| I'm not sure how you've taken my statement that one should not be released from a commitment and tied it to the importance of athletics and team sports. Yes, fitness, teamwork and athletics are important to all of the services. What does that have to do with honoring a commitment?
I can't connect the dots between playing in the NFL and recruiting soldiers or potential West Point grads. I speak with a lot of candidates, and their desire to attend USNA has never been motivated by Staubach, Robinson, McCallum or McConkey. It's usually to be a Marine or fly fighters.
Eckel should have to pay back his tuition - I'm not arguing whether he has or not. *If* he "took a dive" on his Navy career, yes I would say that would be dishonorable. I don't believe that I ever characterized any of the WP cadets as dishonorable, either, so I hope you're not implying that I've said that.
They're playing by the rules. I happen to believe that those rules are inappropriate, but I don't bear any ill will toward the people taking advantage of them. |