Vancleave's Brady Signs On With MSU Track and Field
STARKVILLE, Miss. ?€“?€“ Mississippi State University head track and field coach Al Schmidt has announced the signing of Vancleave (Miss.) High School's Darryl Brady to a national letter-of-intent. Brady will begin competing for the Bulldogs during the 2005-06 season.
Brady will work closely with assistant coach Mike Cunningham, who oversees jumps.
"Darryl is an exciting young man to have on the Bulldog team," Cunningham said. "He will help us out in the high jump and learn the decathlon. I'm proud to have the Bradys a part of the Bulldog family and look forward to the next four years coaching Darryl."
The two-time 8-4A district champion in the high jump boasts personal records of 6-6 in the high jump and 52.00 in the 400-meter dash. For the past two seasons, he has placed second in the high jump at the South State meet and in 2004 was fifth at the Class 4A state meet. As a team, Vancleave finished second at the district meet a year ago.
"I'm hoping Coach Cunningham gets all he can out of me," Brady said. "I would love the chance to help out the MSU track and field team. His personality is what I like about him. He told me that I looked like an athlete and someone he could help. I can't wait to get there. It's been a dream of mine to compete in the SEC."
A multi-sport athlete, Brady was an all-Region tight end for the Vancleave football team and honorable mention all-Region in basketball and named Most Improved Player.
Brady is a member of the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes at VHS. He volunteered as a referee for the Upward Basketball program at his church, is actively involved in his church's youth group and has posted over 12 hours of community service throughout the year.
The son of Dawn and Darryl Brady, Sr. intends to major in agriculture at State.