Hundreds of student-athletes have come to play postgraduate basketball at Fork Union Military Academy. Their one year at FUMA allowed them to grow as players, as men, and as students. The majority moved on to Division I schools with full athletic scholarships, still with five years to play four - like any high school graduate. Other schools might boast one or two years of success. But no other postgraduate program in the country has the tradition of excellence, or national reputation, quite like Fork Union Military Academy.
The Academics
FUMA's One Subject Plan is probably the most unique and well known facet of the Academy's academic program. Often mentioned as a primary reason why parents choose FUMA over other prep schools, this intensive approach to classroom instruction allows students to give each subject area their full attention.
The daily academic schedule at FUMA consists of six periods, with one of those periods designated as a supervised study time when students may obtain extra help from instructors. Students are required to attend all classes. This intensive approach allows the instuctor and students to cover in one day what normally would be covered in one week in a conventional study plan.
FUMA provides extra help to PG's who need to raise their SAT scores in order to get into the college or university of their choice. Two courses (one math and one English) are designed specifically for PG's to help with SAT scores, plus SAT Prep Seminars are offered in the fall of the year. The seminar consists of five classes each for math and verbal sections. Students are also given SAT-I Test Excellerator Workbooks. If the PG wants or needs further help in preparing for his SAT tests, there are several tutorial programs available on computer in the Perkins Technology Center.
The Maturity
The postgraduate year serves as a stepping stone from high school to college, as many young men need a year to mature both physically and mentally. The PG at FUMA is asked to sacrifice nine months of his life to a very demanding environment. Yet, the rewards are well worth it. PG's leave FUMA prepared for the academic, social and athletics challenges that await them in college. They are truly ready to succeed.
The PG program is a vital part of our total school program. The postgrad at FUMA is immersed into the total cadet life. The standards that apply to cadets in grade 9-12 in such areas as cadet conduct, life in the barracks (dormitories), cadet rank, cadet weekend leave privileges etc., are applicable to our postgraduate students also.
The daily life of a postgraduate at FUMA is a demanding regimen. While his peers are enrolled in a college environment, the FUMA PG follows a rather structured Spartan existence in which he works to improve his academic capabilities and enhance his chances for success in college. Self-discipline and maturity are gained by the young men who participate in this program.
The Coach
Head Coach of the FUMA PG Basketball Program since 1971, Fletcher Arritt has racked up one winning season after the other. What's even more important - he has helped many of his players succeed as students, athletes, and men. An alumnus of the Academy himself, Arritt is an example of what Fork Union can do to help improve a young man's chances in life. For over thirty years now, he has seen many of his players move on to success in the university and professional ranks. He follows each closely and takes pride in their personal accomplishments.
What does the PG take away with him when he leaves Fork Union? Pride in his accomplishments, a renewed sense of discipline to get the job done, and confidence that anything is possible, if he only works hard enough.
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Past Players Words' About the FUMA
PG Basketball Program
"My year at Fork Union was very beneficial to
developing character. Playing for Coach Arritt
was the best thing for me that season. The
whole experince with the guys and life
there really prepared me for the trials and
tribulations when I played for the basketball
program at Miami."
Will Davis, FUMA Class of 93, University of Miami
"There is no way I would be where I am today - or
accomplished the things I have done in the last
five years - without Coach Arritt's support and guidance."
David Jackson, FUMA Class of 92, VA Tech
"Fork Union's PG Basketball program was a
very positive experience."
Larry Davis, FUMA Class of 92, University of South Carolina
"FUMA's PG Basketball program helped me
face the challenges of college basketball."
Merl Code, FUMA Class of 93, Clemson University
"The experiences at FUMA built character, reinforced
values, and prepared me for the next level of
competition, at the University of New Hampshire,
both athletically and academically. The success of
your program is unquestioned, and I feel great
having been a part of it."
Greg Steele, FUMA Class of 91, University of New Hampshire
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