Army West Point Athletics
Black Knight Spotlight - Monte Jones
May 03, 2006 | General
Get to know baseball player Monte Jones
1. What does it mean to you to be able to play baseball at West Point?
"Playing baseball at West Point is a tremendous honor, knowing the people that have come before us and what it means to be a cadet-athlete. To be a part of a winning tradition that is so rich in history and being able to associate myself with that is something else."
2. What is the best thing about being an athlete at West Point?
"The best thing about being an athlete is the camaraderie you develop with your teammates, being able to make lifelong friends and being a part of the whole team atmosphere. There's not much difference between us and regular cadets. We get recognized a little more and have people ask us how our season is going, but it's the same, we still have our responsibilities to the Corps."
3. What is the most difficult thing?
"There is a time management issue, but for me, the most difficult aspect is that I will have to part ways with the team and my teammates after I graduate. We develop such a good friendship and spend so much time with each other that it's going to be tough to part ways. We still might run into each other or maybe even work with each other while we're in the military, but it will never be the same as it is now. Knowing that there will be an end to my college career and being on this team is hard to swallow."
4. What is your fondest sports memory that you have had since arriving at West Point?
"Since it's fresh, beating Navy this season is probably my most memorable moment. We took three of four games to earn our third consecutive star. We take a lot of pride in Army/Navy, so it's nice to have had the success against them that we have had during my career."
5. What adjustments have you had to make since arriving here?
a. Socially:
"Socially, not being able to spend as much time with my friends and family as I might like. Also, after games and practices where other teams might get to relax and hang out, we have a lot of stuff to get done so we miss out on a highly active social life."
b. Athletically:
"The level of competition is a lot higher than anything I had been a part of. Also, being at the Academy and staying focused with everything else on our plates can be tough. We have to approach each game and practice as a unique challenge and find a way to overcome any obstacles."
c. Academically:
"Finding time to get the work done. The work itself is also a lot harder than anything I had to do in the past. The course load itself is very demanding, but I've found that if you stay on top of your work you can do well."
6. Why did you decide to come to West Point? What were some of the deciding factors? Who or what influenced your decision?
"Well, I wasn't recruited to come here and play baseball so this whole experience has been an added bonus. My father went to Air Force and my grandfather came here, so they definitely influenced my decision. The opportunity to come here would be the biggest challenge for me and I didn't want to back down from that. I felt like I'd get the most out of attending West Point. I also wanted to serve my country, so the Academy was the perfect fit for me."
7. What do you enjoy doing during your "down time"?
"I'm sure that everyone says sleeping for this one. In addition to that, I just enjoy hanging out with my friends. Whether it's people from my company or guys on the team, I like to just hang out with them and do whatever, when we are given the time."
8. Which branch are you planning on entering following graduation?
"I've been assigned to the armor branch."
9. What makes athletes at West Point unique from athletes at other schools?
"I think our commitment to the Army when we graduate separates us from our opponents. A lot of teams we play can pursue a baseball career, while we will be serving our country. It's something we think about as a cadet, so playing sports is a release from our daily grind. Other athletes might not enjoy practice as much or take it for granted. For us, it's our play time so we make the most of it and really enjoy it. I think that we're also a little more focused because the effort we put into our academics, physical and military training is reflected in our performance."
10. What is the best thing about being a cadet?
"Making my parents proud is one of the best things about being a cadet. The opportunities that the Academy presents us with are also very good. When we graduate, we are commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lt. The experience you gain while you're here prepares you not only for life in the military but beyond that, and whatever else someone might want to endure."
