Missing a game is not an option: 180 cadets fly to West Point...

BY BETHANY KILPATRICK

Managing Editor

Attend a Tarleton State athletics event once, and you will quickly notice one of the loudest and proudest student organizations there is: the Texan Corps of Cadets.

The corps is the largest student organization on campus and is faithful in its support of the university and its athletes, even when it means traveling to West Point, New York.

Tarleton’s football team traveled to West Point and defeated Army in double overtime on Aug. 29, 2025, while 180 cadets stood in the stands embodying the true Texan spirit.

Cadets were informed last year that approximately 50 cadets would be asked to attend the Army game. However, Sam Pack, the owner and operator of Pack Automotive Group in Dallas-Fort Worth and business building’s namesake, had a different agenda.

Corps Commander Carter McKay remembered when he was informed that the whole corps was asked to attend the game.

“Sam Pack, donor out of the Metroplex, came in and had seen all of us supporting cadets at our last commissioning ceremony in the spring of 2025,” McKay said. “He saw that presence there and was like, ‘I want all of those cadets there at the game.’”

McKay, Charlie Company Commander Paige Davis and Deputy Corps Commander Max Hoogendoorn traveled to West Point a day prior to assist in planning and meet West Point officials.

“That was a really cool experience getting to have dinner with their superintendent, their commandant, along with Colonel Simon, our commandant,” McKay said.

What made the experience even more memorable was being able to meet Drew Hurley, President Hurley’s son, who is a West Point cadet.

“We just got to share our cadet experiences with him and compare how they are a little different,” McKay said. “We have always heard about Drew Hurley up there. We finally got to make that connection, and it was good.”

The rest of the corps began traveling the next day and were in for quite a journey.

“They loaded up at midnight,” Davis said. “Then they flew back and got back in about midnight or 2 a.m. It was a very long trip for them, but they handled it very well. I don’t think anyone showed any signs of being tired or exhausted; they all handled it really good.”

Gabriel Wendtland, head sergeant of the Charlie Company Commander Platoon, thoroughly enjoyed the traveling and time spent at West Point.

“We got off the plane, got on the buses to drive to West Point. From there they took us to their guest area where they had a little museum and gift shop,” Wendtland said. “From there, we went to the main campus. We were there pretty much all day.”

Prior to the game, cadets got to explore and partake in West Point activities.

“We went to the parade,” Wendtland said. “We got to see all of West Point. We got to watch all of the companies, platoons and divisions. We got recognized as the guests from Tarleton. After that, we went and marched to the actual stadium.”

Davis said the atmosphere at the game was surreal and that their cheering remained constant.

“It never stopped,” Davis said. “If we couldn’t come up with a chant, we were just yelling. It was nonstop noise. The energy was insane. It was a very surreal, out-of-body experience. It was my favorite game ever.”

McKay claimed that their support outdid Army’s by a landslide.

“It was crazy,” McKay said. “We were louder. 180 cadets were all louder than about 2,200 of their cadets.”

McKay described how shocked he was as the game progressed.

“Til about probably the first half of the game, we stayed with them,” McKay said. “I was like, ‘We’re playing with these guys. We might actually have a shot.’ Then the third quarter comes around, we go up on them, we’re beating them and we’re like, ‘oh my gosh.’”

Eventually, the dream became reality, and the Texans took the win 30-27.

Tarleton supporters were ecstatic as they began the haul back to Stephenville.

“We were all just along for the ride,” Wendtland said. “Leadership did a great job at keeping us going.”

The corps and athletics have an exceptional relationship, with the corps being a constant support system and athletics allowing the corps access to many of their resources, such as the weight room, track and turf in Wisdom Gym.

“If we cherish that relationship, if we are good and everyone behaves, we can help each other out,” McKay said. “We go to all of the games, and we support them. Cadets like to go to the games, so that is what we do.”

As long as Tarleton has student organizations that prioritize supporting one another, everyone is set up for success.

“The corps is an asset to the university because it advances its overall goal of becoming a premier institution,” McKay said. “Not only in Texas, but in the country.”