Joana Cano is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Brophy College Preparatory for AZPreps365.com

Balancing classes and sports while in the military can be hard but not impossible

Joana Cano is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Brophy College Preparatory for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX – Brophy Pitcher Owen McGuire has committed to play baseball with the Air Force Academy because he wants to give back to the people who helped him get to where he is. 

Every year, millions of high school students commit to a military branch. Some continue to play sports while doing their military service, making them balance classes, sports and military duties. 

According to the U.S. Department of War, in 2025, all five branches of the military collectively accomplished their attainment record with an average of 103%. This means that each military branch was able to accomplish its recruitment goals. 

At Brophy College Preparatory, this is not the exception, where seniors commit to the military to play sports. This academic year, at least two seniors are committed to the Air Force. 

“I didn’t really know I wanted to go into the Academy at first, but it was really interesting once they reached out,” McGuire said. “It’s a very interesting way to give back to all the people who helped me get to where I am today.

“I get to play a sport in college, and then I get to do something different with my experience, and give back to everyone,” McGuire added.

McGuire said that the application process was very long. He also said that there were a lot of writing components to the application process, as well as getting recommendation letters from teachers and receiving a congressional nomination from a congressional representative.

“That was a pretty stressful interview,” McGuire said. “Just having to kind of study for those almost and not know what they are going to ask.”

McGuire said that he received his congressional nomination from U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz. He also said that many of the questions he was asked were tough because the interviewers wanted to make sure he wanted to go into a service academy. 

In a statement via email, Gallego mentioned the hard work that McGuire has done. 

“Owen’s discipline and leadership both on and off the field are what set him apart,” Gallego said. “As a senator, I’m deeply honored to have the privilege of nominating some of Arizona’s most promising young people to service academies.

“And as a veteran and a lifelong baseball fan, this one meant a little extra to me. I’m confident Owen will wear both the uniform and the jersey with integrity, make Arizona proud, and go on to serve our country with honor,” Gallego added. 

McGuire knew he wanted to attend the Academy from the moment he visited the campus. He fell in love with the school and all the great things itthey hashave to offer.

 

“When I first got there, the first thing the coaches showed me was the incoming sophomores jumping out of the planes,” McGuire said. “I thought that was so cool and knew I wanted to go there.”

 

Balancing academics and playing a Division 1 sport is stressful, but McGuire said he will figure that out once he goes to basic training in about two months. 

 

“A lot of it is going to be new to me, but I know it’s going to be a lot of work with the academics there and managing baseball,” McGuire said.

According to McGuire, the Air Force Academy has a great tutoring program, where he hopes to also get help from his teammates and other students. 

McGuire is unsure of what he wants to major in becausesince he wants to major in medicine and fly jets.

“The flying program there sounds super interesting,” McGuire said. “I could definitely see myself doing that and serving my country.”

McGuire’s mom, Meredith, said that McGuire wanted to play baseball from a young age, and when they had the opportunity to go visit campus, he was blown away.

According to Meredith, as soon as McGuire saw his future teammates jump out of the airplanes, he knew that was something he wanted to do.

“He loves having a band of brothers and a group to be with,” Meredith said. “He’s excited to serve, and we’re really proud.”

Meredith said that McGuire has always been someone who likes to help other people, so going into a military branch was not surprising. She wishes her son the best in his journey, and she is excited for his future.

“Continue living life with passion and enjoy your experience from the Academy,” Meredith said. “He’s going to have the opportunity to do amazing things, and I hope he takes it in and enjoys it.”

Case Vanden Bosch is committed to the Air Force to play football because of the culture, the coaches and the players on the team.

“I didn’t know anything about the military or service requirement,” Vanden Bosch said. “I just felt the love from all of the coaches.”

Vanden Bosch said that the process was fun for him because after he received his offer, his coaches stayed in touch with him. He also said that once he visited the campus in Colorado Springs, he felt convinced that he had made the right decision in going to the Air Force Academy.

Getting his congressional nomination from Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz, was a special honor for Vanden Bosch. Since he has family who served in the Vietnam War, Vanden Bosch is confident in his decision to serve. 

Vanden Bosch has been playing football his whole life, as his dad played in the NFL. He expects to gain a brotherhood for the rest of his life as well as a tight-knit community.

“I want to be able to lead others, show guidance in this world, and become a better man in all aspects of my life,” Vanden Bosch said. 

Playing football for the Academy and balancing military life is not something that Vanden Bosch sees as being troubling for him, since military life will go hand-in-hand with football. 

“Military life is all about the routine and doing the right thing the right way,” Vanden Bosch said. “Being truthful, honest and building up that solid foundation to succeed in the rest of your life.”

Vanden Bosch has not decided on his major, but is confident that his first two years at the Academy will influence his decision on what to major in. 

Now, depending on where athletes choose to get committed, they have to have a recruiting page. 

According to SportsRecruits, athletes who are interested in committing to the Air Force Academy must have a recruiting profile and complete the application for the Academy.

Kam Holloway played football with the United States Army for about eight years before being medically discharged in 2025.

Holloway’s time with the Army came to an end, but he has decided to help other student-athletes with what to expect when balancing military life while playing a sport.
Holloway, now a master's student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, said that he had not considered joining the Army even though his grandfathers, uncles, cousins and his father served. Now it has become a rite of passage. 

The process for Holloway to enter the Army Academy back in 2017 was similar to now, where students would need to get recommendation letters from teachers or coaches, as well as from someone in the government. 

Holloway said that the coaches at West Point were very consistent. Coach Kevin Corless would call Holloway every Wednesday which helped build a stronger connection.

“Coach Corless was the most consistent person that kept in contact with me,” Holloway said. “I really appreciated that, and everybody wants to feel wanted especially when it comes to being recruited.”

Holloway said that balancing classes with sports can get challenging but it depends on how you manage your time and what you are majoring in.

“I would say it is hard as an athlete,” Holloway said. “Particularyly football because now you are trying to balance that stuff. “

Holloway would get up at around 6 a.m., then head to class at around 7 a.m. until noon. From there, he would go to the football stadium and end practice at around 8 p.m. They would return to their housing accommodations and then they would do their homework.

“It doesn’t get easier,” Holloway said. “You just understand how to manage it a lot better. 

Some advice that Holloway has for any student going into the academy is to enjoy their time at the Academy and have fun playing that sport.

“Make the days count, don’t count the days,” Holloway said. “Once you get through your freshman year everything goes a lot faster and it gets a lot more enjoyable. 

“Take the breaks where you need them. Don’t stay cooped up and antisocial, branch out, meet new people and really lean on your other classmates that don’t play sports because they will really help you out,” Holloway added. 

Whatever path a student-athlete chooses leaning on others will benefit them in the long run.