By Joey Bautista
DURANT – Dallas Baptist University Coach Dexter Goode announced the addition of Durant High School standout Brandon Carmichael (Class of 2018).
Carmichael earned three letters in lacrosse as well as led the Heartland Lacrosse League in points, saves, and save percentage his junior and senior year. He is a two time team captain and earned numerous All-Region honors with his club program North Texas Outlaws. The 5-foot-10, 115-pound attackman/goalie has set nearly all the records for the Durant Lions lacrosse program amassing 116 goals, 93 assists, and an 80.2 percent save percentage in his three seasons with the program.
Brandon Carmichael is one of the first players who joined the Durant program in 2014-15 and found lacrosse to be the perfect sport for him.
“I came from a baseball background, and just got burned out,” Carmichael said. “Baseball wasn’t fun anymore. Lacrosse gave me a new challenge, it is fast paced, physical, and so much fun. I wish I would have found lacrosse sooner!”
“The first years were tough, our team went 1-13, and we really struggled playing against larger schools. As the years went on we got so much better. We’ve won 37 games since 2016.”
“Brandon and the Carmichael family have made some tremendous sacrifices through the years to get to this point,” head coach Mike Delloro said. “Brandon has seen the full gambit of lacrosse from the state and regional level all the way to the national level as he played in the 2017 Fall National Championships at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
“I’m excited for Brandon as I know he will be ready to help DBU anywhere on the field.”
DBU assistant coach Goode stated, “Brandon is going to make an immediate impact with our program, he is a quick player that plays fast and there’s no question he has incredible hand-eye coordination which helped shape his outstanding high school career. More important than lacrosse, Brandon is going to excel in the classroom and receive a world class education here at DBU.”
When asked about his lacrosse journey Carmichael said, “Coach Mike has made a huge impact and he has sacrificed a lot for me. He has not only helped teach me the game but also helped me off the field with so much. Living in Bokchito, Okla. makes things difficult to get to and from practice and games, but my parents and Coach Mike found a way to make sure I was there. His passion for lacrosse got me realizing how fortunate I am to learn this great sport.”
“Everyone will be bigger, faster, and stronger and I need to have that mindset as well,” Carmichael said about the biggest challenge he might face at Dallas Baptist. “Adjusting to college life will be different but I know I can do it and am ready to contribute to the DBU lacrosse program.”
“I’m very thankful for my family, friends, and teammates along the way. Everyone played a massive role in my getting to this point and want to keep getting better!”
Dallas Baptist University is a NCAA Division II university, where its lacrosse program participates in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) and play in the Lone Star Alliance Conference.
For more information about lacrosse in Durant, visit DurantLacrosse.com.