Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall, Brandon Sherrod won state championships for Stratford High School and other titles at Choate Rosemary Hall. He’s now a starting forward for Yale University’s men’s basketball team.
Next year, he’s taking a little hiatus.
“It was extremely difficult making that decision. It was a very tough time,” said Sherrod, who just finished up his junior year.
He’s not “dropping the ball” because of an injury or an academic issue – Sherrod is joining an exclusive a-capella group, the Whiffenpoofs.
“I guess the prestige. It’s probably one of the oldest male a-capella groups in the country,” Sherrod said.
The Whiffenpoofs have appeared on Saturday Night Live, Glee and at the White House. They tour around the United States during the school year, then the world in the summer.
“I’ve never traveled outside the United States, so that was something else that really intrigued me,” Sherrod said.
He calls joining the Whiffenpoofs a “once in a lifetime” opportunity and strenuous time commitment (about 30 hours a week). Though he wishes he could balance both the Whiffenpoofs and basketball , the Gentle Giant said he’s an athlete following his heart.
“Music is definitely my first love, before I even touched a basketball. It’s just an amazing thing I’m able to pursue music next year as well” said Sherrod, who said he began singing in church.
He said he laments not being with the Yale Bulldogs next year, which he said has a good shot at winning the Ivy League men’s basketball title.
Sherrod says his coach is supportive and that he’ll return to the court for Yale in the 2015-2016 season.