Athletic, smart, organized, involved. These are just a few of the words that could describe an academic athlete. Daniel Bailey, a senior at Creekview High, perfectly personifies what it is like to be on top of every aspect of a busy high school lifestyle. With hour after hour of studying, day after day of football and year after year of school, Daniel has managed to always stay ahead of the game.
Daniel began his football career at the young age of six years old. He recalls why he chose to play saying, “My grandpa was an SEC official and my uncle was the head coach of Walton High School.” He would always watch football on Saturdays, specifically Georgia, to learn the rules and what each player was supposed to do.
As Daniel grew older and was starting to develop as a player, he knew he had to start getting serious about his game. All the way up until middle school, Daniel played for the CYFA (Cherokee Youth Football Association). As he made the transition into middle school at Creekland and the high school at Creekview, he recalled how much more competitive it became. “I remember actually having to learn the plays and where to go for each one. It was difficult, but I enjoyed how everything meshed together for a play to work.”
As Daniel is now in his last year of high school, he has definitely proved to his student body as well as his spectators that he was here to make a name for Creekview. As a freshman, Daniel proved he was ready for the “Friday Night Lights” as he was awarded the most improved player as a guard and long snapper. As a sophomore and starter on JV, Daniel led the Grizzlies to a winning year and also received JV Offensive Player of the Year. Towards the end of his sophomore year, Daniel was presented the role of a lifetime.
One of Creekview’s varsity offensive linemen went down with a season ending injury; Daniel was expected to play at the same level of talent and intensity as the injured linemen. When asked what emotions he felt when he found out he would be starting, Daniel said, “I was very nervous. I remember not even eating that day I was so nervous.” Entering his junior year, Daniel was a full time varsity starter, and he proved to his coaches that he deserved that spot. He even backed up his talent by winning several awards including: Cherokee Gridiron Offensive Player of the Week, Touchdown Club Lineman of the Week and the Varsity Scholar Athlete Award. Ever since that day, Daniel has started on the varsity team. As a senior, Daniel had to make a transition from guard, to center and long snapper. “I enjoy this position a lot more” he stated. Also, Daniel was named Iron Man of Creekview High School. The Iron Man award portrays the strongest, fastest and best all around athlete. He continues to practice his work ethic everyday hoping to improve his game as well as the rest of his team’s.
Although every high school loves to get involved in their athletic programs, they sometimes forget to realize that they are still in school. With such a busy schedule of football every day, games on Friday, and sometimes “surprise” Saturday practices, it is very difficult to keep up academically. But, Daniel says he balances the two by using time management and staying organized. He put a lot of emphasis on time management. “It’s very difficult to keep up with my studies, being so tired from football. But, I keep an agenda of when to do certain assignments and I even try to get most work done at school.” His techniques have obviously worked throughout high school as he has kept a 4.0 or higher.
With the stress of senior year, S.A.T.’s and getting into college, it can be very difficult to keep up in high school. But in Daniel’s case, everything is always done to the fullest of his ability. On top of athletics and academics, Daniel is also very involved outside of school in his community. During the football season, Daniel and a few other football players are involved with C.A.R.E.S. This is where they go to different elementary schools and read to the younger kids. He is also very involved with his church. Daniel has attended mission trips quite frequently; the biggest trip being going to Mexico the past three years. He is also involved in the High School Church Choir. “I just enjoy everything I do” says Daniel. “I have always enjoyed being with my school friends, football friends, and my church friends.”
With several sports including football, basketball and track; seven A.P. classes taken in four years; a 1970 on his S.A.T and plenty more on his resume, Daniel hopes to attend the University of Georgia, where his dad also attended. He is not quite sure what he would like to major in yet, but he says whatever he chooses, it will be something that he would enjoy for the rest of his life.
Ryan Free
