Park City Star Alex Brannigan Signs with West Point to Play Two Sports

Alex Brannigan formally committed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point during a signing ceremony at Park City High on December 12, joining the Army football and baseball programs. Family, teammates and coaches attended the event as Brannigan, a two sport standout who plays linebacker on the gridiron and pitches on the diamond, put his signature on a collegiate letter of intent. He said he is the first in his family to attend a four year college and described his excitement at joining West Point's "brotherhood."

Brannigan arrived at the decision after fielding offers from other programs including Navy and Miami of Ohio. He told attendees that his West Point visit felt like home, a deciding factor in his commitment. The ceremony also recognized three Park City lacrosse players who signed collegiate letters of intent, with James Blair headed to the University of Dubuque, Harper Brent bound for Flagler College, and Tommy Fannon committing to Christopher Newport University.

This dual sport commitment carries several implications for the local school and community. Brannigan's choice highlights Park City High's capacity to develop athletes who can compete for service academies and other Division I and Division II programs. It also underscores the role of high school coaches and college guidance staff in navigating recruitment for students balancing multiple sports and academic goals. For families in Summit County, Brannigan's status as the first in his family to attend college spotlights persistent barriers to higher education access and the potential of athletics as a pathway to broader opportunity.

Local leaders and school officials may see this as a moment to evaluate programs that support student athletes academically and socially, including college counseling, summer preparation, and equitable funding for extracurriculars. Brannigan's decision will be followed closely as he transitions to West Point, and his path could influence how Park City High markets its athletic and academic programs to prospective students and recruits. The ceremony served both as a celebration of individual achievement and as a prompt for community discussion on sustaining support for college bound students.