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, 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. 

LEXINGTON, Va. Jan. 24, 2025 — Sadie Smith ’26 has been working for over a year to land an internship with the Defense Intelligence Agency. She first applied last year, had interviews over the summer, and most recently heard that she would be spending 10 weeks in Washington, D.C. 

Initially, the international studies major was looking to commission into the Army, but she was medically disqualified. Instead, Smith thinks working with a government agency is where she’ll land, thus her summer internship will help aid that.

“I'm so grateful to have that opportunity,” she said. “I think it's going to be really cool. I want to work for a government agency. I'm really open minded in terms of what I do after graduation. I would love to get a job offer from them, but if that doesn't happen, I am open to grad school, or taking some time to travel ... not really set on something specific.” 

The structure and connections that VMI has given Smith have shown she has the capability to balance everything the Institute has thrown at her. From being one of the water polo team captains, to serving on cadre, and being part of the Honors Program, Smith has proved that she can stay afloat.  

Cadet-athletes at VMI not only have their responsibilities with their selected sport but cadet duties on top of that. Cadets are also required to take physical fitness classes twice a week, participate in ROTC all four years, prepare for room and uniform inspections, practice for parade, guard duty, and more. 

She was drawn to the small classes and community feel of VMI. 

“When I visited, I was like, this is a really special type of lifestyle. This is going to set me up for success and help me be pretty disciplined,” Smith explained. “It’s definitely been worth it. I look back, getting here as a rat, and I’ve come a long way in terms of leadership.” 

Smith has served on cadre for two years, as a corporal and a sergeant. Next year, she’s applying for an officer position. That, coupled with being one of the water polo captains, are two positions very different in terms of leadership.  

“Those two different leadership experiences, in their own ways, have helped me develop kind of my own unique leadership,” she stated. “I really love being water polo captain. It's so fun. My team is everything to me. If I wasn't on that team here, VMI would definitely be a little bit more difficult. I love going down for practice. I love my coach. I love our team environment. We’re a smaller team, we have a great time together, and we work hard together.”  

Smith, who is from Southern California, has been playing water polo since she was nine years old, first as a club sport, then in high school. She started out with swimming, but found water polo was a challenge she wanted to pursue. The physicality, the quickness, the skill, and the aggression of the sport call to her. Overall, it’s the bond she has with the team that gives her peace and drive. 

"The team is really cohesive. Everyone is there for each other, and we're all going through the same VMI struggles too, which I think binds everyone even more,” she said. “Everyone supports each other. I really like how the upperclassmen are always there for the rats and the rats are always there for the upperclassmen. It kind of goes both ways. We have a good system on our team with our coach, and we work constantly on team- building activities and maintaining a good team environment.” 

Smith credits her coach, Danielle Montenegro, for considering all the things she and her teammates have to keep up with.  

"Coach is so great. She makes us work hard, but she knows our limits, and she knows we're going through a lot outside of water polo stuff,” Smith explained. “A lot of other coaches here don't necessarily focus on that or care as much as she does. And that's why I really appreciate how she goes about talking to us and coaching us, keeping in mind there's a lot of other things we have to do for school and everything else.”

The regimented structure of VMI appealed to Smith, which has come to her advantage especially when she’s in season. She’s up during the week at 5:45 a.m. to do team weightlifting, then it’s breakfast and onto classes. If she doesn’t have class early, she’ll utilize the mornings to get work done.  

She’s in class until about 2:30 p.m. daily and off to practice at 4 p.m. Smith uses the time between class and practice to get schoolwork from her 17.5 credit load done. After practice, the team goes to dinner until about 8 p.m., then Smith is off to the library to study. She gives herself a cutoff at 11:30 p.m. so she can get to sleep by midnight.  

“I like to go to sleep before midnight. I cannot function after midnight,” she admitted. 

Her time at VMI has also instilled the need for time management and professionalism.  

“It's the little things every day that add up over time and really make you a new kind of person, like a very responsible, very professional person,” Smith shared. "I'm still pretty goofy, especially around my team, but there's a time and place for everything.” 

Laura Peters Shapiro
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE