Ashland hometown favorite Jordan Brennan is a star on the basketball court and off. He’s unassuming, humble—and he delivers. Kids look up to him. Teachers love him. Players want to play with him. Coaches want to coach him. Even when he one-ups someone, they can’t help but say nice things about him.

Last winter, when he surpassed Eric Sundberg’s 1979 all-time scoring record of 1,079 points for Ashland High School, Sundberg told the Ashland Daily Press: “From my standpoint, there really isn’t anybody that would have been better to break it.”

Northland College Basketball Coach Scott Sorenson recognized Jordan’s potential six years ago, when he watched Jordan play middle school ball. Since then, Scott’s become a part of the Brennan family—watching Jordan play in the Ashland High School gymnasium, greeting the family at the Northland games, and attending Jordan’s graduation party.

“One of the biggest reasons I chose Northland is because of Coach Sorenson,” Jordan said. “He’s someone who has your back and wants what is best for you, not just in basketball, but in life.”

Jordan follows in his parents’ and his big brother’s footsteps with his decision to attend Northland—to play ball, pursue education, and coach. Jordan’s brother Joey ’11 played ball at Northland where he earned his teaching degree. He’s now a high school physical education teacher and the head girl’s basketball coach in Hayward, Wisconsin.

Jordan’s mom and dad met at Northland, married, and settled in a house two blocks from campus where they raised their family. Brenda (Baron) ’83 is a kindergarten school teacher at Lake Superior Primary; Joe ’84 works at C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Co., Inc. and has been a beloved basketball coach for both Northland and Ashland High School.

While Jordan’s decision to attend Northland and play ball might have seem preordained, he considered all his options—and there were plenty. In the end, he chose Northland for its academics, location, and basketball program. “I wanted the sense of family,” he said.

Jordan will take the court in Kendrigan Center wearing number 21—the same number as his dad—for the first time November 16.

“He’s a fantastic kid, a great leader, and one of the best players to ever come out of Ashland High School,” Sorenson said. “We got very lucky.”