Central Michigan University Athletics
Hall of Fame Class of 2023: Bailey Brandon Was a Defensive Standout During Golden Age of Chippewa Soccer
9/5/2023 11:46:00 AM | Soccer, Our Stories
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- One of the best defenders in Chippewa soccer history, Bailey Brandon established herself as a key piece of CMU teams that won back-to-back Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament titles in 2009-10 and placed second in 2011-12.
Brandon, played in 89 career games with 86 starts, will be inducted into the Central Michigan University Marcy Weston Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023 during a ceremony on Sept. 29 at McGuirk Arena.
Brandon tallied three goals and 14 assists for 17 points in her career. Her assist total ranks fifth in program history. She is the sixth soccer player in Chippewa history to be inducted into the hall of fame.
Brandon made her collegiate debut in 2009, ultimately winning MAC Freshman of the Year and being named to the All-MAC Second Team, All-MAC Freshman Team, National Soccer Coaches Association of America (now United Soccer Coaches) Great Lakes Region First Team, and Soccer America All-Freshman Team.
She helped guide CMU's defense to 19 shutouts, which led NCAA Division I, while ending the season with both MAC regular season and tournament titles. During a MAC Tournament semifinal game, Brandon scored the game winning penalty kick to defeat Toledo, despite playing the entire game with a torn ligament in her knee.
The Chippewas would go on to claim the MAC title and qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Brandon finished out the season, helping lead the Chippewas to a 1-0 win against Purdue, marking the only NCAA tournament win in CMU history.
Brandon was a three-time All-MAC First Team honoree, was twice named to the MAC All-Tournament Team, and was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2012.
She is the only student-athlete in program history to earn both MAC Freshman of the Year and MAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Brandon was a two-time Academic All-American, a three-time Academic All-MAC honoree, and was awarded the Dick Enberg Scholar-Athlete of the Year award in 2012. She was also nominated in 2012 to represent the MAC for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, and was selected as a national finalist for the Lowe's Senior Class Award in 2012 as well.
Brandon, played in 89 career games with 86 starts, will be inducted into the Central Michigan University Marcy Weston Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023 during a ceremony on Sept. 29 at McGuirk Arena.
Brandon tallied three goals and 14 assists for 17 points in her career. Her assist total ranks fifth in program history. She is the sixth soccer player in Chippewa history to be inducted into the hall of fame.
Brandon made her collegiate debut in 2009, ultimately winning MAC Freshman of the Year and being named to the All-MAC Second Team, All-MAC Freshman Team, National Soccer Coaches Association of America (now United Soccer Coaches) Great Lakes Region First Team, and Soccer America All-Freshman Team.
She helped guide CMU's defense to 19 shutouts, which led NCAA Division I, while ending the season with both MAC regular season and tournament titles. During a MAC Tournament semifinal game, Brandon scored the game winning penalty kick to defeat Toledo, despite playing the entire game with a torn ligament in her knee.
The Chippewas would go on to claim the MAC title and qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Brandon finished out the season, helping lead the Chippewas to a 1-0 win against Purdue, marking the only NCAA tournament win in CMU history.
MARCY WESTON CMU ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CEREMONY
Date: Friday, Sept. 29, 2023
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: McGuirk Arena
Admission: Free and open to the public
Brandon was a three-time All-MAC First Team honoree, was twice named to the MAC All-Tournament Team, and was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2012.
She is the only student-athlete in program history to earn both MAC Freshman of the Year and MAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Brandon was a two-time Academic All-American, a three-time Academic All-MAC honoree, and was awarded the Dick Enberg Scholar-Athlete of the Year award in 2012. She was also nominated in 2012 to represent the MAC for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, and was selected as a national finalist for the Lowe's Senior Class Award in 2012 as well.
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