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. March 13, 2026 — Wrestling brought Ray Cmil ’26 to Virginia Military Institute, but it was the people that made him stay. He was drawn to the community and the relationships he started building at VMI and what that would mean for him later in life.

“After considering all the schools I was looking at, I decided VMI would be the best place for my future and to develop myself as a person,” he said. 

He’s made close friends at the Institute, especially his teammates. 

"We’ve spent so much time together, and it would be weird without them. We eat every meal together, practice together all day, and we're hanging out in the room together,” he explained.  

The English major has a heavy load of 17 credits his last semester while being in season with wrestling. Most days he’s up at 5:30 a.m. for a morning weightlifting session before heading off to breakfast and class. He has about four classes a day, breaks for lunch and then heads down to practice an hour early to get some extra work in.  

"I don't really write it down that much. It's kind of just in my head — my day-to-day routine,” he said. “I think the easiest part for me is just taking the first step. Starting all my homework, or just doing whatever ever I need to do and not procrastinate.” 

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.

“I’ve been forced to step out of my comfort zone a lot,” Cmil admitted. “With communication and leadership, just stepping up and forcing yourself to do things you don’t want to do. Especially this year, seeing all the 4th Class cadets coming in and trying to be a mentor for them. I had so many important older guys when I was coming up that I want to be a positive impact on the [incoming class].”

Cmil started wrestling in the third grade, but he grew up hearing stories from his father who wrestled. The thing he enjoys the most is that it’s one-on-one. 

“The work you put in is a direct representation of the output you get,” he stated. "If you put in the work and dedicate yourself to it, you'll get results.” 

Being at VMI has forced him to crack down on his responsibilities and time management for his demanding schedule.  

“I think the fact that you have so many responsibilities, and there's so much asked of you, you get used to it here,” he said. “From a broader perspective, you realize that other people haven't done what you've been doing for the past four years. I think being in that mode and mindset, VMI builds prepares you for what's to come.” 

Laura Peters Shapiro
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE