Question on Impact of Recruited Athletes

8th Wing Refugee

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Question for all of you experts out there.

This year, our two senators and our Rep. each only had one open spot at USNA. I've noticed from NCAA letter of intent signing articles in our local paper that three athletes have committed to Navy - a rower and two lacrosse players. From the nomination lists I've seen, each athlete received their nomination from a different MOC.

So does that mean that the other 27 people who were on the three MOC nomination slates are out? Or is there another way for them to qualify for an appointment? Or is there a separate recruited athlete pool that doesn't count against the MOC five at one time limit?
 
First of all, there is no official commitment at the service academies. The students may have a ceremonially signing but it is not a financial commitment and is not binding.

The answer to your other questions is is yes, no, maybe. There are numerous ways that individuals can be slotted against nomination spots.

1. There is a small separate bucket for recruited athletes that people will call Blue Chips. No one knows the exact number but safe to assume that football gets more than rowing. If you get one of these, you will get in and most likely not be charged to an MOC slot.
2. Many athletes are recruited but not given a "Chip". They compete on the MOC nomination slate just like everyone else. They will get an increase in the athletic portion of the process but still would need to win the slate.
3. At the end of the process, there is something called additional appointees. This is where the academy has latitude to pick applicants who are 3Q with a nomination and did not win the nomination slate. Typically these are the recruited athletes and diversity candidates.
 
If any of them have LOA's they may get charged to the Superintendent and not to the MOC. I have read on here the SA's give out about 150-200 each cycle. Again take this free advice for what it is worth......
 
First of all, there is no official commitment at the service academies. The students may have a ceremonially signing but it is not a financial commitment and is not binding.

The answer to your other questions is is yes, no, maybe. There are numerous ways that individuals can be slotted against nomination spots.

1. There is a small separate bucket for recruited athletes that people will call Blue Chips. No one knows the exact number but safe to assume that football gets more than rowing. If you get one of these, you will get in and most likely not be charged to an MOC slot.
2. Many athletes are recruited but not given a "Chip". They compete on the MOC nomination slate just like everyone else. They will get an increase in the athletic portion of the process but still would need to win the slate.
3. At the end of the process, there is something called additional appointees. This is where the academy has latitude to pick applicants who are 3Q with a nomination and did not win the nomination slate. Typically these are the recruited athletes and diversity candidates.

Wouldn’t answer 1 be no, not necessarily. They are out for the nomination of that MOC if someone else was already was appointed with that MOC, but they still can get in.

And I thought the 150 were for the highest WCS (LOAs for instance) not recruited athletes and diversity.
 
My understanding is that the WCS components are tweaked from year to year. Last year, USNA had the highest average ACT scores ever. This year, they may be placing greater emphasis on athletic achievements.

BTW - I have zero expertise and am just floating an opinion with no basis for support, so take this with a huge grain of salt.
 
All candidates have to be charged in accordance with law...there is no special “recruited athlete” category. As I have posted on this forum many different times, the former director of nominations and appointments stated that they gave out 3 superintendent nominations for the given year she briefed BGOs. Those that got the superintendent’s nomination were personally vetted by admissions (I read that as...had LOAs). USNA has wiggle room (in most cases) to pick slate winners, determine who the 150 qualified alternates are (WPM is not binding...but a guide), and additional appointees.

The bottom line...just because 3 candidates received appointments in the given state, doesn’t mean it is the end of the road. Presuming that those 3 won their “slate,” the other 27 will be considered for qualified alternate or additional appointee slots/charges.
 
There is also an excellent chance that some or all of these individuals are going to NAPS.
 
There are two different categories that you may be confusing:
1. Qualified Alternates - First 150 of the NWL by Order of Merit
2. Additional Appointees - Number left to fill the class. These must be 3Q with a nomination and are selected at a 2 for 1 ratio for MOC nominations to service connected nominations. These are the diversity candidates and athletes.
 
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