There’s more to Clint Moore than meets the “Eagles Eye”

This article appeared in a couple of different places and for those who might have missed it, we decided to bring it over to the site and give others a chance to see a different side of one of our local athletes, that has gone on to do quite well and this week, Clint Moore reports to the Cape Cod League up North for his summer basebal dutiesl…..

from www.goarmysports.com:

The following feature on Army shortstop Clint Moore(Grimsley High School), written by Andy Durham, appeared in the Sports Carolina Monthly magazine’s May issue. Moore is a Greensboro, N.C., native.

GREESBORO, N.C. – The flight of the eagle reminds me of our basic freedoms made possible by young men such as Clint Moore, serving his country at the US Military Academy, up at West Point, New York. I shall not, will not, can not take these basic liberties for granted, when I think of the work turned in by this young cadet, stationed along the banks of the Hudson River.

But this kid, a 2007 graduate of Grimsley High School in Greensboro, N.C., is a baseball player and the athletes have it made in college, no matter where they are playing, or where they choose to go to school.

Yeah, the athletes get up at the crack of noon and if you play ball, you don’t have to fall in line, you get a free ride and a free pass on the way to your college diploma…..

Right Clint? NO SIR!!!!!

I asked Clint about getting up at the crack of noon at West Point and he said by noon they have already…..Well, you’ll see.

AD – Clint, what time does your day begin? And list for us your daily itinerary…..

CM –
Day begins:
0615 wake up
0640 breakfast formation
0700 Mandatory breakfast
0730 Classes begin
0730 to 1155 are morning classes. 55 minutes each with a 15 minute period in between.
1205 Lunch Formation
1210 Mandatory Lunch
1230-1340 Dean’s hour for PMEE (Professional Military Ethics Class) once a week, other days it’s spent doing homework or getting a nap in.
1355-1450 Afternoon class
1520-1900 Ball practice
1930-2300 Homework
2330 Lights out Taps

-Military training takes place during the summer. Usually get 7 to 14 days of leave at home.

-My classes: Military Leadership, Geographical Information Systems, Theory & Practice of Military IT Systems, International Relations,
Platoon Operations, & Systems Modeling and Design.

-We play two double headers on the weekend (1, 7 inn, 1, 9 inn) for ball and usually one midweek game per week.

AD – Has there been a military history in your family? Relatives serving in the military or attending any of the military academies?

CM – My grandfather retired as a CPT in the Army as a Military Intelligence officer. My sister attends West Point. That’s the military history of my family.

AD-What first got you interested in attending/being appointed to the military academy and who is ultimately responsible for you attending West Point?

CM – I first got interested in coming to West Point when I started getting recruited to play baseball here. After being recruited I started doing my research and realized the opportunity West Point gives me and the tradition/history this place has to offer. I ultimately am the one responsible for choosing to come here. My family was in total support from the beginning if I did make the decision to attend a military institution like West Point.

AD – Would you have entered the military if you did not receive the appointment to West Point?

CM – If I didn’t come here I probably would not have entered the military. I had planned on playing baseball for a Division I school somewhere and had not really thought of the military as an option until West Point came along.

AD – What’s it like to have your sister Megan there with you, also enrolled at the Academy?

CM – It is definitely a unique experience having my sister here. It’s really tough sitting back and letting her experience the ups and downs of the development process here at school. Being the big brother I always want to step in and help her out but it’s not the right thing to do since its how she will learn on her own so it’s a bit difficult at times. Overall, it’s a great experience though. It’s always nice having a member of your family so close.

AD – How do you feel people on the outside view The Academy?

CM – For the most part I feel like the majority of people respect and honor West Point. Everyone I’ve met or heard of has just been fully supportive and view West Point as a treasured place.

AD – How is it looked upon by the long-time military leaders that came through the academy years ago and still serve in some capacities today, active or retired?

CM – Past military leaders and those who still serve in some capacity today look back at West Point and its cadets and are proud to say they went there and made it through the tough journey and are hopeful that the cadets here today continue to carry on
West Point’s legacy and tradition for years to come. It’s mostly a sense of pride they feel towards the academy I think.

AD – How would you say West Point differs from say, Oak Ridge Military Academy or Hargrave Military Academy? Any similarities or no comparison?

CM – I’m not really familiar with Oak Ridge or Hargrave but I would imagine the difficulty of the school for one is different, the time constraints, the Division I athletics, and then the top military training offered here since it is the United States Military Academy.

AD – To this stage of the game(your junior year), your greatest/best moment at West Point, whether it be athletic or academic, what really stands out so far?

CM – My greatest moments at West Point has been watching the class of ’08 and ’09 toss their hats up in the air and graduate. Seeing them toss their hats in the air gave me chills. I knew I made it one more year and accomplished that much more. Also, making it to the NCAA Regional finals against Texas in Austin this past summer was a great experience. Those two feelings were unbelievable for me.

AD – If you had to go back and do anything different, what would it be or is there anything that you would change while at West Point?

CM – I’m a firm believer that everything in this life happens for a reason and to live life with no regrets so I wouldn’t go back and do anything different or change anything. Everything that has happened has developed me into who I am today whether it’s good or bad.

AD – Going back, looking back at the start, now that you are in your junior year and you have a good feel for this routine/regimen, would you have embarked on this journey without the inclusion of baseball? Would you have made the commitment if baseball was not an option?

CM – Looking back I would have embarked on this journey. It’s been a tough road getting through academics and the time constraints here with ball and all the other duties and events here. But even without baseball I think I would have made the commitment.

AD – If professional baseball does not come your way at the end of your tour of duty, do you see yourself re-enlisting and becoming a career military man or will you do something else in the end and if so, what will that be?

CM – My main focus is being the best cadet and ballplayer I can be. My mindset is being a 2nd lieutenant upon graduation and if pro ball works out then I’ll look into fulfilling that childhood dream. If pro ball doesn’t come my way I plan on doing the 5 required years and seeing how the Army is and my family situation. At that point I probably will look into serving more years. If I do decide to get out, I’d like to try and be a college coach somewhere or find a job out in the corporate world. We will see.

Top Quotes/Answers from questions for Bob Beretta, Senior Associate Athletic Director at the U.S. Military Academy.

AD- What does the U.S. Military Academy stand for?

BB – Everything that’s great about our nation. Patriotism, Duty and Honor of our country….The Academy stands for character and unmatched leadership.

AD – Describe how Clint Moore has represented the U.S Military Academy over the past three years?

BB – Clint Moore is a great young leader. He represents everything that is right about young people today. A young man serving in the time of war. This is awe-inspiring and more than self-serving. The young men at the Academy check their egos in at the door….What Clint Moore is doing speak volumes for the Moore family with not one, but two children, at the Academy. (Clint Moore’s younger sister, Megan, is also enrolled/serving at West Point.)

AD – Where do you see Clint Moore 10 years from now?

BB – He will excel at whatever he chooses to do, whether it be in the military or in civilian life. He will truly be a leader no matter where he ends up…A phenomenal leader at that. He would be a leading officer at West Point. Whatever career path he chooses he is guaranteed to succeed.

AD – On Clint Moore’s baseball paths at West Point, what have you seen from Clint?

BB – In baseball, Clint is very consistent. An All-American for two years, with unbelievable numbers. He is almost as big on defense as he is when he is at the plate on offense. Opposing coaches just shake their head when they are coaching at third and Clint comes up with another big play with his glove/arm at shortstop….On his nomination for the Sullivan Award, given to the nation’s top amateur athlete, Beretta said it was an honor for Clint, the Moore family and the Academy.