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News Archive: July 2006
Matt Sullivan competes in MAPGA Juniors Tour
Cadet Matt Sullivan, 2007, a two varsity letter veteran of the FUMA golf team, has spent the summer competing in the Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA's Titleist Juniors Tour. To date he has racked up a first place finish with a 75 in the boys 16 to 18 age group at the Laytonsville Golf Club in Maryland, which included 41 entries; a fifth place finish at Falls Road Golf Club in Potomac MD and tied for third place out of a field of 45 entrants on July 26th with a two over par 72 at Bowling Green Country Club in Front Royal, VA. Due to his stellar performance, Matt has also been invited to participate in the Nordlinger Cup Invitational Tournament for late August at the famous Mount Vernon Country Club in Alexandria, VA.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Monday, July 31, 2006 10:00 AM
Athletics
An Open Letter to FUMA Friends and Family regarding the recent NCAA review
From Lt. General John E. Jackson, Jr.
President
Fork Union Military Academy
Dear FUMA Family and Friends,
You may have seen news coverage about Fork Union Military Academy and the NCAA in recent days. I wanted to take the time to bring you up to date and explain the circumstances that led to those news stories.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the organization that oversees most college athletics. A student athlete receiving an athletic scholarship to attend college must be certified as eligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse. The NCAA looks at the student's high school grade point average and SAT/ACT test scores to determine this eligibility. The goal of this initial eligibility check is to insure that student athletes are adequately prepared for the academic requirements of college.
In recent months, investigative reports in the New York Times and Washington Post have placed a spotlight on certain "schools" that might have a basketball team and a coach, but have no classrooms or textbooks. These "storefront schools" offer student athletes a high school diploma and a gateway into college, while offering little or no real academic preparation. The NCAA has been under increasing pressure to take decisive action and crack down on these so-called "diploma mills."
The NCAA began an investigation targeting, among other things, grade transcripts where student athletes transferred to a new school and showed "miraculous improvements" in their grade point average, or where sequential courses normally taken in successive years (such as Algebra I and Algebra II) were completed by students within a single academic year. NCAA investigators believed grade patterns such as these indicated further review.
As you know, Fork Union Military Academy sends dozens of student athletes to college on athletic scholarships each year. Many of these young men come to FUMA specifically to improve their prior academic performance. Due to the focus, structure, and discipline of our school, many students achieve remarkable academic improvement over their performance at their previous schools. Also, our One Subject Plan allows students to take sequential courses within a single year.
Our extraordinary record of academic success placed us squarely in the NCAA's sights.
On July 5, 2006 the NCAA published a list of twenty-two schools they intended to subject to a closer review in their attempt to ferret out bogus schools. Fork Union Military Academy's name was on that list alongside the name of one of the schools that had featured prominently in past newspaper stories characterizing that school as a diploma mill.
For two weeks, the Academy endured news stories and NCAA press statements regarding the review but offering little in the way of specific reasons why FUMA in particular was on that list. While sports writers and columnists publicly questioned FUMA's inclusion on the list, and others familiar with FUMA (including past NCAA President Gene Corrigan) gave public statements expressing their astonishment and outrage at FUMA's name being tarnished in this way, we waited for the NCAA officials to arrive on campus and ask their questions.
On July 19, 2006, two NCAA officials came to Fork Union and met with Fork Union's President, Academic Dean, Director of Admissions, Director of Guidance, coaches, and others. They asked questions about our academic program, our admissions process, and whether non-athletes saw the same level of academic improvement as did the athletes at our school. Staff members were able to answer every question asked and provide documentation and academic records to satisfy the NCAA's inquiries completely. None of their questions came as a surprise, and none was difficult to answer given our history, structure, and readily available documentation.
On July 21, 2006, the NCAA issued a press statement announcing that the NCAA would continue to accept grades, graduation, and transcript records from Fork Union Military Academy for the purposes of determining initial college eligibility for our athletes, effectively clearing FUMA's name.
