By Ken Hansard

Goddard Eisenhower senior third baseman Max Brown was a big reason why the Tigers were a state semi-finalist last season. As a senior this year, Brown steps into an even bigger role. “We are going from very senior dominant to only having two seniors this year. Replacing them is probably our biggest challenge. We’ll have several new faces, and I feel like it is my job to teach them to the best of my ability.”

Just because the Tigers are replacing several seniors does not mean that expectations are any lower, “Our goal for our team is to take one step further every year. This year the goal is to keep improving, so that we can take that next step.”

That next step would be a big one, and would see Brown and his teammates playing in a state title game. Last year, the Tigers finished 19-6 overall. Their season ended with a heart-breaking 4-3 loss in the KSHSAA 5A State semifinal to eventual state champion Bishop Carroll.

This past off-season, Brown put in the work that he hopes will push the team over that last hurdle, “In the off-season, I worked on arm care. Keeping my arm in good shape has been a challenge for me. I learned better routines to keep my arm healthy.” 

Brown credits his father for his love of sports. “He coached me in everything growing up. It was something that made us closer.”

Last season, Max was named second team All-State and first team All-League in baseball. Brown also excelled in the fall on the gridiron as a linebacker for the Tigers football team. He was nominated first team All-League, first team All-Metro, and first team All-State. 

Brown plans to attend Drury University to play baseball and would like to major in Pre-Physical Therapy.