Does anyone have any first hand info on this program?
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Army (USMA) is probably the strongest program in the Patriot League having won the tournament in May to earn a berth in the NCAA. The biggest problem all the teams face in the Patriot League is the lack of athletic scholarships. None of the teams award any athletic scholarships, however admission to Army is free anyway - subsidized by the US government. If you are serious about a professional baseball career it could be difficult to maneuver because of the mandatory military commitment following graduation.
West point has one of the finest players on the East Coast in Schuyler Williamson the Patriot League Player of the Year. He would definately be a pro prospect if not for his committment after graduation. The length of his committment completely negates his chances at playing at the next level. Given the current state fo the War in Iraq and Afganistan it seems highly unlikely that the Army would let him out of his committment.
Hmmm...I thought that all of the service academies now have a policy in place where, if you get drafted to play pro ball, you can play as long as you are in someone's organization; and, each year counts towards your military commitment.
I don't know all of the specifics, but I think the information listed above is wrong re the commitment after graduation.
That is the way it "used to be" ...not the way it is now.
I don't know all of the specifics, but I think the information listed above is wrong re the commitment after graduation.
That is the way it "used to be" ...not the way it is now.
I was told it's a 5 year committment. They pay everything (100%), including medical and dental, plus you get paid so much per month to go to school.
Would like to hear if anyone has been to this school or knows of a student/athletic that has, and how they liked both the school and baseball program.
Thanks.
Would like to hear if anyone has been to this school or knows of a student/athletic that has, and how they liked both the school and baseball program.
Thanks.
I was told by a friend who used to coach at Air Force that there are now provisions that if you are drafted by a professional team you can reduce your commitment by paying back part of your subsidized tuition. This information was given to me second hand, so you need to verify it. Further, in war time, some of these opportunities may not be available. David Robinson who attended the Naval Academy was able to complete the majority of his active duty around his professional basketball career. One thing about the academies - it's not the college life you will find in the Big Ten, SEC or anywhere for that matter. And do not plan on any summer collegiate baseball.
there is a 5 year commitment to service but every year you play in professional baseball counts twords your 5 years.
ie....you get drafted and play 3 years in the minors you still have to serve 2 years when you are done playing.
My son visited the academy this summer and talked with the coach so this is pretty much first hand info.
ie....you get drafted and play 3 years in the minors you still have to serve 2 years when you are done playing.
My son visited the academy this summer and talked with the coach so this is pretty much first hand info.
Army has a baseball team?...just kidding.
There was a pitcher drafted from Navy recently but he is in Nuke School(which is NO JOKE to get into) and he is not being released from his current obligation. They did a story on ESPN OTL a few months ago.
There was a pitcher drafted from Navy recently but he is in Nuke School(which is NO JOKE to get into) and he is not being released from his current obligation. They did a story on ESPN OTL a few months ago.
I am a West Point grad from many years ago, and ahsbb's son is now a junior on the baseball team at West Point.
The information about the World Class Athlete Program is correct. I believe West Point and Air Force have it in place, but I'm not sure about Navy.
Keep in mind that you are being trained to be a military officer, and service to the nation is of primary importance. Should the commander in chief decide that the nation can not afford to allow service academy graduates to pursue professional athletic careers, all bets are off.
Going to a service academy is something that will definitely change you as a person - probably for the better. The relationships you develop their will last you a lifetime.
If you have any specific questions about USMA, let me know.
The information about the World Class Athlete Program is correct. I believe West Point and Air Force have it in place, but I'm not sure about Navy.
Keep in mind that you are being trained to be a military officer, and service to the nation is of primary importance. Should the commander in chief decide that the nation can not afford to allow service academy graduates to pursue professional athletic careers, all bets are off.
Going to a service academy is something that will definitely change you as a person - probably for the better. The relationships you develop their will last you a lifetime.
If you have any specific questions about USMA, let me know.
Here is a good question to the previous posts-- How many players from each school (Army, Navy, Air Force) have been drafted and went to the minors in say the last five years-- None? A few? Many? Do they play in summer leagues or are they on campus all summer?
2005of, I will try to answer your question.
1. If you have been asked to join West Point, you need to consider it a great honor. WP is one of the finest colleges in the world. As usma82 has said, it is also one of the toughest (if not the toughest program) to complete. It will take you to levels of accomplishments not found at very many schools. My son just completed air ashault school this summer and he considered that accomplishment as good as second team Patriot League.
