#200: We Play To Win - US Army West Point Director of Athletics Tom Theodorakis

The United States Military Academy at West Point is the foundation of the US Army. Along the cliffs, through the halls, and on the fields America’s best and brightest are trained to lead not just soldiers, but America. But behind the tradition and pageantry, West Point understands that athletics of any level create disciplined warriors prepared to lead in any situation. 

In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Tom Theodorakis, Director of Athletics at West Point, to discuss how one of the most respected athletic programs in the country directly supports the mission of the United States Military Academy and helps develop the next generation of Army leaders.

With more than 30 Division I programs and over 1,200 cadet-athletes, Tom explains what makes Army West Point different from every other program in college athletics. Cadet-athletes are not just balancing Division 1 sports and rigorous academics; they are simultaneously preparing to become officers in the United States Army where they will lead soldiers and shape national security strategy for decades to come.

We discuss the demanding reality of being a cadet-athlete, the recruiting process, and what it takes to attract elite competitors to an institution built around service before self.

Tom also addresses the realities behind funding Army athletics, correcting the misconception that the program is fully government funded, and explaining how external support and partnerships help sustain the mission of Army West Point Athletics.

Finally, we discuss the opportunities available to cadet-athletes after graduation, including pathways to world-class and professional athletics, and most importantly serving as officers in the United States Army.

Highlights

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:09 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast
• 3:43 Athletic Director Responsibility
• 6:01 Recruiting Athletes to West Point
• 8:31 Competing at the D1 Level
• 11:14 Funding Athletics
• 12:06 NIL Impact
• 13:08 Defining Sustainability
• 14:04 West Point Cadet-Athlete Experience
• 18:18 West Point Pro Athletes
• 19:58 Coaching Cadet-Athletes
• 22:54 Creating Warriors
• 25:26 Defining Success
• 26:50 Cadet to Lieutenant

Quotes:

• “It’s very humbling and also a tremendous responsibility .”
• “We want to win. If we’re going to keep score we want to win.”
• “That atmosphere of winning is something that’s paramount.”
• “We need to continue to just recruit and put ourselves on the biggest stage possible.”
• “We want to make sure to create the best area, the best resources for our athletes to just grow.”
• “The idea is that when someone comes here, they say ‘they care about athletics.’”
• “We need to continue to be innovative.”
• “We sell not the transactional experience, but it’s the transformational experience.”
• “What are we doing now to make sure we’re in a good position in the future?”
• “This place is about challenging our athletes.”
• “Every cadet here is an athlete.”
• “The key word here is ‘path.’”
• “You have to fully embrace this place and love this institution.”
• “You got to win too. Results matter.”
• “These are all things athletics can teach you on the field.”
• “There’s so many things that we do here at West Point that now more than ever help us.”
• “That’s the best part of the job.”

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