Service Academy recruiting

I think what they tell you is fair and honest--- admittance to any of the acadmies is not a given so they are being up front with you when they tell you "we want you but don't shut any doors"

My daughter is going through the application process right now and it's a
real bear of a process. Applying for the US Naval Academy. They supposedly have 10,000(appr) freshman apply every year with around 2000 being nominated for appointment by senators, congressmen, VP with 1200 getting admittance.

All kinds of interviews and tests. Local "Blue and Gold" volunteer liason, congressman or senator, and finally at the Academy itself.

I would expect that a "sports recruit" might get a little help in the process but not sure.

When the US Naval Academy contacted my son a few months ago, he was told that he wouldn't need a congressman or senator to provide a nomination, that the baseball offer would take care of that part. This would help simplify the process, but he still would be subject to the rest of the admissions process.
Also, recruits need to be well-informed regarding their obligation after college ends. The coach did state that if son got drafted after his JR year, the Navy would let him play pro ball, but then he would need to come back and fulfill his obligation. Its an important and serious commitment. I only know of one basketball player that somehow was relieved of his obligation.
It takes a special kid to make this kind of decision at age 17. Often these are the kids have dreamed their whole life of these schools, and thank goodness for them! The average (somewhat spoiled) teenager might not make it through the first year!

If you have any interest in Army (West Point) you could not ask for a better Coach/Person then Coach Sottolano. He is a tremendous guy and has really built a nice program.

The unofficial visit to West Point is worth the weekend vacation. Coach is very approachable and will spend any time neccessary to provide information on the program and the school/obligation.

I second what Coach Merc says about Army. The same thing can be said about Navy.

It amazes me, how hard these programs work year around. We see Army and Navy at events as much as the top 40 programs.

Some of the best people in college baseball.

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Older Son went far into the service academy process. Here were our concerns/considerations:

1. Perhaps with best education out there. HUGE financial benefit and comittment from the school. Guaranteed career move. Job waiting. Ask about graduate school in a disipline that your son is interested in pursuing. Life changing comittment up front, life changing comitment afterwards.

2. Ask yourself. Is this a good fit for my son. Simply put, only a small % of young men have the incredible discpline and dedication to take on this amazing challenge. Our older definately did and would have flourished there. Our younger...oh my god!...NO WAY. For the right player and right young man this is the opportunity of a lifetime. And the comittment is so large that I believe that the son needs to go in with eyes WIDE open and just loving the whole chance, not just the baseball opportunity.

3. Find out what happens if you son simply doesn't cut it, as a baseball player, as a student, emotionally. What are the comittments? Within two years they can withdraw? what is the situation? What about junior year? If I remember correctly There are some penalities and withddrawl dates

3. From all we could tell, and everyone we talked to the path into professional ball was VERY murky. We were told and had other tell us that the answer was usually, "it depends" If pro ball is a realistic option I would want some sort of comittment in writing prior to comitting. Not sure you can get it. And to be frank...IMO you don't go to the academies with the thought using them to play pro ball rather, you use baseball to get to the academies.

4. Can't believe that some leeway is not made for a top athlete. Yes you will have to go through the process, but frankly you have an huge advocate in the baseball caoch.

5. Absolutley go visit.

6. We were told that the invitation could reconsidered after a players freshman year elsewhere, if he so chose.

7. The process is long and detailed. Small price to pay if it is truely the right decision.

8. ALWAYS have plan B. Would apply elsewhere as if the academy were not even happening and make the decison later if and when we were offered. If you have not already signed an early NLI you are still "on the market" would pursue both simultaneously until decision had to be made.

9. And one more thing...ask about summer ball. I believe that the academy kids have some amazing assignments in the summer but those may not include baseball...check on this....

Thanks to everybody for their input. Observer44, we did make the visit and fell in love! Son was a little disappointed he didn't get a lot of smoke blown up his rear, but coach was very clear about what the academy offered and what was expected of him. Overall, a great fit for my son. Just got to hit the magic 1200 SAT and all should be well........we hope. Everything else is in motion.

I agree with Coach Merc an PG about Army and Coach Sottolano.

Had the oportunity to sit with his Dad in the stands last year
when Army put it to USF. Said his son was very dedicated to the baseball program and it shows. Wouldn't be surprised to see them win a regional this year. They have 3 very good
starting pitchers.

quote:

When the US Naval Academy contacted my son a few months ago, he was told that he wouldn't need a congressman or senator to provide a nomination, that the baseball offer would take care of that part.

That is interesting. My HS '04 was recruited by USNA. Had the interview with local Gold Commander. And was scheduled for interview with congressman for nomination. Son cancelled the interview when he decide to attend another school.

There are parents of midshipmen & cadets that used to post here frequently.

Some things to consider when you accept an invitation for admission into the academy. When you enter the academy you are a member of the military. The summer before your plebe year is a 'basic training' camp. You earn a monthly stipend while attending class. In the summer you earn your monthly stipend on assignment to a post or base or fleet or squadron or....... So - no summer baseball.

The Academies will publicize a 'world class athlete' program (mostly emphasized by USAFA in letters) that might release a graduate from his military commitment. Navy had a LH pitcher drafted 2 years ago. I think he took 2 weeks of his leave to play minor league ball with the Blue Jays. My memory is fading, but I seem to remember that a graduate that uses this plan must reach the Major Leagues in 2 years and the MLB team must reimburse the US Gov't for the cost of the player's Academy education.

