HHS distance star has discipline, work ethic
By: Rudy Brandl
Mike Klueber is confident he can thrive in the discipline and precision of a military academy. While most teenagers might be nervous about the prospect of entering a structured military environment, Klueber believes he’s well-prepared to make the most of the rare opportunity to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point.
The Hillsborough High senior credits much of his discipline and work ethic to his love for long distance running. Klueber, arguably the best male cross country runner in Raider history, has what it takes to succeed at the academy. He’s demonstrated his commitment as a high school athlete in a grueling sport that demands discipline and mental toughness.
"I think I have an advantage with my running background," said Klueber, a three-time All-American as a member of the HHS track and field team who plans to run cross country and track at Army. "If I can handle those 17-mile runs up and down hills during the summer, I feel like I’m prepared for whatever they throw at me. I feel like I can conquer it."
Klueber also considered Yale, Columbia, Lehigh, Rutgers, NYU and the U.S. Naval Academy but fell in love with West Point. He first visited West Point about a year ago and was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable he felt.
"I didn’t know what to expect and I thought I was going to be intimidated," said Klueber, who’s ranked in the top five percent of his HHS class. "The people who attend the academy and work there were not what I expected. They were just nice, normal people. I thought I’d feel out of place, but I really felt comfortable. It was a match."
However, it’s not quite that simple when a high school student-athlete decides he wants to attend the U.S. Military Academy. There’s plenty of work ahead a process that makes regular college applications look rather ordinary and routine. Klueber decided to undertake this arduous process and he’s thrilled with how things worked out.
Klueber opened files with Senator Jon Corzine, Senator Robert Torricelli and Congressman Michael Ferguson. He spent a good portion of last summer completing packets from all three political figures. These packets required everything from standard applications to essays to letters of recommendation.
After successfully completing and passing an extensive physical examination, Klueber waited for the interviewing phase to begin. He met with officers in various locations during the fall and waited for his nomination.
Klueber took his official visit to the academy in November and knew West Point was the place for him. He became reacquainted with coach Jerry Quiller, who showed Klueber’s file as an example of someone on the right track toward gaining admission.
"After that visit, I just knew I was going to get in," Klueber said. "I knew it was definitely my calling. I really expressed how much I wanted to attend the academy."
Klueber received an LOA (Letter of Authorization) stating that he’d gain admission once he received a nomination from the politician. Once Ferguson came through with a nomination that ranked Klueber second out of 50 military academy applicants, the process ended and left Klueber to accept his admission to West Point.
The Hillsborough High senior wound up turning down the U.S. Naval Academy, which also gave him a Letter of Authorization. Klueber also received letters from Vice President Dick Cheney and Governor Jim McGreevey during his admission process.
"It’s kind of cool to have a letter from the Vice President," Klueber said. "Even though I’m not using it, I can keep it in a binder. It’s cool to get that kind of recognition."
Klueber made it official by accepting about a month ago, right around the time the U.S. went to war with Iraq. Has this military action played any role in his decision to attend a military academy, which will leave him with five years active duty and three years inactive service after graduation?
"I’m convinced I’m doing what’s right for me and this country," Klueber said. "With the education and experience I’ll receive at such an efficient institution, I’ll be ready to face all the challenges in the future. I’ll also be attending an academy that has all the most recent information on warfare, so I’ll receive the most current information and teaching."
Klueber won’t have much time to celebrate his high school graduation. All cadets are due at West Point on June 30, which is R Day (Reception Day). He and his fellow freshmen will get 30 seconds to say good-bye to their parents before beginning a rigorous six-week basic training camp.
"It’s converting out of a civilian lifestyle into the military," Klueber said. "I’ve never been nervous about it. I think of it as an opportunity to get ahead of the other cadets."
When the young cadets go running, you can be sure Mike Klueber will be right at the front of the pack.