Army West Point Athletics
What is AWPAA
Dear Army Athletics Community,
As we prepare to begin another incredible academic and athletic year at West Point, I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for your passion and generosity in support of our cadet-athletes. Their success is made possible by the unwavering support you provide, whether by cheering them on at games and matches or through your generous financial support. Thank you for investing in the next generation of Army leaders.
One of my highest priorities during my first two years as Director of Athletics has been engagement. Whether through Founders Day events, home/road games, alumni gatherings and briefings, social media, surveys, or my monthly From the Desk of AD #31 newsletter, I've made it a priority to connect with cadet-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, donors, season ticket holders, graduates, and friends of Army Athletics across the country. Those conversations and interactions have been invaluable - not only because they've helped me understand better what matters most to our community, but because they've reinforced just how deeply people care about Army Athletics and the mission of West Point.
One thing I've learned through those conversations is that many people are not familiar with how Army West Point Athletics is organized, and specifically the role of the Army West Point Athletic Association (AWPAA). That's understandable as we realize we have not effectively communicated this to you in the past. We aim to fix that beginning with this note. Our organizational structure is unique within higher education and intercollegiate athletics, and it has become one of our greatest competitive advantages.
As college athletics continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, I believe it is more important than ever that our supporters understand not only the opportunities before us but also learn more about our efforts to forecast the unique challenges we face and why your support is so vital to the progress of our program.
While many institutions are only now creating nonprofit organizations, LLCs, and commercial ventures to adapt to this new era, Army West Point Athletics has operated under a flexible and innovative organizational model for years.
I believe transparency builds trust, and I think it is important that those who support Army Athletics understand not only what we do, but how we are organized, why we are structured this way, and how that positions us for long-term success.
I hope you will take a few moments to learn more about the Army West Point Athletic Association, how it serves our cadet-athletes, and why this model is so important to the future of Army West Point Athletics.
OUR MISSION, VISION AND VALUES
Our mission is simple: To recruit, educate, train, and inspire leaders of character who are committed to the Army Values through an extraordinary Division I athletic experience.
Our dedicated coaches and staff work tirelessly every day to deliver on that mission. That mission guides every decision we make.
When we fulfill our mission, we move closer to achieving our vision: Our teams compete for championships, lead with integrity, and honor the tradition of the United States Military Academy as the world's preeminent leader development institution.
Everything we do is grounded in our core values: Excellence, Character, and Selfless Service.
Our work is also guided by the Fruits of Victory Strategic Plan, which serves as the roadmap for every major decision we make. Built around four strategic priorities—Competitive Excellence, Extraordinary Division I Experience,
Public Engagement & Revenue Generation, and Sustainability - the plan ensures we remain focused on both today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities.
HOW ARMY ATHLETICS IS ORGANIZED
For many decades, the Office of the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics (ODIA) oversaw Army West Point Athletics as a federal entity within the United States Military Academy. While successful in many respects, operating within the federal system limited flexibility, speed, and innovation increasingly required to compete in today's Division I landscape.
Recognizing those challenges, the Academy, mandated by Congress, transitioned the athletics program in 2017 to the Army West Point Athletic Association (AWPAA), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization responsible for managing Army West Point Athletics and supporting more than 1,100 cadet-athletes across 30 NCAA Division I programs.
AWPAA is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of three directors appointed by the Secretary of the Army and up to eleven additional directors selected by the Board. The Director of Athletics serves as President of the Board, while the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy provides oversight to ensure every decision remains aligned with the Academy's mission and priorities.
The current AWPAA Board Members include:
COL (R) Donna Brazil
Gen (R) Robert Brown
MG (R) John Ferrari
Lauren Glaze
Rob Healy
Ellen Houlihan
Jim Knowlton
Bryant "Corky" Messner
Anthony Noto
LTC (R) John Stoner
MG (R) John Uberti
Through a Cooperative Agreement (CA) with the Army, AWPAA combines the operational flexibility of a modern nonprofit organization with the oversight, accountability, and values that define West Point. This unique model allows us to move with greater agility while remaining fully aligned with the Academy's mission.
The Army Athletic Association (AAA), led by the Deputy Athletics Director, Military, LTC Kelly Calway, provides government oversight of AWPAA through involvement in the athletics program and execution of inherently governmental functions and those activities outlined as government responsibilities in the CA. Together, our two organizations make up the Army West Point Athletics Department (AWPAD).
WHY THIS STRUCTURE MATTERS
Simply put, it allows Army Athletics to operate with the agility of a modern NCAA Division I athletics enterprise while remaining fully aligned with the mission and oversight of West Point.