Our results speak for themselves. Thousands of students over many generations have improved their academic performance at FUMA by learning the value of focus, self-discipline, and personal accountability. As you know, it is the hard work we expect of our students that brings about their academic achievement, certainly not any leniency in our academic standards and practices.
We applaud the desire of the NCAA to insure that all student athletes receive a quality educational experience. While it has been difficult to see our Academy's name spoken about in the press in the context of this inquiry, we remained confident that once the NCAA saw our campus and our dedicated staff, their concerns would evaporate. I want to thank and commend the staff and faculty of our fine Academy for their hard work and devotion to the young men entrusted to our care.
We put our trust and faith in the Lord and we were not disappointed.
Best regards,
Lt. General John E. Jackson, Jr., USAF (Ret.)
President
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Wednesday, July 26, 2006 11:00 AM
General News
Fork Union Military Academy Affirmed by NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association has affirmed that grades, graduation and core courses from Fork Union Military Academy will continue to be used in the NCAA initial eligibility process for student athletes entering college on athletic scholarships.
"At no time was Fork Union on a 'not cleared' list," explained Kevin Lennon, NCAA Vice President for Membership Services in a statement released today. "Rather, the NCAA had specific areas of concern to address with Fork Union and the school subsequently provided satisfactory responses."
Fork Union Military Academy's President, Lt. General John E. Jackson, Jr. responded to the swift resolution of the NCAA's inquiry, saying, "Our results speak for themselves. Thousands of students over many generations have improved their academic performance at FUMA by learning the value of focus, self-discipline, and personal accountability."
Unlike most high schools, where students juggle four, five, or more classes each day, Fork Union students follow a unique One Subject Plan schedule. The Academy's school year is divided into five seven-week terms. During each term the cadet studies one major subject, such as English, History, or Algebra I. All assignments and tests come in this one course from the same teacher, and that teacher is able to focus all of his or her attention on the current class of students, and no others, for the entire seven-week term. By the end of the academic year, students will have completed an intensive study of five core courses with as many or more hours of classroom instruction as that provided under a typical school schedule.
Fork Union Military Academy requires students to be at their desks engaged in study for two hours each school night. This study time, known as "CQ" for "Call to Quarters" is closely supervised by faculty officers.
"While my son's academic about face is nothing short of miraculous," said Barbara Wright of Purcellville, Virginia, parent of a Fork Union student, "there is no doubt in my mind why he has been on the Honor Roll or Dean's List every term for the two years he has been at Fork Union after routinely earning below average grades in his previous school. It's because of CQ. At Fork Union, with only one subject at a time and less than 15 cadets per class, each instructor knows exactly who is spending their CQ time constructively."
Fork Union Military Academy has established a national reputation for an athletic program that has produced two Heisman Trophy winners, at least six NBA players, and more than 70 players in the National Football League. The school's academic program is no less remarkable. Eddie George won the Heisman Trophy as a football player at Ohio State University, but Academy officials are quick to point out that Edward Jennings, another FUMA alumnus, served more than ten years as the President of Ohio State University.
"The success of this school is measured in the achievements of its alumni," said General Jackson. "From Kansas City's legendary mayor, Roe "The Chief" Bartle, for whom the city's NFL team is named, to Virginia's current Secretary of Agriculture, Bob Bloxom; from Sergeant Earle Gregory, first Virginian to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor, to General John Chain, former Commander in Chief of the Strategic Air Command; from Tom Davis who founded Piedmont Airlines and Ed Telling, the visionary CEO of Sears, Roebuck, to Kevin Plank, the founder of UnderArmour. As we say at FUMA, success stories begin here."
"We want to thank NCAA officials who visited our campus, Ms. Jennifer Strawley and Ms. Diane Dickman, for their professionalism," said General Jackson. "Also, I want to thank and commend the staff and faculty of our fine Academy for their hard work and devotion to the boys entrusted to our care. We put our trust and faith in the Lord and we were not disappointed."
