From the Desk of AD #31

Hello Army West Point Community,

After a brief summer hiatus from writing this newsletter, we are back!

It was a productive summer - I had the opportunity to spend time with family, recharge the battery and, somehow, get worse at golf. But now our cadets are back, classes are underway, our teams are preparing to compete, and the energy around West Point is unmistakable.

There is nothing quite like the beginning of a new academic year at the United States Military Academy. It is a reminder of why we are all here and the incredible responsibility we have to develop leaders of character prepared to serve our Army and our Nation.
And there is a lot to catch up on!

As always, our work continues to be guided by our Fruits of Victory Strategic Plan

WHAT RIGHT LOOKS LIKE: MARCH BACK

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of joining the Class of 2030 - "Strong and Sturdy" - for March Back, marking the completion of Cadet Basic Training and the beginning of their academic journey at West Point.

Completing the 12-mile march alongside our New Cadets was another reminder of what makes this institution so special. The resilience, teamwork and commitment you see firsthand are inspiring - and those same qualities are at the foundation of what we expect from our cadet-athletes every day.

These past few weeks have showcased the traditions and milestones that make West Point unlike anywhere else - from Acceptance Day to Affirmation and Ring Weekend. These moments represent much more than ceremonies. They mark important steps in the development of young men and women who have chosen a life of service.

For all of us in Army West Point Athletics, we can never lose sight of that larger mission. We compete to win, but our ultimate responsibility is to help develop leaders who will win for our Army and our Nation.

WELCOMING OUR NEW ACADEMY LEADERSHIP

This summer also brought an important transition in leadership at the United States Military Academy.

We are excited to welcome Lt. Gen. James "Jay" Bartholomees III '95 as the 62nd Superintendent of the United States Military Academy. Lt. Gen. Bartholomees officially assumed command on August 17, succeeding Lt. Gen. Steve Gilland. A West Point graduate and accomplished Army leader, he returns to the Academy to lead West Point into its next chapter.

We also congratulate Brig. Gen. Nicholas "Nick" Gist '94, who was promoted and invested as the 16th Dean of the Academic Board. As Dean of the Academic Board, BG Gist serves as West Point's chief academic officer and oversees the Academy's academic program and faculty. Many in our athletics community also know him from more than a decade leading the Department of Physical Education as Master of the Sword and his extensive work in human performance.

And we welcome Brig. Gen. Joseph "Joe" Katz '99, who assumed command this summer as the 82nd Commandant of Cadets. BG Katz returned to West Point to lead the Corps of Cadets and help oversee the military, physical, character and leadership development at the heart of the cadet experience.

Army West Point Athletics works incredibly closely with the Superintendent, Commandant, Dean and their teams. We are proud to be partners in the broader mission of the Academy and committed to doing everything we can to develop leaders of character and commissioned officers who will lead our Nation's Army.

It is an exciting time at West Point, and we look forward to working alongside this leadership team.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF MICHIE STADIUM PRESERVED BY USAA CONTINUES
If you have driven by Michie Stadium recently, you know there was no summer break for the construction crews!

Progress continues on the $170 million, privately funded Michie Stadium Preservation Project, and it is incredible to see a vision we have talked about for several years becoming a reality.

This week, I had the opportunity to tour the project with American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti and show him firsthand what is taking shape on the east side of Michie Stadium.

We have been intentional from the beginning about preserving what makes Michie Stadium one of the most iconic venues in college athletics while creating a first-class experience for our cadets, fans and guests. This project is about much more than football Saturdays - it represents an investment in the future of Army West Point Athletics and our ability to provide an extraordinary Division I experience for our cadet-athletes.

We are getting close. We will be ready for our first home football game, and I can't wait for you to see it!

EXTENSION: HEAD COACH, JEFF MONKEN
Another important milestone this summer was finalizing a new five-year contract for Head Football Coach Jeff Monken through 2030.

Coach Monken has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in the history of Army Football, but his impact extends well beyond wins and championships.

This agreement represents our continued commitment to competitive excellence, continuity and investing in the future of Army Football. Most importantly, Coach Monken understands what makes coaching at West Point different. Our mission is not simply to develop great football players - it is to develop leaders prepared to serve our Nation.

We are fortunate to have Coach Monken leading our program, and I am excited about what is ahead.

ARMY-NAVY CUP: PRESERVING AND ELEVATING THE RIVALRY
Army-Navy belongs on the biggest stage - in every sport.

