Incoming VSU Baseball Player Shares Story of Resilience Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Incoming freshman and VSU commit, Alexander (Alex) Dayle, who has fought to overcome a traumatic brain injury, will join the Virginia State University Men’s Baseball Team for fall 2022.  Alex underwent brain surgery in September 2021 after being struck in the head by a baseball during practice. The baseball caused a broken blood vessel in Alex’s brain. After intense physical therapy, he returned to his high school team, La Salle Academy in New York. He began conversations with the Virginia State University coaching staff in fall 2021 as he continued through the recovery process.  

“I talked to the baseball coach, Merrill Morgan. He was very down to earth, and I loved him,” said Alex. “Then we went for a visit in February, and they treated us amazingly. We weren’t treated like a number. The admissions team also treated us wonderfully. It was a no brainer at that point.” 

“Watching Alex’s recovery, determination, and overall talent is what made him a perfect fit for the Virginia State University Baseball Team,” said Peggy Davis, VSU Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. “It was clear that he gave 100 percent during his recovery process. We know that drive will help him to reach his full potential as a student-athlete at Virginia State University.” 

Alex will attend Freshman Orientation in late July. He will attend Virginia State University in August 2022 as an Accounting major in the Reginald F. Lewis College of Business. He will play first base and will be a left-handed pitcher for the Trojan baseball team.