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Ever wonder what it's like to be at the helm of one of the largest athletic departments in the country? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on Navy Athletics with an exclusive interview featuring the new Naval Academy Athletic Director, Michael Kelly.

As a Naval Academy graduate myself, I'm thrilled to share an insider's look at how Navy Athletics is evolving to meet the challenges of modern collegiate sports while staying true to its core mission. We explore:

Key Insights on Navy Athletics' Impact and Future

• How the Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAAA) operates as a privately funded organization
• The unique challenges of balancing 36 Division I sports programs
• Strategies for competing against larger programs without traditional NIL opportunities
• Recent and upcoming facility improvements across multiple sports
• The vital role of officer representatives and faculty in supporting student-athletes

Exciting Developments for Navy Sports Fans

• Updates on football's success and its importance to the overall athletic budget
• New partnerships and revenue-generating initiatives to support all sports
• Insights into the recruitment process and how Navy attracts top talent
• The impact of recent leadership changes on the athletic department's vision

What You'll Gain from This Episode

• Understanding of how Navy Athletics operates financially
• Insight into the decision-making process for facility improvements and sport additions
• Perspective on the unique value proposition Navy offers student-athletes
• Information on how fans and alumni can support Navy Athletics

Whether you're a current midshipman, proud parent, loyal alum, or passionate Navy sports fan, this episode offers valuable insights into the inner workings of Navy Athletics.  Join us as we explore how the Nav

The Vermeer Group is a residential real company matching military families with trusted real estate teams across the country.  If you have any real estate questions at all, please text Grant at (650) 282-1964 or email [email protected]

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The mission of Academy Insider is to guide, serve, and support Midshipmen, future Midshipmen, and their families.

Grant Vermeer your host is the person who started it all. He is the founder of Academy Insider and the host of The Academy Insider podcast. He was a recruited athlete which brought him to Annapolis where he was a four year member of the varsity basketball team. He was a cyber operations major and commissioned into the Cryptologic Warfare Community. He was stationed at Fort Meade and supported the Subsurface Direct Support mission.

He separated from the Navy in 2023 and now owns The Vermeer Group, a residential real estate company that matches service academy families with trusted real estate teams all across the country. Text (650) 282-1964 with any real estate questions.

We are here to be your guide through the USNA experience.

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If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, have an idea, question or topic you would like to see covered, reach out: email [email protected] or text Grant at (443) 951-3064