May 3, 2006

MONTGOMERY, AL-Bradley Mann, a DH and first baseman for Alabama State, was named Southwestern Athletic Conference player of the week of April 25-May 1, 2006.

In a three game series against in-state rival Alabama A & M, Mann went 5-10 with a double and 4 home runs, including a grand slam. He drove in 10 RBI's.

Mann's big weekend started during Saturday's Senior Day festivities. After being honored on the field for his contributions to the ASU baseball program, Mann promptly smashed 3 homeruns in a doubleheader. He tried to top that with the grand slam on Sunday during the final home game of his Hornet career.

"It was a great feeling," Mann said. "The ball seemed as big as a beach ball. My brother, who was drafted by the Texas Rangers, never had a weekend like this. That made it even sweeter.

"The funny thing is that I didn't take batting practice all week," Mann said. "I was involved in Kappa Delta Pi (an education honors fraternity) all week, so Saturday was the first time I'd swung a bat in awhile."

Mann, a native of Millbrook, played at Stanhope Elmore under Coach Hank Furlow. Mann started his collegiate career at Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City and at Auburn University-Montgomery before settling at ASU.

"The decision to come here was the best--I got to play, I got a good education and I met a lot of good people," Mann said. "As a matter of fact, I'm trying to get some kids from my high school to come here too."

Despite his prowess at the plate, his coach believes Mann's biggest impact was felt off the field.

"Bradley's a great young man," said ASU baseball coach Larry Watkins. "He is a really good person and an asset to our program. We'll miss kids like that."

Mann, majoring in physical education, plans on being a coach himself.

"I am coaching some football at my high school now," Mann said. "I really like baseball, but football is my heart. But when I graduate, I'll take a job coaching whatever they tell me to."

"I've struggled with injuries all season, so to have a couple of days like that, I can't think of a better way to end my time here."