Aug. 21, 2006

The mission of the United States Naval Academy is to develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to provide graduates who are dedicated to a career of Naval Service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government. Navy slot back Byron McCoy is a perfect representation of the mission.

McCoy carries a 3.65 grade-point average, is entering his fourth year as a member of the football team and has been a letterwinner the last two seasons on Navy teams that produced a combined 18-6 record and won two bowl games. Additionally, he's one of the most respected members of the football team in the locker room and in Bancroft Hall.

"Byron is what everybody would picture as the ideal Midshipmen," said Navy head football coach Paul Johnson. "He not only plays the game of football full speed every play, every day, but his approach to everything he does in life is the same. I never have to worry about Byron. He's a coaches dream."

"Byron epitomizes what an Academy football player should be," said his position coach Jeff Monken. "He has a great work ethic, he's loyal and he's responsible. He cares so much about this team and his teammates. He's an unbelievable kid and a great representative of the Naval Academy."

McCoy came to the Naval Academy by way of Liberty, Mo., where he was a three-year letterwinner in football and baseball at Liberty High School.

"I really didn't know what I wanted to do as a career so I thought the military would be a great way to go," said McCoy. "The Naval Academy gave me a great opportunity to play Division I football and serve my country after graduation."

McCoy's high school football coach at Liberty, Pat Hansen, initially planted the seed in McCoy's head about attending the Naval Academy. McCoy was so excited about the opportunity that he initially was the one doing the recruiting, sending tapes to head coach Paul Johnson and expressing his interest. Once the Navy coaches saw him on tape, the offer came shortly after.

McCoy flourished immediately in the classroom, winning an award for being the best freshman chemistry student. His 3.65 GPA is the best on the football team in a major that is considered one of the toughest at the Naval Academy.

McCoy, who had a 4.0 GPA in high school and whose favorite class at the Naval Academy is differential equations, says the formula for getting good grades at the Naval Academy is an easy one.

"You have to go to class, take notes and read your assignments," said McCoy. "I have found that most of the professors here will help you if you ask them, and if you show them that you are making an effort, they will always be there to help you."

McCoy, who says he studies around three hours per night, isn't shy about sharing his knowledge with others. During his limited free time he tutors some of the freshmen on the team in chemistry.

"That's just the type of kid Byron is," said Johnson. "He is very unselfish both on the field and off. The kid cares about everyone around him. I can't say enough good things about him."

On the football field, McCoy mainly played on the junior varsity team as a freshman, but he did see action towards the end of the year against Eastern Michigan and Army.

As a sophomore, McCoy played on almost every special teams unit and saw action in every game as Navy won a school-record tying 10 games, won the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy and defeated New Mexico in the Emerald Bowl.

Last year, McCoy played in every game on special teams and saw some action at slot back on a team that went 8-4, won the Commander-In-Chief's Award and defeated Colorado State in the Poinsettia Bowl.

"It's been exciting to be part of this football program and be able to contribute," said McCoy. "The senior class has a chance to do something special-go to four-straight bowl games, win four-straight Commander-In-Chief's Trophies and win three-straight bowl games. I am going to do whatever I need to do to help us win games."

"Byron isn't the fastest guy on the team and he isn't the most gifted, but he's tough, strong and works as hard as anybody," said Monken. "He gets everything out of what God has given him. He is going to be a key player for us at slot back this year."

Upon graduation McCoy hopes to serve in the United States Marine Corps, something he says is the closest thing he could find to being a member of the Navy football team.

"Having the opportunity to be a Marine would be a great honor," said McCoy. "Being in the Marine Corps is like being on this football team. It's a team environment filled with good people putting in hard work and getting something worthwhile out of it, in the case of the Marines protecting our country. Most of my friends will be heading into the Marine Corps, as well. They tend to be the kind of guys that I hang out with."

The Marine Corps should be equally as honored that a person like Byron McCoy wants to join its ranks.