The story of Bradley Daye is really one of "rags to riches" - a truly positive story that has a happy ending.
By his own admission he was ignored by every university football program in the region with the exception of Mount Allison and just recently he reached the pinnacle of success by being selected as one of the two best cornerbacks in the nation.
"I was told to gain another 20 pounds and then come back by one coach," he explained recently. "Most felt I was too small to play football at the university level, but then Mountie coach Steve LaLonde saw me in a different light and the past five years have been wonderful here at Mount Allison."
Actually, Bradley weighed less than 145 pounds on a 5'9" frame. But that proved no handicap since from the day he arrived on campus he has had the attention of both teammates as well as the opposition. Aptly nicknamed All Day Bradley Daye, he went to work and seldom left the field except at half time and when the game was over. He teamed up with Gary Ross as outside receiver and the duo was aptly titled the Daye and Ross group that transported the Mounties into legitimate contenders. But that was just the beginning, for he took charge of a corner on defense, played on all special teams and even did the holding on converts and field goals.
"I understand that several coaches have had a few regrets as Bradley has shown he is not only capable to playing at this level but of excelling in any position he has been asked to play," says coach Kelly Jeffrey.
And along the way Daye has become a role model for his crime-infested hometown of Preston, N.S. While he does not care to discuss this role, he says he would be proud if he were to be considered this way.
"I come from a community where many of those people I grew up with are either dead or in jail or doing nothing with their lives," he admitted during a recent discussion.
But the bar was set high in the Daye household and he was challenged to live up to the examples set by his grandfather Buddy Daye. The latter was an outstanding boxer and then became the first black Sergeant at Arms in the Nova Scotia Legislature.
"He passed away several years ago but his legacy still lives on in our family."
Bradley's father, Mark, recently expressed his appreciation to Mount Allison, saying the past five years have seen his son develop into a true role model.
"He faced many challenges but sought out counsel and we are all so proud of him."
Actually, Bradley says he has enjoyed his years here and would never change anything even though he has been involved in just seven victories during that time. He will receive a BA in the spring with a double major. At the moment he has no plans to continue in university, instead hoping to get a tryout with a CFL team and is lining up an agent. In the long term, he would love to remain in sports, perhaps combining teaching and coaching.
It hasn't been an easy time for the outstanding defensive stalwart. Now weighing 185 pounds, he had a great first two years and Jeffrey says he was quickly gaining All-Canadian status in his third when a serious knee injury took him out. He returned in 2009 but says he was only about 80 per cent. During the past season, however, he was so solid that opposing quarterbacks stayed out of his zone, although he was able to snare four interceptions along the way. He also had 21 knockdowns and numerous tackles to rank as just about the best at his trade. He feels an intensive off-season program and work with coach Scott Brady prepared him for the "big show."
Bradley says it was really fun early in the past season when the entire secondary was healthy but he feels an injury to the other corner, Jermaine Oram, created problems with players changing positions and it became more of a job.
Back at St. Patrick's High School in Halifax, Daye played nearly every position as he threw more touchdown passes as back-up quarterback, and caught more TD passes as a receiver than any other player while also playing safety and punting. He also played basketball, badminton and was on the track team.
"The football program here at Mount Allison is on the rise," he stressed during our discussion. "Coach Jeffrey is doing a great job and is the face of the program and provides a sense of security we never had before. And athletic director Pierre Arsenault is a big part of the success as he demands only the best from each individual."
In discussing Bradley Daye, coach Jeffrey describes him as adaptable and a player who could have enjoyed an outstanding career at just about any position. And defensive coach Scott Brady says Daye was everything any coach could ask for, as he was perhaps the hardest worker on the team.
Obviously it is not going to be easy to find another player of that calibre but there is a sense of optimism already raising its head with what promises to be an outstanding 2011 recruiting class.
