Football on a pedestal?

[CaligulasHorse]

Hi all,

I've been reading through the thread about the cheating scandal at USMA, and there's a lot of commentary about recruited athletes and the administration prioritizing football over the honor code.
I'm wondering if there is a similar dynamic at USAFA. Personally, I've never been a huge sports fan, and I can't see myself getting worked up over who has what trophy. Do cadets at USAFA have to attend football games? What sort of privileges do recruited athletes get? Is there tension between recruits and non-recruits?

Any commentary on this topic is welcome.

 

[USAFA_86]

Well I'm not at USAFA yet but I would hope that the recruited athletes are held to the same standard as everyone else. I think this is particularly important at a SA because everyone, recruited athlete or not, will be commissioned into the military at graduation. Once you are out of USAFA, I doubt many people will care how far you can throw a football. The traits that will matter will be respect, integrity, passion, loyalty, and the ability to successfully lead. I have had a TON of beef with coaches and players during my years playing football for my high school. I watched as many rules and requirements were waived for our starters so that our football team could play to its fullest potential on Friday nights. I almost wrote my first essay on an ethical dilemma about a specific incident, however, I decided to go another way with the essay. This is without a doubt the thing that bothers me most: when the rules are only applied when convenient or only to a select group of people. I know USAFA isn't perfect, but I sure hope it doesn't cross this line.

 

[gnba_25]

I’m not at USAFA, but my sister has told me some things. Officially, everyone is held to the same standard regardless of athletic ability. My sister is a recruited athlete and there is some tension. It honestly depends on the person and how much they “flex” their recruited athlete title. They do have an “easier” time getting into the academy. Take “easier” with a grain of salt. It is definitely still difficult, but if they check all the boxes, they will get an appointment. There are unofficial reports that some football players do receive some ‘benefits’ or lesser punishments for certain items, especially when the season is right around the corner. Again, I am not at the academy, but this is what I have overheard. Also, home football games are mandatory attendance for all Cadets, except for athletes who are engaged in away games/events.

 

[justdoit19]

Football is football everywhere. All academies. All colleges. It generates most of the revenue that supports sports programs at the places it’s played. Schools that had to close programs this year, across the nation, permanently dropped non-revenue generating sports, where football either wasn’t played, or spectators ($$) weren’t allowed. I realize you are inquiring about a SA, but the same financial driver is universal, beyond SA’s. So there is a very good ($$) reason for football programs at all institutions. And the ability to recruit and make programs good...for interest and donors as well. Tons and tons of debate and discussion about this all over the forums.

Throwing all players into the same box, is the same as throwing all students into the same box: there are jerk athletes. There are amazing athletes. Same with the general student populations. Jerks and those that think an awful lot of themselves. So there may be tension, or there may be lots of respect. Depends on the people involved

A good thread to poke around are the Army Navy threads. Although this year was different in the sense that ‘students’ were locked down, yet required to attend football games. I realize you are asking specifically about USAFA, but *generally* the sentiment surrounding football is the same everywhere.

And as far as getting excited about a trophy? Probably depends on if your team wins or looses. Seriously, even if you don’t want to be at the game being played...all the hoopla and excitement is contagious. Even if you have a paper due that you need to be writing instead of cheering for the Falcons, most likely you will enjoy your afternoon away from the pulls of academia, whooping it up with your buddies. And mom and dad watching on TV for a glimpse of you on the big screen.

Don’t get sucked into the drama unfolding. That will all play out appropriately. There are some SAF athletes here that can provide perspective on this that you may find interesting. Search NavyHoops, and read her posts that speak to this.