Any insights into VMI beyond whats on their website?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I know a guy who went there and got drafted two years ago. PM me if you want to know a little more.
As an alum and former baseball player at VMI I am delighted at how far the program has come since I was there. (late 70's) The school has made a serious commitment to the program and believes baseball is one of the sports a school like VMI can become consistently competitive in. It helps that two very wealthy alums were baseball players in their day and have decided to put a lot of resources into the program. The facilities are excellent and the coaching staff is strong.
A young man who is considering playing ball there does have to understand though that VMI is what it is and everyone lives the life of a cadet. Athletes get to miss certain things such as the daily afternoon activities called "Military Duty" and a few meal formations, but they still participate in all the important Ratline traditions. Essentially, a baseball player will go through any training and workout regimen that any other college player would do and go through cadet life as well.
It's an experience most college athletes don't go through but the payoff can be tremendous. Commissioning in the armed services is not mandatory so an athlete can pursue his professional dreams if that's his goal. He also gets a first rate education and forms friendships that last a lifetime. I hve been out nearly 30 years and still consider my VMI roommates to be my best friends.
A young man who is considering playing ball there does have to understand though that VMI is what it is and everyone lives the life of a cadet. Athletes get to miss certain things such as the daily afternoon activities called "Military Duty" and a few meal formations, but they still participate in all the important Ratline traditions. Essentially, a baseball player will go through any training and workout regimen that any other college player would do and go through cadet life as well.
It's an experience most college athletes don't go through but the payoff can be tremendous. Commissioning in the armed services is not mandatory so an athlete can pursue his professional dreams if that's his goal. He also gets a first rate education and forms friendships that last a lifetime. I hve been out nearly 30 years and still consider my VMI roommates to be my best friends.
