By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Joseph Brazzell has become a trend setter. Not one of those social media influencers, but an athlete who will be on the ground floor of a new college program.
Brazzell, a First Team Hoosier Hills Conference selection for Bedford North Lawrence, signed to play with IUPUC in Columbus, a first-year NAIA program in the Rivers States Conference. He will join head coach Tyler Joy-Brandon and a roster of young men willing to chase their dreams and set the tone for the Crimson Pride.
“Playing college soccer has always been a dream of mine, something I wanted to do since I was little,” said Brazzell, who followed his brother’s footsteps into the sport at a young age. “It’s great to be able to actually do it.”
Brazzell, a center-back defender, scored six goals as the Stars went 6-8-2 overall and 2-3-1 in the league last season. He expects some growing pains with the fledging program.
“We’ll have to set the tone for what the program will be,” he said. “You have to build it.”
Brazzell was influenced by the school’s nursing program and the excitement level around the athletics, which is already spending money on facility upgrades.
“It sounded exciting,” Brazzell said. “Part of the draw was being the first.”
IUPUC will make its debut on Aug. 20 at Franklin.
