The next Fort Dale Academy Athletic Hall of Fame inductee has neither a single touchdown pass nor a championship-winning season to speak of.

But his numerous contributions to the realm of athletics at FDA are difficult to ignore.

Longtime FDA headmaster David Brantley will join the hallowed ranks of hall of fame inductees Friday at 6:45 p.m. prior to the Eagles’ homecoming showdown with the Sparta Academy Warriors. A reception honoring Brantley will be held in the school library beginning at 6:00 p.m., where all are invited to attend.

Brantley, who has grown accustomed to helping induct various members of the FDA community into the very same class he now belongs in, said that he considered it an honor to be counted among their ranks.

“There are some really good people—some very fine athletes and coaches that have been inducted over the years to the hall of fame—and I’m honored to be in that group,” Brantley said.

Brantley, a native of Brewton, Ala. is a 1966 graduate of T.R. Miller High School.   While in high school, David played football and basketball.  Following high school graduation, he attended Jeff Davis Junior college on a basketball scholarship, was later named to the school’s Alumni Hall of Fame. 

Brantley finished his degree at Troy University, where he majored in physical education with a minor in English.   Brantley continued his education earning a master’s degree from Troy University in addition to a sixth-year education leadership degree from Troy University’s Dothan campus, and later received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award in 1992. 

Brantley began his teaching and coaching career in Atmore, Ala., with the Escambia County School System, where he played a role on the coaching staff on the 1974 state championship football team.

After only three years in the school system, he was appointed as assistant principal at A.C. Moore Elementary School.  The following year, he was named principal and remained in that position until his appointment as principal of Escambia County High School in 1979.  After two years serving in the capacity of a high school principal, he was appointed the position of Superintendent of the Escambia County School System. 

While in Escambia County, he initiated the Drug Free School Program, which received national recognition in 1987.

In 1989, Brantley was named Superintendent of the Andalusia City School System.  During his seven years in Andalusia, he served as president of the Alabama Association of School Administrators and also served as Chairman of the State Textbook Committee.    Brantley was also involved in the Andalusia community, serving as president of the Andalusia Rotary Club. 

After retiring from the public school system, he accepted the position of headmaster at Fort Dale Academy in 1996.  Now, embarking on his 21st year at Fort Dale Academy, Brantley considers his time at FDA and the AISA as the best years of his professional career.  Brantley was inducted into the Alabama Independent School Association Hall of Fame in 2013.

“When I started in school administration many years ago, I was taught that you needed to be a part of the total school program in every way, and I love athletics.  I played athletics and I coached athletics, so it’s been easy for me to be a part and support our student-athletes and games all over the place.  It’s been a pleasure, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Brantley says it is still a joy to come to work each and every day. 

Brantley and his wife of 45 years, Janet, live in Andalusia where he serves as a deacon in the First Baptist Church.  They have one son, Mitchell, who is an emergency medicine physician in Pensacola, Fla.  Mitchell and his wife Karen have two children, Grace, 12, and Max, 9.  Brantley says that the support of his family has enabled him to devote much of his time to his career.  Brantley says that his spare time is filled with sporting events, playing golf, and spending time with his grandchildren.