Brendan Buckley

Classroom

Buckley was named a CoSIDA/Capital One First Team Academic All-American last year. He ranks 11th overall in his Firstie class of 1,079 cadets. He managed to posted a 4.0 GPA in the fall semester while carrying a 3.987 cumulative GPA. Buckley is the two-time Patriot League Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2012 and 2013)  and also the Patriot League’s overall Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Brendan is a two-time Academic All-Patriot League Team honoree and a three-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll recipient while also making the Dean’s List member all seven semesters at West Point. He was honored with the Distinguished Cadet Award and Superintendent’s Award for Excellence. Buckley was named a Dean’s Pentathlete after achieving at least an A-minus grade in all courses in academic, military science, military development and physical education. He is majoring in Engineering Management and will enter the Field Artillery branch of the U.S. Army.

Character

Buckley was selected to serve as a team captain for the 2013 season. He served as a Battalion Commander within the Corps of Cadets during the fall semester which placed him in charge of overseeing the overall performance of more than 350 cadets within the battalion. He spent last summer with an engineer unit of the 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas and previously served as his company’s academic NCO, which meant he monitored, mentored and counseled cadets who were struggling academically.

Community

Buckley started a cadet mentorship program within his battalion. Cadets from the battalion went to the West Point Elementary School to read to the kids, play sports and provide them with young mentors. He has taken part in free youth lacrosse clinics hosted at West Point all four seasons and this year’s clinic drew nearly 500 area youth. Buckley has been active in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and he volunteers time working with local youth through the Army marketing/promotions staff.

Competition

Buckley returns as a two-year starter and leader of Army’s defense and was one of two Army players taken in the Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft. He was drafted to the Boston Cannons as the 54th overall pick. Buckley was honored by being named a Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Yearbook Preseason All-American (honorable mention), and to the 2013 Preseason All-Patriot League Team. His breakout 2012 season included first team All-Patriot League honors while he emerged as one of the top close defensemen in the country, covering the opponent’s top offensive threat in all 15 starts which included three of the top seven point-producers in the current NCAA rankings. Buckley finished the season ranked eighth nationally averaging 2.0 caused turnovers per game and he took the ball end-to-end for his first career goal against Colgate at Michie Stadium. Brendan was able to pick up 23 ground balls and cause 30 turnovers. He played in 14 games and made 11 starts as a sophomore and is a major cog in an Army defense that finished the season ranked ninth nationally allowing just 8.0 goals per game in 2011.