PRAIRIE GROVE -- Next stop in the athletic career of former Prairie Grove quarterback Zeke Laird is the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
Laird will undergo four years of intense training in preparation to become a U.S. military officer, but he doesn't have to finalize all decisions yet.
Laird said the U.S. Military Academy is like a regular college, except with extra military training.
"The first year everybody takes the same classes, after that you declare a major," Laird said.
By the time he is a junior, Laird will be expected to submit specific choices for what branch of the Army he wants to serve in. When he reaches his senior year, Laird will learn what his first assignment will be. Cadets at the top of their class get first choice, while cadets at the lower rungs may have to accept what is left over.
The United States Military Academy's mission is to educate, train and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the United States Army.
According to its website, the Academy provides a superb four-year education, which focuses on the leader development of cadets in the academic, military, and physical domains, all underwritten by adherence to a code of honor.
"It's the premiere leadership school in the country, one of the top in the world," Laird said. "Look at the list of famous graduates, presidents and generals. It has great history, great prestige, and I get to serve my country in the army. That's a big thing for me."
Laird said his father, Craig, loves the history of the U.S. Military Academy and has been reading up on the past.
"He may be more excited about me going to the Academy than I am," Laird said.
Grade-point averages are recorded in four different categories: military performance, academic performance and leadership, with an overall GPA compiled from these three disciplines.
"The physical goes with all of that, too; you have to perform physically," Laird said. "Every cadet must be an athlete of some type whether varsity or intramural."
The West Point Black Knights compete in NCAA Division I football, highlighted by their annual rivalry with the U.S. Naval Academy in the Army/Navy game. Opportunities exist on campus to try out for a lesser-known brand of gridiron competition called Sprint football. Laird plans to compete for a position on the Army Sprint football squad, which finished 5-2 in the 2016 Collegiate Spring Football League (CSFL).
"They have tryouts for anyone, who wants to try out," Laird said. "It's like regular football with a weight limit of 178 pounds."
Zeke soaked up time with his family. Older sister Landry is home from Harding University for the summer and said she noticed a difference in Zeke.
"It's really cool to see all the work he's put into it and how he's grown through this experience," Landry Laird said.
Younger brother, Knox Laird, appreciates Zeke's diligence to impart football knowledge.
"We go outside and he gives me tips on how to throw and catch the football, on how to get faster," Knox Laird said. "That kind of inspires me cause I want to work harder to know what he's done."
Zeke spent two weeks at Searcy with his grandmother, Kathleen Laird, who offered this advice, "When things aren't going well, remember God is in control. Grandpa's watching over you in heaven and we're all praying for you here."
In celebration of Father's Day Sunday, Zeke said as a coach, his father taught him everything he knows about football, and has been a family pillar.
"He's never too tired to talk to me or my siblings about what's going on at school or in football," Zeke said. "He always makes time for family and for God. He's a great example to have."
Craig Laird said the scenario of sending his son off to West Point makes a parent both apprehensive and excited at the same time.
"I want him to use all of his God-given talents and abilities God has blessed him with to bring honor and glory to God," Craig Laird said. "It's an enviable position to be in, going to West Point, but all that and having the opportunity is irrelevant if you don't bring glory to God."
Sports on 06/21/2017