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. Feb. 17, 2026 — Growing up in Richmond, Virginia Military Institute was never a mystery to Miller Tatum ’28. Between family stories passed down from his grandfather — an alumnus himself — and a reputation that carried weight back home, the Institute was always somewhere in the background.  

Choosing VMI meant stepping away from the “normal” college path and diving into something harder. Tatum also held onto the belief that four demanding years could shape the next 40. That challenge combined with the chance to compete at the Division I level in lacrosse made the decision feel worth it.

In high school, Tatum wasn’t even sure lacrosse would be the avenue he’d pursue in college. He started playing around 8 years old in a recreational league and ended up playing all the way up to high school.  

"I transferred to a private high school in Richmond for my freshman year, and at that point I was really small and not good at lacrosse, and I hated it for a few years,” he admitted. “Freshman through junior year, I did not enjoy it, I didn't want to play in college, and had no aspirations of doing it.” 

By his junior year, Tatum ended up filling out and hitting a growth spurt putting him in line with everyone else. From there, his mentality towards the game improved, as well as his skill. At that point, the former VMI head lacrosse coach had seen Tatum and invited him to a game day.  

It took some convincing from Tatum’s father, but he ended up attending the game day. He was then offered a spot on the team and knew it was too good of an opportunity to give up. 

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. 

His days start early at 5:30 a.m. for weightlifting, then it’s a constant flood of one thing after the other until the afternoon. The economics and business major has 17.5 credits this semester, while in season. To stay on top of things, he’s completing assignments between all his other commitments.  

Luckily, his away games happen mostly on weekends. He and his teammates tend to front load their schedules to have classes earlier in the week.  

"I only have two classes on Friday, so I'm not actually missing that much class,” he said.

Having the initiative to utilize the small breaks during the day to get a head start on assignments will end up in your favor, he said.  

 "When you come back to do it at 7:30 or 8 p.m. after eating and going to practice, you've already put a dent in it.” 

During away trips, he and his teammates are dedicated to doing work while on the road.  

“You'll see people with makeshift desks on the bus doing homework or on their computers or reading something for a class,” he explained. 

Their academic dedication can be seen, especially with the announcement last season that they earned Team All-Academic honors by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. In order to achieve this status, the program must hold a team cumulative GPA of 3.0, which the team surpassed with a 3.2 for the 2024-25 academic year. 

"A lot of guys are pretty motivated in class. When you're on the bus and everyone around you is doing homework, you almost feel like you're getting left behind if you’re not trying to do something productive with that time,” he said. 

Despite a busy schedule, Tatum said being able to practice with his best friends daily is his favorite part of the Institute.  

"Doing something that you have a common shared joy of doing ... I think there's not a lot of opportunities to do that anymore,” he said. 

Motivation and time management have been big factors in how VMI is shaping Tatum.  

“I think having the opportunity to lead and be in the spotlight in front of other people is something a lot of college students don't get at other schools and VMI prepares you well for,” Tatum stated. "I think that you have to use VMI as a foot in the door and then use the skills that VMI has taught you to be successful.” 

Laura Peters Shapiro
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE