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Not to mention the letter of recommendation from a senator, the required military service commitment after graduation...etc etc
And here's another few things that the average hockey fan (JS Tigers not among that group) doesn't realize... The cadet-athletes are real students. Look at the USAFA curriculum. Do you realize that last semester the team captain (Weisgarber) and the goalie (Caple) took Astronautical Engineering? Why? Because EVERY cadet has to take that class to graduate and they have since the place opened. Just the prereqs for the course would blow most players out of the water: Two sems of Calculus, two semesters of Physics, and previous intro courses in Aero, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering--all of which are graduation requirements regardless of your major. Yes, Virginia, even our History and English majors take all of these courses. Not even Harvard can say this. It may not be cold and dark Alaska, but the recruiting (and retention) challenges for DI players at USAFA leave other programs in the dust. BTW, Weisgarber earned an A in Astro and I think Caple had a B or B+. The fact that they're in these classes (and, in fact, I've been one of their profs) makes me cheer for them all the more.
That sure would be great! I told my one-year-old grandson (who attended the game last night and cheered - or was it screamed -- loudly for the Falcons) that the last time AFA won on CC's ice, his father wasn't even born yet.
Also add in the fact that even with the incredibly challenging course work, service academy athletes have to graduate and need to do it ON TIME. Does anyone at UAA, Minnesota, or most schools give a **** whether the players graduate on time, if at all? The answer is a big, fat NO. These guys have a rigorous academic schedule to go along with their military training, and the work load they endure is second to no one. I think it's laughable that anyone would deny the disadvantage the service academies face.
Read what I said. I never denied the fact that the service academies have challenges in recruiting. I'm commenting on the fact that you guys are saying its only the service academies that have disadvantages in getting players. Plenty of schools are limited by geography (the Alaska schools, the UP schools), entry requirements (the Ivies), academic standards (the Ivies again, the tech schools) etc.Oh yes...that compares to the challenges of recruiting at a service academy.Spare me the denial.
Where was it said that service academies are the only ones who have recruiting disadvantages? I don't recall anyone saying that, and if anyone did, they are sorely mistaken. As a CC fan, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't think that only service academies have disadvantages, because CC has plenty as well. But it is undeniable that service academies have bigger challenges than the rest.
It seems nobody said it specifically but, the attitude that you've been giving with your posts, and others, imply it.
Yes, there are a number of institutions who face their own set of challenges, and don't get me wrong: I would never deny that. Especially as a CC fan, where there are plenty of challenges. The service academies undeniably have the smallest pool of talent to recruit from. That is not debatable; it is fact. These student athletes have to meet the toughest standards of any school, plus many challenges that are unique only to the service academies. That severely limits who can be recruited, and it takes many athletes off the table who would be on the table for the other 56 schools in D1.
I think it's debatable. Is Air Force not in first place in their conference? It may be Atlantic Hockey but those disadvantages don't seem to be holding them back. Despite the recent performance, the US talent isn't as shallow as it seems. Air Force may not be able to recruit Canadians, but, with the exception of the Big Ten schools and maybe BU, BC, NoDak, and DU, the vast majority of talent is out of reach of NCAA schools. We may be able to recruit foreign players, but the talent level available compared to American players is a wash and Air Force is a more attractive option to many players then places like UAA or Mankato or Ferris State.
It's a 5-year commitment, but TEN if you go to pilot training. The military life of being a cadet means that breakfast is at 0720 and it's mandatory. Life as a freshman (doolie) is even more challenging. Summers aren't spent in ice training either, but in survival training, jump, soaring, space, cyber, academics, travel, language immersions, and other fun. Just saying...
Very good points. Too often, coaches and fans don't understand and appreciate the "other" athletic abilities that make such a big difference: brains and heart. I'm glad Frank Serratore does. I'll stop now because it's time to go to the brewpub for a burger and IPA prior to the DU game.