Mustangs’ Evan Brooks Signs Scholarship For Track To Samford University

MADISON- “Looking back, I never saw myself earning a track scholarship.”

That’s how Evan Brooks felt as he signed an athletic scholarship with Samford University of Birmingham to run track for the Bulldogs next school year. This spring, the Madison Academy senior will put his best foot forward for the school’s track team for one final season.

Brooks holds school records in the 60, 100 and 200-meter events and is part of the 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams that have posted state championship performances. In 2017, he was named the school’s Rookie of the Year for the indoor track team and MVP for the outdoor squad. He was named the Wendy’s High School Heisman School Award winner and has been a varsity letter performer in track and football.

Brooks received attention from major schools such as Auburn, Miami and Louisville, along with UAH and West Alabama, but chose Samford, where his older brother, Emerson, is a senior. “Visiting the campus I just got the feeling I could be somebody and get a great education,” said Brooks of his choice.

The 6-foot, 170-pound sprinter began playing football at age six and became an award winning defensive back for the Mustangs, but track never came to his efforts until he was a sophomore at Madison Academy. With enormous efforts, Brooks has excelled to his currently ranked fifth among all classifications in the state in the 60-meter dash with a personal best time of 7 seconds.

“I thank my family as they have been great influences in my life,” said Brooks. “My parents made many sacrifices through the years to make sure I attended as many sports events as possible and they did their best to help me.”

Brooks has a 4.0 grade point average and will study business and sports marketing in the classroom at Samford.