I'll stand (sit, actually) partially corrected:
 
The admission standards include academics (and, in hockey's case, the
non-trivial requirement of US Citizenship).  What I *meant* to say was that
they cannot recruit for athletics only, taking "marginal" scholars (e.g.,
Charles Mann for football, or any of a LARGE number, especially steriod-ball
and pituitary-ball, players who are in danger of Prop 48 ineligibility
*despite* being on scholarship) to flesh out a competitive team.
 
There are also a number of "at large"-type admissions, reserved for the
President, Vice President, and others (like Medal of Honor recipient's
children, and other unusual cases) which can be used to add (for hockey
purposes) Minnesotans, Maine-iacs (sorry, had to do that 8^) ), etc.
 
Friends of mine who attended Air Force tell me that athletes must complete
the same courses all other students do; must attend the same summer
training; and can look forward to a 5-year minimum commitment to the armed
forces.  There are exceptions (David Robinson, Napoleon McCallum), but the
fact that you can name them and count them on one hand, versus the hundreds
of varsity athletes who graduate each year, says that it's a truly unusual
exception to the rule.
 
So, for the serious junor or high school hockey player, with NHL aspirations,
 Army just ain't it.
 
Steve G
-------------
Original Text
From [log in to unmask] (The College Hockey Discussion List), on
4/10/96 8:09 AM:
> In defense of Army (no pun intended):
>
> They *can't* recruit athletes; they have congressionally mandated
admissions
> standards, and every applicant must meet those standards; if any happen to
> be exceptional athletes in any sport, that's gravy.
 
Oh, but they can and do!  My son received his first letter from the
Army coaching staff when he was a sophomore in high school.  He has
received other materials since then.  And we expect more when it can
be done in accord with NCAA regulations.  Yes, standards must be met.
But when an athlete they want meets those standards and is
interested, appointments and admission can be arranged.  Not unlike
many other schools.
 
 
Philip R. Baumann                     Phone:  (218) 236-2943
Department of Political Science         Fax:  (218) 236-3945
Moorhead State University
Moorhead, Minnesota  56563    E-mail: [log in to unmask]
 
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