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Fork Union Military Academy
Cadets march in formation for the annual Mothers Day Parade at Fork Union Military Academy
Address
Map
4744 James Madison Highway

Fork Union
,
Virginia

United States
Coordinates37°45′40.7″N 78°15′37.6″W / 37.761306°N 78.260444°W / 37.761306; -78.260444
Information
Type
MottoBody, Mind, and Spirit
Established1898
FounderDr. William E. Hatcher
PresidentCAPT Mark Black, USN (Ret.)
DeanCOL Brian Bodine, FUMA
HeadmasterGySgt Charlie E. Coulter III, USMC (Ret.), Commandant
ChaplainMAJ Ben Jamison, FUMA
Teaching staff45
Grades7–12
1 year post-graduate program
Gendermale
Enrollment284
CampusRural
Campus size1,000 acres (400 ha)[1]
Color(s)    Blue & red
MascotBlue Devils
AccreditationVirginia Association of Independent Schools
NewspaperFront & Center
YearbookThe Skirmisher
Affiliation
Websiteforkunion.com

Fork Union Military Academy (abbreviated as FUMA) is a private, all-male, college preparatory Christian military boarding school located in Fork Union, Virginia. Founded in 1898, Fork Union is considered one of the premier military boarding academies in the United States.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Fork Union is a member of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States and the National Association of Independent Schools and is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. FUMA's curriculum extends from the 7th to 12th grade and hosts a one-year postgraduate program.

History

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The old Fork Union Military Academy's barracks in 1899.

Located on a 1,000-acre (400 ha) campus in the rolling hills of central Virginia's Piedmont region, Fork Union Military Academy was initially founded as Fork Union Academy in October 1898 by Dr. William E. Hatcher, a prominent local Baptist minister. The first class had nineteen students.

In 1902, the academy took on a military structure to provide organization, discipline, and physical development for the boys of a rapidly growing school. In 1913, the academy became an all-male institution and changed its name to Fork Union Military Academy. That same year, the academy began receiving support from the Baptist General Association of Virginia, which continues to this day.

Military organization is used to structure the daily routine. While the academy has no direct relationship with any military branch, the school's military system has existed for more than 100 years.[9]

Some of its buildings are named after benefactors who have helped fund their construction, such as the Guy E. Beatty Library, the Estes Dining Center, and Jacobson Hall. Other buildings on campus are named in honor or memory of persons who are significant in the school's history, such as Hatcher Hall and the Wicker Science Center, both named in memory of past school presidents.[10]

FUMA's crest shows a pair of crossed swords, a book, and a star, each representing an aspect of the school motto: body, mind, and spirit.

Presidents of Fork Union Military Academy

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  • Dr. William E. Hatcher 1898-1912
  • Dr. Eldridge B. Hatcher 1912-1914
  • COL Clayton E. Crosland 1914-1917
  • COL James C. Wicker 1945-1968
  • Col Kenneth T. Whitescarver, USMC (Ret.) 1968-1990
  • COL Charles T. Clanton, USA (Ret.) 1991-1993
  • Col David L. Coggins, USMC (Ret.) 2018-2023
  • CAPT Mark E. Black, USN (Ret.) 2023- [11]

Academics

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Hatcher Hall.

The school offers a variety of sports, clubs, and organizations for cadet participation during free time in the week and on weekends. Athletics and clubs are a popular diversion from the rigors of cadet life at Fork Union.

Both Standard and Advanced High School Diplomas are offered. Graduating classes have routinely been awarded millions of dollars in scholarships.[12]

One Subject Plan
Fork Union follows a unique curriculum schedule in the upper school (grades 9–12 and postgraduate) known as the One Subject Plan. Cadets at Fork Union take one subject at a time instead of a conventional schedule with six to eight classes per day or a block schedule. They remain with the teacher of that course all day, every day during that period.[13]

Military structure

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Fork Union Military Academy provides a structured military environment for its cadets. Military aspects of Fork Union's system include the wearing of uniforms, a military-style organization of personnel, accountability for personal appearance and the state of one's room, ranks, and a chain of command. The rank structure adopted by the corps of cadets mirrors the US Army's enlisted ranks, with the exclusion of the ranks of PV2 and Specialist. Its officer ranks mirror those of the Army JROTC's rank structure, with the rank of Cadet Colonel rarely being used.

The Upper School consists of cadets from 9th grade through the Postgraduate year. The Upper School cadets reside in Jacobson Hall, home to Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo Companies. There is also a drill team company, Retan Rifle (which exists for special events only) that performs in parades across Virginia. Upper School marching band members march in parades on campus and around the state along with Retan Rifles and Fork Union's Bagpipe Corps. Cadet Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) live as a part of each company. Each company is subdivided into three platoons, each with its own NCOs and Officers. Platoons are subdivided into Squads led by Cadet Sergeants. Squad and Platoon leaders are accountable to the higher company leadership and adult members of the Commandant's Department, as well as to their Tactical Officers (TACs), who are assigned to each company to supervise the cadets.[14]

Spiritual Life

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While students of other religious beliefs may attend the Academy, all cadets attend on-campus Christian chapel services Monday through Thursday and on Sunday each week unless excused. The Academy is affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia.[8]

Campus

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Snead Hall, demolished in 2012 with the opening of Jacobson Hall.

