MAKING A BLACK KNIGHT West Point is the kind of place where young men and women physically, militarily, cadet-athletes are always striving to and academically, cadet-athletes join not increase the standards established by only a team of Generals but of Olympians previous distinguished generations of and business leaders as well. Army cadet-athletes. These special West Point graduates who competed at the people work tremendously hard, both in highest level of intercollegiate athletics have the classroom and in various sporting gone on to lead our Army, our government, arenas as they prepare for roles as and our country. Former Army athletes include combat leaders. names like General Omar Bradley, Douglas Each one of these special individuals MacArthur, H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Edwin chosen to don the Black, Gold and E “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. and President Dwight D. Gray represent West Point against Eisenhower. the best that Division I athletics has All Army athletes are members of an elite to offer. By wearing the Black, Gold, tradition of college athletics spanning more and Gray, they have also chosen to than 100 years. They are a devoted group of join previous generations of Army people who chose to wear the Black, Gold, athletes who have competed on the and Gray, always representing West Point “fields of friendly strife.” and the United States Corps of Cadets with By committing themselves to tremendous pride and an enormous sense of West Point’s mission of developing duty to succeed. SO M ETHING LARGER THAN THE INDIVIDUAL Upon entering the Academy, every Through teamwork, Army athletes cadet develops an understanding of develop a rich appreciation for: teamwork and being part of something larger than the individual. The Army • Respect athletes understanding of teamwork is uniquely enhanced daily during practice • Shared Sacrifice and competition. • Commitment West Point athletes learn to come • Selfless Service together and work towards a common • Leadership goal, helping each other in all aspects of cadet life. Through their collective efforts, • Motivation Army athletes form strong bonds that last • Inspiring Others a lifetime. • Unified Success The relationships built through athletics is one of the most rewarding parts of • Lifelong bonds being a Black Knight, and these bonds • Communication are something cadet-athletes recall fondly when asked why being an athlete is important. “The United States Military Academy has really changed my life. West Point has made my life much more fulfilling and rewarding. I don’t know what I would do without West Point or where I would be. I take West Point with me everywhere. I learned to be a responsible man, a dependable man, and a man who understood that limitations or failure are just part of the process of becoming who you’re going to be.” - Mike Krzyzewski, Hall of Fame Coach, West Point Class of 1969 WEST POINT HERITAGE ““InIn thethe eveningevening ofof mymy memory,memory, alwaysalways I comecome bbackack ttoo WWestest point.point. AlwaysAlways therethere echoesechoes andand rre-echoese-echoes ...... DutyDuty ---- HonorHonor ---- Country.Country. TodayToday mmarksarks mymy fi nnalal rollroll callcall withwith you.you. ButBut I wantwant yyouou toto kknow,now, wwhenhen I ccrossross tthehe rriver,iver, mmyy lastlast cconsciousonscious thoughtsthoughts willwill bebe ofof TheThe CorpsCorps ...... aandnd TheThe CorpsCorps ...... andand TheThe CorpsCorps ...”...” GENERAL DOUGLAS MacARTHUR THE MISSION OF THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an offi cer in the United States Army. WEST POINT THE PREMIER LEADER DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTION IN THE NATION BLACK ARMYKNIGHTS BASKETBALL U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY The mission of the U.S. Military Academy is to educate, train, and inspire Physical development is achieved through a rigorous athletic and physical the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of char- education program. Each cadet participates at the intercollegiate, club or in- acter committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country; professional growth tramural level each semester. This readies the cadet for the physical demands throughout a career as an offi cer in the U.S. Army; and a lifetime of selfl ess of military life and helps teach good judgment and self-discipline, even while service to the Nation. under mental and physical stress. Founded on March 16, 1802, the Academy celebrated its Bicentennial in Military development begins with the cadet’s fi rst day at West Point. Most 2002. But West Point’s role in America’s history dates to the Revolutionary military training takes place during the summer, with new cadets undergoing War, when both sides realized the strategic importance of the commanding Cadet Basic Training, or Beast Barracks, their fi rst year, followed the second plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River. Gen. George