I know that there are a few parents with sons at one of the academies now, or in the very recent past. Maybe they will add their comments to the mix.

Although I don't have a lot of information, I have learned much in the last year as we have begun exploring these options with my '07. I know more about the program at Army than I do about the other Service Academies, and I completely concur with the comments that have been made with respect to coach Sottolano.

My son, for reasons other than baseball, has just recently settled on Army as his #1 choice for school. (He is currently a Junior with a 4.0 gpa.) My son attended Army's baseball camp this past summer as an opportunity to see the school, meet the coaching staff, get a feel for what things would be like. Fortunately for us, the week we were there was also during the time that "Beast Barracks" (New Cadet Basic Training)was going on so he was able to witness first hand the kinds of activities and disciplines that were occurring. Interestingly, his initial reaction was not positive, but as he has had time to process the information and filter it in the context of what he wants to accomplish, West Point has become his dominant first choice and other schools are now a distant second.

Basically the coaches told us that "if they want my son as a recruited player", then he will get a nomination. Not sure exactly what that process would look like but came away feeling less concerned about the nomination process. Of course, one must still be academically qualified to gain admission, but we're fairly confident at this point in son's academic competence.

One thing that I found fascinating at Army was the was the team chemistry. During the winter and early spring when the team is basically constrained to practicing indoors, they actually eat together each evening in the field house. The evening meal is brought in to them and they eat together as part of their scheduled practice time.

Army did have a player, Schuyler Williamson, who was drafted by Detroit this last June. The Army is allowing him to defer his deployment pending the outcome of his professional experience. I believe he is doing recruiting during the off-season, and will ultimately either have to fulfill his 5 year commitment or repay the Army for his education. Either way, it is a great opportunity for Schuyler.

A cadet may leave within the first two years without incurring any penalty. Once they begin their Junior year, they are commited. It is true that the Service Academies are not part of the National Letter of Intent program. Nor are they subject to exactly the same recruiting guidelines as other NCAA Div I schools. Largely this is because the process of obtaining a nomination from a congressman, and being offered an appointment, is much more complex and time consuming. For example, my '07 will actually open his file for admission and begin the nomination process next month (January). This process is typically started in the spring of the Junior year. This does not mean that the Service academies do not have guidelines, they are just different. For example, they are able to contact a prospective student during their junior year, but the total number of contacts cannot exceed the same number of contacts allowed by other NCAA schools. In fact, if the prospect is a recruited athlete, then the admissions department is not allowed to make any personal contact with the prospective student in order to minimize the risk of exceeding the allowable contacts.

So for us, Army is our Plan A. However, as others have mentioned, we definitely plan to have a plan B and maybe even a plan C. My son has an eye condition that is automatically disqualifying at Naval and Air Force academies, but is a waiverable condition with Army. Therefore, because of the medical requirements, even if he is a recruited athlete and is offered admission based upon his academics, it will probably be late spring of his Senior Year before we have worked through medical waiver and will know for sure that he would be able to attend there. Whether we would do an NLI with another school is a decision that is still a year down the road, but it is something that we would consider. Of course, we would be totally upfront with school B and let them know that if medically qualified, son would accept appointment to the Academy. Since the Service Academies are not part of the NLI program, there would be no penalty in pursuing that avenue.

There is a listserve, email discussion group for parents and prospective applicants that has been very informative. If you like, PM me and I'll put you in touch so that you can subscribe to that list.

One more thing to keep in mind in regard to commitment...5 years active service plus 3 years reserve. We are a nation at war and most of the reserves are being called up...which equates to an 8 year commitment. As I think someone said this is not a "college choice" or a "baseball decision" this is a CAREER DECISION.
I have nothing but respect for the young men and women who choose to serve our country at this time in the world.

montanadad - well put - your information is very accurate.

We went through the recruitment process with my '05 HS graduate last year. He was being recruited to play football for Army. He was also being recruited by TCU, LA Tech, and Air Force. His first visit was to TCU in the Fall of 2004. I made this visit with him. I was very impressed with the school, coaches, and the overall atmosphere.

The next visit was to West Point in November of 2004. His mom went with him on this visit. He came back after that weekend ready to commit to Army. He was completely blown away with Coach Bobby Ross, the school, and the athletic facilities. I could not believe it, in fact I was not real happy about it.

I never did really understand the attraction of West Point until his mom and I took him up there on "Reception Day" (beginning of Cadet Basic Training) this past June. It became very apparent what the attraction was. To those who have never been to West Point it is hard to put into words what it is like.

In regard to the athletics facilities - they are second to NONE. I was very impressed with the overall athletic facilities. Atheletics are taken VERY seriously at West Point. Money does not appear to be an object.

In regard to getting admitted - yes, if you are a recruited athlete you will get the wheels greased to a degree. Don't let the lengthy and stringent admittance process scare your son off.

After 5 months at West Point my son absolutely knows he made the right decision to attend. He loves playing football for Bobby Ross. The man is one of the most motivating individuals I have ever met. West Point takes care of their athletes like no other school.

Is it tough? Oh yes!! The first year (Plebe year) is meant to weed out the weak and they do. But to the young men and women who have the goal of graduating from what may be the most demanding of all undergraduate universities it is well worth it.

If anyone has any questions about what to expect regarding the recruitment process or West Point in general PM me and I will do my best to help you.