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Friday, July 21, 2006 04:11 PM
General News
Capital Campaign Rolling Along
As of July 19, 2006, FUMA's capital campaign has raised $21,473,107 toward a goal of $29,000,000! The campaign is designed to improve campus facilities and grow the school's endowment, which supports cadet scholarships and faculty professional development. Call FUMA's development office at 434-842-4227 to find out how you can be a part of this campaign to insure the Academy's future.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Friday, July 21, 2006 08:43 AM
General News
Joey Donahue, Class of 2003, serves in Iraq
Joseph Donahue, a lance corporal in the Marine Corps, has recently been assigned to Iraq. In a recent article in the Times Community Papers in Northern Virginia, Joey's mother quotes: "Since he was about 3 years old, all Joey has wanted to be is a Marine....He's living his dream." Donahue is from Warrenton, Virginia and served as Provost Marshall, Class Secretary, NHS Secretary, and Honor Council while at Fork Union Military Academy. Upon graduation, he attended Virginia Tech before enlisting in the Marines. For more information on the story go to Fauquier Times-Democrat.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Friday, July 21, 2006 08:13 AM
General News
Brandon Caleb - All-CVa Male Athlete of Year
As Brandon Caleb is preparing to start his success at Oklahoma University, Fork Union is continuing to read about his success as All Central Virginia's Male Athlete of the Year in the local newspapers. On Sunday, July 15th the Charlottesville Daily Progress ran a recap of the student-athletes in Central Virginia. Brandon's picture was prominent on the first page of the Sports Section for his winning ability in track and football. In the article Mrs. Beverly Hanlin recalls Brandon's "beaming smile" and "sunny disposition." Fork Union's faculty and staff will be anxious to keep in touch with his accomplishments at Oklahoma State. To read more about Brandon's time at FUMA go to Charlottesville's Daily Progress.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Thursday, July 20, 2006 02:46 PM
General News
Dismissal schedule for final day of Summer Session
Fork Union Military Academy has released the dismissal schedule for July 29, 2006 - the final day of Summer Session.
Those students taking one class will be dismissed at 10:00am. Students taking two classes will be dismissed at 12:30pm.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Thursday, July 20, 2006 02:32 PM
General News
Don Majkowski Speaks to the Daily Progress on NCAA
Former Green Bay Packer quarterback (and FUMA alumnus) Don Majkowski calls the NCAA actions "ludicrous" in this story in the Charlottesville Daily Progress.
The Philadelphia Inquirer carried a story about FUMA's response to the NCAA in their Sunday paper.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Sunday, July 9, 2006 09:16 PM
Athletics
Fork Union Military Academy outraged by inclusion on NCAA list
Fork Union, VA - "It's a bit like that feeling you get standing in your stocking feet at the airport security line with your shoes in your hand," says Lt. General John E. Jackson, Jr., President of Fork Union Military Academy. "You're pleased that the appropriate authorities are taking their jobs so seriously, but you're frustrated that they are taking their time scrutinizing you instead of out catching the real culprits. This is outrageous behavior which affects lots of young men who are considering coming to our school next month. It is an unconscionable act to paint the Academy with the same brush as those who are mocking the system. This situation needs to be rectified by the NCAA at the speed of light or irreparable damage will be the result."
School officials at Fork Union Military Academy are baffled by their inclusion on a list of schools subject to further review published yesterday by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The NCAA has been under pressure to better regulate the upsurge in specialized "prep schools" that seek to give athletes the mantle of college eligibility while offering little in the way of education. "Fork Union is not in that category, we've been around for 109 years." states General Jackson. "Our record of academic achievement stands on its own and to question the rigor, without even visiting the campus, or, at the very least, telling the Academy what concern it may have, underscores the lack of sensitivity and professionalism one normally comes to expect from the NCAA."
Investigative reports by writers with the New York Times and Washington Post newspapers, among others, have uncovered a range of fraud and academic abuses at a variety of bogus schools that contain coaches and athletes, but offer very little in the way of classrooms and teachers. Some of these schools claim to offer correspondence courses or other classes, but have no educational accreditation. Athletes in search of an easy route into college have been drawn into some of these questionable programs and the NCAA has formed a special committee to look into such practices.
