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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.
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.
Cadee Hegarty ’26 wanted to compete at a high level but also was drawn to the organization and discipline that Virginia Military Institute offered. Getting a soccer scholarship to the school allowed her to form a future at VMI.
It was a goal of Luke Schalow ‘26 to play college football. But he also knew, if he could never play football again, he wanted to go to a school he would be proud to have attended.
The hurdles of college and extracurricular activities mean something a little different for Zach Denton ’27, considering he actually jumps hurdles. As part of the Virginia Military Institute track and field team, Denton is dedicated to going the distance.
Time management is a common theme for many cadets, especially as a cadet-athlete. Caden Plummer ’25 is no stranger to figuring out his time and schedule.
Jillian Sisk ’27 followed her passion for math and science to VMI, where she discovered her love for civil engineering after initially exploring other STEM paths. In addition to her rigorous academic schedule, Sisk is a dedicated long-distance runner on VMI’s track and field team.
It’s a mental game for Dyson Dunham ’26, not just while he’s wrestling, but during his day-to-day. He sacrifices a lot when cutting weight for matches, staying on top of assignments, and fitting in his cadet duties. On the mat, he says he’s doing it for himself.