Handling Regular College Recruiting and Service Academies

[Academyapplicant_2031#02]

I am currently a junior going though both the athletic recruiting process and beginning my applications to USMA, USNA, USCGA, and USMMA. Becoming an officer through the service academy route or ROTC is my first goal, but continuing my softball career is also a big deal to me. Of course, playing at USMA or USCGA would be my primary goal, but I am also emailing civilian colleges in case service academies don't work out. Does anyone have any tips or experience with talking to coaches about ROTC and sports as well as holding out on committing until decisions come out? Is this even possible to do? Any input would be appreciated!!

 

[USMC Crayons]

I am currently a junior going though both the athletic recruiting process and beginning my applications to USMA, USNA, USCGA, and USMMA. Becoming an officer through the service academy route or ROTC is my first goal, but continuing my softball career is also a big deal to me. Of course, playing at USMA or USCGA would be my primary goal, but I am also emailing civilian colleges in case service academies don't work out. Does anyone have any tips or experience with talking to coaches about ROTC and sports as well as holding out on committing until decisions come out? Is this even possible to do? Any input would be appreciated!!

The only place that I have seen ROTC and D1 athletics play nice together is at SMC's. Of course a lot depends upon the workload of the specific sport, but I can tell you with many sports there are not enough hours in the day to do both. DS is a swimmer, and luckily he is at an SMC so it works well, even though he is burning a candle at both ends in season. No way with his practice workload he could do ROTC at a regular school.

 

[Academyapplicant_2031#02]

The only place that I have seen ROTC and D1 athletics play nice together is at SMC's. Of course a lot depends upon the workload of the specific sport, but I can tell you with many sports there are not enough hours in the day to do both. DS is a swimmer, and luckily he is at an SMC so it works well, even though he is burning a candle at both ends in season. No way with his practice workload he could do ROTC at a regular school.

Thanks for your input! I've also been reaching out to those schools as well. Does anyone have any experience with being offered a spot to play sports at a civilian school (I haven't yet, just trying to figure out what happens if I do) and holding them off until SA's letters come through?

 

[16935-parent]

Thanks for your input! I've also been reaching out to those schools as well. Does anyone have any experience with being offered a spot to play sports at a civilian school (I haven't yet, just trying to figure out what happens if I do) and holding them off until SA's letters come through?

It is going to depend on the civilian school and their needs and also how good you are. My child had a few offers. One school was willing to wait and even let her walk on freshman year if needed (but scholarship money was time-limited). Another had an expiration date on the roster offer of mid-July before senior year of HS. She would have been one of the strongest at the first school and middle off the pack at the other.

Ultimately it did work out with USMA recruitment, but it was a stressful few months when classmates had acceptances in hand mid-Nov and rosters are filling up. She had plans B, C, and D.

 

[justdoit19]

Have you filled out the athletic interest questionnaires at the SA’s? That would give you some insight into their interest level. Which might at least help guide you.

 

[Academyapplicant_2031#02]

Have you filled out the athletic interest questionnaires at the SA’s? That would give you some insight into their interest level. Which might at least help guide you.

I have. I have had a decent amount of contact with USCGA and some with USMMA. On my level - I am a good player and a solid asset to any team due to my ability to play any position expect for pitcher. I am above average in fielding skills, and well above average in outfielding skills, but average at hitting. Due to this, I would say I am more of a D2, D3 level but still have a shot at D1, especially at a place like West Point where fewer recruits in the overall recruiting class consider a service academy (I am not discounting the competitiveness and difficulty of playing for a service academy, just saying that their recruiting pool is smaller).

 

[Academyapplicant_2031#02]

It is going to depend on the civilian school and their needs and also how good you are. My child had a few offers. One school was willing to wait and even let her walk on freshman year if needed (but scholarship money was time-limited). Another had an expiration date on the roster offer of mid-July before senior year of HS. She would have been one of the strongest at the first school and middle off the pack at the other.

Ultimately it did work out with USMA recruitment, but it was a stressful few months when classmates had acceptances in hand mid-Nov and rosters are filling up. She had plans B, C, and D.

Awesome thanks for the input! How did your daughter handle those conversations with coaches?

 

[16935-parent]

Awesome thanks for the input! How did your daughter handle those conversations with coaches?

She was always honest. Coaches are going to ask, 'Are we your top choice?' and she would say that her #1 choice was USMA, but given the uncertainty in admissions she was interested in exploring all options. Some coaches said okay thanks but no thanks and others still invited her on an official visit to try to convince her.