This summer, we announced a five-year extension to continue playing the Army-Navy Cup at Subaru Park in partnership with the Philadelphia Union.

Last year's Army-Navy Cup drew nearly 10,000 fans, creating an incredible atmosphere and an unforgettable experience for our cadet-athletes.

Army-Navy is the greatest rivalry in sports, and I believe strongly that we have a responsibility not only to preserve it, but to elevate it across all of our sports.

The Army-Navy Cup is a great example of what that can look like: our cadet-athletes competing on a professional stage in front of thousands of fans while representing their teams, the Academy and our Nation.

Five more years. We can't wait.

A VISIT WITH COACH JIM YOUNG – JY!
While attending a wedding in Arizona this summer, I had the opportunity to visit former Army Football Head Coach Jim Young.

Coach Young and I share the unique experience of having worked at both the University of Arizona and the United States Military Academy, so there was no shortage of stories to share!

More importantly, it was an opportunity to spend time with someone who played an important role in the history of Army Football. Coach Young's passion for West Point, his love for Army Football and his commitment to developing young people remain as strong as ever.

Our history matters. Our traditions matter. And so do the people who helped build them.

Thank you, Coach!

WLL CHAMPION: BRIGID DUFFY
We had another Army champion to celebrate this summer!

Congratulations to Brigid Duffy and The Charm on capturing the inaugural Women's Lacrosse League Championship.

Brigid continues to represent Army West Point at the highest level, adding another tremendous accomplishment to an already remarkable career.

Congratulations, Brigid. We are incredibly proud to see you representing Army West Point on the national stage!

A FEW SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS
While our cadet-athletes were training, competing and developing throughout the summer, I was fortunate to experience a few special moments along the way.

The Open Championship - Watching Army graduate Marcus Plunkett '16 compete on one of golf's biggest stages was an incredible moment for Army Athletics and the Long Gray Line.

Air Assault - Spending time with our cadets during summer military training - and getting the opportunity to participate myself - was another firsthand reminder of what makes the cadet-athlete experience at West Point different from anywhere else in the country. Excellent job by the Team at Ft. Campbell, a tremendous group leading the way. I failed by the way.

THANK YOU, TEAM GILLAND
As we welcome new leadership, it is equally important to recognize the tremendous impact of Lt. Gen. Steve Gilland and Team Gilland.

General Gilland's leadership, support and belief in Army West Point Athletics have meant a great deal to our department and to me personally. He understood the important role athletics plays within the broader mission of West Point and consistently challenged us to pursue excellence while never losing sight of why we are here.

Our institution and Army Athletics are better because of his leadership.

To Steve and all of Team Gilland: thank you for your service to West Point, our Army and our Nation — and congratulations on an incredible career of service.

30 TEAMS. ONE MISSION.
And now, we get to compete. Winning matters.

Football naturally receives tremendous attention during the fall, but one of the things I love most about serving as Director of Athletics at West Point is the opportunity to support 30 Division I programs all pursuing excellence under the Army banner.

Our fall teams are back at work. Our cadet-athletes have navigated summer military training, returned to the classroom and are preparing to represent West Point in competition.

Our goal remains clear: compete for championships, beat Navy and Air Force, and provide an extraordinary Division I experience that prepares our cadet-athletes for something much bigger than sports.

WHAT'S NEXT: INSIDE ARMY ATHLETICS: WHAT IS THE ARMY WEST POINT ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION (AWPAA)?
One of my priorities since becoming Director of Athletics has been to better explain how Army West Point Athletics operates.

One of the questions I hear most often is: What exactly is the Army West Point Athletic Association - AWPAA?

The Army West Point Athletic Association (AWPAA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that helps operate and support intercollegiate athletics at West Point. Our unique structure allows us to generate revenue, develop partnerships, fundraise and reinvest those resources directly into opportunities for our cadet-athletes and our 30 Division I programs.

Over the coming months, I plan to use this space to provide greater insight into how Army Athletics works and partners across Post - from AWPAA and the Army A Club to our facilities, partnerships, revenue generation and the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics.

Our community invests tremendously in Army Athletics, and you deserve to understand how those investments help us accomplish our mission.

There is tremendous momentum around Army West Point Athletics, but the best part is that another year is just beginning.

I can't wait to see what this year brings.

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 this fall – home and on the road!
• Purchasing season tickets, joining the Army A Club, and identifying a corporate partner
• Get others to do the same

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

Army West Point Athletics

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