Sports / Athletics in USAFA application

[txfwindian]

Hi

I am new here and DD is going to apply for USAFA after March 2020. She is going to be junior at HS now.

She is in top 5% of her class ( out of 700 students), has good leadership experience in out of school and in school organizations.

She has not played any sports in school but has participated in academic teams. She is on fitness track to achieve her goal of weight/height and pass CFA.

My question: Is not having participated in sports / athletics count against her even if she meets all the checkboxes ?

Would love to hear from any ALO (#flieger83) member or any experienced member on the board and get their perspective.

Thank you so much

 

[AF22SIS]

This would be an excellent thread to read which addresses your question:
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/sports-and-your-academy-application.44076/

 

[MidCakePa]

Some 10% of SA appointees did not play varsity sports. SAs’ main interest in high-level athletic participation is the attributes and traits it fosters: teamwork, dedication, determination, discipline, perseverance, resilience, competitiveness — above and beyond sheer athleticism. If a candidate can demonstrate they possess those qualities — picked up from other activities — then that goes a long way toward becoming one of the 10%.

 

[txfwindian]

This would be an excellent thread to read which addresses your question:
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/sports-and-your-academy-application.44076/

Thank you so much. I read the thread and why the emphasis on sports and the qualities the sports helps bring out.

I want her to be herself and present her true picture. Will guide her to demonstrate that some of the qualities ( from sports), how she learned them.

 

[NJROTC-CC]

You said she is on "fitness track." That is good. Not sure if that is the same or different than Varsity Track. My DS is going into sophomore year and he joined the varsity cross-country team. Your DD might want to consider varsity cross-country. Running is great for getting and staying fit, and DS likes it much more when he runs with a team. Also, often cross-country is a "no-cut" sport. Just show up and run when the coach tells you to run and you are good. And, the sky is limit on how far and how competitive you want to be. Just depends how hard you push yourself to train.

 

[Christcorp]

'She is on fitness track to achieve her goal of weight/height and pass CFA.'

As you've properly mentioned, this is great to prepare for the CFA. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with Athletics. If it did, then why even have a CFA? Or why have a requirement for both?

The reason why athletics and the CFA are treated differently, is because their objectives are totally different. It is true that if you are involved heavily in athletics, you'll PROBABLY do well in the CFA. (No guarantee). But even if you ace the CFA, not one thing in that CFA has anything to do with athletics. What the academies look for from athletics, has nothing to do with physical fitness. That's what the CFA is for.

Re-read the the thread linked to above. (Especially the opening post). Understand what it is about. Then, if your daughter isn't involved with any type of organized team sport, (Doesn't have to be high school varsity); then she is going to have to be very good at convincing the ALO/academy how she obtained the attributes that the academy is looking for; normally acquired from activities such as team sports.

Best of luck

 

[txfwindian]

'She is on fitness track to achieve her goal of weight/height and pass CFA.'

As you've properly mentioned, this is great to prepare for the CFA. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with Athletics. If it did, then why even have a CFA? Or why have a requirement for both?

The reason why athletics and the CFA are treated differently, is because their objectives are totally different. It is true that if you are involved heavily in athletics, you'll PROBABLY do well in the CFA. (No guarantee). But even if you ace the CFA, not one thing in that CFA has anything to do with athletics. What the academies look for from athletics, has nothing to do with physical fitness. That's what the CFA is for.

Re-read the the thread linked to above. (Especially the opening post). Understand what it is about. Then, if your daughter isn't involved with any type of organized team sport, (Doesn't have to be high school varsity); then she is going to have to be very good at convincing the ALO/academy how she obtained the attributes that the academy is looking for; normally acquired from activities such as team sports.

Best of luck

Thank you CC, really appreciate the input.

 

[txfwindian]

You said she is on "fitness track." That is good. Not sure if that is the same or different than Varsity Track. My DS is going into sophomore year and he joined the varsity cross-country team. Your DD might want to consider varsity cross-country. Running is great for getting and staying fit, and DS likes it much more when he runs with a team. Also, often cross-country is a "no-cut" sport. Just show up and run when the coach tells you to run and you are good. And, the sky is limit on how far and how competitive you want to be. Just depends how hard you push yourself to train.

Thank you, this makes sense. Will ask my DD to look into that.

 

[BBBRRRTT]

Some 10% of SA appointees did not play varsity sports. SAs’ main interest in high-level athletic participation is the attributes and traits it fosters: teamwork, dedication, determination, discipline, perseverance, resilience, competitiveness — above and beyond sheer athleticism. If a candidate can demonstrate they possess those qualities — picked up from other activities — then that goes a long way toward becoming one of the 10%.

I am a former band geek and did not choose the athlete route in high school. But from my experience with former athletes and now current coaches at high levels, I can also add to the list of attributes and traits that you mentioned. Marginal deception may also be an attribute that is also formed in some sports. This could be useful in battle, so I am not knocking it, just pointing it out as one that could be added.

 

[txfwindian]

Just for clarification, what I meant as 'fitness track' I mean that she does not meets the height & weight criteria. For her ht and wt, my DD should be 145lb, she needs to bring down her wt by around 45 lbs in next 9-10 months. For sure cross country will help along with some things she is doing to meet that goal. She is going to journal her journey ( from where she is in terms of weight) and this would be become part of story. I am sure this would count somewhere that she has grit, resilience, determination, focus along with other traits.