The Blue Devil Report from Fork Union Military Academy's Athletic Department is your source for weekly updates on the Fork Union Blue Devils. Here's the latest from @FUMAathletics.
Want to view past issues of the Blue Devil Report? Find them all on our website.
Contents:
- Meet Postgraduate Football Coach Frank Arritt
- FUMA Athletics Recap
- Feature Stories: Cross Country, Prep Soccer, Reds Football, PG Football & Prep Football
- Up Next in FUMA Athletics
- PG Football Participates in an Under Armour Photo Shoot
- Have You Joined the Athletic Director's Club?
Hurricane Ian has Impacted Athletic Events this Week
Due to potential inclement weather expected to impact Virginia this weekend, several athletic events have been changed throughout the remainder of the week. There have been multiple events postponed. Below you will find the current schedule for the remainder of the week:
Thursday, September 29
- Reds (Middle School) Soccer's game against Grymes Memorial School has been postponed. The date will be announced once it has been set.
- Junior Prep Football vs. Norfolk Academy has been postponed. The date will be announced once it has been set.
- Prep Football will play an away game at Norfolk Academy at 5:30 PM. This game was originally set for Friday.
Friday, September 30
- Cross Country will travel to Woodberry Forest Invitational. The start time has been adjusted to 1 PM.
- Prep Soccer's home game versus Saint Anne's Belfield has been postponed.
Saturday, October 1
- Cross Country's Virginia Middle School Invitational has been postponed to October 11 at 4 PM.
Cadets who are participating in the following sports will be eligible to leave campus this weekend on Friday, September 30 at 2 PM: Postgraduate Football, Prep Football, Junior Prep Football, Reds Football and Reds Soccer.
Cadets who are participating in Cross Country and Prep Soccer will be eligible to leave campus this weekend AFTER their athletic events on Friday, September 30.
Please visit the athletic website at athletics.forkunion.com for more details on all athletic events.
Meet Head Postgraduate Football Coach Frank Arritt
Frank Arritt, FUMA PG Class of 1999
Frank Arritt was named head coach of the postgraduate football team in January of 2019. Arritt, a Fayetteville, W.Va., native, had been John Shuman's right-hand-man and assistant head coach for 13 years. The Fork Union Military Academy alumnus played for John Shuman in 1998-1999 and received a full scholarship to Arkansas State University to play offensive line.
Arritt lettered for three seasons and became the starting offensive guard his senior year. He graduated in 2005 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Following graduation, Arritt returned to Fork Union in the fall of 2005 as a night watchman for five months prior to becoming a faculty member in the Social Studies department. Arritt has been in the classroom ever since and served as the Social Studies Department Head from 2016 to 2019.
As the assistant head postgraduate coach, Arritt helped mentor a number of offensive men, including Anthony Castonzo (a first round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and who just recently played in the NFL Playoffs this past weekend as starting offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts), Morgan Moses (a third round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and the starting offensive tackle for the Washington Redskins), Austin Pasztor (the fourth overall pick in the 2012 CFL Draft and is an offensive guard for the Tennessee Titans) and Sterling Palmer (a 2017 graduate who was recently named to the College Football All-Bowl Team as a tight end for Florida International).
Arritt is the son of Maria Arritt and the late David Arritt and the nephew of legendary postgraduate basketball coach Fletcher Arritt. Arritt and his wife Megan, of six years, have three children: Hope, Frank, Jr., Joy and David.
Get to know Coach Arritt:
College Attended & Degree: Arkansas State University, 2005 - Interdisciplinary Studies.
Years of Coaching Experience: 18 years.
Did you play a sport in college, if so what sport? Yes, an offensive lineman at Arkansas State University.
Describe your current role at the Academy: I am the head postgraduate football coach. I also teach in the English and Social Studies departments.
What positions have you held throughout your time here? I have been an intern, night watchman, Social Studies & English Instructor, and TAC Officer. I also have worked in Admissions and served as the Social Studies Department Chair.
What brought you to Fork Union Military Academy? I grew up visiting Fork Union and attending the basketball camp in the summers. My uncle, Fletcher Arritt, was a legendary postgraduate basketball coach here at the Academy for many years. I always wanted to play postgraduate football here and was on the PG football team in 1998-1999 and played under Coach Shuman.
What made you want to become a coach? I come from a long line of teachers and coaches in my family. Athletics were always a part of my growing up. My three brothers are I all played college football. Coach was always something that I wanted to do.
What is your favorite topic/drill to teach your athletes during practice? My favorite topic in practice is teaching players how to set goals and the methods they should use to achieve those goals. My favorite drills to teach are stances and getting off the ball.
