Baumert to protect more than quarterbacks

Senior football player commits to play football at West Point

Meghan Riddle, Staff Reporter • October 15, 2014

One of the top offensive linemen in the area, right tackle Jake Baumert (center of picture) is entrusted with opening holes for running backs and also protecting quarterback Bowman Sells. His ability to do so at a high level has earned him several scholarship offers.

Getting into one of the country’s military academies is a difficult challenge with just nine percent of applicants being accepted. Senior Jake Baumert improved his chances by playing his way into the United States Military Academy as the 6′ 3″, 295 pound football player has verbally committed to play football for the West Point Black Knights next fall.

“I chose West Point because I saw the opportunity to play football and get a great education,” Baumert said. “I loved the campus and the area it is located in, but what finalized my decision was that I am guaranteed a great job coming out of college.”

The Academy provides a four-year education, which focuses on the training in the academic, military, and physical domains, all under the code of honor. By accepting admittance to West Point, students agree to a five year active military service obligation after graduation.

“The military service aspect that comes with attending West Point is something I’m looking forward to,” Baumert said. “My uncle, brother, and both of my grandpas have military experience. I’ve always been around the military lifestyle, so it won’t be as dramatic of a change as other families may experience.”

Leopard coaches believe Baumert plays a crucial position for the school’s offense and has a lot of talent to offer the Black Knights next fall.

“[Baumert] plays right tackle for us which is pretty important,” head football coach Ryan Cox said. “His intelligence and skill set is sought after by Division I programs. His ability to protect the quarterback and to block on the run and to make checks on the line for the offensive line is imperative to our team.”

Baumert attended a summer football camp at West Point with his performance sparking interest from Army’s coaching staff. Two days after he attended camp, he verbally committed to the Black Knights.

“At the football camp, I saw how the staff ran their program, I got to experience how army football works,” Baumert said. “I also toured around the base and enjoyed the time I spent there.”

Although Baumert was receiving recruiting attention from other colleges, West Point is unlike most schools.

“Not only are all athletes good in Division I, they are also the best of the best in all of the United States,” Cox said. “The United States Military Academy doesn’t let just everyone in because they’re a good athlete. You have to be a person of extreme character, with high morals and values, have to know what work ethic is, and have integrity. These are all things they are recruiting for in addition to playing football at that level.”

West Point has a reputable Division I football program but is also selective about who it admits, leaving Baumer’s teammates happy for him.

“I was excited to hear about Jake committing to play football for West Point,” senior Hunter Evans said. “He is very motivated and will definitely do well there.”

There is a simple reason for Baumert’s motivation.

“I think that what is most exciting for me is that I can keep playing football and get my college paid for,” Baumert said.

About the Contributors

Meghan Riddle, Staff Reporter

Meghan is a senior with a passion for reading maps and taking naps. Although she is new to the Red Ledger staff, she is excited to be a part of it. She participates in several extracurricular activities such as student council, NHS, and cheerleading. She also enjoys volunteering at Puster Elementary once a week at their afterschool program. On the weekends, Meghan is a big 5’4” outside hitter for the defending back to back PSA volleyball champions, the Lojo Rejects, and working at her nearby country club, she can be found earning the big bucks. She is strongly interested in 80s movies, especially Back to the Future, is a sucker for romantic comedies, and aspires to wake up as Serena Van der Woodsen someday. She is a poultrytarian which is a word she believes she made up. It means she is a very picky eater and doesn’t like most meat other than chicken or turkey, and she uses this fancy word to describe it to the people that ask if she is a vegetarian when she declines steak or hot dogs. However, she does have a strong love for bacon and pepperoni.

Stu Mair, Photo Editor

Stu Mair has been taking pictures of things for years, but has only been on The Red Ledger’s staff for a year. Now the editor of the photo department, he ensures that noteworthy events receive coverage from the Red Ledger. Stu splits his time between several extracurriculars, which has severely adverse effects to his amount of sleep. He is passionate about many things, and photography is one of those things. When he isn’t standing on the sideline taking photos of various sporting events, he can be found reading textbooks or chilling by the pool. Stu is sad that his high school career and his time at the Red ledger is coming to an end, but he is also excited to head to college and turn over a new page in life.