If I recall correctly, in the old days (up until the mid 1970's), all cadets, including athletes, majored in engineering or a hard science.
At the Naval Academy all midshipmen are required to complete 1st year Calculus and 1st year Calculus based Physics and 1st year Chemistry. I don’t believe there are any exceptions. They should have went to one of the other schools so they could take “Grievance Studies for Athletes” as befitting their 5th grade reading level. College athletics needs to be reduced to the club level with minor league professional leagues for those who aren’t university level students.
You are correct. The “Long Grey Line” is an excellent read about the class of 66 , [by Rick Atkinson].