Brown’s passion for building relationships and his innate ability to connect with students have been his driving force. His deep involvement with students on and off the court has been a hallmark of his career. He cherishes the opportunity to celebrate his students’ accomplishments and to play a part in their personal growth.
“I enjoy building relationships, and I know that is my God-given ability,” he said. “I enjoy and love it, and it’s why I did not want for a long time to come out of the classroom. I enjoy being involved, knowing kids’ names. I like celebrating our kids’ accomplishments on and off the court.”
The journey that brought Brown to this point has been marked by incredible challenges. A standout player during his time at Tyner High School, his basketball dreams were dashed midway through his senior year when he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy–a condition that caused an enlarged heart.
Despite the grim prognosis, he refused to give up on his dream of playing basketball. He took a walk-on opportunity at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, and his passion for the sport was rekindled. He worked hard and eventually earned a spot on the basketball team, proving the doctors wrong.
“At the time, doctors told me I had 10 years before I would need a transplant or some kind of procedure to remain living,” he said. “With God’s grace, I haven’t had any other issues. I’ve been able to play some basketball still after the fact. I even tried out and made the basketball team at MTSU just to see if I could do it. I was successful for one year. And, actually, I have to this day no symptoms of it. I’m extremely thankful and blessed to still have a good ticker.”
Beyond his roles in athletics, Brown has also excelled in education. He has shared his knowledge as a business education major, teaching various subjects ranging from accounting and computer applications to web design and entrepreneurship. Brown’s belief in the transformative power of education fuels his commitment to shaping young minds and preparing them for the future.
“I believe that I have been blessed with the opportunity to shape minds and impact the future,” he said. “I do not take lightly this responsibility, and also embrace the impact that these young people have on me.”
Brown said he is more comfortable letting others take the spotlight, but he is grateful for the opportunity to be recognized for his contributions.
“I appreciate this honor,” he said. “I’m not one that typically likes being at the forefront of stuff like this. I just want to try to do all I can for our kids.” The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association remains committed to its mission of fostering sportsmanship, character and leadership among student-athletes. As a voluntary and nonprofit organization, TSSAA is guided by dedicated educators and administrators who uphold the values of the program.