Today's athletics department is both a mission-driven organization and a sophisticated business enterprise. Success requires excellence in both. The Director of Athletics serves as the chief executive officer - responsible not only for competitive success, but also for strategic planning, fundraising, revenue generation, facilities, media rights, partnerships, budgeting, talent acquisition, and long-term sustainability.
The AWPAA structure has increased organizational flexibility, strengthened hiring practices, streamlined procurement, accelerated decision-making, and expanded our ability to generate new revenue. Most importantly, it allows us to be proactive rather than reactive as college athletics continues to evolve.
Since the creation of AWPAA, Army Athletics has secured transformational corporate partnerships, modernized Michie Stadium, expanded premium seating and hospitality, achieved record fundraising, and positioned itself for sustained competitive success. Every dollar entrusted to Army Athletics is invested with one purpose: advancing our mission and providing an extraordinary experience for our cadet-athletes.
WHERE OUR FUNDING COMES FROM
One of the misconceptions I hear most often is that Army Athletics is fully funded by the federal government. While we are proud to represent the United States Military Academy, the reality is very different. Like our peers across Division I athletics, we rely heavily on philanthropy, corporate partnerships, ticket revenue, premium seating, and other externally generated resources to provide an extraordinary experience for our cadet-athletes.
Despite what many assume, AWPAA receives only limited funding from the Academy, $15.5M, representing a relatively small portion of our annual operating budget.
The majority of our funding comes from philanthropy, corporate partnerships, ticket sales, premium seating, concessions, licensing, and other externally generated revenue.
Our operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 is approximately $61 million.
These resources directly support recruiting, coaching, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition, leadership development, team travel, facilities, and the extraordinary Division I experience we strive to provide every cadet-athlete.
THE ARMY A CLUB
The Army A Club, in partnership with the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG), serves as the philanthropic engine of Army Athletics.
We are fortunate to work closely with WPAOG President and CEO Mark Bieger and his outstanding team. Together, we are aligned in supporting the Academy's mission while expanding opportunities for Army Athletics through philanthropy and alumni engagement.
Every gift—regardless of size - directly impacts our ability to recruit exceptional young men and women, support our programs, and deliver on our mission.
Recently, we launched a sport-specific fundraising initiative led by an outstanding group of alumni ambassadors. Working alongside our coaches and staff, these volunteers are helping strengthen alumni engagement while supporting each program's immediate priorities through team funds and its long-term future through endowments. We’ve seen success, as last year we hit a record year of fundraising for the Army A Club, Sport Specific Fundraising, and our Army West Point Athletics Giving Day. Sport Specific Giving is your opportunity to provide direct financial support to the team of your choice, and Army A Club is how you can have a broader impact on the financial strength and future of your athletic department.
OUR CHALLENGES - AND OUR OPPORTUNITIES
Army West Point Athletics is unlike any other athletics program in the country.
Our cadet-athletes pursue one of the nation's most demanding academic experiences while simultaneously completing rigorous military training and competing at the Division I level. That combination is challenging—but it is also what makes West Point so special.
We embrace those differences as competitive strengths, not excuses.
The changing landscape of college athletics presents additional challenges. Many institutions now provide direct revenue-sharing opportunities and facilitate Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) compensation that can amount to significant financial incentives for prospective student-athletes. Likewise, many institutions rely heavily on the transfer portal to reshape their rosters, and will begin to leverage fifth-year students on their team rosters.
West Point operates differently. We do not offer those financial incentives, nor do we participate in the transfer marketplace in the same way as many of our peers. Yet our recent success demonstrates that our model works.
Our cadet-athletes continue to compete for championships, earn national recognition, and represent the Academy with distinction because they choose West Point for something greater than athletics alone. They choose a transformational experience that prepares them to lead soldiers and serve our Nation.
That mission remains our greatest competitive advantage.
LOOKING AHEAD
The landscape of college athletics will continue to change, but our purpose never will.
We will continue to innovate, diversify our revenue streams, invest strategically, and remain responsible stewards of every dollar entrusted to us—all while staying true to the values and mission that make West Point unlike any other institution in the country. Every decision we make begins with our mission and ends with creating the very best experience possible for our cadet-athletes.
None of this is possible without the commitment of those who believe in this vision. Your support does more than help teams compete—it helps develop the next generation of Army officers and leaders of character.
Thank you for believing and standing alongside Army West Point Athletics. Together, we are preserving a proud tradition while building an even stronger future.
Should you have any questions about AWPAA or Army Athletics, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Helpful links:
AWPAA Strategic Plan
Army A Club Website
Sincerely,
Tom “Theo” Theodorakis
Director of Athletics & CEO of the Army West Point Athletic Association
As we prepare to begin another incredible academic and athletic year at West Point, I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for your passion and generosity in support of our cadet-athletes. Their success is made possible by the unwavering support you provide, whether by cheering them on at games and matches or through your generous financial support. Thank you for investing in the next generation of Army leaders.
One of my highest priorities during my first two years as Director of Athletics has been engagement. Whether through Founders Day events, home/road games, alumni gatherings and briefings, social media, surveys, or my monthly From the Desk of AD #31 newsletter, I've made it a priority to connect with cadet-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, donors, season ticket holders, graduates, and friends of Army Athletics across the country. Those conversations and interactions have been invaluable - not only because they've helped me understand better what matters most to our community, but because they've reinforced just how deeply people care about Army Athletics and the mission of West Point.
One thing I've learned through those conversations is that many people are not familiar with how Army West Point Athletics is organized, and specifically the role of the Army West Point Athletic Association (AWPAA). That's understandable as we realize we have not effectively communicated this to you in the past. We aim to fix that beginning with this note. Our organizational structure is unique within higher education and intercollegiate athletics, and it has become one of our greatest competitive advantages.
As college athletics continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, I believe it is more important than ever that our supporters understand not only the opportunities before us but also learn more about our efforts to forecast the unique challenges we face and why your support is so vital to the progress of our program.
While many institutions are only now creating nonprofit organizations, LLCs, and commercial ventures to adapt to this new era, Army West Point Athletics has operated under a flexible and innovative organizational model for years.
I believe transparency builds trust, and I think it is important that those who support Army Athletics understand not only what we do, but how we are organized, why we are structured this way, and how that positions us for long-term success.
I hope you will take a few moments to learn more about the Army West Point Athletic Association, how it serves our cadet-athletes, and why this model is so important to the future of Army West Point Athletics.
OUR MISSION, VISION AND VALUES
Our mission is simple: To recruit, educate, train, and inspire leaders of character who are committed to the Army Values through an extraordinary Division I athletic experience.
Our dedicated coaches and staff work tirelessly every day to deliver on that mission. That mission guides every decision we make.
When we fulfill our mission, we move closer to achieving our vision: Our teams compete for championships, lead with integrity, and honor the tradition of the United States Military Academy as the world's preeminent leader development institution.
Everything we do is grounded in our core values: Excellence, Character, and Selfless Service.
Our work is also guided by the Fruits of Victory Strategic Plan, which serves as the roadmap for every major decision we make. Built around four strategic priorities—Competitive Excellence, Extraordinary Division I Experience,
Public Engagement & Revenue Generation, and Sustainability - the plan ensures we remain focused on both today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities.
HOW ARMY ATHLETICS IS ORGANIZED
For many decades, the Office of the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics (ODIA) oversaw Army West Point Athletics as a federal entity within the United States Military Academy. While successful in many respects, operating within the federal system limited flexibility, speed, and innovation increasingly required to compete in today's Division I landscape.
Recognizing those challenges, the Academy, mandated by Congress, transitioned the athletics program in 2017 to the Army West Point Athletic Association (AWPAA), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization responsible for managing Army West Point Athletics and supporting more than 1,100 cadet-athletes across 30 NCAA Division I programs.
AWPAA is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of three directors appointed by the Secretary of the Army and up to eleven additional directors selected by the Board. The Director of Athletics serves as President of the Board, while the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy provides oversight to ensure every decision remains aligned with the Academy's mission and priorities.
The current AWPAA Board Members include:
COL (R) Donna Brazil
Gen (R) Robert Brown
MG (R) John Ferrari
Lauren Glaze
Rob Healy
Ellen Houlihan
Jim Knowlton
Bryant "Corky" Messner
Anthony Noto
LTC (R) John Stoner
MG (R) John Uberti
Through a Cooperative Agreement (CA) with the Army, AWPAA combines the operational flexibility of a modern nonprofit organization with the oversight, accountability, and values that define West Point. This unique model allows us to move with greater agility while remaining fully aligned with the Academy's mission.
The Army Athletic Association (AAA), led by the Deputy Athletics Director, Military, LTC Kelly Calway, provides government oversight of AWPAA through involvement in the athletics program and execution of inherently governmental functions and those activities outlined as government responsibilities in the CA. Together, our two organizations make up the Army West Point Athletics Department (AWPAD).
WHY THIS STRUCTURE MATTERS
Simply put, it allows Army Athletics to operate with the agility of a modern NCAA Division I athletics enterprise while remaining fully aligned with the mission and oversight of West Point.
Today's athletics department is both a mission-driven organization and a sophisticated business enterprise. Success requires excellence in both. The Director of Athletics serves as the chief executive officer - responsible not only for competitive success, but also for strategic planning, fundraising, revenue generation, facilities, media rights, partnerships, budgeting, talent acquisition, and long-term sustainability.
The AWPAA structure has increased organizational flexibility, strengthened hiring practices, streamlined procurement, accelerated decision-making, and expanded our ability to generate new revenue. Most importantly, it allows us to be proactive rather than reactive as college athletics continues to evolve.
Since the creation of AWPAA, Army Athletics has secured transformational corporate partnerships, modernized Michie Stadium, expanded premium seating and hospitality, achieved record fundraising, and positioned itself for sustained competitive success. Every dollar entrusted to Army Athletics is invested with one purpose: advancing our mission and providing an extraordinary experience for our cadet-athletes.
WHERE OUR FUNDING COMES FROM
One of the misconceptions I hear most often is that Army Athletics is fully funded by the federal government. While we are proud to represent the United States Military Academy, the reality is very different. Like our peers across Division I athletics, we rely heavily on philanthropy, corporate partnerships, ticket revenue, premium seating, and other externally generated resources to provide an extraordinary experience for our cadet-athletes.
Despite what many assume, AWPAA receives only limited funding from the Academy, $15.5M, representing a relatively small portion of our annual operating budget.
The majority of our funding comes from philanthropy, corporate partnerships, ticket sales, premium seating, concessions, licensing, and other externally generated revenue.
Our operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 is approximately $61 million.
These resources directly support recruiting, coaching, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition, leadership development, team travel, facilities, and the extraordinary Division I experience we strive to provide every cadet-athlete.
THE ARMY A CLUB
The Army A Club, in partnership with the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG), serves as the philanthropic engine of Army Athletics.
We are fortunate to work closely with WPAOG President and CEO Mark Bieger and his outstanding team. Together, we are aligned in supporting the Academy's mission while expanding opportunities for Army Athletics through philanthropy and alumni engagement.
Every gift—regardless of size - directly impacts our ability to recruit exceptional young men and women, support our programs, and deliver on our mission.
Recently, we launched a sport-specific fundraising initiative led by an outstanding group of alumni ambassadors. Working alongside our coaches and staff, these volunteers are helping strengthen alumni engagement while supporting each program's immediate priorities through team funds and its long-term future through endowments. We’ve seen success, as last year we hit a record year of fundraising for the Army A Club, Sport Specific Fundraising, and our Army West Point Athletics Giving Day. Sport Specific Giving is your opportunity to provide direct financial support to the team of your choice, and Army A Club is how you can have a broader impact on the financial strength and future of your athletic department.
OUR CHALLENGES - AND OUR OPPORTUNITIES
Army West Point Athletics is unlike any other athletics program in the country.
Our cadet-athletes pursue one of the nation's most demanding academic experiences while simultaneously completing rigorous military training and competing at the Division I level. That combination is challenging—but it is also what makes West Point so special.
We embrace those differences as competitive strengths, not excuses.
The changing landscape of college athletics presents additional challenges. Many institutions now provide direct revenue-sharing opportunities and facilitate Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) compensation that can amount to significant financial incentives for prospective student-athletes. Likewise, many institutions rely heavily on the transfer portal to reshape their rosters, and will begin to leverage fifth-year students on their team rosters.
West Point operates differently. We do not offer those financial incentives, nor do we participate in the transfer marketplace in the same way as many of our peers. Yet our recent success demonstrates that our model works.
Our cadet-athletes continue to compete for championships, earn national recognition, and represent the Academy with distinction because they choose West Point for something greater than athletics alone. They choose a transformational experience that prepares them to lead soldiers and serve our Nation.
That mission remains our greatest competitive advantage.
LOOKING AHEAD
The landscape of college athletics will continue to change, but our purpose never will.
We will continue to innovate, diversify our revenue streams, invest strategically, and remain responsible stewards of every dollar entrusted to us—all while staying true to the values and mission that make West Point unlike any other institution in the country. Every decision we make begins with our mission and ends with creating the very best experience possible for our cadet-athletes.
None of this is possible without the commitment of those who believe in this vision. Your support does more than help teams compete—it helps develop the next generation of Army officers and leaders of character.
Thank you for believing and standing alongside Army West Point Athletics. Together, we are preserving a proud tradition while building an even stronger future.
Should you have any questions about AWPAA or Army Athletics, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Helpful links:
AWPAA Strategic Plan
Army A Club Website
Sincerely,
Tom “Theo” Theodorakis
Director of Athletics & CEO of the Army West Point Athletic Association