USMA IN THE NEWS

May 2, 2004 -- WEST POINT - The United States Military Academy is essentially a leadership laboratory. As they like to say here: “Much of the history we teach was made by people we taught.” From Washington Hall to Trophy Point to Michie Stadium, there are motivating moments everywhere high above the Hudson . As each member of the Army football team races onto Blaik Field for their final spring practice, they touch a spirit plaque, which is held high by a team official.

The words on that plaque, said in World War II by Army Chief of Staff, Gen. George Marshall, ring true today.  “I want an officer for a secret and dangerous mission. I want a West Point football player.”

A football player was killed 10 days ago in Afghanistan and America shed a tear. Sgt. Pat Tillman was an Army Ranger on a secret and dangerous mission in Operation Mountain Storm. He was an NFL star who turned his back on celebrity and millions of dollars to stand tall for Duty, Honor, Country. He put a hometown face to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan .

“It really hits home with Pat Tillman,” explains junior tailback Seth Gulsby. “Him being a football player, him being in the Army - but all of us know what we have to do. Me and my best friends know that four years from now, we’ll be out with a real unit. I just know I have to do what I’ve got to do.” Doing what he’s got to do is what motivated Tillman to leave the NFL after 9/11 and stand tall for America .

“I coached against Pat,” says Bobby Ross, new coach of Army who comes with a four-star resume that includes taking the Chargers to the Super Bowl and a national championship with Georgia Tech. “What a tragedy, but you know, what a hero, too. That’s a real hero.  “There are so many false heroes,” Ross adds. “This guy was a real hero and a special guy. What a loss.” Tillman is one of 721 young men and women of the armed forces who have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Tillman did not want special recognition because he was doing what so many others are doing. It was never about him.

It’s really about us.

Come to this patriotic place, a place author David Lipsky so artfully depicts in his book “Absolutely American,” and you see the young faces of real heroes everywhere as 4,000 young men and women strive to become mission-capable.

Ross understands better than most the commitment these players have made. He knows that today’s defensive back is tomorrow’s officer, who will lead troops when lives are on the line.  “They’re going to be right there,” Ross says. “Every one of them is dedicated and devoted to what is right. That’s what makes them special kids. I believe in the mission of the school, and I feel right for it, to tell you the truth.” Ross, 67, says those powerful words with conviction. His son, Kevin, who is his offensive coordinator, was a Marine from 1988-94 who served in Operation Desert Storm. That final year in the Corps his father took the Chargers to the Super Bowl.  They are together again on a football field.  “Being here, for me and my family, is a dream come true,” says Kevin Ross, a Naval Academy graduate. “I have two kids who are 18 months old. Growing up here on the grounds of West Point , you couldn’t ask for anything better than that. I was in the Marine Corps. I was an Infantry officer, so I feel I fit right in.  “The correlation between coaching football and leading a platoon is very, very similar,” Kevin Ross says. “You’re doing the same things.  You’re motivating your men, you’re overcoming the elements. You got an enemy on the field. So the guys who play here normally doing really well when they get out in the Army. They know about teamwork and self-sacrifice.

“I’m proud that I’ve had the experiences in the Marine Corps that I can help them with their future as Army officers, more so than just so as football players.” Kevin Ross smiles and adds, “I love that because you’re really doing more than just coaching football when you’re coaching football.”

Life is challenging here, especially for plebes, but there is a sense of humor, too. It is said that when plebes are asked whom they outrank, they respond: “Sir, the Superintendent’s dog, the Commandant’s cat, and all the admirals in the whole damn Navy.” The challenge is great for Ross to bring structure to a program that was 0-13 last season. He is giving everyone a chance to make the grade - even two walk-ons who were cheerleaders.  “He’s a very personal coach,” notes defensive back Curt Daniels.  “The first week we were here, he knew every player by name. He knew about you, he knew about your family. When you let him down, you kind of feel like you’re letting down your mentor, your father or something.”

The countdown has begun for the opener. Emotions will be high that day at Michie Stadium against highly ranked Louisville .  That first game will be played Sept. 11.  “It’s going to be one emotional day,” Bobby Ross says as he looks out into the distance. “We’ll be out there for a lot of reasons.” For Pat Tillman and all the others who have died in the war and for those killed on 9/11. And they will be there to try to win a football game against a Top-15 opponent.  “Even though they didn’t win one game last year, not one of these kids hung their head,” says Seth Gulsby’s stepfather, Bob Harriman.  “It would be easy to get down, but not these kids, that’s what this place is all about - leadership.”

Before the game, as Army players race onto the field, they will again touch the spirit plaque with their hand - and their hearts.  They know serving their country is their calling.  “I want an officer for a secret and dangerous mission. I want a West Point football player.”