Washington con- summer by Cadet Field Training. Cadets spend their third and fourth summers sidered West Point to be the most strategic position in America. He personally serving in active Army units around the world; attending specialty training such selected Thaddeus Kosciuszko, one of the heroes of Saratoga, to design the as airborne, air assault or northern warfare or helping to train the fi rst- and fortifi cations in 1778 after problems arose with French engineers originally second-year cadets. The Cadet Leader Development System seeks to give the placed in charge of the design. In 1779, General Washington transferred his cadets increasing responsibility until they are ready to receive their commis- headquarters to West Point. Continental soldiers built forts, batteries and de- sions and assume their duties as leaders in today’s Army. fensive barriers. A 100-ton iron chain was extended across the Hudson to Moral and ethical values guide cadets throughout their four years at West control river traffi c. Today, several links from that chain are arranged at Trophy Point. Commitment to the Academy’s “Bedrock Values,” based on integrity and Point as a reminder of West Point’s original fortifi cations. respect for the dignity of others, begins on the fi rst day. Integrity is refl ected in In 1802 President Thomas Jefferson signed the legislation establishing the Cadet Honor Code which states: “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or toler- the U.S. Military Academy to create an institution devoted to the arts and sci- ate those who do.” Respect denotes that cadets treat others with the same re- ences of warfare. This effectively eliminated America’s wartime reliance on spect and dignity they themselves would expect. At West Point, it is not enough foreign engineers and artillerists. West Point became the nation’s fi rst engi- to train leaders—they must be leaders of character. neering school and served as the model for engineering programs which Admission is keenly competitive and is open to young men and were eventually established at other colleges. women from all states and territories and from every socioeconomic Col. Sylvanus Thayer, the “Father of the Military Academy,” served level. Prospective cadets must receive a nomination by a member as Superintendent from 1817 through 1833. He upgraded academ- of Congress or from the Department of the Army. The Academy ic standards, instilled military discipline and emphasized honorable seeks candidates who possess records of success in academics, conduct. Early graduates were largely responsible for the construc- athletics and leadership indicative of well-rounded individuals. tion of the nation’s initial railway lines, bridges, harbors, and roads. Although the life of a cadet is demanding, there remains an array Although the curriculum maintains its focus on engineering, of club activities ranging from golf, skiing, boxing, crew and orienteer- in recent decades the program of instruction has markedly ing to such organizations as the cadet radio station, Habitat changed, providing cadets a selection of more than 40 for Humanity and Big Brothers-Big Sisters. Additionally, the majors. This tradition of academic and military excel- U.S. Corps of Cadets hosts a Special Olympics event each lence, guided by a demanding standard of moral spring. and ethical conduct, remains the cornerstone of Today’s Military Academy is a vastly different the West Point experience. institution from the small academy legislated into be- It is said at West Point that “much of the ing by Congress in 1802. Originally just 1,800 acres, history we teach was made by those people we the Academy has grown to more than 16,000 acres. taught.” The Academy has produced famous The fi rst graduating class numbered just two men; leaders throughout its illustrious past…Civil War today’s classes graduate more than 900 new offi - Generals Grant, Sherman, Lee, and Jackson, cers annually, both men and women, who are pre- to name but a few. In World War I, 34 of the 38 pared for leadership roles within the Army. corps and division commanders were graduates. With the expansion of knowledge and the changing World War II would see many graduates reach briga- needs of the United States Army and the nation, life at dier general or higher, to include Eisenhower, MacAr- West Point has changed to keep pace. Ever mindful of its thur, Bradley and Patton. In more recent confl icts, MacArthur, rich heritage, the U.S. Military Academy is developing lead- Ridgway, Westmoreland, Abrams, Schwarzkopf and Abizaid ers for tomorrow, and its focus remains the national needs of were in command. the 21st century. Academy graduates have also excelled in air and space ex- ploration, and countless others went on from military service to become leaders in medicine, law, business, religion and sci- ence. Since its founding, the Military Academy fulfi lls the same mis- FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT sion as it always has .