As far as the many recruited athletes we know, have met and talked to at the academy goes, most of them had individually given up recruitments from at least 1 ivy league school, 1-3 from a top 10-15 national university and countless mid-level schools and chose to go to USAFA. They gave up full scholarships, cushy, athletes only dorm units (for Sijan lol), underwater basket weaving majors and tons of adoring fans to be at the academy. Why? Because they wanted to be military officers, not pro athletes. They wanted to serve their country and not themselves. They wanted to make a difference and not make the buck.
So why pick on this group? What makes them different from the Intel finalist, 4.0 uber brainiac, female, gay, minority, inner city, single parent cadet? Once at the academy - NOTHING! They are all cadets. Cadets with the same academic, military and athletic requirements and expectations.
So instead of constantly questioning the validity of these athletes being at USAFA, cheer loudly for them, come to their games, talk to and get to know these fine men and women, support the teams when they are in your neck of the woods, because in four short years they will be in harm's way. Be proud of your academy athletes!
No one said anything about not supporting or cheering them on. In fact, I root hard for USAFA, Navy, and Army in all sports, but especially football.
But, if you think the true blue chip athletes follow the same admission guidelines, and live the same academy likestyle, then we will disagree.
I have enough experience and background to know that yes, 70% of the FB teams are made up of walk on that gained admission through their acivements as a high school scholar athlete. They are the ones you like to point out on the dean's list, Rhodes Scholars, etc. (With a few exceptions)
Many of the players I speak of would never have gained admission if not for the possibility of attending NAPS or the Prep schools. I am quite sure that CC and Skimuggs would disagree.
Some posters talk about "dragging" this subject up as though they are sick of hearing about it. Can we not at least discuss it?
None of you love sports more than me. None of you enjoy a win more than me. I simply do not believe that more qualified applicants should be turned away to make room for blue chip athletes. Of course to head you off at your passionate pass, I realize that there are some football recruits smarter than I will ever be, and they deserve their position.
There are many passionate applicants too, that excelled in the classroom and on the sports field that get turned away. They won't even qualify for spots in the prep school because they're too qualified in academics.
To me, turning away a kid that is qualified to make room for a kid that was not qualified for regular admission makes no sense. The academies exist to produce quality officers, not quality footballers or basketball players.
Someone posted above that blue chip athletes grades suffer because they put so much time into sports. Really? Isn't that the big challenge? Excel on the field or in the classroom... I always taught my kids that academics come first.
Perhaps NAPS and the Prep schools are more than holding tanks where athletes are prepared to function at a level where they can succeed at academies. I hope so.
Athletes with sub 1000 SAT scores have been admitted while regular admission kids with 1400 plus scores and excellent extracurriculars have been passed over in recent years.
I know the arguments about diversity, and producing an officer corps that resembles the make up of the people in the branch in which they will serve. I do not disagree, I just wonder if it is a veiled disguise sometimes to create a faster, stronger team?
That's all from me. I love them all, and I don't begrudge. It's food for thought, and everyone has an opinion.
GO USAFA, GO NAVY, GO ARMY, and GO COAST GUARD! and USMMA too!
2014 was much more like it--it's not really Navy's fault they can't breathe the thin air up here. Besides, our stadium is WAY better. 
