Mississippi Brilla Hosts Mississippi College Night

Mississippi Brilla seeks to spread Christianity through its fabulous soccer team that includes players from across the USA and around the globe.

Founded in 1996, the Clinton-based squad remains stronger than ever during its 2016 season.

Fans are asked to circle July 8 on their calendars because it’s the annual Mississippi College Night. MC students, faculty, and staff with an ID will be admitted free to cheer the home team as they battle Saint Louis. It promises to be one of the biggest crowds of the new season that began in early May. The Blue Maniac, the Brilla team mascot, should be on hand to entertain the kids that Friday night at Traceway Park. The action begins at 7 p.m. and Brilla leaders hope to draw 1,000 fans.

This year’s squad consists of players from France, England, Jamaica, Brazil, Chile, and the United States. Brilla remains part of the competitive Premier Development League that grooms players for the next level in professional ranks. Major League Soccer players like Mike Azira of the Colorado Rapids and Alec Kann of Kansas City got their start on the Brilla team in Clinton.

But it’s not just what happens on the soccer field that’s of importance to the players, coaches and staff with connections to this minor league team.

“God has placed a passion in my heart to share the Good News of Jesus Christ using soccer as a platform,” says Rusty Bryant, executive director of Brilla Soccer Ministries.

The Brilla players are fully invested in the Central Mississippi community. They recently squared off against inmates in soccer matches at the federal prison in Yazoo City. Brilla players exited the facility with two victories earlier this spring.

Brilla players also hit the road to work with Mississippi boys and girls developing their soccer skills. “They run soccer camps all over the metro area,” says Brilla marketing intern Datti Jinkiri.

Brilla goals scored on the field also translate into an economic boost for their hometown in Hinds County. The lone minor league soccer franchise in the Mississippi, Brilla “attracts people to Clinton from all over the state,” Jinkiri says. “This is good for the Clinton economy.”

Founded two decades ago by soccer players traveling to other parts of the globe on mission trips, Brilla today is loaded with ties to Baptist-affiliated Mississippi College. Assistant coach Alan Hannon serves as an MC soccer assistant. MC grads like Rusty Bryant, Scott Taylor, Grant Gilliam and James Wells all played roles with the team. Summer interns Jinkiri and Ryann Davis are both current MC students.

After a road trip to Midland, Texas and Oklahoma City, the Brilla team returns home June 10 and June 12 to face the OKC Energy. Other dates on Clinton turf will be June 23 and June 25 against the Midland/Odessa Sockers. All four contests begin at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $5 for a single match. A carload of soccer fans would pay the discounted price of $20.

For more information go to the Brilla website at www.brillasoccer.org or call 601-924-3475.