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. 

LEXINGTON, Va. Sept. 15, 2025 — 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.  

He was looking at the University of Virginia, but he didn’t make it into the soccer program there. So, he broadened his search. 

“I started looking at other schools, and VMI really stood out to me,” he said. “It’s not the typical college experience.” 

But when he started reaching out, he found that the alumni network was exuberant.  

“I'm from Richmond, so the second I brought up VMI, people started coming from everywhere,” he admitted. “I think that really stuck it to me.” 

The economics and business major said VMI has helped shape him for the future.  

I think VMI sets you up best for life compared to other colleges," he explained. “Regardless of when your classes start, you're waking up at 6 a.m. and you're getting your day started just like you would in the real world. Here you have to do a lot of things that you don't necessarily want to do, but that's kind of how life is. I'd say mastering discipline and doing things I don't want to do along with time management here, especially while playing a sport, is a skill I've almost perfected. Those are the skills that I've really gained from VMI that have prepared me for life.” 

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. 

He was used to balancing multiple things in high school by playing two sports — basketball and soccer — while keeping up with his studies.  

“Here I've really been able to put it on full display, adding the military aspect on top it," he said. “I've never really traveled for sports, but here you're on the road half the week during the soccer season, so I’ve honed that in and perfected that here. It’s something I plan to continue to carry on.” 

With an 18-credit hour semester and early mornings and practices bookending his school time, he likes to tackle things the minute he gets them.  

"If I can just knock out assignments as soon as possible, that's best. I don't typically do work on the bus just because I get motion sickness really badly. So, whether it's in the hotel or on weekends, when I can finally catch up or get ahead, that's where I knock out most of my work. I've been able to find a good rhythm,” Reid said. “I just roll with it and take it as it comes. Unless I know I have a test coming up, I'll try to get ahead so I can just study that week and not have to worry about assignments. Most of the week, I just roll with the punches.” 

Reid also holds rank as an S2 sergeant, which is a front facing person for academics in the Corps. 

“So anytime rats need reminding of what their academic standards are or pairing them up with a tutor, we do a lot of that,” he explained.  

They also have Miller Academic Center Saturdays, where they meet up with rats and teach them study habits and how to do better in college, to help with the transition from high school. 

“I feel like academics is a strong suit for me, and I want to do my best to help other people succeed in college,” Reid commented. “I know it can be very different moving from high school to college. The workload and the difficulty of the work pick up. I'm trying to help people succeed.”

He’s a part of the Cadet Investment Group, which helps manage part of the school’s endowment. He says as a group of select individuals, they are able to manage real money and pitch stocks to the group and invest.  

“It's pretty cool getting to actively manage real money and make investment decisions.” 

He jokes that he got a free group of friends when he started at VMI, especially with his teammates.  

“College can be a very daunting place; you meet new people and start all over. But the soccer team coming in from day one, we have these three weeks to a month of pre-season. You just get to meet people and then spend so much time with them during the Rat Line,” he said. “I've grown really close with my class. It's a brotherhood. You're closest with everybody on your team more than you are probably anybody else in the Corps.” 

His advice coming in? School should be the focus.  

"I know a lot of people here they'll focus on the Rat Line, or they'll spend their free time playing video games or something like that. To me, soccer is going to end one day. School is the most important,” he stated. “Prioritize getting your assignments done. Put in as much effort as you would on the soccer field in the classroom.” 

 Laura Peters Shapiro
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE