Fork Union Military Academy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Fork Union Military Academy |
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| Established | 1898 |
| Type | Baptist, Private, Military, Boarding,Southern Baptist |
| President | Lt. Gen. John E. Jackson |
| Faculty | 175 |
| Staff | 32 |
| Students | 798 |
| Location | Fork Union, Virginia, USA |
| Address | PO Box 278 4744 James Madison Highway |
| Telephone | (434) 842-3212 |
| Campus | Suburban, 500 acres (2 km²) |
| Sports | 30 sports |
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.
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[edit] 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 instruction is used to organize the daily routine -- providing an environment with discipline, cooperation, and teamwork. While the Academy 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 their One-Subject Plan. For more than 40 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 and retain more of what they learn. 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 will help to 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.
[edit] 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 also a profit organization that is managed by a board of trustees.
[edit] Sports at FUMA
[edit] 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:
- Darryl Blackstock, LB
- Plaxico Burress, WR
- Dexter Coakley, LB
- 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
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 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.
[edit] Track and Field
Guided by Coach Winston Brown, the FUMA outdoor track and field team won its 19th consecutive Virginia Independent Schools state championship in the spring of 2006.
[edit] 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.
Will Trainor is the most notable of the swimmers so far, breaking a Virginia State swimming record in the 50 yard Freestyle with a 21.12 second time.
The FUAC website contains information about FUMA High-school swimming as well.
www.fuac.org
