Ferndale Senior Signs Letter of Intent to Play Soccer at Saginaw Valley

Surrounded by supportive family and cheering friends, Ferndale High School senior Lexi Brisson-Fast beamed as she signed official paperwork to play soccer at Saginaw Valley State University.

By signing an NCAA National Letter of Intent, a student agrees to attend that school for one academic year and the school assures the athlete a scholarship for at least one full academic year.

Sporting her new team colors on the Saginaw Valley State hooded sweatshirt she wore for the event, Brisson-Fast was all smiles as she credited her "great support system" for her success and thanked her parents, coaches and teammates.

"I'm excited to start this new chapter in my life," she said. "It's exciting and scary at the same time."

Ferndale Schools Athletic Director Shaun Butler said the 17-year-old senior has stood out for years as a great role model, student and athlete.

"She represents everything that is right in high school athletics," he said.

Butler said fewer than 1.5 percent of all high school athletes receive a scholarship to play on the college level. He said the distinction shows Brisson-Fast "worked above and beyond" to get to this point.

"It's special," he said. "Anytime we get anyone at the college level it's spectacular."

Butler, a Saginaw Valley grad himself, said Brisson-Fast would find excellent opportunities at the university.

"It's an exceptional athletic program for what's still considered a small college," he said.

FHS Principal Herb Ivory congratulated Brisson-Fast and her parents.

"I just want to say that I really am very, very proud of you," Ivory said on Wednesday.

Brisson-Fast's coach, Steve Motter, echoed the praise. "She's the kid that everyone wants their kid to grow up to be," he said.

Drago Dumbovic, head women's soccer coach at Saginaw Valley State, said he first saw Brisson-Fast play when she was a sophomore.

"There was never a doubt about her qualities on the field. The first time we talked with her we knew we had an outstanding person with a high level of integrity, poise and great character in front of us," he said. "Lexi has made a great impression on all of us, and we are looking forward to having her represent our soccer program and our university."

Her mother, Anna Fast, said she will miss her daughter in the fall but is glad Saginaw Valley is within driving distance.

"I'm very proud of her," she said. "She's gonna do well."

Her dad, Gerry Brisson, said he is proud of his daughter and knows she worked hard to get to where she is.

"She's done a lot of the work on her own," he said, pointing out how impressively she has set her course.

Brisson-Fast said she will miss her 15-year-old brother, Nate; 6-year-old brother, James; and 5-year-old sister, Ruthie, while she's away at college.

"They're so young," she said of her youngest siblings. "I think that's gonna be one of the hardest things for me."

Achievements

• All State Honorable Mention
• All League, OAA, 2099, 2010, 2011
• OAA Academic Award, 2009, 2010, 2011
• All District, MHSAA 2009, 2010, 2011
• Most Valuable Player for the Stockbridge Tournament, 2011
• Daily Tribune All Area, 2010
• Currently at 56 goals and counting
• National Honor Society
• Student Government Class Representative