From the Desk of AD #31

Hello Army West Point Community,

Welcome to another edition of From the Desk of the AD - a space where I share updates and perspectives to keep you informed, engaged, and connected to all that is happening within Army West Point Athletics and the Army West Point Athletic Association.

Through this message, I will continue to provide important departmental updates, celebrate the accomplishments of our exceptional cadet-athletes, and offer insight into the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics. Our work remains guided by the four pillars of the Fruits of Victory strategic plan: Competitive Success, Delivering an Extraordinary Division I Experience, Public Engagement and Revenue Generation, and Sustainability.

I hope each of you has remained safe (and warm) amid the recent weather challenges across the country. Here at West Point, we are grateful for the dedicated staff members who have worked tirelessly to navigate the storms, clear the roads, and ensure the safety and accessibility of our installation. Their efforts allow our community to continue its mission - whether in the workplace, in athletic competition, or in welcoming visitors to Post.

As always, our focus is unwavering: developing leaders of character, strengthening our programs, and proudly representing the United States Military Academy at every opportunity.

2026 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE IS SET!
As we officially unveil the 2026 football schedule, there is a great sense of anticipation and excitement surrounding our program after finishing last season with a Bowl victory. We are especially excited to welcome our fans back to Michie Stadium in 2026 for the grand opening of the Michie Stadium Preservation Project at the first home game on September 5th vs. Bryant. Our schedule features six home games this fall. There is nothing like game day at West Point — the march-on, the pageantry, the Corps of Cadets in the stands, and the unmistakable atmosphere overlooking the Hudson River. Our cadet-athletes draw tremendous energy from that environment, and having six opportunities to compete in front of our home crowd is significant for our program!

Sync your calendars!

Our 2026 slate is set ? pic.twitter.com/DMTTBIUsdg
— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) February 26, 2026

WRESTLING CLAIMS STAR
Army wrestling completed the dual season with a 5-5 overall record and a 5-1 mark in EIWA matches after earning the star over Navy by just one point this weekend. Friday's win was the program's third straight over Navy, its second in a row in Annapolis, and its eighth over the past 12 years for Army over its academy rivals. Join me in congratulating Class of 972 Head Men's Wrestling Coach Troy Nickerson and his team on their victory!

For the third year in a row, we are SINGING SECOND!!! pic.twitter.com/0vZEKjYPZr
— Army Wrestling (@ArmyWP_Wres) February 21, 2026

POST NIGHT
On Wednesday, 2/25, our firstie cadet-athletes and their classmates celebrated Post Night. One of the most meaningful milestones in the West Point experience where our firsties received their branch assignments and took the next step toward service as officers in the United States Army. We are incredibly proud of our cadet-athletes who recently learned where they will serve following graduation from the United States Military Academy. You can find our cadet-athletes Post assignments on our team's social channels!

Congrats to our firsties (seniors) who received their posts! Check out where they are headed!!#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/DYPJ6tovmy
— Army Sprint FB (@ArmyWP_SprintFB) February 26, 2026

???????? ?????????? ??

Congratulations to our ???????? firsties who received their post assignments tonight??#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/zBZeGdPgXB
— Army Volleyball (@ArmyWP_VB) February 26, 2026

HOCKEY DOWNS FALCONS
Army hockey took a trip out west last week and brought home five points in league play with a 4-3 win and 1-0 shootout win over Air Force. The Black Knights return to West Point victorious and ready for their final games of the regular season this week as they welcome Sacred Heart to Tate Rink on Friday and Saturday, February 27-28. Join me at the games to cheer on our Black Knights and to recognize the seniors of this program at their Senior Night on Saturday, February 28.

?? ARMY WINS ??

With 50 saves in goal for JJ Cataldo and multi-point nights for Ben Ivey and Niils Forselius, Army takes down Air Force 4-3 in game one!#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/rzZNlIACY0
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) February 21, 2026

SING SECOND ??????

Army earns the right to SING SECOND with its 1-0 shootout win over the Falcons ??#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/2fHTHYmQ9m
— Army Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) February 22, 2026

SWIMMING & DIVING SECOND AT PATRIOT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Army swimming & diving claimed second place on both the men's and women's sides of the 2026 Patriot League Championships last week, led by the 2026 Men's and Women's Swimmers of the Meet – Johnny Crush and Angie McKane. Crush, McKane, and firstie Molly Webber earned the highest individual point totals at the meet as they helped Army set 28 records at the meet and qualify five individual swimmers for the national meet as Johnny Crush, Kohen Rankin, Molly Webber, Angie McKane, and Catriona Gilmore secured their tickets to Atlanta in March. Congratulations to Coach Nigro and the Army swimming & diving program on their incredible work this season – we look forward to seeing the Black Knights in Atlanta!

?? ALL-PATRIOT LEAGUE HONORS ??

After earning second place at the 2026 men's and women's Patriot League Championships, the Black Knights earned 14 All-Patriot League selections ??????

