LIHU‘E — It wasn’t until Kyle Fleming saw history that he decided he wanted to be part of it. Editor’s note: Kapa‘a’s Austyn Pagtolingan also signed a letter of intent this week. That story will appear in Friday’s The Garden
LIHU‘E — It wasn’t until Kyle Fleming saw history that he
decided he wanted to be part of it.
Editor’s note: Kapa‘a’s Austyn Pagtolingan also signed a letter of intent this week. That story will appear in Friday’s The Garden Island.
LIHU‘E — It wasn’t until Kyle Fleming saw history that he decided he wanted to be part of it.
For the past few weeks, the United States Military Academy has pursued the Waimea linebacker to come play football for Army. Fleming, a honor student who was looked at by Brown and Colorado universities at one point, agreed to fly out to West Point, N.Y., last week for an official visit. While walking the same halls as past presidents and famous generals, Fleming decided he wanted to be part of the Army tradition.
Fleming signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Army Black Knights Wednesday afternoon in Honolulu. Fleming signed to a full-ride scholarship.
“I went into it really not knowing much about the academy,” Fleming said. “My first day we learned everything about it. Not just the football. But about the history and the academics. It was above and beyond my expectations.”
For those on the West Side, Fleming’s climb to the NCAA Division I ranks isn’t surprising. Fleming’s presence up the middle played a pivotal role in Waimea’s resurgence this past year. Fleming, like most Waimea players, played on both sides of the ball and was named to the KIF All-Star team this past season as a linebacker.
“Kyle was a captain and a leader for us. It’s going to be tough to fill his shoes,” Waimea head coach Keali‘i Aguiar said. “You never had to worry about his assignment. He was always spot on. That’s a testament to his football savvy.”
Fleming’s savvy doesn’t just come on the football field. Fleming’s 3.9 GPA and leadership abilities also caught the eyes of the academy. Fleming’s father, Michael Fleming, is a retired member of the Coast Guard. Michael Fleming said choosing West Point wasn’t just a football decision.
“We talked to him about it and explained what the academics are all about,” he said. “He’s an outstanding athlete and I’m not doubting him at all. But academics shined for us. He knows he wants to go to school for school.”
Kyle Fleming said it’s always been his dream to play college football. Now he’s facing the realization that not only will he be on the roster of a DI team, but he’ll have the opportunity to play in one of the nation’s more historic rivalries: The Army versus Navy game.
“I watched that game on TV this year, and that rivalry is huge,” Fleming said. “The first time I get to play in it, whenever that is, it will be huge for me.”
Fleming knows he’s getting a once in a lifetime opportunity. He’ll finish his time at the academy as a commissioned officer in the Army without any student loans and with a bright future.
“Not a lot of guys from Kaua‘i get this opportunity. It’s a prestigious school, and it’s an honor to be asked to play and just be considered,” Fleming said. “It’s more than just football. It’s my future.
• Tyson Alger, sports writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or by emailing talger@ thegardenisland.com. Follow him on twitter.com/tysonalger.
