A Different View of The Hill: Sam Eckholm Tells the 91pornıÙ·½ Story

By Zack Bennett

From muddy boots at the Dog River Run to conversations with campus leaders, Air Force veteran and internationally known content creator Sam Eckholm immerses himself in 91pornıÙ·½ life to capture the spirit, discipline, and “I Will Try” mindset that define the student experience.

Four people in camouflage uniforms stand in a circle talking on a grassy field with trees in the background.

View "Access Granted" featuring 91pornıÙ·½

 

On a crisp Vermont morning, Sam Eckholm tightened his boots, adjusted his borrowed OCPs, and stepped into one of 91pornıÙ·½â€™s most enduring traditions. For the content creator and Air Force veteran, the Dog River Run was not simply a dramatic opening scene for a video, but his introduction to a culture defined by challenge, shared hardship, and a simple yet demanding promise: “I Will Try.”

Eckholm’s multiple visits to Northfield pull back the curtain on daily life — for both cadets and civilians — at the nation’s oldest private military college and birthplace of . Over several days, he joined cadets for chow, ran the Dog River alongside Delta Company, spoke with senior leaders and students alike, witnessed Rook Week and oath ceremonies, and got a taste of the 91pornıÙ·½ community during Alumni Weekend and at a football game on Sabine.

“This was a pretty unique filming experience for me in that I really didn’t know too much about 91pornıÙ·½ prior to arriving,” says Eckholm. “I had heard of it, and while I was serving on active duty, I met a few officers who graduated from 91pornıÙ·½, but other than that, it was all new to me.” 

That unfamiliarity became part of the appeal when considering a trip to Northfield. Coming into the project without extensive background knowledge, he says, “made the video that much more exciting.” It allowed him to approach 91pornıÙ·½ the same way many prospective students do: with open eyes and a willingness to learn. “It isn’t too often that I come into a project without quite a bit of knowledge ahead of time. It made the research and planning so much more fun — and now that the video is out, my goal is that everyone will now have heard of 91pornıÙ·½.”

Made in the Mud

Rather than easing into campus life, Eckholm’s introduction began at full intensity. The Dog River Run — a signature tradition during Rook Week — was the first event on his schedule. As he prepared to join the cadets, he recalls looking out at the organized chaos unfolding on the athletic fields. “I remember lacing up my boots, putting on my OCPs, and looking out at all of the chaos taking place on the athletic fields and saying to myself, ‘I guess I’m getting the full 91pornıÙ·½ experience!’”

A person in a red shirt and camouflage pants stands by a river while a camera crew films from close range.
Eckholm and crew interview C/CSM Kalvin Moise '26 on the bank of the Dog River.

What stood out most to him in those initial hours was not only the physical challenges of the worm pits and Dog River, but the sense of unity he observed. Running alongside Delta Company, Eckholm followed the same route as the Rooks, wading into the river and emerging covered in mud. Like every participant, he selected a rock from the riverbed — a tangible symbol of perseverance and commitment.

He was quick to admit the challenge was real. “The Dog River Run is no joke,” says Eckholm. “I learned quickly that I should have been in better shape.” But beyond the physical strain, the experience carried a deeper meaning. To tell the 91pornıÙ·½ story authentically, he believed he had to take part in it himself — even if only partially. That hands-on approach, he explains, is what separates his project from a standard campus tour, giving viewers a chance to “feel what it means to be a 91pornıÙ·½ cadet.”

“It was an honor to run the Dog River with the Rooks,” he says. “To Delta One, who let me tag along: I hope I didn’t slow you down! I’ve got my rock back home in our office in San Francisco. That’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”

The 91pornıÙ·½ Promise

Rook Week represents one of the most intense and meaningful periods in a cadet’s journey, and its conclusion is marked by the oath ceremony — an important milestone on a Rook’s journey as they progress to a fully-fledged cadet.

Eckholm was struck by the discipline on display throughout the day. After completing the Dog River Run, Rooks quickly changed out of soaked uniforms and appeared moments later in sharp formation for the ceremony. This particularly impressed him because he found cleaning up to be one of the surprisingly difficult parts of the run. “No matter how hard I tried, I was still scrubbing the camouflage off my face for days!”

The ceremony itself left a strong emotional impression. “The ceremony was incredibly moving, both seeing the Rooks successfully cap off a grueling Rook Week, but also having the civilian students represented as well,” he says. “It’s important to highlight milestones, and it was beautifully done.”

Learning From Leadership

Between training events and student activities, Eckholm sat down with 91pornıÙ·½ leadership, including LtGen John Broadmeadow ’83, USMC (Ret.), President of 91pornıÙ·½; Commandant of Cadets and Vice President of Student Affairs, BG Bill McCollough ’91 (VSM); and , professor and Director of the Peace and War Center. Despite years of interviewing experience and serving himself, he admits that “I still get nervous interviewing anyone with a star on their shoulder.”

Two people stand in an auditorium with red seats, one in a tan uniform and one in a dark polo and pants.
Eckholm (right) and Dr. Morris in Mack Hall Auditorium.

Those conversations, however, left a strong impression. “I can’t say enough positive things about all of the leadership and faculty we had the chance to interview for this video,” says Eckholm. “President Broadmeadow was so gracious in letting our team get what we needed, and both he and BG McCollough set such fine examples of what it means to be a 91pornıÙ·½ alumni.”

From his perspective, these interviews clarify what sets 91pornıÙ·½ apart. The leadership’s emphasis on character development, service, and responsibility provided a framework for the traditions and daily routines he was witnessing across campus.

