Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Yale basketball star quits team to join Whiffenpoofs a cappella group

A star player on the Yale basketball team has chosen to give up b-ball for a b-flat after being selected to join the university's elite men's choir group — the Whiffenpoofs.

Brandon Sherrod, a 6-foot-6-inch junior who played as a forward on last year's team has been selected as one of the 14 members of newest generation of Whiffenpoofs, the school's famous male a cappella singing group.



Formed in 1909, the group is comprised of rising seniors who take a year off school to travel the world. It counts composer Cole Porter and many other Yale luminaries as former members of the esteemed glee club.

Sherrod, who grew up playing basketball in Bridgeport, Conn. and singing in his church choir, said Monday that he spent weeks making what was an extremely tough choice after being tapped to be a "Whiff," a commitment that begins in August.

He said he wanted to stay with the Bulldogs, a team that finished this past season 19-14 and is expect to challenge Harvard for the Ivy League basketball title next season. Yale hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament since 1962.

"This is supposed to be the year, and you want to play with your guys," he said.
"But the Whiffenpoofs is a once in a lifetime opportunity." 

Sherrod still will have a year of eligibility remaining when he re-enters school in the fall of 2015. Head coach James Jones said he'll be welcomed back to the team with a song in his heart..

2 comments:

  1. Brandon, I am so proud of you. In this world of instant riches and athletes forgoing their eligibility to pursue their dreams of pro stardom, its nice to hear of a young man who is so firmly grounded that he understands tradition and what it means to be part of it. Oh yeah, I'm sure he would return to graduate and if he is that good, may even make it to the NBA. This is so refreshing that I'm gonna share this article with my friends.

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  2. This young man was not accepted to Yale for nothing. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and basketball will be there when he gets done. Good luck Brandon, you are an inspiration to other young men out there.

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