Thank You Firsties
Mark West, Head Sprint Football Coach
Dear Tommy, Rino, Bobby, DJ, Johnny D, Gigs, Garrett, Petey, Brendan, Connor, CJ, JJ, and Cavan,
Congratulations! You did it! You graduated from West Point and officially became members of the Long Gray Line! It was no easy task, but you persevered and got it done – much the same way you persevered on the gridiron with the Sprint football team.
For most of you, I remember you as new cadets showing up for our pre-R Day picnic ready to take on “The Beast”. Take on “The Beast” you did, slaying it with hard work and tenacity. That plebe summer proved to be indicative of your entire 47-month experience. You guys were relentless in your pursuit for excellence.
I admit, I have had graduating classes in the Sprint program with more overall talent that your class. Yet I have never had a graduating class with more grit and determination than the Class of 2020. You scratched, clawed, and fought for everything you earned. It was not always pretty, but you always got the job done. Leaving with a 27-4 record, two CSFL championships, and 3 wins over arch-rival Navy is an amazing accomplishment.
My greatest memory for your class will always be your senior season. After losing the championship game to Navy during the 2018 season along with a chance at an undefeated season, you took the bull by the horns as rising seniors in the winter of 2019 and vowed to lead the team and bring the championship trophy back to Army West Point.
You were quickly tested after our early loss to Navy during week 2 of the 2019 season. Some teams may have thrown in the towel at that point, but you would not allow that to happen. Instead, your leadership inspired the team to work even harder. Your “Never Quit” attitude served as example for the underclassmen to follow and follow you they did. They would have gone to the ends of the earth for the team because of each one of you.
Now that you have accomplished what you came to West Point to do, it is time to move on to bigger challenges in the Army. I know you all well, and there is no doubt in my mind that you will never become satisfied with your accomplishments. You will always strive to achieve more – not on a personal level, but as a team. You will lead your platoons to victory in whatever scenario you are placed in. Whether it is combat overseas, training missions at home, or maintenance in the motor pools, you will demand perfection from your soldiers in a very loving and caring manner. And you will do so while leading by example in all you do, just like you did as leaders of the Sprint football team.
So, in football terms, take the ball and run with it until you cross the goal line! You and your team of soldiers are going to be tackled a few times along the way. Never be swayed. Know that what you learned at West Point and what you experienced on the fields of friendly strife will see you through your darkest days. I am always here for you if you ever need advice or simply want to talk. Until we meet again, continue to do what you do, which is to inspire and lead others to greatness just as you did as Sprint football players. May God bless you all.
GO ARMY! NEVER QUIT!!
Coach West