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Timeout with Tambo

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Ryan Morgan has decided to continue his education, play football and serve his country as an officer in the U.S. Army. He has not chosen an easy path.

Morgan has committed to enroll at the United States Military Academy Prep School (USMAPS) by signing a letter of intent last week in the football offices at Ramona High School to prepare for an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“I considered all of my options and entering USMAPS and continuing on to West Point is best for me,” Morgan said before leaving for his official visit to West Point.

After the visit, Morgan was even more positive.

“West Point is a beautiful and historic place,” he said. “It has great facilities. The football stadium and practice facilities are first class. There is an indoor practice facility. The gym and weight room are amazing. I was very impressed with the statues and monuments on campus honoring our nation’s heroes and prominent West Point graduates.”

Morgan is being recruited by West Point. He left Ramona on a Friday morning at 0630 (military speak for 6:30 a.m.) on a flight to Newark, N.J. He arrived at West point at 1730 (5:30 p.m.) and stayed at a hotel on the post at West Point. The trip included a tour of the campus and meetings with the football coaches.

USMAPS improves the academic skills of individuals who want to attend West Point. It is a 10-month curriculum. The first semester is an intense review of high school math and English and other core subjects. The second semester is an introduction to college math, English and the computer, which is a necessity for every cadet at West Point.

Morgan is studying for the ACT and SAT tests to gain final admission to USMAPS.

He will play football at USMAPS. The prep school has a full schedule. Last season the team played community colleges, college junior varsity teams, college teams and the U.S. Navy Preparatory School. USMAPS runs the same offensive and defensive schemes used by West Point. Several members of the coaching staff at USMAPS played for Army.

USMAPS was formed in 1916. Its alumni include 65 generals, astronauts, superintendants of West Point and three Medal of Honor recipients. Graduates of USMAPS have gone on to start at Army and have become All Americans in football.

Every cadet at USMAPS and West Point must play intercollegiate, club or intramural athletics. Ryan is a B-plus student, but by attending USMAPS he will improve his chances of succeeding at West Point academically and in the military.

“Football has opened the door for me to have an opportunity to attend West Point,” he said. “I plan on playing at West Point. USMAPS’ curriculum teaches how to study and be successful at West Point. It is very demanding academically and physically. It is what I want to do.”

Morgan’s athletic accomplishments at Ramona High School have been well-documented. He is entering his fourth year on the varsity track team. He has advanced to the state track meet twice and has been all CIF and All Valley League in track three times.

In football he broke and set freshman records for touchdowns, yardage gained and yards per carry. He lettered varsity three years. He earned All Valley League honors and all North County honors.

Ironically, Ryan’s athletic ability is not the first thing mentioned by his coaches.

“Ryan is a pleasure to coach and teach,” said Greg Fernandes, his running back coach and civics teacher. “Forget about football. He is a great human being. I enjoyed teaching him civics as much as I did coaching him in football.”

“Ryan is a tremendous person, leader and athlete, in that order,” said Damon Baldwin, his head football coach and track coach, and the school’s athletic director. “He has represented Ramona High School well and will continue to do so on a national scale at West Point and in the army. He will serve our country well.”

Those who know Morgan agree that his team attitude, leadership and selfless attitude make him a candidate for West Point and Army football.

Morgan shared playing time with Tyler Jackson, and both running backs supported and helped one another on and off the field. West Point is also interested in Jackson.

Morgan still has some obstacles to overcome and challenges to conquer. He has overcome obstacles and challenges in the past and those who know him say he will overcome them in the future. That is what a soldier does.

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