Visiting the Naval Academy

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>My son, wife and myself will be visiting the Naval Academy on the 26th. We are planning to catch the briefing at 9 AM at Leahy. I am familiar with Annapolis but have not been on the Academy grounds since I was in middle school, many years ago. It appears that the only tour is the one offered to the public. Does the Academy not offer a tour to perspective students? </p>

<p>Since he is a junior and an application really can not be submitted until after the new year. While we are there he would like the chance to meet the soccer coach or someone on his staff just to show he has interest potentially in playing. He sent an email a week ago but has not heard a response. I believe NCAA allows response to emails at this point. But phone calls currently need to be initiated by my son. So hopefully tonight he can place a call and possibly reach someone on staff there. </p>

<p>Any advice on the visit or contacting the coach?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Check with your guidance counselor or high school coach (or athletic director) regarding contact between athletes and D-1 schools. The rules are strict.<br>
CM</p>

3

<p>If you are talking with your guidance counselor, high school coach or athletic director, be sure that they are aware of the special rules with regard to the national service academies. The following is an excerpt from the NCAA Division I Manual:
[quote]
13.16.1.1 During Junior Year in High School. Members of the athletics staffs of the U.S. Air Force, Military, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and Naval Academies, where Congressionally required institutional procedures applying to all cadets and midshipmen, regardless of athletics ability, are in conflict with the Association’s legislation governing telephonic and off-campus recruiting contacts, may make in-person, telephonic and off-campus contacts during a prospect’s junior year in high school. The total number of such contacts, including those subsequent to the prospect’s junior year, shall not exceed the number permitted in the applicable sport.

[/quote]
</p>

4

<p>I did not realize that the service academies were granted different treatments. But my son will attempt to make contact this afternoon. When I was coaching at the community college I became aware of all sort of unique rules. From what I recall a junior was allowed contact if they initiated it. But the coach could not call a junior but could reply to his email or his phone call.</p>

5

<p>Don't know how much this will help, but I can share our son's experience (at least to the extent that I can recall the details of what he did and the timeframe as to how things unfolded):</p>

<p>JUNIOR YEAR:</p>

<p>-son visited the academy (parents in tow) in August prior to start of Junior year; met with admissions, attended info session, went on tour through the visitor center </p>

<p>-He contacted the coach via letter early Sept - included a copy of athletic CV; he received a letter of response about a month later with a recruiting form</p>

<p>-He received an invite to top prospect day for his sport (held in Feb) sometime in January of Junior year- there were several letters if I recall sent from the assistant coaches prior to the event</p>

<p>TOP PROSPECT DAY: </p>

<p>-He attended the top prospect day in Feb, at which time the candidates met the coaches, went on a tour of the yard arranged for the group (led by some of the mids on the team if I recall), attended an info session for the group (more informal than the one we attended with the admissions office) and had an opportunity to meet and speak to mids already there....the mids who took them on the tour were very blunt....no questions off limits or unanswered, no answers sugar coated...some very funny and some that even raised this parent's eyebows a bit! But the best part is that it was very real- and very honest-and exactly what the kids needed (and wanted) to hear about-all the skuttlebutt they never tell you on the tours! </p>

<p>-The prospects met with the Academic Team Officer and the Professional Team Officer (not sure if those titles are correct, but there were 2 officers assigned to the team that the group met with- one that oversees the academics of the team, and the other that oversees the professional military side)...both were very helpful and very patient in answering lots of questions and meeting the candidates and the parents in attendance</p>

<p>END OF JUNIOR YEAR:</p>

<p>-Son updated athletic CV after finishing spring season, as well as
junior year grades to coach </p>

<p>-attended sports camp at academy summer for his primary sport during summer, in addition to several other recruiting camps held throughout the northeast (Navy recruiting coach attended several of them) (just as an aside, most coaches have their top recruits list pretty well established, if not finalized, at this point, with secondarys if needed...so contacting in Senior year is, in my opinion, a very late start)</p>

<p>SENIOR YEAR:</p>

<p>-Late Sept: he requested his current HS coach (of his primary sport) to contact the navy coach on his behalf, which he did after testing our son on his PAE. </p>

<p>-had several contacts with asst. coach early in Fall of senior year</p>

<p>-Unbeknownst to our son (or us) three unsolicited calls were also made to the Navy coaches as far as we know: one from the athletic director of the HS (a college all-american, former coach and hall-of-famer in the sport), one from the coach of his travel team (another all-american), and one later that spring from a coach of a rival school who, after loosing a highly contested match, complimented our son on a great game-knew he was interested in Navy- and wanted to put in a good word! Talk about good sportsmanship! Just goes to show sometimes you never know what is happening behind the scenes, or who the silent cheerleaders are supporting your effort- our son found all this out well after the fact, at the county awards dinner just prior to graduation- and was very appreciative of the support (and, judging from the noticable "blush" and a grin that spread ear to ear, very surprised, honored, embarrased, humbled, pleased.....)... he never realized how many people he had in his corner! (besides his BGO and us that is!)</p>

