West Point, to thee
Miles Silva, Men's Lacrosse
Family
My entire life I grew up wanting to be just like them and to become part of the storied legacy of West Point and the men’s lacrosse team.
From the time I was a little boy, playing lacrosse at West Point was my dream. Simply put, West Point is part of my family. It began with my maternal grandfather, Walter Mischler class of 1969, who played sprint football and ran track during his time here, followed by my parents, Adam and Jennifer Silva class of 1993, who captained the men’s lacrosse and volleyball teams. My entire life I grew up wanting to be just like them and to become part of the storied legacy of West Point and the men’s lacrosse team.
Growing up surrounded by Army sports, I looked up to the men and women who wore their respective uniforms as my heroes, referring to my parents’ teammates and class as my “aunts” “uncles,” and I knew I wanted to be just like them. The Army lacrosse team has meant everything to me for as long as I can remember, and I am blessed to have been a part of it during my five-year journey.
My path to becoming an Army lacrosse player differs from those of my classmates because my recruiting process was solely focused on getting the chance to attend West Point and play under Coach Alberici. I knew from the moment my process began that I wanted West Point to be the place I spent my college career.
From my first day in the lacrosse locker room at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School I knew I joined something special, something bigger than myself. When I was given the opportunity to play lacrosse at West Point I was not only fulfilling a childhood dream, I was also given the opportunity to learn to follow, to grow, to fail, to lead, and to be a part of the greatest group of men in the country.
I was given the privilege to join a diverse institution, and lacrosse team. Men from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and areas of the country came together and loved one another and worked every single day to better themselves and the team. It was a humbling experience witnessing men go out and give their all on the field, in the classroom, and in training, every single day. Each member of the team would give their all for the guy right next to them, no matter the situation, and I believe that is something that makes Army lacrosse one of the best programs in the country.
It was the honor of a lifetime to be able to wear the Army jersey that so many incredible men have worn for over 100 years before me.
While my time on the field was cut short, I would never trade my time here for time anywhere else in the country. The bonds I have made with my brothers are ones that will last forever. It was the honor of a lifetime to be able to wear the Army jersey that so many incredible men have worn for over 100 years before me.
The culture in the Army lacrosse locker room is unmatched, the team is as close knit and selfless as any I have ever seen. To my classmates- I love you, thank you for everything you have done, you are my best friends.
To my teammates past and present- you have made me a better man, you are my family and I would not be here without you. To the coaching staff- thank you for giving a goofy kid from Florida the chance to live out his dream to be just like his parents, I owe you everything and I can never repay you.
Finally, to my family, thank you for being there through the good times and the bad, always pushing me and loving me, you are why I have made it this far.
I am a better man for having spent the last five years in this program, it has given me opportunities I never thought possible.
My classmates and I were not given the chance to fulfill our dreams of winning another Patriot League Championship or National Championship, but I know we can look back and feel pride for how we are leaving the program. From our plebe year on, my classmates and I made it our priority to leave the program better than we found it, and to build a winning culture.
Army lacrosse has taught me invaluable lessons that I will take with me throughout my Army career and beyond. I am a better man for having spent the last five years in this program, it has given me opportunities I never thought possible. The memories, lessons, and relationships I gained from my time at West Point will last a lifetime, and I am forever grateful.
Miles Silva, 4 (R)
To read all of the letters in the West Point, to thee series, please click this link.