1954-1972

lard work helped to make Bra)ckeen an 'All-American'

but because of the Korean conflict he was called to active duty in Jan– uary of 1951, the middle of his sophomore year. It was in the army that he ex– panded his basketball talents, when he played for the 31st.Division Army team. Not only did he make the All-3rd Army team, but he was also selected the Most Valuable Player in the 3rd Army. His team was runner-up to the All-3rd Army Cha– mpions, and because of his playing those games, Denver was selected to the All-Army team. After approximately 19 months in the service, Brackeen returned to East Central in September of '52, He brought with him a new bride, the former Charlotte Wells of Union, whom he married in April of '51 while in the service, Ave!"aging 32 points per game, Denver led his team in achieving UJe..'highest success that the ECJC athletic department records today. Decatur won the State Junior College Basketball Championship, while Denver was selected to the All-State Junior College Team. They went on to the regional tourney and won, enabling them to go to the National Junior College Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas. ECJC fin– ished high in the ranks as number 4 in the nation. For his efforts, Brackeen was selected to the Junior College All-American Tea:m, along with teammate Howard Sessums of Harperville. At Hutchinson, Brackeen set a field house record by scoring 53 points in one game. And at this tournament he was selected the Most Valuable Junior College Basketball Player in the Nation, The National Junior College Athletic Association later presented Brackeen with a Certificate of Achievement "In re– cognition of bringing honor and sta– ture to the junior college program of the United States through out– standing athletic achievement and. exemplary life." Brackeen's earlier convictions

were correct. The senior colleges still sought his services. Recruit– ed by over 100 major colleges thr- . oughout the nation, Brackeen chose Ole Miss because he wanted to attend school in the stae, and he liked the university. His junior year at Ole Miss, Denver was selected to the All– Southeastern Conference team. A teammate of Denver's was senior Cob Jarvis, now the head coach at Ole Miss. Denver made the All-SEC his sen– ior year also, and -was selected the Most Valuable Player in the South– eastern Conference. Ile averaged 28.9 points per game, and was 5th in the nation in scoring. Toward the close of his senior years, Brackeen was named to the All-American Team, which he later

erbockers in 1955, a pro career for the Newton County native lasted only about three months due to a back injury. He returned ~o the junior college at Decatur as basketball coach in January of '56atthechange of semesters, "I came back be– cause it was home, and because I played here." Arter coaching for seven years, compiling a record of 137 wins and 52 losses, and also serving as Coun– selor part of the same time, he was made Registrar of the college, In 1963 he was appointed Dean of Stu– dents at East Central -- a position which he still holds today • "I enjoy my duties here at East Central because it gives me an opportunity to work directly with the students," says Brackeen. "Many adults today are down on the younger generation, but I feel I have been greatly rewarded for myyears spent in working with them." With a masters degree in education and thirty hours of work completed toward a doctorate degree, the thirty-nine year ole junior college dean is the father of two young basketball enthusiasts -- Morgan, age 14, and Charlie, 12, When in– terviewing Brackeen, the proud fa– ther was quick to show off two basketball trophies that his oldest son Morgan had already won during the last two years at basketball camp. In addition to farming and fishing the many acreage of land surround– ing his home, Denver also serves as a Major in the Mississippi Na– tional Guard. Brackeen still follows thegameof basketball. He plays local benefit games with area coaches, Jaycee groups, etc. In talking with Brackeen, a love for the sport reflects itseif often. He summarizes his feelings as fo– llows: "Being in basketball as long as I have, I do miss playing a great deal. And I have not completely erased the idea of never going back to coac.hing."

described as being one of the two highest points in his career and life achievements. The other, of course, being named the nation's Most Val– uable Junior College Player. That same year, LOOK MAGA– ZINE selected him the Most Val– uable Basketball Player in the 5th United States District, which includes nine southern states, When asked why he thought he was chosen an All- American, the somewhat shy and reserved Brack– een replied: ''I was the shortest center in the Southeastern Confer– ence, at 6'4". I had an average of 14 rebounds per game, and I hit 54 per cent of my attempts." He had the jumping ability to overcome his lack of height and had mastered the delicate art of shooting. Drafted by the New York Knick-

ne Tannehill

ie basketball"All-Americans" their honors with hard work •ractice; talent is the key for s; and good coaching brings to the top, lut Denver Brackeen, former American" at East Central r College and at the University .iississippi, attributes his ss to a combination of all y high school coach was Frank ~s," said Brackeen when inter– d at his home on Highway 15 of Union; "and I believe he very instrumental in helping tchieve basketball success," sed in Newton County at Hick– the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. teen, Denver spent most of his time during his high school practicing basketball. And at Id f1 an outstanding senior year, ll"d work was rewarded 20 to ijor college scholarship offers. Lllled to the All-State team his two years, Brackeen led the ry team to 51 wins and 1 loss senior year. "Probably the t point in my whole career was ~ing able to play in the state 1ment that season," said ;een, "We had such a good but we lost the wrong game wrong time." ·ackeen chose an East Central ~ College scholarship over offers because, "I felt I would :ter in my academic workhere mailer institution and it would prepare me for senior :e work, I also felt that if a ·college wanted me whenlfin– high school, then they would want me when I finished at :::entral." :ast Central was "home" to 1r and the other Hickoryteam– :, who later credited ECJC with >f the finest junior college : in the nation, 1ckeen made the Junior College :ate team in 1949 and ' 50,