<p>-son sent update of athletic CV to coach and admission office following completion of each sports season (fall, winter, spring, only as he is a 3-varsity athlete and updated info re: all conference, all county achievements), as well as a copy to his BGO</p>

<p>-patiently (well, not always so patiently) waited to hear! Finished SATs, winter and spring sports, visits to his other schools, etc...the roller coaster everyone finds themselves on sooner or later. The hard part was waiting for the decision from USNA, especially as he had other coaches pushing for decisions- that was hard as he met some outstanding people on the journey, wanted to be forthcoming and honest with everyone, and yet hold off until he heard. That was tough, especially as he had nothing but the highest regard for the coachs, especially those from West Point and the USMMA...top notch, each and every one!</p>

<p>OTHER MISC THOUGHTS:</p>

<p>-the rules are strict re: contacts, however the applicant can initiate calls to the coach at any time (double check the rules on the website...it is different for every sport; football and basketball are definately the most restrictive in terms of rules, contact dates, etc)...</p>

<p>-this is "in-season" for the soccer coaches- they may not be available this time of year to meet- so send a letter and athletic CV, and follow up with a call from your son after the soccer season is done-</p>

<p>-also, be sure to register at NCAA Clearinghouse- I believe our son did that at the start of his senior year- and remember to have all SATs and school transcript sent there-</p>

<p>-our son made several visits to the academy over the course of 2 yrs but only "met" with the coach on one occassion (top prospect day)...that was at the very start of their season....there was no calls from the coaches during the actual season itself, although I remember letters coming to the house letting us know how Navy was doing, and later the coaches were at the recuriting camps our son attended that summer as well as at the Navy camp...the rest of the contacts were through letters, e-mails or phone conversations- the candidate is busy finishing up HS, and the coaches are busy coaching- so that was really the only way that seemed to work- patience, interest, persistance are key- lots of patience-</p>

<p>-the reality is this: if you have the athletic skills and ability the coaches want, and the athletic credentials to get in, they will keep tabs on you- if you are borderline (academically or athletically), it may take more effort, so keep updating your file- continue to work on academics AND skills- if you have "it"...it takes "it" to play D-1...and there is nothing wrong with playing D-2,3 or club....but having said that, if you have "it" you will hear from "them"...if not, then know to put your efforts elsewhere...</p>

<p>-as for tours, I do not believe the admissions office offers tours- there are just too many applicants, let alone candidates- so that is done through the visitor center, which does a terrific job- they are all very knowledgable - while they can show you the physical plant and give you some insight into mid life, do not overlook the asset your son has in his BGO...our son's BGO was a huge help...and our son was very fortunate to have him as a mentor and guide through this process, so I would suggest your son contact his BGO if he has not already done so and put his effort there if he does not get a response from the coaches (and even if he does!)</p>

<p>-the admissions office does offer candidate weekend visits- my understanding is by invitation only- our son did not get offered one, nor did he get selected for summer seminar (he applied)...but he did get invited to the top prospect day ...but here is where the sports camp was particuarly beneficial in that it gave him a back-door "stay" on the yard and insight into Bancroft and mid life- he got to meet and speak to lots of mids that were there and learned a lot- and he got a solid taste- 5 long, hard, exhausting days worth- of what would be expected of him from the athletic side of things....let alone the academic side and all the other sides of the academy!</p>

<p>Have fun on your visit- remind your son not to put all his eggs in one basket- eat some crabs while you are there- stop and talk to as many mids as you can- most were very willing (and some even eager!) to talk to us on our various visits to the yard! </p>

<p>Very long-winded, and not soccer-oriented, but I hope of some help.</p>

<p>Best of luck, and let us know how you made out!</p>

6

<p>correction to the above:</p>

<p>"if you have the athletic skills and ability the coaches want, and the athletic credentials to get in..."....what i meant to say was the "academic credentials to get in...." </p>

<p>now thats better! thats what you get when your mind is working faster than your finger's capacity to fly over the keyboard-</p>

7

<p>Navy2010 thanks for all the insight! My son spent overnight at a church outing, but was to attempt to call the soccer coach last evening. I am not sure of the results. But I am fully aware of the "in season" problem. Which is currently presenting a problem in contacting his BGO, his only contact information is during daytime business hours, which hinders my son getting enough quiet time to contact him.</p>