Do you have a coaching mentor? Coach John Shuman has always been a great coaching mentor of mine. I still go to him often for guidance on how to become a better head coach.
What makes Fork Union special to you? Working alongside Coach Shuman and other faculty members. Also, teaching and coaching cadets in a Christian atmosphere. In addition, I have family roots in Fork Union through my Uncle Fletcher Arritt. Fork Union is also a great place for my wife and I to raise our four children.
What other responsibilities do you have at FUMA besides your current role? I am the director of the "Football, Strength & Speed" Camp that we host in June.
What is one thing the cadets would be surprised to learn about you? I grew up on a Christmas tree farm.
Scores from the past two weeks:
Friday, September 16
- Prep Football at Saint Anne's Belfield • W, 19-7
Saturday, September 17
- Cross Country vs. The Invitational at Fork Union • 2nd in Sabre Division
Sunday, September 18
- PG Football at Myrtle Beach Prep • L, 18-42
Monday, September 19
- Reds Football at Charlottesville High School • W, 54-0
Tuesday, September 20
- Prep Soccer vs. Benedictine College Prep • L, 1-7
Friday, September 21
- Prep Soccer at Fishburne Military School • W, 7-1
- Prep Football at John Paul II Catholic High School • L, 0-21
Saturday, September 24
- Cross Country at VTCA Fall Classic • No Team Score
- PG Football at Central International College • W, 16-0
Monday, September 26
- Prep Soccer vs. Covenant School • L, 1-7
Tuesday, September 27
- Reds Soccer at Grymes Memorial School • L, 3-4
Wednesday, September 28
- Prep Soccer at Trinity Episcopal School • L, 0-11
- Cross Country vs. James River Challenge • 1st
Thursday, September 29
- Prep Football at Norfolk Academy • L, 6-32
Cross Country Shines at Two Annual Home Invitationals
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
FORK UNION, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy Cross Country team shined at the annual Invitational at Fork Union and the James River Challenge, both held at the Hardy Cross Country Course.
"It has been a very exciting two weeks for our team," said head coach Winston Brown. "I believe the Invitational at Fork Union was a great catalyst for our team to able to see big time cross country on a course they train on every day. The James River Challenge victory was evidence that we are improving."
On Saturday, September 17, Fork Union hosted its 25th edition of the Invitational at Fork Union Military Academy. A massive crowd watched over 1,000 athletes from all corners of the state compete.
The day started out with the Middle School 2.5 mile, which was highlighted by eighth-grader David Eaton who placed second with a time of 8:29.9 in the boys race. Sebastian Sanchez was the other Blue Devil who competed in the boys 2.5 mile, coming in 30th with a time of 10:25.0.
Following the middle school races, the Colonial 5k Division was up next. Twenty-five school participated with Western Albemarle taking the title. Jackson Pretus was the top Fork Union finisher, coming in 132nd with a time of 20:24.9.
After the Colonial races, Fork Union placed second in the Sabre 2 Mile with the help of sophomore Nicholas Willis who placed fourth with a time of 12:25.4. Four other Blue Devils placed in the top 20 for Fork Union, including Robert Callahan (10th - 13:27.5), Jackson Sereno (13th - 13:41.5), Joaquin Yescas (16th - 13:49.5) and Nicholas Coleman (13:54.1).
In each event, Fork Union honored the Fifth Man Award, which highlights the fifth member of the team who was crucial in the team's overall finish and Coleman took home the honor for the Sabre Division.
Over 10 day later, Fork Union returned to the Hardy Cross Country Course for the annual James River Challenge and the Blue Devils took home the title, scoring 28 points thanks to a first and second finish.
Eaton led the squad with an impressive first-place finish with a time of 18:15.98. Pretus took home the silver with a time of 19:25.21.
Ben Bertram and Willis rounded out the top 10 with eighth and ninth-place showings, respectively.
The Blue Devils will return to action Friday, September 30 when they travel to the Woodberry Forest Invitational at 1 PM.
Prep Soccer Picks Up Road Win at Fishburne
Friday, September 23, 2022
WAYNESBORO, VA -- The Fork Union Military Academy Prep soccer team picked up an impressive win on the road, defeating Fishburne Military School, 7-1.
With the victory, the Blue Devils sit 1-3 on the early season.
"It was a great day for Fork Union soccer," said head coach Gray Kendall. "We played well and did a great job communicating throughout the entire game."
Tucker Babin led the way for Fork Union, recording a hat trick. Team captain Philippe Lianavwa and Jimmy Sa'Said followed with two goals apiece.
So far this season the Blue Devils have faced Benedictine College Prep, Covenant School and Trinity Episcopal School.
Fork Union returns to action Thursday, October 8 when it travels to Grace Christian School in Mechanicsville for a 4:30 PM start.
