“You’ve heard the old adage ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’…well you’ve got a pretty good tree right here,” pointing to Coach Newman.

 

Coach Rowley explained that qualities like structure, discipline and leadership are major factors in what he looks for in recruits, because without those traits, you will struggle at West Point. He told the group that the structure, discipline and leadership being instilled at ATA are exactly what he is looking for in recruits.

 

“Coach Newman has already planted the seed, and it makes it that much easier when coming to the Academy,” Coach Rowley said.

 

The United States Military Academy is located in West Point, New York, about 50 miles north of New York City on the Hudson River.

 

“It’s right on the Hudson,” Coach Rowley said. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”

 

The school has a co-ed enrollment of around 4500 students.  Academically, the school is best known for its engineering department. Students at West Point are referred to as cadets, and are considered to be officers in training. The U.S. Army, in exchange for an active-duty service obligation of 5 years, funds tuition costs for all students.

 

The Army Black Nights compete in the Patriot League at the NCAA Division I level. In 2011, the team went 13-11, while going 6-0 in conference play and claiming the Patriot League Conference Championship. Most importantly, as Coach Rowley expressed, the team beat Navy.

 

Coach Rowley closed his visit by expressing gratitude to Coach Newman and everyone at ATA.

 

“Thank you all for allowing me to come into your world for a day and see what’s going on.”