Brooks to build new foundation at Cornerstone University

North Putnam senior Mason Brooks recently signed on to continue his basketball playing days with the men’s basketball program at Cornerstone University last week ahead of the 2021-22 campaign. Brooks was joined by his father, Cougar boys’ head basketball coach Vince, his mother Stephanie and his sister Jada.

Contributed photo

With IHSAA Boys’ Basketball State Tournament play beginning this week, anything that might be a distraction from sectional play would be an unwelcome development, even if it were an important part of the educational process such as choosing a place to continue secondary education.

Mason Brooks won’t have to worry about where he’ll be suiting up next season, signing on to join the men’s basketball program at Cornerstone University in the fall of the 2021-22 season.

“(Cornerstone) has a great culture with a historic coach (Kim Elders), who has just shy of 700 wins,” Brooks said about committing to the Golden Eagle basketball program. “He’s someone I could learn a lot from.

“I texted some of the guys on the team before committing and they all seemed like great guys, which made joining the program appealing.”

Cornerstone, located on the northeast side of Grand Rapids, Mich., is an NAIA school that plays in the Wolverine-Hooiser Athletic Conference.

The school itself was in a strategic location according to Brooks, who said it offered a smaller setting while still allowing for plenty of room for personal and professional growth.

“Cornerstone is 10 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids,” Brooks noted. “It’s a place that will have the sort of connections I’ll need to help with future jobs.

“I plan to major in sports management or business management. I’d like to be a college coach but if that door doesn’t open up, I plan to do something in business.”

The Golden Eagles have been a strong program throughout the past decade, winning six conference titles and five conference tournaments, routinely being involved on the national stage in the NAIA National Tournament as well.

“This is an experienced program,” Brooks said on Cornerstone’s history. “They’ve had a lot of success, having won two national title not too long ago, and their style of pay seems to fit me the best.”

Getting the signing in last week was a benefit to Brooks, who said not having that hanging over his head as well gave him a lift heading into postseason play.

“It feels great to have your future plans laid out in front of you,” Brooks said about completing the signing. “All I have to do now is worry about making a successful postseason run beginning with sectionals this week.”

Once the season is over, Brooks said there would be a need to hit the weight room hard as, after being the tallest North Putnam player and many times the tallest player on the floor, Brooks would be thrown in with many others who had already gone through a similar transition.

“Physical strength is going to be needed,” Brooks said about the biggest adjustment between high school and college play was. “I’m hoping to get some minutes as a freshman but I’ll be playing against guys three to four years older than me.

“I’ll be undersized and have to work on that during the offseason.”

While there was plenty of growing to do, Brooks said he wasn’t worried about that right this second but focused on getting a win over South Putnam to start sectional play.

Once the season is done, though, Brooks said his attention was fully in Cornerstone’s camp.

“I’m very excited to be attending Cornerstone,” Brooks sad. “I’m looking forward to it a lot.”