I say we ban all but intramural sports from our service academies and use those funds for more real education.
I am not an Academy graduate, but I did serve on the faculty in both an Academic Department and in the USCC. I think that Caslen is on a fool’s errand, which was my view of several things that he did at the Combined Arms Center at Ft. Leavenworth.
First class athletes in Division I football programs live a life that cannot be replicated at West Point. While subject to NCAA rules, the top notch programs still can offer perks that are simply beyond the reach of the Military Academy. Coupled with the service obligation that goes with graduation, West Point cannot recruit first rate players no matter what the academic standards might be. Navy does marginally better because of the location of the Naval Academy and the less austere reputation of Canoe U.
Caslan cannot turn this around and I don’t think that it makes much sense to try. The Academies are much better suited to the Ivy League than to the big leagues of the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, etc.
If the Army can promote an AA Hispanic to general ranks they can let in less intelligent football players without any harm.
They’ll never beat Navy no matter what they try.
I was stationed at West Point. On of my neighbors, a history instructor, told me that the standards were relaxed and he was indignant that this was the best they could do with lowered standards.
I’m a grad....and I once roomed with a football player.
Imho, academic standards are not what holds USMA back. The service obligation does. So how come Navy keepw beating them? For starters, the Navy has given the signal that, if you turn out to be pro material, they will bend the rules and make it happen. Also I believe Navy has been more lenient on pre-commissioning height/weight.
I often tell people that west point is a relic of the past - where the athletes truly are ‘student’ athletes. Sure they get special tutors and special treatment, but they really do go to school there. Most college teams...those guys would never get within a thousand yards of campus if it weren’t for football...they stay in.a special athlete dorm away from other students...and really don’t participate in the student experience in any way. I don’t mind that West Point still has real students playing. I would like to beat Navy though.
We will see what this guy can do....@CoachJeffMonken
I stopped at the second paragraph.
They want to relax admission standards for football???????
Unbelievable.
.
What about the Navy? Aren’t they supposed to win, too?
It seems the author created a false choice - lower standards or keep losing to Navy. I’m not sure Navy, has lowered standards much below where they were in 80’s/90’s when USMA did much better - USNA starts from a lower standards base anyway, as it is usually a candidates’ second choice anyway:)
We’re not talking about beating Alabama - just competitive against the other service academies like we used to be. Better coaching and recruiting is what is required, not a relaxing of standards. There are some amazing athletes on the West Point football team. My view is that some of the better football candidates choose Navy and Airforce because they don’t want to get blown up in Afghanistan. Much easier picture to paint for a 17 yr old to serve on a beach somewhere with palm trees and Mai Tais in the officers mess.