USAFA sweeps military combine at Broncos’ stadium

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
DENVER --  Eight USAFA members participated in a once-in-a-lifetime experience in an NFL combine-style event at Sports Authority Field, home of the Denver Broncos.

Second Lt. Michael Crampton, Athletic Department, Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Welch, Cadet Group 4, Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ryals, 10th Medical Group, Tech. Sgt. Scott Lauer, 10th MDG, Staff Sgt. Seurnchiew Saephan, 10th MDG, Senior Airman Xavier Leal, 10th Civil Engineer Squadron, Senior Airman Undre Stoker, 10th Security Forces Squadron, and Cadet 1st Class Cayce Dossett, Cadet Squadron 34, as well as service members from Peterson and Schriever Air Force bases and Fort Carson participated in the event.

The event, hosted by USAA and the Denver Broncos, showcased the participants' athletic skills by having them compete in a 40-yard dash, broad jump, cone drills, bench press and vertical leap. They were also treated to a VIP experience by having personalized lockers in the Broncos' visitor's locker room, brunch with a chance to meet some of the team, as well as special seating for the Broncos' final open practice.

"I thought the combine was awesome," Dossett said. "It was a really good experience to interact with all the service members."

This was the first combine-like event between USAA and the Denver Broncos.

"USAA's hosting of the Denver Broncos Military Combine demonstrates USAA's commitment to creating memorable military appreciation experiences through our status as the Official Military Appreciation Sponsor of the NFL and the Denver Broncos," said Russ Arnold, a military affairs representative with USAA and a retired Air Force chief master sergeant. "The participating service members are getting the full NFL treatment, starting from the moment they enter the locker room and see their name above their locker to doing drills and interacting with the Denver players and coaches."

Once the combine was finished, the participants' scores were tallied up and two USAFA members earned themselves top male and top female: Ryals and Dossett.

"I always felt like I should be playing some athletic sport of some sort and to be honest this is my first time in a football stadium for a professional event," Ryals said. "Although I wasn't prepared to compete, I competed as if I was being drafted.

"Thank you to USAA, the Denver Broncos, the AF and the military for providing us with opportunities like these. It's definitely a motivator, keeps up moral," he added.