1972-1977

R.A, Ne'Shoba Democrat, Philadelphia, Miss., September 23, 1982 Brackeen Named ECJC Alumnus Of The Year

a field house record by scoring Brackeen h8S alSo servea in 53 points in one game. many areas of responsibility Brackeen was selected the in the Mississippi National Most Valuable Junior College Guard such as secretary of the Basketball Player in the Na- National Guard Association tion and was selected to the and member of the National Junior College All-American Guard Association Board of Team. Directors for two four-year Following graduation from terms. ECJC, Brackeen was He has been honored for his recruited by over 100 major outstanding accomplishments colleges throughout the na- by receiving the Mississippi tion, but chose the University Commendation Medal, the of Mississippi because he Mississippi Magnolia Cros8 wanted to attend a college in and the Army Commendation the state and because he liked Medal. the university. In addition to Brackeen, his His junior and senior years wife, who is the former at Ole Miss, he was selected to Charlotte Wells of Union, and the All-Southeastern Con- their sons, Morgan of Eupora ference team. and Charlie of Union, are His senior year he was 8lso _graduates of East Central. selected the Most Valuable Mrs. Brackeen is employed player in the Southeastern as secretary for the Conference was named to the Agricultural Stabilization and All-Americ:m Team, and was Conservation Service office. selected by Look as the most Morg~, wh? gradua.te~ f~o~ valuable basketball player in the Uruvers1ty of M1S.i11SS1pp1 the fifth United States District and the University of which includes nine southern Mississippi LawSchool, is now states. an attorney at law. He averaged 28.9 points per Charlie is empioyed with game and was fifth in the na- South Central Bell Telephone tion in scoring. Co. In 1955 Brackeen was Brackeen's friends and drafted by the New York associates (past and present), Knickerbockers with whom he basketball players that he played for about three mon- coached from 1~, as well tbs. as his military associates are In October, 1955, he return- givn a special invitation to at– ed to East Central as the tend the homecoming ac– basketball coach. He stated tivities on Satutday, Oct. 9.

Denver Brackeen of Decatur has been selected as the 1982 "Alumnus of the year" by the East central Junior College Alumni Association. . Brackeen will be honored at . homecoming activities on Saturday, Oct. 9. A reception will be held in Brackeen's honor in the Fine Arts Building at 4:30. . He was be recognized at the • alumni banquet in Mabry cafeteria at 5: 30 and during half-time ceremonies at the East Central-Pearl River game. After the game an open

DENVER BRACKEEN house in his honor will be held - M East Central Brackeen in the faculty lounge of the stu- made the Junior College All– dent cen~~· . . State team the 1949-50 school In addition to rece1vmg a year; but because of the degree from East Central Korean Conflict he was called J unior College, Brac~een to active duty' in January, earned a bachelor of science 1951 in the middle of his in physical educ~tion and a sophomore year. masters of education from the Brackeen continued his

Brackeen began making history at East Central Junior College in 1949 when he elected to attend East Central .over numerous other colleges. Brackeen was a top college prospect because of his outstanding high sehool career at Hickory where he made the All-State team for two years and helped to lead Hickory to 51 wins and one loss his senior year. He selected East Central because he felt that he could do better in academic work at a smaller institution and that it would better prepare him for senior college work. He also said that if a major college wanted him when he finished high school, they would also want him when he finished at East Central.

that he returned to East Cen- tral Junior College because it was home and a place he lov- ed. After coaching for seven years, he compiled a record of 137 wins and 52 loses. Brackeen not only has had an · outstanding athletic c'reer, but also has a very distinguished military career. :He holds the rank of colonel in the Mississippi Army Na– tional Guard. Presently he is commander of the 63lst First Artillery Brigade at Grenada. A veteran of more than 30 years military service, Brackeen has served as commander of the Service Battery of the 4th Battalion, 114th FA at Decatur and as Battalion commander of the 4th Battalion, 114th FA at Newton.

In September, 1952, Brackeen returned to East Central where he averaged 32 points per game and led his team to achieve one of the greatest success stories that the ECJC athletic department has ever recorded. East Central won the State Junior College Basketball championship, and Brackeen was selected to the All-State Junior College team. East Central won the Regional Tournament enabl– ing them to play in the Na– tional Junior College Tourna– ment in Hutchinson, Kan., where they fini$hed fourth in the nation. At Hutchinson Brackeen set

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