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. Oct. 21, 2024 — Sedona Dancu ’25 said she wasn’t even looking at military colleges until she received a call from the women’s soccer coach at Virginia Military Institute. The psychology major, with a minor in exercise science and leadership studies, said once she learned about the vast alumni network VMI offers and the connections she could gain, she was in. That coupled with a soccer scholarship, it was the best move for her. 

At the age of two, she was handed a soccer ball and there was no turning back. It’s the competitiveness and team aspect she enjoys the most.  

“It's hard to explain. I feel content when I'm on the field,” she said.  

But it’s the tightness of the team that’s kept her at VMI. 

"At VMI, with it not being a lot of girls, we will all do anything for each other,” she said of the girls on her team. "We will stand up for each other in any situation. I could trust all of them with my life. We go through so much, especially the girls in my class, starting with the Rat Line together.” 

She said from her first year, her class went from 14 women on the team down to eight.   

“All eight of us are really close,” she said.   

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. 

Dancu is up at 5 a.m. during the week for practice. Then it’s breakfast and onto classes. This semester she has her lightest load with 12 and a half credits. Previously, most of her semesters were 18 credits or more. After classes end at 3 p.m., she’s rushing off to another practice until 7 p.m. Then it’s dinner, homework, and bed. Some nights she stays up past midnight doing homework, only to turn around and get up at 5 a.m. the next morning. 

“I think the quickest thing I had to learn was to manage my time and not procrastinate,” she said. “Procrastinating is huge, especially as a 4th Class cadet. You can easily procrastinate things because you get so loaded with all the Rat Line responsibilities, soccer, and getting used to being in college.” 

Managing time, and having discipline and accountability are high priorities for Dancu.  

"I usually write out a schedule ... just managing every hour of the day. Because every minute of the day here is so precious,” she said.  

She feels that VMI has helped provide the structure that’s needed to follow a strict schedule. When Dancu compares her college life to her friends or siblings at more traditional colleges, there’s such a difference. 

“They have like one class every two days and then they can sleep in. It's funny comparing schedules, because we're literally up from 7 a.m. to midnight doing things every hour,” she said. “Even when you don't have homework, we have military duty. In season, you’re traveling, and we get back at 4 a.m., then you have to go to class.” 

Despite the rigorous schedule, Dancu pointed out that the women’s soccer team won an academic award for highest GPA among women’s sports at VMI last year. 

"It's really motivating, because when we're on the bus or in the hotel room, everyone is doing homework, and you're like, shoot, I should probably be doing it, too,” she said. “They're just so smart and on top of it. In a way, soccer helps with school, because you have the time to do class and then you have practice. If I didn't play sport here, it would be difficult for me to focus. Being on the soccer team and having such a busy schedule, it makes it easier to get your homework done.”

Dancu said she’s someone who loves staying busy. When she’s on break from school, she’s on a mission to fill her days.  

"I can't just sit around and not do anything,” she said. "It's taught me what hard work looks like and I am very grateful for that, because I think it will really help me in the future.” 

Being at VMI has offered her discipline. 

"I'm more disciplined in all aspects of my life, especially my faith,” she said. “My faith has grown tremendously since I'm a cadet chaplain.” 

She’s already seen the alumni network work for her. This past summer she had an internship at the University of North Florida, working in the athletic marketing department. An alumnus got her in contact with the right people and she was offered the opportunity. 

Following graduation, she plans on playing soccer for one more year while attending graduate school. She wants to pursue leadership studies, ministry, or something in sports.  

Laura Peters Shapiro
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE