Team:
Air Force Falcons
Stadium: Falcon Stadium
Conference: Mountain West
Sport: College Football
Background: The United States Air Force Academy,
the military academy of the United States Air Force, is located
in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was founded on April 1,
1954. On July 11, 1955, the first class of 306 cadets was
sworn in at a temporary site at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver.
Lieutenant General Hubert R. Harmon, a key figure in the development
of the Academy, was appointed the first superintendent. On
August 29, 1958, a wing of 1145 cadets moved to the present
site. Less than a year later the Academy received accreditation.
On March 3, 1964, the authorized strength of the Cadet Wing
was increased to 4417 and later reduced to its present number
of 4000.
President Gerald R. Ford signed legislation October 7, 1975,
permitting women to enter the military academies. Women entered
the Air Force Academy for the first time on June 28, 1976.
The first class with women graduated in May 1980. 12% of the
women who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2003 reported
that they were victims of rape or attempted rape while at
the Academy. It is estimated that about 20% of all women students
were victims. Sexual predation was mainly directed toward
freshmen and sophomores. Women who complained were generally
pushed or counseled out of the academy. This situation has
been generally known among the leadership of the United States
Air Force but little has been done over the years to correct
the situation or to disciple officers in leadership positions
at the Academy.
External links:
Official
Academy site
Official
AFA athletics site