The Conflict Between Athletes and Non-Athletes at VMI

[@freedomfighter7831]

You were the First Brigade in the Army of the Shenandoah, the First Brigade in the Army of the Potomac, the First Brigade in the Second Corps, and are the First Brigade in the hearts of your generals. I hope that you will be the First Brigade in this, our second struggle for independence, and in the future, on the fields on which the Stonewall Brigade are engaged, I expect to hear of crowning deeds of valor and of victories gloriously achieved! May God bless you all! Farewell!

[@olson1974]

NCAA DI athletics are a big part of life at VMI. Some of my best times at VMI were watching BR's and fellow cadets compete on the football field, basketball court, wrestling mat etc etc. The occasional haydown for the corps having a good showing during a big win for an athletic team was like an oasis. I was a lacrosse player all 4 years at VMI. "Permits" certainly don't do everything the "regular rats" do when they're in season but we all make sacrifices. Anyone involved with VMI knows how much you treasure every moment away from there. The lacrosse team never had a spring break in college because we were in season so we stayed in empty barracks with no heat while everyone was gone (not to mention the challenges associated with maintaining academics in season). When we were out of season we were part of all corps activities (FTX's, parades, inspections etc etc). That's not to say some "permits" don't take advantage of being on athletic team. We all make choices. I made the choice to go to VMI and put out for my BR's. During the ratline I used to "shovel and guzzle" at late supper so I could make it back up to barracks before 7pm (usually by 6:45) to make sure I caught at least 30 min of company room time every night. Arriving after company room started i was almost always a "heat shield" for my "regular rat" BR's. The experience was challenging but we ended with some funny stories from it. Well worth it and worth my BR's knowing i wasn't a "permit worm". Lumping all permits in together is a poor choice. As is leaving a dip in while being interviewed. This video is 4 years old but 3rd classman Hirtz comments sound like sour grapes and aren't indicative of most cadets. I hope he gained some better perspective during the remainder of his cadetship.

[@chevy4x466]

I don’t get the vim atheletic thing. Not like vmi is ever good at any sports.

[@thomasgilson6206]

My man couldn't put down the chew long enough for the interview?

[@kdinva]

Athletes who have to go to practice, this is no different than Citadel, USNA, Army, USAFA.......both sides, mostly w/the non varsity athletes, need to try harder to bond...

[@chrishamilton5181]

You boys need to win that Silver Shank!!!

[@chevy4x466]

I assume all the students r on a full rotc scholarship, is this correct? I can’t imagine doing all this and paying for this school.

[@brandir.9757]

My rat roomate was an athlete and they do actually get out of a lot of the rat line stuff. If you're going to go to VMI go as an athlete if possible.

[@hagenfishing9706]

Brandi Royal yes go to a school and try to skip out on what makes this school special. If that's the case then go to a regular school, there are others that want a challenge, don't take that from them. You're a real show buddy

[@brandir.9757]

Guess you missed I wasn't an athlete...this was in response to someone else below asking do they get out of stuff... well yes they get out of about 60% of the rat line.. they get extra help on homework for free, which I paid out of pocket for my tutors. Not saying you should do it just that if you want to know if they get it easier yes, yes they do.

[@brandspro]

Brandi Royal well, yes, you are precisely saying that they should do it.

[@Jaymiahfr]

@@brandir.9757 Yes. Three 0600 lifts a week + two-hour practice Monday-Saturday is easier than getting yelled at by people your age. Being held to a standard to perform at a high level rather than do push-ups just to suffer is easier. Being at practice while everyone is taking mid-day naps is easier. Traveling every week and missing classes on a bus is easier. Coming back and staying over breaks is easier. You weren't elite at anything: athletics or academics. Stop taking that out on elite athletes that actually have a harder work load.

[@brentgamble-vl8us]

​@@Jaymiahfr I wouldn't rag on Brandi.... I'd save that for the other jealous Clowns 🤡, who can't accept that athletes actually work harder than standard students..

[@brandspro]

The Institute is paying the price now for its pursuit of glory on the athletic field. Scrubs that have no interest in VMI except as it gives them a scholarship that is not forthcoming from any other school so that they can continue to play their game. When they subsequently fall afoul of the Institute’s standards and policies, of course it’s all about racism.

[@brentgamble-vl8us]

D1 athletics is a huge endeavor.... stop crying and let the athletes train...

[@irocid4637]

I pity the cadets that go to VMI, why would you ever want to go there

[@lucaswelsh9020]

Because they want to be higher ups in the military and got a scholarship there, also pretty good education for a military school.

[@irocid4637]

Lucas Welsh You can go to any college with an rotc program and be the same rank. And the education is horrible, Citadel is much better!

[@mctaughtydox7466]

Tha Griff Citadel is insanely expensive

[@perpetualconfusion5885]

Because I'm a nut case who wants to put myself through the suck. Also General Patton graduated from there, if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me.

[@irocid4637]

INSANE_BANANA If you want to put yourself “through the suck”, why would you go to VMI? Their rat year ain’t nothin

[@starbuck4774]

Fucking Disgusting! Why are cadets allowed to do chewing tobacco ?! I seriously doubt they are allowed to smoke

[@chevy4x466]

I don’t use tobacco. However, tobacco is not against the law.