FUMA's campus is located on a 1,000-acre (400 ha) campus in the hills of the Virginia's Piedmont region. [15]

  • Hatcher Hall – Administrative offices and liberal arts classrooms
  • Wicker Science Building and Moretz Learning Center – Math and Science classrooms
  • Vaughan Hall – Social Center / Student Activities[16]
  • Wicker Chapel
  • Veterans Memorial
  • Guy E. Beatty Library
  • Dorothy Estes Dining Hall
  • Thomas Gymnasium
  • Estes Athletic Complex - an 85,000-square-foot (7,900 m2) athletic center
  • Fork Union Aquatic Center
  • Jacobson Hall – The 90,000-square-foot (8,400 m2), 250-room barracks opened for cadets on August 20, 2012, and now houses Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Echo, and Delta companies, replacing both Snead and Memorial Halls at a cost of approximately $20 million. Ground was broken on October 22, 2010.[17]

Athletics

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Fork Union's track & field program is one of the dominant teams in Virginia.

FUMA's athletic program is most famous for its football team, which has produced 117 NFL players, and for its track & field team, ranked as one of the best in Virginia.[18]

There are only two postgraduate athletic programs at Fork Union. Head coach Frank Arritt leads the PG football team. The PG basketball program was coached by Fletcher Arritt, the subject of a documentary titled The Passing Game.[19]

The Prep teams fielding players from grades 9–12 include Football, Basketball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Soccer, Cross Country, Track and Field, Orienteering, Shooting Sports, and Swimming and Diving.

The Fork Union Outdoor Track team won its 20th straight VISAA state championship in 2008.

Many athletes have gone on from the academy to compete in collegiate athletic programs and pursue careers on professional teams. FUMA alumni have included numerous famous athletes who have played in the NFL, MLB, and in multiple other leagues and sports.

Their rival Hargrave Military Academy discontinued their PG football team in 2013; the rivalry continues in PG basketball as the two teams continue to compete every season.[20]

Student organizations

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There are many different clubs and organizations that cadets can participate in while attending Fork Union.[21] Though new clubs are often started annually by new cadets to meet demand, the more permanent list of clubs includes: National Honor Society, Honor Council, International Club, IDEA Club, Scuba, Math Club, Speech and Debate, Robotics, Drama Club, Catholic Cadet Association, Chess Club, Band, Pep Band, Bagpipe Corps, Choir, and Woodworking.

Notable alumni

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FUMA alumni include over 117 players in the NFL.
See also: Category:Fork Union Military Academy alumni

Politics

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Military

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Businessmen

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Education

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Literature, television and arts

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Track and Field

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  • Ibrahim Mohamed Aden, runner
  • Martin Keino, runner
  • Braxton Davenport, Pole Vault, National High School Record, 1990

Swimming

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Basketball

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National Football League

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At least 117 Fork Union Military Academy players have been drafted or signed by NFL teams.[27] At least 12 players from Fork Union Military Academy have been selected in the First Round of the NFL Draft since 1954, 7 players have been selected for one or more Pro Bowl appearances, and at least 12 players have been on teams that competed in Super Bowl games.[27]

The list includes:

References

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  1. ^ "Our Campus". Fork Union Military Academy. May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  2. ^ "Virginia Military Schools Guide". Military Schools Guide. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  3. ^ "New Jersey eighth grader wins scholarship at historic Fork Union Military Academy". Mar 15, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  4. ^ "How to Choose a Top Military Academy in the US - Study International". 8 December 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  5. ^ "2021 Fork Union Military Academy Rankings". Niche. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  6. ^ "2021 Best Boarding High Schools in Virginia". Niche. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  7. ^ "Fork Union Military Academy". militaryschoolusa.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Fork Union Military Academy - Spiritual Life". Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  9. ^ "Our History". Forkunion.com. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  10. ^ "The Changing Face of the Academy Campus". issuu.com. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  11. ^ "Fork Union Military Academy to welcome 12th president on Founder's Day". NewsRadio WINA. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  12. ^ [1] Archived July 20, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "One Subject Plan". Forkunion.com. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  14. ^ "Cadet Life". Fork Union Military Academy. Sep 1, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  15. ^ "Our Campus". Forkunion.com. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  16. ^ "Vaughan Hall". Forkunion.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  17. ^ "Construction Underway on New Barracks at FUMA". Newsplex.com. 2010-10-22. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  18. ^ "FUMA Track Team State Champions Once Again". Forkunion.com. 2010-05-16. Archived from the original on 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  19. ^ "The Passing Game". The Passing Game. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  20. ^ "Postgraduate Football". Hargrave Military Academy Athletics. Retrieved 2021-11-17.
  21. ^ "Cadet Life". Forkunion.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-22. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  22. ^ National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. Vol. 57. New York, NY: James T. White & Co. 1977. p. 44 – via Internet Archive.
  23. ^ "Fork Union Photos". Fork Union Photos. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  24. ^ "Khyri Thomas Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  25. ^ "Shammond Williams Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  26. ^ "Shammond Williams College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn "Fork Union Alumni in the NFL". Fork Union Military Athletics.
  28. ^ a b c d "Inductees The Best of the Best". College Football Hall of Fame.
  29. ^ "2003 Heisman Trophy Voting". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  30. ^ "1996 NFL Draft". Pro Football Reference at profootballreference.com. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  31. ^ "From Sweat to Steaks". Steamboat Magazine at steamboatmagazine.com. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
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