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Sports News - 08/01/02

Brown twins have played soccer together for 15 years

By David Bailey
Brown-Family The Brown twins, David (left) and Jonathan, are shown here with their parents, Dolphus and Elaine Brown of Cullowhee, at Smoky Mountain High School's 1997 soccer senior night. Former Smoky Mountain soccer standouts David and Jonathan Brown have completed their collegiate career.

David and Jonathan, twin brothers who have played soccer together for more than 15 years, starred at Milligan College in Johnson City, Tenn. "We are fraternal twins but we look so much alike that people think we are identical," said Jonathan.

After four years at SMHS, the brothers signed with Milligan College and competed with the Milligan Buffaloes soccer team.

"It was great," said Jonathan. "Originally, we about went to different schools and would have played against each other. But I made a decision to come up here. It was a better place to be."

"It was a great experience," said Jonathan. "It was nice having Dave there with me."

"We pushed each other and made each other better," said Jonathan. "We trained together and worked out together."

"We played different positions so we weren't competing for playing time with each other," said David.

Jonathan managed 10 goals and three assists during his four years as a Milligan Buffalo playing midfield and striker positions.

He was recognized as the most improved player during his junior year.

"We had a good goals against average," said David, who helped anchor the Buffaloes' defense. "I was fortunate enough to play along side an All American (Derek Sharpe). So we had a great defense."

Both brothers received senior awards for their commitment to Milligan's soccer team for four years.

During the twins' sophomore year, the Buffaloes were conference champions and came close to repeating that success during their senior year.

After controlling most of the game, Milligan lost when Tennessee Wessleyan scored a lucky goal during one of the only times Tennessee Wess-leyan were in our end, said David.

The twins were coached by their father, SMHS head soccer coach Dolphus Brown, when they were younger and while they played varsity soccer for Smoky Mountain.

"The tendency is to be a little harder on them, which I think I was," said Brown. "The toughest thing was to not show favoritism."

The joy of having his sons on the team was being able to share so many experiences, said Brown.

While at SMHS, the Browns made all-conference in 1997, and both are ranked in the top 20 for most goals in a career. Jonathan scored 6 goals during a game in 1997, making him second on the list of most goals scored during a single game for SMHS.

Presently, David and Jona-than are establishing their lives outside of college.

"I graduated in May and got married June 15," said Jonathan.

"Right now I'm looking for a job in youth ministry and have applied in Richmond, Charlotte, Franklin and even Sylva," said Jonathan.

David is currently employed as a financial representative with Northwestern Financial in Johnson City.

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