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Behind the Balance: Cadet-Athlete Features
The Three-Legged Stool in Action
Virginia Military Institute’s cadet-athletes have to juggle cadet life, heavy academic course loads, and their NCAA Division I sport. Committed to both academic and athletic pursuits, along with their military training, balancing their rigorous schedule in both sports and school requires a certain level of commitment and discipline.
Behind the Balance is a series that focuses on those cadet-athletes and how they handle the hurdles of the day-to-day as part of the unique undergraduate experience found at this historic military college.
Woongchan Oh ’25, a civil engineering major and cadet-athlete at VMI, balances the demanding cadet lifestyle with his passion for soccer. From Korea’s pro-soccer academies to VMI's soccer team, he’s learned the value of teamwork, time management, and dedication.
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Whitney Tracy '25 juggles her role as the starting goalkeeper, an S4 lieutenant managing logistics for the Corps, and her biology major — all while preparing for her next chapter after graduation.
Community is something Patrick Kiernan ’25 values in his life. It’s one of the reasons he chose to go to Virginia Military Institute and also a big part as to why he’s on the cross country team.
Sedona Dancu '25 thrives in VMI's demanding environment. From balancing soccer practices and cadet duties to growing in faith as a cadet chaplain, she credits VMI for teaching her discipline and time management.
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Through resources like the Miller Academic Center and academic advisors, Terrell Jackson stays on top of his studies while mentoring teammates and maintaining relationships between athletics and the Corps.
It wasn’t love at first run for Abby Fiorillo ’25. She said her father made her do cross country when she was in high school, but the longer she ran, her love for the sport grew.
Becoming one of the co-captains of Virginia Military Institute’s men’s soccer team, Colin Blandford ’26 didn’t expect to carry so much weight. It was a stark contrast to him serving as captain in high school.
The schedule Gretal Shank ’25 keeps ensures she’s able to get all her tasks done. On top of a sport, she’s taken a heavy credit load her entire time at VMI — taking 20 credits this semester, three of which are dedicated to her honor’s thesis.
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Ty Swaim '24 based his decision on attending VMI for the opportunity to play baseball, the trust he had with the coaching staff, and the expectations they had for him.
Leadership and regiment have been ingrained into Kyle Webster ’24 since beginning his time at Virginia Military Institute. In his last semester, he perfected the balance of academics and athletics. Although, he admits it was challenging.