Fork Union Military Academy

Infobox_University
name = Fork Union Military Academy
native_name = FUMA
latin_name =


established = 1898
type = Private all-male boarding school, grades 6 - 12 and PG, independent military program
endowment =
staff = 32
faculty = 175
president = Lt. Gen. John E. Jackson
principal =
rector =
vice_chancellor =
dean = Lt. Col Miller
head_label =
head =
students = 550
undergrad =
postgrad =
doctoral =
profess =
city = Fork Union
state = Virginia
country = USA
campus = Rural, 1305 acres
free_label = Sports
free = 16 sports
colors = Red and Blue
colours =
mascot = Blue Devils
nickname = FUMA
affiliations = Baptist
footnotes =
website = www.forkunion.com
address = PO Box 278
4744 James Madison Highway
Fork Union, VA 23055-0278
telephone = [phone] or 1-800-GO-2-FUMA
coor =

Fork Union Military Academy is a Baptist military school in Fork Union, Virginia. The school is more commonly known by its acronym FUMA (pronounced "few-mah" through the 70's and now pronounced "phu-mah"). The school has two academic "sessions", the summer session, and regular school session.

Mission

The official mission of Fork Union Military Academy is "to provide young men a college preparatory education in a residential, Christian environment. Using the best aspects of the military system, the Academy teaches its cadets responsibility, leadership, discipline, and pride by providing an atmosphere in which spiritual, mental, and physical growth can flourish."

Military organization is used to structure the daily routine. It provides an environment of discipline, cooperation, teamwork, and accountability to accomplish the school's primary academic purpose. While the academy currently has no direct relationship with any branch of the military, this environment has proven successful for more than 100 years as the grounding for intensive classroom instruction, spiritual development, and a championship athletic program.

FUMA's crest shows a pair of crossed swords, a book and a star. These three symbols represent FUMA's bedrock of leading principles: body, mind, and spirit.

The hallmark of the Fork Union academic program is the One-Subject Plan. For more than 50 years, the strengths of this method of instruction have won praise from cadets, parents, and alumni. The One-Subject Plan immerses students completely in each of their subjects, as they take only one course at a time, focusing all their attention on that subject for seven weeks. The Academy's dedicated faculty work with small class groups of 10-20 students. Through the Plan, students gain a firmer grasp of difficult subjects, retain more of what they learn, and are less able to favor one or two subjects over other state-mandated curriculum requirements. A mandatory evening study period teaches them to concentrate and helps them learn to eliminate distractions and sharpen their focus on important goals. The One-Subject Plan provides the framework for students to learn self-discipline and study skills that help ensure their success through college and their adult lives.

The Academy also offers a four-week, non-military summer session including courses in English, History, Language, Mathematics and Science.

Discipline and Structure

Fork Union Military Academy provides a structured environment that provides cadets a great deal of freedom within that disciplined structure. Violations of rules have predictable consequences. Students are well aware of rules, and of the consequences that result from their violation. The most frequent form of consequences is based on a demerit system that results in "tours" of marching back and forth for 45 minutes (45 minutes equals one "tour") or standing at attention or parade rest if it is raining or too cold outside. Each cadet is given a standard number of merits each session to offset demerits, so getting demerits doesn't automatically mean a cadet must march tours. Cadets with rank can give demerits to cadets of lower rank for offenses, but there is often an informal administrative process that includes several cadets of responsible rank and a faculty member. Infractions for study hall violations and failure to complete homework are severe but do not negatively impact grades. For example, a cadet with a full set of merits who fails to turn in two consecutive homework assignments can quickly lose all his afternoon free time to marching tours for about half a week.

Cadets understand that excessive demerits will result in their losing free time, and that free time will be spent "marching E.D." (E.D. stands for "Extra Duty").

Cadets are not permitted to haze or physically abuse one another and violation of these rules can result in expulsion. Honor code violations (such as lying, cheating, stealing) can result in expulsion. The Academy has a zero tolerance policy on alcohol and drugs. Possession or use can result in expulsion.

History

The school has been operating since 1898 in central Virginia since it was founded by Dr. William E. Hatcher. Over the years it has become the nationally accredited respectable military school that it is today, and it still provides discipline and education to students in grades 6 to post graduate.

The school has historically had many benefactors that have helped keep it up and running, and evidence of this can be seen in the names of its buildings. For example, the Guy E. Beatty Library, the Estes Dining Center, Hatcher Hall, and the Wicker Science Center.

FUMA is a non-profit organization that is managed by a board of trustees. See cite web |title=Our Promises to Our Donors |url=http://www.forkunion.com/development/ourpromises.html

Sports at FUMA

Football

FUMA is respected in the football arena, where two of its graduates have gone on to win Heisman Trophies and dozens have been draft picks by National Football League teams. Heisman Trophy winners from FUMA were Vinny Testaverde ('86) and Eddie George ('95). More than 70 current and former NFL players have attended FUMA.

One team, the Chiefs, is named after alumnus Harold Roe Bartle, former mayor of Kansas City -- his nickname was "Chief" Bartle.

Current and former NFL players who are FUMA alumni include the following:
*Gaines Adams, DE for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
*Darryl Blackstock, LB
*Plaxico Burress, WR for the New York Giants
*Dexter Coakley, LB
*Darren Drozdov (1969-), is an ex-NFL DT and retired professional wrestler who competed in the WWF. [ [http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=DROZDDAR01 Darren Drozdov] , database Football. Accessed December 8, 2007.]
*Jim Druckenmiller, QB
*Rickey Dudley, TE
*Eddie George, RB (Heisman Trophy winner, 1995)
*Don Majkowski, QB
*Billy McMullen, WR
*Roman Oben, OT
*Chris Perry, RB
*Mike Quick, WR
*Sonny Randle, WR
*Vinny Testaverde, QB (Heisman Trophy winner, 1986)
*Ernest Wilford, WR

Basketball

The basketball program at FUMA has been nationally respected, as well. The varsity team, coached by Col. Fletcher Arritt, has historically been very competitive and has served to help several young men play at the college and NBA levels.

Cross Country

The FUMA XC team is coached by Coaches Brown, Ransone, and Haney. FUMA also has a very good cross country team, with the 2006 team being led by Polish exchange student Axel "Ax-man" Mostrag. The 2006 cross country team won the Virginia Independent Schools state championship, posting a score of 28. That score broke the old record of 29, set by the 1989 FUMA team and shared by the 1993 Paul VI squad.

Track and Field

Guided by Coach Winston Brown, the FUMA outdoor track and field team won its 21st consecutive Virginia Independent Schools state championship in the spring of 2008, led by juniors Matt Anderson (300 hurdle champion) and Kevin Domingue (high jump champion).

Swimming and Diving

Coaches Jim Bocci and Brett Balhoff train the Fork Union Aquatic Club (FUAC) swim team (USA Swimming) and the Fork Union Military Academy Swim Team (High School) at Fork Union Military Academy's pool, opened in the 2005-2006 school year. So far, the team has produced one high-profile swimmer, and several upcomers. there have been swimmers since who have either come close or matched the previous records

The two Most Notable Swimmers produced by Jim Bocci and Brett Balhoff who went of too Division 1 college swimming are Will Trainor, who went on to University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va, and Jason Abel, who went on to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Will Trainor is the most notable of the swimmers so far, breaking a Virginia State swimming record in the 100 yard Freestyle with a 46.13 second time.

The FUAC website contains information about FUMA High-school swimming as well.

www.fuac.org

References

External links

*http://www.forkunion.com/