A Yale basketball player benched himself to join one of the school’s most exclusive a capella groups.
Just like Finn Hudson, Cory Monteith’s character in the popular musical drama “Glee,” Brandon Sherrod faced a tough decision. He could continue to be the starting forward for the Bulldogs, which finished last season 19-14 and are expected to face off against Harvard for the Ivy League basketball title next season, or join the Whiffenpoofs.
“This is supposed to be THE year, and you want to play with your guys,” Sherrod said. “But the Whiffenpoofs is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The prestigious all-male freestyle group, created in 1909, wooed Sherrod with its unique program, which gives rising seniors the chance to take off a year from school and travel the world.
Sherrod, who has never traveled outside of the United States, will visit every continent but Antarctica on his “Whiff” adventure.
The 6-foot-6 athlete has had a lifetime love affair with both sports and music, playing basketball in his hometown of Bridgeport, Conn., and also singing in his local church choir. The political science major hopes to play professional basketball and start a band after college.
While Yale Coach James Jones is a bit disappointed with Sherrod’s decision, he acknowledges that these kinds of opportunities are part of what makes Yale special.
“That’s one of the things we talk about when we recruit kids is what is available at Yale and the different opportunities they’re going to have,” Jones said. “Brandon’s going to take advantage of one of them, and I understand.”
Jones already knows about Sherrod’s skills on the court, but is excited to see what he has up his sleeve on stage. He plans to come see Sherrod perform at one of the Whiffenpoofs’ weekly shows at Mory’s, a famous tavern near Yale’s campus.
But just because Sherrod chose to compete on a different stage than the basketball court this year doesn’t mean his court days are over. He is still eligible to play ball in the fall of 2015.
“Justin Sears, our best player, told me if I didn’t go, he’d be upset,” Sherrod said. “Hearing things like that makes it easier. I’m fortunate to be at Yale and be able to utilize all the gifts that God has given me.”
With Post Wire Services