1999
Lewis Brown Jr.
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ransitioning from Memphis, Tennessee, to New England as a lower was a big adjustment for Lewis Brown. Although a little homesick at first, his athleticism and ability to make friends on the field and track quickly helped to turn things around. Brown played just two JV football games before being pulled up to the varsity squad. He had never competed in a track meet until Andover’s winter season, but he began to dominate the ranks of prep school sprinters that very first year—starting with indoor track and then easing into spring track. Captain of boys’ indoor track his senior year, Brown was undefeated in the 50-yard dash, breaking the school record with a time of 5.3 seconds vs. Exeter. At the Wheaton Invitational, Brown won both the 55-meter and 200-meter sprints, earning the team’s vote of most valuable performer. In spring 1999, Brown took first place in both the 100 and 200, breaking PA’s record
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in the 200, leading Big Blue to victory, and garnering MVP at Interschols. Brown also anchored the 4x100 meter relay team, which won an Interschols championship. He was named Athlete of the Year for 1998–1999 by The Phillipian. Brown continued his track career at Emory University, helping win University Athletic team championships at the 2000, 2001, and 2003 indoor conference championships as well as the 2001 and 2002 outdoor conference championships. Brown continues to hold Emory’s record in the outdoor 4x100 and is currently ranked second all-time in the indoor 55, sixth in the indoor 60, and sixth in the outdoor 100. Brown earned a law degree at Georgetown University and is currently a lawyer and public policy advocate focusing on tax policy, housing justice, and criminal justice reform. He lives in Oakland, California, with his wife, Lauren Henderson ’00, and their 18-month-old daughter Bella.
1999 boys’ track team: Brown is front row, center.
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