Check out the photos below from Fork Union's most recent home game against Covenant School.
Prep Football Picks Up Road Win at Saint Anne's Belfield
Friday, September 23, 2022
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- The Fork Union Military Academy Prep football team picked up its first win of the season, defeating league opponent Saint Anne's Belfield, 19-7, under the lights on Friday evening.
With the win, the Blue Devils sit 1-4 on the season as they enter three-straight league opponents in October.
"The Saint Anne's Belfield game was a great game for us as a team," said head coach Mark Shuman. "We fought hard for four quarters, and battled to get the victory. Our defense played a big part in victory and secured the win for us down the stretch."
Anthony Wiseman led the Blue Devil offense, completing 9-of-19 passes for 100 yards. Edwin Searcy led the offense the ground with 23 carries for 167 yards and one touchdown. Owen Leydig led the receiving corps with three receptions for 51 yards.
Isaac Rivera led the Fork Union defense with 10 total tackles, three for a loss, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown. Leydig followed with seven tackles and one pick-six. Aaron McDaniels collected eight total tackles and one sack.
Fork Union returns to action Saturday, October 8 when it hosts St. Christopher's School for a 1:00 PM kickoff.
PG Football Shuts Out CIC on the Road
Saturday, September 24, 2022
WAVERLY, VA -- The Fork Union Military Academy Postgraduate football team shut out Central International College, 16-0, this past Saturday.
The win improved the Blue Devils to 4-1 overall.
"It was a good trip traveling to Waverly, Virginia last Saturday to play CIC," said head coach Frank Arritt. "It was a hard fought battle. The defense had multiple sacks and forced turnovers, a safety and kept CIC out of the end zone."
Offensively, Nick Petrillo and Elyjah Mitchell led the squad with touchdowns.
Fork Union will return to the field Sunday, October 9 when they travel to Columbia, SC to face prep school rival Palmetto Prep Academy at 2 PM.
Reds Football Downs Charlottesville High School in Season Opener
Monday, September 19, 2022
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- The Fork Union Military Academy Reds football team opened the season with a convincing 54-0 win on a Monday in mid-September.
"Our guys practiced hard all weekend leading up to the Monday contest, and it paid big dividends," said head coach John Shuman. "We clicked on all phases of the game."
Vu Tran had a monster day leading the Blue Devils with four carries for 95 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side, Ronan Montes led the squad with nine tackles.
Fork Union hopes to add a few more contests prior to the fall season ending.
Please make sure you continue to check the athletic website on a weekly basis, for all game updates.
If you haven't already, please download the Fork Union Athletics Mobile App for all game day information right at your fingertips!
Up Next in FUMA Athletics:
Friday, September 30
- Prep Soccer vs. Saint Anne's Belfield • Postponed
- Cross Country at Woodberry Forest Invitational • 4:30 PM
Saturday, October 1
- Cross Country vs. Virginia Middle School Invitational • Postponed to Oct. 11 at 4 PM
Thursday, October 6
- Junior Prep Football at St. Christopher's School • 4:30 PM
- Prep Soccer at Grace Christian School (Mechanicsville, VA) • 4:30 PM
Friday, October 7
- Prep Soccer vs. CVHAA Patriots League • 4:00 PM
Saturday, October 8
- Cross Country at Albemarle Invitational • 10:00 AM
- Prep Football vs. St. Christopher's School • 1:00 PM
- PG Basketball at ASSIST Jamboree • TBA
Sunday, October 9
- PG Basketball at CBG Jamboree • TBA
- PG Football at Palmetto Prep Academy • 2:00 PM
Tuesday, October 11
- Cross Country vs. Virginia Middle School Invitational • 4:00 PM
Thursday, October 13
- Junior Prep Football at Trinity Episcopal School • 4:00 PM
Fork Union's PG Football Team to be Featured in Under Armour's Spring and Summer Campaigns
Last week, the Fork Union Military Academy Postgraduate football team took part in an Under Armour photo shoot for UA's Spring & Summer 2023, Dick Sporting Goods and Factory House campaign. The Under Armour Production Team arrived to campus last Tuesday and handpicked 11 athletes to be outfitted in 2023 apparel, the athletes wore specific outfits through out their normal training sessions and were photographed and videoed for Under Armour's campaign.
The photos used for the campaign will live on Under Armour's website, at retail stores such as Dick Sporting Goods and Kohl's, and their own company stores found in outlet malls across the country starting in January of 2023.
Check out the photos from the three-day shoot!
Being a member of the Athletic Directors Club helps the department with buying new equipment and uniforms, post-game meals, partial scholarships and much more!
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Credits:
Kristin Firewicz & Kim Black