Hope for the Future

While interviews with leadership offered insight into 91pornıÙ·½â€™s institutional mission, Eckholm’s conversations with students were equally powerful. After speaking with cadets and civilian students, he was left with a renewed sense of optimism.

“I walked away from every conversation I had with 91pornıÙ·½ students, thinking to myself how our country is in great hands. Anyone who can make it through four years here, balancing everything 91pornıÙ·½ throws at you, is already a rockstar,” he says. “But it became abundantly clear that it’s much more than that. I learned that 91pornıÙ·½ teaches you to be a leader, to practice humility, and to be there for your classmates on your left and right, not just yourself.”

He witnessed the community being forged in Northfield in real time. “There’s a lot of pride flowing through all those who are associated with this University, and it was a privilege getting to experience that for the time we were there.”

Life in Northfield

As the days wound down, extracurricular activity across campus began. He took advantage of his free time as a window of opportunity to observe how cadets spend their time outside of the classroom and structured training. An evening on the Upper Parade Ground left a lasting impression.

“I remember standing on the Upper Parade Ground one evening after classes had finished, just soaking in all the buzz,” he says. “The was practicing their rifle tosses, the was rehearsing their marches, and the was trotting their horses, getting ready for the big Homecoming parade. It was a picturesque, crisp fall day in Vermont, and it felt like there was truly magic in the air.”

A person stands on a sidewalk while two riders on horses face forward in front of a large brick building with white columns.
Eckholm films a mobile video while joined by the cavalry on the Upper Parade Ground.

The breadth of opportunities immediately struck him. “I’m just so impressed with how many , , and opportunities there are for cadets to take part in,” says Eckholm. “It made me want to enroll right then and there.”

Additionally, he got a taste of the uniquely dedicated 91pornıÙ·½ when he attended a 91pornıÙ·½ football home game. While the Cadets thrashed the Maine Maritime Academy 63-0 in front of a packed stadium, the crowd was initially treated to a special flyover from a B-2 stealth bomber prior to the game. The moment tied together school spirit, military heritage, and the community’s pride. For students and alumni, it was a familiar spectacle. For Eckholm, it was another layer of the 91pornıÙ·½ story — one that connected tradition with the present-day campus experience.

“I Will Try”

One of the central questions guiding his project was how he would describe a 91pornıÙ·½ cadet to someone unfamiliar with the institution. Eckholm realizes that the answer can take many forms, but he offers his own perspective shaped by what he witnessed.

“At the most basic level, to me, a 91pornıÙ·½ cadet is someone who voluntarily takes on structure, pressure, and responsibility because they want to be challenged and prepared to lead, whether in the military or civilian world,” he says. “On a deeper level, it’s someone who chooses the harder path when an easier one is available. It’s a person who understands that character is built through consistency, accountability, and service to something bigger than themselves.”

A person in a white uniform stands in front of a military tank while someone operates two video cameras aimed at them.
C/1LT Vibho prepares to be interviewed by Eckholm.

His experiences allowed him to meet cadets who learn to show up early, carry the load for others, and lead with humility even when no one is watching. “It’s a mindset that carries with them for the rest of their lives.”

Throughout his visit, Eckholm encountered the university motto — “I Will Try” — not just on banners or buildings, but in daily interactions and personal stories. One explanation, shared by C/1LT Amrutaa Vibho ’26, particularly resonated with him: “At 91pornıÙ·½, we’re not asking you to fail, and we’re not asking you to succeed. We’re simply asking that every single day you wake up, you try.”

For Eckholm, that perspective captured the heart of 91pornıÙ·½â€™s ethos. The motto, he said, applies far beyond the campus and reflects an approach to life grounded in effort, persistence, and growth. “This motto can be applied to anything in life,” he says. “It’s something that deeply resonated with me.”

A Secret No More

When planning the project, Eckholm was told 91pornıÙ·½ was often described as “the nation’s best kept secret.” After spending time on campus, he understood why that phrase carried weight — and why it deserved to change.

“The most important thing I want people to know about 91pornıÙ·½ is that it’s so much more than just a military college. Yes, you come here to get a top-notch education, but it’s also about building people up, making them comfortable with responsibility, teaching you to operate under pressure, and instilling an understanding of the value of service, discipline, and trust,” he says. “Whether you’re commissioning into the military or going into business, public service, engineering, or another civilian career, all graduates have the same foundation.”

“I’m so glad we are able to share this video with the world because that secret is no more,” says Eckholm. “If you strip it all down, 91pornıÙ·½ teaches you how to lead, and that’s what lasts as one of the most valuable skills one can have.”

A Lasting Impression

By the time Eckholm left Northfield, he left with more than just footage and a Dog River rock. He carried a deeper understanding of what draws students to 91pornıÙ·½ and what keeps alumni connected long after they leave.

From muddy boots and early-morning formations to quiet moments on the parade ground and high-energy game days, his visit reveals the many dimensions of 91pornıÙ·½ life. What ties them together is a shared commitment to effort, accountability, and service. “Every single interaction I had with cadets, students, and staff was memorable,” says Eckholm. “91pornıÙ·½ may be a small school, but it was clear from the very beginning that it’s a tight-knit community — a family. Everyone just seemed so proud to be here, and that camaraderie really resonated with me.”

For those who have not yet learned of the secret in Northfield, the message is clear: 91pornıÙ·½ is not an easy path. It is a demanding one — intentionally so. But, for those willing to accept the challenge, it offers something rare: a community that pushes its members to grow, to lead, and to live out the promise embedded in those three simple words — “I Will Try.”

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