2. If you are wanting a pro carreer, it is more difficult at Army than other places, not impossible.Check Army's sports web site, there is a girl basketball player that is making that effort right now. But, to go to West Point, you must go with the idea of being a Army Officer first...that is what you are being trained for.
3. Summer ball is more difficult, not impossible. My son was asked to the Cap Cod League this past summer, but did not consider it because of his required duties (soph to jr summer), however, Schuyler did play this summer on the east coast. He was able to work thru some red tape for his summer jr to senior. There is more flexibility that summer.
4. Coach Sottolano is doing one of the finest jobs coaching and recruiting acrossed the country. The level of players he is getting seems to get higher and higher. To form a team that will compete at the NCAA each year will take several years, however, he and Army are on the right track. I believe Army and the Patriot league will continue to be more competitive each year.
5.As far as pay and tuitions, what you have heard is correct....also, as a side benifit, during your jr year, you will have an opportunity to take a low interest load that will help you out...most use it for a car. After spring break, you are permitted to have a car on campus. With each completed year, you receive more.
I hope this will help you. I can be pm'd if you have additional questions.
Good Luck
PS. usma82...Jeremy will contact you after he gets settled.
1. If you have been asked to join West Point, you need to consider it a great honor. WP is one of the finest colleges in the world. As usma82 has said, it is also one of the toughest (if not the toughest program) to complete. It will take you to levels of accomplishments not found at very many schools. My son just completed air ashault school this summer and he considered that accomplishment as good as second team Patriot League.
2. If you are wanting a pro carreer, it is more difficult at Army than other places, not impossible.Check Army's sports web site, there is a girl basketball player that is making that effort right now. But, to go to West Point, you must go with the idea of being a Army Officer first...that is what you are being trained for.
3. Summer ball is more difficult, not impossible. My son was asked to the Cap Cod League this past summer, but did not consider it because of his required duties (soph to jr summer), however, Schuyler did play this summer on the east coast. He was able to work thru some red tape for his summer jr to senior. There is more flexibility that summer.
4. Coach Sottolano is doing one of the finest jobs coaching and recruiting acrossed the country. The level of players he is getting seems to get higher and higher. To form a team that will compete at the NCAA each year will take several years, however, he and Army are on the right track. I believe Army and the Patriot league will continue to be more competitive each year.
5.As far as pay and tuitions, what you have heard is correct....also, as a side benifit, during your jr year, you will have an opportunity to take a low interest load that will help you out...most use it for a car. After spring break, you are permitted to have a car on campus. With each completed year, you receive more.
I hope this will help you. I can be pm'd if you have additional questions.
Good Luck
PS. usma82...Jeremy will contact you after he gets settled.
Thanks to everyone for your information on Army baseball. I've been doing alot of research on the school and baseball program and it seems like the info you're giving me is exactly what I've heard.
Like you said "ahsbb," I was honored to receive the phone call. Lots to think about!
Thanks again!
Like you said "ahsbb," I was honored to receive the phone call. Lots to think about!
Thanks again!
They talked to my son couple years ago.Things progressed quickly to the point of them asking him to start the application process, which is a quite extensive ordeal. So after about 30+ hours of work on essays, applications, etc., he never heard from them again. Not even an email to say, "hey, this isn't going to work out.". Disappointing, especially from an institution that prides itself on character.
FYI… New staff up there. Matt Reid is the Interim HC. Eric Folmar has been added to the staff.
West Point is on our High Academic New England College Bus Tour. And they will host one of our workouts. I cannot wait to see the place in person!
Rich
Originally Posted by PIS:
FYI… New staff up there. Matt Reid is the Interim HC. Eric Folmar has been added to the staff.
West Point is on our High Academic New England College Bus Tour. And they will host one of our workouts. I cannot wait to see the place in person!
Rich
Rich- It's the most beautiful college campus I've ever seen. The baseball field ain't too shabby either. If you're able, try to eat in the Officer's Club (I believe the "official" name is West Point Club). It's right across the street from the field, beyond the centerfield fence. Very good food, reasonably priced and an unbeatable view overlooking the Hudson River.
I grew up about 45 minutes southeast of West Point and had a neighbor with season tickets to Army football games. I've been to the campus many times, and the beauty never ceases to amaze me. I received a few recruiting letters from them in high school but never reciprocated that much interest. I'm not sure if that was a good or bad decision (at the time, it was a product of a 17 year old's disinterest in the military), but attending a school like West Point is a no-brainer for those that may find it a fit.
Enjoy the trip.
2012 was recruited by Army, but declined. We did a visit there in the Summer of 2011. Absolutely stunning location. Great baseball facilities. Strong program under the most recent coach. Awesome school and curriculum.
