Behind the Balance: Dyan Poley ’27 — Keydet Football 

Virginia Military Institute’s cadet-athletes have to juggle cadet life, heavy academic course loads, and their NCAA Division I sport. Committed to both academic and athletic pursuits, balancing their rigorous schedule in both sports and school requires a certain level of commitment and discipline. Behind the Balance is a series that focuses on those cadet-athletes and how they handle the hurdles of the day-to-day. 

Growing up right outside West Point, Dylan Poley ’27 knew he wanted to be a cadet somewhere when he went to college.  

“West Point was the goal inevitably, but I went to a Virginia Military Institute vs. Army football game during my freshman year of high school, and I had never heard of VMI before,” he explained. “It kind of drew me into doing some research.” 

He went on to play football through high school and committed to a Division III school in Massachusetts.  

“Then in February of my senior year, I got an offer to come down here and play, and it was a no-brainer,” he said. 

Coming from a football family, Poley has been playing since second grade. He knew it was something he wanted to continue post-high school. He credits his parents for influencing him to pursue a military college — specifically for the opportunities, leadership options, and academics. 

“I knew I wanted to play football for military college, and that was the goal.” 

Poley is an international studies major with a national security minor, currently taking 14.5 credits. He’s set to graduate in the spring and commission into the U.S. Army.  

His days are packed with football, classes, ROTC, and other cadet duties. He currently holds rank as an Old Corps Lieutenant and is a member of the Honor Court. 

He aims to attend law school and become a JAG officer. He joined the Honor Court to gain experience, wanting to bridge the gap between being a football player and holding cadet rank. He thought it’d be a great experience for him, and he was honored to be elected by his peers.  

“For Honor Court and Old Corps, I think at least the people in my class on the football team, we wanted to set an example for the younger guys that you can hold rank and be a football player,” he stated. “We try to bridge that gap and show them it’s okay that you want to hold rank and do something on the VMI side. You don’t have to be just a football player.” 

Cadet-athletes at VMI not only have their responsibilities with their selected sport but cadet duties on top of that. Cadets are also required to take physical fitness classes twice a week, participate in ROTC all four years, prepare for room and uniform inspections, practice for parade, guard duty, and more. 

From wake up at 6:30 a.m. to class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Poley has a packed day even after that. After classes, he’s at practice until about 8 p.m. Then it’s dinner and back to studying.  

Poley manages his heavy workload by working ahead on assignments and utilizing travel days for football games to complete homework. He also leans on his teammates for support. He finds that his time eating meals in Crozet Hall with his teammates is a good time to decompress and connect.   

“I think I just love the team aspect. Especially here because we all go through the same thing,” he said. “It’s super difficult. That’s probably the best part of playing football – the teammates.” 

The VMI environment and Honor Code have shaped him, Poley said.  

“It’s definitely changed my character being here,” he said. “I’m looking out for my subordinates or my peers, making sure that everybody’s in check.”