Rigorous Academic Program
"If you were to describe the polar opposite of a 'diploma mill' you would be describing Fork Union Military Academy," said Dr. Robert Miller, the school's Academic Dean. "Our academic program is well-defined and rigorous, and the success of our graduates at the college level is a testament to that."
Founded in 1898 by a Baptist minister and housed on a 1,000-acre campus in central Virginia, the school has established a solid reputation throughout the nation for its structure, discipline, and well-rounded program designed to develop young men in body, mind, and spirit.
Students at Fork Union, referred to as cadets, arise to the bugle's call at 6:00am, march to breakfast, and begin their class day at 8:00am where they study college preparatory courses until mid-afternoon. The afternoon is filled with athletics and activities until dinner time. After dinner, the cadets report to their barracks rooms where they engage in a mandatory study period for over two hours each school night. Then it's lights out until 6:00am the next morning.
While the school is well-known for its outstanding athletic programs, the vast majority of cadets are there to take advantage of the school's strong college preparatory academics. Graduating seniors in recent years have been accepted to outstanding universities across the country including the University of Virginia, Vanderbilt, the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Air Force Academy, Duke University, and Harvard.
Fork Union Military Academy is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and is recognized as accredited by the Virginia Council on Private Education and the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education. Just this past Spring of 2006, the school completed the intensive on-site examination process required for recertification by the VAIS organization and received a highly favorable report from Visiting Committee that conducted a thorough audit of all the school's practices and policies. The accreditation visits are conducted on campus at five-year intervals with close scrutiny of the academics, curriculum, financial health, governance, and overall viability of the school, as measured against seventy-six standards of good practice.
Long History Producing College Student-Athletes
One of the characteristics of the school believed to have prompted the attention of NCAA officials is the large number of athletes receiving scholarship offers in relation to the school's size. In a school with a total enrollment of approximately 550 students, two or three dozen athletes go on to participate in Division I college athletic programs each year. Fork Union Military Academy has produced two Heisman Trophy winners (Vinny Testaverde and Eddie George), at least six NBA players, and more than 70 players in the National Football League throughout its long history.
School officials point to this level of success as a sign of the work ethic instilled by the Academy, rather than a symptom of sloppy academics and easy grades.
Eddie George, an NFL All-Pro player for many years and an alumnus of the Academy, described this emphasis on academic achievement in a Dallas radio interview last year, saying, "I was able to draw strength and encouragement to pursue not only my athletic goals, but to become more than just an athlete, but to become a good student and to move forth and become anything that I chose to be in life. That environment instilled a lot of needed discipline in my life at that time. I can't say enough about the staff and the people there that genuinely care about you as a person and want to see you do well academically because they all understand that your athletic career will one day come to an end, but education and knowledge is power and is everlasting until your life ends."
School Officials: "Our doors are open to the NCAA"
Fork Union Military Academy officials say that no one from the NCAA has visited their school to make any determination about the school's academic fitness, but that they welcome the examination.
"It is a bit disconcerting to be listed alongside some of these other so-called schools," says Lt. General Jackson, "but we encourage the NCAA's investigation into the practices of all such schools and welcome NCAA officials to come to our campus and give us a thorough look as well. Our doors are open to them and we are confident they will find what parents and students have found here for over 100 years - a school committed to doing the Lord's work and committed to helping young men achieve success both in academics and in life."
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson, Thursday, July 6, 2006 05:32 PM
General News
Fork Union Aquatic Club to Hold Tryouts
Fork Union Military Academy will host team tryouts for its newly established club swim team on Saturday August 26th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Estes Aquatic Center on FUMA's campus. Tryouts are open to both male and female ages five and older and all swimming levels are encouraged to participate. A top prep school for student athletes who are serious about their sport and their studies, FUMA has produced world-class talent for decades. The Academy is committed to extending its tradition of swimming excellence to both its Cadets and members of the local community.
This team, Fork Union Aquatic Club (FUAC), is a member of Virginia Swimming, Inc., the Virginia affiliate of USA Swimming, the sports national governing body. FUAC offers top flight coaching to swimmers from the novice through national championship levels. The team will also compete in local and regional USA-sanctioned swim meets within Virginia.