(2016 is looking forward to Rich's Mid-Atlantic tour in August. We've hit the Northeast schools with our 2012!)
"West Point is a no-brainer for those that may find it a fit."
I'd say this should be true for any school. But especially the academies!
The opportunity is incredible at Army. But it only comes to those that are willing to put forth the effort.
JH - I too turned down an academy. Maybe the only decision I ever think "what if".
Can't wait to see West Point & about 80 other campuses next summer!
Rich
West Point was one of the most enjoyable recruiting visit I had with my son, campus and the facilities are fantastic....i joked with the coach that I still had my eligibility left and threw left handed, but only threw 70 mph but iwas in if he take me.
agree with JH for the right kid and the right fit great opportunity....not one my son wanted but man what an opportunty ..... 300k education for free plus you get paid each month to go there....was 200 a month your freshman year and went up each year!
I posted this before, but my son's team plays against Army in a mid-week game every year. Here he is coming to bat at exactly 5:00PM, when everyone comes to attention and watches as they lower the flag from Trophy Point as Retreat is played. The whole thing is pretty cool.
Birdman luv the pic....just past right field is the library.....and there is a statue of Patton.....on recruiting trip coach told us they put the statue of Patton right by the library because that was the closet Patton ever got to the library supposedly Patton graduate near the bottom of his class!
Right behind the fence behind home plate is the players lounge....very impressive!
Bum, Jr. was recruited by them but declined. Just not the military type. However, his younger brother (not a ballplayer) ended up going there and graduated last year. The school is world class and the campus is beautiful. Go Army!
Son graduated there in 2012...great experience...great school..beautiful campus..anybody have any questions, feel free to email me
go.price at email dot com
(fyi..you may also want to visit another thread a little lower in this section..."West Point")
Originally Posted by birdman14:
I posted this before, but my son's team plays against Army in a mid-week game every year. Here he is coming to bat at exactly 5:00PM, when everyone comes to attention and watches as they lower the flag from Trophy Point as Retreat is played. The whole thing is pretty cool.
Correction... 1700. 
Originally Posted by MidAtlanticDad:
Originally Posted by birdman14:
I posted this before, but my son's team plays against Army in a mid-week game every year. Here he is coming to bat at exactly 5:00PM, when everyone comes to attention and watches as they lower the flag from Trophy Point as Retreat is played. The whole thing is pretty cool.
Correction... 1700.
"Retreat" is one of the neatest experiences i had during my son's time there. Truly inspiring.
(well, besides graduation week, and a few "important" baseball games 
Originally Posted by DaddyBo:
Originally Posted by MidAtlanticDad:
Originally Posted by birdman14:
I posted this before, but my son's team plays against Army in a mid-week game every year. Here he is coming to bat at exactly 5:00PM, when everyone comes to attention and watches as they lower the flag from Trophy Point as Retreat is played. The whole thing is pretty cool.
Correction... 1700.
"Retreat" is one of the neatest experiences i had during my son's time there. Truly inspiring.
(well, besides graduation week, and a few "important" baseball games  
Yes sir! I stand corrected.
The number one reason young men and women choose the academies is that they want to be officers in the military. If baseball is really that important and they have a very good chance to go pro there is ROTC at public and private colleges As an option. They usu don't have to sign contract to go into military until end of soph yr. by then they can see if a pro position is a possibility. There are ROTC scholarships too.
Originally Posted by playball2011:
The number one reason young men and women choose the academies is that they want to be officers in the military. If baseball is really that important and they have a very good chance to go pro there is ROTC at public and private colleges As an option. They usu don't have to sign contract to go into military until end of soph yr. by then they can see if a pro position is a possibility. There are ROTC scholarships too.
I believe it to be similar @ the academies...not "fully committed" until start of junior year. There is an actual commitment ceremony before classes start that fall.
Originally Posted by PIS:
Awww...cool..Reid is a good guy..and a nice shout-out to my kid @ the end.
I got to see Army in action this weekend against my alma mater, William & Mary.
Friday was their 1st time outside. It showed.
They played a double header on Sunday. What a difference a day makes…. they played really hard, pitched well, played ok defense & took advantage of a couple of WM errors.
They won the 1st game of the DH and lost the rubber game on a walk off HR.
Rich
It has been a long time since posting here...but thought I would add to the comments already stated above. My son, Jeremy, after a four year career at West Point and 8 years service is returning to West Point to teach in the engineering department. He considers this a big honor and is looking forward to his return.(So are we) West Point is West Point....the best.
