As Mark and Kim Timpf take their rightful place amongst the hundreds of family and friends who will gather at Trophy Point on this lovely Friday afternoon for the Ring Ceremony for the Class of 2016 ... both parents have embraced and endured every step of their son Jeremy Timpf’s journey since his arrival at the United States Military Academy Prep School, followed by his indoctrination as a cadet at West Point and as a member of the Long Gray Line.
For the parents of Jeremy, who is the reigning two-year football captain, today they are experiencing one of several closing chapters relative to their son’s four years at West Point. Friday, the Timpfs’ will step into a moment in time in which many observers feel is the most reflective and moving ceremony at the academy aside from the graduation itself.
For Kim Timpf, words are hard to put together when trying to explain what such a journey has been for her as mother.
“I will tell that all the glory and splendor of West Point, that it’s been a real mixed thing for us,” she explained, as she spoke yesterday with GoBlackKnights.com, while attending Thursday’s football practice session at Howze Field. “Living in Arizona, it’s not so easy to get up here (New York/West Point) as much as we’d like.”
“So, dropping him here without family, then watching him come into this environment and grow like he has and to watch these young men [football brotherhood] grow like they have ... I even commented to another mother that you have that feeling in high school where you know all the kids and you know all the parents. And now in this Firstee year, you are starting to feel that again ... this fondness that you have for all these young men.”
Jeremy himself echoed his mother’s thought as he spoke with GBK. “I mean it’s a tall order for all players, because a lot of the players come from different states from all around the country and coming to a place where none of us never been to,” shared the 6-foot-1, 230 pounder, who shares the Co-Captain title with fellow inside linebacker, Andrew King. “I had never stepped foot into New York and so, it’s a little intimidating at first. But, there are ways to get through that and parents are definitely a big part of that.”
“My mom and dad supported me throughout this experience and I’m very grateful for them both,” added the linebacker. “I probably wouldn’t be as strong as I am today without them.”
Needless to say, both parents have experienced what most other parents have not, whose children leave for 4-years to a “normal” colleges and universities.
“It’s been quite a journey and it’s a lot,” Jeremy’s mother pointed out, without complaint. “I don’t think anybody realizes unless they’ve had a child go through West Point or went through it themselves, all the demands that this kids have on them. With all the things going on in the world and when you see these young men and women ... you feel that there is so much good.”
Jeremy was quick to point out that when it came to his success and even failures at the academy, that he was able to adhere to the advice that his dad had imprinted in him as a youngster.
“My dad is always said never settle for less,” Jeremy stated. “If there’s possibilities, then to be great out there and you might as well shoot for them, even if you fail. I’ve always taken that advice to heart and never settle for just being mediocre. So, I just go out there and just give it my best and see where it takes me.”
“Again, it’s quite a journey and I had a mother who had a son graduate last year and she said that she wasn’t prepared for the emotion that came with it,” Kim Timpf added. “Because as ready as they all are to get out of here {laughing}, and you know they’ve been here for what seems like forever. For us to come here like this and to know that it will be over soon, it’s a little bit of a reality there.
“But, we are so proud of him and all of these young folks.”
Once the dust has settle on his football after the 2016 campaign, the tough linebacker says that wearing the title of a two-year captain of the Army football team will never leave him.
“It definitely means a lot to me,” he proudly declared. “I am honored to be voted captain twice and I think the last person was Anderson [Stephen] back in 2009 & 2010. Even as players now and we look back at the past captains, especially now that we have Coach [Mike] Viti on our staff. I mean, he’s mentored me and like Anderson reached out to me on Facebook and they are mentoring me through other links as well.”
“Obviously, I would like to stay close to the Army football brotherhood and I would like to alway be part of this program, so being captain doesn’t end with me stop playing football here,” Jeremy added.
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