Dobson ’26: “Keep On Pushing”

For Cadet Tyrel Dobson ’26, every challenge as a cadet-athlete is an investment in the leader and professional he aspires to be. As a football linebacker, an economics and business major, and an S9 sergeant on post, Dobson embodies the Institute’s core values of discipline, integrity, and leadership.

From early-morning workouts to evening study sessions, Dobson fills every moment of his 6 a.m.–9 p.m. day with purpose. But for Dobson, success isn’t just about personal achievement; it’s about setting an example for incoming cadets, giving back, and preparing for a future in business, strengthened by the lessons learned on the field, in the classroom, and through the alumni network. And it all started with a life-changing moment—the day he was offered a full-ride scholarship.

Matriculating from Radford, Virginia, Dobson knew he wanted to play college football but also sought a college that reflected the values of the man he wanted to become. “I realized that VMI is something that holds the same standards that I want to have in my life, the discipline, the honor, the integrity, the hard work ethic, those are all things that I value in life,” said Dobson.

Balancing the demands of being a Division I football player and an economics and business major is enough to keep any cadet-athlete’s plate full, but Dobson doesn’t stop there. He is an active leader on post, serving as an S9 sergeant and participating in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Promaji Club, and the Cadet Investment Club. “It teaches you time management, discipline, and those things are going to correlate to me after,” he said. “Being a cadet-athlete and also being a ranker, being a sergeant, is just another thing I have to balance in my life, but I love it.”

For Dobson, leadership wasn’t always part of the plan. The demands of football and academics left little room for additional responsibilities—until his first sergeant challenged him to step up. “He asked me, ‘Why would you waste a great opportunity to be a leader when you can help others instead of just looking out for yourself?’” recalled Dobson. “That stuck with me.” With a new perspective, he embraced leadership roles, starting as a corporal for Matriculation Week, then moving into S2 and now S9, where he oversees athletic events like pep rallies and game-day coordination.

He also wants to set an example for incoming rats that they can do it, too. “That’s the reason why I do it, just to show the people, the rats coming up, that you’re able to balance the military, the academic, the athletics parts of VMI. So just being able to do it all, it’s just, it’s hard. But guess what? Life’s hard, so you just have to keep on pushing.”

Mentors, like his first sergeant, have played a pivotal role in Dobson’s journey: From his parents to his dyke, three-time All-American Stone Snyder ’23, Dobson was pushed to excel in academics, leadership, and football.

Dobson’s VMI journey began with a moment of validation and gratitude he will never forget. After a high school football game, he met with the VMI coaching staff, expecting to discuss his performance. Instead, he received a life-changing offer. “I just finished up my Friday football game,” he recalled. “[Coach] took me to his office and was like, ‘Tyrell Dobson, I want to offer you a $120,000 scholarship.’” That scholarship covers Dobson’s 4-year cadetship at VMI.

That moment, which he describes as “one of the greatest moments in my life,” solidified his commitment to the Institute. He resolved that he would give VMI his all. “When he said those words to me, what was going through my head was, ‘Tyrell, I know VMI could be tough, but guess what, you’re a tough person, and you’ll be able to make it through.’”

Dobson’s immense gratitude for the scholarship also inspires his determination to give back one day. “Seeing what the alumni do for us is something that’s very inspirational, and it makes me strive to, when I graduate from this place, do the same thing,” Dobson said.

As he looks ahead to a career in business, Dobson values the experiences and connections he’s gained through the alumni network, including an internship with RBC Wealth Management in Roanoke, Virginia.

“I definitely wouldn’t be the person I am today if I wasn’t at VMI,” he reflected. “That’s why I’m very grateful for VMI—it allowed me to grow spiritually, academically, and athletically in ways that I could not have grown at other places or other colleges.”