Guests cherish experience at academy
Coaches say players got boost from enlightening visits to compete at Navy
On Thursday morning, the three visiting teams participating in the 2018 Veterans Classic took a special tour of the Naval Academy.
Players, coaches and support personnel with the Maryland, Providence and Wichita State basketball teams were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the academy that featured a visit to Bancroft Hall, the massive dormitory that houses the entire Brigade of Midshipmen.
After spending about three hours walking around the Naval Academy and having some fun checking out military equipment that was brought on the yard just for the occasion, the three visiting teams watched in silence as the Brigade of Midshipmen assembled for the noon meal formation.
Past participants say the Naval Academy Tour on Thursday was the most important part of Veterans Classic, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. Getting to see what a day in the life of a midshipman is like was an enlightening experience for the visiting players.
“The Veterans Classic is a tremendous event for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it gave our players the opportunity to observe what men and women their age go through as they prepare to protect and serve our country,” Marquette’s Steve Wojciechowski said. “Also, it’s first-class competition and provides a tremendous atmosphere for the games. Participating in the Veterans Classic has been the highlight of my career as a head coach.”
One Marquette player, Duane Wilson, was awestruck as he stood in Tecumseh Court to watch the noon meal formation. Wilson was transfixed as company commanders barked orders and 4,500 midshipmen responded in unison.
The Milwaukee native was surprised when a stern-looking Marine Corps officer with an entire breast pocket full of medals inspected uniforms of various midshipmen, often with his nose just inches from the face of those standing at attention.
“This right here was awesome. It’s like a team. Everybody is on the same page. Everything these mids do is together as one,” said Wilson, who helped Marquette beat Vanderbilt in the 2016 Veterans Classic.
North Carolina came to the 2015 Veterans Classic and coach Roy Williams truly believes the experience helped shape a season that culminated with an appearance in the national championship.
“Our team had a tremendous experience in the Veterans Day Classic. It was a great way to start a championship season, but the best part came the day before when we had a chance to meet the midshipmen and the staff at the Naval Academy,” Williams said.
North Carolina’s players particularly Players from Memphis got a tour of military vehicles at the Naval Academy before playing in the Veterans Classic last season. Teams that compete in the annual tournament are given the opportunity to experience daily life at the Naval Academy. enjoyed the interactive aspect of the Naval Academy tour. Reserve guard Stillman White skillfully steered a 510-foot destroyer off the dock and into the Atlantic Ocean as part of the ship simulator demonstration.
Theo Pinson put on a helmet and flak jacket, then got up into the turret of a Humvee and mimicked shooting a machine gun. Kennedy Meeks squeezed his 6foot-10, 260-pound frame into the pilot's seat of a helicopter.
Williams believes the most powerful aspect of seeing the midshipmen go through their daily routines was that his players understand the level of responsibility their peers took on by attending a service academy.
“Our guys were in awe at their schedules and commitment and just got a real thrill out of meeting and having lunch with the young men and women their own ages who were willing to put their lives on the line for all of us,” Williams said. “The game was fun, but the trip was much more memorable.”
Shaka Smart was the coach at Virginia Commonwealth when he jumped at the chance to make the two-hour trek from Richmond to Annapolis for the 2014 Veterans Classic. Smart, who is now at Texas, will never forget touring the academy.
“By far the best part of that trip was the day before the game. We got a chance to spend the whole day with the midshipmen, experiencing what their day-to-day life is,” Smart said. “We had the opportunity to have lunch in the mess hall where every single member of the Naval Academy eats at the same time. There was a phenomenal energy and camaraderie in there.”
Getting a look inside Bancroft Hall, the country’s largest college dormitory, was eye-opening for the VCU players. Every room is the same in terms of setup and there are no frills or creature comforts.
“It was pretty neat to go into the dorms and see how unbelievably small and tight their accommodations are,” Smart recalled. “We reminded our guys that David Robinson once lived in one of these rooms. I think every guy in our program left with an enhanced appreciation for the sacrifices that all the people who are a part of the Naval Academy make.”
Billy Donovan was head coach at Florida when that program accepted an invitation to the Veterans Classic. Donovan wound up moving to the NBA as head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the offseason so the season-opening meeting with Navy in 2015 marked the debut of Mike White.
“That was a really memorable event for me and for our team,” White said. “The chance to be around some really exceptional young people at the Naval Academy who show incredible dedication to our country and a willingness to sacrifice really provided perspective to all of us.”
White, an assistant under Donovan who was elevated to replace his mentor, was presented with a beautiful sword during the dinner reception held on Thursday night. White is so proud of that piece of memorabilia that he had the sword framed for display on the wall of his office.
“It was an unforgettable experience, and I would always recommend that any coach or team jump at the opportunity to be a part of that event,” White said.
The Veterans Classic was the brainchild of DeChellis, who watched a series of games held aboard United States Navy aircraft carriers and wondered why his program wasn’t doing something similar.
Michigan State had played in multiple events with a military theme so head coach Tom Izzo was the first colleague DeChellis approached about playing in the Veterans Classic. Izzo accepted and the Spartans were pushed to the limit by the Midshipmen in the inaugural event held at Alumni Hall in 2014.
“I think any time you are around people that are so structured and disciplined you have a better appreciation that college life is a little different there than it is at your own institution,” Izzo said.
DeChellis has done a remarkable job of creating top-flight matchups for the doubleheader, a crucial factor that has pleased broadcast partner CBS Sports Network. In 2015, Temple head coach Fran Dunphy could not turn down an offer to play an opponent the caliber of North Carolina while giving his players a unique experience along the way.
“It was a terrific experience for our young men and I am so glad we had the opportunity to be a part of it,” said Dunphy, whose team lost to the Tar Heels. “Playing a tremendous opponent in a spectacular environment was great, but the ability to have our players get to see first-hand the life of a midshipmen and to be able to appreciate all they do for our country was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”