<p>As far as "it" he has played for one of the top clubs in the state, with his current team ranked as high as 6. He can show a commitment to soccer as we would travel 2x week for a practice 90 mins from home and once a week at 1-2 hours for a game. That has limited his EC, so we are looking at the prospect for him to leave that team and play at a local team albeit at a lower level and boost his EC's into other interests.</p>

<p>This is first visit to any of the academies formally. The last two weekends in Oct has formal visits to both Coast Guard and Air Force. While visiting Coast Guard we will tour Merchant Marines and Army.</p>

<p>Hopefully on the plane ride back for Air Force he can make a decision what schools make his list. </p>

<p>Though he has spent over 10 years playing one sport, not playing in college would not destroy him, I believe. He is currently suffering through the "growth spurt", 4+ inches in a year, that really messes with your coordination. Playing Div I is no easy task, I think he is prepared for it via his club exposure. Just need to be patient and wait and see.</p>

8

<p>I remember those trips to away soccer games ....thank goodness the practices for us were close! The advantage you have is that your son is starting early enough in the process to take a look at what he has and what he still might need-we found that to be a big help. </p>

<p>It sounds like your son has the sports thing in the right perspective. </p>

<p>Playing D-1 anything is tough- our daughter rowed 4+ years in HS (48/52 weeks a year) in addition to 5 years of a second varsity sport (as captain, brought up to varsity in 8th grade) ...she is now rowing her 4th year varsity in a D-1 program- add to that she is a double-major (physics/engineering) and minored in math- I mention this only to highlight that this has not been easy- out of her class of 12+ recruits (2, including her, went varsity directly as freshmen, the rest JV), she is one of 2 left still rowing senior year! I can only imagine how rough the D-1 programs are at the academies, and I have no illusions that while our son plans on continuing his primary sport on the varsity level, first, as good as he is, the reality is that he may not make it- there are a lot of talented kids out there- second, there may be a time where the academic side demands otherwise, and third, the end of sports can be just one injury away! </p>

<p>My best advice? go for the academics- keep your end-goal in sight- the sports are a bonus, no matter what level you play- we saw kids having the time of their lives playing scrimmage football at Notre Dame, one dorm against another- out on the quads- with other dorms cheering them on- they were clearly having way more fun than the football players who made varsity but were having a lousy season! Now they looked miserable! (thank goodness they are doing better this year!) </p>

<p>Sports might open a door....you just want to make sure it is the door to the place you want opened! The litmus test is to make sure you like the school without the sports- just in case things don't go exactly as planned!</p>

<p>Have a safe trip- and best of luck!</p>

9

<p>there is the candidate visit weekend if he applies to the academy and gets invited.</p>

10

<p>Makes for a long day between business and personal during our academy visit. Had to make three trips up the hill to the state house. Once for business, once to find my son and wife and a thrid to get my car which I had moved from off base.</p>

<p>Anyway arrived at 9:00 AM for the briefing has a nice video and some quality time to talk one on one with a Lt. in admissions. Former Academy grad from MD, that is what she felt was the toughest part. Per capita I believe Maryland has the largest representation at the academy. His athletics were a plus, SAT's were a plus, grades were livable, EC's needed some work but the fact of playing club ball helped. Suggested he look at round out his EC's and deliver on his promise to go 4.0 or better this semester. I must say not too many revelations from the briefing, most everything covered is also available with some research from their website. The biggest benefit was meeting face to face, I think it helped put some of the reservations he has to rest.</p>

<p>The guided tour was much better than I thought it would be, of course the last time I took this tour I was in 7th grade. I was amazed at the size of the Herndon monument. Luckily we were able to complete the guided tour before I had to go to my meeting. My wife and son continued a self guided tour afterwards.</p>

<p>He will need to keep working to contact the soccer coach. I can understand his difficulty of being available during the season. If I can coordinate the schedules we will try to take in a game or two this season.</p>

<p>My son is looking forward to summer seminar, provided he gets accepted. We even talked a bit about NAPS, as he will only be 17 when entering a year extra would place him at the same age as most fresh out of High School with the added benefit of NAPS training.</p>

<p>We shall see, he seems very positive from the first visit.</p>

11

<p>I'm a plebe right now, and I'll be 17 until November! I find it fine though, I don't have any problems and you can't tell any difference between me and my roomates (who are 18 and 20) in performance. The 20 year old is a Napster. He always says how life there is nothing like life here, and it's for people who really need it, not people who just want some extra experience.</p>

12

<p>hdhouse3rd: sounds like you had a great visit and your son is on his way! good luck with the soccer coach- and send that letter with athletic cv- hopefully your son will have some good stats to report from his own season! best of luck!</p>