Army Black Knights used alcohol, women to recruit football players

ESPN ^ | October 26, 2015 | ESPN

[chargers fan]

Army has disciplined 20 cadets for promoting underage drinking and has self-reported a football recruiting violation to the NCAA stemming from an incident that took place earlier this year, according to a report by The Gazette of Colorado Springs.

According to documents obtained by The Gazette, Army treated recruits to a party, dinner with female cadets, cash from boosters and VIP treatment on a party bus that included cheerleaders and a police escort in January.

[chargers fan]

Not sure what to think on this one since each side has something that rubs me the wrong way. First, I don't care that this is something that happens at most colleges on most recruiting trips (and to a worst degree). USMA is supposed to be different. Add to that the fact I always didn't appreciate it when it appeared football players or other "Corps Squaders" (participants on the Division 1 varsity teams) had an air of distance from the other cadets about them. Second, those in the academy that don't like the football program used this as further ammunition. I found it funny that Dwight Mears (the individual who penned an OPED while still an active duty officer teaching at the academy stating that the new focus on creating a winning team would hurt the academy in the long run) made himself available for comment on this story. I almost suspect he is attempting to be the token "anti USMA football" guy every time a story about USMA athletics comes out. Third, I don't know whether to laugh or cry at the fact that the Palisades Mall is held up as an example of a crazy party place. That speaks more to the nature of the surrounding towns to USMA. Frankly when I think of a recruiting trip scandal a boozed up limo ride in the big city comes to mind rather than a trip down to the dang Palisades Mall. Fourth, if USMA is going to have SEC morals for their football team at least the football team could have a SEC record.

Finally, to preempt any "This is an example of the military under Obama" posts the fact is that cadets have misbehaved since 1802 and athletes on the campus have long had a reputation for ignoring the USMA rules (whether deserved or not).

[bigdaddy45]

This has nothing to do with Obama. This is Division I athletics. Army sucks at football. And I guess they’re tired of sucking at football, and want to attract some better players. In short.... who cares.

[affan76]

I am a USAFA grad. This guy has been been trying to create sensationalism (make a name for himself) by attacking USAFA with all sorts of “breaking news from USAFA”. The just release IG report on the Athletic Dept which gave a more than passing grade of efficient, must have made him set his sights on a new target. Be patient, he will go away.

[DIRTYSECRET]

I don’t believe a word of it. Neither should you.

[chargers fan]

USMA Superitendent released a statement regarding this.

http://www.usma.edu/news/Shared%20Documents/Superintendent's%20Statement%20to%20Colorado%20Gazette%20Article.pdf

[windcliff]

Women.....just women getting in the way—Mick Jagger on the break-up of The Ruttles.

[BenLurkin]

Go Army

Beat Air Force

[ExSoldier]

When I was on active duty as a young Lieutenant serving on a division staff, I used to hate attending staff meetings with USMA grads. We called them ring knockers because when they wanted to make a specific point with the CG they'd gently rap their college rings on the table. Then there was the very real specter of the famed WPPA or West point Protective Association which kept the grads out of the most serious troubles that can befall young officers. Because it's senior West Pointers that sit on promotion boards. Another thing that always bothered me (being a graduate of ROTC myself) was the fact that all USMA grads graduated before the ROTC students so they had automatic date of rank over us, so in a group of young officers of identical ranks, the pointers had the power. So I harken back in a snarky manner to the great cheating scandals of that era and recall fondly the change in mascot from the donkey to the Cheetah.

[Perdogg]

Where would they get the women from?

[Vermont Lt]

Happens every day at universities all over the country.

The administration found out and self reported. That’s what is supposed to happen.

And going before a Commanants Board is NOT like going to the Dean’s office. I am sure the punishment did not fit the crime. I would think it was worse.

[Benito Cereno]

Considering all the crap that has gone on under Troy Calhoun, I can understand why you might be inclined to disregard this kind of report. USAFA is the only place you can go 2-10 and still have a job as head coach.

[chargers fan]

You want an M&M?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p37ipiGsOhk

[chargers fan]

Or USMA with Ellerson’s middle years.

[affan76]

Though there are privacy issues, one can look at the USAFA roster before the 2-10 season and then the 2-10 season actual roster and see that there were notable players missing,i.e. the whole secondary. We had running backs playing secondary.

We (alumni for the most part) were all for getting the football players who “played cadets” off the team and withstand the season(s) we did. We have returned to cadets who also happen to play football representing the Academy, playing the AF football way. We are supportive of how TC handled the situation. But I digress, this thread is about USMA.

[Benito Cereno]

Many of the missing players were missing for morals issues, e.g., the starting QB.

[blueunicorn6]

My university used alcohol and men to recruit the female volleyball players. I felt so cheap and easy and happy.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Oh geez! Women & alcohol!

[GeronL]

shut down the football program for a couple years. Anyone giving alcohol to a minor should face at least a year in jail. If they hired these “women” then that should be another year.

[Benito Cereno]

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a season ticket holder and there are some good things happening this year, including the CiC trophy coming back. I just think Calhoun has way too many issues (play calling, clock management, and ignoring morals issues for a good number of years) for him to still have a job.

[TADSLOS]

LMAO.