your appointment! I’m a FFR, so I wanted to clarify. While it’s 100% true that “every cadet an athlete applies”, there are 3 options - Varsity, Club and Intramural levels. Pick a level based on your interests and abilities and go for it. Go Army! (And yes, varsity and club certainly consider walk ons)

I have another question, say I wanted to try a sport I haven’t played before, could I do that? Or should I stick to the sports that I have played?

That's completely up to you and based on your interests, goals, capabilities, etc.
 
Even "walk-ons" have extensive experience in the sport and may have already contacted the coach who knows they are coming.

I can say that while this may often be the case, it is not always the case. I know this because my son ended up on a D1 team at WP as a walk-on with no experience in that sport. Likely this is a rare event, but never say never. It can happen.

To the OP - my son had very limited experience with skiing but he wanted to get better at it, so he joined the ski club and had some really great experiences. He got better at the sport and got on some fun trip sections for meets/competitions. He only did it for one year, but it is a fond memory for him. With your background in JROTC, you might enjoy participating in Sandhurst. Every company has a Sandhurst team.
Good luck at WP!!!
 
So do varsity athletes at USMA go through a recruiting process similar to other D1 colleges?
 
That's completely up to you and based on your interests, goals, capabilities, etc.

Based on the experience of my DD and others that I have met, this is not entirely true. Maybe as a Yuk etc., but many of the plebes got "put" where teams were short numbers. DD requested soccer , got Grappling! Another Plebe was actually put on the soccer team, went to a practice, and then was moved to a different team as they needed numbers. Both situations worked out fine though, they were forced outside their comfort zone and had good experiences. Good luck and congrats!
 
That's completely up to you and based on your interests, goals, capabilities, etc.

Based on the experience of my DD and others that I have met, this is not entirely true. Maybe as a Yuk etc., but many of the plebes got "put" where teams were short numbers. DD requested soccer , got Grappling! Another Plebe was actually put on the soccer team, went to a practice, and then was moved to a different team as they needed numbers. Both situations worked out fine though, they were forced outside their comfort zone and had good experiences. Good luck and congrats!
For Company Sports, Plebes are plugged in as needed. Not too many get the first choice. Same with our DD, chose Soccer, wound up in Functional Fitness. It gets better after Plebe year.
 
That's completely up to you and based on your interests, goals, capabilities, etc.

Based on the experience of my DD and others that I have met, this is not entirely true. Maybe as a Yuk etc., but many of the plebes got "put" where teams were short numbers. DD requested soccer , got Grappling! Another Plebe was actually put on the soccer team, went to a practice, and then was moved to a different team as they needed numbers. Both situations worked out fine though, they were forced outside their comfort zone and had good experiences. Good luck and congrats!
For Company Sports, Plebes are plugged in as needed. Not too many get the first choice. Same with our DD, chose Soccer, wound up in Functional Fitness. It gets better after Plebe year.

My DD just finished plebe year. I did not find this to be the case at all. Many sports had tryouts so they tried out for the teams they were interested in. Mine tried out for climbing and sandhurst and ultimately chose sandhurst. That team did not qualify for the spring competition so she was able to chose a second sport, and did alpine ski. If you don’t make or chose a team you have to do company athletics.
 
So do varsity athletes at USMA go through a recruiting process similar to other D1 colleges?
Yes. Similar, but not exactly the same. USMA does not participate in the National Letter of Intent, but blue chip recruited athletes normally get LOA's.

Once a candidate is designated a recruited athlete, USMA is required to follow NCAA recruiting rules just as any other D1 school.
 
So do varsity athletes at USMA go through a recruiting process similar to other D1 colleges?
Yes. Similar, but not exactly the same. USMA does not participate in the National Letter of Intent, but blue chip recruited athletes normally get LOA's.

Once a candidate is designated a recruited athlete, USMA is required to follow NCAA recruiting rules just as any other D1 school.


Thank you!
 
There are so many opportunities at WP for sports participation. Many D1 sports and these kids are really, really, talented. Club sports are great as well. Our kid did Alpine Ski for 1 winter after 8 years of junior racing and then switched to Sandhurst which is not a sport, but incredibly demanding and time consuming. He became his squad leader this year. I continue to be amazed at what this academy offers these future officers.
 
The saying goes..."Every cadet an athlete..."
What does this mean?
Each cadet WILL compete in 1 of 3 categories.
1) NCAA designated sports
2) Club level designated sports
3) Intramural (Company) sports
Cadets are afforded opportunities to compete as a walk on for the NCAA level and Club level; if a cadet doesn't make either of these teams they will then play intramural sports; the intramural teams will be filled and this is where it becomes..."you're a plebe and, guess what...you're playing x sport..."

Hope this helps.
 
If a plebe decides to try and walk-on for a D1 sport, do they show up at CBT with their cleats? It would seem unlikely that WP would have cleats for athletes and walk-ons.
 
The CBT Packing List says that recruited Corp Squad (D1) athletes may be asked to bring sports equipment. However, it doesn't mention walk-ons. I would try emailing the coach of the team the plebe wishes to try out for and ask if cleats are necessary.
 
If a plebe decides to try and walk-on for a D1 sport, do they show up at CBT with their cleats? It would seem unlikely that WP would have cleats for athletes and walk-ons.
I would think that before you walk on, you would want to initiate a conversation with the coach or one of the coach's assistants and find out what opportunities are available.
 
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