Anderson heads home
Versatility is perhaps Brady Anderson’s greatest asset.
Versatility is perhaps Brady Anderson’s greatest asset.
So it’s no surprise that when he committed to Valley City State, he didn’t just sign on to play one sport.
Anderson, a three sport athlete for Jamestown High School, was signed by VCSU football coach Dennis McCulloch earlier this week, but the 5-foot-11 senior said he’s also going to be joining the Vikings on baseball diamond, too.
“They haven’t really decided where I will play yet (on the baseball field),” said Anderson. “They’ll probably decide next year.”
VCSU baseball coach Casey Olney will have options when deciding where to use him after he played nearly every infield position last year with the Blue Jays.
And if that’s not enough, he can also be called to pitch a few innings — both as a lefty and a righty.
“It’s nice to get the signing over with,” said the ambidextrous Anderson, who grew up in Valley City before moving to Jamestown before his eighth-grade year. “It’s nice I’m going to get a chance to play.”
Anderson signed with the Viking football team as a wide receiver, but much like Olney, McCulloch will have his pick of a few other positions, too.
Anderson started the season as the Blue Jays’ starting quarterback, but then was moved to wide receiver to give JHS another target on the outside.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll be playing wide receiver or quarterback. Maybe a little of both,” said Anderson. “I’ll play wherever, as long as I can play.”
Anderson finished with 211 yards receiving on 14 catches. He also threw for 365 yards and TD as the Blue Jays labored through a winless season.
The Vikings, on the other hand, are coming off their first NAIA national tournament appearance since 2001. No. 14-ranked VCSU went on to lose in the opening round against Carroll College, but the Vikings’ success did not go unnoticed with Anderson.
“It’s always nice to go to a place where they believe they can win,” said Anderson of the Vikings, who finished last season 9-2.
VCSU is no stranger to the Anderson family.
Both Anderson’s parents, Cory and Kristi, attended VCSU, and Cory played on both the football and baseball teams, too.
Cory pitched and played third base for the Vikings from 1985 to 1988, and was a quarterback and punter from ’84 to ’88. He later went on to win 274 games as the head baseball coach from 1992-2007, and was also an assistant football coach at the school.
“He basically said it was up to me,” said Brady, who is planning on majoring in business administration. “He just told me to go wherever I felt more comfortable.”
And having grown up in Valley City, it only makes sense he would be comfortable attending school there.
“I kind of grew up in Valley,” said Brady. “It’s nice to go back there.”
Sun sports writer David Griswold can be reached at (701) 952-8462 or by e-mail at dgriswold@jamestownsun.com. Follow him at www.twitter.com/DGriswoldSun
Tags: sports, vcsu, vikings, jays
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