4 Huntsville High athletes now set to take the field at U.S. service academies

Being able to continue your athletic career beyond high school is a rarity, as only about 7% of high school athletes go on to play collegiately.

Consider also that service academies have around about an 11% acceptance rate, so being able to play sports collegiately AND at a service academy is a rarity indeed. And Huntsville High has four of them:

• Alex Cothren, baseball, United States Military Academy
• Richard “Tripp” Raleigh, football, United States Military Academy
• Caleb Shultz, football, United States Air Force Academy
• Frankie Vegerita, football, United States Naval Academy

These student athletes could have chosen other schools to further their academic and athletic careers, but they chose these service academies. But, why? Caleb Shultz offered some insight.

“I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. The opportunity to receive a world-class education while preparing to serve my country was something that really stood out to me.

The opportunity to compete at a Division I level while earning a top-tier education and preparing to serve my country was something I couldn’t pass up. The Academy gives me a chance to continue playing the game I love while developing as a leader and challenging myself in ways that go far beyond the football field.

_{Caleb Shultz}

Choosing to attend a military academy is a huge decision, but choosing which academy to attend was another big decision. Which is why we wondered what played into the decision of each of these students. Alex Cothren and Tripp Raleigh explained why they chose West Point:

“Serving in the military has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember, so the opportunity to attend West Point was especially meaningful. The Academy’s tradition of developing leaders of character, its academic excellence, and its commitment to service all played major roles in my decision.

I truly believe West Point is the finest service academy in the nation, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of it.”

_{Alex Cothren} 

Raleigh echoed those sentiments.

“Of all of the academies I found I most aligned with the history and tradition of the United States Military Academy. You can just tell the values of Duty, Honor, Country are not just words they say but values that are lived by. For these reasons was drawn to West Point and I’m excited to be a part of the culture.” 

_{Tripp Raleigh}

For Frankie Vegerita, the choice to attend the Naval Academy was a matter of family tradition.

“My family has had a tradition of naval service for several generations, and I grew up as a Navy brat, so I am most familiar with the Navy. 

Seeing the positive impression the Naval Academy had on my sister and the pride she has in what she’s doing confirmed my decision to go to Annapolis. All these experiences, both within my family and through Huntsville football are why going to the Naval Academy, and nowhere else, just feels like the absolute right fit for me.”

_{Frankie Vegerita}

Schultz has similar reasons.

“My dad is an Air Force Academy alumnus, and his experience left a lasting impact on our family. My mom is also an Air Force veteran, so I grew up with an appreciation for service, commitment, and leadership.

Following in their footsteps while creating my own path made the Academy an even more meaningful choice. I also knew that the Academy would prepare me for life after football. It was important to me to choose a place where I could grow as an athlete, student, and future leader and I felt the Air Force Academy offered the best opportunity to do all three.”

_{Caleb Shultz}

How sports prepared these students for the next level

Balancing academics with athletics often seems hard to manage for students, but these four student athletes found that participating in sports actually enhanced their performance in the classroom and beyond.

“Athletics has always been an outlet for me to challenge myself and grow not just mentally and physically and has certainly helped prepare me for the mental and physical challenges that come with attending a U.S. Service Academy.

Not only that the principle that “every cadet is an athlete” means that my athletic endeavors certainly do not end here and will continue to be an outlet for growth.”

_{Tripp Raleigh}

The challenge and discipline that go along with high school athletics also helped prepare Vegerita prepare for his next steps.

“Athletes are used to being coached, taking hard feedback, and immediately correcting their mistakes without taking it personally.  Football taught me resilience. When I messed up a drill, I learned to shake it off and focus on the next play. Balancing practice, film and games with academics taught me time management that I think will help me as a Midshipman.”

_{Frankie Vegerita}

Athletics also provided lasting memories for these four Crimson Panthers, and those memories are part of who they have become as young men.

“Whether it was riding the bus to games, spending time together at practice, or making memories during team trips, the relationships I built with my teammates are what I will cherish most. The bond we shared both on and off the field made my high school athletic experience truly special.”

_{Alex Cothren}

For Shultz, being part of the Huntsville High football team helped him through one of the most difficult times in his life, when his father passed away.

“Honestly, I had no desire to play football that Friday night. Football was the last thing on my mind. When I finally arrived at the locker room before the game, I was met with an overwhelming amount of support from my teammates, coaches, and friends. It reminded me that football is more than just a sport; it’s a family.

For the first time all week, I didn’t feel like I was carrying everything alone.

For a few hours, I was able to focus completely on the task in front of me. The experience showed me the impact that a team can have on someone’s life and how sports can bring people together during difficult times. It’s a memory I’ll carry with me long after my playing days are over.”

_{Caleb Shultz}

What is takes to attend a U.S. military academy

Not only does a prospective student at our military academies need to have a high GPA (typically a 3.9 or higher), but acceptance criteria involves a rigorous check list, including:

• Leadership + character evaluation
• Physical fitness
• Medical exam
• Nomination from student’s Congressional delegation

In these four students’ cases, the nomination must come from either Rep. Dale Strong, Sen. Katie Britt or Sen. Tommy Tuberville.