FUAC is a member of USA Swimming, the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming. They administer competitive swimming in accordance with the Amateur Sports Act. Club teams (like FUAC) train and compete year round with short breaks in August and April. Swimmers on FUAC may compete in USA-Swimming sanctioned meets, including the ConocoPhillips National Championship, Speedo Junior Championship, World Championship, the Grand Prix, U.S. Open, and U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
FUAC is a club sport associated with Fork Union Military Academy, which also allows for community participation, boys and girls, ages five and older. FUAC is not affiliated with the Jefferson Swim League and does not compete with any team in that league. JSL swim team members are eligible to try out for FUAC and will not compete within the Jefferson Swim League. This club will provide swimmers with additional opportunities for competition at the local and regional level. Swimmers can also belong to another high school and Fork Union Aquatic Club and do not have to attend FUMA. Also, tryouts are open to swimmers from all of the surrounding counties and communities and not just limited to residents of Fluvanna County. The purpose of tryouts is to ensure that each child meets minimum qualification standards for team participation, and proper group placement within the team structure. Membership in FUAC is limited, so it is important to contact the Head Swim Coach if someone is unable to make the tryout on August 26th.
Once selections have been made, swimmers will be notified prior to the first practice date in September. The team is divided into 4 groups (Red, White, Blue and Senior) and training groups are dependent on age and/or ability. Practice times and dates will be determined after the tryouts.
More General Information on FUAC Tryouts:
Date: Saturday, August 26, 2006
Tryout Schedule: 10 years old and younger: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Swimmers age 11 and older: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Open to: Male and females ages 5 and older, novice to elite development levels
Place: Fork Union Military Academy Estes Aquatic Center (adjacent to Estes Athletic Center)
Contact: Jim Bocci, Head Swim Coach, 434-842-4210 or email: boccij@fuma.org
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Thursday, July 6, 2006 10:41 AM
General News
Ramon Pardue '56 Resigns from St. Joseph's Villa
Class of 1956 member, Ramon Pardue, resigns from St. Joseph's Villa in Richmond, VA after 29 years of service. In a recent article in the Times-Dispatch, Pardue is cited as touching the lives of homeless families and children. He was noted as being an excellent leader and one that was very much involved with the children. His wife is quoted: "For Ray, you have to remember that what he does is a ministry for him."
Pardue attributes much of his discipline and personal achievement to Fork Union Military Academy. To read the full article go to June 30th issue of Times-Dispatch.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Monday, July 3, 2006 03:01 PM
Alumni
Successful Sports Hall of Fame Banquet & Golf Tourney
On Thursday, June 15th Fork Union Military Academy honored five new inductees into its Sports Hall of Fame. With over 200 guests attending the dinner, the evening turned out to be very memorable for many friends, families and fellow alumni. The new members into the Sports Hall of Fame included: Charles Bossolina, Class of 1949; Bill Blair, Class of 1949; Erik Christensen, Class of 1951; William Furrer, Class of 1987; and Ibrahim Aden, Class of 1992. A very special presentation to Guy E. Beatty, FUMA Trustee, Emeritus, concluded the evening. Mr. Beatty received the Col. R.L. "Red" Pulliam Award for Dinstinguished Leadership, one of the highest honors presented by the Academy, for his enduring commitment and service to the school.
Charlie Daniel, Class of 1950, entertained the guests with his wit and wisdom as Master of Ceremonies. Gene Corrigan, former ACC Commissioner, was the guest speaker. Other special guests included the presenters of the awards: Ken Koeller, Class of 1951; Joe Lindsey and Bill Blair, Class of 1986; Fred Mueller, Class of 1955; Jerry Rhome; and Fred Hardy, Jr. accepted the award in the absence of Ibrahim Aden.
The golf tournament on Friday morning turned out 108 participants and raised over $30,000 the William Blair (PG) Scholarship Fund. The winners of the tournament included Jim Kite, Sonny Randle, Spanky Taylor, and David Passerell.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Monday, July 3, 2006 09:22 AM
Athletics
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