The landscape of college athletics is shifting fast, and you can see it most clearly at the United States Air Force Academy. As the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and transfer era begins, the Falcons’ basketball program is running into some tough, maybe even overwhelming, challenges.
Their roster is packed with freshmen and sophomores. Strict rules keep them from taking part in NIL opportunities. That makes it tough for Air Force to keep up with its Mountain West Conference rivals.
This post digs into the hurdles Air Force basketball is facing right now. It’s a look at what makes being a service academy in today’s college sports world so uniquely difficult.
The Struggles of Air Force Basketball in the NIL Era
Air Force coach Joe Scott doesn’t sugarcoat it. He calls the current state of college athletics “horrendous, horrendous” for service academies.
The Falcons’ 16-man roster averages just .41 years of Division I experience. That puts them at 359th out of 365 programs. It’s a far cry from 2004, when Scott led Air Force to a Mountain West championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Challenges with NIL and Transfers
One major challenge? Air Force can’t participate in the NIL marketplace at all. Because they’re federal employees and in the military, cadets can’t use their position for private financial gain.
That means Air Force is at a huge disadvantage compared to programs that can dangle big NIL deals to recruits.
- No NIL opportunities: Service academy students can’t take NIL deals.
- Transfer restrictions: Air Force can’t accept transfers but can lose players to other schools.
- Commitment to service: Juniors must commit to five years of active duty and three more as a reserve.
Impact on Roster and Performance
The current roster tells the story. Nine freshmen, three sophomores, four juniors, and not a single senior. There’s just not enough experience or continuity to compete at a high level.
Over the last seven years, Air Force has dropped from 56th to 359th in Division I experience. That kind of slide is hard to ignore.
On the court, the results show it. The Falcons have gone 9-22 and 4-28 in the last two seasons, winning only three out of 38 Mountain West games.
This year, they’re sitting at 3-8 with a No. 324 Kenpom ranking, heading into a tough conference opener against San Diego State at Viejas Arena.
Philosophical Shifts and Cultural Challenges
Coach Scott talks openly about the philosophical shift in college athletics. He feels the focus has moved from student-athletes to something closer to professional athletes.
He’s frustrated by the way educational and developmental aspects are fading, replaced by money and dreams of going pro.
The Role of Education
Scott says college basketball should be about education and personal growth for 18- to 23-year-olds. He worries that the push for money and professionalization is ruining what college sports are supposed to be about.
- Educational focus: College sports ought to put education and development first.
- Monetization concerns: Chasing money and pro opportunities hurts the real purpose of college athletics.
Recruitment and Retention Issues
Recruiting and keeping players is a real struggle for Air Force. The academy’s unique requirements make it tough to attract and hold onto top talent.
Scott’s lost players to places like Clemson, Cal, Texas Tech, Nebraska, and Utah State. Sometimes he replaces them with true freshmen, sometimes no one at all.
Three of the four juniors on the team come from families with military backgrounds. That shows just how much commitment it takes to stick it out at a service academy. The team is still doing what they can, given the hand they’ve been dealt.
Comparisons with Mountain West Rivals
The gap between Air Force and its Mountain West rivals is hard to miss. Other programs reload fast with transfers and NIL deals, while Air Force has to develop young players from scratch.
This season, teams like New Mexico and Utah State have brought in new talent and found success, while Air Force keeps fighting an uphill battle.
Mountain West Dynamics
Mountain West schools have started sharing revenue with athletes. Many hand out seven figures to their men’s basketball teams, which helps them attract and keep top players.
- Revenue-sharing: Most Mountain West schools give significant funds to their athletes.
- Roster reloading: Programs like New Mexico and Utah State rebuild quickly with transfers and NIL deals.
Air Force can’t do any of that, and it shows. Coach Scott’s had to get creative, even trying out different defensive schemes, just to keep things competitive.
Looking Ahead
Air Force is gearing up to take on San Diego State. The matchup at Viejas Arena looms, and honestly, the challenges feel bigger than ever.
It’s not just another game—it’s a real test of how well they can adapt. College athletics keeps shifting, and sometimes it feels like the ground moves under your feet.
Odds might not be in the Falcons’ favor, but they’re sticking with it. There’s a sense of commitment here, striving for something better, whether it’s on the court or off.
Curious about the hurdles Air Force basketball faces in the NIL era? Dive deeper with the full article on the San Diego Union-Tribune.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
