A familiar voice at Coastal Carolina University sporting events and someone who never fails to make students and faculty smile, Grayson Bray, is enjoying the last few weeks being an undergraduate at CCU.
Bray is a senior communication major with a concentration in sports communication. He is not only heavily involved in the athletic department on campus, but known for his kindness to others at CCU. Growing up in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Bray always had a passion for sports and making people smile.
“I knew I wanted to work in sports, and I knew I wanted to do something to make people smile,” Bray said.
Bray is often seen holding a dry-erase board with messages of encouragement. Each day has a different message. He first had the idea in middle school and has been trying to spread kindness ever since.
At first, some mocked Bray for his efforts, but he brushed the negativity aside and kept up with his mission. Positive reactions quickly outweighed the negative ones.
“It started to really have an impact, not just on other people but on me,” he said.
When attending a sporting event at CCU, Bray never fails to get the crowd on their feet and rowdy for the game. As a public address announcer and an in-game host for sporting events, during still periods he will play music or start a chant to get the crowd active.
It is an exciting and nerve-wracking time of year for Bray as he remembers all the memories he’s made and hard work he’s done during his time at Coastal. He said the last four years have been amazing.
Bray spoke fondly of faculty members at CCU that were influential, positive role models and exposed him to real world experiences.
“It’s given me opportunities that I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else,” he said.
