The University of Mississippi Athletics
Heart Of A Champion
4/18/2001 | Track and Field
April 18, 2001
OXFORD, Miss. - By Ashley Gibbons
Sports Information Student Intern
She's been away from home for nearly four years now, setting records as a member of the Ole Miss track team, but Brandy Mack's heart is still in Akron, Ohio. For Mack, the hardest part of her glowing athletic and academic careers at Ole Miss is being so far from home. But having found instant friends in her teammates and the guidance and encouragement offered in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, being a Lady Rebel has been a true blessing.
After qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 400-meter hurdles in 1998 and in 1999, Mack brought home All-American honors in 2000. While her family and friends are filled with pride and excitement, Mack insists she's not quite satisfied yet. She is working for a place on the podium for the 400-meter hurdles this year.
Why the 400-meter hurdles? Actually, Mack almost missed the chance to run this race back in middle school. Her track coach had told her she wasn't quite coordinated enough to run hurdles, but because another runner got hurt in the city championship, Mack was the only one left to run. The coach put Mack in, and she came away with the championship. Since then the 400-meter hurdles has had a special place in Mack's big heart.
"It's my favorite event," said Mack. "It's an exciting and emotional race. It doesn't matter how good or how bad you are, this race shows how much character you have."
And Brandy Mack has a lot of character. She recently accepted the 2001 Eugenia Conner Award, given to a senior female athlete who demonstrates exemplary leadership characteristics on and off the field.
"It is such a great honor," said Mack. "It means people see me as a good overall person, and that makes me happy."
Mack smiles when she talks about her goals for this year's track season. Aside from earning her place on the All American podium, she wants to keep her confidence up and her times consistently low. Maybe a couple of her pre-race rituals might help .
"I try not to be too superstitious," said Mack, "but I do wear one red sock on my right foot, and one blue sock on my left foot."
After graduating from Ole Miss in May with a degree in communicative disorders, Mack will begin working on her master's degree in speech and language pathology at Georgia State in the fall. She also landed a job there as a graduate assistant in the athletic and academic services department. Mack insists she'll keep running leisurely, but says her competitive track days will remain as fond memories of her time spent at Ole Miss.