?? https://t.co/ZV2X57pasc #GoArmy | #RelentlessPursuit pic.twitter.com/rQ9L2H0365
— Army Swimming & Diving (@ArmyWP_SwimDive) February 24, 2026

BASEBALL BESTS AIR FORCE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Army baseball has kicked off its 2026 season with two weekends of incredible accomplishments. In its first series of the season at Clemson, the Black Knights participated in the Tigers' tradition of recognizing the commitment of service members in the crowd in a fantastic show of the unity college athletics provides athletes throughout their careers. Last week, the team faced service academy rival Air Force in Columbia and delivered an 11-3 win over the Falcons to set the pace for the season. Head Coach Chris Tracz and the Black Knights' 2-1 weekend in South Carolina sets up the team for its second series of the season as they head to Charlotte, N.C. to face Queens over February 27-March 1.

A @ClemsonBaseball Heroes Weekend tradition made even better with @ArmyWP_Baseball taking part! ??????#NCAABaseball x ?? Army Baseball

pic.twitter.com/kcnYtSfmE4
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) February 13, 2026

LACROSSE IN THE ATL
Our men's and women's lacrosse teams traveled to Georgia over the weekend and displayed their skill in front of the crowds in the Peach State as men's lacrosse earned a 13-11 win over Michigan and a 16-7 win over Mercer while the women secured a 13-7 win over Florida State. Both teams will be back in action at Michie Stadium this weekend as the men face Holy Cross (2/28) and the women face Colorado (3/1).

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR FOUNDER'S DAY
I am excited for the opportunity to be the keynote speaker for several Founder's Day events this year! Below is an updated list of the dates and locations I currently have confirmed. I look forward to engaging with many of you and providing updates from across all disciplines of the Academy (mostly Athletics ??).

March 6 – Colorado Springs, CO
March 7 – Denver, CO
March 13 – San Diego, CA
March 14 – Orange County, CA
March 15 – Los Angeles, CA
March 19 – Naples, FL
March 20 – Houston, TX
March 27 – Birmingham, AL
March 28 – Huntsville, AL
April 17 – Chicago, IL

RIFLE NCAA QUALIFIER
Army rifle delivered a dominant performance, capturing victories on Saturday over MIT and Norwich in its NCAA Qualifying match, commanding 4,686 aggregate score with nine shooters in the top 10. Addison Antwiler led the way for the Black Knights with a 1,176 aggregate score to punch her ticket to the NCAA Championship for the second consecutive season. Congratulations to our Black Knights on an incredible NCAA Qualifying match and an impressive season!

Another year, another bid to NCAA Championships for Cadet Antwiler!!!

This year she will be traveling to Columbus, Ohio to represent Army in the 2026 NCAA championships. She will compete in Smallbore Rifle after qualifying with a score of 587-39x

Congratulations, Addison! pic.twitter.com/gzIIesiQFU
— Army Rifle (@ArmyWP_Rifle) February 23, 2026

Michie Stadium Preservation Project Update | 95% Sold Out
I am extremely pleased with the continued progress of the Michie Stadium Preservation Project. This milestone would not be possible without the dedication of the construction teams, engineers, and partners whose work is preserving the history of Michie Stadium while building a best-in-class experience for future generations of Army Football fans and the Corps of Cadets.
We are proud to share that all suites, loge boxes, and ledge seats in the new East Stands are officially sold out. With 95% of premium seating already secured, only a limited number of Healy Club seats remain available for the 2026 Army West Point Football season and beyond. To secure seats on the new East Stands, you can click the link here.

NCAA RULES UPDATES
Last month, the NCAA passed a rules proposal which changed the national regulations on the use and placement of commercial sponsorships and logos on team uniforms and equipment. The rule change will allow NCAA institutions, to begin including the logos of up to two commercial partners on a cadet-athlete's uniform and equipment used during pre-game, in-game competition, and post-game activities. For example, these logos can now be placed on team headbands, batting gloves, swim caps, and wide variety of sport specific gear and equipment. Each individual NCAA sport will have its own rules and regulations determining the permissible locations that logos can be placed on the jerseys and equipment used in a particular sport.

UPDATES FROM ACROSS THE NCAA
NCAA VP of Enforcement Jon Duncan announced an increased focus and prioritization from the NCAA on monitoring and enforcing tampering legislation. As NIL and the Transfer Portal continue to grow in effect on college sports as a whole, the NCAA is hoping to crack down on schools violating rules governing how and when a coach can contact and communicate with a high school or transfer recruit.
The NCAA is continuing to fight lawsuits challenging the 5-year clock and seasons of competition legislation [collegesportslitigationtracker.com] that govern how long a student-athlete can compete for, as well as how many seasons they are able to compete in. A judge in Tennessee recently denied a group of former and current student-athletes a preliminary injunction that would've allowed them each an extra year of eligibility.

THANK YOU
I'd ask you to continue to do what you can to support Army West Point Athletics and our cadet-athletes by:
• Planning to attend athletics events and competitions – home and on the road!
• Purchasing season tickets, joining the Army A Club, and becoming a corporate partner
• Wear the colors
• Get others to do the same

BEAT NAVY!

Tom Theodorakis
Director of Athletics
Army West Point
Email: AthleticDirector@WestPoint.edu
X: @TT_Army_AD

Army West Point Athletics

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