photo credit: Jessica Bailey
Now and then \\ From blue to maroon, former Raider Justin Bailey (pictured middle) continues playing football in college.
Justin Case you didn’t know…
Class of 2016 alumni Justin Case Bailey is at West Texas A&M University
From a senior at Wylie East to a freshman at West Texas A&M, alumni Justin Bailey continues to work hard.
Bailey is currently a redshirt freshman, an academic sophomore at West Texas A&M and a second-year student in his first season of athletic eligibility. A redshirt freshman is distinguished from a true freshman who is in his first year both academically and athletically.
“West Texas A&M has been pretty good; I’m enjoying it a lot. School work and football workouts aren’t easy but I’m proud to be a Buff [mascot],” Bailey said.
Bailey sees himself continuing his school work and progressing in football.
“Next year I will probably be here in Canyon, Texas, getting most of my basic courses done and getting one step closer to being a graduate and beginning a career in the near future,” Bailey said.
Bailey played football, basketball, baseball and ran track and field while at Wylie East.
“Football is my favorite sport; basketball is a close second,” Bailey said.
The 2015-2016 football team set school records.
“We were the first team in East history to go undefeated in district,” Bailey said.
Bailey was nominated as Most Athletic and won his senior year. Other superlative nominees in this category were Garrett Mayberry and Jared Wyatt.
“It was an honor to be named Most Athletic. There were some pretty great athletes standing next to me when the winner was announced. I was happy with just being a nominee but winning was cool too,” Bailey said.
The varsity football team made it to playoffs and got to play at the Cowboys Stadium.
“It was a really cool experience. Not very many people can say they played a high school playoff game in a stadium that big,” Bailey said.
“We had a good run but it shouldn’t have ended as soon as it did,” Bailey said.
Many coaches helped Bailey throughout his high school career but Coach Gary Porter influenced him the most.
“He taught me a lot about the game and how to show out in my position and impress other coaches,” Bailey said. “He was also a great guy and mentor off the field. I could go to him if I ever need anything and he’d do whatever he could to help.”
Bailey’s family motivated and supported him in everything he did.
“My main supporters would be my family, [Jordan], Jayme, Mom, Dad, grandparents, aunt and uncle,” Bailey said.