<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The </span><a href="https://www.westpoint.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">United States Military Academy at West Point</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> is the foundation of the US Army. Along the cliffs, through the halls, and on the fields America’s best and brightest are trained to lead not just soldiers, but America. But behind the tradition and pageantry, West Point understands that athletics of any level create disciplined warriors prepared to lead in any situation.&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In this episode, </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisracioppijr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Fran Racioppi</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> sat down with </span><a href="https://goarmywestpoint.com/staff-directory/tom-theodorakis/856" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Tom Theodorakis</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, Director of Athletics at West Point, to discuss how one of the most respected athletic programs in the country directly supports the mission of the United States Military Academy and helps develop the next generation of Army leaders.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With more than 30 Division I programs and over 1,200 cadet-athletes, Tom explains what makes Army West Point different from every other program in college athletics. Cadet-athletes are not just balancing Division 1 sports and rigorous academics; they are simultaneously preparing to become officers in the United States Army where they will lead soldiers and shape national security strategy for decades to come.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We discuss the demanding reality of being a cadet-athlete, the recruiting process, and what it takes to attract elite competitors to an institution built around service before self.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tom also addresses the realities behind funding Army athletics, correcting the misconception that the program is fully government funded, and explaining how external support and partnerships help sustain the mission of Army West Point Athletics.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Finally, we discuss the opportunities available to cadet-athletes after graduation, including pathways to world-class and professional athletics, and most importantly serving as officers in the United States Army.</span></p><p><br></p><p>Highlights</p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">0:00 Introduction</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">2:09 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">3:43 Athletic Director Responsibility</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">6:01 Recruiting Athletes to West Point</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">8:31 Competing at the D1 Level</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">11:14 Funding Athletics</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">12:06 NIL Impact</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">13:08 Defining Sustainability</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">14:04 West Point Cadet-Athlete Experience</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">18:18 West Point Pro Athletes</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">19:58 Coaching Cadet-Athletes</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">22:54 Creating Warriors</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">25:26 Defining Success</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">26:50 Cadet to Lieutenant</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Quotes:</p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“It’s very humbling and also a tremendous responsibility .”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">“We want to win. If we’re going to keep score we want to win.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“That atmosphere of winning is something that’s paramount.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“We need to continue to just recruit and put ourselves on the biggest stage possible.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“We want to make sure to create the best area, the best resources for our athletes to just grow.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“The idea is that when someone comes here, they say ‘they care about athletics.’”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“We need to continue to be innovative.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“We sell not the transactional experience, but it’s the transformational experience.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“What are we doing now to make sure we’re in a good position in the future?”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“This place is about challenging our athletes.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“Every cadet here is an athlete.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“The key word here is ‘path.’”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“You have to fully embrace this place and love this institution.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“You got to win too. Results matter.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“These are all things athletics can teach you on the field.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“There’s so many things that we do here at West Point that now more than ever help us.”</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">“That’s the best part of the job.”</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by </span><a href="https://www.onebrief.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">OneBrief</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">Follow the </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jedburghpodcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Jedburgh Podcast</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> and the </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/greenberetfoundation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Green Beret Foundation</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> on social media. Listen on your </span><a href="https://pod.link/1558608802" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">favorite podcast platform</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">, read on our </span><a href="https://greenberetfoundation.org/the-jedburgh-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">website</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);">, and watch the full video version on </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jedburghpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">YouTube</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(14, 16, 26);"> as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.</span></p>