How vital is playing sports on an actual team?

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7Rocket26

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I'm interested in applying to USAFA, but one of my fears is that I'm at a disadvantage to other applicants because I do not play on a sports team. I play plenty of sports on my own and with friends and consider myself an athletic person, but I don't have the time to join a sports team. Does this hurt my chances?

Also, if I were to join a sports team, would it matter if it isn't a school one, but if it is instead a recreational team or a club team? Please let me know, thanks everyone!
 
Sports is not just about being "athletic". From the SA perspective they offer a teamwork environment as well as many sports being combative in nature offering a "battlefield simulation" type of environment which is difficult to replicate elsewhere. They also provide opportunities for leadership and development through learning about winning and losing in competition that is not found in other activities. That being said, if you can show your leadership, teamwork and responsibility in other ways then your application should still be considered along with everyone else. Not every cadet is a varsity athlete but it certainly is considered favorably and at USAFA you are required to play a sport either at the collegiate level or intra-mural. At the end of the day the only sure way to not get an appointment is to not apply so go ahead and do the work and good luck with your application.
 
Stealth_81 said:
This is the biggest red flag. If you don’t have the motivation and time-management skills to do a sport in high school, you will struggle at USAFA.
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You will be competing for appointments with top scholars who also play multiple varsity sports, even at a high or very high level. Some do it while holding down a job as well.
 
7Rocket26 said:
I'm interested in applying to USAFA, but one of my fears is that I'm at a disadvantage to other applicants because I do not play on a sports team. I play plenty of sports on my own and with friends and consider myself an athletic person, but I don't have the time to join a sports team. Does this hurt my chances?

Also, if I were to join a sports team, would it matter if it isn't a school one, but if it is instead a recreational team or a club team? Please let me know, thanks everyone!
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You don't necessarily need a sport.... it is helpful by all means but I know several people who did not play a single sport in high school that are here right now. Just think about other ways that you could showcase the athletic portion, whether that be excellent CFA scores or such.
 
Make the time.

My DS was a three sport varsity athlete, concert band, marching band, orchestra, wind ensemble, travel jazz band, speech team, life guard, swim instructor, volunteer fireman, Eagle scout, IB diploma, team captain, state level competition and never had a B in his life. His brother had a similar resume.

The point is, the candidates that are successful make the time and the competition is fierce.

Good luck.
 
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

Steve was a three-sport varsity athlete, off-seasons had an after-school job, and was very active in the CAP, especially on weekends.

If a team sport is just NOT you...okay, that's fine; but find other ways to eliminate USAFA concerns over fitness. If it's just a "I'm busy..." thing...check your time-management skills and your goals.

I tell my candidates...load up on things you LIKE/ENJOY...don't just attempt to "pad." If sports just aren't your thing...okay...but relook at the academy's mission and how they achieve it.

Steve
 
I have plenty of friends who weren’t in any sports during high school, they were all able to display their athleticism and team skills in other ways. I only played individual sports during high school but had a lot of other clubs that displayed my ability to work in a team.

You don’t “need” it, and if you really are too busy then maybe don’t overwork yourself to try to fit it in. None of us know your circumstances enough to call your bluff. However, if you aren’t able to express your potential to work in a team or your athletic potential in other ways on your application, you will be putting yourself at a disadvantage. If you’re not comfortable with the idea of being less competitive then some of your peers who have that on their app, consider reevaluating what you spend your time on.

A thought that’s helped me throughout high school and the Academy is that if I ever start thinking to myself “there’s not enough time in a day to accomplish everything I want to do”, then in actuality I am at fault for not spending my time wisely.
 
Traditionally the incoming classes hover at over 80% of appointees played at least 1 if not more Varsity sports during HS. If that number doesn’t give you an idea of how important it is then that’s on you. Join the track team or cross country team. Those are usually no cut sports and then you can check another important box. If you choose not to you may find out you wish you had…..
 
If nothing else regarding varsity sports I would recommend at least one, cross country. You can check the box for a varsity sport while also integrating a vital component of cadet life into your schedule. Getting ahead of the game running can benefit you in so many ways.
 
T-37IP said:
On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days, on other fields will bear the fruits of victory.
Douglas MacArthur
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I'm guessing Douglas MacArthur hadn't seen a 3rd grade sports game where parents think their kid is going D1 full ride the next day, and pro the following week, where a bad call by the ref is going to cost them their future. There's nothing friendly about those 'strifes.' I do not miss those days. But yes, those days, however awful they were, does build character.

OP - as others have mentioned, find your niche. You say you play plenty of sports - pick one, focus on it, get decent/good at it and do something with it. Maybe you're good enough to coach it as a side gig. In other words, you consider yourself an athletic person. Prove it. What are you doing with it?
 
In the old days you had to be on a varsity sport or be playing intramural athletics. You couldn't just sit in your room after class. All your time had to be accounted for right up to tattoo.
 
snarfly said:
I'm guessing Douglas MacArthur hadn't seen a 3rd grade sports game where parents think their kid is going D1 full ride the next day, and pro the following week, where a bad call by the ref is going to cost them their future. There's nothing friendly about those 'strifes.' I do not miss those days. But yes, those days, however awful they were, does build character.

OP - as others have mentioned, find your niche. You say you play plenty of sports - pick one, focus on it, get decent/good at it and do something with it. Maybe you're good enough to coach it as a side gig. In other words, you consider yourself an athletic person. Prove it. What are you doing with it?
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Wait, there were no $1,000,000 championship checks for the Under 12's Midwest Lacrosse tournaments??? What the heck?! :)

OP - Lots of great advice but at the end of the day your time and your application are yours alone and you have to do what best fits your life and future plans. Try writing your essay (basically a wordy resume) about why you deserve to be at The Academy and think about all those other candidates writing theirs and ask yourself how you stack up. As Bigrod says roughly 80% of the class are varsity athletes but that means 20% were not so what do you bring to the table that makes your application stand out to be one of the 20%?
 
I think the 20% isn’t the whole picture. For instance - how many of the applicants don’t have athletics, and what percentage of those get in?

How many of the 200 had something amazing - like state or national awards for arts?

And finally - did the ones without athletics come from slates that weren’t as competitive?

What are the chances of getting in without varsity athletics on a competitive slate that has great candidates with athletics?
 
Does high school marching band count? I have been in my High Schol marching band for 4 years and regular band for 7 years. Would that give me any points or does it strictly have to be athletics?
 
dronsman said:
Does high school marching band count? I have been in my High Schol marching band for 4 years and regular band for 7 years. Would that give me any points or does it strictly have to be athletics?
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I was about to talk about this, for 5 people I know marching band they didn't do any other sports so they probably fall in the 20% category. Varsity letter section outlines the more common sports (you can look up class of 2026 profile btw). HOWEVER USAFA understands the teamwork, leadership, time and effort marching band takes. It's definitely something to talk about.
Band and orchestra are their own category making up to 18% for class of 26.
 
dronsman said:
Does high school marching band count? I have been in my High Schol marching band for 4 years and regular band for 7 years. Would that give me any points or does it strictly have to be athletics?
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I've known lots of folks who did both Marching Band AND sports including my son and I.
 
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