Michael Bradburn’s ability to juggle academics and athletics ? and excel at each ? has been noticed by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association.
Bradburn, a Goodrich senior, earned a spot on the MHSFCA All-State Academic team by achieving a 4.0 grade point average and compiling more than 200 hours of community service as an Eagle Scout.
For his Eagle Scout project, Bradburn built a wheelchair ramp at the Goodrich High School football stadium so those people confined to a wheelchair could attend Martians? football games.
He began the project in August of last year, and he concluded it before the start of the Goodrich football season.
Goodrich coach Tom Alward said in order to merit consideration for the Academic All-State team, a player must be on the field for his team on a regular basis, and the individual’s grade point average, class rank, and American College Test (ACT) scores are taken into consideration.’This is a unique year because all the guys on the first team earned 4.0 grade point averages, and Mike certainly fit that bill,? Alward said. ‘It’s really quite an honor. He’s well deserving of it.?
Bradburn is the second All-State Academic first-teamer that Alward has coached in his Goodrich career. Paul Saindon was the first, earning that honor about five years ago.
As the starting center on the Martians? offensive line this season, he helped the Martians win a school-record 10 games and make the regional finals. Bradburn and the rest of the offensive line also helped Goodrich senior Kirk Elsworth break the Genesee County record for rushing yards in a season.
Bradburn, the son of John and Sharon Bradburn of Goodrich, has two brothers: Daniel, an eighth grader at Goodrich Middle School, and John, a junior at the University of Michigan.
He hopes to attend either Hope College or Albion College and major in pre-medicine.
When asked how he was able to balance the demands of football season with his class work, Bradburn said he tried to stay as organized as possible.
‘I have a very busy schedule, so I don’t have a lot of free time,? he said.
His advice to other students trying to balance athletics and academics is to remember their school work comes first.
‘There is room for both,? he said. ‘You have to prioritize and make good use of your time.?