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Behind the Balance: Cadet-Athlete Features
The Three-Legged Stool in Action
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, along with their military training, 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 as part of the unique undergraduate experience found at this historic military college.
Miller Tatum ’28 chose the harder path at VMI — and hasn’t looked back. Between early mornings, packed schedules, and competing at the highest level, he’s learning how discipline and time management can shape far more than four years.
From transferring into VMI to taking on the Rat Line, TJ Johnson ’28 has faced adversity head-on. Balancing basketball, academics, and the responsibilities of a cadet has taught him calm under pressure and confidence in his ability to adapt.
From long hours in the pool to the demands of the Corps, Sydney Smith ’26 has built a second family, taken on leadership roles, and pushed herself to grow in every arena.
Uncertainty after high school is normal and something Colin Crenshaw ’27 faced upon graduation. It’s one of the reasons he decided to attend Virginia Military Institute.
Natalia Dias ’28 wanted to be set up success, and that meant finding a way to pay for college or leave her with minimal debt. She had three clear goals in school: an engineering program, U.S. Army ROTC, and cross country and track.
A sense of discipline is what drew Amari Benjamin ’27 to Virginia Military Institute. Benjamin, an economics and business major, plans on commissioning into the U.S. Army.
Virginia Military Institute offered a path to success, Destin Moore ’27 explained. The psychology major from Georgia wasn’t familiar with VMI at first, but after talking to several football coaches, he was inspired.
Barrett Callejo ’27 has found her place at Virginia Military Institute — on the soccer field, in the classroom, and as a mentor within cadre. Inspired by the strong women she met years before as a visitor, she now works to set that same example for the next generation of cadets.
Prestigious people attend Virginia Military Institute, claims Ben Hagerich ’26 — and he was determined to be one of them. That drive, along with the chance to run cross country and track, drew him to the Institute.
A different college experience was what Conner Reid ’27 was searching for. He said that Virginia Military Institute offered that and it’s what attracted him.