Brister headed to Howard College
Cedar Creek senior Max Brister signed with Howard College on Wednesday to purse his baseball dream. Leader photo by Matt Belinson
The Division I junior college ranks await Cedar Creek’s Max Brister.
After delivering as the senior anchor for the Cougars’ pitching staff this spring, Brister signed to play college baseball at Howard College, a DI JUCO program in Big Spring, Texas, Wednesday afternoon.
“This day happened because a young boy had a love of baseball. And as all young kids do, they dream about playing college or professional baseball. Everybody has that dream,” Cedar Creek Athletic Director Gene Vandenlangenberg said. “Max had a little talent and he worked hard and developed a talent to throw the ball and make people miss. And because of that talent, that work, and you I can’t forget to say the support of his parents and his family and baseball coaches and the team. Today is a day Max is going to realize is becomes a little bit more real.”
Brister, who pitched 58 2/3 innings this past season for Creek with 40 strikeouts at a 3.25 ERA, joins one of the top JUCO baseball programs in the region, with the Hawks winning DI National JUCO World Series in 1991 and 2009.
“I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity and I want to thank my parents for always giving me the chance because I definitely would not be here without them or my coaches or my sisters,” Brister said.
Brister was essential in Creek’s first trip to the playoffs and first postseason win since 2019 this past season, earning first- team All-District honors following the year. His college plans started up in the air, but after an impressive senior year, doors began to open.
It’s why heading nearly eight hours from home wasn’t initially in the cards for Brister as he worked through his commitment journey but once a DI JUCO showed interest, he knew distance was worth it.
“They’re a Division I junior college and every other coach I’ve been talking to, and every other school has been Division II junior college. So, this opportunity was just one that I couldn’t really pass up,” Brister said.
Chad Yates, who wrapped up his first year leading the Cougars on the diamond, said his veteran ace has the makeup to succeed at the next level.
Between holding Ouachita Christian scoreless for 5 innings or his 2 2/3 shutout innings in relief in the playoffs, Brister’s ability to deliver in big moments has Yates excited for what he can do going forward.
“From the time we started, Max – he can lock in just like that,” Yates said. “You can’t see his highs. You can’t see his lows. I did have to kind of speed him up at times on the mound. He’s a like a human rain delay. But when he got locked in, we knew what we were getting.
“I think the team knew when he was going to take the baseball and take the mound that we had a chance to win each game out there. And that’s all you can ask for,” he continued.
Brister plans to major in business at Howard College, with plans to take an in-person visit on May 27.
Between now and the start of fall ball, Brister has is eyes set on a specific role with the Hawks.
“Coach said if I want to be the closer, that spot is there to earn,” Brister said. “I wanted to go somewhere that’s going to be competitive every day and get pushed every single day and I feel like that’s definitely the place for me.”
