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Most Valuable Basketball Player in the 5th United States District which includes nine southeastern states. he averaged 28.9 points per game and was fifth in the ' nation in scoring. In 1955, Brackeen was drafted by the New York Knickerbockers with whom he played for about three months. In October, 1955, he returned to East Central as the basketball coach. After coaching 7 years, he compiled a record of 137 wins and 52 losses. Brackeen not only has had an outstanding athletic career, but also has a very distinguished military career. He holds the rank of Assistant Adjutant General for the Mississippi National Guard. He has served as Secretary of the National Guard Association and as a member of the National Guard Association Board of Directors. He has been awarded the Mississippi Commendation Medal, the Missis– sippi Magnolia Cross, and the Army Commendation Medal. Brackeen's friends and associates are given a special invitation to attend the Homecoming activities to join in honoring Denver Brackeen as the first "Athletic Hall of Fame" member.

the All-3rd Champions. In September, 1952, Brackeen returned to East Central where he averaged 32 points per game. East Central won the state Junior College Basketball Championship that year and Brackeen was selected to the All-State Junior College team. East Central won the Regional Tournament enabling them to play in the National Junior College Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas, where they finished fourth in the nation. At Hutchinson, Brackeen set a field house record by scoring 53 points in one game. He was selected the Most Valuable Junior College Basketball Player in the Nation and was selected to the Junior College All-American Team. Following graduation from ECJC, Brackeen was recruited by over l 00 major colleges throughout tL~ nation, but chose the University of Mississippi because he wanted to attend a college in Mississippi. His junior and senior years at Ole Miss, he was selected to the All Southeastern Conference team. His senior year he was also selected the Most Vaiuable Player in the Southeastern Conference, was named to the All-American Team, and was selected by Look as ,the

Brae.keen Inducted Into ECJC Athletic·Hall Of Fame

In addition to receiving a degree from ECJC, Brackeen earn.ed a B.S. in Physical Education and a Masters of Education from the University of Mississippi. Brackeen served as Dean of Students of East Central for 21 years. He also served as basketball coach, Director of Admissions, Director of Guidance, and Academic Dean. Brackeen began making history at East Central Junior college in 1949. He was a top college basketball prospect because of his outstanding high school career at Hickory where he made the All-Star team for two years and helped to lead Hickory to 51 wins and 1 loss his senior year. Because of the Korean conflict, Brackeen was called to active duty in January 1951 in the middle of his sophomore year. He continued his basketball career while serving in the army. He made the All-3rd Army team arid was selected the Most Valuable Player in the 3rd Army. His team was runner-up to

The induction of former All– American Denver Brackeen into East Central . Junior College's ,;Athletic Hali of Fame" was announced recently by Joe Mulhol– land, President of ECJC's Alumni Association. Brackeen will be honored during Homecoming festi– vities scheduled for Saturday, October 19, on the college campus.